Disclaimer: I do not compare with Tolkien and will not even try. He owns the setting and most of the characters, except a few that are mine.

A/N: I do need advice on this, so please R&R. I want some constructive criticism if possible. Thanks in advance, and enjoy the story! Takes place after Aragorn and Arwen’s wedding, which is in the morning in this fic.

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“Estel?” Arwen murmured as she sat next to Aragorn, his arms encircling her

“What?” he said gently, turning to look at her.

“I can’t believe we’re finally married….”

“Me neither,” Aragorn whispered softly in her ear. She turned to look him in the eyes.

“Aragorn..I..I don’t know how to be a queen, what your people expect of me. I’m scared.”

Aragorn tightened his arms around her. “They are our people, meleth. And you must not feel that you must do anything in order to live up to their expectations, real or imagined. Do not fear, meleth nin. I will always be here for you. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how to be a king, either. I’m just making it up as I go along.”

Arwen giggled slightly. “Unfortunately, I do not think I will be so good at that.”

“You’ll be a wonderful queen,” he said gently to her. “I have some duties to do this afternoon, but I will meet you before the feast. Why don’t you go and talk to the women, make some friends.”

She nodded, and he gave her a passionate kiss before leaving. Arwen wandered out into the courtyard, where she saw some women sat in a group by the White Tree. She approached them, and nervously cleared her throat. The women looked round.

“May I join you?” Arwen murmured nervously.

The women stared at her. They disliked the queen, thinking, due to her immaculate looks, that she didn’t love the King, that she was just in this for the crown, and he had been totally taken in by her.

Then another woman, with long unstyled blonde hair and wild blue eyes came towards them. She had on a plain riding-dress, and her cheeks were flushed by the wind. The other women turned and smiled at her: she felt more on their level, despite the fact she was marrying the steward.

The woman’s eyes fell on Arwen, and she swiftly approached her. She felt as though she needed to repay Arwen as an apology for her shameless flirting with Aragorn a few months before.

“You must be Arwen. I’m Eowyn,” she said. “Come and sit with us.”

“Thank you,” Arwen said smiling shyly.

Although Eowyn made a genuine effort to include Arwen in the conversation, Arwen had nothing to say about the war, or the various histories of the women’s families. Arwen, bored out of her skin, excused herself and went to find her father.

Immediately the women changed the subject of the conversation.

“Why did you invite her to sit with us, Eowyn? She’s awful.”

“If it hadn’t been for her marriage to the king, she’d be no more than a tavern wench. I can’t believe he’s so taken in by her!”

“She’s pretty, that’s why,” another woman said.

“And I’m sure she’s no virgin,” another added.

“She just married him for his wealth and status.”

Eowyn couldn’t take this any longer. “She gave up her immortality, she’ll never see her family again once they leave here. Do you think some one would do all that for a crown?”

The women laughed. “She’s got you fooled.”

Eowyn sighed and walked off.

Several hours later, Aragorn walked out of the doors to the palace, and found Eowyn moodily standing looking out over the walls.

“Have you seen Arwen?”

“Yes, ages ago. She came to sit with me and the other women, but then left.”

“Thank you.” Aragorn started to walk away, but Eowyn pulled him back.

“I can’t believe the things the other women said about her when she left, you need to know,” Eowyn fumed in anger.

“What did they say?” Aragorn said in concern.

“That she was no better than a tavern wench, that she just married you to be a queen, that…”

Aragorn stared in anger, then turned and strode away. He found Arwen sitting alone on a bench in a quiet street corner. He gently swept her into his arms, and kissed her before releasing her.

“I think you need to come up to the courtyard, Eowyn and I need to talk to you.”

Eowyn bit her lip as Arwen approached. “I’m sorry, my lady, but I really need to tell you what the other women said behind your back.”

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Please review! I really need advice on this, and constructive criticism is greatly welcomed.

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