mystery of the night: Thanks for the compliment. I try hard. I hope you will keep reading though!We will have to see how Aragorn changes.

Don't Like Your Story : I almost couldn't help but laugh at your review! I wasn't trying to make it like Tolkien did it! I was trying to take an over done plot the Aragorn/FOC and do it well. If too much sadness and angst get to you sorry. I give you leave not to like it.

Shary : Thanks for the defense you offered on my part. I am always amazed at the ability people have in not getting the obvious plot behind a story. I hope you like this up date; I am sorry it took so long.

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Chapter Seven

Give Me gold

Give me gold and pearls for love

And I will show you the sin of men

Give me love and I will give you

All that is worthy beyond them

"What should I know about Lady Èowyn?" Beryl asked nervously, "She is a very great woman."

Halbarad scoffed and waved to where the company from Ithilien was meeting with the Gondorian escort. The two of them were standing in a wide window in the citadel where they would soon welcome the Prince and his wife.

"She is good enough. A strong woman and very able in every way, but nothing to be worried about." He assured her.

"But she is a warrior and she killed the Witch King, I cannot forget that," Beryl replied, "I hardly know I am to speak to her. I have been practicing my Rohirric but it sounds dreadful."

Halbarad laughed and wrapped a comforting arm around the lady, "I think you'll do very well. I don't speak any Rohirric and she understands me well enough. And remember, slayer or not, killer or not, she is a woman just as you are."

"We have little in common besides that," Beryl said, "But I shall find a way. She has a son and woman always enjoy talking about their children. If all else fails and we do not get along together I shall plague her with questions about her son and listen to her talk."

"See, the court is already teaching you the correct way to handle tiresome people,"

Halbarad said encouragingly, "But I do not think you'll need such skills with Lady Èowyn, she is too good to be rude."

"And I am too simple to be queen," Beryl muttered quietly.

"What?" Halbarad asked sharply.

"Nothing," she answered, "Come, tell me what I should call her? Lady? Princess? Or simply Èowyn?"

"Well, Faramir has the title Prince, but I do not think it extends to his wife," Halbarad mused, "Lady, at least until you've known her for a week or more. Then I think she would prefer first name basis."

"Very well then," Beryl turned to him, her round eyes studying his rugged features and kind blue eyes, "What shall I call you? I think I have called you by no name but my lord all the time I have known. And considering how long we may be friends I think it would be better if we settled it now."

"Then you may call me dearest darling, or sweetest knight or ranger of my heart," Halbarad teased, "But I think I like Hal best of all however more fitting the other names may be."

"I cannot help, but agree," Beryl laughed and looped her arm through his, "Aragorn loves and depends upon you wholly and so shall I. You look very much like one of my uncles."

"Really? Does he still live in Lamedon?" Halbarad asked as he watched the glinting gates close behind the entering parties. He was inwardly rejoicing that Aragorn and Beryl had moved so quickly to first names.

"No. He died in the last great battle over the ring," Beryl said softly, "He was very dear to me."

"I am sorry for you," he patted her hand, "I have lost many friends as well."

Beryl straightened up and blinked her eyes as she said, "Never mind now. I know he wouldn't want me to grieve so. Especially when I am meeting Prince Faramir again and his wife."

"Good for you," Halbarad cheered, "We'll face 'em with our bravest face and carry all before us."

"Gondor and Ithilien shall be ours!" Beryl threw her free arm wide, "And I shall manage to win the friendship of the lady without making a fool of myself."

"If you are in any danger of that I shall whisk you away…with the King's help of course," Halbarad said, "Let us go and meet them now shall we?"

They walked down to the stairs of the citadel that spread wide like opening arms to receive the company. The group had reached the level at which all the animals were left and the sounds of a hastily arranged parade of people came up to the waiting pair. From Èowyn's distance the future queen was rather small and spare looking, particularly next to the tall solid man that was Halbarad.

Èowyn was on the king's arm and Faramir walked beside with a nurse following with a rebellious looking toddler with black curly hair. The prince was a handsome and good humored as ever in his expression and the king was laughing in a way Beryl had never heard before. It was free and easy ringing on the stones of the building. But the lady…

The Lady Èowyn was far taller then Beryl had expected, and more serious in expression. She was lovely, like a single with rose that survives the first winter frosts. And her eyes were fastened on Beryl.

Beryl licked her lips nervously and whispered, "Where is Prince Legolas?"

Halbarad stretched his neck to look over the heads of the first rank and saw only the guards and serving people of Prince's household. The Prince of Mirkwood was conspicuity absent. Halbarad drew in a deep breath and prepared for the event that Legolas had not come because of Beryl.

"Beryl, I want to introduce you to Prince Faramir, who, of course, you know, and this," Elessar brought the woman forward, "Is Lady Eowyn of Ithilien and White Lady of Rohan."

"I welcome you back to Minas Tirith Lady Eowyn. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance." Beryl said.

They curtsied lightly and on an impulse Beryl kissed Eowyn lightly on the cheek. To her credit Eowyn didn't looked surprised but instead returned the salute with gracious dignity. Halbarad beamed at Faramir who did look surprised and Elessar managed to look pleased.

"I hope you will tell me all about Lamedon Lady Beryl, I've never been there before," Eowyn said, "But first I must show you my baby Elboron."

She motioned for the baby to be brought and he all but leapt into his mother's adoring arms.

"This is Elboron, our first born," Eowyn smiled.

Elboron, dressed in a tiny imitation of his father's tunic stared frankly at Beryl's face and then fastened his attention on her seagull necklace.

"Mine!" he said pointing with one fat finger.

"Elboron!" Eowyn scoffed, "Not yours!"

"No, it's alright. Do you want a look?" Beryl asked. She slipped the golden chain off her neck and held it so the pendent flashed and spun in the light.

Elboron's eyes widened and grew as he reached for the necklace. Beryl smiled and tickled his chin eliciting a giggle as he wiggled to get closer. Eowyn handed the baby to Beryl as she teased the baby with the gold.

"You look lovely thus," Halbarad said gently, "A woman is never more beautiful then with a babe in her arms."

Beryl's eye flickered to Elessar's at this and for a moment she saw an emotion that she had never witnessed in him. Affection. For a long moment she looked deep into his heart and everything else faded away from them. Suddenly Aragorn was no longer a king, but a man who had been through hell and back left with empty arms and a broken heart.

But a tug and a snap brought Beryl back to find the broken end of a chain in Elboron's hand and the broken gold seagull lying on the ground at their feet. Eowyn swept the baby up and began scolding as Elessar gathered the pieces in his hands. The couple from Ithilien were busy correcting their baby with Halbarad scowling face over their shoulders as Elessar placed the broken ends in her hands. A few tears had gathered in Beryl's eyes as she cupped the bits in her hand.

"I am sorry Beryl," Elessar said placing his hands over her's, "It shall be replaced."

"Oh no," Beryl protested, "It was only a bit of pewter and gold, it wasn't worth much."

Elessar tipped her chin up and said, "But your tears do not come for nothing. I will see about it."

Faramir came to them and said, "I apologize for my son behavior ma'am if I may repl…"

"No indeed Prince Faramir I would never think of it. Please do not punish him too severely. It was an old necklace really." Beryl said. She took a deep breath and put an arm around Eowyn and said, "Shall we go into dinner? I am starving!"

They went into dinner and as Halbarad pushed her chair into the table he whispered, "Well done my queen."

Beryl smiled through the entire meal and Elessar could not take his eyes off her.

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In a land of black haired wood elves Legolas was not a remarkable sight. He rode into the heavily wooded area without much notice beyond a friendly hello from the small border guard.

Over the years the population of Mirkwood had declined sharply. Thirty percent had made their way to the Grey Havens in the seven years following the destruction of the ring of power. Even though the heavy black cloud that had plagued their people had rolled away after Sauron's defeat, few elves wished to remain longer.

One of the benefits to the open sky over the forest was the light that streamed in casting away the spiders that had been invading the forest since the first wisp of cloud had appeared. With the sunlight the spiders had died and allowed for more freedom of life in Mirkwood and even the consideration of changing the name back to Greenwood the Great.

But King Thranduil did not change the name. Greenwood the Great had been the realm he had ruled before his wife had passed to the Grey Havens and without her the land seemed less green, less great. Thranduil was no fool, he saw the time of his rule was nearing its end.

But when the door of the council room opened and his tall raven haired son walked in the king was not expecting it.

"Thranduilion! What a surprise!" he said as he embraced his child, "What brings you here? You have not shown your face in these courts for a long time."

"Father, it is good to see you." Legolas returned the hug feeling the familiarity of the place and his given name bring back all his childhood memories.

Thranduil pulled away and examined his son, "You have grown taller since I saw you last," he remarked, "And …paler too."

"It is the sea longing father," Legolas said gently, "It calls me."

Thranduil's own face aped and he backed away a little, "How long?"

"Since the end of the war," Legolas answered, "It has not been unbearable."

"All this time and you wrote me no word of it? Son that was unkind," Thranduil said heavily, "I would wish to have know such things."

"I wanted to spare you the burden as long as possible," Legolas answered, "But I have not come to speak of myself father. I need access to the vaults."

"Really? For what purpose?" Thranduil asked as he pulled the keys out of his pocket.

"As you may have heard my friend Aragorn Estel is to be wed in a few weeks time," Legolas explained, "And I wish to give him some of the things that mother left me on her departing."

"Thranduilion she gave those to you against the time of your own marriage," Thranduil said disapprovingly, "She wanted them to be your bride's."

"I know father, but I will not marry while I dwell in Middle Earth. I have decided that I will remain while my companions live but when they do I will sail. If these things can bring them joy while I and they live then I am willing to part with them."

"And Valinor will have enough joys for us with these." Thranduil said throwing the treasury doors wide.

To the eyes of mortal men there was never sight more splendid. Chests and tables of gold, silver and mithril over flowed onto the marble floor. Jewls and goblets stood in rainbow array on the silver stands and flashed their colorful light over all around them. Cornets and crowns of ages passed rested upon velvet cushions where their bearers had left them for the last time. Swords, spears and shields bespoke the days of war and polished helmets the ones lost to death.

"I have forgotten the beauty of this room," Legolas breathed, "The smell of sandal wood and cedar."

"I have little cause to come here anymore," Thranduil said allowing a few golden rings to slip threw his fingers, "The last time was when the last of the eastern wood elves departed for Valinor. As time has passed I find myself less and less interested in keeping this wealth around me. Not," he laughed, "Of course, that I have given it all up. I have my faults too. But the most precious I have kept by me. Your mother's jewels are in that chest with the gold plate on it."

Legolas waded through the treasure piles and found the chest with his mother's name inscribed on the lid. His sensitive fingers traced the lines before he lifted the lift. The smell of alabaster wafted into the air as Legolas lifted the velvet cover off the jewels.

The first ray was of rings royal and common that his mother had worn through her girlhood and marriage. Some elaborate and other plain. He selected two rings and dropped them into a pouch his father provided.

"Who is the young woman the king is going to marry?" Thranduil asked.

"Her name is Beryl. She is from the Lamedon region by the sea and from all accounts young and sweet tempered." Legolas answered.

"Does that naive? You always mean naive when you use that tone of voice," Thranduil said. He sat on one of the stools nearby and leant forward elbows on knees.

"I really cannot say," Legolas admitted, "I have avoided meeting her yet."

"Because of Arwen." it was not a question.

"Yes, because of Arwen," Legolas replied coolly as he slipped a few necklaces into the bag, "Because of her."

"You still believe he was wrong to send her away?"

"I do not…" Legolas stopped, "I do not know. Even now I cannot say exactly what it is, but I find myself dreading meeting this woman."

"Because she is not Arwen." Thranduil mused silently, "And?"

"Because I cannot understand how Aragorn could love Arwen so, and then send her away. She was more precious then anyone in all of our loves, but he let her go. It was a foolish thing to do."

Thranduil stood and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I think we are all fools in love Thranduilion. All of us, and time is never going to change that."

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Beryl was writing a letter to her sister when a gentle knock came at her sitting room door. She laid down her pen and found Aragorn standing in the hallway with his hands behind his back.

"May I come?" he asked. He was wearing the plain broadcloth under tunic that had been overlaid with the velvet robe during the day. Now he was less the king and more the man and only the ring on his hand showed his position.

"Certainly, I was not expecting you," Beryl said and she reached to brushed her hair away from her face. She had allowed it to fall around her small face for the evening and there was no pretentious arrangement of her soft brown hair.

"Please do not worry about your appearance Beryl," Aragorn said, "I am hardily dressed for an official audience."

"Alright," she closed the door and offered him the chair opposite her own which he took.

Sitting down she smiled, "Eowyn is a lovely woman I am so glad you asked them to come early. I feel like we going to be good friends."

"That is what I was hoping for," Aragorn smiled, "She will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the court and court ways. You know, the things a man would never notice, but the women would rebel over."

"Well, I will make sure to do so. Although I hope to learn the majority of it myself." Beryl said, "What have you there?" she asked looking at the little bundle Aragorn laid on the table.

"Oh, just a little something," he said and folded back the materiel, "It is not your necklace I know, but I hope you will accept it."

It was a simple chain of mithril with thin flat links unlike any others Beryl had ever seen. The pendent was a thin round dick of a soft green stone engraved with the seven stars of Gondor and the White tree.

"Aragorn, it's beautiful," Beryl said. She lightly touched the pendent and it was cool and smooth under her fingers, "Wherever did you find it?"

"It has been in the family for many generations," Aragorn said, "It has always belonged to the queen of the realm. And now I want you to have it."

Standing he lifted it, "May I?"

She blushed a bit but nodded eagerly, "Yes, go ahead."

She lifted her hair away from her neck and felt the cold chain and stone against her skin as Aragorn laid the jewel around her throat. The pendent settled gently in the hollow of her throat and felt reassuring in its weight. Aragorn fastened the clasp and inhaled the gentle scent of Beryl's hair remembering again that this delicate young woman would be his wife before many days had passed. He leaned down further and press his lips to her cheek feeling the soft skin again his own; a fleeting connection.

She reached up and laid her hand against his face, "Aragorn…I.."

He allowed her no words further, he could not. He gathered her into his arms and kissed her small pink lips with all the affection he could feel. Her body trembled against his but she returned the kiss, her arms holding him close. She was soft as he had imagined and warm in his arms. As he kissed her again he felt a chill because the he had almost forgotten the comfort of another human's embrace.

He finally pulled away from her gasping a little, but he kept his arms around her, keeping her close.

"Beryl.."

"I know. Go and sleep well my love, she whispered.

He released her slowly, her eyes shining cheeks flushed happily, "Good night Beryl."

He left shaking and afraid. To no one else had he been o close save one, but even with her in his mind he did not regret his actions. The thought shook him to the core and he felt as if he was a traitor. But remembering the sweet light in Beryl's hazel eyes he could not find it in his heart to repent his kiss.

The next morning Beryl received a little brown paper packet tied with a string. Inside was the mended seagull necklace and a note. It read:

To my Queen,

I think this belongs to you.

Aragorn Rex