It has been a very, very long while, my friends, since I have started a long, multi-chapter story. Real life has kept me away from writing, but I have never stopped thinking of Middle-earth and our heroes. I doubt I will be as active as I once was, but this story at least should be updated regularly.
A Dark Past
Summary: Years ago a noble man made a grave mistake out of weakness. And now the King of Gondor and his friends and family must pay for the sins of another.
Rating: T
Disclaimer: As always, this story is written only for enjoyment. I do not own any of the marvelous canon characters, which is perhaps why they are still safe as sound.
Note: This story starts one year after the end of "The Only Way to Kill the Dragon". There will be some very brief references to my older stories in the first two chapters. You do not have to read them first to understand this one and I do not ask you to; these are simply intended as nods to my long-time readers. I will make sure there is nothing confusing for newcomers.
Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End
'Eldarion's birthday looks so different this year,' Legolas thought to himself as he scanned the guests' happy faces. Last year it had been a hard-won celebration after numerous trials and after barely surviving a dragon, shadows, Aragorn's own misguided stubbornness and what-not, while today the feast was following a year of peace and prosperity. Everything was going more than well – the woods of Ithilien were coming back to their former beauty, Gondor was rebuilding, and all traces of war and destruction had been more or less wiped away. But these past months had been even more blessed, Legolas thought with a smile as he gazed at one very special guest; one, who had not been present at Eldarion's last birthday.
Two-month-old Gilraen was asleep in the Queen's arms, and for that Legolas was grateful. The baby's incessant cries whenever she was awake were a torture to his sensitive hearing, and he briefly wondered if he had ever been this bad. His respect for his own parents greatly increased at the thought.
The sun had set long ago, but plates and glasses were full, the musicians were playing and singing, and everyone was merry. After a while Arwen stood up and announced that she and her son and daughter would retire for the night. Eldarion protested loudly, claiming that it was his birthday after all, and it was not fair if they went on celebrating without him. Unfortunately, the boy could not suppress a yawn at his words and there was no arguing with the Queen. As Eldarion passed by Legolas on the way out, he grinned at him and his companion.
"Are you coming with us tomorrow, Uncle Gimli?"
"I fear I have seen enough of horses these past days, laddie," the Dwarf said. "You go out riding without me. But please keep an eye on your father and the elf for me, will you? I always worry when I am not there to keep them out of trouble."
Eldarion laughed. "No worries, Uncle Gimli, I will return them both safe and sound!" The young Prince squeezed his friends' shoulders and followed his mother out of the door.
-:-
"What, no trying to escape the guards this time?" Legolas asked teasingly.
Aragorn slowly massaged his temples. "Not today, my friend, I fear I am not in the mood."
"Growing old, are we?" The elf was trying to sound light, but in truth the idea of his friends getting old had been a constant fear for some time. Worst of all was the uncertainly – he had no idea when old age would start to affect the King, whether it would be in decades or in mere years. He had seen men much younger than Aragorn succumb to age, but there was no other mortal man in whom the blood of Númenor ran so strongly, so there could be no comparison. He had tried not to think about it, not to count the new wrinkles and grey hairs he would notice every time he visited his human friend, but it was hard to push these thoughts completely out of his mind. "What is wrong?" His voice suddenly became worried as the man winced as if in pain.
"It is nothing, I simply wish we had postponed this trip for tomorrow, that is all. Urgh, the sun is so bright this morning!" Aragorn closed his eyes and angrily rubbed against his eyelids.
Legolas frowned, puzzled, but suddenly burst into laughter as all pieces came together to paint the full picture. "Wait until Gimli hears this!" He managed in between gasps. "The mighty King of Men defeated by a mere hangover!"
Aragorn glared at him indignantly. "You are wrong, Legolas, it is merely my guards that I think of. Yesterday was the Prince's eleventh birthday, the celebration lasted long and everyone overindulged. I do not feel it is right to force the poor men to accompany me in their condition."
"Oh, is that so? How very considerate of you!" The elf could not stop his body from shaking in mirth. "Then let us escape them and put them out of their misery!"
"Not today!" A firm voice from behind said, and the elf and man turned around to look at the young Prince. "I gave Uncle Gimli my word that I would return both of you in one piece, and I mean to keep it!"
The child's face was so solemn that Aragorn could not resist joining in his friend's laughter, much to Eldarion's dismay. But the careless sounds of mirth suddenly died down as Meril, Eldarion's mare, stood up on her hind legs and neighed in terror. With a cry, Eldarion fell to the ground, and Meril bolted and disappeared into the trees.
"Eldarion! Are you hurt?" Aragorn had jumped off his horse and was now running towards the fallen boy. But then he gasped in horror when he realized what had spooked the mare.
A bright green snake lay curled on the ground, staring menacingly at the boy. Where had it come from? Aragorn had never seen such snakes in these woods and did not recognize the kind, but the bright colour left no doubt that it was poisonous. Aragorn's heart hammered in panic – the creature could pounce at any moment! He would not reach his son in time! A quick look around told him that Legolas and the guards were trying to make their way to Eldarion as fast as they could, but it could not be fast enough. Aragorn felt the blood drain from his face and his knees go weak, but he kept on running. He had to reach his son, he had to!
Suddenly he stopped short in his tracks as a body flew down from the high branches. A young man landed gracefully right between Eldarion and the snake. There was a forked stick in his hand and he held it up. The reptile hissed at him and shot forward, but the young man was faster. With a move almost too swift to follow, he captured the snake's head with the stick's end. Before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, he knelt down, grabbed a large stone and smashed the creature's head against the ground.
The guards had drawn out their swords at first, unsure if the newcomer posed any thread to the King and Prince, but they were all standing still now, staring in astonishment. And then the spell was broken and everyone started moving once again. Aragorn rushed to his son and the boy threw himself into his father's arms. Legolas approached and placed his hands on his friend's shoulders. "All is well now, Eldarion is safe. Eldarion is safe," he said softly, noting that Aragorn was shaking more than his son. "Is he badly hurt?"
"O-only my ankle," Eldarion answered instead of his father, his voice still unsteady. "Nothing serious."
Satisfied that his friends would be well, Legolas turned his attention towards their unexpected saviour. What he saw surprised him. The man seemed to be in his early twenties, of average height, dressed simply in travel-worn clothes. His pale freckled face was framed by fiery curls, which was very unusual for a Gondorian, and his features possessed a striking beauty that went much beyond the usual charm of youth. Legolas narrowed his eyes, for a moment wondering if an elf stood before him, but there was no doubt that the stranger was a man.
"You saved the Prince's life," the elf said. "You have our gratitude."
Aragorn had regained his composure by now and stood up, nodding at the boy. "What is your name, my young friend?"
"Algar, my liege," the young man mumbled, looking down.
"Gondor is in your debt, Algar. If not for your skills and bravery, I could have lost my son. Name any boon that I can grant, and you shall have it."
Algar blushed fiercely. "Sire, I need no other payment than the knowledge that the Prince is well. But we are facing more urgent matters now; your son is injured. Let me take you to my hut. I live with my twin sister. She is a healer and can help with his ankle."
"Thank you for the generous offer," said Aragorn. "Your kindness will not be forgotten. Lead the way."
Meril had returned cautiously, and she was given to Algar. Eldarion protested only briefly when his father held him and placed him on the horse in front of him. Even if the boy was unwilling to admit it, the ordeal had shaken him and he needed the comfort.
Legolas frowned thoughtfully as he replayed the recent events in his mind. "We were fortunate you were in that tree," he said, guiding his steed to fall in step with the young man's. "What were you doing there anyway?"
"I was collecting linden blossoms for my sister," Algar replied easily. "She uses them to make tea against the cold."
"And that stick of yours?" Legolas's puzzlement at the miraculous rescue had not abated. "Do you always carry it around?"
"Ah, that?" Algar grinned at his improvised weapon. "I take it whenever I need to pick anything from trees. It is useful in pulling the faraway branches closer. See – my home is over there!"
They could all see a small wooden house in the middle of a clearing. A girl was kneeling on the ground, tending the garden. At the sound of voices she looked up and gasped.
Wavy red hair was falling down her shoulders and her face was nearly a mirror image of her brother's. She stood up and hastily bowed.
"Yes, Frea, this is King Elessar," said Algar cheerfully, clearly amused by his sister's astonishment. "Now hurry up and help us, the Prince is in need of aid!"
Frea hurried forward and helped the boy dismount. "Welcome to our humble home, my Lord," she turned to Aragorn. "It is an honour to have to you here."
"The honour is mine, my lady," Aragorn said and gracefully slid down his horse.
The girl blushed. "Please, Sire, I am no lady."
"You are the lady of this house, and we are your guests here," the King countered. "Let us pay you the respect you deserve."
The siblings led the company inside. A cauldron of rabbit stew was boiling merrily over the fire, and soon Legolas and the guards received a bowl each. Aragorn declined the food, willing to see to his son's needs first.
When Frea was done setting and bandaging Eldarion's leg, she set out to prepare tea for the pain. Aragorn was observing her silently. "You have some skill in the healing arts," he remarked.
"It is no more than what we need to survive," the girl said, blushing once again.
"Frea," the King started, his voice low and solemn. "I have told your brother this already, and I will tell you now. We are in your debt. Ask anything of me, and I will grant it, as long as it is in my power."
The brother and sister exchanged a look, as if pondering the offer. "To be honest, there is one thing, Sire," Algar said, but seemed to reconsider and fell silent.
"Speak," Aragorn encouraged him. "Do not be afraid."
"You have done so much for Gondor, my Lord," Algar said. "You have driven the darkness away. You have done so much for all of us. It is us who are in your debt. Please allow us to be a part of the royal household, so that we could serve you every single day. I could work in your kitchens, or perform any other tasks you may see fit to ask of me. And Frea is a skilled healer, perhaps there will be need for one such as her."
Aragorn smiled. "My dear boy, you do not need to be a part of my household to serve me. In fact, you serve me much better every single day, by helping me rebuild this land. By tending your garden, by repairing your house, by healing the wounded, by taking your production to the market and sharing it with everyone. But if this is truly your wish, I shall grant it. But tell me this – are you willing to leave your home here? Will you not miss it?"
Algar and Frea shared an uneasy glance. "Our parents died in the war," the girl said at length. "This place has been empty for us ever since. In fact, Algar and I had been thinking about moving to the City for some time. We were afraid we might not find work, but now an opportunity presents itself."
"Very well." Aragorn nodded. "When will you be ready to move?"
"As soon as you are willing to have us," Algar replied readily.
"Then if you can to share a horse, you are welcome to ride back with us today. We will show you to your new accommodation and will introduce you to everyone you need to know. Tomorrow I will lend you a cart and horses and will send a few servants to help you with moving everything you need."
The brother and sister looked at each other, beaming. "Thank you, Sire!" Frea said. "We have been dreaming about this for a long time now, but we were afraid of the uncertainty. You have given us hope for the future!"
-:-
Once Algar and Frea were ready, the company set out back to Minas Tirith. The twins were riding Meril this time, while Eldarion was sharing a horse with his father. The child was secretly happy with the arrangement; his leg was hurting with a vengeance, but he would never admit it to anyone.
Aragorn was riding ahead at first, but a look back made him slow down until Legolas was level with him. "What troubles you, my friend?"
Legolas chuckled. "Whoever said something is troubling me? Oh, I see, your headache is better and you are back to being your usual sharp self and noticing the subtle hints around you."
Aragorn scolded at him. "As I said before, I never had a headache in the first place. It was my guards' comfort I was worried about. Now, will you please tell me what is bothering you? I do not see why you feel the need to hide from me."
"He is not hiding his troubles from you, Ada," Eldarion remarked wisely. "He is afraid to speak in front of me. He believes something is wrong and wants to shield me from the fears, which is of course ridiculous when you think about all the bad things I have already seen."
The King smiled sadly. "Forgive me, my son. You are right of course. The desire to shield you may come to us naturally, but the truth is you have already witnessed more than any boy your age has the right to see."
The child smiled triumphantly. "What Ada is trying to say is, 'Legolas, tell us!'"
The elf sighed in defeat. "Very well, Aragorn, if you consider your son ready for such discussions, I will not question your judgement. I have been thinking about the snake."
"We were all afraid," Aragorn admitted, feeling Eldarion trying to suppress a shudder.
"No, it is not that. Something else has been troubling me. Have you ever seen a snake such as this?" Aragorn shook his head. "It is as I thought," the elf continued. "Snakes are not native to these woods. Someone must have brought it here."
"To what purpose?" The man questioned. "You cannot suggest that someone put the snake in the grass and hoped that Eldarion, or perhaps I myself, would stumble through there? Or are you saying someone is breeding the snakes and populating the forest with them to cause trouble? That would be too much work with little reward. Even if someone did bring the snake here, it is hard to believe that they had ill intent or that the incident would repeat."
"And what other intent can there be in bringing a poisonous snake!" Legolas argued.
Aragorn looked at the guards, who were throwing them curious glances. "Come to my study tomorrow morning. We shall talk about this then," he promised.
Soon the woods were left behind and the White City rose ahead. The gates at each level opened as the King and his party rode up. A small group was waiting to meet them.
"Uncle Gimli, look!" Eldarion cried. "I did bring them back safely, as promised! But I had to pay for it with many battle wounds." He proudly showed his bandaged foot.
Arwen's eyes widened at this and she turned an inquisitive glare at her husband. "Estel, I truly hope you have a good explanation for this."
"It was not his fault this time, Arwen, I swear," Legolas protested, and the Queen's gaze turned at him.
"Stay out of this, Legolas," she warned him, and the King smiled.
"Yes, that would be wise, my friend. Forgive me, I need to spend time with my family now, but I shall see you tomorrow. Please take Frea and Algar to Nestabess and ask her to show them around.
Legolas watched thoughtfully as the royal family disappeared inside. He hoped tomorrow would not be too late.
-:-
"I need to leave you alone for a few minutes, Berion. Will you be well?"
Berion looked uncertainly at the older man. They were supposed to share guard duty at the first city wall, but these were peaceful times and a single guard was more than enough. Only, Berion had joined the guards a little more than a month ago and was still feeling uncertain.
"Of course, all will be well," he replied proudly. "No need to hurry."
His companion smiled and patted him on the back before he walked away. Berion took in a deep breath of the fresh night air; the knowledge that now the safety of the City depended to a certain extend on him was making him lightheaded. It was exhilarating… and very much frightening.
He was concentrated on what was happening beyond the city walls, and not within them, which is why it took him a while to notice the presence of another. Berion whirled around as he heard the approaching steps. A hooded figure was walking purposefully towards the gate, and even though the young man was more concerned about intruders coming in, than people going out, a lone traveller at this hour was certainly suspicious.
"Halt!" he cried. "State your name and your business!"
The hood fell down revealing a fair face, framed by long, fiery curls. "My name is Frea. Forgive me, but I do not believe I know you. I am new to the City; I only moved here today. I work in the Houses of Healing now and was sent to gather herbs in the woods."
The young guard gaped at her. "You and your brother are the ones who saved Prince Eldarion's life! My lady, Gondor is in your debt!"
Frea smiled, "Thank you for the kind words, but they are undeserved. We did nothing more than anyone else would have done. But I have told you my name now, will you not tell me yours?"
"I am Berion," he mumbled, trying not to blush. "Forgive me, but why would you gather herbs in this hour?"
"Some herbs are best gathered under moonlight," the girl replied. "If you were a healer, you would know."
"Of course. But I cannot let you wander the woods alone in the darkness. Allow me to accompany you once my companion returns."
She laughed. "I have lived in these woods for many years; I will be safe."
Berion was not convinced. "I am not sure the King will be happy with me if he hears I had left his son's saviour all alone outside the city gates in the middle of the night."
"Who says the King needs to know?" Frea said sweetly and leaned forward, kissing the guard on the cheek. "Thank you, Berion."
Frea walked on, without giving him another chance to protest. Once she had disappeared into the trees, she gave out a shrill whistle. A moment later, a man appeared. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes and a stubbled, weather-beaten face.
"Frea, you are beaming like a lit torch," he said with a smirk. "Should I assume that the news is good?"
"More than good." The girl grinned back. "The King bought the entire story. Algar and I are well respected and trusted now and are allowed to move freely around the palace. He is truly a fool when his son's safety is concerned."
"The Days of the King are numbered then," the stranger said satisfied. "I admit I never doubted you, Frea, you are a sneaky little wench." He reached out and tried to put an arm around her waist.
The young woman angrily pushed his hand away. "Mind your manners! I was called 'my lady' twice today, and once by the King himself. I would have you show me the same respect."
The man laughed. "Come now Frea, we both know you are no lady!"
"No, I am not," she conceded. "Not yet." The smile crept back to her face. "But I will be, as soon as the rightful ruler is placed upon the throne. Send word to Captain Gulbrand. Tell him that the first part of our plan is accomplished. We are ready to move on."
TBC
Next chapter coming soon! Reviews will be treasured!