Aragorn's little sister

26

Diana sat on the ledge of the balcony that overlooked Gondor, smiling as the two children, Lizzy and Edmund came running up to her.

"Hi!" Diana crouched to their heights, letting them barrel into her.

From close-by, Aragorn and Legolas watched her interact with them.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Diana let out a relieved laugh as she helped them climb onto the ledge, making sure to hold Lizzy's hand as she placed her other on the small of Edmund's back. "Edmund, that was a very brave thing you did."

"Thank you." Edmund looked down, embarrassed. "I wanted to be as brave as you were."

"Oh, you were as brave as me, and more." Diana smiled at the 8 year old boy. "And you were too, Lizzy."

Lizzy clung onto Diana. "I was so scared for you!"

"Oh, but we handled it just fine." Diana told the girl, hugging her close.

"But you lost your hair..." Edmund trailed off.

"She still looks pretty!" Lizzy glared at her brother as Diana's hand flew up to the ends of her hair again.

Luckily, none of the Fellowship commented, albeit Merry and Pippin, who complimented her.

Legolas walked forward, sitting beside Diana, as he caught the hand that was touching her hair, bringing it together with his.

"She does look pretty, doesn't she?" Legolas asked Lizzy gently.

"Yeah!" Lizzy exclaimed. "Just like a princess!"

Diana blushed, thankful of the comment.

For hours, Diana and the children chatted, until the sun set and it was time for them to leave.

Content, Diana sighed, leaning back into Legolas, who was playing with her hair.

"Would you ever want children in the future?"

Legolas's question was unexpected.

"Yes." Diana didn't have to think about her answer. "Just getting to know Lizzy and Edmund, I really would."

Her eyes lingered on the sunset painted in the sky.

"Children are blessings."

□□□

Diana scooted her way out of Legolas's arms, climbing out of bed. She paused at the door, seeing him turn in his sleep.

Smiling to herself, she crept out of the room, following her brother to the throne room.

The halls were lit with torches, and Diana's feet made no sound.

She noticed he held his sword in one hand.

Shaking her head, she watched as he fell to his knees, unwrapping a black orb. Aragorn's hand hovers over the Palentir before he eventually grabs it, bringing it up to his face.

From her hiding place, she could see the Palentir grow orange, a flaming eye in the center. Diana's lips set together in a tight line, growing concerned over her brother, who was shaking slightly.

"Long have you hunted me." Aragorn's voice fills the room. "Long have I eluded you. No more. Behold the Sword of Elendil."

Diana almost moved closer to her brother, seeing him stumble backwards, his Evenstar necklace dropping to the ground at the same moment that he dropped the Palentir.

After Aragorn recovered, he placed the Palentir back where it was, his eyes sweeping across the now-broken necklace.

"I know you're here, Ana." Aragorn turned to face her hiding spot.