Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Engaging Plans
Chapter 5
Arwen decided that it was high time she and Aragorn returned to their duties as hosts, suggesting it might be wise for Legolas to join them, in an attempt to quell the rumours and gossip in which she was certain the lords and ladies were indulging in their absence. The others who had been a part of Legolas' plot decided to return inside as well, agreeing with Gimli's assessment that the entertainment was probably only just beginning. Arwen favoured them all with a dark look, indicating that she considered the situation was not to be taken lightly.
"I did not know that you could predict the future, Father, it seems that Eldarion * is * speaking in Legolas' defence," said Eleniel quietly as the group entered through the doorway that lead from the courtyard back into the banquet hall and were greeted with the sound of voices raised in anger. Eldarion was directing his furious words to Kerwyn's father.
"As I said, my lord, I misunderstood Legolas' actions, and my Mother's response. I have apologised to him, and that is the end of the matter as far as I am concerned," insisted Eldarion trying not to display his anger for he did not wish to be at odds with his betrothed's family. He was so angry that he did not even notice that Kerwyn was now sitting with her mother, looking extremely embarrassed and as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
"Ask them to stop this wretched argument, Kerwyn. I am sure they will listen to you," whispered Eleniel as she placed a comforting arm about her new sister's shoulders.
"I doubt it. I know neither of them will back down, stubbornness is the one thing they have in common." The whispered reply was almost inaudible, the words drowned out by the increased loudness of the argument between Eldarion and his future father-in-law.
"Well I trust neither him nor his kind with their mysterious ways and their unnatural behaviour," countered Kerwyn's father, glaring with red-faced anger at his future son-in-law.
"I admit that elvish ways are different from those of Men, but Legolas and the other elves of Ithilien have done nothing to warrant your disapproval. You would be well advised to reconsider your attitude to one who is a beloved friend of my family." Eldarion held his head high as he spoke, his words in defence of his friend, combined with his regal bearing, giving all a glimpse of the king he would become. Aragorn and Arwen took a moment to exchange a glance and smiled with pride at their son.
"You presume too much if you are trying to tell me what I should think! I say again, I do not trust ANY Elf!" he shouted, his last words echoing in the silence that now filled the hall. The musicians had stopped playing as the argument between the two men caught everyone's attention. Most of the guests seemed to be of the same opinion as Eldarion, judging by the looks Kerwyn's father was receiving, but it saddened Aragorn to note that some were also nodding in agreement with the man.
"I do not like this development at all, Aragorn," said Faramir, who was gauging the reaction of the crowd to determine if there was a threat to his King's safety.
"It is certainly exceedingly unpleasant, but I think Eldarion has the right to handle this problem. I will do my best to prevent it becoming any worse if necessary," he said reassuringly.
"My axe would soon take care of the problem," muttered Gimli angrily, feeling insulted for his friend.
"I agree, Master Dwarf," Eowyn whispered in his ear, earning herself a look of disdain from her brother as they both tried to stifle a laugh. Aragorn merely rolled his eyes and placed a hand on Eomer's shoulder and quietly asked him to escort his sister and Gimli back to the table where Ellraen and Joseth were sitting.
"You should have more respect for Kerwyn's family," they heard her uncle shout as he cast his eyes over the room to include Aragorn and Arwen in his rebuke. "It was a mistake to invite the Elves, look at the trouble they have caused!"
"There is no trouble, merely a misunderstanding, which I believe Eldarion has tried to explain. Kinfolk of the Queen have every right to be numbered among our honoured guests on this special occasion," stated Aragorn firmly, choosing his words carefully and deliberately.
"Even if the family of your future daughter, who I remind you will one day be Queen herself, are uncomfortable in the presence of the Elves?" demanded Kerwyn's father, his anger increasing.
Legolas, who had been standing silently near the entrance, glanced at the King, communicating his intentions as their eyes met, making use of an ability that had become second nature between the two over many decades of close friendship. Aragorn nodded, indicating that he understood and agreed to the silent request; Legolas wished to deal with the issue in his own way.
"Then it is best that my friends and I take our leave, it is lovely out under the stars tonight and the air will be much fresher under our trees," he said directing the thinly veiled insult in the last few words towards Kerwyn's father and uncle, who both suddenly realised that the elvish musicians had left their instruments and were now standing quite close to their companion. There were gasps of astonishment from the other guests as well, for none but Arwen had even seen them move to a position from where they could defend their prince if necessary. Although Legolas never used his title, the elves who had followed him from Eryn Lasgalen always treated him with the respect due the son of their King.
"I also withdraw our offer to assist with your vineyards, for surely you would not seek help from those whose company you cannot abide and you do not trust," he added, the silkiness in his voice sounding like fine steel being drawn from an elvish scabbard. Seeing the gleam of anger borne of insult in the Elf's eyes, Kerwyn's uncle found he had no voice to answer and took a step back as Legolas approached to stand next to Eldarion.
"May light of the Valar shine on you and your betrothed, Eldarion," he said to the young man. With a wordless bow to Aragorn and Arwen, the elves left the hall with another demonstration of elvish swiftness of movement.
"And good riddance, too," stated Kerwyn's uncle. "Now that they are gone, perhaps we can celebrate in peace." Aragorn was furious both with the man's comment and because he had no choice he but to watch his friend leave. He was just wondering whether to ask the musicians to begin playing again, when Kerwyn came to stand beside him and called for everyone's attention.
"I would like to call the evening at an end," said Kerwyn boldly, her words surprising both her father and Eldarion. "With all due respect, King Elessar, I believe that I have had more than enough excitement for one evening. Queen Arwen, I thank you for a wonderful banquet and for all the time and effort you spent ensuring the night was perfect. Unfortunately the two men I hold most dear in my life managed to spoil it, at least for me," she added directing a look of pure rage first to Eldarion and then to her father as she walked swiftly past them and out of the hall.
"What are you waiting for, Eldarion?" Arwen said softly to her son. "If I were you, I would go and make my peace with her, right now!"
"Should I not bid our guests farewell first?" he asked.
"Your father and I will perform that task, no-one will be offended," she said reassuringly. Eldarion kissed her cheek and quickly ran from the hall, calling to Kerwyn to wait for him. Arwen smiled happily as she saw the young woman turn and say a few words that were quickly muffled in a passionate kiss. Thoughts of Aragorn's earlier attempt at romance occupied her mind as she went through the motions of bidding her guests goodnight, and she decided that his was the best plan of all.
Engaging Plans
Chapter 5
Arwen decided that it was high time she and Aragorn returned to their duties as hosts, suggesting it might be wise for Legolas to join them, in an attempt to quell the rumours and gossip in which she was certain the lords and ladies were indulging in their absence. The others who had been a part of Legolas' plot decided to return inside as well, agreeing with Gimli's assessment that the entertainment was probably only just beginning. Arwen favoured them all with a dark look, indicating that she considered the situation was not to be taken lightly.
"I did not know that you could predict the future, Father, it seems that Eldarion * is * speaking in Legolas' defence," said Eleniel quietly as the group entered through the doorway that lead from the courtyard back into the banquet hall and were greeted with the sound of voices raised in anger. Eldarion was directing his furious words to Kerwyn's father.
"As I said, my lord, I misunderstood Legolas' actions, and my Mother's response. I have apologised to him, and that is the end of the matter as far as I am concerned," insisted Eldarion trying not to display his anger for he did not wish to be at odds with his betrothed's family. He was so angry that he did not even notice that Kerwyn was now sitting with her mother, looking extremely embarrassed and as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
"Ask them to stop this wretched argument, Kerwyn. I am sure they will listen to you," whispered Eleniel as she placed a comforting arm about her new sister's shoulders.
"I doubt it. I know neither of them will back down, stubbornness is the one thing they have in common." The whispered reply was almost inaudible, the words drowned out by the increased loudness of the argument between Eldarion and his future father-in-law.
"Well I trust neither him nor his kind with their mysterious ways and their unnatural behaviour," countered Kerwyn's father, glaring with red-faced anger at his future son-in-law.
"I admit that elvish ways are different from those of Men, but Legolas and the other elves of Ithilien have done nothing to warrant your disapproval. You would be well advised to reconsider your attitude to one who is a beloved friend of my family." Eldarion held his head high as he spoke, his words in defence of his friend, combined with his regal bearing, giving all a glimpse of the king he would become. Aragorn and Arwen took a moment to exchange a glance and smiled with pride at their son.
"You presume too much if you are trying to tell me what I should think! I say again, I do not trust ANY Elf!" he shouted, his last words echoing in the silence that now filled the hall. The musicians had stopped playing as the argument between the two men caught everyone's attention. Most of the guests seemed to be of the same opinion as Eldarion, judging by the looks Kerwyn's father was receiving, but it saddened Aragorn to note that some were also nodding in agreement with the man.
"I do not like this development at all, Aragorn," said Faramir, who was gauging the reaction of the crowd to determine if there was a threat to his King's safety.
"It is certainly exceedingly unpleasant, but I think Eldarion has the right to handle this problem. I will do my best to prevent it becoming any worse if necessary," he said reassuringly.
"My axe would soon take care of the problem," muttered Gimli angrily, feeling insulted for his friend.
"I agree, Master Dwarf," Eowyn whispered in his ear, earning herself a look of disdain from her brother as they both tried to stifle a laugh. Aragorn merely rolled his eyes and placed a hand on Eomer's shoulder and quietly asked him to escort his sister and Gimli back to the table where Ellraen and Joseth were sitting.
"You should have more respect for Kerwyn's family," they heard her uncle shout as he cast his eyes over the room to include Aragorn and Arwen in his rebuke. "It was a mistake to invite the Elves, look at the trouble they have caused!"
"There is no trouble, merely a misunderstanding, which I believe Eldarion has tried to explain. Kinfolk of the Queen have every right to be numbered among our honoured guests on this special occasion," stated Aragorn firmly, choosing his words carefully and deliberately.
"Even if the family of your future daughter, who I remind you will one day be Queen herself, are uncomfortable in the presence of the Elves?" demanded Kerwyn's father, his anger increasing.
Legolas, who had been standing silently near the entrance, glanced at the King, communicating his intentions as their eyes met, making use of an ability that had become second nature between the two over many decades of close friendship. Aragorn nodded, indicating that he understood and agreed to the silent request; Legolas wished to deal with the issue in his own way.
"Then it is best that my friends and I take our leave, it is lovely out under the stars tonight and the air will be much fresher under our trees," he said directing the thinly veiled insult in the last few words towards Kerwyn's father and uncle, who both suddenly realised that the elvish musicians had left their instruments and were now standing quite close to their companion. There were gasps of astonishment from the other guests as well, for none but Arwen had even seen them move to a position from where they could defend their prince if necessary. Although Legolas never used his title, the elves who had followed him from Eryn Lasgalen always treated him with the respect due the son of their King.
"I also withdraw our offer to assist with your vineyards, for surely you would not seek help from those whose company you cannot abide and you do not trust," he added, the silkiness in his voice sounding like fine steel being drawn from an elvish scabbard. Seeing the gleam of anger borne of insult in the Elf's eyes, Kerwyn's uncle found he had no voice to answer and took a step back as Legolas approached to stand next to Eldarion.
"May light of the Valar shine on you and your betrothed, Eldarion," he said to the young man. With a wordless bow to Aragorn and Arwen, the elves left the hall with another demonstration of elvish swiftness of movement.
"And good riddance, too," stated Kerwyn's uncle. "Now that they are gone, perhaps we can celebrate in peace." Aragorn was furious both with the man's comment and because he had no choice he but to watch his friend leave. He was just wondering whether to ask the musicians to begin playing again, when Kerwyn came to stand beside him and called for everyone's attention.
"I would like to call the evening at an end," said Kerwyn boldly, her words surprising both her father and Eldarion. "With all due respect, King Elessar, I believe that I have had more than enough excitement for one evening. Queen Arwen, I thank you for a wonderful banquet and for all the time and effort you spent ensuring the night was perfect. Unfortunately the two men I hold most dear in my life managed to spoil it, at least for me," she added directing a look of pure rage first to Eldarion and then to her father as she walked swiftly past them and out of the hall.
"What are you waiting for, Eldarion?" Arwen said softly to her son. "If I were you, I would go and make my peace with her, right now!"
"Should I not bid our guests farewell first?" he asked.
"Your father and I will perform that task, no-one will be offended," she said reassuringly. Eldarion kissed her cheek and quickly ran from the hall, calling to Kerwyn to wait for him. Arwen smiled happily as she saw the young woman turn and say a few words that were quickly muffled in a passionate kiss. Thoughts of Aragorn's earlier attempt at romance occupied her mind as she went through the motions of bidding her guests goodnight, and she decided that his was the best plan of all.
