Steph-h: I'm really glad you're happy. So, you're not opposed to more banter, right?
Mirax: Tired of angst, hm? Lol. Me, too. Laughter is good. *blinks* I'm the best? *raises eyebrow* You haven't read enough fanfiction, me thinks. There are people so much better than I am. But I'm flattered you think my stuff is so good. *g*
Daisy: This isn't what I'd call soon, but I hope to have the next part up a lot quicker. The next couple are written, I just have to get them typed. I'm glad it's good so far and you love it.
Eleniel: Sorry about the "the end" thing. I just kinda figured eveyone would be so much happier if it was a surprise. *g* A last little sadistic pleasure of mine before all the happy-go-lucky stuff began. Lol. Hm, yes, the twins. I'm afraid to imagine what they'll do. As such, my imagination won't work. *pouts* But we'll see.
Grumpy: Married her right then and there? *stops for a moment to think* Well, there is that. But then what about all their subjects? They would want to see them get married, and their friens would want to. If they got married right there, where would everyone else be? Far away. *g* Neither Aragorn nor Arwen are selfish enough to deny their friends the pleasure of seeing them married. Perhaps they should be, though. Hm... *g*
Um, this imaginative song title is from Aerosmith. Gee, couldn't have guess, I know. And I'm still really sorry this is late. Now, onto the story. It switches back and forth, to make it more interesting. I hope nobody gets lost. =)
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
"I will need to ride to Minas Tirith," Aragorn announced softly one evening as they sat around a fire for dinner, half their food ending up in the other's mouth.
Arwen looked up from her food, surprised. "When?"
"Almost as soon as we make Rivendell."
Her eyes searched his. "I don't understand." But she thought she did. The duties of a king did not disappear just because he wished them to.
The man smiled slightly, apology written in the very depths of his eyes. "There are tasks that require attention before our joining next summer, my love, and I must see them done." He took a bite of meat, then looked back up. "So no one can deny me you."
She smiled back. "Then I shall find no complaints."
Aragorn's hand slid along her cheek and back through her hair to cup her head in his hand. Gently, he pulled her forward and she went easily, yielding to the press of his lips against hers. Her eyes drifted open when he pulled back after only a short time, questioning.
"I love you," he whispered, then reclaimed her lips for a long, slow kiss.
*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn reigned his horse in to a gentle trot as the Golden Hall of Meduseld came into view before them. His eyes lingered on the proud banners that flapped in the strong breeze that caressed the hilltop palace, and a small smile curved his lips. Good had come of the war that had touched these people, not ill alone, and he was glad for the friends he had gained. He was even happier when the ride to the halls proved short.
The man dismounted quickly with the elven twins and ascended the steps with fleet feet until he came to the top and was met by a formidable figure, who studied him with a stern expression. "Is there chance for you to grace these halls for more than an hour, or is the Kind of Gondor too in haste?"
Aragorn took the last step up to the level of Eomer and inclined his head. "Forgive our earlier lack of courtesy, King Eomer, our task was pressing."
"May I ask what task called for such haste?"
To Eomer's surprise, Aragorn smiled, a bright and true smile that was rarely seen from the man Eomer had met a decade prior. "To right a wrong."
He blinked, then raised an eyebrow." Your quest was a success?"
"Indeed."
"And you have time to linger in our halls and join us for supper?"
"We have."
"Good," Eomer answered. "Then you can join me and put an end to all this mystery your quick departure caused." The King of Rohan pulled the other even with him and turned to walk down the hall, then turned back. "Please pardon my discourtesy," he asked with a bow. "Welcome to Rohan, Lords Elladan and Elrohir. Your trip was well?"
The twins exchanged grins, then Elladan assured the man, "Trouble not over formalities, King. We understand your curiosity."
"And the return trip has proven easier than our exit," Elrohir added. "It helps that our companion is no longer out to kill himself."
Eomer cast a startled glance at Aragorn, who shook his head as the companions walked into the hall. "Pay them no mind, my lord. They exaggerate."
"I see, my lord," he answered slowly, looking between the two. "Perhaps we could start from the beginning?"
*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn laid stretched out with his back against a tree, the camp around him quiet as most of the beings sought out pleasant dreams in sleep. with the stars out and the moon full, Aragorn had no need for such pursuits and instead spent his time gazing at something far more luminous than either. His dream slept peacefully in his arms.
A gentle smile curved his lips and softened his eyes as he took in Arwen's beautiful face, his eyes lingering on the soft curve of her full lips, her creamy skin as it glowed perfection, the dark curl of her lashes over eyes glazed peacefully in sleep, those same blue eyes shining happily with an inner light that eased his heart with its return. Her breathing was slow and even, deep with the calm of her thoughts. Her body was warm against his and he relished the softness of her touch, the gentle pressure of her body against his.
Holding her, he could not remember life before her, years of loneliness and toil washed away on his own wave of happiness, her presence a soothing balm for his soul; and dark thoughts of life without her, what he had almost condemned himself to through his own folly, could not claim his heart. With her beside him, he felt a peace he had never before known and desired to know better.
Careful not to jostle her and risk her waking, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then leaned back and lost himself in watching her beneath the moonlight, her perfection stealing his breath away. Here, he could stay like this forever and never miss a thing.
*~*~*~*~*
Eomer was grinning widely when Aragorn finished his tale, aided by comments from the twins. As the tale had progressed, the Horse Lord had forgotten about his meal, and a nearly full plate lay before him, which was well because the plates of his guests were nearly full as well.
"This is wonderful news!" he exclaimed. "When is the wedding?"
"Mid-summer," Elladan answered before Aragorn could. "You will come, won't you?"
Aragorn grinned as he took a sip from his wine goblet, eyes sparkling merrily. Sometimes it was truly difficult to tell the twins were millennia old and quite experienced. This was one such time, when he could picture them more as young boys excited for their friend than as serious elf lords.
Elrohir caught his smile. "Laugh no, Estel," he chided. "You need to eat, or I shall be forced to tell the Lady Arwen you did not heed her directions."
The King of Gondor arched an eyebrow. "Oh? I do believe it was you she charged not to let any harm befall me."
"Which means you need to eat."
"I am eating."
"And rest," Elladan added.
"Or we shall have to make you."
Aragorn gazed at them, nonplused, then placed his goblet back on the table and returned his attention to his meal. "Such things are easier accomplished without your childish blabber."
The twins stared in mute surprise, and Eomer was hard pressed not to laugh; speechless elves were not something one saw everyday. He took a deep breath and refocused on the man across from him. "Will you stay the night? It is rather late."
The man paused and swallowed, then looked up. "It is no trouble?"
"We would be honored if you would stay the night."
"And a welcome pleasure," Aragorn responded.
Eomer grinned, and talk turned to affairs in Rohan, the conversation light among friends.
*~*~*~*~*
"Aragorn?"
"Hm?"
"Do you like kids?"
He smiled. "You mean do I want more kids than just an heir." She did not contradict him and his smile widened. He looked at her. "I love kids."
A matching smile lit her face and she reached over from where she sat to take his hand as they rode ever closer to Rivendell. "How many do you want?"
He drew her hand to his lips. "As many as you're willing to give me, my love. No more. No less."
*~*~*~*~*
The next day saw the friends up early, though it was several hours before they left, conversation coming easily and good-byes hard as it often is among old friends who have been parted longer than they desire with too little time to share their tidings. Despite that, they had made it nearly to the stables, and so saw the approach of a new rider. Elladan and Elrohir saw who it was first.
"Ho! It is Legolas!" Elladan cried. Elrohir had a huge grin on his face, a grin that was contagious and found Aragorn and Eomer smiling, as well.
"Then Gimli is coming, also," Aragorn answered. "For I can think of nothing that would separate them just yet."
"Aye," Eomer replied. "Mayhap they are returning from exploring the glittering Caves for they have already wandered Fangorn. They paused here for a night to confirm permission ere they left. Likely they come seeking word of you, Aragorn."
The man frowned back at him.
"News travels, my friend, and many were the eyes that saw your hasty arrival and departure. Some of those traveled. Others told those who did."
Elrohir laughed. "Well, Strider. It looks like you've caused quite a stir!"
"So it seems," Aragorn mused, vaguely amused as his eyes traced their approach.
They watched as the small silhouette of the rider grew closer and the rider resolved itself into the elf prince Legolas of Eryn Lasgalen, his face set in concealed concern. Soon after, it was also revealed that Gimli did indeed travel with him, and the company waited patiently for their arrival.
The wood-elf pulled his horse up short and swung quickly from his back, forgetting the dwarf in his haste. Blue eyes darted quickly between his friends as he moved to stand before them.
"Legolas! Get me down, your sorry, Wood Elf!" Gimli cried, but Legolas did not seem to hear him, and Elladan instead went to his aid, laughing.
"You are well?"
"Peace, Legolas," Aragorn bid, raising his hands placatingly as a smile stole over his face. His eyes darted to Gimli. "Relax, Master Dwarf! Let Lord Elladan aid you and I will explain all." More quietly, he continued to Legolas alone. "Forgive me, my friend. I did not mean to distress you, but we had need of haste. I am well."
"If," Elrohir countered, moving past the man to clasp Legolas' forearm in greeting, "you overlook the fact that he is not eating enough and needs more sleep."
"I am eating," he objected with an indignant look that sent the twins to laughing.
Gimli stomped up with Elladan and looked the King of Gondor up and down. "Nonsense! You're as thin as that tree-hugger over there. Haven't these Elves been feeding you?"
"Those Elves, Master Gimli, have had all they could handle trying to keep that stubborn Dúnadan from breaking his neck," Elladan answered pompously.
Elrohir agreed. "And we have always fed him He just doesn't always eat."
Aragorn was watching them with his arms folded across his chest and a somewhat dark look on his face that suggested he was stoically enduring some manner of dark torture. What could I have possibly done to deserve this? he thought, even as he fought down amusement at their banter.
Legolas turned to retort to his friend. "At least he's not as large as you, rock-dweller, or he'd have shrunk as gravity refused to support him!"
"Why you--" And the argument began, leaving the two humans quite forgotten.
Eomer approached Aragorn and draped an arm over the man's shoulders, watching the argument intently for a moment before speaking. "They'll be at this for hours."
"Days," Aragorn agreed, also watching, "unless a horde of Orcs blunder into their path."
"Then there would simply be a whole new kind of battle."
"Which the Orcs would lose."
"Terribly."
"And then they would resume their battle of words," Aragorn finished quietly, his amusement well-hidden even as he knew Eomer was aware of it and shared it. He had no intention of regaining their attention any time soon if he had anything to say about it.
"A little unfair, don't you think," Eomer mused, "to let the dwarf face them all alone."
Aragorn inclined his head. "Honor would dictate we come to his aid."
A moment passed in silence (at least among the men as no silence fell between the elves and dwarf) then Eomer ventured another comment. "On the other hand, he seems to be doing quite well on his own."
"Indeed," Aragorn agreed. "And the Elves are none too particular in their attacks."
"They go after each other as often as the Dwarf."
"Mayhap we had best follow prudence's course in this," offered the dark-haired king.
The light-haired king nodded. "A wise course, I must say. would you care to see the armory?"
Sharing wry grins, the two friends turned and carefully made their way back to the Golden Hall, moving slowly but steadily so as not to gain attention from their companions, their voices drifting to the retreating pair long after they had fallen from sight, and many hours passed.
It was with great reluctance that King Eomer of the Riddermark sent a servant out to inquire of the Lords would they please like to join his highness for dinner? Aragorn would set out for Minas Tirith the next morning.
*~*~*~*~*
"Arwen?"
"Yes, love?"
"What do you want?"
"You."
A smile curved his lips as a warm glow suffused his stomach, but he shook his head. "I meant the wedding."
"Surprise me."
"I want it to be what you want," he protested.
She smiled and leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek, his touch lingering as her breath caressed his skin, then she answered. "I'm already getting what I want. The rest is just packaging."
He turned to look at her and murmured. "You deserve the best packaging."
Arwen laughed. "I'll love whatever you devise, my love. Worry not."
He sighed long sufferingly and took her hand in his. "If that's what you want."
Her laughter rang through the trees and lifted the hearts of all who heard it, filling the man's for who it was meant full enough to burst.