Chapter Five; Homecoming.
The last ride to the city of Minas Tirith was joyous, but for Frodo it was also tainted with memories. He was eager to see his kinsmen and friends but his old wound had begun to ache as soon as he set foot on the soil of Middle Earth. His time in Valinor had dulled the pain to a mere ache and many conferences with Gandalf and Elrond had reassured him that he could learn to put his pain behind him.
He glanced at the head of the column; Atùvinel was smiling at Mandmar and she almost shone with anticipation.
As the White city rose in the distance she stood in her stirrups to take a closer look at her home. Then she gave a single ringing note on her horn and Nafalon leaped forward. Bergil laughed and gave the command to gallop as the company swept through the last green spaces of Gondor before the walls of the city of Minas Tirith.
They left the company at the stables in the lower circle of the city before riding to the fountains of the Kings. Banners and pennants hung from windows and across the street to celebrate the Princess' return.
"Pelenth!" Atùvinel called to a passing servant, "Where is my father?" The woman turned with a smile on her face,
"On the Pelennor Fields my Lady." Before she could rise from her curtsey Atùvinel had wheeled Nafalon and was galloping down through the streets of the citadel, through the seven gates and on to the Pelennor, where armour glinted in the sun. As she passed through the last of the gates she paused and scanned the men gathered there.
Then, as she caught sight of them Atùvinel and Nafalon sped onto the field. Men were training with swords and spears as she rode past, they all laughed and some cheered her on, recognising their princess immediately. Frodo and Gandalf followed at a far slower pace, not wanting to intrude on the imminent reunion. Frodo heard one soldier, taking a break, leaning on his sword hilt tell his less knowledgeable partner.
"That's Lady Narya. So she's home at last." As he caught sight of Frodo watching him he bowed slightly at the waist.
Atùvinel was now drawing close to the last company. Her companions then saw where she was headed. A lone tent stood on the field. As she soared over the water barrels blocking the entrance, general shield banging and welcoming cries of
"Lady Narya!" could be heard. Before Nafalon had landed a man, dark haired and tall, exited the tent, a youth of about fourteen years, also dark, followed him, looking around to see what the commotion was all about. Atùvinel gave a cry of great joy and flung herself from Nafalon's back
"Father! Eldarion!" Aragorn caught her easily and she clung to him, and he to her as he spun her in delight. When Aragorn released her he knelt before her on one knee, one hand by the side of her face and said softly,
"Daughter, it is good to have you safe home. Welcome back." She hugged him again, and then she turned to her impatiently waiting brother and the two embraced hard. Eldarion was slightly taller than Atùvinel with blue eyes instead of mossy green. He clutched his sister tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force. When the two parted tears of happiness glittered in both pairs of eyes. As Atùvinel drew away she saw Gandalf and Frodo waiting patiently a while away, smiling at the reunion, for although it was strange to them to see Aragorn as a father and King, when both had known him to begin with as 'Strider' a ranger of the north, they were glad for his obvious happiness. Aragorn too spotted them at that moment and before Atùvinel could announce them he ran to meet his old friends and embraced them heartily.
"Frodo! Gandalf! It is wonderful to see you again."
"It is wonderful to have returned. You have a brave daughter Aragorn." He smiled proudly,
"I do indeed." He beckoned the twins forward from where they had been earnestly talking, "This is her brother Eldarion."
Eldarion bowed low, awe in his eyes, as there had been when Atùvinel had first greeted them.
"My Lords."
The small group walked up to the city slowly together, when Frodo mentioned the other hobbits, Atùvinel and Eldarion, hands linked, offered to show him to their rooms.
"For," said Eldarion, "They are sure to be there, enjoying second breakfasts." Atùvinel joined him in laughter even as they led Frodo up the winding streets. It seemed the hobbit's appetites were standard joke at the court.
The twins led the way through the main street of the city, the palace towering above. As they walked many greeted them, elves, dwarves and men, and they replied to all willingly and courteously.
The hobbits' rooms were on an upper floor, Eldarion said as he led the way at a jog up a spiralling staircase, cut small so a grown man could walk three steps at a time, but hobbits could climb easily. Atùvinel released Eldarion's hand so she could lift her skirts as she ran. Frodo followed them, running as easily as a young hobbit, anxious to see his friends.