Summary: These are a series of drabbles written for the Mellon Fic 100 Challenge on the mellon chronicles group.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, sue me and find yourself poor as well.
A/N: The majority if not all of these drabbles will be AU.
Chapter 50 (Parents)
Aragorn strolled through the White City of Minas Tirith. He walked the streets each day, finding the conversations with the people of Gondor quite enjoyable. He often would be invited inside to taste a fresh batch of cookies, and when he could he crept away to play with the children.
Today was one of the days that he was playing with the children, a game of tag, and he was it. It only seemed fair, since he was a good two feet taller than the children. Eldarion was hiding, and Aragorn knew right where, as the boy seemed to pick the same place over and over, not really understanding the game yet.
Aragorn smiled, and peered over the boxes that Eldarion usually hid behind, but today he could see a tuff of blond hair that couldn't possibly belong to his son. After finding one of the older boys, Aragorn went to where his son was hiding with his new friend.
"Eldarion, who is your new friend?"
"Ada, you found us," Eldarion pouted.
"Do not fear I did not find you first. You hid well. Now tell me who is your friend?"
Eldarion grabbed his friend by the arm, dragging him from the hiding place. "This is Leland."
Aragorn and the two boys left the others and went back inside, the hot sun becoming to warm for play. They ate cookies the cooks had made for them, and enjoyed sipping the fresh iced tea. "Who is your father young Leland?"
Leland's face fell at the mention of his father. "His name is Landrain," the boy spoke softly.
"Well, I think it is time we returned you to your home. It is getting late."
Aragorn and Eldarion walked Leland back to the fifth level, and to his home. Leland knocked and the door was swiftly opened. "Where have you been!" the man inside yelled, before noticing the King standing at his door. "Excuse me, the boy has chores to do, and was late in getting to them."
Aragorn nodded he understood, and walked back to the palace with Eldarion. All night he thought of young Leland and how similar he felt to someone else he had known. He went to sleep that night and even dreamed of young Leland.
The next morning Eldarion went out to play after his lessons, but Aragorn was bogged down with paperwork, and knew his walk would have to wait till later. His thoughts and work were interrupted a couple of hours later when Eldarion was heard shouting downstairs.
"Ada! come quickly Ada!" Aragorn was on his feet, and down the stairs in a flash, and at the bottom stood Eldarion, and a very quiet Leland.
"Ada, Leland's arm is broken, and he has a big scratch on his leg. You can fix him can't you Ada?" Eldarion begged.
Aragorn led the small boy to the healing ward, waving the healers away as he entered. He reset Leland's arm, and placed bandages over his leg. "He is good as new, but I am afraid he shall not be able to play tag today."
Eldarion took Leland to his room, to show him his toy soldiers, and both boys were content for the afternoon. Aragorn peeked in on them, and smiled when he saw Leland enjoying himself. Closing the door quietly Aragorn sent a rider to collect Faramir, and also to inform Leland's father and mother that he would not be coming home tonight.
Within a few hours Faramir arrived and Aragorn took him inside his study and they talked. An hour later both of the men came out, Aragorn shaking Faramir's hand. "I await for you to return here with your answer."
Aragorn and Arwen had dinner with the two boys, watching as Leland and Eldarion scarfed their food down in hopes of having time to play in the gardens before bed. Aragorn could not resist the pleading looks, and both boys were sent to play while the adults talked.
Everyone had slept peacefully that night, but as dawn approached Aragorn grew restless and found himself pacing his balcony. Was his decision a sound one? He didn't know, but time and time again he had learned to trust his instincts. After waking Arwen he went to wake the boys for breakfast.
Aragorn found Eldarion still asleep, his covers rumpled around his feet on the bed, but Leland was sitting on the floor when he entered the room. Leland jumped to his feet, and backed away. "I woke up, and no one else was awake. I just thought I would play until Eldarion woke," he said backing away from Aragorn.
"You were right in your thoughts. Now it is time for breakfast, so if you will wake Eldarion, I will expect you both in ten minutes."
Aragorn waited at the table for the boys to show up, and soon a very groggy Eldarion and Leland came down. They ate while Aragorn asked Eldarion his plans for the day. "I was going to go and show Leland my horse in the stables, and maybe take him to see Uncle Legolas."
"You are far too young to go to see Uncle Legolas on your own," Aragorn told him, and Eldarion's face fell.
"However; I have to visit Faramir and Eowyn today, and we can stop by the stables along the way if you wish." This brought a huge smile to Eldarion's face, and he went back to eating his breakfast. Once the meal was over, Aragorn went outside to sit in the gardens with he boys, and it was not long before Faramir and Eowyn could be seen coming towards him.
"Lord Aragorn," Faramir addressed him.
"You must not be so formal my old friend," Aragorn said. "I trust you have spoken and have come to a decision?"
"Aye, we would be honored to grant your request." Their nice get together was soon destroyed as Leland's parents came stomping towards them.
"How dare you keep my son overnight! He was to be home, regardless!"
The shouts from Landrian brought quite the gathering of onlookers to see what all the ruckus was about. Aragorn stood, his eyebrows reaching his hairline much like his father's did.
"Your son shall not be returning to you ever I am afraid."
"What in Arda's name do you mean? He is my son. I am his parent, not you!" Landrian screamed.
Aragorn approached Landrian, and grabbed him by his collar. Landrian raised his hand but thought better of it when the guards stepped forward ready to hew him in half should he harm the King. "A child is a gift, not a right. Parents are supposed to love, educate, and shelter them from harm, and I can see that you have done none of these."
"He is mine!" Landrian yelled again, his voice now quivering. "Leland enjoys being my son, just ask him."
Aragorn turned to see Leland cowering now, behind Faramir who was so angry he was breathing in hard.
"Your son has been harmed by the one he called his parent, treated like a mere servant. You do not know how to be a parent. I have bestowed that honor upon Faramir and his wife. They have agreed to show your son the love he deserves, and you shall be sent from my sight now." The guards were sent to take Landrian away, and his wife was sent back to their home in shame.
Aragorn then turned to Faramir and nodded. Faramir leaned down in front of Leland. "I promise I will treat you as a parent should treat a son, if you will have me." Faramir's answer came in the way of Leland wrapping his arms around him. Both Eowyn and Faramir took Leland back to Ithilien, promising that they would bring him to play with Eldarion each week.
Aragorn was content that night, and when he went to tuck Eldarion in, his heart melted. "Ada, why did you send Leland to live with Faramir?"
Aragorn knew the question would be asked, and he was prepared. "If a person gives birth to a child, it does not make them a parent. A parent is one who loves and cherishes the gift that they have been given. Leland's father did not treasure the gift he was given, and was not a parent, but simply a man who had a child. Faramir will give Leland what he needs, love, compassion, and understanding. Do you understand now?"
Eldarion launched himself towards his father, wrapping his arms around his neck. "Yes, and I am glad you are my parent, for you are wise, and you love me."
Aragorn returned to hug. "Indeed I do." He tucked Eldarion in, and walked to his own room. That night before he fell asleep Aragorn thanked the Valar for their gift of his son.
