This fic is dedicated to 'Grumpy' as this generous reviewer has pointed out Eldarion's plight in 'A Rainy Day in Gondor'. As you like the character, this one is for you, Grumpy Thank you for your kind encouragement in all I have submitted in the 'LOTR' section so far! The Birthday Boy
Prologue
The rich golden ray of light gleamed through the narrow opening of the windows, warmly illuminating the room. As nature awoke outside with its melodic chirping of the birds and fluttering butterflies, the summer morning dawn radiated the land in a glorious hue. Another new day had come, but this was not another regular day for the Palace of Gondor.
He creaked the thick wooden door open ever so slightly, staring inside the bedchamber through the chink. Two figures could be seen laid under the blankets of the large, four-poster bed in a single bundle. The material rose and fell in tune with the even, heavy breathing of the couple as they both slept in deep bliss, unaware of the chaos that was to come.
"Itsmybirthdayyyyyyy! Myyyyyy Birthdayyyyyyyyyy!" the boy squealed, dashing into the room and jumping up onto the soft, shaky bed with energetic enthusiasm. He danced and sang as he leapt in frenzied circles, merging his words with laughter.
This act of jubilance contrasted to that of his father's stale groans and the tired stirring of his mother. With a now six-year-old bouncing on top of their bed, and not failing to occasionally landing on his parents, the King and Queen had no alternative but to awake.
Often had they been deprived of a Saturday morning rest courtesy of their children, and this particular Saturday was no exception. However, the laughter they were woken to was perhaps more boisterous than usual. As their son reminded them, it was his 6th birthday.
"Ummmmhh…" Aragorn mumbled sleepily, stretching his entire body, from his hunched shoulders to his wriggling toes. Arwen's warm weight had lifted from his chest as she stretched beside him. "It is barely dawn," the King yawned, keeping his eyes shut, "Tell your son to cease." He himself was reluctant to stir too much in the hope that Eldarion might stop and he could return to his slumber.
His wife lifted the blankets from her shoulders in a bid to rise, as she knew there was little point in trying to ignore the child. "I have learned a long time ago it is quite useless in telling the men of this house to do anything," she said huskily, now ready to leave the comfort of the bed.
Seeing his mother answer his wake up call, the young lad jumped off the bed and stood at its side to meet her. Eldarion said nothing, but silently looked up at her with a proud smile.
"Good Morning, birthday boy!" she greeted, wrapping him in her arms and kissing his forehead. It was on days like this that she noticed how big the children were becoming. It was surreal to think that she had given birth to a son and heir the very day six years previous. "Are you excited about the day?"
The answer was obvious and he quickly replied with sharp nods. "Indeed I am."
She smiled as she looked into his silver eyes. Arwen found it endearing when he tried to act somewhat old and wise, and among his favourite compliments was to be called a 'big' and 'brave' boy.
Arwen moved in a bid to find clothing and to get dressed with her son circling and prancing around her feet. "Will the guests be arriving now?" he inquired in mid-hop, blatantly excited, "I hope many arrive….""We must first have breakfast, my darling, and perhaps after midday, those invited from near and far will attend your party," she informed warmly, amused that he had the day thought out in his head, "that is, after the first guest, the King of Gondor, rises from lazy sleep and joins us at the table." A smirk came upon her as she gently edged her son back in the direction of his father. There were some exceptions to when he was allowed to jump freely on the bed.