By A Fire

[Arwen]

The world was changing. Darkness, that had once been an enemy was now befriended, yet now, once again slowly turned on its new formed alliances. Families that had once been strong, and held their lands tight, were now battered and left the land to the crows. Families were torn apart, yet there was hope. Some of these families reunited, and the supremacy was ignited once again.

Days grew short, as the passing of the summer months came, and as the land slowly turned into the cool and icy palace that these few months condemned it to, where everything seemed dead. Cool breezes carried in the rain and the small flakes of snow. These were the times in which many people were sick, and healers were rushed off their feet aiding them all. It was also the time, when crops were poor, and food was limited to that, which each male of the family could bring in from scavenging and hunting. However, some people were smart enough to keep small farms going, and would keep themselves well fed.

Fires were started once again, and smoke rose from small chimneys. Candles were on demand a lot more than usual, as the cooler months tended to trap away any of the suns light. It was fortunate to catch rays of sunlight each passing day, and people missed the sun like the flower. For some, the sun was a source of energy and life. It kept them motivated, and kept them strong. The winter months were a curse. For others it was the opposite.

Arwen was sitting by a fire, in a small room knitting clothing for those in need. When she had spare time she’d always help those less fortunate out. These days she had much spare time, forbidden from her usual activities by counsellors and healers, saying she had been through to much already and should not under any circumstances carry out her normal tasks. She was due to give birth in a few months time, it had seemed like she had carried the restless child for more then year, however, that was not to be.

So instead of being highly adventurous, she spent her time doing small and limited tasks. It tended to bore her quite a bit, especially when she was unable to be adventurous and accompany Aragon or any others for that matter on simple tasks. She managed to repair clothing, piles of it a day, before it was taken away and given to those in need of it. Some days, she would just read. It all depended. The move had made her weary, and it took her a few days to pass through the weary stages. However, he had revived.

“My Lady,” a servant entered, “Are you in need of company?”

Arwen looked up at the young lass, with a warm and open hearted smile, “Indeed, if it does not trouble you.”

“It troubles me not at all, Lady. I am glad to be of service. I understand it must be lonely working on clothing all day. My past master, made me repair clothes constantly, night and day.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed, Lady,” The young servant moved forward, “What would you have me do?”

“Oh,” Arwen smiled, “There is quite a bit to do, would you mind sitting down beside me and repairing some clothing with me?”

The servant nodded, and took up some clothing and began repairing the clothing with Arwen. Both taking the chance to indulge in light and friendly conversation about arbitrary things. It was peaceful, and comforting to have another person to speak to. Silence was truly not the best way to spend a day. Thinking to yourself, was truly exhausting.

[Manwë Súlimo]

As the cold winter night had set its tool upon the lands of Arnor, a group of knights and the king himself entered the palace court with great haste as they arrived riding on horses. They had come to gather and speak about great importancy for the kingdom and its people, many were starving and the cold had made the living life more difficult for some. Many outlaws were already wandering over the kingdom and some were gathering in small groups to survive but also Hobbits from the shire had come to Arnor from the invasion that had just happened in their country, many needed help and it was such things the council needed to speak of.

Elessar previously called Aragorn had gathered the knights along with a group of soldiers as much was to be discussed, as they arrived the palace they gently dismounted their horses while servants came running to take care of them. Brego the horse of the king stood in its proud brown color along with its cloths to keep it warm, taken by the servants it were brought to the stables along with the rest of the horses. Elessar himself was wearing thick leather cloths and fur to keep him warm from the cold breeze that swept across the country, keeping his blue cloak with the tree of the Reunited Kingdom on it. In the early ages the tree had lost its flowers but now as the flowers had returned together with the king even the symbol of their kingdom had changed, the tree attached to the armors and cloaks were as well changed.

Gracefully Elessar stepped forward with his knights and as the doors opened with the help of the two guards that stood before them, they entered. In front of them the king and the queens throne could be seen standing but there was none, Arwen herself was told to linger in peace these days as she were to give birth within some weeks. He knew she got bored often these days as she could not do much but still she were able to do things, most of the time she tried to help the people with getting cloths and then he also knew she probably now were in the knitting room.

"I am going to check to the Queen, you others can start preparing for council." Elessar spoke out in great haste as they had entered the throne room, he himself wanted to see how his wife were doing and therefore went to look for her. As he went threw the hall way the servants gently bowed for their king, lowering their head as he passed but sonly went back to business. When he arrived the knitting room he gently knocked on but as he was inpatient he opened the door to look in, there he saw his wife and a servant knitting cloths together and it made him smile. Gently he stepped inside and walked over to were they sat, watching them but did not speak before needed." Mára aurë (hello)."

[Arwen]

Arwen and the servant carried on for a few more hours into the night. Their conversation was light and full of random themes. However, Arwen did not mind the chatter of servants, it was far more less political then that of other Lords and such. Another servant brought in further wood, to stand beside the fire, as the servant accompanying Arwen, carefully re-laid some more wood into the fire. Arwen then dismissed the servant whom brought in wood, to follow any personal errands, and returned to neatly tidying up holes in capes and shirts.

Healers and servants demanded Arwen stay inside during the coldest parts of the day, even though her favourite time of the day was the coldest. She must linger inside during it. She loved the night, perhaps that is why many called her the Evenstar. Still in her old age, she seemed so fair to many of her people, with her and Lord Elessar’s children taking it on, through their lines.

A knock came to the door, calling Arwen’s attention to it, as her servant stood, the door opened to reveal Lord Elessar. The servant bowed, as he greeted the both of them and elegantly excused herself from their company, sensing it was probably best to leave them alone at this hour.

Arwen’s eyes lifted gently to meet Elessar’s, as he spoke a gentle greeting to her, “Mára aurë,” she replied in her elvish tongue, “Im gelir ceni ad lín. Havo dad, im melon,” she gestured for him to take the seat in which the servant had abandoned, with a hospitable smile.





Translation:
“Hello. It is good to see you again. Sit down, my love”

[Manwë Súlimo]

King Elessar smiled gently back to his wife as she responded him, telling him to sit down as she greeted him welcome home. She was a lovely woman and even from the position he stood she looked like a real beauty, nothing could make his love for her vanish cause she meant to much to him and he loved her with all his heart. Gracefully he sat down beside her as the servants left the room, making them being able to speak between each other without anyone around.

The other captains and leaders that he had brought were waiting in the palace hall until the king was finished with his, without him they started discussing between them self but could not take a finally dissuasion without him. Guards were also at their place around the area, guarding the gates and the walls around the palace while normal citizen soldiers guarded the rest of the fortress. Many families within the kingdom were poor and hungry but still they remained alive the best they could by the help from the king and leaders that ruled the area, much was to be done and discussed but everything would be given time when possible.

"It is good to see you as well, my love. How are thee today? how is our little child doing?"He said with a smile, placing his one hand upon her stomach as he looked at her. Glad to see their new child would soon arrive even he knew it would demand alot of energy when it came, they both had learned alot from earlier experience and it would be useful for what to come. The stomach of her body had grown huge but still her curves and forms kept shape, she was an elf and therefore were not easily getting wight by giving birth to many.

[Arwen]

Arwen smiled warmly to the love of her life. Many years ago she had given her immortality up, to be with him. She never regretted it, and knew she never would. As much as she missed her family, her parents and her kin, she knew she had a new family and a new kin to serve.

Now she blessed them with another heir to the throne. Another child. She lifted her hand to where Aragorn’s laid on her stomach, she knew he was eagerly awaiting the next child. He had always been a eager father. He also knew how to deal with Arwen during these times. She could moody, and very temperamental, which was all due to the child within her.

“All is well, my love. I am being looked after like the most prized foal in the stables. I am not even allowed to wander outside,” she sighed carefully. She knew he was doing the best for her, and she did not doubt he was. He was still ruling a Kingdom, which demanded much of his personal time with her and his family. However, it slowly began to reduce as Eldarion slowly gained more authority, teaching him to rule his people.

[Manwë Súlimo]

"Yes, well you need your rest. Its just some days left and you will be able to walk all around again, just be patient."Elessar returned in answer as he looked at his wife with all his love and passion he cared for her, her hand lingered within his as his other rested upon her pregnant stomach. It was amazing how their relationship had turned out since the first moment they meet, he was just a boy at that age and she was already and young adult. However as time had passed he had grown and were able to be together with the woman he loved, she was everything for him and together he knew they could master it all.

He was excited for the new child to come, it could cause happiness or problems in their life. All depended on how they raised their child, he at least would do everything in his power to make the child wealthy and to become a good person. Previously the other children had turned to be unhappy which made some of them run away, he would not let it happen again even it was a chance it would as he himself and Arwen were most of the time busy with royal things to handle.

The servants had left the room for them to speak, but still the guards and others stood outside. Either guarding the doors or waiting on lord Aragorn to return so they could speak business for the kingdom of Arnor, his son Eldarion had been given the job to rule Gondor as he was gone so he would get practice in becoming a king

[Arwen]

Arwen nodded, “I have been patient,” she said quietly. She had been very patient over the past months. It had been exhausting. She truly missed being outdoors most of her time, however she was content with being a mother again, and if it meant sacrifices, she’d let it pass.

She smiled at him, “How go the thieves these days? Have they settled, or does their shadow still linger beside us?” Arwen, was still fairly into the running of Aragorn’s people, and still knew of what passed. No secrets were left un-spoken between the both of them.

Her mind strayed to how Eldarion was doing, and she hoped with all her heart, that Erana was the woman for him. If she was not, would he be able to cope with another loss? It would not be fair on him to go through that. Elves were partnered with one for a lifetime, yet with mortals, they could so easily come apart.

Arwen knew the next child would be a handful. They way it carried on inside, was a lot rougher then Arawyn had been. It was what a mother would call, knowledge. No-one who had not had children before including men would understand, but she knew this next one was to be another ruthless girl.

[Manwë Súlimo]

In return to Arwens first words he nodded and smiled gently as he took both of her hands inside his, holding them tight but careful while he answered her question about the thieves."The thieves are getting less in numbers but still these outlaws are wandering threw our land, news of them have told they are heading south but thats not sure."He said and started thinking about what to do with them, would it be good if he gave this outlaws land to stay and rule or would that just make them dangerous. Whatever happened he was glad that a new child of his and Arwen`s was to be born, this made every day something to look forward to and he was happy.

Life had so easily changed since he became the king of all men at the Reunited Kingdom, it had been lots of work but worth doing. People had suffered long enough and they deserved better, he was able to give them this and would not rest until everyone was satisfy ed. The cold winter night in the north had made life difficult for some but still there were people that helped, this was why the council had gathered in the palace. They had to speak of every possible thing that must be done, the people needed them to decide.

[Arwen]

Arwen nodded, listening to his information upon the outlaws and such moving towards the South, “Are their numbers few, or do they gather more as they go?” she asked gently. Looking at his hands, that had taken hers in his. She heard a noise outside, and looked towards the door, Aragorn had come through.

“Have we company?” she asked, turning her gaze back to her husband, with an apologetic smile, “Forgive me. I ask too many questions.”

[Manwë Súlimo]

Elessar was just about to answer as she continued speaking of the things going on around them, he understood she was easily distracted of the many voices that could be heard but gently he smiled back in return, answering with a kind comforting voice while he looked at her passionately." There is nothing to forgive, you`ve done nothing wrong."He said and took her hands tighter inside his, holding them close as he never wanted to let go of them and to show how much he cared for her.

"But yes we do have company, lords from every corner of the kingdom has gathered to speak in council and the outlaws are still growing in numbers within our land. It seems many of our people are having problems with keeping the warm and to hold the crops in order, it is making them poor and therefor a few has joined the outlaws who always are on the run. Something has to be done." He continued, wondering what she thought of what he had just spoken but hoped she maybe had a solution to the problem even she was more bothered with the birth that soon was to take place of their new child.

[Arwen]

Arwen listened to what Aragorn had to say. It was as much her concern as his, and if they did not act on it now, it would leave trouble for Eldarion to try and clean up. The faster it was finished, the better they could move on to other concerns.

“Perhaps it is time, we attempted to speak with our people, instead of having them speak to us through messages,” she sat back in the chair, and watched the hearth for a moment, “Perhaps we could help restore homes, and when times are tough as they are in the cold months raise the coin they earn by a fraction.”

It was a suggestion, yet it may not be the best, it confronted the problem of warmth, better structures needed to be created, to ensure that happiness of their people. Cold weather, was not always the best, and some people barely knew how to survive in it.

[Manwë Súlimo]

The words Arwen spoke off were both wise and clever, long had she been there for him and helped him in times of need. Now it was their people that needed support and shelter for the cold winter months, many had fled the lands of Arnor in the past years as the cold had taken hold on many. What she suggested was a good thing for them to do if they wanted to give their people the life they wanted, Elessar always wanted the best for his people as he knew the conditions of living in north.

"Your a wise woman, my love. And I like your idea, what you say I think we should do. Much of these lands are free for taking as most of it lays in ruin, the people are wandering and if we made this land fertile many would come back and start their life on new."He said but as she leaned back into the chair he watched curiously with a smile, still holding her hands in his as he thought she looked lovely.

[Arwen]

Arwen smiled, “Well, we need to meet the needs of our people. If we were in their situation I do not think we would just sit in the cold, I do believe we would be doing exactly what they are doing, to have our voices heard. Perhaps it is time, that we answer the need of our people first, before our allies.”

She looked at him ardently, the flames in the fire, reflecting in her eyes, “Perhaps it is time we put our people first. If we can secure our people, we will once again build these lands strong, and sooner then later our men at arms will increase in numbers.”

[Manwë Súlimo]

Elessar nodded gently back to his wife in respond, her words were wise and true. Their people needed help and should be put in front of all else, it would be good for them to make their lands strong with good conditions again as they once had been before. Long had the land of Arnor been in ruin but time had now come to make it better, the people needed homes and money, something that the royals could give. Arwen was lovely he thought and wise, without her he had not succeeded the way he did.

"Yes, then let us do so. We must give the people what is rightfully theirs, long have they done their service to our land and it is time we give something back."He said but continued speaking, looking at her with gentle eyes as he wanted to show how much he loved her."Would you like to walk with me, or would you like to rest?"Elessar asked, wondering what she wanted to do now. If they should do the deeds they had figured for the people, or wait with doing so.

[yvaine]

Stepping forth from a room in the palace, Yvaine, a newly made Maiden to The King Elessar and Queen Arwen, had in her arms a pile of clothing. These diffrent garment's needed much repair and it was known that Queen Arwen knitted such garments and fixed them.

Yvaine walked elegantly along the corridors, through diffrent halls, passing many people, those higher than her, she bowed her head to, those that were also servant's, she smiled to.
Yvaine had been told to go directly to the knitting room, she had been told by the one who looked after her, a higher servant. Yvaine made no stops on her way.

Stopping outside the door, she heard voices from within and putting the pile of clothing down, she smartened herself up and knocked gently on the door before picking the pile of clothes up again and waiting patiently for someone to answer.