By the time Vaneldur and Lómëmir reached the Houses of Healing night was deep upon the world and the clear sky allowed every star in sight its full exhibit. Neither of them were willing to go back indoors on such a night, so instead they went together to the garden and spent the night in the company of a million of the gems of the Valar and the radiance of each other.
There they stayed until the rising of the sun woke them. They went out from the garden, agreeing that they could then bear to part with the open air, and likely each other, for a short time while the healers had their chance with their small wounds.
As they were entering the Houses several riders came down the path quickly, only just missing them. Lómëmir did not fail to notice that it was King Eomer riding at the fore.
"It looks as if the Rohirrim are leaving the city," Vaneldur said in a rather glad tone.
"They can stay away from the city as long as they like, i shall not miss their ever-prideful presence," Lómëmir said stridently.
Vaneldur smiled to her though. "That is over now. You heard Captain Faramir and the King, i am no longer hunted, a free man again, one they wish to appoint Second-in-Command of the Ithilien Rangers."
"Will you accept that position?" Lómëmir asked, trying to sound casual.
Vaneldur was quiet and looking over Pelennor to the ruined Osgiliath. "That depends on you, Lómëmir."
"It should not. You must do what is best for you, i would not have you change your course because of me. You must live all of your time as you will, not as someone else wills. Mortal men have but a little time each to enjoy this realm, and wither then, none can say. The gift of death to mortals is that one may understand life and adore every breath you take here and every sight your eyes ever see, every sound you perceive, every touch, every taste, every scent, and most of all, every stirring of your heart."
As Vaneldur considered her words and the depth of her eyes Legolas approached the Houses of Healing accompanied by a man dressed in the manner of the Dunedain rangers. Though summer was very nearly upon them, he wore his hood up and kept his coat about him.
Legolas silently ushered them toward the garden, away from the bustle of Minas Tirith's return to daily life. Then and only then did the man accompanying him shed his cloak. Immediately Vaneldur made to drop to his knee, but Lómëmir's hand on his shoulder and Aragorn's slight grin stopped him.
"My leige?" Vaneldur questioned, more concerned than confused.
Legolas and Aragorn glanced at each other before erupting into laughter. "Seventy years later the same trick actually still works," Aragorn mused.
"I have been sneaking Estel out of palaces and lesser places since we first met," Legolas explained to the other two with a pleased smile. "It is something i believe we have perfected."
"The first time it was easy enough, and you can't even take credit for the idea, Legolas," Aragorn half-argued.
"You were lucky i was there when the idea was first tried by the Halfling, else wise you would still be locked in that cell this very day!"
Aragorn shook his head and decided to ignore Legolas for the time being, they both knew the details of this semi-argument well enough by now. "I really only came out to find out how Ioreth treated you two. In all honesty, i didnt quite think right when i suggested you see her, Lómëmir. I dont think she has ever remedied an elf before and... well, she didnt give you anything did she? Who knows what effect the herb master's medicines might have on an elf."
"You have nothing to worry about, aratan. We were only just about to enter the Houses when you intercepted us. We did rest well in your garden last night, though. I, for my part, was hardly willing to remain indoors on such an evening."
"That is well then. Timing has always been on our side, eh Legolas?" Aragorn laughed. "Come up to the Citadel with us, please. I have received a gift from the Woodland Realm of some impressive bearing, one that i would share with my friends."
The King seemed to be in quite good spirits and so they went along gladly, wondering what gift Aragorn could have received from Mirkwood of such excellence. Legolas and Lómëmir knew well enough of Thranduil's vast hordes and they equally doubted that the elven king would lightly part with even the smallest bit of it. One thing Legolas was rather sure his father had not gifted Aragorn was a bottle of his prized Dorwinion wine, and in fact he speculated that it was entirely possible that Thranduil had sent him one of Mirkwood's spiders.
As they entered the Citadel, Aragorn led them past the throne room and on toward his own chambers. The guards stationed throughout wondered exactly how their King was coming in when none had seen him go out. Most of them reasoned that this King who had spent so much time in the company of elves must surely have acquired some "powers." They inferred this conclusion mostly as a way of canceling out the thought that they had "lost" their King right from under their very noses.
Into Aragorn's living quarters they followed. Elladan and Elrohir were already there, having done a little quick "redecorating," they were now much more comfortable guests of their adopted brother than when they arrived. The room had taken on, as much as was possible for what there was to be worked with, a feel almost of Imladris. Certainly it was a more inviting place for an elf than previously. On a table near a window was a bottle and several extraordinarily fine goblets.
Legolas eyed the bottle very suspiciously. "Aragorn, that isn't what i think it, is it?"
Aragorn too sized up the vessel. "Why? What do you think it is? Water from the Enchanted River?"
"I am only saying that it is a possibility. It has happened before, I think you all will recall," the elf prince said to the twins and their mortal brother, referring to a small "political" incident between his realm and theirs some years ago.
"Only one way to find out, isn't there?" the King said, pouring a glass and taking a slow, savoring sip.
Elladan moved closer and Elrohir's gaze narrowed. "Feeling tired, gwador?" one asked.
"Very tired, but only because of the sleeping conditions here. This is the most excellent thing i have ever tasted," he said, filling the other goblets for his guests. "Vaneldur, are you familiar with the wine of the Eldar?"
"Only by reputation, your Majesty. But i need no drink in truth. To be called to the King's company is more than i ever imagined."
"Nonsense. There are many greater than i due to arrive before too long. Have a glass, but have a care as well," Aragorn said with a wink, passing Vaneldur the mithril-wrought wineglass.
"Do not worry about it, Vaneldur. If the stuff proves over-strong our brother will be able to revive you," Elrohir said, mostly at Aragorn.
When Legolas took a first sip he froze still and reached for the bottle, examining it carefully. The other four in the room became mildly alarmed, but Lómëmir understood.
"I believe this is what you are looking for?" she asked, holding forth the bottle's cork which was on the windowsill.
Legolas's expression was of complete astonishment to see the tengwar "D" rune impressed into the cork. "My father sent an actual bottle from the Dorwinion reserve?"
"It looks as if your father wants to really reinforce this new alliance, here and now, mellon-nin," Elrohir half teased.
"As though my Gondor would ever turn away the call of Taur e-Ndaedelos," Aragorn said grinning with a hand on Legolas's shoulder.
Legolas returned the gesture of brotherhood saying, "He needed not send his prized concoction to you to prove our allegiance."
At that Aragorn laughed, despite knowing that Legolas's words were serious and sincere. "I think perhaps your King would have thanked you to impart that to him before he had this sent. But now that he has done, we should dispose of it all the quicker. Another glass my lady?" he said pouring Lómëmir more to drink before she could answer. He nearly poured another glass for Vaneldur until he realized that the young man was already sound asleep.
"Perhaps Thranduil did put a little enchantment into this fine mix?" Aragorn wondered aloud.
"No, my friend, this is no tainted wine. Vaneldur has simply reached his limit," Lómëmir said peacefully, meaning not only his drinking limit, but his physical limit as well.
Aragorn nodded, understanding perfectly. "The more for the rest of us it seems." Ever the good host, the King let no glass go unfilled while they enjoyed one another's company on into early evening. The talk flowed as the wine did, freely and companionably. Each of the five spoke of their own travels past and future. Elladan and Elrohir spoke of remaining in Middle-earth, while Legolas seemed yet undecided. Lómëmir, for her part, knew her time to leave had not quite yet arrived, and she seemed unwilling to go for some while yet. Vaneldur was young and would live a long life, that much she knew. Also she knew that now they were safely reunited, she would not be separated from him again. Legolas said that should he indeed decide to sail into the West, it would not be until the reign of Aragorn son of Arathorn had come to an end.
"And what if one day some lad from Rohan comes to unseat the King of Gondor and i am forced into exile?" Aragorn conjectured, his mind wandering to any thought imaginable after his share of Dorwinion.
"If Rohan ever overthrows Gondor i will flee Middle-earth, brother or no," was Legolas's teasing comeback.
"If that befell I would go via Helcaraxe if no ship there was to bear me," Lómëmir, noticeable conviction in her voice.
"Speaking of Rohan, they are due back here before long, muindyr," Elladan pointed out to Aragorn, who looked like he was about to join Vaneldur in a peaceful, sound sleep.
"Im iston, im iston... adar norra si er enqui," Aragorn replied, slipping into elvish as he had a habit of when sleepy.
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im iston = i know
adar norra si er enquie = roughly, "father rides here even now"
i have had this chapter written for a while, but i got started on "Chaos Theory" and it just took off to the point that i didn't get back to this for a while. apologies to my readers who have enjoyed this story. i will be working on this again in the future, but truth be told, probably not till mid-late september.