Meanwhile, the two crown princes had reached the stables. Elfwine admired Eldarion's stallion, a descendent of Brégo, Aragorn's legendary steed; the horse that first belonged to his long dead great-uncle, Théodred and then had borne Aragorn through many battles.
Elfwine looked at his friend: "Do you think that we and Elboron for that matter will ever get a chance of proving ourselves in battle? Our fathers being what they are, soldiers at heart, have made sure that we are trained like they were –- but do you ever think that we will get to use that training?"
"I do not know", Eldarion answered "and I am not quite sure that I want to know. However, I have heard father and his counsellors talking of some activity being spotted to the South; Faramir has sent in reports of this; so may be we will after all."
"Speaking of something else, I am not sure that I fancy the way you look at my sister. You may be a friend, but take it easy," the heir of Gondor said to his friend, a smile lurking in his eyes.
"Peace, my friend; I do not intend to marry within the next couple of years – and while we are at it, I noticed that a certain young prince of Gondor could not take his eyes of my sister. Eldarion, I know that she is pretty, but she is only fourteen, by Béma." Elfwine grinned.
"Steady on, man, I feel like you; I have much to do yet before I am going to settle down, but I feel in my Elvish blood that she is the one that I could be marrying some day." Eldarion insisted.
"She could find worse, my friend", Elfwine smiled. "Aye, and so could mine!" Eldarion replied.
Eldarion, who at times could be as reckless and mischievous as his Elvish uncles, Elrohir and Elladan, suddenly grinned devilishly. "Tomorrow when Elboron arrives, I believe that we should take a tour of Minas Tirith. After all we are the oldest, and we must be able to do things that our siblings cannot."
"What are you thinking of," Elfwine inquired, his hazel eyes shining devilishly.
"One of father's youngest guardsmen has shown me a tavern on one of the lower levels, where they are not too particular as to who frequents it and why. It would be fun to go there, to get some ale and to look at people." Eldarion proffered.
"You mean to look at wenches." Elfwine quipped.
"Aye, that too – of course."
The two young men smiled at each other, and Eldarion continued: "I do not suppose that you believe that our fathers were innocents all their lives, do you? After all, mine had travelled all Middle Earth before he became king -– and then he was 87!"
"No" Elfwine admitted, "I have heard certain stories about father and his cousin from some of the men, but they also said that once he fell in love with my mother, he never looked at another woman; he was tamed. Still, at times he can behave rather roguishly, so I suppose that the rumours are true".
The two young men grinned at each other. "Should we go for a ride?" Eldarion asked.
"Good idea" Elfwine replied, "I feel like taking a look at the surroundings."
They saddled up, Elfwine had learned to care for his horse himself at an early age as was Rohirric custom, and Eldarion was not unfamiliar with this duty, either.
"Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing Elboron tomorrow, such an adventure will also be something that he will enjoy," Elfwine said, "After all my dear cousin, although being of Gondorian descent, still has a good portion of Rohirric blood in him." Laughing, the boys mounted and rode out of the stables.
Éomer and Aragorn had gone out for a breath of fresh air and stood looking out over the vast city below them.
"Well, well, if it isn't the crown princes of Gondor and Rohan riding out", Aragorn observed, "Well, they are old enough to look after themselves. I believe that they will be going for a ride through the city to show off."
"Yes, and probably over the Pelennor imagining that they are conquering the entire armies of Mordor," Éomer quipped. "They are probably feeling that all that weapons training would amount to nothing if you do not get to the fight the enemy. When I were that age, I really did get to do it," he added, this time with a more solemn note to his voice.
Aragorn agreed, "Aye, you did. And by the time you were born, I had been doing it for many long years. But, I suppose, at that age you do not appreciate that your fathers did secure the peace; they dream of fighting big battles themselves."
"If the reports are true, my friend, that is perhaps exactly what they are going to have to before long. What say you, oh, great king, how do you feel about a ride? Or are you getting too stiff?" Éomer grinned at his friend.
"Didn't you get enough riding, Horse Master, on your long ride from Edoras? But you have yet to see the day, young friend, when I will be too stiff to take a ride with you!" Aragorn retorted. Laughing, they went to stables to saddle up.
---oooOOOooo---
Lothíriel and Arwen had been spending some time with Lothíriel's family, talking about children and the news about everyone, and then some time alone.
Lothíriel had wanted a private conversation with Arwen, because she knew that Arwen would know of certain Elvish remedies, which would prevent the conception of any more children. And she was right; Arwen did have the knowledge and gave Lothíriel advice about where and how to provide the necessities.
Afterwards, Lothíriel went for a walk in the garden with her father and Imrahil commented that his daughter looked well and happy; she had seemed more tired when they had seen each other last.
Lothíriel smiled "And I was, father, but I am happy, and I cannot imagine what would make me happier. Every day with Éomer and the children and Rohan just adds to that feeling."
Imrahil smiled at his daughter: "I must admit that even though I loved Éomer dearly as a friend, I would never have imagined that he would be the one to make your life so complete. You are so different in many ways."
"Yes, father – but so very alike in others; apart from being hot-headed and stubborn," Lothíriel said.
"And you are still trying to fill the halls of Meduseld with children?" Imrahil's mirth showed in his eyes.
"Father, that is a very indiscrete question; but no, I think that we have got enough by now. It will be nice having Éomer to myself every once in a while, as the children are growing up." Lothíriel smiled inwardly as she remembered her conversation with Arwen. Father and daughter smiled at each other and walked on.
---oooOOOooo---
Next morning, everybody was up bright and early, or at least the children were; the adults had talked way into the night and slept late. Éomer awoke and looked at his still sleeping wife.
"it is a blessing that there are enough servants and other children to occupy even Théodred; it is good to have a bit of peace in the morning." He smiled mischievously and rolled over to kiss his wife awake.
She opened her eyes, still a bit blurry from sleep and looked up at him: "And what are you up to, My Lord. I believe that you are intending something quite, shall we say, untoward this morning?"
Éomer growled "It has been so long since I had a peaceful morning with my wife; I do not think that I had since Théodred was quite little. He has always been the one to occupy our bed in the morning." He bent down to kiss her again, this time more passionately and Lothíriel giggled happily, as she felt his hands on her.
"But, husband, in a strange bed, and what will people think if they hear?"
"As if you did not know by now that I do not care what other people think," her husband murmured, and continued his endeavours.
Suddenly he let go of her and sat up. "What is the matter?" Lothíriel inquired.
Éomer looked troubled. "I know that it was only friendly bantering yesterday, but it still got me thinking. We do have enough children to fill our lives and our halls and I think it is time that you got some rest from childbearing, even if it means that I have to keep away from you – although I cannot see that I will be able to entirely."
Lothíriel could not help smiling, "Éomer, my love and my life, you do not have to."
"But .." he continued.
"I have thought along the same lines and I did consult Arwen yesterday. Without disclosing too much, she does have a lot of Elvish knowledge and have given me advice. So it is quite safe, my love." Lothíriel smiled at the look in his face.
"Thank Béma", Éomer sighed, "I believe that I would have gone crazy, if I could not share your bed for an unforeseeable future. Now, where were we?" he grinned roguishly and scoped her into his arms again. "Needless to say, we will be quite late for breakfast", he said huskily.
---oooOOOooo---
Later that day, everybody gathered at the castle stairs to welcome the Prince and Princess of Ithilien and their family. Éomer rushed down the stairs to help his sister dismount. He held her close for a while: "Dear sister of mine, it is so good to see you."
Éowyn smiled and kissed her brother's cheek. "You look as well and as mischievous as ever, dear brother." The two of them had been close ever since their parents died and still the bond between them was unbreakable, even though they lived far apart.
Éomer turned to his brother-in-law and embraced him. "Still keeping up with that sister of mine?" he asked.
"Oh, yes" his gentle brother-in-law replied, "as well as always. It is good to see you, Éomer."
Lothíriel was hugging her sister-in-law and the younger children, and she and Éomer turned to the oldest nephew simultaneously. "Look at him", Éomer growled, "He could be Rohirrim."
He hugged his nephew, who smiled; he loved his uncle and aunt and liked being with them, the court of Edoras being a little more relaxed than those of Gondor and Ithilien. The young heir of Ithilien was tall and slim like his father but with his mother's blonde hair and grey-blue eyes. In fact, he looked very much like a young Théodred.
Aragorn greeted his steward and his wife. Ever since he met Éowyn at Edoras, he had had a soft spot for her; he liked her steeliness and straightforwardness very much.
"Elboron" they heard two voices says simultaneously. The two young heirs of Gondor and Rohan came running down the stairs to greet their friend and cousin, slapping his back and embracing him.
"Oh, it is starting already" Éomer quipped as he saw the faces of the boys. "They are definitely up to something," he thought. Closely following the two eldest were Haldred, Isindir and Amrihil, who lit up when they saw Finduilas –
"And here comes the rest of the gang," this time it was Aragorn's turn.
He turned to his son: "You know what to do, my son – get the boys settled in, and Celebrian, you take care of the girls."
"Yes, father" Celebrian smiled at her father.
The children disappeared, chatting and laughing. Elfwine put an arm around his cousin's shoulders as they went up the stairs and whispered: "Eldarion and I have something to talk to you about."
Faramir walked with his brother-in-law into the castle: "I can tell that they all have something going, already at this early stage."
"Oh, yes they have and I trust that we will find out soon enough." Éomer said.
Aragorn grinned "Aye, and you two rogues should know; I do remember once, just before you two were married …."
"Leave that for a moment without little ears" Éowyn warned looking at her sister-in-law, "but I am sure that both Lothíriel and I would love to hear it."
Faramir and Éomer looked at each other.
"I am sure that you would" Éomer said "and I think that I would prefer telling the story myself, which ever it is, than to have Aragorn tell it. Especially if it is the same incident that we are thinking of."
After dinner, Elboron, Eldarion and Elfwine found a quiet corner in the garden, where they were certain that no one could overhear them, especially their younger siblings and cousins, and most especially their parents.
"What is that you want to talk to me about?" Elboron inquired. Eldarion quickly told him about the tavern and what they were planning, and a roguish smile, not unlike his uncle's, spread over Elboron's face.
"I knew you would like the idea", Elfwine grinned.
"When are we going?" Elboron inquired.
"I think it would be better if we waited until late this evening, when everybody is asleep. Then we can sneak out; we should be able to." Eldarion grinned.
"Do you think that our parents will go to bed earlier tonight than last night?" Elfwine asked.
"No, but with aunt Éowyn and Faramir here, I am sure that Gimli and your father will start one of their usual discussions, where Éowyn and father join in, and that will surely keep them occupied for a while." Eldarion grinned.
"We will be safe, but now I think we should go back to the hall and entertain the girls or play games, or whatever good boys should." The three friends laughed loudly and went inside.
Although they thought otherwise, Aragorn watched them coming in and remarked to Éomer and Faramir.
"Yes, they are definitely up to something. I can tell, living for so long with Elrohir and Elladan taught me something about mischief. And Eldarion, I am sorry to say, have inherited a lot from them. I think we should watch them closely."
Legolas, who had been listening in and also had been watching the boys, nodded. "I agree, and I also know something about Arwen's brothers. I shall do the watching, Aragorn. I still have the better eyes and ears".
Éomer grinned, "Aye, you do, my fine Elvish prince; they are still better than your drinking abilities, I grant."
Ever since the celebrations after the victory at Helm's Deep, this had been a subject of taunting between the two. A drinking contest had finally proven that there was something that the Prince of Mirkwood was not a master at, although he had beaten several of Éomer's men – and one particular dwarf. Legolas just smiled, raising his goblet to his friend, who returned the gesture.
---oooOOOooo---They did not, however, stay up as long as the night before. The harvest festival commencing the next day, everybody wished to be refreshed as possible. The youngest children had long been in bed, and the oldest children also bid their parents goodnight and left to go to their rooms. The three heirs shared Eldarion's large room on the top floor and went there to await that the castle became quiet and settled for the night. Legolas watched them leave and smiled to himself. Luckily he did not need as much rest as humans and could stay awake.
Finally everything seemed quiet; the three boys had changed their fine tunics and breeches into something a little more obscure and wore cloaks with hoods. Eldarion looked out and signalled that the coast was clear and the three friends snuck out and down the stairs. They started running and did not stop until they reach the gate leading into the streets. The guards recognized the princes, but just cast a look upon them, as they had no authority to stop the king's son. Legolas followed them at a good distance, all the way to the tavern at the first level of Minas Tirith.
He smiled to himself "Obviously their fathers were right in worrying; now what are they up to? Well, Aragorn should know; he was a right handful at that age," Legolas mused, "and together with the twins, he was downright scary." The elf followed the boys into the tavern, where they had found a table. Legolas drew his Elvish cloak about him and donned the hood, blending into a dark corner.
The three young men looked around them, sucking in the atmosphere. A young bar maid came up to their table to take their orders. They all ordered ale, a drink which they all recently had been allowed to be introduced to, and when they got their order, Eldarion raised his tankard "Welcome to the other side of Minas Tirith, my friends." The other two smiled and drank with him.
They sat for a while, drinking and laughing – and feeling a bit conscious about being there. Several of the young bar maids had discovered the young, handsome men and were eyeing them boldly and deliberately. Legolas noticed this and smiled to himself.
The boys hesitantly reciprocated the attention. Several of the girls were very attractive, and although they seemed no older than them, the look in their eyes told of larger experience than any of the young men.
Elfwine and his cousin had been discussing whether they should invite a couple of the girls over to the table, and Eldarion was already eyeing one of the girls when Elfwine's attention was drawn to the table next to them in the corner.
He had accompanied his father all over Rohan for a couple of years now, roaming close to the borders and had seen a lot of different people on these patrols. He knew a Southron when he saw one. This one looked every bit evil and the company he kept did not look any better; they seemed to be involved in a discussion of some sort and it looked a bit too suspicious in Elfwine's opinion, being a keen observer like his father.
He drew the others' attention to the party. "Did you not say, Eldarion that Faramir had reported activities to the South, by Southrons or orcs?"
Elboron replied "Yes, I know that father spoke to the king about this recently, and I have already heard him and mother talking when they thought that I did not hear." The crown prince's brow furrowed, making him look very much like his father.
"Could we move closer and overhear?"
Their rash idea of living an adult life in taverns was all of a sudden being forgotten over the instinct that was planted in them from birth. Legolas had also seen the party and had overheard the boys' conversation and was wary, as he saw the boys move closer to the corner. He sighed heavily. "I wish they were not quite so much like their fathers; I'd better move in as well."
Before the boys could move closer, the party got up. The boys followed them. "At least they are trained well enough to know what to do and they are also armed." All the boys wore their swords under their cloaks. Legolas followed them. The three boys crept up so they could overhear the conversation.
One of the Southrons growled, "The harvest festival will be a good time for the attack. All the royal families are gathered here and we could get lucky and have them all erased from the face of the earth, including the heirs."
One of the others said: "But the kings are also some of the finest soldiers around and the Horse Lord has brought some of his finest as has the Swan Prince." "Does not matter, we will get them and also avenge our losses during the years. Let's start with the kings and the princes, then we can see about the families. There are some good women and fine, little lasses among them."
At this, the three young men clenched their fists and especially Elfwine had difficulty keeping calm. "We have to tell our fathers, and now!" he snarled, clutching his the hilt of his sword. Legolas, who had also heard it, stiffened.
Just then the Southron men seemed to become aware of something: "I heard a noise" one of them said "Let us get out of here; get the horses." Elfwine looked at his friends. "Go find our fathers, I will follow them."
Before the two others could say anything, he ran towards the royal stables to saddle Greymane.
Legolas cursed in Elvish and stepped out from the shadows. Eldarion and Elboron froze as they saw him.
"Run to your fathers and wake them!" he said. "Tell Éomer from me that I will follow Elfwine. Do not just stand there, go!" he commanded and ran to find his horse.
He met with Elfwine just outside the stables. "You are not going anywhere without me, my lad" he said. Elfwine looked at him "How –- what are you doing here." Legolas found his horse and leapt on its back, needing no saddle and reins. Luckily he had carried his weapons, the bow and quiver and the white knives when he went out. "Go, I will tell you on the way."
The Rohirrim lad and the elf galloped down the levels of Minas Tirith and out the big gate. In the moonlight, Legolas' elf eyes clearly saw the riders ahead of them. "We will be able to gain in on them, after all Rohirrim horses are the descendants of the Mearas and can travel at great speed." He quickly told Elfwine what had happened, that their fathers had suspected mischief and that he had volunteered to follow them.
Elfwine laughed "Well, they are so full of mischief themselves that they suspect everything that we do, and they have a great ally in you, Legolas. I am glad that you are with me, although I know how to handle myself."
"Do you know how much you are like your father, lad?" Legolas smiled as he urged his horse on. "Same courage and same confidence in his own abilities. Let us go, we are gaining on them".
---oooOOOooo---
In the meantime, Eldarion and Elboron had reached the castle. Eldarion ran to his parents' room and knocked on the door whereas Elboron ran to wake his uncle and his parents.
"Father, wake up." Eldarion called softly. Aragorn, who had not lost his ranger habits of sleeping lightly over the years, immediately sat up in bed beside his wife. "What is it, my son; and what are you doing here at this hour."
Eldarion quickly told his father the story and gave him the message from Legolas. Aragorn jumped out of bed and got dressed. He fastened his sword at his side and said to Arwen.
"Get hold of Lothíriel and Éowyn; you and Imrahil will have to guard the children; we do not know whether they are others in the city. Eldarion, sound the alarm and tell the Captain of the Guard that he shall find at least fifty men to follow me. You will ride with us."
Eldarion nodded and ran out of the room; Arwen looked at her husband, who was now once more the determined warlord. "You will be taking our son?"
Aragorn nodded "I believe that he is better protected with me and Éomer than if he stays here, the Valar knows what he could get up to." "You are right, my Love." Arwen kissed her husband and ran to find Éowyn.
Both Éowyn and Lothíriel were up; and had already dressed and found their weapons. Éomer and Faramir had already left to summon their men and so had Elphir. Imrahil and his two other sons and part of the Swan Legion would also be staying behind.
Not many Gondorian soldiers were left in the city; many had gotten leave due to the harvest celebrations and had gone home to their families and the rest was scattered all over Gondor and Ithilien, and as Aragorn took part of them with him on this mission, it did not leave many defenders to hold the large city.
Aragorn felt, however, that with those he had and with those of the Swan Legion, who would stay behind, including the Prince and his sons, the palace would be well defended. And the Southrons would not attack the ordinary citizens of Minas Tirith if they only wanted to get to the Royal families.
Gimli had also, grudgingly, consented to stay behind.
"Seeing as the fine Elf princeling has abandoned me as always when something exciting is going down, I shall stay and defend your families," he promised Aragorn.
Elboron looked at his father: "I want to go with you; I can fight as well." Faramir gave his consent, looking at the boy's mother.
Éowyn nodded: "He should, Faramir." Faramir kissed her, squeezing her hand and left.
"Watch over the others, my love." Éomer told Lothíriel. "Our son is already out there and I shall bring him back to you." He kissed his wife softly, caressing her cheek and went to join the Rohirrim, Éothain already waiting with his horse at the bottom of the stairs.
Éomer made sure that someone had brought his son's armour. "He will need it," he thought. He mounted his horse, nodded to his sister and sharing a last look with his wife, he called: "We ride!"
Aragorn lifted his hand to signal departure to his guard and along with his steward and his son followed the King of Rohan and the Swan Knights.
"Where to" cried Éomer to Aragorn as they rode towards the big gate. "Osgilliath" the king called back, "I trust that if we ride hard, we will be able to catch up with Elfwine and Legolas; otherwise I believe that I shall still be able to track a party of men on horses."
Éomer and Faramir grinned,
"By Béma, the ranger is back" Éomer grinned in spite of the seriousness of the chase and they spurred on their horses. Elboron and Eldarion in their armour, which still felt a bit unaccustomed, exchanged a look as if saying to each other "This is the real thing" and followed their fathers.
---oooOOOooo---Legolas and Elfwine had gained on the riders, but still kept at a distance, which was no trouble at all to the elf. "Furthermore, we have to keep in between those we are pursuing and those who are pursuing us so that they can find us. Although Aragorn will still be able to track us, I believe."
The young Crown Prince of Rohan smiled "I believe that he will" he said, "and otherwise my father will find us; the scolding that he has in store for me will be his biggest incitement to do so."
Legolas turned and looked back, as if he had heard something. "Horses" he said, "and not a few; they are behind us, the kings of Gondor and Rohan."
Legolas and Elfwine had slowed down their pace to a trot, partly to give their horses some rest and partly to allow the pursuers to catch up. They were sure that they would be able to catch up with the Southrons. Legolas had seen them turn east just before they reached Osgilliath; it seemed as if they did not suspect that somebody was following them.
"Overconfidence", Legolas mused, "a good thing for us; a very foolish thing for them." He did not think that they were going that far, suspecting that they may be hiding somewhere near the place, where the Black Gate once stood.
He looked at Éomer's young son; the young man seemed calm, just like his father would have been, but Legolas could not really tell whether it was just a façade. "Are you nervous?" he asked him.
"No, not of the Southrons, but possibly of the meeting with my father" Elfwine grinned, "I will probably be given a scolding like never before – both for being at that tavern and then for rushing out in pursuit of them."
Legolas smiled "Oh, yes – I do know something about your father and his temper, but he will also be proud over the way, you three reacted. As I am sure both your uncle and Aragorn will."
They heard horses approaching. Legolas grinned, "The hour is closer than you think, my lad." Elfwine half-smiled and braced himself. In the dim light, he could see his father riding at the head of the column, the horsetail of his helmet gleaming white in the moonlight.
The riders came to a halt before Legolas and Elfwine. "What in the Blue Hell did you think of, lad, are you absolutely out of your mind, rushing off like that. Thank the Valar that Legolas was around!" Éomer's voice boomed across to his son, who also heard the slight tremble in it.
Éomer's dark eyes shot arrows at his son. "We have brought your armour; put it on." He said curtly. "But do not think that we are through now; we will discuss this further when we get back as well as the small matter of what you were doing in that tavern at the first place."
Éomer could not help smiling to himself at his son, who sat upright in the saddle, meeting his father's blaze with steady, but flashing eyes. "And your mother might have something to say to you, as well" he thought.
Elfwine inclined his head in acknowledgement of his father's word and rode down the column to find his armour and helmet. A young Rider handed it to him along with a spear.
Éothain came up to him: "He is proud of you, you know. Let us know see if all that weapons training have paid off, my lad." He put his hand on Elfwine's shoulder. "You will find your friends at the rear of the column." Elfwine looked up and saw Eldarion and Elboron, both in the armour of Gondor. He nodded at them.
Aragorn had had a word with Legolas, while Éomer had dealt with his son and now turned to the others. "Legolas says that they turned east before they reached Osgilliath, and that they did not seem to know that they are being followed, which is a good thing for us. – And I quite agree with you that they might hide somewhere near the place where the Black Gate once stood."
"The Black Gate, uh? We have been there before." Éomer said and Elphir nodded in consent, his face sombre. "Not a time I care to remember very much about", he said.
Aragorn and his steward had conferred with their captains and now turned to Éomer and Elphir. "We are sending scouts ahead. If you agree, some of your men will be included in this scouting party. No, not you three," he said, as he recognized his son and his two friends, who had approached and now had a look of somebody, who wanted to volunteer.
"I agree", said Éomer, "It should be somebody, who are more experienced." He looked around "Déor, Halfwine" he called and two of his men broke out from the column and rode up to their king. Elphir also gave orders to two of his men, and along with the rangers from Ithilien and Gondor, the scouts set out ahead of the column.
"If you are not back in a couple of hours, we will come for you," Aragorn said.
"What now?" asked Eldarion.
"Now, my son, we dismount and wait." Aragorn replied.