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This will be a LONG section, but I am actually quite proud of it as there is some decent writing in it! Enjoy!
A week went by and all of Elrond's patients were up and about in various stages of recovery.
The two Rangers, Dashan and Farlas were well enough to leave Rivendell and rejoin their fellows in their constant vigilance of the North. Elrond sent them on to Mirkwood with messages for King Thranduil that could be taken in easy stages to the east.
Thera and Thim were blossoming in the quiet comfort of Rivendell. Thim especially.
And one bright afternoon, on the lawn where Thera had played with little Aragorn waiting for Elrond's medicine to take affect, Thim got his wished for basket of chicks to handle carefully and chase in the sun.
Of course, Aragorn wanted to help.
Thera, her wounded arm now out of it's sling, and though still a bit weak, was mobile enough to do some grasping and holding. She spent a lot of time holding and grasping Aragorn and countering his shouts of "No!" with "Yes!"
"Thim, I think we need to give these chicks back to their momma. They look tired and I'm afraid Aragorn is a little rough with them. He doesn't know his own strength."
"All right. But maybe next time he doesn't have to play with them! Maybe he can play with something else," Thim said frowning
"Thim, he is just a baby! He doesn't know any better---"
Of course, that is when it happened. Thera and Thim had gotten all but one chick in the covered basket provided. Aragorn had been chasing the last chick and finally, laughing, he leapt, just as the chick ran in front of him and he fell on it.
It died instantly, neck broken.
When Aragorn looked at the lifeless bird, he picked it up and ran to Thera, tears in his eyes. "Fix?"
Thera, biting her lip, took the limp form and shook her head sadly. "Oh honey, the baby can't be fixed." Not knowing what to do with it, she carefully put it in the basket with the other chicks and crossed the lawn to put the basket in the shade of the long covered walkway that went the whole length of the House on this side.
Aragorn, thwarted by Thera, was just about to let loose with a full blown tantrum, when Elrond came along the walkway to see how they were doing (and as Thim needed an afternoon dose of medicine).
Dressed in a brown long leather tunic and trews for his weekly ride to one of the outer farms of Rivendell, he was not prepared for the storm of Aragorn's tears.
Aragorn ran into the tall elf, clutching his left leg and crying as if his heart was breaking, as indeed, at the moment, it was.
"What is the matter Aragorn?"
He looked out at Thera who, sighing, told him what had happened with the chick. She handed Elrond the basket and stepped away, feeling as if she had let the elf lord down by not keeping a better eye on Aragorn. Seeing that Aragorn was still sobbing on his leg, Elrond opened the basket, and seeing the dead chick, quickly scooped it up and hid its tiny body in his leather riding gloves, which he held in one hand. He bent down and showed the toddler the basket with the chicks scrambling around and Aragorn, having missed his legerdemain, brightened up at all the lively birds. Wiping his eyes, he tried to put his hand in the basket to grab one, but Elrond stood, taking the basket out of reach. "I will take the chicks with me as I am going to one of the outlying farms."
Thera nodded. "I, I am sorry about the chick Lord Elrond. I should have kept a better eye on Aragorn."
"These things happen Thera. I am just glad it was easily solved." He lay his gloves on top of the basket, set the basket on the railing and then came up to Thim and offered the small stoppered vial of medicine for him to take. Thim made a face, but took it and drank it quickly, making a bigger face when he finished.
"All right Master Thim, just two more days of this and I will declare you cured."
Thim nodded reluctantly.
Elrond looked at the three humans and just shook his head. Sometimes, they were hard to fathom. Picking up the basket and his gloves, he strode off to the stables.
Aragorn ran after him a ways, but Thera came up and grabbed him from behind and swung him around, which got him giggling.
Elrond called out over his shoulder before he disappeared, "Naptime!"
Thera swung Aragorn around one more time, and then running down the stone pathway towards Elrond's rooms, Aragorn followed her shrieking. Thim, a bit disgruntled at all the attention the toddler got, followed behind more slowly.
Once they reached Elrond's rooms, Thera led Aragorn to the solarium and, checking his nappy, she pulled his tunic off and lay him in the trundle bed. He immediately stood up and started crying. Thim, who was inspecting an eagle feather quill on Elrond's writing table said sulkily, "Why does he always cry when you put him to bed? Doesn't he know it's nap time?"
"Yes Thim," Thera said picking up the boy, putting him on her shoulder and patting him on the back. "That's why he's crying. You never liked taking your naps either. Momma had to work hard to get you to settle down." Thim flung the feather down, and hopped up on the large bed. A bit embarrassed he had acted no better, he said, "Look Baby Aragorn! Look at me! I'm taking a nap! Look, it isn't so hard!" He flopped back on the bed and made snoring noises. Thera and the baby laughed. She came over to him and sat on the bed, a little worried Lord Elrond wouldn't like them messing up his bed linens. But he had said "naptime." So Aragorn was going to get his nap. Thim moved over on the bed, giving Thera room to lie down too. Aragorn sat up and then crawled over to Thim.
"Thim! Thim sleepy head!"
"That's right Aragorn! Thim's sleeping." And he started to snore again.
Aragorn flopped on Thim and watched him for a few minutes. Thera, not wanting to distract the toddler, lay next to Thim and rubbed Aragorn's back. He rolled off Thim and pulled a foot in his mouth, which Thera took out. She rubbed his tummy then, and eventually the boy settled into sleep. By the time he did, however, his two baby sitters had also fallen asleep, all three curled up around the other, like a gaggle of puppies.
And two hours later, that is how Elrond found them. Smiling at the picture they made, he shook his head. Laying down his riding gloves, he took a quilt folded up on the linen chest at the end of his bed and flung it over them. He then sat down at his writing desk to finish up a monthly tally of livestock, minus one chick.
A few days later, a spring storm had wrapped it self about the Valley of Imladris and the three humans stared out at the streaming windows of the large map room. It was big enough for the boys to run around and let off steam by playing tag and as all the maps were carefully locked away, there wasn't much for them to get into.
Thera absently rubbed her arm. The bandage had finally come off and she stared at the thin pink scar. But the rainy weather made it ache. Looking around Thera thought what a great room this would be for lessons. If they were going to stay any longer, Thim needed to keep up with his schooling. And maybe she could teach Aragorn his letters. At least read to him, if Lord Elrond had any books in the Common Tongue. Surely in the vast library she had seen once on a walk, there were tales of heroes and days of old fit for small boys.
"Come along boys, I need to find Lord Elrond."
"Okay. I was winning anyway," Thim said, as he dragged an unresisting Aragorn after his sister.
It didn't take too long for the threesome to discover Lord Elrond's whereabouts. He was in his main study, where he greeted visitors, did most of his Household accounts and where his stillroom was located.
He looked up from one of his accounting books, as the three humans entered. Putting his quill down, he steepled his fingers in front of his face and said, "Yes Thera, Thim? What can I do for you?" Aragorn crawled under the table where Elrond sat, to inspect his boots.
"Actually my lord, I was thinking of something I could do for you."
"Yes?" Elrond's smile widened, as he reached down to rub a hand on Aragorn's head.
"Well, I was a teacher in Bree and I thought, while we are here, I could continue Thim's lessons---" Thera held her healing arm, nervously rubbing at the ache.
Thim groaned out loud at that, rolled his eyes and went and sulked by the nearby window, playing with a tasseled cord tying the curtains back.
"As I was saying, if you have any books in the Common Tongue, stories of heroes and historical tales? And maybe, if you can spare a couple of slates and chalk or-or, maybe some old parchment you made a mistake on, because I know paper is very dear, I could start to teach Aragorn his letters. I know he is two. But almost three, right?"
Elrond nodded, still smiling.
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, I thought the map room might be a good place. Everything valuable is locked up, it's well-lit and it's large and it has that nice big table, and I-"
"Thera," he interrupted her anxious talk, noticing her absently rubbing her arm. "I think this is a marvelous idea. I have actually been at somewhat of a loss as to how to keep Argaorn occupied all day. My advisors and sons have plenty of suggestions for when Aragorn gets old enough to hold a bow and ride a horse, but I'm afraid all of us haven't seen two years old in many millennia. Your idea is excellent. You may start tomorrow. I shall make sure you have what you need. And do not be afraid to ask for anything." Elrond stood at that, and then bent and pulled Aragorn out from under the table. He came around, holding the toddler, to give him back to Thera.
Spying the still sulking Thim, he went up to him and put a hand on his shoulder and said in a low voice. "You know Thim, it would mean a great deal to me, if you could help me keep your sister occupied. I think she needs to feel useful and going back to being a teacher would be just the thing, don't you think?"
Thim turned and looked at the tall elf lord, the stormy weather outside making his eyes more intense and penetrating than usual. Thim swallowed and nodded. "Yes, my lord."
"Good lad." He squeezed his shoulder briefly. "Now, go take Aragorn to the kitchens. I think Resaldil the head cook is baking today. I need to talk to your sister a moment." Knowing that Thim knew exactly where the kitchens were, he turned to Thera as the boy left with Aragorn. He pulled out a nearby chair and indicated with a nod of his head that Thera should sit.
A bit uncertain, she did as he asked, glancing once at the disappearing boys.
Elrond came up to her, and gently picked up her aching arm. He held it between his hands for a long moment, sending healing warmth deep into the muscles. He could feel Thera relax and putting her arm down, he went back to sit behind the table. "The wet weather makes it ache, doesn't it?"
A bit dazed by the unexpected relief, Thera looked down at her arm and nodded.
"As it gets better, that will happen less and less." He leaned forward, folding his hands before him on the desk, catching her attention with the intensity of his gaze. "Thera, I have a proposition for you."
She clasped her hands in her lap, suddenly anxious again. He wasn't going to send them home now, was he? No, he'd just said she could start teaching. He was so formal suddenly, maybe she had done something wrong?
Amused at the thoughts crossing her face, he let her settle and continued. "I would very much appreciate it if you would stay on here in Rivendell and help me with Aragorn. He not only needs the balance of a woman's perspective on things, but a human's as well. His life is not going to be easy as he grows up, Thera. Many things will be expected of him. My fostering of him is not mere kindness."
Elrond stood at that and came back to her side. She flinched a bit at his serious expression. "What I am about to tell you should never be mentioned in Aragorn's presence. Nor to Thim, for that matter. Aragorn is not to be told until I deem him ready. And that won't be for many years yet." She nodded quickly, her eyes not leaving his face.
"Aragorn has a destiny to fulfill. He may be humankind's last hope for a united kingdom. But we will not know if he will fulfill this destiny until much later. In the meantime, he needs your help, and love. Will you stay?"
Thera's mind was spinning from his proposal. To stay on in Rivendell and help raise Aragorn, who might one day be a king? That scrappy little two- year-old who ate worms yesterday? She slumped in her chair, her eyes to the floor. It was quite a responsibility. But she owed this elf lord so much: He had saved Thim when no one else was able to discover what was wrong. He had saved her as well. As he was doing it once again by making her this offer. To be useful to someone of his importance and power made her mind reel.
She looked up at him. What other answer could she give?
"I would be honored to help you raise Aragorn, my lord." Grateful tears sprang to her eyes at that. She had been feeling more uncertain of their position here as Thim and she recovered. She had had no idea of what she was going to do. Her thinking all along had been just to get Thim well. She had not thought much past that. And now this elf lord was offering her a long-term position in his Household.
She brought a hand up to her mouth, trying hard to swallow her tears. He put a hand on her shoulder and went to sit back behind the table. He said nothing further, letting Thera collect herself. He went back to his accounts. And for several minutes, nothing was heard but the scritching of his quill and an occasional gulp from Thera.
Taking a few deep breaths, Thera glanced at the occupied Elrond. She stood with a little wobble and said quietly, "I-I will go see what the boys are up to."
"I suspect cherry tarts."
She laughed at that and turned to leave. But just before she opened the door, she said whispered "Thank you my lord, for my life."
"You are most welcome Thera."
She left quickly and Elrond smiled down at his work. The columns were in balance.
It was Midsummer's Eve and a special event was to take place at sunset.
Aragorn wiggled as Thera tried to get the tights on him one more time. "Thim, if you could, distract Aragorn with his stuffed bunny. I need to get these on him. Ellrohir or Elladan will be here soon."
Thim picked up Aragorn's soiled bunny and waggled it in his face, which had the desired effect and he stopped kicking so Thera could pull up the tights around his nappy and tie them securely around his tummy.
It was a big day for the three of them. Aragorn was going to be given an Elvish name in a formal ceremony out on the balcony outside the Hall of Fire, just as the sun set behind the high mountainous walls of Imladris. One of Elrond's sons was going to take the toddler to join Elrond's family, who would do the presenting to those gathered.
Thera finally sat the toddler up and pulled on the beautiful embroidered white silk tunic with pearls sewn along the neck and in a swirling an ivy- leaf pattern on the hem. There was even a small silver circlet for him to wear, but knowing Aragorn, Thera would wait for the very last minute to put it on his head, as he would just want to play with it otherwise. Thera and Thim were dressed in the finest clothes they ever owned. Thera wore a long dark green gown with deep blue and gold embroidery on the hem and neckline and a small bit on the sleeves. Thim was wearing a deep blue velvet tunic with white pearls on the neckline over white tights. He kept pulling at the tunic and running a finger under his neckline.
"Thim, help me get these boots on him." Thim took Aragorn over to his bed and lay the boy down, and with the ease of long practice, slipped on the soft white leather boots on his feet. Aragorn had settled down enough to have his own room now, though it was right next to Thera and Thim's, with a connecting door between Thera's and Aragorn. Elrond's suite of rooms was at the end of the hall.
At last, they were ready. Thera straightened her dress and pulled Aragorn's fist out of his mouth. He was teething again and Thera looked around for the teething tincture Elrond had given her earlier. His gums had been generously rubbed just an hour ago, but it never hurt to be prepared. She slipped the small vial into a pouch on her hip level belt.
A quick knock, and Elladan, the elder of Elrond's twin sons, poked his head around the door with a smile and then entered. He was dressed in a long dark forest green robe with gold embroidery. He already wore his ceremonial silver circlet and Thera thought he looked quite handsome. Well, both of the twins were handsome and Thera was a little in love with both of them. Luckily for her heart, they weren't in residence often as they hunted orcs with the Rangers.
"Well mistress is our little squirmer ready?"
"As ready as he'll ever be my lord." Thim, still a bit shy around the tall sons of Elrond, led the toddler to the elf lord with head bowed. As Elladan took the toddler's hand, Thim stepped away and crowded against Thera. Elladan smiled. "And how is your archery Master Thim?"
Thim perked up immediately and smiled a gapped tooth grin at Elladan. "I hit the target yesterday! I really did!" He looked down at the rug, biting his lip. "Though the arrow didn't stick."
Elladan patted him on the shoulder. "Good work! You'll be a great archer some day!"
Thim smiled up at Elladan, suddenly discovering another hero.
Elladan took a complacent Aragorn out and Thera, after adjusting her dress and the fine silver necklace given to her by Arwen, turned to Thim.
"Well, are you ready? Shall we go to the Hall of Fire?"
Nodding, the two went out into the warm light and climbed the outside stairs to the Hall of Fire.
The Hall of Fire was full of elves in beautiful clothes that took Thera's breath away. She had never seen such an array of colors, fabrics and decorative elements. Thim crowded against Thera again, suddenly shy with the large crowd.
Elrond had told them to stand near the arches that faced outside to the West.
They had just reached their position when the crowd went quiet and parted. Lady Arwen, just recently returned from her grandmother's home in Lothlorien, led the group. She was dressed in deep rose with a silver belt that matched her necklace and a beautiful silver filet woven into her hair. Behind her came Elladan and Elrohir dressed in identical deep green. Thera sighed at their beauty and then happily realized her dress matched their robes.
And behind them came Elrond, holding Aragorn by the hand. Thera's eyes went wide at Elrond's finery. She had never seen him dressed so. He wore a soft gold robe, elegant and long enough to have a small train. It was embroidered with seed pearls, clear crystal beads, and some rubies scattered about. It had a high collar completely encrusted with gold beading. On his long loose hair, he wore a silver circlet similar to his children, but more ornately curved.
Thim stood with his mouth open and then leaned in to tell Thera, "He looks like a king from an old tale! Will Aragorn look like that when he gets older?"
"Perhaps."
As Elrond passed them, he bowed his head graciously with a smile. Aragorn bouncing along happily, grinned at Thera and Thim and tried to pull away from Elrond to join them. He pulled him in close and then the crowd filled in behind the stately elves.
Thera and Thim then went out on the wide terrace and stood on the side with Glorfindel, Erestor and other of Elrond's advisors.
Elrond and his children, as if in a dance, turned in unison and faced the gathered elves.
"My friends, " Elrond began, "today we give the next Dunedain, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the future of the united kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, a Sindarin name, to show his lineage and amity with the Elven races of Middle Earth." He picked up Aragorn, who transfixed by the glamour of the crowd was uncharacteristically silent. Thera, suddenly remembered Aragorn's circlet. She looked at it in her hand and then whispered to Glorfindel standing next to him. "Oh my lord, his crown!"
Glorfindel smiled and bent to her. "Quick, give it to Elladan. He is closest."
Feeling terribly embarrassed, Thera went over to Elladan, who looked at her with raised eyebrows, but smiled when she handed him the small silver circlet. He took it and just as Elrond turned to the setting sun, which set his and Aragorn's raiment glowing like a room full of candles, he placed the circlet on the mesmerized youngster's' head.
The moment the circlet set on his dark curls, he and Elrond blazed into light, and clearly, so that every one could hear, Elrond pronounced in ringing tones, "I give you Estel, the hope of his people."
The elves all called out "Estel!!"
Aragorn pulled off his circlet and put it in his mouth.
Everyone applauded and laughed.
The dinner was over and Thera and Thim felt stuffed. Especially with the wonderful, delicate pastries at the end of the meal. Thera had even had a glass of mead. Thim had just fruit juice and both he and Aragorn had pink mouths from the quantities they'd had.
The three young people were in Aragorn's room which glowed warmly from the light of two candelabra on either side of the bed, trying to settle the youngster down. Aragorn was now dressed in his night shirt, his fine tunic had been taken away to be cleaned because of a surfeit of fruit juice and a few grass stains acquired later in the evening when there had been beautiful silver fireworks.
Aragorn had squealed in terror at the first explosion and had run, tripping twice, crying hysterically to Elrond who had been sitting with his family. His three children all tried to hide their smiles as Elrond picked up the frantic toddler and patted him on the back, trying to get him to turn and watch the spectacle. With no luck. Aragorn had kept his face firmly buried against Elrond's jeweled-encrusted robe. Admittedly his sobs had settled some as Elrond rubbed the boy's back slowly and talked to him in a low voice. When the last of the fireworks had exploded, Arwen retrieved the now sniffling boy and took him off to watch some lively Elven dancing. Elrond had stood with a sigh, glittering like a collection of stars in the light of nearby torches.
Thera, turning at just the right moment, had seen him smile as he straightened his robe. Perhaps the Elven lord was beginning to unbend a little towards the boy.
Thera thought about Elrond as Thim continued tickling Aragorn whose giggling was tapering off as he got sleepy. Thera knew it was hard for the elf lord to unbend somewhat with the youngster. It had been quite a long time since his own children were this small and it was probably hard for him to remember what it had been like. He was never unkind and he had a great deal of patience. But his affectionate gestures were rare. Thera realized suddenly that it would be hard to grow attached to a human child who would grow old and die while he aged not at all.
Thera flopped back on the bed. Aragorn was chewing on his bunny's ear and watching Thim make faces. She didn't envy Elrond suddenly. It must be awful to watch things you love wither and die. She rolled over and seeing Aragorn's eyes were half-closed, picked him up and settled him under his blankets. Covering a yawn herself, she gathered up Thim and was about to blow out the candles, when Elrond quietly entered.
He was still in his beautiful robe, which threw off sparkles as he moved into the room.
"He has just now settled down my lord. It was quite a day for him."
'Yes, our little Dunedain has had quite a day. As did we all." He looked at Thera and Thim who both smiled at him. "Master Thim, is it not your bedtime as well?"
Thim nodded, yawning suddenly, "Yes my lord. Bed time."
He started to go to his room and then saw Aragorn's bunny on the floor. He quickly picked it up and put it next to the boy's cheek. He impulsively kissed the toddler then went out to his room, leaving the corridor door ajar.
Thera, stretching, saw Elrond was looking at Aragorn with a strange expression. It almost looked like confusion.
"Good night my lord. It was a wonderful day."
Distractedly, his eyes still on Aragorn, he said, "I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Good night Thera."
Thera left through the inner door to her room.
Elrond sat on the side of the bed, staring at Aragorn and thinking of the boy's long lineage and history. What a burden for one so small! Would he be able to shoulder the responsibilities as he grew older, would he chafe at the slow wheel of time, waiting for his moment? Or would he shoulder the burden gladly, proving himself, over and over, a worthy man to be king? Elrond rubbed his forehead thoughtfully. What was it about this boy?
Thera, finding Aragorn's play clothes on the floor in her room, as well as a wooden deer, gathered them up to put back in his room.
She opened the door silently and then stopped.
By the light of just one candelabra, the one closest to her, she saw Elrond, his face suffused with love, bend and kiss the sleeping toddler. She put a hand to her mouth when she heard him say softly, "I will love you as one of my own, come what may, my little Estel."
Thera, tears in her eyes, backed away and silently closed the door.
=================Fin==================
This then, dear readers, is the end of this tale. As I said at the very beginning, I was laboring under the misconception that Aragorn was utterly an orphan when brought to Rivendell for fostering. I know now of course Gilraen survived the attack that took her husband and lived in Rivendell with her son until the end of her days.
So, this tale is AU. I really enjoyed writing it, it practically wrote itself.
And I'll admit, if I get any more ideas about Thera Thim and Aragorn (and Elrond of course) I may post them. | | |
This will be a LONG section, but I am actually quite proud of it as there is some decent writing in it! Enjoy!
A week went by and all of Elrond's patients were up and about in various stages of recovery.
The two Rangers, Dashan and Farlas were well enough to leave Rivendell and rejoin their fellows in their constant vigilance of the North. Elrond sent them on to Mirkwood with messages for King Thranduil that could be taken in easy stages to the east.
Thera and Thim were blossoming in the quiet comfort of Rivendell. Thim especially.
And one bright afternoon, on the lawn where Thera had played with little Aragorn waiting for Elrond's medicine to take affect, Thim got his wished for basket of chicks to handle carefully and chase in the sun.
Of course, Aragorn wanted to help.
Thera, her wounded arm now out of it's sling, and though still a bit weak, was mobile enough to do some grasping and holding. She spent a lot of time holding and grasping Aragorn and countering his shouts of "No!" with "Yes!"
"Thim, I think we need to give these chicks back to their momma. They look tired and I'm afraid Aragorn is a little rough with them. He doesn't know his own strength."
"All right. But maybe next time he doesn't have to play with them! Maybe he can play with something else," Thim said frowning
"Thim, he is just a baby! He doesn't know any better---"
Of course, that is when it happened. Thera and Thim had gotten all but one chick in the covered basket provided. Aragorn had been chasing the last chick and finally, laughing, he leapt, just as the chick ran in front of him and he fell on it.
It died instantly, neck broken.
When Aragorn looked at the lifeless bird, he picked it up and ran to Thera, tears in his eyes. "Fix?"
Thera, biting her lip, took the limp form and shook her head sadly. "Oh honey, the baby can't be fixed." Not knowing what to do with it, she carefully put it in the basket with the other chicks and crossed the lawn to put the basket in the shade of the long covered walkway that went the whole length of the House on this side.
Aragorn, thwarted by Thera, was just about to let loose with a full blown tantrum, when Elrond came along the walkway to see how they were doing (and as Thim needed an afternoon dose of medicine).
Dressed in a brown long leather tunic and trews for his weekly ride to one of the outer farms of Rivendell, he was not prepared for the storm of Aragorn's tears.
Aragorn ran into the tall elf, clutching his left leg and crying as if his heart was breaking, as indeed, at the moment, it was.
"What is the matter Aragorn?"
He looked out at Thera who, sighing, told him what had happened with the chick. She handed Elrond the basket and stepped away, feeling as if she had let the elf lord down by not keeping a better eye on Aragorn. Seeing that Aragorn was still sobbing on his leg, Elrond opened the basket, and seeing the dead chick, quickly scooped it up and hid its tiny body in his leather riding gloves, which he held in one hand. He bent down and showed the toddler the basket with the chicks scrambling around and Aragorn, having missed his legerdemain, brightened up at all the lively birds. Wiping his eyes, he tried to put his hand in the basket to grab one, but Elrond stood, taking the basket out of reach. "I will take the chicks with me as I am going to one of the outlying farms."
Thera nodded. "I, I am sorry about the chick Lord Elrond. I should have kept a better eye on Aragorn."
"These things happen Thera. I am just glad it was easily solved." He lay his gloves on top of the basket, set the basket on the railing and then came up to Thim and offered the small stoppered vial of medicine for him to take. Thim made a face, but took it and drank it quickly, making a bigger face when he finished.
"All right Master Thim, just two more days of this and I will declare you cured."
Thim nodded reluctantly.
Elrond looked at the three humans and just shook his head. Sometimes, they were hard to fathom. Picking up the basket and his gloves, he strode off to the stables.
Aragorn ran after him a ways, but Thera came up and grabbed him from behind and swung him around, which got him giggling.
Elrond called out over his shoulder before he disappeared, "Naptime!"
Thera swung Aragorn around one more time, and then running down the stone pathway towards Elrond's rooms, Aragorn followed her shrieking. Thim, a bit disgruntled at all the attention the toddler got, followed behind more slowly.
Once they reached Elrond's rooms, Thera led Aragorn to the solarium and, checking his nappy, she pulled his tunic off and lay him in the trundle bed. He immediately stood up and started crying. Thim, who was inspecting an eagle feather quill on Elrond's writing table said sulkily, "Why does he always cry when you put him to bed? Doesn't he know it's nap time?"
"Yes Thim," Thera said picking up the boy, putting him on her shoulder and patting him on the back. "That's why he's crying. You never liked taking your naps either. Momma had to work hard to get you to settle down." Thim flung the feather down, and hopped up on the large bed. A bit embarrassed he had acted no better, he said, "Look Baby Aragorn! Look at me! I'm taking a nap! Look, it isn't so hard!" He flopped back on the bed and made snoring noises. Thera and the baby laughed. She came over to him and sat on the bed, a little worried Lord Elrond wouldn't like them messing up his bed linens. But he had said "naptime." So Aragorn was going to get his nap. Thim moved over on the bed, giving Thera room to lie down too. Aragorn sat up and then crawled over to Thim.
"Thim! Thim sleepy head!"
"That's right Aragorn! Thim's sleeping." And he started to snore again.
Aragorn flopped on Thim and watched him for a few minutes. Thera, not wanting to distract the toddler, lay next to Thim and rubbed Aragorn's back. He rolled off Thim and pulled a foot in his mouth, which Thera took out. She rubbed his tummy then, and eventually the boy settled into sleep. By the time he did, however, his two baby sitters had also fallen asleep, all three curled up around the other, like a gaggle of puppies.
And two hours later, that is how Elrond found them. Smiling at the picture they made, he shook his head. Laying down his riding gloves, he took a quilt folded up on the linen chest at the end of his bed and flung it over them. He then sat down at his writing desk to finish up a monthly tally of livestock, minus one chick.
A few days later, a spring storm had wrapped it self about the Valley of Imladris and the three humans stared out at the streaming windows of the large map room. It was big enough for the boys to run around and let off steam by playing tag and as all the maps were carefully locked away, there wasn't much for them to get into.
Thera absently rubbed her arm. The bandage had finally come off and she stared at the thin pink scar. But the rainy weather made it ache. Looking around Thera thought what a great room this would be for lessons. If they were going to stay any longer, Thim needed to keep up with his schooling. And maybe she could teach Aragorn his letters. At least read to him, if Lord Elrond had any books in the Common Tongue. Surely in the vast library she had seen once on a walk, there were tales of heroes and days of old fit for small boys.
"Come along boys, I need to find Lord Elrond."
"Okay. I was winning anyway," Thim said, as he dragged an unresisting Aragorn after his sister.
It didn't take too long for the threesome to discover Lord Elrond's whereabouts. He was in his main study, where he greeted visitors, did most of his Household accounts and where his stillroom was located.
He looked up from one of his accounting books, as the three humans entered. Putting his quill down, he steepled his fingers in front of his face and said, "Yes Thera, Thim? What can I do for you?" Aragorn crawled under the table where Elrond sat, to inspect his boots.
"Actually my lord, I was thinking of something I could do for you."
"Yes?" Elrond's smile widened, as he reached down to rub a hand on Aragorn's head.
"Well, I was a teacher in Bree and I thought, while we are here, I could continue Thim's lessons---" Thera held her healing arm, nervously rubbing at the ache.
Thim groaned out loud at that, rolled his eyes and went and sulked by the nearby window, playing with a tasseled cord tying the curtains back.
"As I was saying, if you have any books in the Common Tongue, stories of heroes and historical tales? And maybe, if you can spare a couple of slates and chalk or-or, maybe some old parchment you made a mistake on, because I know paper is very dear, I could start to teach Aragorn his letters. I know he is two. But almost three, right?"
Elrond nodded, still smiling.
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, I thought the map room might be a good place. Everything valuable is locked up, it's well-lit and it's large and it has that nice big table, and I-"
"Thera," he interrupted her anxious talk, noticing her absently rubbing her arm. "I think this is a marvelous idea. I have actually been at somewhat of a loss as to how to keep Argaorn occupied all day. My advisors and sons have plenty of suggestions for when Aragorn gets old enough to hold a bow and ride a horse, but I'm afraid all of us haven't seen two years old in many millennia. Your idea is excellent. You may start tomorrow. I shall make sure you have what you need. And do not be afraid to ask for anything." Elrond stood at that, and then bent and pulled Aragorn out from under the table. He came around, holding the toddler, to give him back to Thera.
Spying the still sulking Thim, he went up to him and put a hand on his shoulder and said in a low voice. "You know Thim, it would mean a great deal to me, if you could help me keep your sister occupied. I think she needs to feel useful and going back to being a teacher would be just the thing, don't you think?"
Thim turned and looked at the tall elf lord, the stormy weather outside making his eyes more intense and penetrating than usual. Thim swallowed and nodded. "Yes, my lord."
"Good lad." He squeezed his shoulder briefly. "Now, go take Aragorn to the kitchens. I think Resaldil the head cook is baking today. I need to talk to your sister a moment." Knowing that Thim knew exactly where the kitchens were, he turned to Thera as the boy left with Aragorn. He pulled out a nearby chair and indicated with a nod of his head that Thera should sit.
A bit uncertain, she did as he asked, glancing once at the disappearing boys.
Elrond came up to her, and gently picked up her aching arm. He held it between his hands for a long moment, sending healing warmth deep into the muscles. He could feel Thera relax and putting her arm down, he went back to sit behind the table. "The wet weather makes it ache, doesn't it?"
A bit dazed by the unexpected relief, Thera looked down at her arm and nodded.
"As it gets better, that will happen less and less." He leaned forward, folding his hands before him on the desk, catching her attention with the intensity of his gaze. "Thera, I have a proposition for you."
She clasped her hands in her lap, suddenly anxious again. He wasn't going to send them home now, was he? No, he'd just said she could start teaching. He was so formal suddenly, maybe she had done something wrong?
Amused at the thoughts crossing her face, he let her settle and continued. "I would very much appreciate it if you would stay on here in Rivendell and help me with Aragorn. He not only needs the balance of a woman's perspective on things, but a human's as well. His life is not going to be easy as he grows up, Thera. Many things will be expected of him. My fostering of him is not mere kindness."
Elrond stood at that and came back to her side. She flinched a bit at his serious expression. "What I am about to tell you should never be mentioned in Aragorn's presence. Nor to Thim, for that matter. Aragorn is not to be told until I deem him ready. And that won't be for many years yet." She nodded quickly, her eyes not leaving his face.
"Aragorn has a destiny to fulfill. He may be humankind's last hope for a united kingdom. But we will not know if he will fulfill this destiny until much later. In the meantime, he needs your help, and love. Will you stay?"
Thera's mind was spinning from his proposal. To stay on in Rivendell and help raise Aragorn, who might one day be a king? That scrappy little two- year-old who ate worms yesterday? She slumped in her chair, her eyes to the floor. It was quite a responsibility. But she owed this elf lord so much: He had saved Thim when no one else was able to discover what was wrong. He had saved her as well. As he was doing it once again by making her this offer. To be useful to someone of his importance and power made her mind reel.
She looked up at him. What other answer could she give?
"I would be honored to help you raise Aragorn, my lord." Grateful tears sprang to her eyes at that. She had been feeling more uncertain of their position here as Thim and she recovered. She had had no idea of what she was going to do. Her thinking all along had been just to get Thim well. She had not thought much past that. And now this elf lord was offering her a long-term position in his Household.
She brought a hand up to her mouth, trying hard to swallow her tears. He put a hand on her shoulder and went to sit back behind the table. He said nothing further, letting Thera collect herself. He went back to his accounts. And for several minutes, nothing was heard but the scritching of his quill and an occasional gulp from Thera.
Taking a few deep breaths, Thera glanced at the occupied Elrond. She stood with a little wobble and said quietly, "I-I will go see what the boys are up to."
"I suspect cherry tarts."
She laughed at that and turned to leave. But just before she opened the door, she said whispered "Thank you my lord, for my life."
"You are most welcome Thera."
She left quickly and Elrond smiled down at his work. The columns were in balance.
It was Midsummer's Eve and a special event was to take place at sunset.
Aragorn wiggled as Thera tried to get the tights on him one more time. "Thim, if you could, distract Aragorn with his stuffed bunny. I need to get these on him. Ellrohir or Elladan will be here soon."
Thim picked up Aragorn's soiled bunny and waggled it in his face, which had the desired effect and he stopped kicking so Thera could pull up the tights around his nappy and tie them securely around his tummy.
It was a big day for the three of them. Aragorn was going to be given an Elvish name in a formal ceremony out on the balcony outside the Hall of Fire, just as the sun set behind the high mountainous walls of Imladris. One of Elrond's sons was going to take the toddler to join Elrond's family, who would do the presenting to those gathered.
Thera finally sat the toddler up and pulled on the beautiful embroidered white silk tunic with pearls sewn along the neck and in a swirling an ivy- leaf pattern on the hem. There was even a small silver circlet for him to wear, but knowing Aragorn, Thera would wait for the very last minute to put it on his head, as he would just want to play with it otherwise. Thera and Thim were dressed in the finest clothes they ever owned. Thera wore a long dark green gown with deep blue and gold embroidery on the hem and neckline and a small bit on the sleeves. Thim was wearing a deep blue velvet tunic with white pearls on the neckline over white tights. He kept pulling at the tunic and running a finger under his neckline.
"Thim, help me get these boots on him." Thim took Aragorn over to his bed and lay the boy down, and with the ease of long practice, slipped on the soft white leather boots on his feet. Aragorn had settled down enough to have his own room now, though it was right next to Thera and Thim's, with a connecting door between Thera's and Aragorn. Elrond's suite of rooms was at the end of the hall.
At last, they were ready. Thera straightened her dress and pulled Aragorn's fist out of his mouth. He was teething again and Thera looked around for the teething tincture Elrond had given her earlier. His gums had been generously rubbed just an hour ago, but it never hurt to be prepared. She slipped the small vial into a pouch on her hip level belt.
A quick knock, and Elladan, the elder of Elrond's twin sons, poked his head around the door with a smile and then entered. He was dressed in a long dark forest green robe with gold embroidery. He already wore his ceremonial silver circlet and Thera thought he looked quite handsome. Well, both of the twins were handsome and Thera was a little in love with both of them. Luckily for her heart, they weren't in residence often as they hunted orcs with the Rangers.
"Well mistress is our little squirmer ready?"
"As ready as he'll ever be my lord." Thim, still a bit shy around the tall sons of Elrond, led the toddler to the elf lord with head bowed. As Elladan took the toddler's hand, Thim stepped away and crowded against Thera. Elladan smiled. "And how is your archery Master Thim?"
Thim perked up immediately and smiled a gapped tooth grin at Elladan. "I hit the target yesterday! I really did!" He looked down at the rug, biting his lip. "Though the arrow didn't stick."
Elladan patted him on the shoulder. "Good work! You'll be a great archer some day!"
Thim smiled up at Elladan, suddenly discovering another hero.
Elladan took a complacent Aragorn out and Thera, after adjusting her dress and the fine silver necklace given to her by Arwen, turned to Thim.
"Well, are you ready? Shall we go to the Hall of Fire?"
Nodding, the two went out into the warm light and climbed the outside stairs to the Hall of Fire.
The Hall of Fire was full of elves in beautiful clothes that took Thera's breath away. She had never seen such an array of colors, fabrics and decorative elements. Thim crowded against Thera again, suddenly shy with the large crowd.
Elrond had told them to stand near the arches that faced outside to the West.
They had just reached their position when the crowd went quiet and parted. Lady Arwen, just recently returned from her grandmother's home in Lothlorien, led the group. She was dressed in deep rose with a silver belt that matched her necklace and a beautiful silver filet woven into her hair. Behind her came Elladan and Elrohir dressed in identical deep green. Thera sighed at their beauty and then happily realized her dress matched their robes.
And behind them came Elrond, holding Aragorn by the hand. Thera's eyes went wide at Elrond's finery. She had never seen him dressed so. He wore a soft gold robe, elegant and long enough to have a small train. It was embroidered with seed pearls, clear crystal beads, and some rubies scattered about. It had a high collar completely encrusted with gold beading. On his long loose hair, he wore a silver circlet similar to his children, but more ornately curved.
Thim stood with his mouth open and then leaned in to tell Thera, "He looks like a king from an old tale! Will Aragorn look like that when he gets older?"
"Perhaps."
As Elrond passed them, he bowed his head graciously with a smile. Aragorn bouncing along happily, grinned at Thera and Thim and tried to pull away from Elrond to join them. He pulled him in close and then the crowd filled in behind the stately elves.
Thera and Thim then went out on the wide terrace and stood on the side with Glorfindel, Erestor and other of Elrond's advisors.
Elrond and his children, as if in a dance, turned in unison and faced the gathered elves.
"My friends, " Elrond began, "today we give the next Dunedain, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the future of the united kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, a Sindarin name, to show his lineage and amity with the Elven races of Middle Earth." He picked up Aragorn, who transfixed by the glamour of the crowd was uncharacteristically silent. Thera, suddenly remembered Aragorn's circlet. She looked at it in her hand and then whispered to Glorfindel standing next to him. "Oh my lord, his crown!"
Glorfindel smiled and bent to her. "Quick, give it to Elladan. He is closest."
Feeling terribly embarrassed, Thera went over to Elladan, who looked at her with raised eyebrows, but smiled when she handed him the small silver circlet. He took it and just as Elrond turned to the setting sun, which set his and Aragorn's raiment glowing like a room full of candles, he placed the circlet on the mesmerized youngster's' head.
The moment the circlet set on his dark curls, he and Elrond blazed into light, and clearly, so that every one could hear, Elrond pronounced in ringing tones, "I give you Estel, the hope of his people."
The elves all called out "Estel!!"
Aragorn pulled off his circlet and put it in his mouth.
Everyone applauded and laughed.
The dinner was over and Thera and Thim felt stuffed. Especially with the wonderful, delicate pastries at the end of the meal. Thera had even had a glass of mead. Thim had just fruit juice and both he and Aragorn had pink mouths from the quantities they'd had.
The three young people were in Aragorn's room which glowed warmly from the light of two candelabra on either side of the bed, trying to settle the youngster down. Aragorn was now dressed in his night shirt, his fine tunic had been taken away to be cleaned because of a surfeit of fruit juice and a few grass stains acquired later in the evening when there had been beautiful silver fireworks.
Aragorn had squealed in terror at the first explosion and had run, tripping twice, crying hysterically to Elrond who had been sitting with his family. His three children all tried to hide their smiles as Elrond picked up the frantic toddler and patted him on the back, trying to get him to turn and watch the spectacle. With no luck. Aragorn had kept his face firmly buried against Elrond's jeweled-encrusted robe. Admittedly his sobs had settled some as Elrond rubbed the boy's back slowly and talked to him in a low voice. When the last of the fireworks had exploded, Arwen retrieved the now sniffling boy and took him off to watch some lively Elven dancing. Elrond had stood with a sigh, glittering like a collection of stars in the light of nearby torches.
Thera, turning at just the right moment, had seen him smile as he straightened his robe. Perhaps the Elven lord was beginning to unbend a little towards the boy.
Thera thought about Elrond as Thim continued tickling Aragorn whose giggling was tapering off as he got sleepy. Thera knew it was hard for the elf lord to unbend somewhat with the youngster. It had been quite a long time since his own children were this small and it was probably hard for him to remember what it had been like. He was never unkind and he had a great deal of patience. But his affectionate gestures were rare. Thera realized suddenly that it would be hard to grow attached to a human child who would grow old and die while he aged not at all.
Thera flopped back on the bed. Aragorn was chewing on his bunny's ear and watching Thim make faces. She didn't envy Elrond suddenly. It must be awful to watch things you love wither and die. She rolled over and seeing Aragorn's eyes were half-closed, picked him up and settled him under his blankets. Covering a yawn herself, she gathered up Thim and was about to blow out the candles, when Elrond quietly entered.
He was still in his beautiful robe, which threw off sparkles as he moved into the room.
"He has just now settled down my lord. It was quite a day for him."
'Yes, our little Dunedain has had quite a day. As did we all." He looked at Thera and Thim who both smiled at him. "Master Thim, is it not your bedtime as well?"
Thim nodded, yawning suddenly, "Yes my lord. Bed time."
He started to go to his room and then saw Aragorn's bunny on the floor. He quickly picked it up and put it next to the boy's cheek. He impulsively kissed the toddler then went out to his room, leaving the corridor door ajar.
Thera, stretching, saw Elrond was looking at Aragorn with a strange expression. It almost looked like confusion.
"Good night my lord. It was a wonderful day."
Distractedly, his eyes still on Aragorn, he said, "I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Good night Thera."
Thera left through the inner door to her room.
Elrond sat on the side of the bed, staring at Aragorn and thinking of the boy's long lineage and history. What a burden for one so small! Would he be able to shoulder the responsibilities as he grew older, would he chafe at the slow wheel of time, waiting for his moment? Or would he shoulder the burden gladly, proving himself, over and over, a worthy man to be king? Elrond rubbed his forehead thoughtfully. What was it about this boy?
Thera, finding Aragorn's play clothes on the floor in her room, as well as a wooden deer, gathered them up to put back in his room.
She opened the door silently and then stopped.
By the light of just one candelabra, the one closest to her, she saw Elrond, his face suffused with love, bend and kiss the sleeping toddler. She put a hand to her mouth when she heard him say softly, "I will love you as one of my own, come what may, my little Estel."
Thera, tears in her eyes, backed away and silently closed the door.
=================Fin==================
This then, dear readers, is the end of this tale. As I said at the very beginning, I was laboring under the misconception that Aragorn was utterly an orphan when brought to Rivendell for fostering. I know now of course Gilraen survived the attack that took her husband and lived in Rivendell with her son until the end of her days.
So, this tale is AU. I really enjoyed writing it, it practically wrote itself.
And I'll admit, if I get any more ideas about Thera Thim and Aragorn (and Elrond of course) I may post them. | | |