Meleth-nin

Disclaimer: Not mine but J.R.R. Tolkien’s.
A/N: Constructive criticism is the word. Well, actually that’s two words but you know what I mean. That is to say feedback is appreciated and cherished. You probably have no idea how glad it makes me to read your opinions regarding this fic… Ok, enough said, on with the story. :)

thoughts


Chapter fourteen

Aragorn was humming a merry tune. He had packed his travelling bags and everything was ready for the departure. He had also discarded his formal clothing and now wore clothes fit for the Ranger he had once been. There was only one thing that needed to be done before he could leave, so he summoned a servant and ordered him to find Thomas and bring him to the Royal chambers.

“Right away, my liege”, the servant said, bowed and walked briskly away.

Aragorn had already made plans for the journey. He would go to Rohan first and greet King Éomer, a friend of his and Legolas’, before continuing to the North, passing the Misty Mountains on the West. Secretly Aragorn wished that Legolas and Elrond had decided to visit Éomer as well and he would meet them at Edoras. It wasn’t likely but it was possible, and that was enough for Aragorn to feel excited. His musings were interrupted as someone knocked on the door. Aragorn guessed correctly that it was Thomas.

“You asked me to come, Aragorn”, Thomas said after entering the King’s study. He frowned when he noticed the packed bags and the King’s clothing. “What is this? Are you planning on going somewhere?” He maintained a calm demeanour even though he feared the answer. Please, don’t let it be about the Prince, he pleaded silently.

“How nice that you could come this soon”, Aragorn said in a formal tone. “I’m going to leave the City for a while, and I don’t know when I’m coming back.”

“What?” For a moment Thomas forgot that Aragorn was the King and he was a mere subject. “You cannot do that! You cannot just leave!”

Something akin to contempt flashed in Aragorn’s eyes. “You’re forgetting yourself, guard”, he replied coldly. “You are in no position to make comments on my decisions. You would do well to bear that in mind.”

Thomas blushed in anger. “Why are you treating me like I was nothing but a subject of yours? Do I really have to remind you that I’m your lover now? That we shared a bed not two nights ago?”

Aragorn snorted in a very un-royal manner. “My lover? Please, don’t flatter yourself. ‘Twas a drunken dalliance and nothing more; and I wish it never happened. But this is not the matter I wanted to discuss.”

Thomas was fuming. He knew what Aragorn was going to say and it made him sick to the stomach. “You wanted to tell me that you’re going after the Elf bitch after all, despite what we talked about the matter yesterday. I cannot believe you’re this weak, Aragorn! Have you no pride whatsoever?”

Aragorn was at his side before Thomas even noticed he was on the move. He felt Aragorn take hold of his arms so that he couldn’t move them and the sharp blade of Anduril against his throat. “One more word of my husband, guard”, Aragorn spat out the last word, “and you will not live to regret it.”

Thomas felt a droplet of cold sweat run down his forehead. He knew that the threat was not made in jest. “Please, remove the blade”, he said hastily.

“First you will apologize.” The King’s voice was stern.

Thomas drew breath and stammered the words that first came to his mind. “I… I’m sorry for, um, being disrespectful towards you, Ara… my King!” He quickly corrected. “And… I’m also sorry for questioning your decisions.”

He felt the blade press to his skin. “Not good enough”, Aragorn growled. “You have yet not apologized for the greatest insult.”

Thomas tried to think quickly. What had he said? He had said something about the Prince… “Please, forgive me my ill-chosen words regarding your spouse”, he said fearfully when he finally remembered his own words. It was obvious that it was the remark of the Prince that had angered the King.

“Indeed, I will not”, Aragorn said but released the guard nevertheless. “I shall forgive no one who insults my beloved.” He sheathed the sword that had served him in the War of the Ring.

“I understand… Is this all or may I take my leave?” Thomas asked lamely.

“Nay, this is not all. As I’m leaving within an hour, I needed to inform you of my intentions. Since there are no royals in the palace after I’ve left, you’re not needed on your ordinary positions. That means you and the other palace guards may join the city guards on the patrols.”

The guard wrinkled his nose in distaste. The patrols were long and utterly boring, since nothing ever happened. Not to mention it was the hottest time of the year and the streets were full of dust and dirt and they smelled. Aragorn’s expression was a bit smug as he noticed that this was not to Thomas’ liking.

“Thank you, my King, I shall inform my guards immediately”, Thomas said a bit stiffly. It was very obvious to him that he had gained the King’s disfavour.

“Please do so. Oh, and one more thing, Thomas.” Aragorn’s voice was very low, almost a purr. It made Thomas shiver. “Whatever happened to that letter my father left me?”

Thomas’ expression was that of pure horror. How on Arda could the King know about the letter? He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He swallowed and tried again. “Er..I don’t know what you’re speaking of”, he lied poorly. The cold sweat was back again.

“I’m speaking of the letter Lord Elrond wrote to me. The letter that was given to one of the maids but never managed to reach me. What do you know of it?”

Thomas swallowed again for his throat suddenly was very dry. “I know nothing of it, my liege”, he said defiantly. “I was under the impression that Lord Elrond left without leaving a note or letter or anything of the kind.”

“Why that’s funny”, Aragorn said in a tone that made clear that he didn’t find this funny at all. “I guess the maid lied to me then when she told me that you snatched the letter from her hand and told her you’d give it to me.”

Thomas’ shoulders slumped. The King knew the truth, then. There wasn’t a point in denying what had happened. Damn that maid! Now everything was lost and all because of her. “What happens now?” He asked evenly despite his inner turmoil.

“From this moment on you’re banished from my kingdom, Thomas, son of Eodmund. Go now and never return”, Aragorn said grimly. “Under the pain of death.” He was sorry how things had turned out, but he couldn’t tolerate deceit from someone who he had trusted with his life.

Thomas simply nodded and turned to leave. “Just know this, Aragorn”, he said softly. “I would have loved you.” Then he left without looking back.

The King sighed and congratulated himself for his restraint of violence. He had been close to hurting Thomas, though, when he insulted Legolas by calling him ‘the Elf bitch’.

Aragorn took his bag from the floor and set his jaw determinedly. I’m coming for you, Legolas, he thought. And when I return to Minas Tirith you will be with me, meleth-nin.