Author's Note: Well, forget chapter 13 and onward. I'm changing the story and rewritting it from this point on. Thanks for reading!
CHAPTER 12
The following day, King Elessar held a smaller, less formal banquet for his close friends and family members. Compared to yesterday's grand celebration, the ambience was warm and more intimate.
Aragorn was positively beaming, all of his children and grandchildren were present and his heart was full. Many of his grandchildren he hadn't had the joy to see in a very long time, they were sprouting like weeds; far too quickly to his liking. Emund, Peldes and Solmund's eldest, was becoming a tall strapping young lad and had complained when he had been shown towards the children's table. The poor boy had moped most of the night, head in hands.
The lad tentatively appeared beside him, his youthful features twisted in plea, "Grandfather, can I please sit at your table?"
Aragorn rubbed his chin. He could see the young lad was itching to be included in the adult's conversations, "What is wrong with your table? Aren't you happy to see your cousins?"
He rolled his eyes dramatically, "They're all so young. I'm not a child anymore. I'm fifteen!"
Aragorn understood that feeling all too well. He remembered a time when he himself was in the exact predicament. The king of Gondor sent his only son a knowing look. "What do you think, Eldarion?"
Eldarion flashed his nephew a large expressive smile in response, "Ah, my favorite nephew, Edmund! Come, lad. Sit beside me and tell me of your tales."
Without another word and bristling with excitement, Edmund ran to Eldarion who had pulled up an empty chair by him and motioned him to sit down.
Aragorn laughed.
"You are sweet, my husband," Arwen whispered in his ear, her hand slipping in his and squeezing softly. "You have granted him a great happiness. I'm afraid our poor grandson was on the verge of collapsing from his great apprehension."
The king gave his beautiful wife a light kiss on the hand, "I remember being his age, Meleth nîn. It's important for him to feel included and spoken to as a man."
"I remember this too, quite clearly, my husband."
Peldes, Araswen, Glándis and Lennel were caught in a heated conversation about the outrageous new plunging neckline of Gondorian dresses, namely the one Lennel was currently wearing at the table.
"Araswen, how dare you utter such nonsense when you've already found the love of your life! Don't you hold any pity for your sister who aches for the soft touch of a lover; may it be man or elf?" Lennel uttered loudly. Standing, she slapped her palms on the table with force; making the silverware rattle. The sudden movement exposed her cleavage further, giving both Gimli and Legolas a very striking view. The bearded dwarf visibly reddened and spluttered into his mug of ale while Legolas turned his head away and examined something on his tunic in great absorption.
Edmund's eyes were wide, his mouth agape.
"My Beloved. I am afraid I am regretting my decision..."
Arwen giggled at him behind her hand; the expression melting his heart, "My king, realize that your daughter may be suffering just as deeply as your grandson Edmund. She aches for the happiness her older sisters withhold. Don't we each deserve to find happiness?"
Aragorn sighed and leaned his face into his palm. His baby Lennel was a baby no more and he was coming to terms with her perplexing behaviour. At least he had Tuilindil. Elves aged at a snail's pace and he could covet that innocence for quite some time and let it soothe the pain in his soul. His heart rebelled at the thought of losing yet another of his daughters to marriage. His gaze darted around the room, seeking the sight of his adopted daughter.
After a moment he saw her sitting at the children's table chatting with Tharndir at her side. The guardian elf was obviously far too oversized for the height of the table and chairs. The sight was comical to say the least with Tharndir's knees almost touching his chin. Tuilindil gesticulated wildly, most likely telling one of her wild fabricated stories as her nieces and nephews oohed and aahed in wonder and captivation.
Following his train of thoughts Arwen added, "She too will, one day, seek to find happiness with another. That day may not be that far away." Arwen shared an expression that piqued Aragorn's curiosity. Arwen knew something he didn't and it rattled him slightly.
His eyes returned to Tuilindil. Arwen was right, of course. The elf would one day seek to find someone to complete her and, sure, Aragorn would be over the moon for her. But, for now, he'd rather let the childlike innocence dispel his growing fear of loneliness.
His two Fellowship of the Ring companions, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck, spoke of their plans of settling down somewhere in Gondor but they confided that they hadn't decided of their destination just yet. The two aging hobbits' intended to create copies of Bilbo's Red Book of Westmarch and distribute them throughout Middle-Earth.
"Master hobbits, you are more than welcome to come reside with us in South Ithilien, if you so wish."
Before the hobbits could answer, Lennel was at the elf's side leaning against the table, a pout on her lips and her eyelids fluttering madly.
"I would very much like to join you on such a grand journey, lord Legolas. Ever since I was little, I dreamt of uniting with the elves. Oh, to dwell in one of your great kingdoms! The elven blood in my veins sings the need to walk through the towering trees and hear the song of the forest."
Aragorn's youngest daughter leaned into Legolas, enlacing his forearm resulting in her exposed cleavage rubbing against him.
The tips of the fair elf's ears turned a shade darker at her bold move, the subtle look of consternation upon his face wasn't lost to Aragorn. Gimli had become so red in the face, he wondered if the dwarf had forgotten to breathe. The king sighed inwardly.
"You are welcome to join us, princess Lennel," came the slow reply. "We shall be departing in a few days from now."
Tuilindil chose this moment to appear at the table, trailing a line of nieces and nephews behind her. Tharndir stood, holding in his arms two small children.
"Oh! Where are we going?" Tuilindil watched Lennel and Legolas curiously.
Peldes, rolled her eyes, sighing in exasperation, "It seems after these many years amongst the world of men, our dear sister finally hears the call of the elven blood in her veins. She is leaving for South Ithilien with the company of the elves and shall go prance with the birds and butterflies in the woods."
Araswen snickered and Glandis winked back.
"That sounds absolutely wonderful!" Tuilindil clasped her hands together in a suppliant manner, "Can I please come with you?"
"No, you cannot!" Lennel uttered sharply through gritted teeth, inching closer to Legolas.
"Lennel, you are being selfish," Eldarion interjected.
The young elf sent the lord of Ithilien a devastated look, unbidden tears welling up in her eyes.
Aragorn's heart could not refuse such a pitiful face and seeing the expression on Legolas softening only confirmed that the wood elf couldn't refuse her either. The elf untangled Lennel from his arm and stood.
"You are just as welcome to join our company as is your sister, fair Tuilindil" Legolas sent Aragorn a quick glance. "As long as King Elessar permits it."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow, he should have foreseen this development. Lennel was practically throwing herself at Legolas and her stubborn streak would see to it that she wins his heart no matter what. On the other hand, Tuilindil had been too young before to leave the Palace walls; which heightened her curiosity of South Ithilien and its community of wood elves.
"I will allow it," he said, standing tall, "Only if Eldarion and Tharndir are present."
In order to keep his two rambunctious daughters in line, he needed the aid of both Eldarion and Tharndir. Eldarion wasn't afraid of telling Lennel the bare truth and put her in her place when she behaved inappropriately. Tuilindil was better behaved. She would listen to Eldarion, but she was curious and had the knack of getting herself into troublesome situations without meaning to. Tharndir's constant eye on her gave Aragorn peace of mind.
Leaping into each other's arms, his two daughters erupted into jubilant cheers - their differences temporarily forgotten. It was a rare display of affection that made the king smile.
Eldarion sat back in his chair with a frown, "It's been decided, then..."
His father had spoken and he would be leaving with the elves of Ithilien along with his two bickering sisters.
