Anánia could not believe her eyes. Aragorn was kneeling next to her,
rocking Eldarion as if he had never hated him. He saw her roll over and
stare at him. For a second in the starlight and firelight their eyes met
and there was a sudden understanding between them. They knew that now was
the time to clear the air and talk.
With some difficulty, Anánia sat up and faced Aragorn. They did not speak for a while, only looked at Eldarion, who was now sleeping peacefully. But Aragorn did not let him go.
"I should thank you." He said. "You saved my son's life today. I saw you take on that orc."
"I was stupid." She replied.
"You were brave." He argued. "Not many would take on a fully grown orc in that way." He paused and looked at her. "I saw you fall too, it looked painful. How is your back?"
"I'll live." She shrugged.
"Why did you do it?" He asked. "Attack that orc I mean. You are not stupid, you must have known he would be too strong for you. So why did you act the way you did?"
Anánia thought hard, trying to phrase her words correctly without causing offence. "In the time that I have been carer to Eldarion, he has become more than just my charge. I love him. I love him like I guess a mother would love her son. In that one moment when I thought he would die, I would have given my life to save him." He stopped and sighed. "That probably sounds strange."
"I understand." Aragorn said.
"So what made you change your mind?" She asked. "About your son?" She indicated how Aragorn held Eldarion as if he were a tiny and fragile piece of china.
Aragorn looked up at the sky. Dawn was slowly breaking on the eastern horizon. He drew a deep breath and began to speak. "For the majority of this journey I have felt such enmity towards Eldarion that I have only felt to one other. Sauron. Even today I was more concerned that I would loose my way to bring Arwen back if I lost you or Eldarion. I have been cruel and unfeeling.
Then tonight I was on watch and Eldarion began to cry. I left him at first, hoping that someone else would tend to him. But when he didn't stop and no one woke up I decided to try and quieten him. Then I looked into his eyes. He has Arwen's eyes. I saw Arwen in him, and I instantly loved him. He is my son. I have been a fool, and I can only apologise to you.
What you said to me the other night was absolutely right. What would Arwen say if she saw me treated our child like this?"
They sat in silence for a while; a perfect and peaceful silence had fallen over them. An understanding had been reached. A difference had been overcome, and a friendship made. In that moment between night and day now words were needed for understanding. In those few brief moments when they sat in silence they knew each other's minds, and saw the other's pain. Then the moment was gone with the rising of the sun and the waking of the others.
Anánia and Aragorn said nothing of their conversation. But everyone noticed the difference in atmosphere and the way in which Aragorn now took notice of the elf maiden and his son. Especially when Anánia, still suffering from her back injury, could hardly bear to have the child strapped to her, Aragorn offered to take the child himself.
Gandalf smiled, watching Aragorn sit proudly on his horse, tender to his child at his side. There was a new life in his face, and some of the sorrow had disappeared from his soulful eyes. He was still sad, but it was as if something had made him feel less so.
They packed up their camp, careful to leave no trace that they had ever been there, in case more orcs followed them. Then the hobbits were despatched to lay a false trail to the east, leaving footprints up to the Anduin.
It was now Anánia that Gandalf worried about. She did not complain, but her back was badly bruised and obviously painful to her. Her left wrist had swollen and she used her right arm more than usual when she readied her horse. Aragorn, skilled in medicine whilst on the move from his times as a ranger, bound her arm up as best he could.
She climbed onto her horse, trying not to groan as the movement jolted her back. Legolas especially watched over her concern as they moved off, but throughout the day the continued movement seemed to ease her back.
Another night and a day they travelled without being hounded by orcs. They made slower progress, as no matter how much pain Anánia put up with from her back, she could not bear the jolting sensation when they trotted or cantered, so they were forced to walk for many miles and then gallop for a few more. They possibly only lost a few hours travelling by this method, but for once this did not bother them.
As the sun began its decline in the sky they came to the road. It was quiet, with not a soul on it. They stopped before the road, lined up and facing the stony surface.
"I have not stepped on a road for a year or more." Sam said to Frodo. "I still fear that I shall see a dark shape on the horizon and hear that unearthly scream as the horseman rides towards me."
"That image still haunts me Sam." Frodo agreed. "But we must conquer it, if we are to move on from the past."
"Well spoken Frodo." Gimli said. "A lesson that all of us should follow. I myself fear returning to Moria, but yet I must return to purge the depths of the evil orcs and seal away the Balrog that parades the many columned halls."
"Come." Merry said. "Let us step onto the road together, and be united in this act." They nodded and dismounted, apart from Anánia, who remained on her horse, unwilling to move for fear of jolting her back further.
"On three." Sam said. "One...two..."
"THREE!" Frodo shouted. Together they jumped onto the road and then stood there is silence.
"See, nothing ill has befallen us." Aragorn smiled, ruffling Frodo's hair.
"Do not speak so soon Aragorn." Anánia said, looking intently to her left. "Legolas, what comes towards us from the mountains?"
The pair of elves looked eastwards to where a black speck was fast approaching them. Drawing ever closer, they could make out a large black horse, and a cloaked black rider on its back, hunched over the horse's neck.
"Get off the road!" Legolas shouted. "Tis a black rider of Mordor!"
AN – woohoo, the change has arrived! What do you all think? An emotional tale, read and review please! Wahay I got more than 100 reviews, do you think we can break the 200 mark? There is still a lot more to happen, I'm estimating another ten to twelve chapters, can we do it?
Response to Reviewers
Queen Arwen – I think its quite appropriate that you were my 100th reviewer, seeing the story is all about Queen Arwen and you have been one of the reviewers who has followed this story for a long time. Go you! I laughed out loud at you review, he wouldn't drop Eldarion in the river! I know, I loved the eye candy too, I mean come on, wet and shirtless rocks!
Ring Marciel – Aragorn has indeed finally got over his grief and is acting more normal. Thank you for the offer of a beta reader, but unfortunately my email does not work very well at the moment, when I get it working I will take you up on your offer though!
Selenity Star – Thanks for your review. I would like to put in all the baby details like feeding and changing etc, but I felt that would get a bit boring and monotonous, so I'm just assuming that everyone guesses they happen! I know there are grammar errors, but I'm endeavouring to remove as few as possible. If you are in USA, which you may be, I don't know, then I live in UK so some of our grammar rules will be slightly different, but thank you for the constructive criticism.
Leggy/Orlando's Queen – that is a really good suggestion, but it doesn't really fit in with my story. I wish I could make it fit but from now on Aragorn will be taking a greater role in Eldarion's life, and Anánia will start to fade out. Thanks anyway though, if you have any more suggestions feel free to voice them.
Lil-whitelighter – Thanks for your review, I'm glad you like my story!
Cerridwen – I thought they needed some danger in this story, hence the orcs. There will be more danger, as you can see, and the worst is probably not over yet...
Gionareth – sometimes it does take a near death experience for someone to change, that's how I thought Aragorn could realise that he should and maybe even does care about Eldarion, when faced with a life or death situation.
Alasse – I have a weird sense of humour too. I'm glad I can start making Aragorn "normal" again, I hated writing him as evil and mean!
Deana – I can't promise more of Legolas holding the baby, but I can promise more of Legolas is specific ways...won't say too much now though!
Shady Lane – I prefer nice Aragorn too, and this was a faster update, wasn't it?
The True Evenstar – Hope you liked Aragorn in this chapter, I thought you would when I was writing it.
All Reviewers: Whilst I try to get updates out quickly, I have a lot of school work and exams coming up, so please excuse me if I sometimes go a week without updating, the story is still going strong even if I can't update regularly and it won't be one of those I get bored with and just stop writing, trust me!
With some difficulty, Anánia sat up and faced Aragorn. They did not speak for a while, only looked at Eldarion, who was now sleeping peacefully. But Aragorn did not let him go.
"I should thank you." He said. "You saved my son's life today. I saw you take on that orc."
"I was stupid." She replied.
"You were brave." He argued. "Not many would take on a fully grown orc in that way." He paused and looked at her. "I saw you fall too, it looked painful. How is your back?"
"I'll live." She shrugged.
"Why did you do it?" He asked. "Attack that orc I mean. You are not stupid, you must have known he would be too strong for you. So why did you act the way you did?"
Anánia thought hard, trying to phrase her words correctly without causing offence. "In the time that I have been carer to Eldarion, he has become more than just my charge. I love him. I love him like I guess a mother would love her son. In that one moment when I thought he would die, I would have given my life to save him." He stopped and sighed. "That probably sounds strange."
"I understand." Aragorn said.
"So what made you change your mind?" She asked. "About your son?" She indicated how Aragorn held Eldarion as if he were a tiny and fragile piece of china.
Aragorn looked up at the sky. Dawn was slowly breaking on the eastern horizon. He drew a deep breath and began to speak. "For the majority of this journey I have felt such enmity towards Eldarion that I have only felt to one other. Sauron. Even today I was more concerned that I would loose my way to bring Arwen back if I lost you or Eldarion. I have been cruel and unfeeling.
Then tonight I was on watch and Eldarion began to cry. I left him at first, hoping that someone else would tend to him. But when he didn't stop and no one woke up I decided to try and quieten him. Then I looked into his eyes. He has Arwen's eyes. I saw Arwen in him, and I instantly loved him. He is my son. I have been a fool, and I can only apologise to you.
What you said to me the other night was absolutely right. What would Arwen say if she saw me treated our child like this?"
They sat in silence for a while; a perfect and peaceful silence had fallen over them. An understanding had been reached. A difference had been overcome, and a friendship made. In that moment between night and day now words were needed for understanding. In those few brief moments when they sat in silence they knew each other's minds, and saw the other's pain. Then the moment was gone with the rising of the sun and the waking of the others.
Anánia and Aragorn said nothing of their conversation. But everyone noticed the difference in atmosphere and the way in which Aragorn now took notice of the elf maiden and his son. Especially when Anánia, still suffering from her back injury, could hardly bear to have the child strapped to her, Aragorn offered to take the child himself.
Gandalf smiled, watching Aragorn sit proudly on his horse, tender to his child at his side. There was a new life in his face, and some of the sorrow had disappeared from his soulful eyes. He was still sad, but it was as if something had made him feel less so.
They packed up their camp, careful to leave no trace that they had ever been there, in case more orcs followed them. Then the hobbits were despatched to lay a false trail to the east, leaving footprints up to the Anduin.
It was now Anánia that Gandalf worried about. She did not complain, but her back was badly bruised and obviously painful to her. Her left wrist had swollen and she used her right arm more than usual when she readied her horse. Aragorn, skilled in medicine whilst on the move from his times as a ranger, bound her arm up as best he could.
She climbed onto her horse, trying not to groan as the movement jolted her back. Legolas especially watched over her concern as they moved off, but throughout the day the continued movement seemed to ease her back.
Another night and a day they travelled without being hounded by orcs. They made slower progress, as no matter how much pain Anánia put up with from her back, she could not bear the jolting sensation when they trotted or cantered, so they were forced to walk for many miles and then gallop for a few more. They possibly only lost a few hours travelling by this method, but for once this did not bother them.
As the sun began its decline in the sky they came to the road. It was quiet, with not a soul on it. They stopped before the road, lined up and facing the stony surface.
"I have not stepped on a road for a year or more." Sam said to Frodo. "I still fear that I shall see a dark shape on the horizon and hear that unearthly scream as the horseman rides towards me."
"That image still haunts me Sam." Frodo agreed. "But we must conquer it, if we are to move on from the past."
"Well spoken Frodo." Gimli said. "A lesson that all of us should follow. I myself fear returning to Moria, but yet I must return to purge the depths of the evil orcs and seal away the Balrog that parades the many columned halls."
"Come." Merry said. "Let us step onto the road together, and be united in this act." They nodded and dismounted, apart from Anánia, who remained on her horse, unwilling to move for fear of jolting her back further.
"On three." Sam said. "One...two..."
"THREE!" Frodo shouted. Together they jumped onto the road and then stood there is silence.
"See, nothing ill has befallen us." Aragorn smiled, ruffling Frodo's hair.
"Do not speak so soon Aragorn." Anánia said, looking intently to her left. "Legolas, what comes towards us from the mountains?"
The pair of elves looked eastwards to where a black speck was fast approaching them. Drawing ever closer, they could make out a large black horse, and a cloaked black rider on its back, hunched over the horse's neck.
"Get off the road!" Legolas shouted. "Tis a black rider of Mordor!"
AN – woohoo, the change has arrived! What do you all think? An emotional tale, read and review please! Wahay I got more than 100 reviews, do you think we can break the 200 mark? There is still a lot more to happen, I'm estimating another ten to twelve chapters, can we do it?
Response to Reviewers
Queen Arwen – I think its quite appropriate that you were my 100th reviewer, seeing the story is all about Queen Arwen and you have been one of the reviewers who has followed this story for a long time. Go you! I laughed out loud at you review, he wouldn't drop Eldarion in the river! I know, I loved the eye candy too, I mean come on, wet and shirtless rocks!
Ring Marciel – Aragorn has indeed finally got over his grief and is acting more normal. Thank you for the offer of a beta reader, but unfortunately my email does not work very well at the moment, when I get it working I will take you up on your offer though!
Selenity Star – Thanks for your review. I would like to put in all the baby details like feeding and changing etc, but I felt that would get a bit boring and monotonous, so I'm just assuming that everyone guesses they happen! I know there are grammar errors, but I'm endeavouring to remove as few as possible. If you are in USA, which you may be, I don't know, then I live in UK so some of our grammar rules will be slightly different, but thank you for the constructive criticism.
Leggy/Orlando's Queen – that is a really good suggestion, but it doesn't really fit in with my story. I wish I could make it fit but from now on Aragorn will be taking a greater role in Eldarion's life, and Anánia will start to fade out. Thanks anyway though, if you have any more suggestions feel free to voice them.
Lil-whitelighter – Thanks for your review, I'm glad you like my story!
Cerridwen – I thought they needed some danger in this story, hence the orcs. There will be more danger, as you can see, and the worst is probably not over yet...
Gionareth – sometimes it does take a near death experience for someone to change, that's how I thought Aragorn could realise that he should and maybe even does care about Eldarion, when faced with a life or death situation.
Alasse – I have a weird sense of humour too. I'm glad I can start making Aragorn "normal" again, I hated writing him as evil and mean!
Deana – I can't promise more of Legolas holding the baby, but I can promise more of Legolas is specific ways...won't say too much now though!
Shady Lane – I prefer nice Aragorn too, and this was a faster update, wasn't it?
The True Evenstar – Hope you liked Aragorn in this chapter, I thought you would when I was writing it.
All Reviewers: Whilst I try to get updates out quickly, I have a lot of school work and exams coming up, so please excuse me if I sometimes go a week without updating, the story is still going strong even if I can't update regularly and it won't be one of those I get bored with and just stop writing, trust me!