Lost Chronicles Part Three

by NextTimeI'llBeBraver

This is a series of short stories about the romance and adventure shared between two couples: Arwen and Legolas, and Eowyn and Aragorn. Their lives filled with romance, adventure, tragedy, danger, and humor. Each new chapter will be a new individual story and at the beginning of each chapter will be a summary and rating. (Arwen & Legolas) (Eowyn & Aragorn) by Caitie and Savannah

8. Souls United

Authors Note: There have been some changes to the years. The last chapter actually should have been Fourth Age Year 2, making Awena four and Eldarion six in this storyline. Oopsie…

Summary: Eowyn and her family travel to Rohan for her brother's wedding. Unexpected guests bring back memories and the children make new friends. Rated M (Aragorn & Eowyn) – Savannah

Fourth Age, Year 7

The afternoon sun had just begun to set, turning the light a golden color. A soft wind blew over the wheat fields, turning them into a swaying sea of yellow. Laughter floated to Aragorn over the breeze and in the distance, he could see Eowyn and Faramir looking around in the long grass. Standing around them in a large square stood four guards looking out at the horizon in every direction. As he approached them, they turned in unison to face him, bowing slightly as he swung down from his horse, lifting his hand to them. Without a word they turned back to their posts.

"I found you!" he heard Faramir yell.

Eldarion and Awena burst into fits of laughter. Aragorn smiled as his young song ran toward him screaming. "Daddy, help me!" he yelled as Faramir grabbed him from behind, tickling him. "Daddy!" he screamed, breaking free of Faramir's grasp and running to his father. Aragorn held out his arms, grabbing the boy under the arms and holding him up above his head. He spun around, laughing with the child. As he lowered Eldarion down he wrapped his arms around his father's neck, hiding his face in his rough skin. "I love you, Daddy," he said into his ear just as Awena crashed into Aragorn's legs.

Aragorn shifted and lifted Awena into his other arm and held his children tight. "I love you too," he said, his heart breaking, wishing he could spend every waking moment with them. As soon as he had come Eldarion was off again running, his blonde hair barely visible in the heads of grain. Awena tucked her head under Aragorn's chin, so much like her mother always did. Aragorn smiled to himself.

"Awena!" Eldarion called and instantly her head lidted and she was sliding out of Aragorn's grasp, running at her brother's call.

Eowyn walked up to Aragorn, her white dress blowing in the growing wind. "What took you so long?" she asked, looking up at him, resting her hands on his big arms.

"Three villages to the east were attacked," he said, taking Eowyn's hips and leaning down to touch their foreheads, squeezing his eyes & grimacing in annoyance. "And apparently it takes hours and hours to discuss sending troops and supplies to them. Everything has to be so complicated with these people," he said then he kissed her.

Faramir stood at an awkward distance watching them. When they broke their lips apart he took a step closer. "Looks like a storm is coming," he said, nodding to the dark clouds rolling in.

Aragorn sighed. "As soon as I get here," he said, throwing his hands in the air.

Eowyn laughed, her hands bunching in his shirt, pulling him down for another kiss. Their lips just brushed before she paused. "There are things to be done indoors," she said, her voice hinting.

Faramir cleared his throat, trying to look away but his eyes found their way back and he stared longingly at their happiness.

Aragorn broke their kiss and looked around. "Eldarion!" he called, still holding onto Eowyn. "Awena!" a blonde head popped up out of the wheat, blue eyes looking over at the group of adults; Awena still too small to be seen.

"It's time to go home," Eowyn said, smiling affectionately at her children.

"No!" The little boy screamed, flopping down into the long grass.

Eowyn whistled and her horse trotted up to her. "Come, Awena, you can show your father how you well you ride."

Aragorn's eyebrows rose. "Alone?" Aragorn asked disbelievingly.

Eowyn chuckled as their daughter came running towards them and she scooped her up and placed her in her own big saddle. "I was even younger when I learned to ride," she said smiling at Aragorn.

"On a pony," he whispered in her ear, making sure it tickled her.

Eowyn spun around, wrinkling her nose at him indignantly. "I've never ridden a pony," she said, spitting out the word as if it disgusted her.

Aragorn tipped his head back and laughed, pulling her in close. "Ponies are very practical," he laughed. "And adorable," he added. Eowyn rolled her eyes, tucking her head into his chest. "Awena also loves ponies," he said into her hair. "Her fifth birthday is coming up."

Eowyn chuckled. "In three months, Aragorn."

He shrugged into their hug then leaned down to her ear. "Too bad I've already procured a pony," he whispered.

Eowyn pulled away, looking up at him disappointedly shaking her head, but the corner of her mouth turned upward despite herself.

"Is it Awena who wants the pony or you, Aragorn?" She smirked.

"Awena is merely a cover for my longing of a pet pony." Aragorn beaned, following her joke then kissing her forehead with a smack.

Faramir and Eldarion in the meantime had gotten onto their own horses and rode up next to them. "Go ride home with Faramir," Eowyn said. "Your father and I will be there soon."

The guards turned to the couple and Aragorn nodded, sending them along with the children. Aragorn smiled as the horses began to walk in the direction of the city and Awena turned around to look over her shoulder at them, pride written in her small features. Aragorn's smile widened even farther at her and he waved as he watched them go. He turned slowly back to Eowyn, where she stood in the circle of his arms. "Why are we staying here?" he asked, looking up at the clouds rolling in, the last few rays of sun warm on his face. "Do you miss being rained on?" he asked with a chuckle.

Eowyn laughed. "No," she said, "I miss my husband."

Aragorn smiled and pulled her tight into his chest, squeezing her to him. "I miss you too," he said, laying his cheek on the top of her head.

"Stay here a while and talk to me," Eowyn said, sitting down in the long grass, wraping her arms around her knees and looking up to the sky.

Aragorn grabbed a cloak from the pack attached to his horse's saddle and wrapped it around her shoulders then sat down next to her. "It pains me so much to be away from you and the children," he said, putting his hand on her knee affectionately. "I feel like I'm missing them growing up." He looked up to the sky. "They're going to grow up thinking Faramir is their father," he huffed.

Eowyn's elbow connected sharp into his side. "That's not funny."

Aragorn grinned sideways at her, loving to poke at her. "We really need to find that man a wife," he said, pulling Eowyn into his side playfully. "I'm tired of his longing glances."

"Aragorn!" Eowyn laughed.

"As long as you haven't forgotten you're mine." He smiled, touching her forehead with his own affectionately.

Eowyn laughed. "Then stop working so hard," she said. "I thought kings were supposed to get old and fat." She poked his hard stomach playfully.

"Hey!" Aragorn laughed and she continued to poke him. He fell back into the grass, laughing as she attacked him. "Okay, okay," he said, wrapping his arms around her and pinning her to his chest. "I understand, I'm not fat."

Eowyn laughed. "We'll have a break from all of this soon," she said. "When we go to Rohan for my brother's wedding." Aragorn nodded, letting the warmth of her body seep into his. "We better get back, it's almost time for the children to go to bed, and since you miss them so much you can have the honor of tiring them out and getting them to sleep."

Aragorn smiled and pulled her tight before standing and picking up his cloak form the ground. Eowyn had climbed onto the back of his horse. "Catch me!" she called starting to trot away playfully.

Aragorn sighed then ran after her as she steered the horse side to side, evading him. When he finally caught up with her, he flung himself up behind her. "You are a traitor to your king," he growled in her ear.

Eowyn only laughed. "I quite like the way you look," she joked. "I'm just helping you keep it up."

..::..

Eowyn walked along the line of carts stacked high with gifts for her brother's wedding, Awena asleep on her shoulder. "Are you rebuilding the Golden Hall?" Aragorn asked, coming up behind her and placing a hand on her back. He used the other hand to smooth over Awena's hair.

Eowyn laughed and shook her head. "I'm glad you're here," she said, carefully handing the sleeping girl to her father. Stretching out her arms, she was happy to be relieved of the weight. "I want to show you something."

Aragorn followed her to the first cart, resting his hand on Awena's back, it's length almost the same size. Her small body shifted, her sleeping face looking up at his as he smiled down at her. Eowyn climbed up into the cart, easily opening up a large chest and pulled out a sword that glinted in the sunlight. As she pulled it from its sheath the sun struck the golden blade, reflecting a warm yellow stripe onto her face. Aragorn was struck by her beauty and prowess, standing above him in the sun holding the great sword. His heart swelled with pride and admiration for the woman in front of him as he held their child in his arms. "It's beautiful," he said.

Eowyn knelt down and showed him the blade, running her fingers over the engraved horses that ran down from the handle almost to the tip, their manes flowing in an imaginary wind. "It's actually quite impractical to have a gold sword," Eowyn said, mesmerized by the blade. "That's why it's really just a thin layer over the steel so it's strong and sharp."

Aragorn cupped her face in his hand, lifting her eyes to his. "You designed this?" he asked. "It looks like a sword of legends." Eowyn smiled down at the blade then back at him. "But hopefully he won't use it very often," Aragorn added quietly.

A darkness passed over Eowyn's face and her eyes fell. "There are reports of attacks on both of our villages still," she said. "And since the Elves have left for the Undying Lands, spiders are coming closer to the edge of Fangorn. The Goblins and Mountain Trolls still have Moria."

"We will eradicate them, Eowyn. I swear to you before our son becomes king, there will no longer be Orcs in our world." Eowyn looked back up, meeting the softness of his grey eyes. "It takes time to find and kill millions of Orcs who have no leader and are hiding in woods and caves," he continued, "but we will find them all, I promise."

..::..

Eowyn leaned back, placing her palms on the back of her horse and looking up at the overcast sky. The road followed the line of the mountains, their blue rocky tips touching the low hanging clouds. She sighed, looking back over her shoulder at the slow procession trailing behind them.

"What's bothering you?" Aragorn asked from beside her, already knowing the answer.

Eowyn rolled her head to the side. "I could walk to Rohan faster than this," she said.

"it's all your gifts slowing us down." Aragorn smirked. "Maybe if you weren't so generous…"

Eowyn glared at him. "Only one of those carts is my gifts," she said. "The others are yours." Aragorn scoffed and began to protest. "It is customary for a king of an allied country to give gifts on the marriage of another king." Eowyn winked across at him. "I'm just making sure no rumors begin to spread that the treasuries of Minas Tirith are dwindling."

Aragorn smiled across at her.

"Come ride ahead with me." Eowyn smiled and kicked her horse into a trot.

The guards around them began to pick up their pace as well, but Aragorn held up a hand to them. "My lord," a man protested. "There have been sightings in these parts."

Aragorn waved them off. "I have seen my fair shares of Orcs," he called, following Eowyn ahead. Eowyn spurred her horse into a gallop, standing in her stirrups and letting the wind blow past her. "Eowyn!" Aragorn called from behind her. Eowyn looked behind her, laughing and slowed down to let Aragorn catch up with her. Aragorn couldn't help but smile at her as she looked back at him, the wind blowing in her hair, her cheeks pink in the cool air. Just as Aragorn was reaching for her, she took off again. Eowyn laughed at him and started towards a narrow path into a small patch of trees growing down the side of the mountain. Out of the corner of Aragorn's eye he saw movement in the trees. "Eowyn, wait!" he yelled.

Eowyn turned back to look at him and in that second a shape dove through the trees, knocking Eowyn from the back of her horse. Aragorn's brow knitted together and he spurred his horse forward. Eowyn's horse whinnied, rearing its hooves and pounding the ground right next to where she laying on her back, fighting off the Orc on top of her. Aragorn cursed, trying to see her in the thick underbrush. Just as Aragorn slid from the back of his horse, he heard Eowyn let out a hoarse cry, more from annoyance than hurt. He sprinted towards her, watching as her hand broke free form the Orc's grasp, a dagger slicing into its shoulder.

The Orc screamed, jerking up right into Aragorn's gasp. Aragorn's sword whistled through the air, slicing through flesh and bone, splattering Eowyn's face in black blood. Aragorn threw the head away then pulled the body off of Eowyn then held his hand out to her, pulling her to her feet.

"Took your time," Eowyn huffed, pulling her blade form the Orc's shoulder.

Aragorn smirked. "Don't go riding ahead of me then." The Orc's black blood had already stained her light shirt. Aragorn looked down at her shoulder and raw red blood mixing with black. "You're hurt," he said.

"I hate it when they bite," Eowyn growled, pulling the shirt over her shoulder to show two lines of teeth marks oozing bright red blood.

Aragorn chuckled at her familiarity with Orc bites and touched her white skin gingerly. "We should clean this before it gets infected," he said.

Eowyn pulled the shoulder of her shirt back up. "If only they had better oral hygiene." She smirked then turned back to her horse. In the distance they heard yells and the crash of swords. "The children," Eowyn said, fear catching in her throat.

..::..

When Aragorn and Eowyn caught sight of their caravan again the shouts had stopped and the guards were plunging their swords into the bodies of a few stray Orcs. Eowyn saw Eldarion and Awena standing together, Awena holding tightly to her maid's skirts in terror and Eldarion looking white. Eowyn's eyes met Aragorn's for a second as she jumped from her horse's back. Awena saw them and broke out in a run. "Momma!" she screamed, colliding with Eowyn's chest. Eowyn smiled, holding the little girl tightly. She stroked her soft dark hair and whispered in her ear as she cried softly.

Aragorn was next to her reaching for Eldarion's hand, squeezing it tightly as the little boy looked up at him trying to be brave, but there were tears in his eyes. "Those are Orcs?" he asked. Aragorn nodded, scooping him into his arms. Eldarion rested his head on his shoulder. "They're ugly," he said.

Eowyn smiled and stood up next to Aragorn, the child in her arms still inconsolable. "Why weren't you there, Momma?" She cried.

Eowyn looked up at Aragorn like the child had just put the weight of the world on her shoulders. Aragorn put his free arms around Eowyn's shoulders. "It's alright, Awena," he said. "We're here now."

Eowyn felt the little girl's grip on her heart tightening. "You should have been there. I was scared and you were gone." She sobbed.

Eowyn felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "Do you want to ride with me on my horse?" she asked, trying to coax Awena's head out form where she had buried it in her shoulder. "You don't have to be afraid," Eowyn said into her ear. "I will always be here to protect you."

Aragorn smiled down at them, pulling Eowyn closer to him. Awena's body touched Aragorn's chest and she started to settle. Aragorn let go and smiled at his family. "Let's keep moving," he said. "We can reach Edoras by nightfall." Aragorn helped Eowyn climb onto her horse one handed, Awena's body still pressed to Eowyn's. Then Aragorn put Eldarion in his own saddle and climbed up behind him. He reached out his hand to Eowyn and they began to ride next to each other.

"Did you see any Orcs?" Eldarion asked, looking up at his father.

Aragorn nodded. "Your mother fought it," he said.

Eldarion turned to her. "Really, Momma?" he asked, looking at her.

Eowyn nodded, smiling at him. "He knocked me right off my horse."

Eldarion's eyes widened. "Did you kill it?" he asked.

Eowyn shook her head. "Your father rescued me." She winked at Aragorn.

"You're a hero, Daddy," Eldarion said, leaning his head back on Aragorn's chest.

Aragorn smiled at Eowyn. "Just one Orc and I'm a hero," he joked.

Eldarion turned around, indignant. "No, I know you've killed lots of Orcs. You're a hero because you saved Momma." He looked up at his father, his blue eyes as deep as Eowyn's. "You save Momma and she saves us," he said, looking at his little sister who nodded, her arms wrapped around Eowyn's neck.

Eowyn looked up at Aragorn and a tear slipped down her cheek. "I love you," she whispered.

Aragorn's hand moved form her and ran over her head lovingly. "I love you too."

..::..

A few hours later they were met by an entourage sent ahead from the city. Awena had fallen asleep in Eowyn's arms, her small body resting on Eowyn's chest, her head still tucked into her shoulder. Eowyn's arms ached but she wouldn't put the girl down in one of the carriages. "I don't want her to wake up without me," she said to Aragorn.

When Eldarion saw the riders coming towards them he perked up, excitement written on his face. "Are we almost there?" he asked, turning back to Aragorn.

Aragorn looked out at the horizon and saw the lights of the city in the distance. "About an hours ride," he said.

"Can I ride my own horse now please, Father. I want to show Uncle Eomer how well I ride him."

Aragorn smiled and nodded. He lifted the boy up and off his horse and watched as he ran to find his own, climbing onto its back expertly.

..::..

As the group rode up to the steps of the Golden Hall, the stars above them glimmered. They were greeted by Eomer and his bride standing on the threshold. When Eomer's eyes met Eowyn's they lit up and he turned to Lothiriel smiling then ran down the steps to meet them. "It's good to see you, sister," he said, his hand resting on her leg.

Aragorn reached his hand down from his horse and grasped Eomer's. "And you," he said as he swung down from his horse. The two men embraced laughing.

"How were your travels?" Eomer asked, walking to Eldarion.

"We were attacked!" the boy said almost proudly.

Eomer turned back to his parents, concerned. He saw Aragorn helping Eowyn down from her horse, Awena still fast asleep in her arms. He noticed for the first time the blood stiffening her clothing. "Are you alright?" he asked, looking between them.

Eowyn nodded. "Just tired," she said. Eomer nodded and they all walked up the stairs together.

"Well met, Lothiriel," Aragorn said with a smile.

"Well met, my King," she smiled back. "Come, let's go inside to the fires and food and drink," she said, touching Awena's curls. Eomer held out a hand to her and they lead the way through the great doors of the Golden Hall.

"You used to travel much lighter," Eomer said jokingly to them as he led them through the hallways to the Eowyn's old room.

Aragorn chuckled. "It's all your fault," he said.

"Here," he said. "I thought you two could sleep here and the children can have my old room since they are connected."

Eowyn smiled. "Thank you, Eomer," she said, looking up at him. "We will settle the children then join you for a drink."

Eomer shook his head. "You're tired, I can tell. Sleep well tonight and we will have plenty of time together tomorrow." Eowyn smiled up at him and Eomer kissed her forehead then the sleeping Awena's. "Why do you they change so quickly?" he asked.

"This was your room!" Eldarion yelled from inside, looking around in amazement.

Eomer chuckled and went in after him. "Yes," he said, lifting the boy up in the air. "This is where I slept and now you sleep here too." He tossed him into the bed then walked to the door. "Until tomorrow," he said smiling and closing the door behind him.

Eowyn smiled as Eldarion kicked off his boots and pulled off the outer layers of his clothes, climbing under the big blankets with a yawn. Aragorn added another log to the glowing embers in the hearth as Eowyn lay Awena down gently next to her brother, touching her soft cheek. Aragorn came and rested his hand on the back of Eowyn's head.

"Don't worry, Momma, I'll take care of her," Eldarion said, rolling close to his little sister and tucking her into his arms lovingly.

Eowyn smiled and stood. "We will be right through that door," she said, pointing.

Aragorn kissed Eldarion's forehead, stroking his hair, so much like his mother's. "You were brave today," he said. "I'm proud of you, my boy." Eldarion beamed up at his father. "Are you coming, Eowyn?" he asked, walking to the door.

Eowyn looked over her shoulder at him. "In a moment," she said, sitting on the bed looking down at her children. Aragorn nodded and walked through the door, leaving Eowyn alone as Eldarion drifted off into sleep. She smiled as they held each other asleep in a bed she had so often climbed into herself, looking for her brother. After her parents had died, they had come to live in a strange new place. She looked around the room once then smiled down once more at her children. "I promise I'll always be here," she whispered. Then she left them to sleep.

Eowyn walked out of her brother's old bedroom and closed the door quietly. Aragorn lay sprawled on the bed, his head propped up on a pile of pillows. He smiled deeply at Eowyn as she came in. "This place is filled with so many memories," she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed, bending over to unlace her boots. Her hair draped over her back, a curtain of white silk in the moonlight.

Aragorn sat up and moved to run his hands through her hair, pulling it aside to kiss her neck. Eowyn kicked off her boots and turned around to face him. Aragorn's hand found her cheek, stroking her soft skin and staring into her deep blue eyes, the same color as the night sky. "You are my greatest treasure in life," he said, brushing their lips together tenderly. "My reward," he breathed, touching their foreheads together.

Eowyn smiled, placing both of her hands on his face, their mouths separating only a few inches. "And you are mine," she said with a smile.

Aragorn turned, catching a glimpse of the red blotch on her shoulder. His fingers trailed to the hem of her shirt, pulling it away gently to look at the jagged cuts in her porcelain skin. He moved slightly to reach for his pack, pulling it up beside him on the bed and reaching inside until he found a small jar.

Eowyn laughed. "Still packing like a range," she said, moving to kneel on the bed in front of him.

"Old habits die hard," he said, unlacing the front of her shirt and opening it wide to see the cuts on her shoulder. "Especially when one's wife is so prone to injuries." He smirked, dipping his fingers into the jar and spreading salve onto Eowyn's shoulder.

Eowyn smiled to herself at being called his wife, even after years it still made her heart flutter. The moonlight cast squares of light onto her skin so that it glowed. Aragorn's fingers strayed form her shoulder downward, tracing the curvature of her breast. Eowyn looked down at him as he worked, a shiver running down her spine at his touch. She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it up over her head.

Aragorn's eyes locked on her body, following the line of her neck down the small hard curves of her breasts down to her flat stomach to where her riding pants hugged her hips tightly. He moved slowly towards her, his lips finding the skin of her neck. His eyes drifted closed as he tasted the familiar taste of her skin; her smell filling his nostrils like fresh air, long grass and sun. Eowyn's fingers knotted in his hair as his mouth moved downward, caressing her nipples with his tongue.

Eowyn gasped, her head tilting back as he traced the outlines of her muscular middle with his mouth. She heard him shift farther onto the bed, allowing his mouth to trail even lower than he was, pulling her to him. "Aragorn," she breathed, her voice heavy as his mouth moved lower and lower. His hands taking the place where his mouth had been just seconds before, holding on tightly and massaging her breasts. Her hands found his and laced over top of his fingers as he worked.

Aragorn felt hunger rising inside of him, he needed her so badly, wanted to feel every inch of her skin on his. He lifted his head, breathing hard and deep and rested it on her shoulder. His hands were on her pants, pulling them roughly away from her body.

Eowyn's hands joined his and she shifted, pulling them completely off. She lifted his face up to hers then found the edge of his shirt, pulling it up over his head and letting her eyes roam over his powerful chest and hard muscled stomach. She kissed him passionately and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling their bare skin to touch. Her nails scraped over his back up into the hair at the nape of his neck. Lacing her fingers into the silk she took a fistful of it tightly and tipped his head back, watching the apple of his neck shift as he swallowed. She raised herself up on her knees, tipping her head down to reconnect their mouths. Eowyn smiled at the new angle, licking her tongue along the roof of Aragorn's mouth as his hands reached around to take hold of her backside, taking fistfuls of it and holding onto her flesh tightly as if he couldn't fill his hands with enough of her.

"My ranger," she groaned into the kiss.

Aragorn's hands moved to the small circle of her waist, holding on so tightly it should have hurt, but all Eowyn could feel was the ecstasy of his touch. Aragorn let go of her lips, gasping in breath. His head spun with the intensity of their kiss. Eowyn's hands slipped form his hair to rest on his broad shoulder. Aragorn's eyes flicked behind her for a second and saw how close she was to the edge of the bed. Before Eowyn's lustful eyes could notice his glance, he grinned and gave her a gentle push.

For a brief second Eowyn felt herself falling and then she was hanging off the edge of the bed, her back arching with the curve. Aragorn leaned down, his mouth finding the spot between her legs. Eowyn moaned as he began to work, shifting her body. He held onto her middle, holding her still upside down. Her leg moved slowly to rest on his shoulder as she gasped, blood rushing through her veins. Aragorn's hands found her hips as they moved, matching the movements of his mouth, his fingertips brushing over the goosebumps covering her body.

Aragorn's tongue flicked back and forth, making Eowyn moan loudly. Then he moved to where her wetness originated, sliding his tongue as deeply as it would go, dragging it over the walls of her interior and sending shockwaves of pleasure of Eowyn's spine. Aragorn let a hand join him, stroking and opening her with enough pressure that he could feel the hardness of her pelvic bone through her soft flesh.

Eowyn looked at the upside-down door leading to her brother's room and clamped her teeth down on her lips to keep from screaming. Then Aragorn's teeth were clamping on her, pain erupting from her core, mixing with her pleasure in the sweetest concoction. She climaxed instantly, stars exploding over her vision, her body shaking uncontrollably.

Aragorn groaned in his own pleasure, licking over her hastily as if he couldn't let a drop go to waste. He made a noise low in his throat as he heard Eowyn panting before him, but he did not relent. He lifted her leg back to where it fallen from his shoulder, holding her hip firmly and tightening to her to him so there was barely room for his fingers as they slid into her. His fingers curled inside of her as if he could pull her closer to him with each stroke. He felt her muscle clench around him as he worked and he smiled at her trembling, he would have her cum for him again before he was finished.

"Aragorn," Eowyn breathed, her whole body was shaking and her arms were hanging limp over her head, her fingertips brushing the thick carpet. Every muscle in her body had turned to jelly and twitched with pleasure. Her vision was growing spotty, blood rushing between her head and her middle, abandoning her extremities altogether. The room had turned to a euphoric moonlit haze, ecstasy washed over her again and she was drowning in it, unconsciousness dangerously close. Her own sounds filled her ears, broken only by the thumping of her heart. "Aragorn," she moaned loudly and he was grabbing her, pulling her back up into his arms.

Eowyn collapsed into them, she could see stars around them as if they had been transported up into the night sky. She couldn't move, she just shook like a leaf in a gale force wind. Her mouth hung open, gasping for breath, dripping wetness onto his shoulder. Aragorn held her tight, his body warm in the cold air. Eowyn relished the feeling of his body, so strong and firm, holding her to reality.

Aragorn lifted her face to look into his eyes, her own drifting shut. "Come back to me," he said gently, kissing one cheek then the other.

Eowyn swallowed hard, running her tongue, darting over her lips then smiled, opening her eyes just slightly. Before the world could come back into complete focus, Aragorn was moving her, flipping them around so her had hit the pillows at the top of the bed. He climbed over top of her, his arms on either side of her, caging her in. He sat up for a moment, his hands working on the ties of his pants. Not even bothering to take them all the way off his hand moved to free himself, pumping over his throbbing length once. Eowyn's eyes darted down, biting her lip as she watched him touch himself, already hard and ready for her. Her mind turned to her own throbbing center and she didn't know if she could even take him inside her after what his hands had done. She might just fall into pieces.

Aragorn smiled ruthlessly down at her, as if he could hear her thoughts. Their hips crashed together and then he was inside her, moving faster and faster. Eowyn's head tipped back, her mouth open but she was too spent to even make a sound. He pounded into her, harder and harder until Eowyn could feel it through her whole torso, her stomach clenching into hard lines. Her body moved up and down in the bed with each of his thrusts and she thanked the gods for her solid wood bed.

Aragorn groaned, falling from his hands to his elbows and touching his lips down to Eowyn's. She felt her strength returning and wrapped her arms around his body, lifting her back up off the bed to touch their chests, whispering in his ear. Aragorn's arms gave out at her words and they crashed together into the soft bed. Eowyn rolled him off of her and in one fluid movement was on top of him, straddling his hips. Aragorn groaned as she continued his movements. Her hand reached for the top of the headboard, her hips rocking into his, sliding up and down his length.

Aragorn's hands found her hips, mimicking her movements as he gasped out her name. His eyes shut, his hips bucking up to meet hers, the warmth of heaven in his skin. Her hand was pressed firmly into his chest, his heartbeat thundering into her palm. "Eowyn," he called, feeling himself becoming spent and wrapped his hand around her waist.

Eowyn opened her eyes and looked down into his grey ones, almost completely black in the dark. He sat up quickly, not losing their contact and grabbed her mouth with his own. His arms wrapped around her back, holding onto her like a drowning man to the shore. He shuddered then, still breathing deeply their faces only inches apart. His body pressed into hers, their skin touching in every possible place. Then with a rush he spilled inside her and her arms around his back were the only thing keeping him upright.

Their faces drifted apart and Aragorn leaned back down onto the pillow, holding Eowyn tightly to his chest. She shifted her hips groaning as he slid out of her painfully slow. Aragorn ran his hand over her hair as she nestled her head into the spot under his chest, her body draped over his limply. They lay together in silence, their bodies glistening in the moonlight.

Eowyn's eyes drifted shut, her body utterly exhausted and just before she fell into sleep, she felt Aragorn stroke her head once more. "Mine," he breathed.

..::..

Aragorn walked through the dead marshes, his body hunched over, his hand pressed to his abdomen. He looked down, confused at the blood dripping down over his fingers. He stumbled through the shallow water, sweat dripping down his temples. The marshes were empty, only the stench of death and the fire burning in the distance remained. His foot caught in the long grass, his body crashing into the mud. His mouth opened, gasping silently at the pain washing over his body. He rolled to his side, feeling bile rush his throat. The sickly yellow liquid dropped from his mouth, mixing with the scarlet blood. He blinked, seeing a body suddenly lying beside him, his long blonde hair floating in the green water.

"Legolas," he breathed, staring horrified at the body before him. He reached for the other man's shoulder, but just as his hand touched the cool clammy skin, he heard a scream. Aragorn covered his ears, spreading blood over his face.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw dark hair flowing in a soft breeze and he turned, the ground shifting under him to see Arwen. The scream was coming from her mouth, her face turned to the sky. As she fell to her knees she closed her mouth, her dark blue eyes streaming tears. "Aragorn," she said. Aragorn ran to her, the ground underneath his feet tilting and shifting. When he reached her, he knelt in front of her, his hands rested on her shoulders, holding her up. "Everyone's dead," she cried, sobs shaking her body. "We're all gone."

Aragorn bent, looking into her eyes. She fell against him and he caught her, holding her body close. "What's happening?" He asked, looking down at her.

Arwen looked up at him. "The war," she said. As she spoke a cut opened on her throat, blood spurting onto Aragorn's face.

"Arwen," he choked, watching the life leave her eyes. "No," he said, his voice breaking. He held her body up close to him, kissing her hair. He looked down at the ground as it began to bubble around him. The murky water was rising around his legs, sucking him down into the ground. He held on tightly to Arwen's body, the water around his waist gripping his skin like cold hands.

Aragorn looked up at the stormy sky, the water coming up to cover his face. Darkness and cold folded over him, he saw bodies in the water, their ghostly shapes floating around him. Arwen was torn from his hands as the water began to shift and change around him. He felt as if he were falling through open space, the bodies around him falling as well, faster and faster until she saw the ground beneath him. His hands came up to his face but the earth opened its arms to him and he landed softly in long brown grass.

Lifting his face, Aragorn saw the plains of Rohan and rising above him was a mound covered in white flowers. He looked up through the haze of pain clouding his eyes and saw a stone slab, a body covered in white laid out on it. Blood dripped slowly down the stone, rolling over the white buds and staining them scarlet. Aragorn felt some drive push him forward; climbing the hill and pulling himself through the dark ground and the sickly-sweet smelling flowers, but above all the stench of blood. His hand finally gripped the stone and he pulled his dying body up to stand beside the stone. When he saw the body lying dead before him, he felt his heart within him stop and his body froze with grief.

"Eowyn," Aragorn gasped, reaching out his hand to touch her. She lay before him, her face as white as the cloth that covered her body. The edges of the cloth were stained with the pool of blood she lay in, the color working its way up like veins through white linen. Aragorn felt tears spring into his eyes and his hand came to rest on her cheek. Her skin smudged with blood and dirt from his hand. "Why you too?" he asked quietly, laying beside her, their bloods mixing. He tried to pull her body into his arms one last time but he could not move her, it was as if she had been cut from stone.

Finally, Aragorn felt himself tipping, his vision growing dark. He fell down the hill, crashing to the ground. Laying in the cold dirt, he felt the last of his life drain out of him. Aragorn felt rain hit him, pouring down around him and washing away the death. He heard someone call his name. "Wake up," Eowyn whispered in his ear, but he couldn't open his eyes. Death called out to him from the ground and he could do nothing but answer to that call. "Aragorn!" The voice yelled louder. "Aragorn!"

..::..

Eowyn's eyes slid open, the room was completely dark, the moon had dipped out of view from their window. Her eyes started to slide shut again but then she heard a sound. She rolled over to see Aragorn, his face taunt, tears slipping out from under his closed eyelids. His body jerked, his head tossing on the pillow. His breathing came in short irregular gasps through clenched teeth. "Aragorn," she called, her hand on his shoulder. His skin felt burning hot to her touch. "Aragorn!" she called out again as he screamed into the dark. She shook him, yelling his name. When she stopped his body kept shaking, his legs twitching violently under the sheets.

Eowyn climbed over him, pinning his thrashing arms down to the bed. He called out her name in his sleep and the pain in his voice broke Eowyn's heart. "Aragorn, wake up," she pleaded, tears starting down her cheeks. She looked over her shoulder at the door to her children's room and prayed they stayed asleep.

Aragorn's eyes snapped open and he gasped, gulping down big breaths of air. Eowyn looked back down at him, her strength was no match for him as his arms moved from the bed, crashing around her, pulling her down into him. His hand was on the back of her head, his face pressed into her hair. "Aragorn, it's alright. It was just a dream," she said, she moved to snake her arms around him, holding him back.

"It was you," Aragorn said into her hair. "I saw your body lifeless and bleeding."

Eowyn sat up slightly, leaning over him. She brushed the tears away from his temple. "I'm fine." She leaned down and kissed his forehead, then his lips. "I'm going to check on the children," she said, pulling away from him.

Aragorn felt his fingertips glide over her porcelain skin as she sat up. He didn't want to let her go, he wanted to hold her close forever. She smiled down at him the warmth of it spreading over his body, warming his cold skin. Then she disappeared into the darkness.

..::..

When Eowyn came back into her room Aragorn was standing by the window. Eowyn frowned, Aragorn's nightmares were as common as hers and she often wondered if they would ever be free from their grip, but he normally fell back asleep quickly. He was leaning on the frame, his head tilted back, looking up at the black sky. It was the very early hours of the morning and the stars had disappeared but the first rays of the sun had not yet broken the horizon. Eowyn walked up behind Aragorn and laid her head down in between his shoulder blades. She reached her arms around him, her palms flat on his chest feeling the steadying inhale and exhale of his breath. She closed her eyes, exhaustion washing over her, from their ride and their later activities. Eowyn smiled to herself, contended to be near him, feeling his skin on hers.

Aragorn's hand drifted slowly from the windowsill and he watched it shake slightly. He took a deep breath, happy Eowyn couldn't see then pressed his hand to where hers was on his chest, the pressure slowing the jumping in his veins. "Eowyn," he said quietly, taking her hand and pulling her underneath his arm so he could look at her. Weariness made her eyes hooded, her dark lashes hovering low. His hands came to her face, cupping her cheeks as he traced the outline of her lips with his thumb. "Eldarion will make a good king," he said softly. "He has your spirit."

Eowyn nodded, leaning back against the wall, sleep called to her but she listened as Aragorn went on.

"I wish I would be able to see him when he's crowned," he whispered.

Eowyn smiled dreamily. "King don't retire, Elessar," she said softly, trying to move towards the bed.

"Promise me, you'll guide him," Aragorn said.

At that Eowyn's eyes opened fully. "What are you talking about?" she said, reaching up to grasp his wrists, his hands still on her face.

"When I'm gone," Aragorn said, "he'll need you. He's never known war and so he can't understand the value of peace."

Eowyn's brow knit together. "He's just a boy, Aragorn, you can teach him. And he knows how much was sacrificed for this world." Aragorn smiled, his hand moving to press the lines between her eyebrows. "He knows we did everything to build a place for him, for peace and happiness, for those who follow us."

"I'm old, Eowyn, much older than you," Aragorn said.

Eowyn chuckled, glancing sideways at their bed. "You don't act it," she said, looking up at him, his eyes were sad.

"There will come a time when you'll be alone with our children and they'll look to you to show them their paths."

Eowyn's heart skipped a beat and she felt a lump pressing on her throat. "Why are you speaking like this?" she asked, a tear dropping from her eyes and landing on Aragorn's hand.

"I see them sometimes," Aragorn said, looking past her through the window. "Beyond my dreams and into the waking hours. Those who we have lost." Eowyn nodded knowingly. "I wonder if I'll be able to wander like her, crossing between the lines of the living and the dead to watch over you."

"Aragorn, stop it," Eowyn said, pulling his hands away from her and wiping her eyes. She turned away from him and started in the direction of the bed. "Who says I'll outlive you anyway?" she asked. She was by the edge of the bed now, anger buzzing under the surface of her skin. A life without Aragorn in it made her feel dizzy and her stomach flipped at the thought of his death.

Aragorn was beside her in a second, his hand on her shoulders. He bent slightly, forcing her to look into his eyes. "You will outlive me, Eowyn," he said fiercely. "Because I will not allow it to happen any other way. I would die a thousand deaths before I saw any harm come to you." Eowyn melted into his arms and they sank into the bed together, their bodies wound tightly to one another. "I wish to die in your arms," Aragorn said into her ear.

Eowyn held onto him tightly and pushed the images of Aragorn joining Arwen from her mind. "I am here and you are here with me," she said. "We are safe and happy, are we not? Sleep now and forget your thoughts of death."

Aragorn nodded, pressing his lips to her hair and reaching down to pull the blankets up around them.

..::..

Eowyn sat in front of the mirror, a maid working with a brush through her long hair, braiding and twist section of it up around her head. A golden crown sat on her brow; small flowers made of blue jewels bloomed on gold branches to match the live blue flowers the woman had woven into Eowyn's golden locks.

Aragorn opened the door from between the two rooms, Eldarion and Awena following close behind and dressed in matching clothes decorated with gold thread. Eowyn's face broke into a smile as they stood in front of her waiting for her approval. Awena's dark hair still had the fine wisps of infancy as it fell in delicate curls down her back; a crown woven from soft branches, blooming with blue flowers sat on her head. Eldarion wore a shirt embroidered with the winding patterns customary to Rohan, but in the center grew the tree of Gondor, a visual representation of the blending of his family.

"Look at you two," Eowyn said, grinning up at Aragorn, pride swelling inside her.

"We're heading to the ceremony grounds," Aragorn said, one hand resting on Eldarion's shoulder and the other holding onto Awena's small hand. "So these two can practice their roles." He smiled down at his children.

Eowyn nodded. "I'll be there soon," she said.

Aragorn smiled back, their eyes sharing the joy that sprung up inside them. When they were gone Eowyn looked at the dress that hung waiting for her, then her eyes drifted to the door that connected the two rooms. Her heart stung as she remembered Arwen flying through it, her eyes blazing, ready to kill for her. Eowyn remembered how Arwen's eyes always seemed to glow blue, her skin reflecting whatever light fell on her. She thought of Awena's soft curls and wondered if her hair would change to be as thick and dark as Arwen's, if her child would possess some of the same beauty. Eowyn's eyes fell to her lap, her fingers twirling a flower idly. Sadness pricked at her heart. She wished they could be together even now.

From behind her the woman finished the last piece of her hair, tucking it in. Eowyn smiled at her in the mirror as the woman bowed and left the room. Eowyn looked at herself for a second, the crown on her brow glinted in the sun. Her hair was braided down her back in what seemed to be thousands of smaller twists joining one another. She stood up and slipped the nightdress she had been wearing from her shoulders, stepping out of it. She saw her reflection in the mirror and remembered when she had run here after the death of her first child. The sight of her soft middle then had caused her so much pain. She would always miss her first born. She wondered what the girl would have looked life now alongside Eldarion and Awena. Would she be fair like Eldarion or have Aragorn's silver eyes?

Eowyn crossed the room and took the dress of its hanger and slipped it on. The skirt was fuller than she normally wore, spreading out around her in shifting fabric of blue and gold. Its sleeves draped down almost touching the floor, their edges trimmed with gold threads. She looked once more at herself in the mirror, she looked like a queen, the queen of men; but she felt as if she were wearing someone else's skin. Something inside her pulled at her to cast off the gown and pull on her familiar riding clothes and ride over the plains like she had done so many times before. She picked up a bundle wrapped in cloth and head for the door in search of her brother. Eowyn found Eomer standing in the Golden Hall, watching the tables being set, preparing for the fear to follow. As she came to stand beside him, he smiled down at her.

"You look beautiful," he said, wrapping his arms around her shoulder affectionately No matter the kings and queens they had grown to be, he still acted the same as when they were children playing together in the stables.

"I made something for you," Eowyn said, holding the long shape out to him. "Well, I had it made," she corrected herself.

Eomer grinned and moved to take it in both hands. "Heavy," he said, weight it in his hands. "Long." He grinned. "Is it a spy glass?" he asked jokingly. "So I may see all the way to Gondor."

Eowyn laughed, rolling her eyes and crossing his arms. "Just open it."

Eomer carefully unwrapped the strips of simple cloth to reveal the sword beneath. His joking demeanor fell away instantly and the morning light lit the blade aflame.

"I couldn't be here for your coronation," she said sadly. "I would have given anything to watch you become king of our people."

Eomer lifted the blade vertical, looking at the patterns carved on its surface. "This is the most beautiful weapon I've ever seen," he said, mesmerized.

Eowyn smiled. "It's a blade fit for a king."

"Thank you," Eomer said.

"I know you were never supposed to be King," Eowyn said. "Theodred was always supposed to take his father's place. We weren't raised to be monarchs."

Eomer nodded, looking around the room then to the throne sitting at the head.

"But Eomer," Eowyn said, bringing his eyes back to her own. "You are exactly what our country needs; your passion, your love. "You will heal this land."

Eomer smiled and dropped the blade's tip to the ground and pulled his sister in tightly. "I wish you could always be here," he said. "Aragorn is lucky to have you by his side to rule. But I wish you were here in our home, so I could watch my niece and nephew grow. I wish you knew Lothiriel."

Eowyn smiled, breaking their embrace to look up at her brother. "Gondor is where I belong," she said, touching his cheek. "Shouldn't you have been ready to go hours ago?" she asked, noticing his wrinkled clothing and tussled hair.

Eomer smirked. "What can I say? I'm in no rush to be eternally bound, shackled some might even say, in marriage." Eowyn rolled her eyes and slapped his arm "I kid," he said, pulling her in for another hug. "I am happy."

..::..

Aragorn watched as Awena walked slowly down the aisle made between rows of chairs, holding a basket full of petals. Eldarion was beside her, a small cushion on his arms with two rings glinting in the light. A smile spread across Aragorn's face as Awena glanced over her shoulder, her eyes asking for her father's approval.

"Have they mastered the art of walking in a line?" Eowyn asked, coming up from behind Aragorn.

Aragorn chuckled. "You may be surprised to know that speed was the issue of today. Running down the aisle seemed a little out of place." Eowyn smiled, coming to stand beside him. Aragorn turned to look at her and felt the breath leave his lungs. "You are so beautiful," he breathed, making Eowyn laugh.

Eowyn looked down, a blush rising on her cheeks. "What?" she said. "Do you like my dress?"

Aragorn took a step towards her, lifting her chin to meet her eyes. "Are you mine?" he asked in wonder.

Eowyn laughed and put both of her hands on his face. "Of course, I'm yours," she said smiling.

Aragorn brushed their lips together, pulling her into him, feeling the warmth of her body close to his. "How is it that I am so blessed?" he asked.

Eowyn smiled into their kiss. It was sweet at first then hungry, Aragorn holding her so close she felt like she might be crushed.

"Momma, Momma!" Awena yelled, noticing her mother and running at them. Eowyn smiled as she came and knelt in the grass to meet her, her dress pooling out around her. The blue fabric rippling as if she sat in a pool of reflective water. Awena held out her basket, showing her mother the white flower petals that filled it. "Daddy says that I have to make it look like it's snowing," she said, "but only on the ground, not on Eldy." She smirked.

Eowyn laughed as Eldarion walked up to them, petals clinging to his hair. She reached up and pulled one out, letting it drift to the ground, then she cupped her son's face, wondering how he could look so much like her brother.

"Did you give Uncle Eomer his sword?" Eldarion asked expectantly.

Eowyn nodded, reaching up to hold Aragorn's hand.

"And he liked it?" the boy asked.

"Very much," Eowyn said, nodding. Aragorn pulled her up to her feet, taking Awena with her.

"I hope to have a sword like that one day," Eldarion said, stepping close to his father.

Aragorn smiled, pulling the growing boy up into his free arm. "One day," he said, "when you're grown."

People started to gather around them, finding their seats for the start of the wedding ceremony. The small family stood together; Aragorn lost in Eowyn's face. The people started moving around them like a current, but together they were an island.

When almost all seats were full, Eomer walked in and came to stand next them. "Are you ready to begin?" He asked.

Aragorn smiled, turning to him. "The question is, are you ready?"

"I've never been more ready," Eomer answered around the music that began to play. A soft harp and woman's voice drifted over the crowd, singing words of old Rohirrim songs. Eomer smiled at them then walked to stand at the front of the crowd.

Aragorn turned to his children. "Remember," he said, "walk slow and put the petals on the ground gently, don't throw them in the air." Awena grinned devilishly, a face that Aragorn had seen on her mother a thousand times. "I've done my best," he said, throwing his arms in the air.

Eowyn smiled and touched Awena's cheek. Then together, Aragorn and Eowyn turned and walked together down the aisle, people nodding to them in respect. Eowyn glanced over the crowd, auburn hair caught her eye, but she barely had time to think to herself what a lovely color it was before Aragorn touched her elbow. He nodded towards their children, standing ready to walk. Eowyn looked up at Aragorn and saw pride radiating off him as he looked at their children. His eyes shifted to meet hers and they communicated the same pride as he touched her cheek, his eyes telling her without words how blessed he was that she had given him their children.

As they took their seats the music changed and Aragorn nodded to the children. Eowyn turned and looked over her shoulder to see Eldarion squeeze Awena's shoulder. Awena started to walk, smiling sweetly. Reaching into her basket, she took as big a handful as she could and threw it directly up into the air. The slight breeze picked up the petals and lifted them up into the air then rained them down over the entire crowd.

"King of men," Aragorn said exasperated. "But my own children won't listen to me.

Eowyn placed her hand on his leg, smiling as Awena continued to throw the petal up into the air as she walked. "It's beautiful," she said, looking at the petals falling on the crowd.

Aragorn looked down at her face and then back to Awena. Most people only saw his own face in his daughter, but he saw Eowyn and her spirit shine from within. He smiled and kissed the top of Eowyn's head. "You're right," he said, looking over at the crowd of smiling faces. His eyes landed on Eomer was was grinning from ear to ear and noticed the man's eyes were trained on something else entirely. Aragorn turned back and saw Lothiriel at the end of the aisle, she was dressed in a white dress that seemed to float around her, small white petals had landed in her hair as well. Aragorn turned back to glance at Eomer and saw the love in his eyes.

"Are you crying?" Eowyn asked in shock beside Aragorn.

Aragorn turned back to her and smiled, a tear on his nose. "I was just remembering seeing you walk towards me on our wedding day," he said.

Eowyn softened and wiped a tear from his cheek with her thumb, letting her hand rest on his face.

Awena and Eldarion had reached them and they were starting to sit down in their own chairs, but Aragorn scooped Awena off her feet and held her close. "Good job," he said in her ear.

Eowyn glanced over the crowd once more and noticed two heads that same auburn color. Her heart skipped a beat and she craned her neck, trying to see around the crowds blocking her view. Before she could get a good look, a man's voice began to speak from the front of the crowd and she turned back to the front. At the sight of her brother standing in front of her, both hands out holding onto his bride, any other thoughts left her mind. She felt a ball rise up in her throat at the sight of him standing in the sun, his own happiness so bright it seemed to glow around him. Eowyn swallowed hard, her heart aching with how much she loved him. She knew that if everything else faded away her and her brother would have each other, would fight to the death for each other.

Without warning, tears slipped down Eowyn's cheeks, coming so quickly she couldn't wipe them away before they coated her cheeks. She felt Aragorn move beside her and his arm was around her shoulders. Without even having to look at her he had somehow sensed her overwhelming emotions. Eowyn smiled up at her brother as he began to say his vows, his eyes never wavering from Lothiriel's. She heard a catch in his voice as he spoke and she was crying again, leaning into Aragorn's side as he chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

Time went by in a daze as Lothiriel vowed to stand beside Eomer for the rest of her life. Her smile as she spoke was like the sunrise as it crested over the earth for the first time. The entire audience seemed to hush in wonder of her beauty.

A smile broke out even farther across Eowyn's face as the officiant proclaimed them eternally bound to one another. Eomer didn't pause before he lunged forward, both hands on Lothiriel's face, connecting their mouths passionately, as if he had been waiting to kiss her from the moment her feet touched the grass. The crowd around them broke into cheers, standing and clapping. Lothiriel laughed into their kiss, drawing apart for only a second to look deep into Eomer's eyes, then kissed him back with the same passion. Together they began to walk down the aisle, hand in hand.

From Aragorn's arms, Awena took another handful of petals and launched them into the air, letting them rain down on the couple as they walked past. Lothiriel paused and looked up at the petals falling around them. Smiling, she lifted a free hand to catch a petal. Eomer was smiling down at her as Awena threw even more around them, the petals falling like snow through the air. Then his arms were around Lothiriel's waist, pulling her body to him and kissing her again. The crowd cheered even louder.

When the couple had disappeared into the golden hall, Eowyn stepped out of her chair closest to the altar and led her family down the aisle, beginning the slow flow of people. She smiled at familiar faces, the guest list relatively small for the marriage of a king. Then she caught another glimpse of hair catching the light and her breath caught in her throat. They were twins, twins with auburn hair. Her hand went to Aragorn's elbow, her eyes glued to the children.

"Is that…" Eowyn breathed out.

Aragorn, who had been caught in a conversation with a bent over old man was turned the other. "Hmm?" he asked, turning casually to look in the direction Eowyn was transfixed on. A giant smile broke across his face. "Elrohir!" he called over the crowd, ducking around people filing out of their seats to catch his eye. Then without thought he started weaving around them, his hands gentle on people's backs, moving them out of the way, Awena still perched on his forearm.

Eowyn, however, had found a quicker route. Aragorn looked up to find her walking above him on the now empty chairs, too impatient for the crowd to dissipate. Aragorn chuckled as she broke out ahead of him, her full skirts gathered around her waist.

"Hello, Eowyn." Elrohir was laughing as she reached him breathlessly. He reached out a hand to help her down but she instead she crashed into his chest. She held onto his neck tightly, tipping his body down to her level, tears slipping over her closed eyes. Elrohir paused for only a heartbeat, then his arms were around her too. Memories of his sister floating back into his mind at the sight of her friend. They held each other tightly, their bodies communicating their shared emotions.

Eowyn only let go when Aragorn reached them.

"Brother," Aragorn said, his voice filled with emotion, catching the man in another embrace. "It's been too long," he said. Elrohir nodded.

The children watched their faces, slightly confused. They had never seen so much emotion in a simple greeting. Let alone how their uncle stood to hold a human woman for longer than many in their city would deem appropriate. They looked to each other as this woman sunk to her knees in front of them, smiling through her tears.

"This is Eowyn and Aragorn," their uncle said, his hands landing on their shoulders reassuringly "The king and queen of Gondor, heroes of the War of the Ring." He paused, smiling across at the couple. "And your parent's closest friends."

"You knew our mother?" Alida said hopefully, stepping forward.

Eowyn nodded with a sniffle. Aragorn's hand touching her hair lovingly, knowing the loss that stung Eowyn's heart and the overwhelming love she had for these children who didn't know her. He knew well because he felt the same, remembering the night he had brought them into the world. Eowyn smiled at Alida and nodded. "Your mother was my best friend. More than a friend, she was like a sister to me. Your father was my friend since I was younger than you." Alida smiled tentatively as Eowyn rose to her feet, lacing her fingers with Aragorns, holding onto his tightly and leaning into his side.

"And you're Uncle Elrohir's cousin and out mother's too," Leonid asked, stepping closer to them.

Aragorn grinned down at the child wo stood almost as tall as Eowyn, his face so much like his fathers. "Slightly removed," he said, smiling at Elrohir. "But your grandfather raised me after the death of my own parents. Your family is my family." He felt emotion grip him and had to breathe in deep before he could speak again. "How was your journey?" he asked. "We didn't know you'd be attending."

Elrohir nodded. "Your brother was kind enough to offer an invitation to us. We were happy to accept. It's the first time since…" His voice trailed off and he looked at the grass. "It's good for the children to travel again," he finished, looking back up. "I thought your brother would have told you," he said, looking to Eowyn.

"Yes," Eowyn said, glowering after him. "I suppose he thought to surprise us.

Aragorn smiled, wrapping his arms around Eowyn's shoulder. "This is our daughter, Awena," he said, looking to the little girl who smiled sweetly and wave from the height of her father's arms.

Elrohir smiled at her, already endeared to his sister's namesake and her cheerful demeanor. "Not your first thought?" he asked.

Aragorn shook his head, looking around the crowds for his son. His looks blended in here more than they did at home, his head just another in a sea of golden hair.

"Eldarion!" Eowyn called to him, waving him over from the steps leading up to the back of the Golden Hall, where the last of the guests were wandering in. His head snapped up at her voice and he launched to his feet to meet them. "Eldarion, this is Elorhir of Rivendell, and this is his niece and nephew, Leonid and Alida." Eldarion spun around form where he stood in front of his mother, her hands on his shoulders. He looked at up her, recognition in his eyes. Eowyn smiled and nodded. "Legolas and Arwen's children." Eldarion looked across at the older children in wonder and then bowed deeply to them, making the adults around him smile.

"Your son is better mannered than both of you." Elrohir grinned, bowing back to Eldarion in return. "Well met, young sir," he said.

Eowyn rolled her eyes. "Yes, that's what happens when you grow up in a castle," she said, looking at her son proudly, despite her words.

Elrohir raised his arched brows. "You grew up here, did you not?" he asked, gesturing at the Golden Hall. "And yes, you have no manners to speak of."

Eowyn laughed. "I see you have not forgotten your sharp tongue."

Elrohir winked at her. He had almost forgotten the freedom of being with humans and he missed a time long ago when he had known them through his sister.

Aragorn chuckled and kissed the top of Eowyn's head, looking down at his family around him standing in the golden afternoon sun. He smiled, so proud of the unit they made, Awena in his arms and Eldarion standing close to his mother. The boy hadn't taken his eyes off Alida, Aragorn noticed.

As if she could read his mind, Eowyn looked up at him then between the children. Her eyes filled with a happy mischief.

"Shall we join the feasting?" Elrohir asked and began to lead the group up to the hall.

"They're only children, Aragorn stooped to breath in Eowyn's hair.

"So you were thinking the same then." She smirked without turning.

..::..

The twins sat next to each other on a long bench, tucked into the back of the Golden Hall. Their uncle sat across from them chatting with yet another stranger. Around them the room seemed to pulse with life, music played louder and faster than they had ever heard, a stark contrast to the calming harp they were used to at home. Here the music hummed with low notes. Leonid swore he could feel the drum beating inside his chest as he watched transfixed as people danced in the middle of the room. Their bodies so close together, hands roaming to the beat of the music in ways that made him blush, but he couldn't look away.

"Elrohir!" Eowyn called, approaching their table.

Simultaneously, the twins turned and were met with her beaming smile. Her cheeks were flushed, whether it was from wine or dance they didn't know.

"Elrohir, come dance with us," she said, sitting down next to their uncle, leaning her back and elbows against their table. Her hair was starting to come loose from it's long braid down her back.

Leonid had imagined kings and queens to be stoic, proud people, but this woman was the opposite, she was wild. He turned to Alida, looking for confirmation, but she was smiling as Eowyn spun in her seat and winked at the children. "I don't think our uncle dances," Leonid said slowly, his eyes darting back to the people practically writhing on the dance floor.

Eowyn smirked across at Elrohir as Aragorn straddled the bench beside her, running his hand down her back, twirling the end of her braid around his fingers. Alida watched as he lowered his lips, brushing them over her neck as she spoke. She had never seen anyone be touched like that, let alone so easily in the middle of everything. The only notice Eowyn even gave of his touch was the small smile she gave him when he lifted his head, as if this was an everyday occurrence. Alida turned to her uncle, wondering if her parents had been the same.

"I'm old, Eowyn," Elrohir was saying as she prodded him to join them on the dance floor. "Much too old to dance."

Eowyn snorted and Leonir practically jumped. "You have been old as long as I have known you. It has never stopped us from having fun before."

Elrohir pinched his nose bridge, smiling despite himself. "Raising children has changed me," he joked.

Aragorn rolled his eyes. "We have the same number of children," he said smiling.

"And how do you feel, old man?" Elrohir asked, cocking his head to the side.

Aragorn laughed and stood from the bench, pulling Eowyn with him. "Well enough to dance!" He shouted over the music, heading back to the dance floor. "Come join us if the arthritis hasn't taken your knees!" As they walked Aragorn pulled Eowyn into him, an arm around her shoulders. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear that made Eowyn laugh, her head tipping back.

"Are they drunk?" Leonid asked incredulously, snapping Alida's eyes back to their table.

Elrohir smiled across at his children and shook his head. "Not yet," he said, "but I'm sure they are well on their way." He chuckled at Leonid's shocked face. "Humans are different from us," he explained. "Their lives are so much shorter, they're condensed." He tried to find the right words to convey to the eight-year old's that they would live for hundred of human lives, while these people would live and die so much quicker.

"They have less time, so more emotion," Alida said, watching Eowyn dance in Aragorn's arms.

Elrohir smiled and nodded. The girl was so wise despite being a child still.

Alida continued to watch as Eowyn's body moved to the music. There was no choreographed sequence, just her body moving in time to the music. Her arms were above her head, her back pressed into Aragorn's chest, his hands on her hips as they swayed. As she watched, Eowyn spun to face Aragorn, standing on her tip toes to touch their foreheads. Aragorn's arms wrapped around her, one hand on her lower back, the other between her shoulder blades, holding them together. They slowly swayed back and forth together even though the music had not changed. Alida stared at them as they look deep into each other's eyes as if they were the only ones in the room.

Beside her, Leonid let out a long sigh, looking up at the ceiling. Then out of nowhere Awena and Eldarion's heads popped up from under a table. "Do you want to play with us?" Awena asked excitedly.

Leonid raised an eyebrow. "Play what?" he asked, crossing his arms, confident he could beat these children at any game.

"Hide and seek!" Awena said, rocking onto the balls of her feet and smiling back hopefully.

"What is hide and seek?" Leonid asked, climbing out from the bench to tower over the children. Even at his young age he was much taller than them.

"It's very simple," Eldarion explained. "We hide and Awena seeks for us."

"Elly," Awena glowered. "I never said I'd be it."

"Alright," Alida said, standing beside her brother. "Let's play."

Leonid looked suspiciously at the little girl in front of him, perhaps if he his in a quiet place she wouldn't find him at all and he could rest.

"I'll count to ten," Awena said, and without hesitation, covered her eyes and began to count.

Leonid looked around the room but Eldarion had already grabbed Alida's hand and was taking her off in the other direction. Leonid's lips pursed and he took off as well, searching for a place to hide.

..::..

Leonid ducked into a small dark alcove, pressing his back into the wall, disappearing into the shadows. He quieted his breathing and closed his eyes, remembering everything he had learned. He smiled to himself, he was an Elf surrounded by loud, wild humans, half drunk. He was one with the darkness, he would never…

"I found you!" Awena screamed.

Leonid jumped out of his skin, practically clawing himself up the wall which just made Awena double over with giggles.

"Hide better next time," she said, her smile turning just a tad devilish. "Elf boy."

"Elf boy?" Leonid repeated, eyebrows raised as she ran to find the others.

..::..

Eldarion lifted a large tapestry and let Alida climb in before him, wedging himself in beside her, their sides pressed together in the dark. "How old are you?" Eldarion asked under his breath.

"Eight," Alida answered, smiling across at him, her heart fluttering in the excitement of being found. "How old are you?"

"Almost seven," Eldarion whispered back, it was only a slight lie.

"This is fun," Alida whispered, tucking herself further into their hole. "How old are your parents?" She asked, intrigued to find out if they would be much younger than her uncle.

Eldarion paused. "Well, my father is a lot older, he's ninety-six."

"Only ninety-six?" Alida asked, shocked.

Eldarion burst out laughing then slapped his hand over his mouth.

"My mother is only thirty-two," he whispered smiling

Alida thought back to all the stories she had heard of her parents and the many adventures they had. All the stories seemed like they would have taken hundreds of years to accomplish. And yet if Eldarion's mother was only thirty-two then how young had she been when she'd first met her own mother? Alida found the idea staggering, but then the idea of her uncle's age probably had the same effect on Eldarion.

Eldarion nodded, pride shining in his eyes.

"How old is your uncle?" Eldarion asked.

Just as Alida turned and opened her mouth to answer, Awena flung back the fabric. "I found you!" she yelled. Alida screamed in surprise. Both Eldarion and Awena doubled over giggling, Eldarion half climbing, half falling out of their hiding spot.

Behind Awena, Leonid stood his arms crossed over his chest.

"What?" Alida asked in shock. "She found you first?"

"Awena is actually quite good at hide and seek," Eldarion said, standing next to his sister and she smiled up at him.

Leonid rolled his eyes. "She just knows all the spots already."

Alida smiled and pinched her brother's arms. "Don't be a sore loser."

"Especially since you're it," Eldarion said and took off running in search of another hiding spot.

..::..

Eowyn's head rested on Aragorn's chest, her arms trailing lazy lines over his back as they swayed to the music together. She felt Aragorn's hand slide over her hair and his press to the top of her head, his chest rising as he breathed her in. She smiled to herself, feeling as if she moved through a dream; a hazy, warm, good dream. The kind you don't want to take from. She heard Awena's giggles and rolled her head to the side, letting her eyes slide open. She smiled as Awena ran past, her hair streaming behind her, feather soft in the dim light.

"You have to catch me to count," Awena said, running through the crowd of dancers, Leonid on her heel, his long legs overtaking her easily.

"You never said that before!" He yelled after her, a smile breaking his normally reserved face. Just as he was grabbing at her back, Eomer scooped Awena up, planting her on his shoulder, out of Leonid's reach. Awena burst into giggle again as the older boy screeched to a halt, just in front of the king.

Eomer winked at Eowyn across the crowd and she smiled back at him, her whole body filling with a happy warmth. She watched as Eomer slid Awena's tiny body down his shoulder, holding her as one would a tiny infant, looking down at her as he buried his beard into her neck, turning Awena's giggles into happy screams as he tickled her.

Lothiriel smiled, stepping closer to her new husband, running a hand over the little girl's hair. Eomer's eyes drifted up to meet hers then he was leaning in to brush their lips together. Eowyn could almost hear their thoughts as they smiled down at her daughter, dreaming of their own family. Awena started sliding out of Eomer's arms and their kiss deepened and Eowyn had to roll her eyes as she watched his hands roam down his wife's backside, grabbing it in needy handfuls. Perhaps they would wait a while before tying themselves to children, she thought.

Leonid had waited and pounced on Awena, then just as quickly spun and ran in the other direction. Eowyn watched as Awena's eyes found her brothers and she was running to tag Eldarion where he held Alida's hand, pulling her through the room.

Eowyn felt tears prick in her eyes watching them play together. Her heart broke, wishing they could always be together like this. She lifted her head from the warmth of Aragorn's beating heart and met his silver eyes. "Do you think Elrohir would move to Minas Tirith?" She asked, smiling, already knowing his answer, but asking anyway.

Aragorn chuckled and kissed her forehead, shaking is head. Eowyn sighed, closing her eyes at his touch.

"They should be with us," Eowyn said, her voice cracking. She thought of Arwen and Legolas and her heart broke inside her, she saw how they lived on in their children. She Legolas paintd in his son's features and felt Arwen's spirit in Alida's quiet smile. She wished she could watch them grow, she would call them her own children if she could. She wished she could feel as she did now, every day like Legolas and Arwen were still with her in some way.

Aragorn felt her sadness and tucked her deep into his chest, running a hand over her back soothingly. "The children are where they need to be," he said, but deep inside he felt her longing as well.

"They are with their people, in Arwen's home. They are the heirs of that city, they should know it and love it as much as Arwen did."

Eowyn nodded into him, wrapping her arms around him to hold him tight. She had lost so many of those she had loved, she would not lose him. "Never leave me," she breathed. Her head was swimming through a sea of emotion. She didn't think it was possible, but Aragorn held her closer, so tightly she couldn't feel where her body ended of his began.

"Never," he said in her ear.