Welcome! I'd advise that you go back and read Head Over Heels before this, but that's your choice. Who else thought Thorin Oakenshield was ridiculously majestic? Hands down Thorin is my favorite- with Fili in a close second. I hope you enjoy the first chapter. If there are awful grammar mistakes or anything of the kind don't hesitate to tell me. Flames are neither appreciated nor tolerated. I do not own The Hobbit. Enjoy!
Chapter One
The throne room of Minas Tirith was filled with people. Five children ran around, having fun. Eldarion, the son of Aragorn, king of Gondor, led the group around the room. They played games and a young girl fell behind. She watched as the three boys played without her and she folded her arms across her chest. With a huff, she turned to find her mother.
Rowan was in the garden with Vivian at her side. Both had grown older since they first came to Middle Earth. Vivian held her daughter, Lærwen's, hand as they walked. Suddenly, Rowan's daughter, Éadlin, ran toward them with tears running down her cheeks. The girl ran forward and clung to Rowan's legs.
"What's wrong?" Rowan wondered softly as she crouched down to be at eye-level with her daughter.
"The boys won't play with me. They say I'm too fragile," Éadlin said and Rowan shook her head.
"You are far from fragile. Is your brother the cause of it?" Rowan wondered and Éadlin nodded. It was as Rowan thought. Éodred, her son and heir to the throne of Rohan, was embarrassed by his sister.
"Can I stay here with you and Aunt Vivian?" Éadlin wondered and Rowan grinned.
"Of course you can stay here. Which flower is your favorite?" Rowan wondered as she stood to her full height. Éadlin took Rowan's hand and led her to a beautiful white flower.
Vivian looked down at Lærwen and grinned. Her young daughter was fascinated by Éadlin. The two girls played together occasionally, but Éadlin wanted to be like the boys and pretend to slay dragons. Vivian didn't want Lærwen to become a fighter. They lived in a peaceful time and she wanted her daughter to have a proper life. Rowan would surely allow Éadlin to pursue whatever life she desired, but Vivian was tired. Despite her young age, she felt as though she was older. War made her feel older and Legolas, her husband, often teased her about it.
A horn sounded from below and Vivian looked over the edge to see riders in the distance. They were extremely small so high up, but Vivian could tell who they were. She could always distinguish Legolas' blonde locks. Rowan eyed the edge and then turned to Éadlin.
"Let's greet your father," Rowan decided and led her daughter away. She stopped before descending the stairs and looked back at Vivian, "Aren't you coming?"
Vivian smiled and followed with Lærwen at her side.
The walk to the main gate was lengthy, so they stopped near the stables and waited. Aragorn came through first and then the others followed. Éomer and Legolas spotted their wives and smiled when they came through. Éadlin instantly ran forward and Rowan watched as Éomer dismounted and then lifted her off the ground to place a kiss on her cheek. Vivian held Lærwen back because she was worried that the small girl would be trampled by horses. Legolas approached them after he dismounted and kissed his daughter's forehead before kissing his wife. Rowan glanced at Vivian with a grin and then watched as Éadlin pulled Éomer forward in a hurry. As they passed, Rowan turned and walked with them. She looped her arm through Éomer's and smiled.
Aragorn entered the throne room first and was greeted by Arwen and Eldarion. The future king of Gondor was describing his day and Aragorn listened intently. Éodred, on the other side of the room, sat with Legolas' son, Thandien, as they watched the king of Gondor react with his son. A few moments later, their family entered the hall. Éodred got up from his seat and sped toward his father; Thandien took his time as he approached his family.
"Your sister tells me you refused to let her play," Éomer stated and Éodred's shoulders sagged.
"She can't keep up with us and Eldarion said that she should be playing with Lærwen," Éodred said in his defense.
"Perhaps you should defend your sister. You know that she is perfectly capable of keeping pace with you," Éomer pointed out and Rowan, who stood next to Éadlin, nodded.
"You may not like it, but you must learn to accept it," Rowan added.
"Yes, mama," Éodred replied and then Éadlin stepped forward to give her older brother a hug.
The children ran off soon after, Lærwen included, and Vivian took a seat next to Legolas at one of the many tables. Éomer walked over to Aragorn with Rowan at his side and they began talking.
As night came, Aragorn held a great feast. They had passed a pack of orcs and there had been no casualties. Many of his friends were in attendance. Gimli had arrived that evening and commented on the children around him.
"They're sprouting up like trees," he mentioned and Legolas smiled.
"Soon they'll be taller than you," Vivian added and Gimli chuckled. Rowan wandered over to the group and greeted them accordingly.
"How are things, Gimli?" Rowan asked and the dwarf smiled at her.
"Moria is slowly becoming what it once was," Gimli replied and Rowan smiled. A few months ago, she had traveled to Moria with a few others to admire what Gimli had done. Obviously, she had been fearful of the cavernous ceilings, but she was able to get through without looking up. Vivian had not been there, claiming she wanted to spend time with Thandien and Lærwen. Legolas, though, went to marvel a Gimli's accomplishment.
The night progressed and as everyone retired, Rowan decided she wanted to go riding. Éomer declined, saying he was exhausted and asked that she be back soon. Rowan walked into the room Éodred and Éadlin shared to tell them goodnight, but Éodred was curious about why Rowan was dressed in pants and a tunic.
"I'm just going out for a bit. Get some rest because tomorrow is going to be a busy day," Rowan advised and Éodred reluctantly nodded. He smiled at his mother and then laid down his head to sleep. Éadlin was already asleep when Rowan approached, so Rowan slipped out as quickly as she could.
Vivian tucked her two children in and kissed their foreheads. Lærwen clutched a doll as she tried to go to sleep. The poor child had trouble sleeping away from home and Vivian hummed a lullaby in order for her to sleep. Thandien listened and dozed off before his mother finished. As Vivian turned, she took notice of Legolas in the doorway. He smiled at his wife and walked to their room with her trailing behind.
"I forgot something in the throne room. I'll be right back," Vivian suddenly said and picked up her skirts to hurry through the hall. She then proceeded to run right into Rowan. Both girls reeled upon impact and Rowan exhaled when she noticed it was Vivian.
"You should watch where you walk," Rowan advised and Vivian stuck out her tongue. Even as adults, Vivian and Rowan jested with each other often.
"I left something in the throne room. Would you be willing to help me find it?" Vivian wondered and Rowan shrugged.
The two best friends wandered into the throne room and searched for what Vivian stated to be her cloak. Rowan heard something across the room and turned to Vivian.
"Did you hear something?" Vivian shook her head, having no idea what Rowan spoke of.
"I don't hear anything, Row," Vivian insisted, but Rowan walked toward it. She saw buried behind a pillar the palantir. Why was it there? Hadn't Aragorn disposed of it?
Vivian joined Rowan and gazed at the familiar object. Both girls exchanged a look before putting in down on one of the tables. The throne room was empty and not even guards patrolled, but those who did patrol were outside.
"How did it get here?" Vivian wondered quietly.
"Do you think it still works?" Rowan inquired and Vivian shrugged. Sauron was destroyed, but there was a chance that evil still lurked within the orb. Vivian reached out and Rowan did at the same time. Suddenly, both girls felt themselves jolt. Images blurred together and their vision soon failed them. They didn't know what awaited them when they opened their eyes.
My updating schedule will be a bit random in the beginning. School is important- bleh. You will discover everyone's ages in due time- even the children's ages- I assure you.