A/N: A lot of people have said Aragorn is out of character. He's supposed to be, the classic father is evil when daughter's boyfriend is an issue. Sorry that wasn't clear.

Thanks to my editor and best friend Amanda and my little reader Anita.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter Three: The Decision

Aragorn sat waiting in his throne room. He had already made up his mind. He was going to test Termir, get to know him better. If he proved a nice man, he might have a chance at wedding Liriel.

So who will it be? Aragorn wondered. The good-humored man or the vile one? He heard the loud creak of the door opening and looked up expectantly, rising to his feet.

The thin, shy-looking man walked in. Oh Valar, Aragorn groaned inwardly. I thought he would be someone I could test.

Aragorn watched as Termir bowed. "I have been told, my lord, that I have committed a terrible crime?" He asked boldly.

Not as shy as I expected. I can ask a few questions. "Do you believe love is a crime? Answer honestly."

Termir didn't stop to think. "No my lord, and I would marry Liriel though she is at a higher rank than I."

He had answered the king's next question, so he searched frantically for another. "Ambitious, eh? Do you expect to be King by marrying her?"

"No, my lord. I would never want that much power."

Aragorn remembered saying those exact words himself, years before. He stubbornly avoided finding the similarities between Termir and himself.

"My lord. Am I to be punished?" Termir wasn't able to keep an almost mocking grin off his face.

Aragorn was reluctant to admit the death penalty had only been a trick to try to scare Termir. "I suppose not."

"Thank you. I see why some call you the King of Mercy," Termir said, his tone making it obvious that he had known the king had no intention of harming him.

Why is it so hard to scare him? In desperation Aragorn pulled a short dagger from his belt and ran his thumb along the edge. "If," he said, making sure Termir heard the doubt on 'if', "If you wed Liriel, will you treat her with respect?"

"With utmost respect."

Aragorn put away the dagger and took out a long knife. "And you promise never to hurt her?"

"I would never harm her," Termir said sincerely.

Wearily Aragorn sat. He's perfect for her, and I'm acting like a beast.

"Fine," he conceded. "You may marry Liriel."

Termir grinned, black eyes alight with joy. "Thank you, my lord!"

"You cannot call me that anymore. I will be your father by marriage," Aragorn said. Termir is a fine man, just the type I'd like Liriel to wed. Then why am I so unwilling to let her go?

"Thank you, Father. You will not regret this, I promise you." With a hasty bow he was gone.

Aragorn stayed slumped on his throne, contemplating his decision. A soft voice he hadn't heard in days brought his attention back to the darkening throne room.

"It wasn't easy, was it?" Arwen asked, kneeling near the throne.

"No," he admitted. "He's a good man, but I don't want to let her go. She's so young."

"She is not!"

"I know, but it seems like not long ago she was that babe I bounced on my knee," Aragorn smiled at the memory.

"She'll be happy," Arwen whispered. "And think of the good that will come of this! A big wedding…grandchildren…"

Aragorn shuddered. "No grandchildren! I can't think of that! My baby girl…not until she's at least thirty!"

Arwen smiled. "You'll want grandchildren before long." She laughed as Aragorn's lip curled in disgust, then continued, "You made the right decision. Look how happy we are."

Aragorn smiled slightly. "I'll be happy if I don't have to sleep on the floor."

"All right, you can sleep in the bed again."

"Good. My neck may never recover from the stone floor!" he groaned, rubbing it. "Come, let's tell Liriel the news, if Termir hasn't already."

Arm in arm they walked out of the throne room. Just as Elrond had done for Aragorn, Aragorn was giving away his most precious gift, and could only hope that one day Termir would do the same.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ha! It's done! I finished!

Reviews are greatly appreciated!

One more story on the way, and a few ideas for others, so please look out for those. The next one is going to be called 'Timid'.