AUTHOR'S NOTE: Another ch. for my fave readers :)!! Valia-Elf: yes, homework is going to be a major setback once I get some :P. thanks for your lovely reviews!! Natulcien: wow! I hope carrying a comp. around is not too much trouble :D but it is flattering that you would wish to read this story so much. It will just get better as A&A's life together begins. Hmm...Eldarion is on the horizon...Enjoy ch. 28 everyone!!
The door closed behind Aragorn and Arwen and the scent of burning oil, wood, and cooking wafted into the entryway where they stood. They came to the writing desk where sunlight fell from the windows.
A short, balding man with an apron bustled out of a door and halted abruptly when he saw the tall, fair King, the beautiful, slender Queen, and the four knights in burnished armour who had also entered. His eyes grew quite large as he slowly stepped forward. This was the first time Aragorn had ever seen Barliman Butterbur move unhurriedly.
"Barliman! You look well," he said with a bright smile.
Barliman swallowed hard and wiped his hands on his soiled apron covering his round belly." My lord...you...know me?"
"Very well. I once sat at your tables and drank of your ale."
The hobbits had mentioned the once-Ranger Strider becoming King of the West, yet Barliman's thoughts were always crowded and his memory sluggish at times. Suddenly his face turned very pale and he gasped.
"Strider! They were saying you'd gone along and become King, but it went right out o' my head!" He looked somewhat abashed.
Aragorn's laugh was rich and clear. "Indeed! It has been long since I have heard the name as it has been long since I stayed at the Prancing Pony. Would you happen to have enough rooms for me and my men?"
"Of course! My mind's been a mite crowded these days with all that's happening. We've got plenty of rooms to spare. I'll have Nob show you right off. It's a great honour to have such noble folk even coming to my inn, you know." He rattled off some more and paused to look again at King Elessar. "Imagine that! I wouldn't have recognised you with all that fine apparel...and that fine lady at your side. Ah! Your pardon, my lady, I haven't been quite proper." He bowed as much as his round belly would allow and called for Nob. "I still can't believe it myself even looking straight at you Ol Strider with an Elf and a crown!" He wrung his hands. "I've been terrible thinking you were some ruffian of the Wild."
"Not at all, my friend. I was a rascally looking fellow, was I not?" He grinned.
They were shown their rooms before entering the common room. There had been very few there earlier, yet now many had come when they heard the King had come to the Pony to stay. Arwen had remained in the parlour where a warm fire burned bright, so Aragorn sat with his Men at the only empty table and even then more filled the room.
Nob and Barliman set tall mugs before them brimming with golden ale blessed by Gandalf himself years ago in the beginning of the War of the Ring. Aragorn felt strange re-entering that place where he had sat so many times before where no one noticed him unless he told a tale of past ages or sang a song forgotten by common Men. Now the people could only gaze in wonder at this mighty King who deigned to sit among them with a smile that lit the room as brightly as the sun.
Bree had had much trouble after Aragorn had left with the hobbits for it was not only Black Riders that had entered there since the Dúnedain were suddenly occupied. Ruffians, fear, and rumours had frightened the people and changed the village...although not for the good. Yet once Aragorn's messengers were sent along the Greenway, they rid the roads of brigands as well as in Bree whenever they came there. Aragorn was still protecting them even now when he dwelt so far away.
"Will that be all for you, my lord? Even with all the trouble our ale and food's as good as ever...as you'll remember it I suppose. You'll not drink a finer mug of ale in all the North." said Butterbur. The inn was busier than it had been for as long as he could remember and he was overwhelmed with joy at such great business.
"That is well for now, my friend. Thank you."
He nodded and rushed off in his usual flurry.
There had been soft murmurs of conversation as the people sipped their ale or smoked their pipes, yet all glanced frequently towards the table with the tall, grey-eyed men. When they heard Elessar's voice some of their memories recalled that voice, somewhat changed, from long ago from a rugged Ranger whom they avoided as they did ruffians.
After a moment the curious began to question them at last when they could hold it in no longer. They answered many questions of Gondor, the Southern lands, and the battles in the far lands of Rhûn and Khand. All were captured by the King's rich, ringing voice until the sun reached its peak in the sapphire heavens. Barliman came hurrying in.
"Now they've come from a long way and I expect they'll be wishing to rest now after you've questioned them to exhaustion," he said stepping close to their table.
"Ah, but I am not weary, old Butterbur!" laughed Aragorn as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his long legs. "It enlivens me to be here again and tell of my city to these noble folk. It has been far too long." As he finished his words some of the men leaped to their feet as a slender form moved into the common room. Aragorn also rose and reached out a hand to Arwen who had decided to join him. "Come and sit with us."
One of the Gondorian soldiers offered his chair and was given another for himself by a man sitting nearby. She sat beside Aragorn and looked at all the wondering eyes gaping in astonishment.
"Nay, Butterbur, we are not yet weary," said Aragorn briefly laying a hand on her arm. Her apparel was a soft grey with silver patterns across the breast and down the front as well as a silver girdle of intricate make in a design the Elves had always favoured. Her eyes seemed like mithril glimmering in the warm light against the grey and silver of her fair apparel.
There was another stream of questions and even some jesting was had as more ale was served around. Arwen was brought a glass of red wine that Barliman kept for only the special occasions or guests. She watched as her beloved mingled with the common men and women in a way only a humble and noble king could accomplish, and she smiled softly as her eyes studied him as she had done often in the past years.
He had changed little in the time they had been together in Minas Tirith for he was of the blood of Númenor and would live many years more even. There were grey specks in his shadowy hair and his eyes were shining with an elven-wisdom gained over his many years, yet his face showed little of his true age but for the chiselled lines of his handsome features.
At last, after many had been fed the noon meal and men had come and gone, the men of Gondor wearied of the long inquiry and tales told there in the common room of the Prancing Pony. Many began to depart with warm farewells as they fell silent and Aragorn stood.
"Thank you all for your graciousness, curiosity, and hospitality. I fear we must go and rest now for tomorrow we depart."
Arwen gently ran her fingers along the arm of the wooden chair in her and Aragorn's room they had been given. Everything in the Inn was warm and comforting as it had been in Edoras where she had been for a brief time. There were no mighty halls or gilded furniture, yet the hearts of the people were noble and strong, and they put such things into their work.
Aragorn slipped off his outer layers and his belt. His eyes were shining and his lips seemed turned into the beginnings of a smile. Arwen turned to face him.
"This is a wonderful village, yet they are still recovering from difficult times. You aided their spirits much today." She paused. "We shall return after out stay at Lake Evendim?"
Aragorn seemed surprise at the question as he looked up. "Of course. I have quite enjoyed being here again. They do not know how much I appreciate their enduring ways and simple curiosity."
"I feel a warmth here that I did not expect," she said moving towards the bed. "It is unlike anywhere I have visited or dwelt yet I take pleasure in it. It reminds me of the dear Periannath; well, even without those of that people who dwell here."
"I much desire to see them again," he said. He looked out of the window before drawing the red curtains. Arwen was already beneath the blankets and gazing up at the ceiling with distant eyes. He lay beside her and she seemed to return when she laid her head against his chest.
"I am glad Frodo has gone. His pain was far too great to remain here."
"You knew, did you not, that he would have to depart these shores to have peace at last when he gave him your necklace?"
"Yes," she said softly. "It was there in his eyes and his face. I felt it. He is now at peace..."
After turning from Fornost, the company arrived at Lake Evendim where it had been restored to its past glory and made well for dwelling. Aragorn and Arwen intended to remain there for some time though not too long for Aragorn had need to return to Minas Tirith as its King.
Aragorn had made a ruling that no Man was to enter the Shire whether a king or a ruffian or a traveller. Even he did not intend to step foot over their borders because of the edict.
The dwelling of Annúminas by Lake Evendim was much alike in appearance of the places of Minas Tirith and Gondor but for the subtle differences of the colour of stone and such things. There were grand halls and welcoming parlours. There was a corridor housing many quarters for guests and verdant courtyards where life thrived. It had been restored from the toppling ruins as many forsaken structures of the Northern kingdom had been once a King returned to the Throne.
On the third day Aragorn and Arwen set out to come to the Brandywine Bridge where they would meet with their hobbit friends without crossing into the lands. It was a fair company of Gondorians and their King and Queen riding on choice horses—some even of Rohan—in fine apparel and gleaming armour. It would be a sight that the hobbits had never seen before. Many had heard of their coming and accompanied Samwise, Meriadoc, and Peregrin to see.
The Bridge came into sight at last and figures of small stature appeared on the other side stirring with excitement. Little hobbit children rushed into view as well from where they had been romping in innocent mirth to catch a sight of the King their mothers and fathers had spoken of.
Once they reached the bridge, Aragorn dismounted and saw those he had waited to see for so many years also dismounting from their shaggy ponies. A smile shining like the sun lit his noble face and he stepped forward.
"Aragorn!" Pippin cried at the same moment as Merry. They laughed and met him with Sam in the middle of the Bridge. There were warm embraces and tears of joy as members of the Fellowship reunited once again after being parted for many years.
Aragorn stepped back to look upon his companions. "It has been far too long, my friends. Far too long." He clasped their hands and smiled. "Now we must speak together for I much desire to hear what has become of you all."
Sam turned round and a lovely hobbit lass slowly came to him as well as two others who came to Pippin and Merry's sides. Then Aragorn saw that there was a younger one who was the loveliest hobbit he had ever seen with golden hair and bright blue eyes. She was Elanor the Fair, daughter of Samwise and Rosie Gamgee.
Aragorn bowed before them. "I am glad to see your lives are full of peace and joy as they once were. May your houses and kin always be blessed as my own has been." He looked over them at the others gathered. "And all your lands and people."
Once they had spoken for a time together Aragorn invited the hobbits to come stay at Annúminas. They all exchanged glances and bright smiles lit their faces.
"Of course!" said Merry.
"It would be wonderful to hear what's happened in Gondor and Rohan since we've been away," said Pippin.
"I've often wondered how things have gone after so much happened," said Sam thinking aloud. "It's been in my dreams of late."
"Well wonder no more for I shall tell you everything once we arrive. Come! My heart is overwhelmed with a joy unspeakable to see you all again. It has brought wonderful memories to mind."
The hobbits mounted their ponies and rode at the King's side laughing and talking for they also had not spoken for a month or more. Aragorn felt as though he had stepped back in time to the months when the dear hobbits had abided in Minas Tirith before they departed for the Shire, yet Frodo was now gone and it was evident. It was as if there was a missing presence that they did not speak of.
Arwen smiled at the Periannath's light conversation and jesting, yet she looked again to Elanor who had glanced at her multiple instances as they journeyed to Lake Evendim. She was a hobbit only as tall as a man's waist, yet her large eyes were bright and wise in the ways of the small folk. She had been taught well by her father who had seen much of the world.
Suddenly Aragorn was beside her for he had dropped behind the hobbits at his side. His eyes were shining.
"Perhaps we will stay longer than first planned," she said softly. "Faramir is quite capable of handling Gondor while we are away for there is no longer any threat to the lands."
His expression shifted slightly to amusement. "You read my thoughts, meldanya. I was going to ask you if you were willing to remain in Annúminas for a time longer. I suppose I do not have need to now." He laughed quietly and gently brushed his fingers against her hand on the reins of her pale horse. "There is something I must speak with you about once we are alone, yet it is able to wait for now. Seeing my hobbit friends with their kin has brought it to my thoughts when I had not pondered it before...or not more than once."
He said no more of it, yet Arwen suddenly wondered what he had thought of so unexpectedly. He was not anxious or worried, so she was content to know it was not of great importance or urgency, though she was now curious as to what he was thinking. She looked over to him, to the hobbits with their wives and one daughter, and she felt a burst of understanding.
At last, she thought with a soft smile. I wondered if he would ever speak of it...
I am very sorry everyone, but I will not be putting up any chaps all this week since school is starting and I will be gone for three days. Hopefully I will have something special for the weekend :).