Note: Happy early Thanksgiving guys! We are almost done with this story already! I'm going to try to finish this story in the next two weeks. I'm already writing my next story so stay tuned!

Chapter XXI

"Eruanna, Aranion told us you had excused yourself and we just wanted to make sure you were - oh my God!"

The words left Miluiel's mouth as she and Celeoron saw Arpen had Eruanna pinned against the wall. "Get away from her!", Celeoron thundered. "Aranion will be rid of you he finds you like this. How shameful of you, Prince Arpen!"

Arpen growled, releasing Eruanna and storming out of the gallery. Miluiel grabbed her best friend's hand and hauled her back to the celebrations.

"Are you alright?", she asked.

"Yes… yes I'm fine", Eruanna responded. She growled. "If only I had a dagger. I could have finished him off. If he wasn't a Prince, I would have fed him to my dragons."

The next day, Eruanna recounted the story to her ladies. "You should tell Ingwë", said Ilmanel. "He won't stand for such a henious act."

"Will he believe me?", asked Eruanna. "Will anyone believe me?" They walked out to find the five large dragons lying around. Ceveniel noticed her mistress first and let out a low purr as Eruanna stroked her snout. The other dragons roused from their sleep, all of them glancing at their Mistress wih fondness. Yet, the shadows in their eyes told Eruanna that they knew what Arpen had done to her. Naurion lowered his head as if vowing vengeance.

Just then, a shout was heard. "Eruanna!" Prince Maladion came bounding up to her. He looked at the large dragons, innocent eyes wide with awe. The dragons looked back at him with curiosity. For the dragons, it didn't matter, who Maladion's father was. They adored Elven children and would never hurt an elf unless told to.

"Can I ride them?" Maladion asked.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt for you to accompany me on a small ride", Eruanna asked. Smiling, she took the young one with her atop Ceveniel's back. Ceveniel leapt into the sly and Eruanna held onto the young Prince tight as adrenaline rushed through their blood.

She smiled as she saw Maladion squeal with delight and beckoned Ceveniel to go faster. Eruanna smiled, hoping one day her son or daughter would do the same.

"How could Arpen produce such a sweet boy?" Ithil wondered aloud.

"I for one would not be too surprised, nor would I be too devastated if Eruanna decided to burn Arpen along with his wife, of course. That woman rubs me the wrong way", Caladhwen responded.

"Do you remember how Eruanna was after she executed Tauriel?" Miluiel questioned her friend. "She couldn't sleep for days. I don't think she'll be down to execute another elf."

"Tauriel?" Ilmanel asked.

"An elf. She and Eruanna used to be great rivals. Tauriel committed treason and attempted regicide. Eruanna executed her using her dragons. I think she regretted it but she never talks about it. I'd advise you two not to inquire further", Miluiel said.

Suddenly, the doors to the palace burst open and Araneth stormed outside with two of her ladies. Ceveniel landed, allowing Eruanna and Maladion to dismount.

"Araneth", Eruanna greeted with a half-smile as the Princess walked up to her.

"How dare you take Maladion up there? How dare you put Arpen's heir in danger? Have you no sense? Are you trying to kill my son???" Araneth shouted.

"Araneth no!" Eruanna gasped out. "I admit it was an oversight. I apologize, I did not intend to put your son in danger. He wanted to ride my dragon, and I saw no harm in the accompanying him. You need not worry. I kept him safe."

Araneth slapped Eruanna across the face. The Dragoness's face snapped to the side but she let out no cry of pain. Her dragons roared in anger. Sûlion swept Maladion into his claws and imprisoned him. His claws were larger than Maladion himself. The black dragon looked ready to do anything to spite Araneth.

"You can't hurt my son! Traitor! Whore! I'll tear you to pieces!" Araneth screamed.

"Let him go Sûlion", Eruanna said sternly. The dragon released Maladion and one of Araneth's ladies in waiting took the child.

"Take him to the palace", ordered Araneth.

"Yes my lady."

Once they were out of earshot, Araneth turned on Eruanna. "You nasty snake!", Araneth growled. "I saw you with my husband, Arpen! I saw you in the gallery! How dare you try to come in between us?"

"Get your facts straight, Araneth! I don't want your husband! He cornered me and tried to take advantage of me", Eruanna responded truthfully. "I didn't want him there."

"Filthy liar! You'll do anything to slander my husband and enthrone Aranion! That's why that scheming maggot, Rianiel, wanted Aranion to bring you here! Thanks to you, we're already losing allies!"

"Your husband is laying claim to a throne that is not intended for him", Eruanna explained.

Araneth held up her hand, fully prepared to strike the Dragoness again, but Eruanna grabbed her hand. With her other hand, she held a dagger to Araneth's neck. Everyone stood stock still, wondering if Eruanna would actually slit Araneth's throat.

"You should be hanged for threatening a member of the House of Ingwë", snarled Araneth.

"Strike me again, and you wil be the one who is hanged", Eruanna hissed. Her dragons growled, as if verifying her threat. "Don't start a rivalry with me, Araneth. The last person who did got killed. I burned her alive." Eruanna removed the dagger from Araneth's neck. "You are a Princess only by marriage. I am a Princess by birth. Attacking someone like me is punishable by death."

"I'm taking this matter to Ingwë", Araneth snarled, leaving with her ladies.

In Ingwë's office, Eruanna saw the High King flanked by his wife and another mystery elf. Aranion, Arpen and Araneth stood to his left along with Araneth's ladies. To his right, stood Eruanna, Caladhwen and Miluiel. Mehtar and Celeoron were also there, observing the scene.

Araneth was in hysterics, explaining to Ingwë everything that had happened from her warped perspective. Ingwë and Ilwen didn't buy her nonsense.

"This woman is trying to take Arpen from me!", Araneth wailed. Arpen stared at his wife, less compassionate and more annoyed. Ingwë looked at Eruanna and beckoned her to tell her side.

"I was at the ball", Eruanna said. "Aranion and I were speaking with some members of the council because I wanted to get to know them. I excused myself for a brief moment after that. I went to the gallery where Arpen found me. He cornered me and threatened me. He tried to take advantage of me and I didn't want him there…"

Ingwë turned to Miluiel and Caladwhen. "Can you vouch for her?", asked Ingwë.

"I can", Miluiel bravely stepped forward. "Celeoron and I walked in on them. Eruanna was trying to break free from Arpen but he had her pinned to the wall. She acted off the rest of the day. She certaintly didn't want him there."

"Miluiel is right", Celeoron added. ""I can vouch for them both, Your Majesty. It looked to be a clear case of harassment."

Ingwë looked to Arpen, who was standing next to a furious, seething Aranion.

"Is this true?", Ingwë asked his descendant.

"And what if it was?", snapped Arpen.

"So you admit it?", Aranion growled, getting in his cousin's face. "You admit it, huh? Sinner!"

Arpen finally snapped. Grabbing his sword, he went to stab his cousin. Aranion grabbed his sword, blocking his move, and the Princes faced each other. Everyone gasped and some of Araneth's ladies even screamed.

"You've crossed the line", growled Aranion.

"I? I crossed the line? You were always Ingwë's favorite. You happily watched as the rest of us got pushed aside and walk around Taniquetil as if the world owes you something. I've always done what was expected of me!", Arpen shouted.

"If that was the case, you wouldn't be causing a succession crisis!", shouted Aranion. "But no, you're so blinded by ambition and delusion. "You gave yourself a title that wasn't yours to give!"

"Oh please, Aranion. I already have an heir. You're still not married. The fact that your courting Eruanna means nothing."

"Is that why you tried to take her from me?"

Just then, the Princes looked to Ingwë, who was choking and sputtering up blood. "Ingwë", Ilwen let out a shrill cry. Aranion pushed away his cousin and went to asist Ingwë whilst guards rushed in.

"Gather the healers!", Eruanna shouted. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Arpen and the mystery elf exchanging nods.

Aranion paced outside Ingwë's room with Eruanna waiting. His parents arrived on the scene. "How is he?", asked Aranion's father, Iston of the Noldor.

"We don't know yet", Eruanna answered for her lover.

Just then, one of the healers stepped out. "Praise Eru. Ingwë is alright. He is weak now, but he'll be fine. It was a deadly poison. Had we been a few minutes late, he would've already died."

"Have extra guards with him at all times", Aranion commanded. "He must be protected whilst he heals."

"Thank the Valar", Rianiel muttered.

That night, Aranion and Eruanna went to the gardens. "I'm glad Ingwë was spared. All Hell would've broken loose if he had died", Eruanna murmured.

"Yes", Aranion breathed. "But let's talk about us. I need to get my mind off of the situation anyways." Eruanna nodded in understanding. She too, wanted to find peace in her tormented mind.

"I always assumed the ocean was a vast, never ending body of water", Aranion said. "You proved me wrong."

"Indeed, for there is fair land beyond the sea. Land that was once connected thanks to the Helcaraxë which my ancestors and their followers crossed. My great-grandmother said it was bitterly cold and lives were lost but it led them to the soil of Arda", Eruanna paused. "The land where I was born."

"They say the lands of Arda were fair", Aranion stated.

"Not as fair as the lands of Aman, for they were not awash with their own light and much of it was shadowed by Sauron's fell darkness", Eruanna said. "The elves in my father's Kingdom lived their lives in darkness because of it. But now, at last, they live in the light."

Eruanna Úlumiel turned to Aranion and they pressed their foreheads together. "I came here for my grandfathers. For my parents. For my family", Eruanna said. "But I never thought - never could fathom - that the path I had chosen would lead me to you. My path started with my birth and my dragons, but it stopped when I met you."

"Or maybe it kept going, Úlumiel", Aranion said. "Maybe it decided to lead you on an adventure unlike anything you have ever seen before. Or maybe it saw that we belonged together, maybe it decided that this is something we should do together."

"Or maybe it didn't expect to see you either", Eruanna said. "Whatever it is, I am glad it led me to you. I'm glad I chose immortality."

"No one has ever stirred my heart like you have. No one has ever moved me like you have. And I choose to cleave to you for all eternity, if you will have me", Aranion. He moved in and kissed her. Eruanna knew for sure she had never felt like she felt when he kissed her. It was beautiful, rendering her senseless. At that time, nothing mattered, not her House, her crown, her powers, nothing. It was just her and Aranion lost in their bliss. How blessed it was.

Eruanna smiled into his lips, kissing him back. Her heart fluttered and in that moment she knew. She knew for sure that she had fallen for him. Nothing was holding her back, nothing would ever hold her back. Aranion wanted to be hers and she wanted to be his.

Eruanna Úlumiel knew that she had earned Aranion's heart and in return she gave to him her heart. Aranion Ingwhil spoke true, he never lied to her once. He loved her and she loved him. He had given her his heart and soul and he didn't want it back. She had every right to keep it.

Eruanna was perfection to him. She was prim and proper when she had to be but she didn't always act lady-like. She didn't act like a stuck up Princess, she was so free-spirited and courageous. She was a kind, compassionate, brave woman with eyes like the ocean and black hair touched by moonlight. She was exquisite.

The kiss ended and Aranion and Eruanna rested their foreheads together.

"I choose to cleave to you. My heart is yours, my soul is yours and I would bind my very fate to you", Aranion said.

"And I choose to cleave to you, binding my heart and soul. Whatever fate befalls you I shall gladly accept it myself", Eruanna said. And then, words unspoken passed between them, invoking an oath of love, the likes of which neither elves nor men would swear until the end of days.

Just then, Eruanna was pulled away from Aranion and a knife was held against her throat. Eruanna drew her own dagger and stabbed the assailant in the side. The elf grunted and released her. Eruanna's dragons flew overhead, roaring as Aranion pinned the assassin down. Guards raced onto the scene immediately.

One of the guards pulled off the elf's cloak, revealing it to be the mystery elf from earlier.

"I recognize who he is", Aranion said. "A cousin of Araneth. Guards take him to the dungeon for questioning."

"We should bring Ilwen, Rianiel and Iston", suggested Eruanna. "They'll want to hear this."