"You sent for me, my lord?" Cassain's chief lieutenant entered the Prince's tent.

"Aye, please sit. Our history is far too long for formalities," Cassain roughly replied.

The Prince poured two goblets of wine for himself and for his lieutenant. They exchanged a drink for a moment, and Cassain wasted no time.

"You have heard that the Princess has arrived in Minas Tirith…" he began.

"Our spies have been well informed there, yes."

Cassain threw back his cloak and stood up circling to the other man's chair. "You are my most trusted assassin. Minas Tirith is extensive and well populated. The Princess is well known there. But one advantage we have that they do not…we have you. It is trading season there. The merchants enter from all ports and immediately make for Minas Tirith. The days will be busy in the marketplace and at night many festivities will be taking place. I am hiring you once again, Riand. And I expect you to perform the task I set for you with speed and accuracy as you have not failed me in the past. You are my best tracker and beast stealth man."

The tracker smirked flexing his well muscled biceps briefly. "I know what your will is, my lord. But if I am to do this, then I expect a heavy reward for my services."
"I thought as much," Cassain replied with a sly grin. He instantly produced two bags pulled tight. Riand opened them satisfied with the amount of gold coins in one and precious gems in the other. "I will return in three days time with the prize."

As soon as Hamir heard the news that his wife had arrived safely in Minas Tirith, he was finally able to relax. He turned to his advisor.

"Where lie we on terms with my brother, Enton?"

"Your brother has sent messengers with offers of a peace treaty. He will agree to keep his soldiers off of your land if you will remain in your territory and not encroach upon his. But he will not leave his men behind."
"I thought as much," Hamir breathed. "Cassain has wielded much influence over them. He has grown rich, and money turns man's heart to rot."
Enton changed the subject for a moment. "When will your wife return, my lord?"

"She said in two weeks time after she has had appropriate time with her family."

"All of your affairs have been governed here, my king. The trade goes well, the land is prospering, your arsenal is equipped and ready for any sort of attack. I heard news that you were planning a visit to surprise her."

Hamir smirked. "And where might you have heard that, Enton?"
"Chamber maids know much," he grinned knowingly.

Hamir laughed in response. "Aye, Enton. I do plan on surprising her. I will leave in two days."

"Oh, Araiel, go away," Aerin groaned in protest as she pushed back the curtains on the windows drawing in the sunlight.

"Not this time, sleepy head," she went to the side of his bed and dropped a slight kiss on his cheek. "You're supposed to teach me today, remember?"

He threw the covers over his head. "What time is it?"

"Um," she sheepishly replied, "An hour after sunrise."
"What? Go back to sleep, princess. Awake me when I am not in a foul mood."
"I don't care if you're in a foul mood or not. I'm up, and you will be too."

"Nothing you say will make me!" he snapped and pushed his head into the pillows.

Araiel smiled her devious plan working in effect. She slowly and silently picked up the basin of water resting beside the bed. With her other hand, she removed the sheets from his body bit by bit until his entire bare back was exposed. She liked it when he slept with his shirt off. She made an exaggerated motion of rubbing his back which caused his head to sink further into the pillow. His muscles relaxed beneath her hand as she traced the outline of his scars.

"Ahh keep doin that, angel. Feels nice."
"And does this?"

With one swift move, Araiel poured the entire basin's contents onto his body. Aerin jumped up flying out of the bed knocking her over in the process. He was soaked to the skin, and she was enjoying every moment of it. He rolled his eyes and climbed off of her. Meanwhile, she could not control her laughter and remained on the floor in giggles. Finally, he looked down at her and began laughing too. Finally he helped her up and kissed her forehead briefly.

"I suppose you think that was funny?"
"It was! It was hilarious!"

"Well, I will get the better of you in the field today."
"Perhaps," she tweaked his nose. "Perhaps"

Suddenly, Araron entered the room and saw the display. The couple stepped back from each other, and Aerin bowed suddenly to the king while Araiel made a swift curtsy.

"Hello, Atar…Aerin is supposed to take me to the fields today and practice. I was simply waking him up," she smiled sweetly.

"So I noticed," he cocked his head to the side examining Aerin's soaked form.

"Run along then daughter. You are already dressed I see. Aerin still needs to change, and I wish to speak with him for a moment."
"Yes, Atar," she kissed his cheek and left the room with a triumphant smile still plastered on her face.

Araron watched her leave for a moment before looking back at Aerin. "She has changed greatly, has she not?"

"Yes, my lord."

"She becomes more and more like her sister every day. While her sister is maturing. Now, my boy…I do appreciate the service you have done my daughter. Were it not for your connections, I may not have been able to see her again. But," he took a step forward to Aerin, "I have seen the way you look at her. I know you were fast friends before this marriage. I know you love her, but Araiel is not yours to have. You know this."
"Should it not be her choice?"

"She already has chosen, Aerin," his voice raised a degree.

"That choice was not her own, and you know it well. What else could she choose that was not her will?" Aerin frowned.

"The past does not matter. Only the future lies ahead, my boy. Someday you will understand that. And Araiel's future lies within the Harad with her king Hamir."

When Aerin entered the practice ring to meet Araiel, she could instantly see something was wrong. She walked up to his side and touched a hand to his arm. He flinched away in response.

"Aerin," she began, "what is wrong?"

"Nothing, forgive me, Ari."
"What did my father say to you?"
"It is not important. Come, I wish to show you something."

She noticed he brandished a sword within his hand. It was not elegant, but it suited him. It was a good sword, firm and equal. He swung it easily in a semi arch and performed a series of moves and swings she had never seen before. He had perfect form, and she loved the way his muscles contracted when he gripped the weapon. Finally, he stopped to face her.

"I have learned much in your time away from me. Can you do that?" he arrogantly smiled.

"No, but can you do this?"

She took an arrow from her quiver which was fixed behind her back and locked it within her bow. She concentrated on the target before her. Aerin continued to duck and make silly faces all the while trying to distract her, but she focused paying attention to the sound of the wind and its breeze upon her cheek. With one swift move, she released her hand, and the arrow sailed past and met its mark firmly within the bulls eye. Aerin wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"You always bested me in archery."
"It is my form of weaponry. But come, we will learn from each other this day."