Gondor's King
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
2,467
Reviews:
3
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
17
Views:
2,467
Reviews:
3
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
It has been several months since I met Legolas at the ford. True to his word suppliese bee been left religiously every day in a makeshift hut on the south side of the river. A messenger arrived this week bearing news of the illness, which has infected the elves. As Glorfindel’s said it comes from men a sickness to them which will pass easily if treated, but to elves poses life threatening consequences. With luck the message comes with a book of healing techniques for it’s cure, lovingly written out in elven scripture for safe keeping in the library of Imaldris, should it be needed again. I have set my healers tasks to administer this new treatment to all those still infected, while I personally see to Lord Elrond and Glorfindel. Both Elder elves are recovering albeit slowly. Elrond still suffers a great deal from his rash but is well enough to take leisurely strolls around his gardens. Glorfindel has taken up his role again in organizing Elrond’s house into order and I feel that the presence of my people is hindering his progress sha shall stay but another week before returning to Minas Tirith and to what disorder has come about from my own long absence.
Lighting my pipe I make my way silently through the twisting hallways of Imaldris, each turn memorised in my mind from a childhood spent hiding and avoiding capture from my mentors. I smile to myself quietly as I come to the hidden chamber at the end of the west wing. It seems only a few days since I was sitting here with the fellowship. The uncertainty my life held then was unimaginable. Slowly my eyes drift between the long disused seats, my mind creating the people who once sat in them. I linger upon the seat that Legolas had. Closing my eyes I can still feel the way his perfect eyes roamed over me, how his fingers gently caressed my cheek the day we departed from one another in Rohan and the way his soft moist lips met mine with such promise and sadness. Every little thing about him no matter how insignificant has remained in my mind like the rarest treasure, each small thing brought to memory at the slightest trigger.
“If things had been different my love.” My thoughts become audible in a soft whisper that escapes my lips as I lower my head, my pipe forgotten at my side.
“If Isildur had, procured two son’s.” A voichindhind me startles me out of my thoughts and I spin around hastily, only to relax as Elrond stands quietly in the doorway. I feel uncomfortable all of a sudden under his gaze but attempt not to show it as he gestures to two of the empty seats. “Forgive my intrusion Ellessar, Glorfindel is engaged in heated debate with one of your councillors and I fear I do not have the patience to hear their banter, so sought solace here.” I nod guiltily, yet again becoming aware of our further intrusion upon Elrond’s household with our extended presence.
“Do not call me that.” Elrond moves to sit down but pauses at my objection to my name.
“Why not, it is your name now is it not?” I am unable to meet Elrond’s gaze as he sits easily down his dark locks falling about his face softening him.
“It is but from your lips I want to hear something more familiar. No one calls me Estel anymore not even the elves and I long to hear Strider whispered among mischievous hobbits.” With some reluctance I sit down next to Elrond and inhale from the spicy tobacco in my pipe. Elrond watches me with unwavering eyes before he reaches out and places a gentle hand upon my cheek drawing my attention away from my distant gaze upon Legolas empty chair across the room.
“Estel, you have done many good things for the world, now let something good happen for you. I let Legolas go all those years ago because of my duty to Rivendell and for the alliancescruccrucial to survival. My sacrifice was for peace and now that we have that and you have both fulfilled your duties then there is no barrier to the love you both e.” e.” I sigh heavily and close my eyes the warmth of familiarity within Elrond’s voice so comforting to me. Involuntarily I rest my head against his chest as he wraps his arms around me holding me tightly just as he did when I was a child. I am no king in the house of Imaldris, only a lost little boy in a world he never chose. “Do not let them rule your life Estel. It took me centuries to get Glorfindel to allow me some space away from duty. I know my place when things arise but I also know that I have myself to consider. You have been so long away from the elven cities, does you duty consume your time so considerably that you could not visit?” Guilt features heavily among my many emotions and I wrap myself tighter in Elrond’s embrace asking silently for forgiveness.
“But my advisors………” I go to explain myself but Elrond shakes his head at me in disapproval.
“Aragorn, you are King, you may do as you wish. Advisors are just that, advisory; you need not heed their words all the time. If I did so with Glorfindel, I would never leave my library.” Elrond chuckles quietly his breath hitting my head in a soothing caress. Before anymore can be said one of my councillors arrives at the door and pauses blatantly staring at us.
“Your majesty, there is a meal ready for you in the dinning room.” I go to speak my acceptance of the meal but Elrond interrupts. I am so used to having people make these sorts of decisions for me that I usually just accept it and eat when they call me.
“His Majesty does not wish to eat in the dinning room, he will eat in the gardens with Lord Glorfindel and myself, see to it a salad is prepared with the finest fruits. We shall be ready in half an hour.” Elrond’s posture straightens as my councillor goes to object. For a moment he looks from me to Elrond and then back to me unsure. In the end he bows respectively and turns to leave without comment. The authority Elrond wields is enviable I have not objected to anything my councillors have ever done for me.
“You are not eating in the gardens Elrond?” I whisper lightly to the lord who smiles cheekily and shrugs his shoulders.
“Estel it does not matter. They can not dictate your life like a slave, you must question things continually and make waves upon the calm sea, to truly see the troubled water below.”
“But I want to please them all and I daren’t object. I do not want to fail.” My weredered words are muffled among the folds of Elrond’s robe as he shakes his head in refute at me. His dark locks fall into my face and I inhale the familiarity of the smell, of sweet violets and morning dew.
“You will not fail Estel, already you have succeeded. And you do not have to please all the time, let them be disgruntled every so often it makes sure they don’t take you for granted.” Reluctantly I pull away from Elrond and sit before him somewhat calmed by his words of wisdom. I should not have abandoned the elves cause of duty for anyone.
“What do you suggest I do then? Now that you are well I was planning on returning to Minas Tirith to see my son’s.” Elrond sighs wistfully before he smiles at me with mock concern.
“Yes you will return to Minas Tirith but not before detouring through Mirkwood on your way home. I think an invitation to Minas Tirith is in order don’t you think? A promise made Estel is a promise kept and you have been king for many years now it is high time you held up your end of the bargain to visit Mirkwood if only for a while.” I smile to myself at the memory of Legolas’ parting words to me in Rohan. It was a promise I have forgotten with time and I will not break it now. “Besides I have not seen my grandchildren at all so I too expect an invitation….” Elrond pauses for a moment before scowling. “Come to think of it I have not seen my own son’s for quite some time since my illness. I wish they should come home more often.”
“Yes it is strange, when I spoke to Legolas at the ford when we’d first arrived in Rivendell I asked him to find both Elladan and Elrohir, but he has sent no word.” I watch as Elrond sighs heavily and rises cautiously from his seat.
“Ah my son’s do as they wish now, I am not their keeper. Take heed Estel, spend as much time as you can with the young ones they grow up far to quickly.” Elrond smiles down at mewingwingly and places a gentle hand upon my shoulder. “Now do not dwell on the ghosts of the past…” With his free hand Elrond gestures around the empty chairs in the chamber before turning back to me. “Go seek your love Estel being king is a lonely business and both you and Legolas are very alone.” With that Elrond breezes out of the entrance with the grace that has slowly crept back into him after the illness. I am content at him being well but now determined by his words. We shall ride outorroorrow eve to Mirkwood; I have a suddenly pressing urge to hold a celebratory feast to the curing of the elves illness. With determination I tap out my pipe and move hastily away from the chamber to begin preparations for our departure.
TBC………………….
It has been several months since I met Legolas at the ford. True to his word suppliese bee been left religiously every day in a makeshift hut on the south side of the river. A messenger arrived this week bearing news of the illness, which has infected the elves. As Glorfindel’s said it comes from men a sickness to them which will pass easily if treated, but to elves poses life threatening consequences. With luck the message comes with a book of healing techniques for it’s cure, lovingly written out in elven scripture for safe keeping in the library of Imaldris, should it be needed again. I have set my healers tasks to administer this new treatment to all those still infected, while I personally see to Lord Elrond and Glorfindel. Both Elder elves are recovering albeit slowly. Elrond still suffers a great deal from his rash but is well enough to take leisurely strolls around his gardens. Glorfindel has taken up his role again in organizing Elrond’s house into order and I feel that the presence of my people is hindering his progress sha shall stay but another week before returning to Minas Tirith and to what disorder has come about from my own long absence.
Lighting my pipe I make my way silently through the twisting hallways of Imaldris, each turn memorised in my mind from a childhood spent hiding and avoiding capture from my mentors. I smile to myself quietly as I come to the hidden chamber at the end of the west wing. It seems only a few days since I was sitting here with the fellowship. The uncertainty my life held then was unimaginable. Slowly my eyes drift between the long disused seats, my mind creating the people who once sat in them. I linger upon the seat that Legolas had. Closing my eyes I can still feel the way his perfect eyes roamed over me, how his fingers gently caressed my cheek the day we departed from one another in Rohan and the way his soft moist lips met mine with such promise and sadness. Every little thing about him no matter how insignificant has remained in my mind like the rarest treasure, each small thing brought to memory at the slightest trigger.
“If things had been different my love.” My thoughts become audible in a soft whisper that escapes my lips as I lower my head, my pipe forgotten at my side.
“If Isildur had, procured two son’s.” A voichindhind me startles me out of my thoughts and I spin around hastily, only to relax as Elrond stands quietly in the doorway. I feel uncomfortable all of a sudden under his gaze but attempt not to show it as he gestures to two of the empty seats. “Forgive my intrusion Ellessar, Glorfindel is engaged in heated debate with one of your councillors and I fear I do not have the patience to hear their banter, so sought solace here.” I nod guiltily, yet again becoming aware of our further intrusion upon Elrond’s household with our extended presence.
“Do not call me that.” Elrond moves to sit down but pauses at my objection to my name.
“Why not, it is your name now is it not?” I am unable to meet Elrond’s gaze as he sits easily down his dark locks falling about his face softening him.
“It is but from your lips I want to hear something more familiar. No one calls me Estel anymore not even the elves and I long to hear Strider whispered among mischievous hobbits.” With some reluctance I sit down next to Elrond and inhale from the spicy tobacco in my pipe. Elrond watches me with unwavering eyes before he reaches out and places a gentle hand upon my cheek drawing my attention away from my distant gaze upon Legolas empty chair across the room.
“Estel, you have done many good things for the world, now let something good happen for you. I let Legolas go all those years ago because of my duty to Rivendell and for the alliancescruccrucial to survival. My sacrifice was for peace and now that we have that and you have both fulfilled your duties then there is no barrier to the love you both e.” e.” I sigh heavily and close my eyes the warmth of familiarity within Elrond’s voice so comforting to me. Involuntarily I rest my head against his chest as he wraps his arms around me holding me tightly just as he did when I was a child. I am no king in the house of Imaldris, only a lost little boy in a world he never chose. “Do not let them rule your life Estel. It took me centuries to get Glorfindel to allow me some space away from duty. I know my place when things arise but I also know that I have myself to consider. You have been so long away from the elven cities, does you duty consume your time so considerably that you could not visit?” Guilt features heavily among my many emotions and I wrap myself tighter in Elrond’s embrace asking silently for forgiveness.
“But my advisors………” I go to explain myself but Elrond shakes his head at me in disapproval.
“Aragorn, you are King, you may do as you wish. Advisors are just that, advisory; you need not heed their words all the time. If I did so with Glorfindel, I would never leave my library.” Elrond chuckles quietly his breath hitting my head in a soothing caress. Before anymore can be said one of my councillors arrives at the door and pauses blatantly staring at us.
“Your majesty, there is a meal ready for you in the dinning room.” I go to speak my acceptance of the meal but Elrond interrupts. I am so used to having people make these sorts of decisions for me that I usually just accept it and eat when they call me.
“His Majesty does not wish to eat in the dinning room, he will eat in the gardens with Lord Glorfindel and myself, see to it a salad is prepared with the finest fruits. We shall be ready in half an hour.” Elrond’s posture straightens as my councillor goes to object. For a moment he looks from me to Elrond and then back to me unsure. In the end he bows respectively and turns to leave without comment. The authority Elrond wields is enviable I have not objected to anything my councillors have ever done for me.
“You are not eating in the gardens Elrond?” I whisper lightly to the lord who smiles cheekily and shrugs his shoulders.
“Estel it does not matter. They can not dictate your life like a slave, you must question things continually and make waves upon the calm sea, to truly see the troubled water below.”
“But I want to please them all and I daren’t object. I do not want to fail.” My weredered words are muffled among the folds of Elrond’s robe as he shakes his head in refute at me. His dark locks fall into my face and I inhale the familiarity of the smell, of sweet violets and morning dew.
“You will not fail Estel, already you have succeeded. And you do not have to please all the time, let them be disgruntled every so often it makes sure they don’t take you for granted.” Reluctantly I pull away from Elrond and sit before him somewhat calmed by his words of wisdom. I should not have abandoned the elves cause of duty for anyone.
“What do you suggest I do then? Now that you are well I was planning on returning to Minas Tirith to see my son’s.” Elrond sighs wistfully before he smiles at me with mock concern.
“Yes you will return to Minas Tirith but not before detouring through Mirkwood on your way home. I think an invitation to Minas Tirith is in order don’t you think? A promise made Estel is a promise kept and you have been king for many years now it is high time you held up your end of the bargain to visit Mirkwood if only for a while.” I smile to myself at the memory of Legolas’ parting words to me in Rohan. It was a promise I have forgotten with time and I will not break it now. “Besides I have not seen my grandchildren at all so I too expect an invitation….” Elrond pauses for a moment before scowling. “Come to think of it I have not seen my own son’s for quite some time since my illness. I wish they should come home more often.”
“Yes it is strange, when I spoke to Legolas at the ford when we’d first arrived in Rivendell I asked him to find both Elladan and Elrohir, but he has sent no word.” I watch as Elrond sighs heavily and rises cautiously from his seat.
“Ah my son’s do as they wish now, I am not their keeper. Take heed Estel, spend as much time as you can with the young ones they grow up far to quickly.” Elrond smiles down at mewingwingly and places a gentle hand upon my shoulder. “Now do not dwell on the ghosts of the past…” With his free hand Elrond gestures around the empty chairs in the chamber before turning back to me. “Go seek your love Estel being king is a lonely business and both you and Legolas are very alone.” With that Elrond breezes out of the entrance with the grace that has slowly crept back into him after the illness. I am content at him being well but now determined by his words. We shall ride outorroorrow eve to Mirkwood; I have a suddenly pressing urge to hold a celebratory feast to the curing of the elves illness. With determination I tap out my pipe and move hastily away from the chamber to begin preparations for our departure.
TBC………………….