In the first decade or so after the Great War is when many of the good things happened. Being in a place of peace was heavenly for all of the inhabitants of Middle-Earth as we had had battles, fear, great losses, and many unknown factors for so long that it seemed everyone was constantly holding their collective breath. But not anymore. Everyone was happy and looking forward toward the future. That could not have been more the case as the two letters that arrived in Rivendell at almost the same time though by different couriers. Both were wedding invitations; the first was from Faramir and Eowyn of Ithilien who were ready to tie themselves to each other in every way possible. The second was from Eomer and his bride to be wed in Rohan only two days later. Brother and sister were finally ready to get their futures going.

    We had all heard by then that Sam had gotten wed to Rosie Cotton just as he had always wished. And though we were all invited, we did not go so not to confuse the dear people of Hobbitown as to how someone as presumably simple as Sam, knew all of these royals from different lands. We all did wish him and his new wife peace and love for eternity. When I showed the letters to my uncle, he smiled. He and my aunt were not going to attend the weddings but he highly encouraged Legolas and me to do so. We were going to anyways; these were our eternal friends and companions in battle so it was quite natural to do just that.

    A day before Eowyn and Faramir's wedding; we rode out of Rivendell in high spirits. It was wonderful to think how far both of them had come. We brought gowns with us and rode in regular wear. As we were riding side by side and just gazing at the beautiful land around us, I had a vision of a woman with bright red hair and piercing green eyes. She was standing near Eomer and smiling. I knew then that it was his future bride. Legolas saw the faraway look on my face and slowed down to see if there was trouble; but I just smiled as this woman's whole life flashed before my eyes.

    It turned out that she was a commoner; there was not any royal blood in her but Eomer knew she was the one when he first spotted her in Minas Tirith during the final battle. The only ironic connection she had to Rohan was that her father was a distant relative of the deceased Hama who was part of the late King Theoden's guard. I told Legolas what I was seeing and he smiled. It did not matter to either of us that Eomer fell in love with a commoner. All that mattered was their happiness. We knew we would meet her in Ithilien.

    As we arrived at the gates, we were the last of those invited to get there. I saw Arwen and Aragorn speaking with Faramir and Eowyn. I was also pleased to see Mithrandir who would be preforming the ceremony; he winked at me as we arrived. I looked around and saw Eomer standing a bit away with a woman that I saw in my vision. I smiled at him then and he raised his eyebrows. He knew of my gift of foresight so I obviously saw something that had to do with him and his betrothed. To both Legolas' and my pleasant surprise, we saw Merry and Pippin there too. They waved at us happily as the rest of the people of Ithilien bowed to us. I looked at Faramir and Eowyn as I felt Sunset wanting to do what he did best so I let him.

    Right then and there amongst many people, Sunset reared back on his hind legs and stood there as I held him steady. He stood as magnificent as a statue for a whole minute as everyone watched in amazement. He neighed loudly and then returned to his normal stance as with a smile, I explained to both Eowyn and Faramir what he had done:

"Sunset wanted to show you that he honors you and is congratulating you on your upcoming wedding and coronation."

    People were awestruck by the black stallion with crystal blue eyes. At that point, both Legolas and I got off of our respective steeds and while they were led away towards the stables, we hugged our friends and congratulated everyone on their upcoming nuptials. Eomer then came up to me with his future bride and asked to speak with me in private. I nodded and the three of us walked off to the side. As soon as we were more or less out of earshot, he asked me:

"Hedraliel what did you see?" We had all long ago decided that we were not going to go with formalities. We were on a level playing field and therefore titles were not needed.

"I saw your bride's past and your future together. What is your name, my dear?" I asked looking at the redhead then.

"I am Bailan (pronounced bye-lahn); daughter of Lenk and distant relative of Hama, your highness." She said bowing to me then. I just waved my hand.

"Please call me Hedraliel. Formalities are not needed amongst friends and family." I said with a kind smile as her eyes got really wide.

"With all due respect, I am nothing but a commoner. I was raised to know my place in this world." She said softly.

"I understand, but it is my request that you call me and the others by our first names. You will soon be Queen of Rohan and as my visions showed me, you will both be incredibly happy with children. I feel truly blessed that you have found each other. Eternal love is very important." I said wisely as she nodded.

"As you wish, your high-I mean Hedraliel." I laughed and we all went to rejoin the others. The following day would be Eowyn and Faramir's wedding.

    We were given our own quarters where we could rest up for the night before the next day's merriment. As we had dinner and enjoyed ourselves with each other, soft harp music wafted through the air. It was truly a magical time. After dinner, I walked out toward the garden and saw Arwen walking around and smelling flowers. I smiled at myself and ran down the steps to join her. On the way I asked for the musicians to play something soothing and as they did so upon my request, I grabbed Arwen around the waist as she shrieked first in surprise then in delight. The two of us had our arms around each other and danced in fast circles to the music as people stopped to watch us.

    I had not seen my cousin in half a decade at that point though we had written letters to each other. But this was different. We danced and laughed and then Eowyn joined us as our circle expanded. As we continued to twirl and dance, I noticed Bailan watching us from a distance and beckoned her to join us. Eomer was standing next to her and he told her it was alright as she was quite hesitant. Finally, she walked forward as Eowyn and I extended our hands towards her so the circle of four was now complete. We danced until the moon was high in the sky.

    Afterwards, we told Bailan our stories and histories, including the battles we fought. Though Bailan grew up and lived her whole life in Gondor, she knew of the Great War and so her eyes grew wide when she learned that Eowyn and I fought in the war. She herself did not possess any fighting skills; though we had an idea that living in Rohan, Eomer would teach her all she needed to know. Arwen and I told her everything about my own warrior now queen status and how apparently both myself and my sword Altherial were now renowned throughout Middle-Earth. I still had a very hard time believing all that but very soon it would come to fruition. We then bid each other goodnight and went off to our respective quarters.

    The following day was truly a magical one. Faramir and Eowyn were wed with Eomer and Merry standing up for Eowyn and Pippin for Faramir. Mithrandir wed them as Aragorn proclaimed them the new Prince and Princess of Ithilien. Another royal lineage was born. Everyone had tears in their eyes as the crowns were put on the heads of the newlyweds. Then it was time to celebrate. The next morning we were all riding out toward Rohan for the next wedding and coronation. These were blissful times. The celebration of Prince Faramir and Princess Eowyn of Ithilien lasted well into the night.

    The following day, everyone was ready to go to Rohan. As we saddled up, Merry rode with Eowyn, Pippin with Mithrandir, and Gimli who had also attended the wedding as he was currently living in Minas Tirith, rode with Legolas. Bailan--though without any skills of war--was a very decent horsewoman and therefore had her own steed. We rode swiftly through the lands; we had the Rohirrim and Gondorian guards with us. Suddenly, Sunset made a noise that I knew too well and looked up ahead. There in the distance, I saw a black mass moving slowly towards us. I got Legolas' attention and then the others. Legolas and I watched the mass carefully so we could inform the others of what we were seeing. Everyone had stopped and looked at us for answers. Gimli spoke first:

"What do you see laddie?" He asked Legolas.

"A swarm of goblins and orcs." He answered.

"It seems that they are fighting each other. If during the Great War they had banded together somehow to fight us, now it is each evil for itself." I added.

"So they are trying to outfight each other?" Aragorn asked as both Legolas and I nodded.

    Just then, Bailan gasped as we turned to see that the horde of orcs and goblins had seen us and were running towards us at top speed. Eomer quickly ordered the guards to flank Bailan and I told Arwen and Mithrandir to stay behind as well which they did. Then Aragorn asked:

"Who will take point?"

    Before anyone had a chance to answer, Sunset reared back and sent me the message that I needed to hear. Mithrandir smiled.

"Sunset is the protector of all horses so it makes sense that Hedraliel takes point and anyone who wants to follow, can. But just hold back and watch." He said cryptically.

    Legolas set off after me as the others got into position in case we needed our own reinforcements. As I rode toward the oncoming evil, I jumped up on Sunset's back and held his reigns as I rode him into the fray. At the last possible moment, I unsheathed Altherial and raised her toward the sky. The light of Anor hit the sword and the runes started to glow. The vile beasts stopped in their tracks when they saw this. My eyes were cold but I smiled evilly at them. I could see recognition on their ugly faces. Now I knew that neither my uncle nor cousin was exaggerating when they told me that Altherial and I were renowned throughout Middle-Earth.

"Well what do we have here? If this is the case and these things know who I am and my sword as well; might as well use it to my full advantage." I said loud enough only for Legolas to hear.

    The goblins took one look at me and the sword and ran the other direction as I did not give the orcs the same opportunity. With one fell swoop, I took 5 heads of the orcs then sat back down on Sunset and continued to chop methodically at the orcs as Legolas shot off arrows at them as the others watched in awe and wonder. Finally, there was nothing left of the orcs as both Legolas and I returned to where the rest of the group was waiting. Arwen smiled at me and said:

"Show off."

I stuck my tongue out at her for that one as the others laughed. I then took out a familiar looking piece of wool and wiped Altherial of the blood from the orcs. The piece of wool had an elegant letter "E" engraved on it that Arwen recognized instantly as being that of her brother Elrohir. I told her that before sailing to the Undying Lands, Elrohir had left it for me and uncle Elrond had given it to me saying he would gladly have my initials engraved on it as well but I decided against it. I wanted to honor Elrohir and the gift he had given me, regardless of how small. That made Arwen smile; she was glad I had gotten something from her brother.

After that little hiccup, we rode onward toward Rohan. Once we arrived, the ceremony was once again performed by Mithrandir and a new generation was born. There was now a new king and queen of Rohan; King Eomer and Queen Bailan. The people of Rohan welcomed their new queen with open arms and she was moved to tears when they offered prayers of a happy life and many children. The rest of us smiled. Eowyn had stood up for her brother as the rest of us watched. After another all night celebration and rest, everyone returned to their respective kingdoms. Arwen and I spent some time alone before we left.

After that wedding, all was quiet for a few years until new letters started to arrive by courier of the births of children to Eowyn and Faramir who had a son and Eomer and Bailan who had twins. We sent our heartfelt congratulations. Meanwhile, Gimli had moved on from Minas Tirith to live alongside of the Hobbits. It was like he was trying to find the perfect place to live in. He could not go back to Moria as it was infested with orcs and goblins still, so he had to make the best of it.

Finally, the day she had foreseen as had the rest of us arrived when uncle Elrond stopped me and Legolas in the garden. He had tears in his eyes and a letter in his hand; when I looked at him with questions in my eyes, he smiled and said quietly yet proudly:

"Arwen has given birth to a son. She and Aragorn request our presence so she can introduce him to us. Your aunt is coming as well." I gasped with delight and hugged my uncle tightly as Legolas watched with a huge smile on his face.

"Thank the Valar. We shall leave at once!" I responded as my uncle nodded.

    We quickly got ready and left for Gondor. It took us two days to get there and as we entered Minas Tirith, we were met by Mithrandir and aunt Galadriel. Mithrandir was there to bless the child as he had done to all royalty of Middle-Earth. We slowly made our way toward the royal quarters as everyone in Minas Tirith bowed to us. I was too excited to look at any of it. I just wanted to see the little miracle my cousin had given birth to who would be the future King of Gondor.

    We knocked on the door where they were and Aragorn opened it; he hugged Legolas and myself and bowed low to the other three. Then he stepped aside and there by the window was my cousin, glowing with love looking down at the bundle in her arms. I walked forward and she turned towards us as her eyes were now filled with ancient wisdom that all women possess once they give birth. Mithrandir walked towards the two of them. He put one hand on Arwen's head and the other on the baby's and said a blessing. After he was done, she turned to us and said:

"Ada, grandmother, cousin mine, and loved ones, Aragorn and I want to introduce you to our son, Prince Eldarion. He is our beautiful baby boy." As if the baby knew we were talking about him, he cooed loudly.

    I was second on line to congratulate and hug her; after her father that is. Arwen let me hold him and I saw that he was already wearing her Evenstar pendant. Uncle Elrond and I exchanged a knowing glance of a promise I made him years ago and I nodded that I still remembered and it would happen when it was meant to. Meanwhile, I had the baby in my arms and he smiled at me as if he knew I was family and someone who would love him too. Legolas held him too and was captivated by the tiny being as I looked on. My beloved would make a wonderful father when the heavens blessed us with children.

    We stayed with them for a few days and could not get enough of the beautiful child. He had his father's hair and his mother's eyes. He was a pleasure to be around and even Faramir and Eowyn brought their son so we could meet him from Ithilien. Finally, it was time to go home. We were so happy for Arwen and as the time passed, she and I continued to exchange letters and there was an artist that would draw these beautiful pencil sketches of the family. Uncle Elrond proudly displayed them in the main house.

    One day I noticed something different and a week later Legolas and I were on our way to Lothlorien to visit my aunt. It had been a while since we had seen her; not since the birth of Eldarion which was about 7 years ago at this point. As we reached my second home, the horn blew, and the gates opened. We rode in and dismounted by the stables as the caretakers came to take our steeds away. After which we climbed up to where my aunt and Lord Celeborn's thrones were. My aunt was waiting for me below. She had tears in her eyes as she hugged me tightly. Then she said:

"Is there something you want to share with us?" Legolas looked confused as he watched us.

"Hedraliel, what is she talking about?" He asked me then in the common tongue as tears filled my eyes too. It was time to tell him. I looked at him lovingly then and said in Elvish:

"I am with child."

To be continued......

Queen Bailan: