Chapter 24: A day of surprises

"Prince Kahlen? What on Arda are you doing here?" Aragorn blurted, then remembered himself and cleared his throat. "If I was aware that you were coming-"the prince held up a hand.

"Tar-Elessar, please do not concern yourself." Kahlen said. "I hope that it was not presumptuous of me to come here, but I felt this matter needed to be sorted out in the best manner, and if you want something done right..." Aragorn nodded.

"Forgive me for my reaction I was...not expecting you."

Kahlen laughed, lighting up his handsome face.

"From the look on your face, that was clear! I felt I had to disguise myself. My people are happy with me as their leader, but there are always those who like to stir trouble..."

"Who have you left in your stead?" Aragorn asked, politely offering the Prince a chair.

"My wife is carrying my second child. She is more than capable of looking after things for a while." Kahlen smiled. "It has been many years since you first came to my father with your vision. With his passing, I saw the wisdom in your words he did not. I would be glad for peace between our countries."

"Good. This pleases me greatly."

"I want you to know that whatever happens with the traitor Mazid will not interfere in our relations." Kahlen said, sitting back in his seat.

"Forgive me if I sound suspicious, but you seem to be taking this lightly." Aragorn said quietly.

Kahlen smiled, but there was no humour in it.

"Quite the contrary, Tar-Elessar, I take no matter lightly. But I have had a long journey to think things through. Mazid tried to start a war, and such things are unforgivable. I don't desire any bloodshed. I would like to see Mazid and, if I may, his son."

"I would like it known that I believe Arash poses no threat. He has my full confidence and..." Kahlen tilted his head at Aragorn's hesitation.

"And?" He probed gently. Aragorn shook his head slightly.

"My eldest daughter, she and Arash are in love."

"Ah. That does complicate things." Kahlen leaned forward again, thinking hard. "I think I need to know everything that's happened. Forgive me, but I can't read Westron as well as I can speak it."

"Not at all. Would you like some refreshments before I begin?"

"Spring will come early this year. I can feel it." Dúniel said, taking a deep breath. Arash laughed.

"It will be nice to remember what it's like to be something other than cold."

They were sharing a private bench that overlooked Ithilien. Arash had his arm around Dúniel's shoulders, and she rested her head in the crook of his neck with a sigh.

"The ambassador arrived today." She said quietly. Arash groaned.

"That's all I need."

"Do not fret, my love. I will protect you, as will my father."

Arash gently ran his hand down her arm, squeezing gently.

"I know." He said with a smile. "I just hope whoever they sent isn't as small minded as the majority of ambassadors in Harad."

"I think you will find my mind is very open." A voice said from behind them.

They both spun and pulled apart with remarkable speed, then Arash turned a strange shade of white when he saw, not just Aragorn, but the Prince of Harad standing behind him. Kahlen held a finger to his lips, then reached out for Dúniel.

"Well met, princess Dúniel. You are as beautiful as your father told me." He kissed her hand, smiling at the jealousy in Arash's eyes.

Dúniel reddened a little, then stood quickly.

"Forgive me, ambassador, I should be introducing myself and my friend."

"There is no need for such formalities." Kahlen said smoothly, smiling slightly. Arash was now scowling quiet obviously, and stood protectively beside his lover. "I know who you both are. Don't I, Arash?"

"Indeed. And you are still as much a flirt as ever." He replied irritably.

"Ha, you fret too much. There is no need to feel envious, my friend, your princess's heart is quite clearly stolen." Kahlen said this quietly so only they would hear, and Dúniel blushed brighter. "But please, the King and I need to speak with you both, in more, private settings."

Dúniel glanced at her father, who smiled slightly and gestured for her to follow him. Arash tagged along close behind, glancing at the Haradrim prince.

"Is she alright?" Arash asked quietly. "My niece..." Kahlen sighed heavily.

"You will find out in a moment, Arash." He replied.

Arash looked very distressed. That answered his question more than having to hear the words spoken. He wished he could've spoken to Dúniel, but she was holding her father's arm and talking animatedly. They soon entered Aragorn's study, where Dúniel turned and immediately realised something was wrong.

"Arash?" She whispered, moving forward. He shook his head slightly.

"Let's sit."

"Do you know this man?" She asked as they sat.

"He is Prince Kahlen, Dúniel. I know him. My sister married his cousin." Dúniel blinked, then turned to look at Kahlen, who was smiling sadly.

"I was very hurt by both their deaths..."

"And Nieda? My niece, is she alive?" Arash asked, getting angry. Kahlen sighed heavily.

"No. When I went to see Mazid's new wife, there was no sign of her. After some interrogation, she admitted to murdering the child and burying her in the garden." Arash had suspected strongly he would hear this one day, but it still distressed him deeply to hear it. He lowered his head into his hands, barely feeling his lovers hand on his shoulder. "This is the reason I thought it best I tell you in private, and with someone you respect and care for to be here for you. I know you will want to grieve for her, and I am tired from my journey, so I will not speak to you of Mazid until tomorrow. Is that acceptable?" Arash nodded.

"I'm sorry Arash." Aragorn said quietly, squeezing the younger man's shoulder.

Arash was in shock. It was so hard to fathom. Nieda...she was dead...now he had nothing, nothing but his princess, and who knew how long they could be together. If the Prince of Harad was here...this could ruin everything. He could force him to return to Harad. Arash didn't hear the two men leave, barely felt Dúniel wrap her arms around him gently he was so deep in his worries.

"Arash." Dúniel whispered gently. "I'm so sorry. I wish I could make it right." He lifted his head from his hands and smiled slightly.

"It's alright, Dúniel. I...I think I was more prepared for it than I expected. I am used to death."

"You shouldn't have to be." She said angrily. He glanced around and realised they were alone. "They left a few minutes ago." She said with a smile. "Ada knows there's not much point in trying to separate us."

"Good." Arash drew her forward and kissed her gently. "You're all I have, Dúniel. I will not lose you." The princess smiled broadly.

"I'm glad you're so fond of me."

Dúniel sighed and stared out her window, unable to sleep. Night had long since fallen, and it was raining steadily, washing away the winter snow. She felt Arash wrap his arm around her and smiled, slipping her hand into his.

"Dúniel?" He whispered.

"Mmmm?"

"I can hear you thinking. Please tell me what's wrong so that the gears in your head will stop creaking and I can sleep." She giggled a little and turned to face him, kissing his fingers.

"I'm sorry Arash. When I can't sleep I think of strange things..."

"Like what?" He asked, eyes tired but listening intently. Her eyes lowered slightly.

"Like how different you and I are." She said quietly. "Different culture, different upbringing... even our skin is different." Arash looked at their clasped hands - his brown over her white.

"That doesn't matter to you, does it?" He asked quietly.

"No!" She said, looking horrified. "No, of course not. I was just thinking that we have all these differences and yet, we still fell in love. I think it's wonderful." Arash looked at her with a slightly amused expression.

"You know, you're right. You do think of strange things." She smiled gently.

"There were other things, but I won't tell you about those. Just my own little fantasies. I don't want to frighten you."

"Fantasies? I assume you either mean seeing me naked, or marriage?" He questioned.

Dúniel's eyes widened, not sure which part to comment on, and settled for giggling madly as he chuckled at her expression.

"Not that seeing you naked isn't a fantasy, but I have been thinking of marriage...and children." She said hesitantly.

"You think I haven't? Am I merely here as a vessel for your dreams?" He asked lightly.

"Well...how am I supposed to answer that Arash! You are a dream come true." He grinned slightly.

"I hope that this all turns out for the best, my love, because then I can propose to you." Dúniel looked shocked then smiled broadly.

"Really?" She squeaked. He laughed.

"I love it when you're excited, you're so beautiful." He said as she kissed him happily.

"Do you really want to marry me?" She whispered, tightening her hold on his hand.

"Of course I do. One day, when all this is sorted out, and I can convince your father to give us his blessing." Dúniel smiled.

"I hope it's soon." She sighed. Arash kissed her nose gently.

"Dúniel...you know there is a chance that I will be forced to return to Harad." He said quietly. "I might have to face punishment for what I was brought here to do..." He trailed off, but Dúniel remained silent, sensing he had something important to say. "I would rather die than return to Harad, because I know I would never live to see you again. I don't want you to think about this unless it is necessary, and I would never ever ask you if I didn't love you so much."

"I don't understand."

"Dúniel, if they try to send me back, I will not go. I will run away." He squeezed her hand gently. "And I'd want you to come with me." Dúniel's eyes widened. "I could never ask you to leave your family for me, Dúniel, but I want to show you that you are my future, and I will do anything to have you."

"You'd...want me to elope with you?" She whispered, fear in her voice. Arash smiled sadly.

"It would be nice, but I'd only take you if you wanted to come. I understand if you want to stay here. You have a family that loves you dearly." He sighed heavily. "Like I said, I don't want you to think about this until it is necessary, I just wanted you to know, and to understand." Dúniel nodded, eyes wet. He stroked her cheek gently. "Forgive me." He said quietly. "Now you won't sleep at all, will you?"

"I don't know." She murmured truthfully.

"Come here." He drew her close and gently closed her eyes. "Just try to relax, my love. Even if you you can't sleep, just rest. I will be here for you when you need me." Dúniel chocked back a sob and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing mind by listening to Arash's gentle breathing.

It'll work out, she told herself vainly, somehow, it'll be alright...

Dúniel was surprised when she was woken at dawn. She hadn't expected to sleep so deeply.

"I have to go." Arash was whispering.

She nodded vaguely, feeling woozy from sleep, and felt his lips on her cheek. She heard him escape through the window, then pulled her sheets tightly around her. After a while, she heard whistling. Confused, she forced herself out of bed and wandered to her brothers room, where the whistling was coming from.

"Eldarion?" She called tiredly, knocking on his door.

After a moment, her brother opened the door, positively beaming.

"Dúniel! Good morning." He said, standing aside to let her in.

"It is far too early for you to be this cheerful...did you clean your room?" She glanced around.

Her brother's room was never a complete dump, but had been a typical relatively messy bachelor's pad. But now, it practically shone. Dúniel looked from the room to her brother's smiling face, and it clicked.

"Taenwen's coming?" She guessed. Eldarion nodded.

"Tomorrow. They're coming early because the snows are melting already." Dúniel hugged her brother tightly.

"I'm so happy for you!" She said happily. Eldarion laughed. "Have you talked to Ada about her?"

"I did." He looked horrified for a moment. "Did you know they knew I was sleeping with her!" Dúniel looked stunned.

"What, both of them?" She asked, suddenly wondering if her father suspected her of doing the same thing. Eldarion's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean, both of them?" He asked suspiciously.

"Just that, Ada doesn't normally pick up on things like this." Dúniel said quickly. Eldarion decided he was too happy to care, and grinned once more.

"Do you think she'll say yes?" He asked, a little nervously.

"Eldarion, you're giving her the chance to become a Queen one day! Of course she'll say yes." She teased. When he looked a little downfallen, she winked. "It might help that she's a little fond of you." Eldarion smiled wryly.

"You can be very cruel sometimes." Dúniel grinned.

"I know."

"Dúniel, is it true that Arash is related to the Prince of Harad?" Eldarion asked suddenly. Dúniel shook her head.

"He's not really. It's just technically. Only because Mazid's late daughter married the Prince's cousin, and Arash thinks of her as his sister." Eldarion nodded.

"Shame. You two are going to have a very long day, you know." Dúniel sighed.

"I know, and I didn't sleep well."

"I'm not sure I want to know." Eldarion said wildly. Dúniel laughed.

"Do you really think we'd be doing that with Miniual on the other side of my wall! Oh, Eldarion, you underestimate our passion."

"Dúniel!" Eldarion cried as his sister smirked at him. "Don't ever say that again! I'm going to have nightmares for weeks now."

"Do you think I didn't? At least you haven't walked in-"

"Dúniel!"

AN: HUGE apologies about how long it took me to write this. writers block + uni + impending exams is not a good mix. thanx to all who R&R :D