CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Eldarion's fëa was hovering. The boy knew that his body wasn't dead as he could still feel the stimulations of his muscles and nerves, but at the same time he knew he was no longer in his body. It was a strange sensation and it was not one that Eldarion found pleasant. In fact, as far as Eldarion could tell, he was no longer in Imladris. He was in the middle of a glade which was filled with multiple clumps of flowers. Cocking his head, he realised that this was the same glade he had visited when he had carried out his meditation in Lothlórien. spirit

"Why am I here?" he asked allowed, not really expecting an answer. As such when a voice did answer him he jolted in shock.

"Because this is where you feel safe," said the voice. Spinning around Eldarion caught sight of a mithril haired being, who was sitting crossed legged on the grass, running the cornflowers through their fingers.

"Man ce?" asked Eldarion, mistaking the being for an Elf, and thus slipping into Sindarin. who are you?

"I am Lórien, God of Dreams," smiled the being. Eldarion took a couple of steps backwards and placing a hand over his heart, bowed to the Vala.

"Do not do that," requested Lórien. "If anyone should be bowing, it should be I who is bowing to you. This is after all your land."

Eldarion shook his head. "It is just part of my imagination. And I should be bowing to you, you are a Valar."

"All the more reason why this glade belongs to you," smiled Lórien. "And you don't like the different treatment you receive because you are Gondor's heir, am I not allowed the same feelings of dislike?"

If Eldarion had the ability to blush then he would have been a beautiful shade of red at this point. "Forgive me my Lord, but why are you here?" he asked.

"Because I am thought less intimidating," smiled Lórien. "And to help settle more than one restless spirit." Eldarion settled on looking politely confused as he sat down next to a patch of Periwinkles, the blue and white flowers intermingling.

"Your fëa is linked to each spirit with which you share a blood tie," said Lórien. "Your prematurely failing strength is causing turmoil amongst those spirits who reside within the Eternal Halls. And you are upsetting the balance within the Ithilien heir and Lothlórien's March warden."

"Haldir! Elboron!" gasped Eldarion. "I….what's happening to them?"

"Haldir is coping for the moment. He sees so much of his former charge in you that he is clinging to the hope that you will fight. As for Elboron, your fëar are tied. Not in the way of soul mates, but as equally strong. You're failing is beginning to take its toll on him." spirits

"I don't mean to!" protested Eldarion.

"I know you don't," said Lórien. "But that is what is happening. You have to fight Eldarion."

"I can't," whispered Eldarion. Lórien moved to Eldarion's side and cupped his cheek, turning the boy's head to face him.

"I know you hurt, but it will not last. You are strong, stronger than you may think. When you feel the pain, think about the joyous times in your life. Use your memories to help you through any difficult times you may face. They are kept for a reason."

Eldarion blinked and nodded. Slowly both the glade and the smiled Lórien began to fade and Eldarion began to feel more grounded. Someone was holding him, hugging him tightly. He knew instantly who it was.

"Ada."

Aragorn was convinced he had been dreaming. He was sure that he had heard Eldarion say his name but there was no outward reaction from the child to show that he had regained consciousness. Reaching down he brushed hair from his son's eyes. The corners of Eldarion's lips curved upward at the action and Aragorn's breath caught in his throat and his hand stilled.

"Eldarion?" he asked. In response Eldarion nuzzled the hand on his forehead and gently opened his eyes. Aragorn's eyes shimmered with tears but he choked back the sob which threatened to escape.

"Ada," Eldarion said, his voice little more than a whisper.

Aragorn pulled Eldarion into his arms, holding him so tightly that Eldarion was convinced that either he was going to pass out from lack of air, or the pain that was exploding in his abdomen. With as much strength as he could muster he pushed back against Aragorn's chest, trying to free himself. Thankfully Aragorn understood the subtle message and relaxed his embrace, removing one arm and allowing Eldarion the opportunity to move if he so desired. Eldarion didn't desire to move but shifted into a more comfortable position against his father's chest, gripping some of the soft material of his sapphire-blue tunic in his fist.

"I'm sorry," whispered Eldarion, his eyes becoming heavy with sleep.

"No, ion nîn, there is nothing that you did wrong," murmured Aragorn, cradling Eldarion to his chest. Eldarion gave a faint smile and fell asleep again. Aragorn gave out a laugh which was mingled with a sob and leaning forward he buried his face in Eldarion's shoulder, thanking anyone who was listening for returning his son. my son

In the morning, Aragorn was to be found wrapped protectively around Eldarion who was still gripped the tunic in his fist. Aragorn had not fallen asleep during the night, still scared that he was dreaming. He gazed at his son as Eldarion slept, a small smile still on his face. In his slumber, Eldarion snuggled closer to Aragorn's chest and somehow his nose gravitated towards the crook of Aragorn's neck. Aragorn laughed gently – no matter who his son slept beside or how they had been positioned when they fell asleep, Eldarion always managed to wake with his nose cushioned in the crook of their neck.

"What's funny?" mumbled Eldarion who had awoken by the vibrations of Aragorn's chest.

"Your cub tendency," smiled Aragorn. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Sleepy," said Eldarion. He moved in order to rub the remaining sleep out of his eyes but winced. "And sore."

"Roll over slowly and let me see your stomach," said Aragorn moving himself off the bed. Eldarion complied, still wincing slightly. Gently Aragorn rolled up Eldarion's tunic and examined the wound. The stitching was still intact but the surrounding tissue looked red and angry.

"How long have I been unconscious?" asked Eldarion, hissing slightly as Aragorn ran a finger around the wound. The skin was still swollen, indicating that fluid had settled around the wound but other than being an angry red, the skin was not discoloured so it was likely just to be water and blood plasma rather than poison.

"Four days. Your mother and Elboron have been in a terrible state," said Aragorn, gently applying a salve to Eldarion's wound.

"So has Haldir," murmured Eldarion. Aragorn looked up in surprise.

"And how would you know that?" he asked.

"Lord Lórien told me," said Eldarion as his tunic was lowered again. He gently used his right arm to push himself into a sitting position, though he didn't get very far before pulling the healing tissue again. "How's Elboron?"

"He will be a lot better now that you are awake. Other than the night you were injured, he has not been eating or sleeping very well. Last night, Elrohir had to give him a sleeping draft to allow him to rest."

"Can I see him?" asked Eldarion.

"He will be here after breakfast," said Aragorn. "Nana and Faerveren will be in within a few minutes."

"Faerveren!" exclaimed Eldarion. He couldn't believe he had forgotten about his sister. "Is she alright?"

"To begin with, she thought you were playing a new game that she was happy to join in with. After a few hours she was concerned that you wouldn't wake. We told her you had been hurt when out in the forest and that you had to sleep to get better."

"Did she accept it?" asked Eldarion.

"She hasn't tried to wake you since, but she has sat and held some very long conversations with you, though I honestly didn't understand a word she said." Eldarion giggled.

"I would have understood every word," he said with utter conviction, trying, and failing, to hide a yawn.

"I am sure you would have. Will you be alright on your own for a few minutes while I go and tell the staff that they are cooking for another person once again?"

Eldarion nodded sleepily, pulled the downy up to his chin and settled between it and his pillows feeling warm and comfortable. "I'm not going anywhere." After planting a kiss on Eldarion's crown, Aragorn left the healing wing, a broad smile on his face.

The people who met Aragorn within the proceeding minutes of him leaving the healing wing did not have to ask why he was so happy. The members of Elrond's household who still lingered in Imladris had waited with baited breath for any news of the young Edain.

To say the previous three days had been tense would be economically with the truth. Aragorn and Arwen had been running on short fuses, causing them to grow irritable quicker than anyone could remember either of them doing. The twins had been distracted, so much so that Erestor and his assistant, Melpomaen, had forcefully taken over temporary charge of the administrative affairs of Imladris. Glorfindel had disappeared the day after Eldarion was injured, taking with him his bow, arrows, sword and dagger – he was away hunting Orc. The Sentinel was more than a little annoyed that the foul creatures had re-entered the Valley after over a year's absence. He was still away from the House. Elboron had made himself an extra patient by refusing to eat or sleep without being forced. He had sat for hours by Eldarion's feverish body, holding his hand tightly and trying his hardest to wake the younger Prince. Had Glorfindel still been around, he would have been able to instruct him as to how the link that was forming would work, seeing as he himself had had a similar link when he lived in Gondolin. Everyone else only knew the theory behind such a bond which was of little use to the ailing children. Faerveren, the Valar bless her, had been a shining light for the rest of them. Her innocent way of looking after her brother and friend (she sat and talked complete nonsense to Eldarion for hours) brought a gentle, yet pained, smile to the face of those who saw. She never doubted that Eldarion would wake up, stating to a bemused Erestor and twins that Lórien was telling a long tale and that Eldarion would wake up when it finished.

Now to see Aragorn almost skip down the corridor wearing a grin that could have lit to darkest room as the sun, the baited breath they had all been holding was released and varying servants and members of the House hurried to tell their friends the joyous news.

"Arwen!" called Aragorn, not caring that it wasn't the done thing to run or shout in Elrond's house. He nearly ran into said Lady, who had been walking along the corridor with Faerveren.

"Estel what is it?" she asked, seeing the impossibly wide grin on her husband's face.

"He's awake! Eldarion's back!"