ah, snow.yet another thing i have not experienced due to me living in perth, west australia where it doesnt snow and hardly rains. this winter weve had 4mm of rain. 4! ook sorry for the rant, heres the next bit! kind thanx to those who read and thanx even more to those who leave kind reviews!

Chapter 10: Winter is coming

"Dúniel, tell me you're feeling better!"Eldarion cried as he walked into her room.

Five days had passed since she'd returned from the Houses. She looked up from her mini loom and smiled.

"You looked positively harassed, dear brother."

"I don't know about harassed, but perhaps at a loss."he said, collapsing at her feet on her bed."I've been showing Arash around a lot over the past few days, and he's just moping over you. Discreetly, of course-"

"What do you mean, moping over me?"she asked, trying not to sound happy about it. He grinned and sat up.

"He fancies you, Dúniel, and you know it. Just a shame nothing will come of it."Dúniel's smile vanished and she looked down.

"Yes."she said, twining the wool in her fingers. Eldarion patted her knee.

"Tell me you're coming to dinner tonight, else I fear Miniual will start stalking him."

"Really?"she laughed."Oh the poor thing. How are the talks going?"Eldarion sighed.

"Not well. Ada can only talk to him once or twice a week because of everything else he needs to worry about, and I'm sure Mazid is being deliberately indecisive. I fear that no good will come of this."

"You think there's more to them coming here?"Dúniel said quietly. He nodded.

"I do. Perhaps Arash knows nothing about it. He does genuinely enjoy being here."he glanced at her loom."What are you weaving?"Dúniel blushed and tried to hide it but he whipped it out of her hands and grinned."Dúniel, you never wove a thing for me!"he said, mocking hurt.

She looked at the band of woven wool and turned deeper red. The band was very well made, and looked quite attractive made from green and grey wools.

"I think you inherited grandmother's talents."he said, handing it back."What is it?"

"A friendship band."she muttered."I'm not expecting him to keep it, but..."Eldarion smiled.

"So the monster finally has a friend."he said gently. Dúniel shook her head.

"Why did I have to let him get close?"she groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"It's alright to let people in sometimes."he whispered, kissing her hair."Come on, are you coming to dinner?"she nodded.

"I'm better now."

"Good, because it's going to be snowing tonight. I'm bringing all you girls back in case..."he trailed off, grinning at her embarrassed face.

"I won't be running around in the snow, don't worry about that."she said."I'm tired of being ill."

"If the Erui has frozen solid, I'll take us all skating next week."he said, referring to the river south west of Minas Tirith."Faramir took Elboron down there on a practice scout, and I'll ask them what it's like when they visit on their way back to Ithilien."

"Do you think the son of Faramir will be upset when he sees Miniual likes Arash?"Dúniel giggled. Elboron was barely eighteen, and the thought of seeing the misty-eyed look he gave her sister filled her with increasing chuckles. Eldarion nodded.

"I fear he may be heartbroken."he laughed."But I think seeing him again may snap her out of it. She's always been fond of him."

"If she can get over Arash I can see them marrying."Dúniel sighed.

"Well, not that I don't love planning my sister's future, I should let you get dressed. It's cold out there, wear a warm cloak. Shall I wait for you?"

"If you like, but I need to go to the stables. I haven't seen Amel for a while, she'll be annoyed with me."

"You should wait until tomorrow or we'll be late."Dúniel rolled her eyes.

"Very well, Ada."she said loudly. He laughed and left the room, closing the door behind him. Dúniel emerged in a lovely blue dress, wrapping a fur lined cloak around her.

"Are you warm enough?"Eldarion asked, grinning as she pushed a stray hair into her plait.

"Yes, I'm fine. You fuss worse than Ada!"

"Come on. The girls are with Nana, so we won't have them chattering in our ear."

"Dúniel!"Aragorn stood and welcomed his daughter with a warm hug.

"You look so much better."Arwen said, laying a hand on her daughters forehead.

"I think I might be getting better."she teased.

"Here, take your sister for a minute, dear. I fear she may have forgotten who you are."Arwen teased, putting Lothuial into Dúniel's arms.

The baby stared at her with her fathers grey eyes, then tried to grab her plait. Dúniel managed to save her hair from being torn out (a lesson well learnt from a very boisterous baby Merenwen), giggling.

"As if having one hair puller wasn't enough."she said, looking pointedly at Merenwen, who poked her tongue out.

"Your mother and I aren't staying long."Aragorn said, ruffling Miniual's hair gently."We just wanted to see you all at the same table again. I'm going to bed very early tonight."

"Coming down with a bad case of Harad-itis, Ada?"Dúniel teased.

"It is curable."she paled when she heard Arash's voice from behind her. Aragorn looked like he was trying not to laugh.

Shall we, my love?"he said, taking Lothuial and retreating quickly behind his wife, who laughed beautifully then took his arm.

"Goodnight, children."she said, and let him tug her away.

"Try acting your age, Ada!"Dúniel called after him. She then turned to Arash, who was looking stonily at her."I am so, so sorry-"she stopped when he grinned broadly.

"You worry far too much."he laughed. He took her hand and kissed it."It is very good to see you again."he said quietly."I think I have been missing you insulting me a little too much."

"You're telling me."Eldarion grumbled.

"It's good to see you too."Dúniel managed, trying to slow her heart rate.

She hadn't truly realised how much she had missed him until that moment. It was as though a lamp had been extinguished, leaving her in the dark. But seeing him again had rekindled the flame, and it burnt stronger than ever. The urge to hug and kiss him swamped through her, and perhaps Arash saw it in her eyes because he smiled gently then turned away.

"I must return to my table, but perhaps we will speak again tonight."he said mysteriously, and returned to his fathers side.

"Dúniel, you looked quite ready to snog him stupid."Miniual said, jealousy and amusement fighting for dominance in her voice. Dúniel blushed furiously and looked away.

"Don't be foolish."she snapped, sitting heavily. She was very quiet throughout dinner until Merenwen suddenly piped up.

"Arash showed me a trick."she giggled.

"Pick pocketing is hardly a trick."Eldarion said warningly.

"I know."

"Pick pocketing?"Dúniel blurted, looking shocked."Where did he learn that?"her brother
shrugged.

"I think he intended the trick to be sleight-of-hand as well."he said, grinning fondly at his sister. Merenwen suddenly gave him a wicked smile and waved his sheathed dagger in front of him. Eldarion went white and glanced at his belt, which was indeed vacant of a dagger.

"You little-"he managed as she got off her chair and danced just out of reach."I'll kill him after I've finished with you."he got up and chased his sister out of the hall, ignoring the laughs that followed him. She caught Arash's eye and shook her head, but couldn't keep the amused smile off her face. Eldarion soon returned with Merenwen slung over his shoulder, still giggling.

"Well then."he said, dropping her gently into her chair."If we can all be civilized for the remainder of dinner."

"Does that include yourself, dear brother?"Miniual said innocently. He sighed.

"When did you all suddenly turn against me?"he exclaimed, hiding his smile well.

"You are an easy target."Dúniel said.

She turned when she saw the Harad party stand. Arash shrugged and waved to them, then followed his father out the door. Dúniel felt a little disappointed, then stood.

"Where are you going?"Eldarion called after her.

"I'll be back."she said, hurrying after the Haradrim."Arash!"she blushed when he, Mazid and the guards turned to stare at her. She shivered in the cold and pulled her cloak tighter around her."Can I speak to you?"he glanced at his father, who nodded, and walked over, smiling.

"Want a goodnight kiss?"

"Do not tease me."she said rather sharply, then sighed."Sorry, I just, sorry."

"What did you want to say?"he said politely, trying to get across that he was unaccustomed to such a cold night and wished to be out of it quickly. She completely missed it.

"I-I um...Gondor has a gift for Harad."she said quietly, burying her hands in her pockets to find it. He looked quite pleased.

"Truly? I will pass it onto my father-"

"It is for you."she said, not meeting his gaze and holding out the woolen band.

He looked a little surprised and took it, running his cold fingers over the wool. She could see he wanted to ask what it was, but was afraid to ask in case he insulted her.

"I wove it for you while I was sick."she said shyly."It's a friendship band, you wear it on your wrist."he looked at her in shock.

"Oh."he managed.

"If, if you don't want it, I-I understand, you don't have to keep it-"

"And insult Gondor? I think not."he grinned suddenly."To be given anything woven by the daughter of an elf, let alone you, is the highest honour."Dúniel went red, warming her cold cheeks."I shall treasure it, my friend."Dúniel laughed, clearly relieved.

"I was so afraid you'd hate it-"

"Do you think I'm so petty as to reject a gift from you?"he teased."Thank you."

"And I don't appreciate you teaching my eight year old sister to steal. Where did you learn that?"the strangest look passed over his face.

"I didn't intend for her to pick it up so quickly."he said, smiling tightly."But she knows it's not right to steal. Are they watching us?"she blinked and glanced behind him.

"No, why?"he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Good night, Dúniel."he said, and turned and walked back to his father, who was giving him a very clear 'Hurry up, I'm freezing' look. Dúniel touched her forehead, then sighed happily. How do you stay friends with a man like that?

"Dúniel, come inside, you'll get sick again."she turned and let her brother drag her to the nearest fireplace. He caught her satisfied look.

"Dúniel, he didn't kiss you again, did he?"he asked quietly.

"No."she said a little too quickly."No, he didn't."he raised his eyebrows, clearly not believing her. She turned her gaze into the fire."He said he liked my friendship band."

"Good."he said."I'm glad something good has come from them being here."

"You sound so bitter."she said. He grinned.

"I feel bad for Ada. He tried so hard to bring peace."they sighed together."I'll get the other two, wait here for me." as he walked away, she suddenly realised that Arash never answered her inquiry of his odd skill. She cursed silently. That must be why he kissed her, to distract her. It had certainly worked.

"Come on, before it starts to snow."Eldarion said, bustling the girls out the door.

"Miniual, you'll be glad to know Elboron is visiting in a few days. He should be back in time for your birthday."she looked at Dúniel, conflicting emotions clouding her beautiful face.

"What? Oh no."

"Will you not be glad to see him?"Eldarion teased.

"Of course I will, but..."she fell very silent, and tightened her cloak around her. The older siblings exchanged a glance, then shrugged and continued on.

Dúniel was just preparing to sleep when there was a knock at her door.

"Who is it?"she called.

"Me."Miniual called. Blinking in surprise, she got out of bed and opened the door.

"What wrong?"she asked, letting her sister in and closing the door. Miniual stood by the blazing fireplace, shivering slightly.

"I-I don't know what to do."she whispered, and burst into tears.

Dúniel was shocked, then hugged her sister tightly. She had never been as close to Miniual as she was to Eldarion, but there were times when you needed a sister, and Merenwen was far to young and silly to go to.

"Come now, sit down and talk to me."Dúniel said quietly, pulling her onto the bed and pushing her hair from her face.

"I-is Elboron really coming back?"she whispered."I-I haven't seen him for so long, and I-I-"

"Calm down, calm down. Don't you want to see him?"

"Yes, I do!"she cried, wiping her eyes."But, but now..."

"Now you like Arash too."Dúniel finished, jealousy raging through her body.

"I don't know who I like more!"she sobbed."Elboron's always been so sweet, but Arash...I've never met anyone like him."

"He is unique, isn't he?"

"I know you like Arash too."she whispered."And I'm frightened of what may happened if Elboron finds out I am fond of another. What if he hates me? What if he fights with him?"

"If you are so worried, then you need to decide who you like better."Dúniel said quietly."Remember, Elboron has always fancied you. I believe he promised you a kiss on his return?"she smiled when her sister blushed."Arash is sweet and kind, but...but he's our enemy still. He won't be here forever."she looked down, trying to hold back her tears.

"You will miss him terribly, won't you?"Miniual asked quietly. Dúniel nodded, and managed to smile.

"Do you know what you want to do?"Miniual was quiet for a long moment.

"I know Ada thinks I'm too young to like him so much, but I like the way he makes me feel."she giggled suddenly."Oh, I must sound so silly to you!"

"I think it's lovely you've found someone like him. I know, when you are old enough, that he will care for you very well. He's grown into a good man, like his father."Miniual suddenly hugged Dúniel tightly.

"Thank you."she whispered."Thank you for helping me."she pulled away and smiled slightly."I guess you have Arash all to yourself now."Dúniel burst into tears. Miniual held her again, comforting her older sister.

"I shouldn't have gotten so close." she whispered through her tears."I should have just stayed in my room!"

"But you would regret never meeting him."Dúniel nodded mournfully.

"Can't win, can I?"she muttered.

"There's nothing wrong with friendship, Dúniel. He will write to you, and come and visit you, I know he will. He may even invite you to see Harad! Can you imagine seeing nothing but sand your whole life?" Dúniel smiled and let her sister's ramblings wash over her.

No, there was nothing wrong with friendship. But every time she saw him, she knew that stronger feelings were growing inside her. She would be friends with Arash. She would prove to everyone that Gondor and Harad could be friends. Perhaps if peace came, more could come from it...
Perhaps, if she could find out how he truly felt, they wouldn't need to wait for peace...

Authors note:

Yes the river Erui does exist! i found it on a map of middle earth :D and im not sure how old faramirs son is, so if i got this wrong, plz tell me. itll throw off part of the story, but meh, thats life. thanx for taking the time to read this!