Meleth-nin

Disclaimer: Still not mine but J.R.R. Tolkien’s.
A/N: Thanks for the lovely feedback; you guys always manage to make my day. :) I’m glad that you’re still with me. Please read & review; constructive criticism helps me to become a better writer. And that means improved writing -> better chapters. :)
I’m sorry for not updating for a while… Let’s just say that writer’s block is a bitch.


Chapter sixteen

Aragorn rode fast. He was determined to reach Edoras as soon as possible. He knew that if he rode with as much speed as possible without stopping to rest he could reach the City of the Rohirrim in a week.

“Noro lim, Brego”, he told his horse and the horse obeyed. Maybe it realised that its master was in hurry and needed it to be strong and swift. Brego was very light-footed, for he was originally one of the Rohirrim’s horses, who were famous for their speed and strength. Also it was said that the horses of Rohan chose their own masters; if the horse didn’t approve of the rider there was no way of making him carry the human. The Rohirrim treated their horses with uttermost love and respect and thus earned their loyalty.

Brego had been with Aragorn since he first visited Edoras. It was him who woke him up after he had fallen into the river and almost drowned. The horse loved him very much, for Aragorn had sensed his distress over losing his former master, Theodred. Somehow he sensed that Aragorn’s state of mind fad something to do with the fair-haired Elf, whom Brego also was very fond of;. for Legolas was an Elf and naturally bonded with all living creatures. Brego knew that the Prince was missing, and they were going to get him back to the White City. He wanted to help his master in finding the beautiful Elf and the child that rested within his womb.


*~*~*~*~*~*


A week later in Edoras…

The sound of the horse’s hooves on the courtyard of stone attracted some attention among the people of Edoras. “’Tis King Elessar of Gondor”, the people whispered in awe for he was a renowned hero in all corners of Middle-earth. It wasn’t long until the word of his sudden arrival reached the ears of the King of Rohan himself, who quickly made his way to the courtyard to meet his friend.

“Aragorn, my old friend”, Éomer shouted in greeting. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, O King Elessar of Gondor?” His eyes glinted mischievously and there was a wide grin on his face. There had never been a need for formalities between them, for they had recognized each other as they were from the very beginning. They were both warriors with a mission; firstly to protect their own people and their country from the forces of evil and secondly to rule their people fairly and justly.

Aragorn dismounted and clasped King Éomer’s arm in the warrior style. “Éomer, my slightly younger friend”, he replied and there was a matching grin on his face. “’Tis indeed a pleasure to visit your beautiful city once more, King Éomer.”

He handed the reins of Brego to a young male servant who then proceeded in leading the horse to the stables. Aragorn knew the horse would be taken good care of as was the way of the Rohirrim. He then turned to his friend. “What, doesn’t a visiting King get any refreshments around here? Or is it only my horse that gets food and drink after a tiring journey?” He jested.

“Ah, where are my manners”, Éomer groaned. “Come, this way, follow me. I will make sure that all your needs shall be fulfilled.”

The King lead Aragorn into his own private study. “Please sit, my friend”, he asked. He then handed his guest a goblet filled with potent red wine and sat down as well. “Now, tell me, how is it that the King of Gondor rides alone to Edoras? I’m hardly pressed to believe that this is a social call.”

Aragorn took a sip and tasted the wine thoughtfully. “This wine is very good”, he commented and placed his goblet on the table. “No, unfortunately there is a graver reason to my visit. You see, Legolas and myself –“ He found that he couldn’t complete his sentence, for it hurt too much.

Éomer leaned forward in his chair. “What of Legolas? Is he well? Is the child well?” There was no answer from Aragorn and Éomer began to get nervous. “Damn it Aragorn, spill it out! Where is Legolas? Has something happened to him?”

It was obvious to Aragorn that his friend was very worried about the Elf Prince. They had sent word to him after they learned of Legolas’ pregnancy and had received an enthusiastic answer only two weeks later along with several gifts for both Legolas and the unborned babe. They had guessed then – and quite correctly – that King Éomer was very fond of the beautiful Elf. Aragorn wasn’t jealous, though, because he knew how much his husband loved him and how much Éomer valued their friendship. He knew that the leader of the Rohirrim would never overstep the boundaries of their friendship by pursuing his mate.

“Legolas and the baby are fine, to my knowledge”, he answered finally and met Éomer’s worried gaze. “The problem being that Legolas left Minas Tirith with Lord Elrond over a week ago. I gather that they haven’t visited you since you didn’t know about his whereabouts and well-being.”

Éomer’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Legolas left Minas Tirith? Why on Arda would he do that? The Elf adores you, for Eru’s sake! Anyone can see that.”

Aragorn stood up and walked to the window that overlooked the courtyard. “I treated him very badly and drove him away. I’ve been a blinded fool and done many things that should have stayed undone.” He turned to look at his host. “I don’t deserve to get him back after everything I’ve done, but I swear that I will spend the rest of my life making it up to him. I love him, Éomer, I simply cannot lose him. Or my child who isn’t even born yet. Gods, what am I going to do?”

To Éomer’s amazement – and horror, to be honest – the renowned hero of the War of the Ring broke to tears in front of him. He quickly stood up as well and walked to Aragorn, gathering him into his arms and patting his shoulder in comforting manner. “Shush, no need for tears, old friend. I’m sure you will get him back, after all the two of you love each other very much and you have also a baby coming. Perhaps he just needed to get away for some time and gather his thoughts. Come now, I’m sure that you will work things out.”

Aragorn wiped his face with the back of his hand and smiled faintly. “I wonder what you think of me… I come here unannounced and uninvited and start crying like a baby the minute you mention my husband. Some brave hero I am.”

Éomer laughed softly. “I don’t think ill of you, don’t worry. And ‘tis only natural that you’re distressed over Legolas’ departure. I would be, too.” He looked startled after saying that; it was obvious that he thought that Aragorn would be angry at him for saying such thing. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that I desire Legolas as my mate”, he stammered.

“Please, do not apologize, Éomer”, Aragorn said and smiled a tad amused at his friend who was blushing furiously. “Legolas is a very sweet Elf, and I am not surprised that you have noticed that as well. You know, he also respects you greatly and holds you very dear to his heart.”

Éomer nodded gratefully and took another sip of his drink. “How fares your sister, Lady Éowyn?” Aragorn asked, recalling the etiquette. “Have she and Lord Faramir settled down well in Ithilien?”

Éomer smiled fondly at the mention of his dear sister. “She fares well, thank you. I received a letter from her a fortnight ago. She told me she and Faramir are expecting a child, it should be born in sometime mid winter.” He glanced at Aragorn and chuckled wryly. “You know, at first I wasn’t that convinced that a man like Faramir could make my sister happy. She’s a very fierce woman with a stubborn mind and Faramir seems like a man who rather reads poetry than wields a sword. But then I realised that they complement each other. Éowyn benefits from having a gentle husband and it’s good for Faramir to have a wife who is not only talk but action as well. I’m certain that they have a very happy life together.”

“I’m glad to hear that”, Aragorn said warmly, “they indeed deserve happiness. And what of your happiness, dear friend? Is there a certain someone for our brave King of Rohan?” He raised one of his eyebrows teasingly at his friend and was rewarded with a blush and a good-natured scowl.

“That is no business of yours, King Elessar!” He quipped and then sighed. “Alas, if only I could find a fertile male like you have. Does Legolas have any brothers?” He joked.

Aragorn laughed aloud at his friend’s words. “He does have one brother, but he’s already a happy Ada of three children, so I don’t think you’ll have any luck with him.” He then sobered and glanced at Éomer curiously. “You prefer males, then?” He asked. He had always suspected it, but they had never discussed the topic until now.

“Aye, that I do. And yet I shall have to marry some noble maiden of my court and sire her children instead of finding myself a beautiful Prince Consort who can provide me with children”, he said and winked. Aragorn couldn’t suppress a little blush. He knew that he was fortunate for having found a fertile male Elf who was not only the most beautiful of them all but also of Royal blood. Not that Legolas being Royal mattered to Aragorn, but he knew that it mattered to his advisors and to his people. He opened his mouth to continue their friendly banter when there was a loud knock, or more like a pounding on the door.

“Sire, come quick! Our hunting party has been attacked! A party of Orcs attacked them when they were returning to the city! My King!”

Éomer and Aragorn glanced at each other before rushing to the door. They followed the rambling young servant to the courtyard where there were several people gathered already. “King Éomer!” They cried when they noticed their King.

“Only one of the hunters managed to escape. He said there were hundreds of Orcs, Sire! What shall we do?” A young warrior spoke in haste.

“We shall hunt them down”, Éomer said grimly. “We shall get rid of that scum and make this land safe for us all. Are you with me, my friend?” He asked, turning to Aragorn.

“I will fight alongside you and yours, Éomer, once more”, Aragorn said, and all those who were with them saw his eyes when he said those words. And all of them then remembered that this Man was the last in the line of Numenor, and felt a new respect for this man and his spirit in their hearts. But none of them spoke of it to anyone but kept their thoughts to themselves.

“We shall go to war then, this one last time”, King Éomer said gravely. “Muster the Rohirrim! We shall leave at once.”

A/N: I’m sorry if this chapter sucked, I’m still having problems with that damned thing called writer’s block. :( It would really mean the world to me if you reviewed and told me what you think. I’m in a serious need of some feedback right now.