No Blood of Mine
Rose G
Disclaimer - All characters are property of Tolkien, and I have made no money from using them.
A/N - This is the evening of May 2nd, after the marriage of Aragorn and Arwen. Just Elrond thinking.
Already a King. The ruler of Gondor, the Man who led the Fellowship through war and darkness, who dared to walk the Paths of the Dead to claim the right of the line of Isildur. A King who maybe was born too late - his rightful kingdom sunk beneath hungry waves.
So, his blood is not mine directly. Our kinship lies so far back in time that only Elves really know of it, but we are both of Beren's line. And even if we were not related, I raised him. Me and Gilraen were his parents after Arathorn died. Do all mortals grow as quickly, from child playing heedless in Rivendell to young man who won Arwen's heart, to war captain and King? If they do, then that is indeed the tragedy of Men, for they live too quickly with no time for dreaming and tales. If not, then he is even more gifted.
He has no responsibilities now save for Arwen and Gondor, and my son or not, woe betide him should he fail in the first one. At least Arwen is happy, and Estel is happy, which is all I have ever wanted for him. He said earlier today that not all the men in Gondor are happy with his rule; he was worrying that that he could not be strong enough to rule, even after I had reminded him that the hands of a king are the hands of a healer. Maybe he will not be the most confident ruler but…
I cannot deny that I am pleased, prouder of him than he will ever know for his conquest. Gondor is safe, and much as I trusted him that is more than I ever dared to hope for when we found out what Bilbo's Ring was. And although many people have fallen in this war, through his skill that number has been kept down. Even when Halbarad fell, and half a country away I felt his anguish, he did not falter. I was so proud of him then; his strength and courage; his ability to carry on. And if the other tales are believed, he distinguished himself in single combat and battle.
And yet I am envious of him, for the fact that he has a kingdom to rule, the fact he has long to live in Middle Earth. I am not yet weary of life here, the beauty does not seem to have faded yet. The Se-longing does not stir in my heart; for I have often beheld he sea and wondered at the screams of sea birds, the sound of the waves yet it does not hold my heart in thrall. Surely, even in Valinor there can be no places sweeter than Rivendell, no people dearer than Arwen and Estelmy daughter and son. But why should they have all this fair land to live in when I must leave all that I have ever known?
But whatever I think, I love him as my son. I have had three ages in Middle Earth; I have had everything that I have wanted so I cannot deney him his chance to rule and to prove himself. I have been his father, Elladhan and Elorhir his brothers, Arwen his lover. All I can do is to wish him well - Estel, my son, King of Gondor even if his blood is not mine. Gilraen would have been proud of him, and so am I. My son; the King.