Tokens (Aragorn)
Still deliberating Elrond's tale of bloodlines and kingdoms, he rises in the night to look again at those things with which he has been gifted.
These are the appointed tokens of his manhood. He sees a shattered blade that should have been taken for its metal long since. A ring that remembers an alliance of dead men. A claim to a throne already occupied, passed from father to son like some useless curio: a bankrupt coat of arms, an empty sheath.
He wonders if such antiquities will ever gain new meaning, and senses that it will only be in violence.
(Birthday drabble for Gwynnyd, who asked for pre-War Aragorn.)Karri: I'd glad you liked Legolas; it's fun to write about Elven perceptions, isn't it?. And I totally agree about the beacons scene - probably not just my favourite in RotK, but one of my favourite scenes of any film. Thanks again for reviewing!
Neige: Pleased you like the compliment, and I promise you that it is not moral blackmail to keep you reviewing :). Probably the Glittering Caves didn't actually look anything like I imagined. I was thinking of the stalagmites at Cheddar Gorge, which is the only famous cave I've seen, and it seemed of course that they would remind Legolas of trees.