Restless

Chapter 2

"Day 5"

"Mae govannen, Elessar!" Legolas honored Aragorn with a traditional elven greeting before clasping his old friend in a tight hug.

"Mae Govannen, Legolas!" Aragorn smiled at his friend as the elf moved to bow to Arwen. She stood nearby patiently waiting for the old friends to part. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Legolas bowed deeply to Arwen and took her hands in his. "You look radiant, Evenstar. This life suits you."

Arwen smiled widely and squeezed the fingers that delicately held her own. "Thank you, Legolas." She cast a loving look at Aragorn, who watched the exchange with an amused smile. "There is no place I would rather be."

"Your journey was safe?" Aragorn looked around, noting Legolas' visibly absent, vertically challenged traveling partner.

"Aye, indeed it was." Legolas said. The elf noticed the concerned look Aragorn tried to mask. He looked back toward the entrance and straightened - the perfect epitome of a woodland elf. When he said no more, he caught the muffled snort of annoyance from the King. An amused smile crept along the normally unemotional features and the pale blue of his eyes began to dance.

"Alright,” Aragorn finally broke the silence, “Since you have not the slightest intention of telling me where Gimli is, I'll ask.

Legolas simply stared and Arwen muffled a very feminine chuckle with a hand clasped over her mouth. Aragorn shot her an annoyed look before pinning his gaze on his elven friend.

"He lost a bet and will be along shortly," Legolas said flatly.

"Elininga! Legolas," Aragorn rolled his eyes and raised his arms as Arwen quickly stepped into the circle of his embrace. "Will you two ever cease this useless bickering?"

"Never." Legolas smiled at the fond memories of his constant battle of wit with his friend. "It is all too amusing to continually prove to him how inferior he is to elves."

Arwen's eyes sparkled and she cast a sidelong glance at her husband. He caught her eyes and raised a finger. "Not a word."

At this, Legolas allowed a small chuckle as Arwen placed a quick kiss to her husband’s cheek. “Never would I presume to admit that the race of Men are inferior to my own people.”

His hand tightened around her waist and he favored her with an arrogant smile, “You’ve had no complaints.”

Legolas scoffed and took a step back as the couple dissolved into laughter.

A few moments later, a rather irritated Gimli wandered into the garden, mumbling incoherently.

"Welcome Gimli!" Aragorn released his wife and strode forward to greet the Dwarf. "Thank you for coming."

"I could hardly refuse a summons from the King himself," Gimli replied, bowing low before sending a sneer in the direction of where Legolas was standing with the Queen.

Aragorn nodded to his guard, who acknowledged the signal and removed himself to the outer garden to give the King and his guests some privacy.

Gimli stalked toward Legolas, eyeing him with contempt before gracing Arwen with a wide smile and a low bow. "Greetings, Lady Arwen. You look as stunning as ever."

"Why thank you, Gimli." Arwen reached for her husband's hand as he moved to stand beside her. "And thank you for answering Aragorn's summons so promptly."

"It is my duty," Gimli nodded and, sticking his nose up at Legolas, added. "I also see the craftsmen I sent to complete repairs on the southern wall have come and gone."

"Beautiful and unmatched work as was expected." Aragorn nodded, and took a seat along the lip of a large fountain that sat nestled into the surrounding foliage. He motioned for his guests to take a seat in one of the ornately carved benches as Arwen stood behind her husband and rested crossed wrists on his shoulder. "We cannot thank you enough for your generosity."

"It is my honor to serve." Gimli said. Looking at the lone bench before them, he exchanged a quick disapproving glance with Legolas. The elf moved to the side of the bench and leaned against the tall pillar that served as a support for the overhang above. Gimli grunted his disapproval and took a seat, resting his axe against the opposite support pillar.

"To where would you like us to accompany you?" Legolas asked before Aragorn could frame the question. His elvish senses were as keen as ever and the Prince figured he'd once again prove how inferior all other Races were to the Elves.

"Leave it to an elf not to mince words," Gimli scowled.

"We'd like you to ride with us," Aragorn reached up and covered Arwen's hand with his own, "to Arnor."

"By way of the Shire," Arwen added with a smile.

"I would dearly love to see the hobbits again!" Gimli nearly bounced out of his seat. "When do we leave?"

Legolas shot him an annoyed look for shaking the pillar before turning a calm gaze on his friend and King.

"Your heart yearns for its wandering days," Legolas said simply, reading Aragorn's thoughts as easily as he would read a piece of parchment.

"A bit," Aragorn admitted after a few moments of silence. "I miss our old friends, the hobbits. I would like to see them again."

"We will simply visit the rebuilt city of Annuminas while we are there to fulfill state obligations," Arwen added, running a hand through the back of Aragorn's hair.

"Which brings us to another point," Aragorn said, a mischievous grin alighting his crystalline gaze. "We want to make good speed and the court will insist on a royal escort larger than I care to approve."

"We will serve as your personal guard for as long as you have need," Legolas said, nodding to Gimli. "But you may find it difficult to convince your court that we are all the protection you need."


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"Absolutely not." The Chamberlain addressed the King, eyes wide with indignation. He paced the hall, irritated that the King would even have the gall to voice such a request. "My Lord. I can not allow you to make such a long journey without the appropriate escort."

Aragorn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "This will not be a formal visit. Such a large entourage will not be necessary." He cast a desperate look at Faramir who simply smiled sadly, pity for Aragorn’s situation clearly visible in his eyes.

"It is necessary for your protection." The Chamberlain was obstinate in this decision. “Protocol requires that you be accompanied by - ”

"Legolas and Gimli will be our chief escort," Aragorn stood and drew himself to his full, intimidating height. If the Chamberlain found Aragorn’s interruption rude, he made no mention. “They are more than capable.”

“Sire,” The Chamberlain began, slower, so that the King understood the importance of the necessary entourage. “You will need squires for armor, servants for the baggage, attendants for the queen, a herald for announcing your arrival into Arnor, a bard for entertainment and your champion will be necessary. Stable boys will accompany you as well to care for the horses each night. I will accompany you to supervise.” The Chamberlain regarded Aragorn with a look that was meant to stop any and all refusal. “That you will be protected by a well-armed escort goes without saying.”

Faramir pressed a gloved hand to his mouth and coughed a laugh into his hand, drawing the attention of a very annoyed Aragorn. The Steward struggled to calm the mirth threatening to burst from his lungs and simply coughed again to clear his throat. He forced the laughter from his eyes, wiped the smirk off his face and nodded slowly to Aragorn.

Aragorn exchanged an exasperated look with Arwen, who sat silently on the throne next to him.

“A champion will not be necessary.” Aragorn stated firmly. “ I will defend my own honor, should it be challenged, as well as that of my wife. The champions will remain here.” The King turned to the aforementioned men. “No insult is intended, Sirs, you will be needed here should someone challenge the throne while we are away.”

"None taken, My Lord." The King's champion stood and bowed before returning to his seat. "We are yours to command."

“One attendant for the queen is all that will be required,” Arwen nodded as Aragorn turned to her for approval. “Arws qus quite capable of looking after herself.”

“The rest -” Aragorn sighed, pinning the Chamberlain with a stern look. “I do not want it to take a year to get there and a year to return. I have made the journey in little more than a month riding alone.”

“My Lord,” the Chamberlain began, “You have a kingdom to rule and a kingdom whose royal council dictates that whenever the King leaves his realm, these individuals must accompany him.”

“We understand your frustration,” Faramir stood and the Chamberlain bowed, giving the Srd trd the floor. As he strode to the center of the hall, he favored each member of the council with a direct look, before turning his full attention on Aragorn. “This is your first long journey from Gondor since your coronation.” He paused and nodded reverently to Arwen, who sat behind her standing husband. “It has been five years, and in that time, you have rebuilt the White City to its former glory and beyond. This Council will not let you set foot outside this realm without adequate protection and attendants.” The Steward regarded his King with a pitiful look. “I’m sorry, but that is how it must be.” Faramir winced at the harsh tone he had no choice but to use. Even he would not dare speak to the King in such a manner but he also knew the Council would not let Aragorn leave the City with his wife and only the barest minimum of an escort.

“So then it shall be,” Aragorn dismissed the Council with a wave of his hand and turned to his wife. "We will leave on the morrow." Arwen slid her fingers into his outstretched hand, stood, and walked out of the great hall with her husband.

Once they were out of sight, Aragorn leaned against the stone wall and sighed. “So much for the easy way.”

Arwen leaned into his arms and he could feel her body tremble as amused laughter began to bubble from her lips. “Oh love, it is the way of things. We will just have to follow the flow.”

He leaned his forehead against hers and flattened his hands against her back. “A little freedom. A little peace and quiet away from,” he waved a hand in the general direction of the hall, “that, them, this.”

Arwen slid a finger under his chin lifted his gaze to hers. “And here I thought you'd stopped running from your responsibilities." She pinned him to the wall with a questioning gaze.

"I have," Aragorn said quickly, taking an immediate defensive posture. "Some days, it is just…too much."

"I know," she pressed her lips to his in a gentle, understanding kiss.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and pulled her against his chest. When she slid her fingers into his hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss, he groaned against her lips. “Insatiable, elf.”

She slipped out of his embrace and motioned toward where the Council waited. “I believe you have more business to conduct today. I’ll be waiting for you this evening.” With a wink she turned and floated down thll, ll, the soft material of her dress kissing the polished stone as she walked.