AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wow, I really do not like to make you all wait but this time it was necessary (even though it was like 2 months!!). This ch. doesn't have as much substance, but I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for hanging in there and please be patient with me :D. Enjoy ch. 32!!
The deer's soft coat glistened in the shafts of golden sun breaking through the trees over its lean muscles. He lowered his head to the bright patch of grass but with eyes watching still the tranquil wood about him. His ears twitched with every faint sound that shattered the silence.
A shadowed figure crept through the underbrush poised and silent. Its feet brushed lightly over the earth and its powerful limbs were held steady as it moved forward careful to avoid the golden light and the cracking twigs. It was a young man.
His garments were the colour of the leaves and of the earth beneath his feet with boots of soft soles and leather. There hung a quiver at his back with slender arrows of black tips, yet he held the long bow in his firm grasp drawn taught against his shoulder. His shadowy hair shimmered softly in the dim light of the forest where it hung past his ears slightly pointed, and he had eyes of starlit grey that shone even in the shadows he slipped through though he had not yet touched manhood. He was a youth of twenty-one years and of an exceeding fair appearance.
The wind was in his favour as he halted beside a tree of great girth and watched the deer quickly nibble the grass it could find in the trees. It had a mighty rack of antlers high upon its head for it was a buck of prime age and strength just as its pursuer was of those who were of Men. He paused to lick his golden-brown fur with a soft pink tongue before returning to the scanty meal.
The young man suddenly lowered his bow when he glimpsed another shadowed one near the deer. He leaned forward, setting his keen gaze upon it in the distance to see more clearly what he could of it. It was indeed a wolf as he had thought.
Its silvery-grey fur was hidden somewhat in the shadow of the high trees, yet its glittering gold eyes shone forth from where it crouched in the underbrush ready to leap upon its prey. The young man thought it strange to see one alone, so he supposed the others were about though also hidden as was their companion. It drew one step forward in slow, practiced concentration.
The youth's arrow tip touched the ground as he watched the wolf do as he had done earlier and slowly eased the bow string forward before replacing the arrow to its quiver with the others.
"Today you shall have it," he murmured as though the wolf could hear him from afar. "But today only."
He rose silently and swiftly hastened away so the beast could have its meal for he knew it would have more difficulty finding food than he. He journeyed through the forest and out into the open land where the sun shone fully around him. It was a cheerful spring day for winter had only recently released its grip on Middle-earth as the cold drifted away on the new winds rushing in from the West and South.
The young man sat gently in the grass to be washed in the glory of the sun's shining rays. He laid his bow aside and slipped the full quiver from his back to the earth beside it for he no longer had need of them that day. For now he would rest and enjoy the hours he had of the day.
A man on horseback came racing over the field to meet him. The horse was a grey stallion proud and tall, yet its rider was greater and mightier still. He dismounted as smoothly as the Elven kindred and stroked the horse's nose before approaching the younger man in the grass.
"Eldarion, my son, why do you sit upon the ground as you do now?"
He looked up into his father's gleaming eyes and spoke in a smooth, ringing voice enriched by its depth. "Greetings, Atar. I was hunting in the forest when I decided it was not my place."
King Elessar watched his son silently for a moment, and then sat before him there in the thick grass. "What do you mean?"
"There are wolves there in the forest that I had not known of for I had only thought of the Wargs that used to roam here, I suppose, and was surprised when I caught sight of a common wolf pursuing the same deer as I."
King Elessar, his son Eldarion, and a fair company of men had ridden from Gondor to Erebor and some lands there in the North to meet with their rulers and people as a noble king should and now resided in Esgaroth for a time. Eldarion had been thrilled as they journeyed across the lands he had heard tell of since he could speak and the tales of what had occurred there, so now he marvelled at the city where the dragon Smaug had been slain by Bard the Bowman so many years ago.
"Yes, there are those of that creature that have always been uncorrupted unlike the Wargs who are of the Great Enemy, Morgoth of the First Age. They are noble beasts of the wood," said Aragorn.
A rushing wind from the South came down into the field stirring their dark hair about their faces. Aragorn lifted his face to its searching fingers and drew a deep breath of the warm freshness.
"Let us return," said Aragorn rising slowly to his feet.
Eldarion followed him and they walked together—Aragorn leading his horse—to the city of Esgaroth by the lake. It was a golden day with a refreshing wind rushing over the glistening water, and the city streets were filled with the breeze's clear scent. Eldarion had come to enjoy the city if only for its humble-seeming impression so plain after abiding in the grand city of Minas Tirith for so many years. It was only a shadow of the greatness of Men's abilities, yet visibly illustrated their solid, noble hearts.
"We are returning soon, are we not?" asked Eldarion quietly.
Aragorn thought for a moment. "Perhaps. Their hospitality has set my heart against departing so soon even when my other duties press upon me as well. One must firmly set aside some certain desires when your responsibilities make themselves known. It is set in stone for the leaders of this entire earth whether they rule a small village or a great city…like Minas Tirith."
"I have seen this all my life and wish it was not so at times."
"As do I, my son. As I have done for many long years. But without such discipline all kingdoms would have fallen ages ago in shame and dishonour." He laughed. "It cannot happen now!'
They entered the city where the people roamed the streets in complacency and peace. There were many sweeping bows and smiles for King Elessar and his son Eldarion for they had all watched him enter unto the city in awe and joy. Now they all recognized him and rejoiced to see him passing down the roads.
Eldarion smiled in return to the many people he saw looking at them. It never ceased to amaze him how much people respected and adored his father even when this was his first visit to Esgaroth. Word spread more quickly than he could imagine of the deeds that had been done.
There was to be feasting that night and it was being prepared even then when they reached the great dwelling of the descendant of Bard who now ruled there. He had found Elessar great company and could not seem to speak with him enough even after hours of discussion and conversation. He had also taken an interest in Eldarion.
They reached the mansion in the midst of the city and allowed the horse to be led away.
"I shall see you tonight, father," said Eldarion nodding to Aragorn. "I think, perhaps, I shall walk the streets myself before it begins at evening."
"Then tonight it shall be," said Aragorn smiling. He watched his son as he walked ahead to his quarters. He reminded him much of himself, walking confidently but silently with a purpose. He smiled again and headed towards his own chambers down a long hall to fresh for the celebration.
Bright lamps were lit down the walls of the feasting hall setting it aglow with warm light and sending glittering sparks off of the many gems worn that night by the guests who had clothed themselves in their finest apparel for the King of the West was to dine with them. There was lilting music of the harp, joyful chirping of a flute, and another stringed implement that Eldarion did not recognise when he entered the welcoming hall all flowing together in a merry tune. It was distinctly a song composed by Men—he realised when he listened carefully to it—unlike many in Gondor that had a melodic resonance similar to the beautiful lays of the Elves.
The young maidens and children wore bright blossoms entwined in their hair, light or dark, and it was the older women who had placed small gems amidst their long tresses. All wore colours of spring and the warmly lit chambers appeared a field of dancing flowers.
Aragorn came unto them in emerald green with the Elessar pinned upon his breast. Eldarion followed at his side in sapphire blue with no other fine adornment. The two men of Westernesse had no need of finery.
Aragorn leaned to whisper to his son. "Your mother truly would enjoy this. I have rarely seen such a display of radiance and merrymaking."
Eldarion laughed softly and nodded. "I must take leave of you, father, for my feet cannot bear to stand here idle any longer. At least their dances are similar to those of Gondor and Rohan. Somewhat…" He did not wait for a response to enter into the throng of gliding feet and bright smiles.
Aragorn grinned but felt an absence like the one he had felt so often before his kingship. He sighed as his thoughts drifted over the Misty Mountains, down Anduin the Great, and to the shining bastion of Minas Tirith where Arwen Undómiel had remained with their daughter Silmarien who was only five years of age. Arwen had not wished her to make the journey across Middle-earth until she was at least of seven years.
Eldarion soon found his feet could flow as easily as the people of Esgaroth after only moments. A maiden with dark brown hair with pale yellow blossoms and gleaming blue eyes was the first to find herself dancing with the son of King Elessar. Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed prettily when she recognised him, yet she did not stumble in the intricate steps.
On it went, the men switching places with each other to dance with many different women young and old. Eldarion was laughing and grinning with the rest. Each time he let slip a young woman, they glided on regretfully to leave the fair youth. Many were even older than he.
The music faded to a halt when the people were given a respite. Eldarion searched for his father and caught sight of him speaking with a lord and his wife. He had streaks of grey at his temples and she in her pale braids. They were laughing and chatting light-heartedly. They both turned to look when he approached.
"This is my son, Eldarion Telcontar," said Aragorn smiling. "I believe you will be pleased to meet him."
Eldarion greeted the lord and his wife warmly feeling the thrill of the dancing still flowing through him. They were Beornad and Lailin of Esgaroth.
Beornad grinned. "So…you are the one the young maidens have been chattering about!" He chuckled. "It is no wonder the way you move so effortlessly with them to the music."
"Thank you, my lord," said Eldarion bowing slightly. "I am only as good as the other young men here."
"You have the great height of your father as well," said Lailin with shining eyes looking up into his. They were like a misty morning in the midst of winter.
Aragorn laughed gently. "Indeed he has!" He paused. "Yet with the eyes of his mother."
Eldarion looked up to meet his gaze and wondered at the glint in his eyes. It was something he had never quite seen before…
"Oh, I do wish the Lady Evenstar could have journeyed here as well," murmured Lailin. "I have heard so many fine words of her—not only from you, my King—yet it appears that shall come when I am old perhaps."
They soon both left to speak to another pair of guests.
"Continue to enjoy yourself," said King Elessar. His voice was tempered and deep. "I shall not be here for a time."
Eldarion watched his father slip away through the throng and he stood wondering what he was doing. He shrugged off the worry and smiled when he heard the music lift again above the conversations to signal the beginning of the dances once again.
A young woman with glistening ebony hair strewn with pale blue blossoms and eyes of the same shade caught his gaze and laid a hand on his arm.
"Would you care to join me?" she asked in a silken voice.
"Of course, my lady," he said bowing.
Eldarion did not remain long inside for he went in search of his father when he could no longer concentrate. He stopped in a long corridor to think of where he might be. He continued on, stepping out beneath the deep blue heavens of night where he supposed he would find Aragorn.
He tread lightly upon the dirt path he had begun to follow without realising it, and listened to the tranquil night surrounding the large lake beside which Esgaroth had been built.
He paused when he glimpsed a shadowed figure ahead sitting still on the shore of the lake. You could gaze at the sky and at the sheen of the lake and see no difference as the glittering stars reflected in the cool water below. The trees with wide-spread bows cast long shadows over the grass and dark sand.
There sat King Elessar watching the stars in elven curiosity. Eldarion stood motionless staring at his father whom he thought he knew so well, yet he saw something he had never caught sight of before with lucid moonlight outlining his noble face and the water lapping at his booted feet. He had seen him as a wonderful father to Silmarien and him, as a loyal lover of Arwen, a majestic king unmatched to Gondor and Arnor, and a healer to those in pain; yet now he saw a man. Just a man...who looked on at the beauty of Middle-earth left to him by the Elves.
"Come, Eldarion. Sit and see the stars."
Eldarion was startled out of his daze by his father's rich voice. He slowly came forward and settled on the shore beside him.
"Do you see it, my son? There is the Star of Eärendil."
"Yes, I have often gazed upon it at evening."
"And continue to do so, and remember the many tales I and your mother have accounted unto you of the Ages of Middle-earth. They are swiftly being forgotten and it is a sore thing to no longer know of those who persevered against the Shadow that dwelt here for so long. Then you shall pass them onto the children you bear. The Elves are departing Endorenna, yet we shall not forget them."
"Is there any chance…we could…journey to the kingdoms of the Elves?" Eldarion asked in a low whisper. He knew the subject was a fragile one.
"Nay, my son, for they are not to be visited again by Men. I, and you, will never walk upon their lands again except for in Ithilien where even they are dwindling."
"Then can you recount to me the tale of Tuor and of the hidden city of Gondolin?"
Aragorn smiled and nodded. "Of course. Long ago in the First Age of this world Morgoth's arm was long and grasped Middle-earth in a cold grip…"