Bedtime Reminisce
Summary: Legolas entertains the family with a bedtime story about the first time he met Aragorn.
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings below to J.R.R. Tolkien (bow). I only play in his universe. I promise to put everyone back when I'm done.
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Chapter 1
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Fourth Age Year 59
The childish laughter rang out, filling the room with its sound of silver bells as he walked into the room. The laughter, which had started alone, soon was joined by others; not as young but still without the constraint that long decades of living brought. The blond Elf listening felt his lips curl up in a smile in response as he settled on a couch. There was nothing, in his opinion, that matched the joy that came from listening to a child laugh. The lingering tension he felt from the earlier meetings dissolved as he fondly watched the golden-haired child. Her blue eyes, the color of the summer sky, sparkled with amusement as she encouraged her older sister to continue playing the game. The eldest two siblings also participated; throwing their dignity to the wind as they impersonated the different creatures they drew from the deck of cards.
"It is fun to watch the children, is it not?" A friendly voice interrupted the Elf's musings as a hand was laid on his shoulder.
Legolas smiled at his friend as Aragorn walked past him and dropped into a chair next to the couch where the lord of Ithilien sat. The richly decorated room - with its wall tapestries, floor rugs and furniture upholstered in bold colors - echoed Arwen's taste. The room was known throughout Minas Tirith simply as "the family room." Despite the rich decorations, the room was filled with toys and books for children. The shelves held a myriad of options for young hands to play with and learn from. On the lowest shelves were toys for very young children, unused except when visitors brought their children or grandchildren. As the shelves stretched towards the ceiling, the toys grew more mature and then gave way to books, drawing paper and intricate puzzles.
However, the room was not known as the family room simply due to its contents, but more because it seemed to have absorbed the joy of its inhabitants and exuded warmth even when no one was present. It was the favorite room of each member of the Telcontar household, for a myriad of reasons. It was rarely empty. The king and queen of the reunited Gondor often entertained friends and ambassadors from the lands surrounding Minas Tirith and Gondor. They encouraged all visitors to bring their families. Tonight, however, it was only family present, as Legolas had long been Aragorn's brother in everything but ancestors.
Legolas drew his gaze away from the youths on the floor and answered Aragorn's question. "It is wonderful to see." He paused briefly. "I am thankful you returned from Arnor. I have missed all of you." Before the king of Gondor could reply, he continued. "I have to admit, I am surprised that Gailrin can still get Eldarion to play this game. I would have thought it was undignified."
Aragorn laughed softly. "It is quite rare." He stopped and smiled fondly as Arwen entered the room. She was beautiful and still maintained a glow despite giving up her elven immortality. Her desire to stay with Aragorn allowed Frodo to sail West in her place. Legolas reflected silently that some of her glow came from the joy of a woman who loved and was loved. She appeared youthful; the years marked their passage only slightly on her except for the depth in her gray eyes. But tonight they were youthful as well as she smiled back at her husband and sat gracefully on the small couch next to Legolas.
"What is quite rare?" she questioned, having overheard her husband's answer but not what proceeded it.
"Eldarion playing the Animal Game with Gailrin," Legolas answered.
"It is rare," Arwen agreed. "In fact, I am not sure when it last happened." Her smile dimmed. "He is so rarely home since he joined the Rangers. The only reason he is here now is he wanted to make sure we made it back to Minas Tirith safely. We could not bear his leaving again so soon so he agreed to stay for a month or two."
"Arwen, we have discussed this," Aragorn replied gently but with an undercurrent in his tone that suggested this was an old discussion. "Eldarion's place now is with the Rangers and has been for many years. He needs to learn how to defend Gondor. He cannot be a good king without knowing what it is like to actually fight."
She sighed slightly and glanced at the children playing. If any of them were paying attention to the adults, it was not obvious. "I know. But he is my first-born. I worry about him."
Legolas reached over and squeezed her hand. "Do not worry, Arwen. Eldarion is an excellent fighter, but he does not take unnecessary risks." His tone was comforting, but mischief sparkled in his eyes. The "but" had been used on purpose.
The queen's answering smile was mostly smirk. "Unlike his father and uncles, including his archery teacher?"
The king and lord tried to look innocent, but failed and laughed as they exchanged glances. Arwen joined them.
The laughter drew the children's attention. Gailrin jumped to her feet, scattering the cards on her lap, and hurried to stand in front of Legolas. The other three complained without heat that she had messed up the game, but she paid them no heed.
"Uncle Legolas, what is so funny?" she asked.
"Your mother was making fun of me, Gailrin," he replied slanting a saucy grin at the dark-haired woman next to him.
"Mother," the child said, placing her hands on her hips and directing a glare that belied her age at her mother. "Do not pick on Uncle Legolas."
Legolas bit his lip to hold back his laughter, as did Aragorn. The other children rolled their eyes.
"Gailrin," Randiriel called before Arwen could reply, "do not speak like that to mother."
The youngest child of the four spared her oldest sister a quick glance over her shoulder before looking back at the queen. "She should not be mean to Uncle Legolas."
"Gailrin," Arwen said softly. "You should know by now that Legolas deserves to be picked on occasionally."
Gailrin's mouth dropped open at her mother's response as her father started laughing again. Eldarion quickly joined. Legolas tried to look affronted, but after a few seconds was chuckling in amusement. Randiriel and Taurwen exchanged glances, partly at their mother's comment and partly at Gailrin's look.
"But, Mother, you said it is not nice to pick on people."
"It is not, young one, but I started it and deserved the response," Legolas reached out and pulled the eight-year-old girl onto his lap. She snuggled comfortably, used to being there.
"Well, do not do it again," she reprimanded, looking seriously at the blond Elf.
Sitting across from them, Aragorn was struck again by the similarity of their appearances. Gailrin had the same coloring, in hair and eyes, of Legolas, but her skin was darker since she was not an Elf. The shape of their faces was similar and Gailrin's body promised to be tall and slender when she reached maturity. While Legolas loved, and spoiled, all four children; from the first day, he had a special bond with Gailrin. And Gailrin loved him more than anyone else. Originally, Aragorn planned on spending a few years in Arnor, but Gailrin had been miserable away from "Uncle" Legolas. When a few other issues occurred in Minas Tirith, they returned after only three seasons.
"I cannot make any promises, Gailrin. Your mother and I have been teasing each other for many centuries. I doubt I can stop at this point."
The child reached out and hit his shoulder softly. "You are in, incor, incorrigible!" She struggled over the word, but managed to get it out.
Legolas stared at her in surprise. "Where did you hear that word, young one?"
"Papa calls Eldarion that on a regular basis."
The parents and Eldarion laughed. Legolas grinned. "It fits him, too."
The man, who was middle-aged by normal standards at 42, was still young due to his Dunedain and Elven blood. While trouble did not find him as often as it did his father, he had seen his share of battles as a Ranger. The War of the Ring had not ended all strife in Middle Earth. Eldarion inherited his father's dry sense of humor, but luckily not his uncles' penchant for practical jokes.
"Gailrin, are you done playing the Animal Game?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Thank the Valar. It is such a childish game," Taurwen muttered. The 17-year-old ignored the glances her older family members flashed at her and instead climbed to her feet, leaving her cards on the rug in a pile. She proceeded over to a bookshelf and perused the shelves for something else to occupy her. Randiriel began collecting the cards scattered over the rug and Eldarion helped her.
"Taurwen thinks she is grown-up since she has a boyfriend," Gailrin said. The comment probably was supposed to be a secret as she leaned close to Legolas' ear, but she spoke in a very audible voice.
"She does not have a boyfriend," Aragorn said firmly.
The blond child flushed guiltily as she realized she had been overheard.
"He is my boyfriend," The brown-eyed brunette returned, swirling to face her father.
"You are much too young for a boyfriend, Taurwen," Arwen told her in a tone of voice that inferred this, also, was old ground.
"Am not," the youth grumbled in an undertone while she nodded and turned back to the shelves. Since neither parent reacted, Legolas assumed he was the only who heard. He also did not mention that Aragorn had been fighting orcs when he was 17 and three short years later met Arwen.
"Tell me what you did in Arnor, young one." Legolas changed the subject before the pleasant atmosphere was strained by the normal, as he had learned, up and down of human teenagers.
"Well, we…" the girl launched into a description of her activities. Everyone participated in the discussion about playing in fallen leaves, snow forts, sliding on frozen ponds, riding through mud and more that followed. During the spirited conversation, which lasted for over an hour, the three older children moved onto the other sofa and chairs in the room. Even Taurwen participated after trying to ignore the conversation and paging through a book. It was discarded when she was drawn into a debate between Eldarion and Randiriel. Gailrin remained in Legolas' lap.
"Gailrin, it is time for you to go to bed," Arwen said much later during a pause in the conversation.
The child's face scowled mutinously. "But, Mother, I want to spend more time with Uncle Legolas."
"Gailrin, you heard your mother," Aragon responded.
The beautiful blue eyes darkened and her bottom lip pouted out. "But, Papa," she whined.
"Young one," Legolas interjected smoothly before her parents could respond. "I will be here for several more days. We will be able to play again tomorrow."
The pout eased a little, but did not disappear. "But Uncle Legolas, you'll be in meetings with Papa all day. I will not even see you."
"I will make sure we have some time together, Gailrin."
"Some time? How much is that?"
"Enough of this, my daughter. It is time you went to bed," Arwen said. The firm tone of voice ended further argument from Gailrin. She recognized the tone and knew further stalling would result in punishment.
With a deep sigh, she got to her feet. Part way across the room, she stopped. Her eyes flashed with excitement as an idea occurred to her. "Uncle Legolas, will you tell me a bedtime story?"
"A what?" he repeated, playing for time.
"A bedtime story. Please."
Legolas quickly glanced at Arwen who nodded her permission.
"Well, I suppose." The Elf tried to sound reluctant, but no one believed him.
A delighted grin met his words. "But Uncle Legolas, can you make it one I have never heard before?"
Legolas frowned for a moment, thinking, then smiled. "I will tell you about the first time I met your father."
Six faces swiveled towards the Elf. Four were lit with delight, one with amusement and one with resignation.
"I have never heard this story either. May I listen in?" Eldarion asked.
"Yes, all of you can if want."
"But you must prepare for bed first. Once Gailrin is in her bed and the rest are gathered, Legolas will begin," Arwen instructed. There was a flurry of activity as the youths jumped to their feet and left the room.
"This should be good," Aragorn said in a tone that did not reflect his words. Legolas smirked.
A short while later, in Gailrin's room, he began.
TBC…
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A/N: This story been percolating for a long time and I'm still not sure how it's going to turn out. Encouragement and/or constructive criticism is appreciated! (How's that for a blatant hint to review?)