Summary: Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli take Eldarion down the path of the fellowship to teach him of sacrifices made and things forgotten.
Disclaimer: I do not own them, a pity
A/N: This is an AU fourth age fic, the times to get to many places may not be exact. Any reviews are welcome, flames amuse me
Chapter 2
Arwen waited while her husband got ready for dinner, but he did not go straight down. Aragorn pulled her to him and asked her a question.
"Would you mind much if I were to take Eldarion on a little trip?"
Arwen shook her head no, but grabbed Aragorn's hand as he stood to leave the room.
"Why do I suspect there is more to this than a simple outing?"
She got no reply, only Aragorn's urging that they should hurry up downstairs before Legolas and Gimli arrived.
Dinner had been full of tales of old, of the antics of the twins and Estel, and how Legolas would often be caught up in their adventures only to find himself under the care of Lord Elrond.
"I wish I could have met daerada Elrond," Eldarion said.
"He was a fine man, I mean elf. You could not have asked for a better healer. He saved Frodo's life, and we are all glad for it.
"I met Frodo once," Eldarion piped up. "He was my size, and I was only seven summers, but he didn't stay long, and when he left with the other small person Ada said he had to go hunting for more food, that the pantries were empty."
This brought a chuckle from Gimli and from Aragorn. "Yes, the hobbits surely do put great dents in one's pantry."
After dinner Eldarion went to play with some of the neighboring children and the adults retired to the study. Aragorn and Gimli walked out onto the balcony to enjoy a pipe while Legolas sat at the opposite end with Arwen. All were silent until Arwen spoke what all were thinking.
"Estel Elrondion."
"She has referred to your elven name, you are in trouble now laddie, and I for one shall not wish to witness such," Gimli said, excusing himself into the room.
Legolas and Gimli went down to find Eldarion while Estel spoke with Arwen. He hadn't said anything at all after the two had left preferring to stare out at the sky.
"What is on your mind?"
"It thinks of times long past. Times that our son cannot seem to see. I do not want him to think things come so easily. I wish him to know the struggle for the freedom from Sauron's clutches. He cannot understand as long as he lives here where he is the king's son."
"How do you propose to teach him, take him all the way to Mordor and back again?" Arwen chuckled. Her laughter stopped when she saw the serious look on Aragorn's face.
"I can see no other way for him to learn."
Aragorn looked at Arwen who seemed to be rolling the thought around in her head by the furrowed brow she had.
"I will not go if it troubles you. I just didn't want him to go through life not knowing the sacrifices made."
"If it means this much to you, then go and teach Eldarion what only you can, but Estel come home in one piece, Ada is not here to bandage you up anymore."
Estel pulled Arwen into his embrace and held her for a few moments before they returned their gaze to the stars of the night.
"Do you think he would have been proud?"
Arwen knew who Estel was referring to, "Yes, I think Ada would have loved Eldarion much like he loved another who wandered in through the door and into his heart many years ago."
Estel was about to say something when he heard shouts coming from below. Both he an Arwen looked down to find Eldarion in the Mallorn tree with a rope tied around Gimli's beard at one end and the other end slung over a branch.
"Aragorn, come and fetch your son!" Gimli shouted up to him.
Aragorn tried to compose himself as he walked down to the gardens but the sight of Gimli made him burst out into a fit of rather unkingly giggles.
"Do not laugh, help me down from here, or at the very least try to refrain from giggling."
"I am sorry dear friend, but it is a sight I have seen before, one that as I look back now was comical as well.
"I think your son has picked up some of your old habits," Gimli claimed as Aragorn untied the rope from his beard.
"This is a very good knot Eldarion, an elvish knot if I am not mistaken."
"Well, he doesn't have those pointed ears for nothing Aragorn. He may be human, but he is still elven as well you know. I think it is his elvish blood that makes him so devious."
"Do not blame the elves for the obvious ways of men," Legolas said his face contorted as he tried to hide his amusement.
Once Gimli was released, Aragorn turned to Arwen, "Will you escort Eldarion to bed? I will be up in a few moments, I have something I wish to speak with Legolas and Gimli about."
Arwen and Eldarion both kissed Aragorn goodnight, and he waited for them to disappear around the corner before turning to speak.
"Estel, what puts your mind to worry?" Legolas said, not waiting for him to explain.
"Be at peace my friend," Estel motioned for them all to have a seat in the garden. "I wish to take Eldarion on a trek, one that will cover many mountains and streams, and even into the Mines of Moria, and into Mordor."
"Why would you take the child there?" Gimli asked, more than a little shocked by Aragorn's words.
Aragorn sat down and told them both of how he thought Eldarion would not learn of the sacrifices made by all by reading it from a book. Only the sight of The Shire or the darkness of Moria would ever make him truly understand.
"Will you leave soon my friend?"
"Aye, I wish to leave within a couple days. Will you join us on this trip my friends? Will you once again go with me?"
"We shall go with you to the brink of death, and step out over the edge if you ask it of us, you only had to ask."
Aragorn thanked his friends and they sat in the garden remembering old times, and relishing in the fact that they would again see those places.
"Will Eldarion not wish to spend this time with you Estel?" Legolas inquired.
"He and I will take time in each place together. I will not abandon him to the likes of only you two for then he will be as corrupt as Sauron himself and as mischievous and Pippin and Merry after two bottles of elvish wine."
Aragorn stood and bid them goodnight, "I shall retire now to spend some time with my wife. How I will miss her while away on this journey."
The realm of Gondor was silent as all were asleep but the guards. It was a peaceful time in Arda one that was well deserved, but in two days time, Aragorn and his son, along with his friends would revisit a time when Arda was anything but peaceful.
