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Late into the night a young girl of only sixteen, paces in the royal gardens of Gondor. Her mind plagued by the frightening images that had visited her upon this night.

The young princess' hands fidgeted with the skirt of her dress as she glared, deep in thought, at the large tree in the center. Her sharp blue eyes were glazed over and narrowed, as her face fell into an anxious frown.

She was so focused on her own thoughts, that she didn't notice a figure emerge from the shadows behind her.

"Alyra?"

The young princess looked up in a start, recognizing the unexpected guest to be her father. The half elvish girl relaxed and gave her father a small smile.

"Hello, father." She greeted the man quietly, her mind lingering on the images that worried her.

"What are you doing out of bed, Little One?" Aragorn asked his daughter in a quiet elvish, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I couldn't sleep and walking in the garden always seems to calm my mind." The youngest of the king's children replied in her first language.

"What troubles you, my child?" He asked the young girl, concern written all over his face.

"I've been having such horrible dreams as of late and I can't help but wonder if they are to come to pass." She sighed with a deep frown.

"You need not worry, child. The walls of Gondor are well protected and I won't let anything happen to you." Aragorn sighed with a kind smile on his face, as he placed both of his hands on the girl's shoulders.

"It's not me that I'm worried about." Alyra mumbled, her frown deepening as she made eye contact with her father.

Concern flashed across the king's face as the words left his daughter's lips. He feared for his child's wellbeing and for the safety of his people.

"Come, Little One." The father said calmly, wrapping an arm around the young princess. "Let's get you back to bed."

"You're right, Papa. It's getting late and there's lots to be done tomorrow." She agreed with a yawn and a brief nod.

"It is your birthday after all, my dear girl." The king chuckled at his daughter's sleepy demeanor.

As they approached the young princess' chamber, they were met by her guards, whose eyes widened at the sight.

"My Lord! Our deepest apologies!" The newly recruited one of the two stated worriedly. "She insisted on wandering the castle alone."

"I suppose she wouldn't take no for an answer?" Aragorn laughed, regarding his daughter's most loyal and trusted guard.

"You are correct, My Lord." Veleos chuckled, shaking his head at the princess' antics that he had grown far too familiar with over the years.

Alyra rolled her sapphire eyes and sighed. "We'll talk more about this tomorrow?"

"That we will, my child." The king confirmed with a nod. "Sleep well."

"You as well, father." The young princess stated, giving her father a small smile before entering her room and falling into a deep slumber for the night.

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