23 years later...

My Lord Aragorn,

We long ago agreed to bind our two great houses together. It has since been a joyful thought for me that our families will one day be united, for it will bring our realms closer together.

Now it has been 29 winters since, and 23 since the princess was born into this world. I am sure you will agree, that Rohan has been most patient and graceful of your wish to keep your beloved daughter longer in your house than expected. But much time has passed, and with a heavy heart, I have to say, dass our patience is running thin. Aragorn, we can no longer wait.

My advisors have been trying to convince me for years that waiting any longer is of no need, especially as my lovely niece has kept her part of our arrangement four summers ago. But still, my Queen and I respected your opinion on the matter, for we understand your hesitation. It is surely no easy task to give one's daughter away, but it is time. Eothain is of 29 winters now and is in need of a wife. We still have no bigger wish than uniting our families, but if you feel it is impossible to give Eothain your daughter's hand, we have to look elsewhere for a suitable crown princess. You know I speak the truth. My people yearn for a secured line of succession.

So I ask you to keep your part of the agreement. Be assured that Eothain will do everything in his power to make Elanor happy and content if you entrust him with the princess's hand in marriage.

Your friend,

Eomer, King of the Rohan, Lord of the Mark

Aragorn sighed heavily and put the letter down on his desk. One of Rohan's famous riders came this morning with his king's demand, and Gondors King knew in his heart, that the message spoke the truth. He and his wife hoped, that the day wouldn't come so soon, but he had no other choice but admit that Eomer had indeed been patient. Elanor has seen 23 winters, and thus she was several years older than the average bride. But the thought of giving his only daughter away nearly broke his heart in two. Even though two of Rohan's younger princes had already married and produced children, Aragon could understand the Rohirims' need for a wife for their crown prince. Ever since it became clear that the Queen Lothiriel would not bring any more children into the world, after she gave birth to five healthy sons, the people of Rohan yearned for a princess. Thus, it had been a kind of compensation that Gondor's princess would one day belong to the adored prince Eothain.

The king groaned as he thought of the conversations he had to have on this day, as he couldn't think of a single reason to keep Rohan waiting for its crown princess.

oOo

All of them came together on this chilly evening. The royal family declined a big affair and took their dinner in their smaller family room.
Aragorn and his wife sat in the middle. They were surrounded by their family.

Eldarion, the firstborn, sat opposite of King Aragorn. His dark hair fell in waves onto his shoulders, very much the same as his father's did. But where Aragorn had grey eyes, Eldarion's were a flashing blue. They were full of happiness as he fed his small daughter. The two-year-old Gilwen, who sat on her father's lap, was not amused about the vegetables her father tried to put into her mouth. On the opposite side of the table was his wife, the Lady Theodwyn. The lovely daughter of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and his wife, Lady Eowyn of Rohan, had been married to the prince for three years. Her light brown hair was bound into a low bun at the nape of her neck, as it was customary for married gondorian ladies. The youngest member of the royal family laid in her arms. Prince Haldorin was just six moon cycles old. Currently he was deeply asleep, as he had just been fed by his mother.

On Aragorn's left side sat the younger gondorian prince. Alvamir's dark hair was kept short, as was fashionable in Gondor. He still wore his uniform as the captain of the tower guard. He only received this title a year ago, but he did his job well. He had leaned his sword against the table while he loaded his plate with the hearty roast they were served that evening. He quickly noticed the annoyed expression on his brother's face and removed the weapon from the table.

The youngest child of Aragorn and Arwen, their daughter Elanor, sat next to her oldest brother. Her hair, as dark and long as her mother's, laid in soft waves around her shoulders. Only a few pieces had been twisted away from her face and therefore accentuated her slightly pointed ears. Although the resemblance to her mother was obvious, you could still see her father when looking into Elanor's eyes, for they were of the same icy grey colour. Thick, dark lashes framed them, which made them look innocent and sensual at the same time.

Their father had been unusually quiet, while their mother looked deeply saddened. Eldarion had been wondering what could possibly be the reason for this odd behaviour, but he hadn't gotten an answer yet.

"What it is that bothers you both so much? It is apparent, that something is amiss.", Eldarion said to his parents. His patience had run out, and he craved an answer. Suddenly, everyone became quiet. Only Alvamir didn't stop eating, but he still observed his father.

Aragorn cleared his throat before he explained: "I have been in contact with King Eomer. A first letter had arrived three moon cycles ago; his newest message came just this morning. Rohan demands that Gondor fulfills its part of the agreement and asks for Elanor's hand in marriage for Prince Eothain. I have to admit that I can't blame them, as Elanor has reached an age where it is appropriate for her to be wedded." Aragorn tried to meet his daughter's gaze, but Elanor didn't look up. Her eyes didn't wander from her lap, where her hands were firmly clasped together. Even though her thoughts were racing through her head, she didn't let her panic come to the surface. On the outside, Princess Elanor appeared to be the epitome of grace and nonchalance.

Eldarion had to swallow before he was able to inquire: "And what did you reply, father?"

Aragorn's hand on the table tightened into a fist, and his wife laid her hand on him. Although her expression was full of sorrow, she tried to give her beloved husband the strength to answer.

Nobody dared to breathe too loud when he spoke: "I agreed with their demands and gave them my approval for coming to Minas Tirith and collecting Elanor." he paused for a moment while once more looking at his daughter, "We will accompany them to Edoras, where the wedding will take place."

"When will they come and get my dear sister?", Eldarion asked tensely.

Aragorn's oldest child looked grim as their father announced the news that Elanor would soon be given to Rohan's crown prince. The betrothal had been agreed upon for years, but before it had been unclear when the marriage would be turned into reality. Eldarion had always been close to his little sister. Since he and Alvamir had been led into their mother's bedroom by their father when Elanor had been only a few hours old, he had felt a deep connection. Even though it was often assumed that he shared more traits and interests with his brother, it had always been his sister who understood him best. He couldn't imagine how it would be when she lived in another realm. So it broke his heart as he looked to the end of their family table where Elanor sat. Theodwyn laid her hand on his knee to give him some comfort.

As Eldarion asked for the timeline, Elanor looked up for the first time. Her full lips were pressed tightly together.

"With today's replay, I permitted them to start preparing everything for the journey and the wedding. Therefore, it is expected that they will arrive in approximately two fortnights."

Elanor couldn't help but gasp quietly. She hoped it hadn't been very blatant, but every single one of her family members was suddenly looking at her.

Aragorn scratched his greying beard and spoke: "Elanor, I know these decisions seem short-term, but believe me when I say that,"

"It is fine, father. As this agreement had been signed before even Eldarion or the prince were born, I can't say that this development is very surprising. It was to be expected, as it was merely a matter of time until the King demanded our part of the contract be fulfilled.", Elanor said hasitly. She cleared her throat while her mother tried to swallow her whimper. The princess calmly took her napkin from the table, dabbed her already clean mouth, and stood up. "Dear family, as I have satisfied my hunger for today, I will retreat to my room now. Have a good night." Without another word, the princess rushed out of the room. When Eldarion looked at his sister's plate, he saw that she must have taken not a single bite.

oOo

4 days later...

Eothain was walking from one side of his father's study to the other. His large hands were clasped together behind his back. A messenger of Gondor had arrived while dinner had been served in the big Hall of Meduseld. As his father saw who the letter was from, he immediately stood up, looked at his wife and his firstborn son, and retreated to his personal study. Eothain's mother, Queen Lothiriel, had sunken onto the bench at the other end of the room, while his father sat at his desk and read the letter. After a few tense minutes, which felt like an eternity, Eomer put the letter down. He first turned to his wife. Eothain wasn't able to see his father's face, but whatever his mother saw led to an exclamation of joy. The crown prince thought he could feel his heartbeat in his throat as his father finally turned to him.

King Eomer wore a pleased facial expression when he finally could tell his son: "It is done. We will get your gondorian princess for you."