A/N: There was some confusion among those of you who haven't read "What is Meant To Be" about the friendship between Thranduil and Gimli. They met at Aragorn and Legolas' wedding celebration and were sort of stuck together because the happy couple had other things on their minds :-) After an awkward moment, Gimli (who'd developed fatherly feelings for Legolas) started telling Thranduil how his son didn't know how to take care of himself. Thranduil concurred and a friendship began.
"All hail King Elessar and Prince Legolas!" shouted out a voice as the couple rode through the magnificent gates of Minas Tirith.
Aragorn raised his hand to quiet the ensuing cheer. "People of Gondor!" he announced grandly, though – even after four years – he still felt ridiculous acting so dramatic. He saw the corners of Legolas' mouth curve upward at his kingly behavior. "We welcome back to the city the most esteemed halflings; Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and Samwise Gamgee with his family. Minas Tirith is honored by their presence!"
An amazed and nervous Rose clutched baby Frodo and Elanor closer as the crowd cheered its greeting. "Is this really for us?" she whispered to Sam, still expecting it all to be some grand joke.
He nodded earnestly. "Men like doing things all grand-like," he explained with a blush in his cheeks.
"The people of Gondor are pleased with the return of all of your party," Faramir's voice sounded loud and clear. The crowd gave way, allowing him and his family to pass through.
"Greetings, Steward of Gondor," replied Aragorn, hating the showy nature of his tone. Years of living in the Wild as a ranger cemented him into a straightforward Man with little use for the fancy words and ceremonies that the nobles seemed to relish in and the commoners expected. It was all a part of ruling his lands, though, and he endured it all with a combination of resignation and amusement. "I trust that everything is well in the kingdom?"
"Quite well, sire," answered Faramir with a twinkle in his eye. Aragorn had quickly grown to appreciate the steward after reclaiming the throne. After all, how many Men were there that had lived both the lifestyle of a ranger and within the courts of the White City? Faramir had proved to be the perfect liaison between plain-worded king and the often-pretentious nobles on the advisors' council. "All has been made ready for your arrival; and the advisors have already convened to meet with you at your convenience."
Aragorn groaned inwardly. Could they not give him an hour to himself? "I'll be there shortly," he said, hoping that he wasn't wincing in a noticeable way. His mood lightened considerably at the sight of two identical brunette figures charging forward through the dissipating crowd. "But first I must attend to other matters."
"Is that all we are to you then, Estel?" prodded Elladan as he practically pulled his younger brother off of Hasufel's back. "Just some matters for the mighty king of Men to deal with?"
"I'm afraid that's all we can be now," Elrohir sighed melodramatically, playfully shoving his twin away from Aragorn, brushing imaginary dirt off of the Man's clothing. "What are his two loving brothers compared to getting his boots licked by a bunch of wordy Men? I apologize for delaying you, my liege."
Legolas slid off of Arod's back with an inaudible grunt of discomfort. "Be nice to him," he warned, though he made no move to stop the twins as they crushed his husband between them in a rather enthusiastic hug. "I've been mean enough on this trip to last him awhile."
"You? Mean to him?" Eowyn laughed out loud at the thought. "What happened? I can only imagine that you let a day slip by without mentioning your unwavering love for him."
"No, I" – he paused anxiously, lowering his voice so that only she could hear – "It was more than that. Let's not talk about it right now."
She frowned at this. "What happened?" she demanded immediately, not at all uncomfortable with ordering him to divulge personal information. Their relationship began a tad unconventionally, as far as friendships go. He was never jealous of the strong feelings that she held for Aragorn; because he knew that the Man loved him and because he saw a lot of himself in the White Lady of Rohan. Both of them were younger members of royal families ruling over troubled lands, frustrated at being overprotected. For her part, she accepted that the ranger would never love her and even comforted him at Helm's Deep when he feared that Aragorn was dead. He returned the favor in the Houses of Healing while she was recovering from her injuries after defeating the Witch-king. Their friendship had only grown since they both married and moved away from their own peoples.
"It can wait," he assured her, smiling at the sight of someone waiting impatiently to speak to him. "Hello, Gimli!"
"Laddie," greeted the dwarf gruffly as Legolas bent down and embraced him. He broke the hug to examine the elf's face. "Are you tired? You look tired. I bet you didn't get a wink of sleep the entire time you were away."
"It's nice to see you too," replied Legolas with a roll of his eyes. "We came back in just time. You're starting to read my father's thoughts; another week of just having him to talk to and you two would have the same mind altogether."
"That's not so!" Gimli protested. "I could never think like an elf. It's just that I happen to agree with Thranduil about what's best for you. You don't seem to know how to take care of yourself."
"My lord." All eyes turned to Faramir. "I'm sorry to interrupt the long-awaited reunions, but the advisors are waiting..."
"I'm coming," groaned the king, steeling himself. "I've been meaning to make a few things clear to them anyway. Do you wish to witness this, my love?"
"I think I'll have to decline," answered Legolas wryly.
"We'll take the hobbits on a tour," decided Gimli. "Show that all that the dwarves, elves, and Men have accomplished here since their departure. You can just find us afterward."
Eowyn raised her eyebrows at Legolas as she noticed the grim expression on Aragorn's face. "Now why do I get the feeling that they're about to attend a very interesting meeting?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"King Elessar!" greeted Cirion importantly as Aragorn and Faramir entered the hall. He jumped from his place at the table where the advisors were sitting. "We are most pleased –"
"Silence," grunted Aragorn, briskly walking past him to take his place at the head of the table. "And sit down while you're at it. There is something that I should have made resoundingly clear a long time ago and I'll have no courtly patience in debating the matter."
"Your highness?" asked another advisor, shifting apprehensively in his seat. The king seemed to be in a dangerous mood today. "What matter would that be?"
Aragorn glowered at all of them. He knew deep down that he shouldn't be so indiscriminate with his displeasure – some of them were actually good Men and invaluable counselors who genuinely respected his husband and their marriage – but at the moment all he could think about was that pained, guilty expression on Legolas' face when they talked over the breakfast table at Bree. "This concerns my heir," he told them.
The almost-simultaneous intake of breath was audible. "Really?" asked Cirion. Aragorn sorely wished that it would be proper for him to slap the eagerness out of the noble's face. Had the Man no shame? "You have reached a decision, then, about who will provide you with a son?"
"That decision was made many years ago," the king declared fiercely. "I will not create a child with anyone who is not my husband. Nothing will change that."
"But my king!" Cirion protested. "Why should you have to remain childless, when –"
"If you value your title and your life, you'll hold your tongue," spat out Aragorn in fury and disgust. "By the Valar, is that what you've been whispering in Legolas' ear? That he's forcing this on me?"
All the color drained from Cirion's face. "I-I have not said anything to the prince," he stuttered.
"Let me remind you that there are dire consequences for lying to your king," warned Aragorn darkly. "Imagine my surprise when your words of advice on this very subject came out of his mouth while we were away. It's like receiving a dagger to the heart every time I see his misery about not being able to bear children."
"You are not being reasonable!" Cirion argued stubbornly. He was too invested in his plans to give up without a fight. "He came to Minas Tirith with his royal title, so he must not be completely ignorant of the privileges a king enjoys. He should expect you to take a noble mistress since he is not able to fulfill –"
"And what noble mistress to you wish me to take?" The entire council slid as far away from the table and the debaters as they could get. Faramir discreetly moved into a position that would allow him to jump in between them at a moment's notice should any physical violence break out.
"I have never been more disgusted by any Man in my entire life," Aragorn continued, not bothering to contain his rage. "Your daughter will never be my queen, my mistress, or the mother of my children. Stop offering her to me and every other powerful man in Gondor like she's your prized breeding mare!"
The entire room went deathly quiet. Cirion was staring wide-eyed at the king, who firmly stood his ground. There was not a soul in there that knew how the noble would react once he gained his senses.
"Sire!" Everyone jumped as a young man's voice screamed for the king from outside in the corridor. The door burst open without so much as a knock and a teen that Aragorn recognized as Bergil rushed in.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Faramir in exasperation. While the diplomatic side of him wished to deter any conflict between the king and an advisor, he knew from personal experience how Cirion treated his daughter. He'd been disappointed when both the king and the steward wed and had even gone so far as to imply – at the celebration after his wedding, no less – that Eowyn might not be womanly enough to continue his line. No, Faramir didn't doubt for a second that the noble's harassment of Legolas was even worse. He was elated to see him being called on it; this interruption couldn't have come at a worse time!
"I'm sorry!" cried Bergil hurriedly.
There were tears streaming down the boy's face and he made no attempt to hide them or wipe them away. "It's all right, Bergil," Aragorn assured him. "Please tell me, what's so important that it couldn't wait until after the meeting?"
"It's Prince Legolas, sire."
"Legolas?" gasped Aragorn. "What happened? Is something wrong with him?"
"I don't know!" lamented Bergil, shaking his head vigorously. "He was just walking around with the Lady Eowyn and her daughter, and with the Lord Gimli, and those two elf lords and the hobbits! They were all talking and laughing and stuff like that. There was no warning!"
"No warning about what?" cried Aragorn desperately.
"The prince collapsed," Bergil reported, his frightened eyes filled with tears. He had admired Legolas since he first came to the city, being both fascinated by the fact that he was an actual elf and thrilled with the amazing adventure he'd just taken part in. Knowing about what just happened would have been terrible; actually seeing it happen was utterly devastating. "One minute he was standing and the next he was sprawled out on the ground. They tried to wake him up, but they couldn't. One of the elf lords – I don't know which; I can't tell them apart – shouted something about his eyes being shut or something like that. I don't know what that would mean, but he sounded so – so worried. They sent me to bid you come to the Houses of Healing as soon as you can."
To be continued...
A/N: The next chapter will be a longer one; some important stuff to cover in it (hint, hint!).