#29 Wayward

"Eldarion!"

The name reverberated through the palace corridors, quickly followed by the child himself as he sped away from the scene of his latest mishap.

"Come back here!"

The boy halted briefly, obedience vying with fear, and for a moment he almost turned back until he recalled the scene of devastation so lately left behind and his feet resumed their headlong run.

Why was he afflicted this way? Neither of his parents had the same problem, in fact both were the complete opposite. Graceful and dignified, they comported themselves with the utmost care and elegance at all times, as a King and Queen should but he, he could not even walk into a room without knocking something over and making a mess.

Finally reaching the side door that led into the gardens he bolted through, his feet skimming lightly over the gravel path towards the one place he felt comfortable lately. Reaching his destination he threw himself to his knees and heedless of the leaf mould and small insects, pushed his way between the branches of the large, woody shrub to settle, cocooned within its snug interior, shut off from the world and all its fragile obstacles. A small sob escaped his lips as he pulled his knees in tightly to his chest, encircling legs grown gangly and wayward with arms that appeared lately to have a mind of their own.

"Eldarion?"

He knew it would be his father that found him.

"May I come in ion nin?"

The child sniffed softly, dashing the moisture from his eyes with slender fingers. There would be no escape, his father would sit out there all night if needs be.

"I…yes ada."

No sooner had he uttered the soft words than there was a wild rustling of leaves followed by a mild expletive before the tall, rangy figure of his father pushed himself into the now cramped space beside him.

"A cosy spot, ion nin." Eldarion could hear the smile in his father's voice although he could not bring himself to look at his face.

"I can see the appeal." A gentle hand reached out, pulled a leaf from its nest within his son's hair and twirled it within his fingers.

Silence settled around them and for a moment Eldarion hoped that the inevitable would not happen.

"Why?"

The single word shattered the child's wish even though he knew it had been in vain.

"I don't know ada." Such a small voice that Aragorn had to lean closer to hear.

"You must have had some reason Eldarion." The king's voice was calm and cool. "What on Arda were you thinking?"

"I…I don't…"

"Don't try to tell me you don't know young man."

Eldarion felt his chin lifted and his eyes finally met those of his father.

"I…I just wanted to see if I could…if I could…" his voice petered out as shame and dismay filled his heart. "I never meant to…"

"You never do." Aragorn smiled gently.

"I know it is hard ion, but when I or your Mother tells you not to touch something, it is for a good reason." His eyes twinkled merrily.

"I was just the same at your age you know." Eldarion stared in disbelief.

"I too could not wait to be a warrior. " Aragorn paused for a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Only 'twas not a bow I longed to wield but a sword and it was not a shelf of mementoes and plants I demolished but a beautiful and ancient tapestry."

Silence fell between the pair once more as this piece of information conjured a picture in each of their minds.

"I'm sorry Ada." Eldarion spoke up at last. "The bow was too long and I just overbalanced and it caught the shelf and everything just fell and there was soil and pottery and stuff everywhere and…" he paused to take a breath. Then swallowed nervously.

"Is he very cross ada?"

"Legolas?" Aragorn smiled indulgently. "Well, he did not sound too pleased when last I heard him."

"As you would not be if you came back to your rooms to find that a small whirlwind had descended upon its contents."

Eldarion gasped as the disembodied lyrical voice filtered through the bush.

"Nay, I was not pleased Aragorn," the voice continued. "But I was more displeased when the culprit chose to run away instead of facing up to his actions."

"I…I'm sorry Legolas." The child's voice trembled with emotion. "I did not mean to make a mess. I… I just. I was scared you were angry and I wouldn't blame you. I'm just so…"

"Oh child," the elf interjected sadly. "We have all done this kind of thing at some stage in our growing up. There is nothing to be feared about what is purely natural." He paused then continued lightly. "I remember your father was just as clumsy as you at your age, if not more so." He chuckled. "Has he ever told you of the time he killed your grandfather's favourite tapestry with Elladan's sword?"

"A little." Eldarion answered as his father huffed out a sigh.

"Well, if you like I could tell you how it came about." Legolas grinned.

"And I can tell you how the lithe and graceful elven prince tripped over his own feet and fell from the great oak." Aragorn countered with a triumphant snigger.

"That was not my fault!"

Father and son caught each other's eyes and broke out into laughter at the indignant yell before scrambling out from their leafy nest.

Standing between the two adults, a warm hand from each resting upon his shoulders, suddenly life did not seem so terrible at all to the young prince and as they walked back towards the palace he listened to the gentle, teasing banter going on over his head and realised that however clumsy or ungainly he might be he was very lucky to be surrounded by such love.


A/N

I realise that this is, in fact too long for a proper drabble but it just sort of happened that way and I couldn't stop it!

Hope you like it anyway. (You can of course always let me know one way or another) *winks*

Lord Illryen - Glad you liked the trick Legolas played in the last chapter. Thanks. :)

Thanks to you all for reading.