CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Eldarion woke as the dawn light began to encroach into his room. He pushed back his covers and padded across to the window. He flexed his fingers as he went, releasing the cramp that had gathered during the night. As he released his right fist, something clattered to the floor. Glancing down, he saw the White Tree carving he had discovered on his bed the previous night. He picked it up with reverence and smiled gently. Where exactly he and Elboron had come up with the idea of exchanging small tokens that were trivial at best but held such intimate meaning to the owner, Eldarion could not fathom, but neither did he care.

Tying the token around his neck, Eldarion scrambled on to the padded seat that spanned across his window. He rested his arms on the sill, laying his head on them and watched as the sun gradually stained the sky pink, tinged with gold before bright golden sunlight filled the whole sky which was a perfect, dazing blue.

The garden was calling to him again and after swiftly dressing, he slid out into the ground. The previous evening he had discovered a proud standing Oak and Eldarion made his way to the tree only to catch sight of movement on a parallel path.

"Ada?"

"Eldarion?" Aragorn stopped in surprise. He was aware that his son was an early riser but to find him outside minutes after the dawn rising was a surprise. He crossed the stretch of grass until he was standing beside Eldarion.

"What are you doing outside at this hour?" he asked.

"The house is still oppressive. I was heading to the Oak," replied Eldarion, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Why are you outside?"

"Alas," chuckled Aragorn. "You have the room that faces east. I was watching the dawn from the ramparts."

"I can swap if you would like," said Eldarion, looking slightly bashful. In truth he hadn't chosen his room, it was where a servant lad had led him after dinner.

"There is no need. I am more than willing to watch from the ramparts. Though in winter, the idea may not seem as appealing," said Aragorn.

"You are welcome to watch from my window," said Eldarion and smiled at his father. "I watch the dawn simply because it is when I wake but why do you watch?"

"I can speak to my sister again, even if it is for a few minutes," replied Aragorn.

"Your pardon?"

"Did you never discover the meanings behind our names when you studied your Sindarin and Quenya?" said Aragorn.

"I didn't go looking," confessed Eldarion. "But that did not answer my question."

Aragorn laughed. "I swear there is more of your grandfather in you than is wise. When we were crowned, Kalya took the name Aúrel, the same as I took Elessar. My name means 'elf-stone' whilst Kalya's means 'morning-star'. Every dawn, her star rises in the east, a few minutes before Anor rises and disappears again as Anor takes control of the sky."

"Will you show me?" asked Eldarion, his curiosity piqued.

"You will have to wait until tomorrow but yes, I will show you," replied Aragorn. It was then that he noticed the wooden object strung around Eldarion's neck, laying an inch above the Mithril ring.

"Is this what Elboron asked me to deliver?" he asked, lifting the object.

"If it was wrapped in a blue and silver scarf and left beside my pillow last night, then yes," said Eldarion.

"How did you sleep last night? I know you were crying." Eldarion flushed. Teenage boys did not cry, especially when someone (particularly their father) was watching!

"I…" he began, cupping his cheeks to hide his glowing skin. "I slept well," he said, ducking his head. Aragorn knelt in front of Eldarion and removed his hands from his face.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, ion nîn. Our emotions are what make us strong. You are going through a big change at a very fast pace. If you didn't get emotional I would think something was wrong. Now tell me truthfully, how was your rest?" my son

"Restless to begin with but then Lórien let me speak to Elboron in my dream," said Eldarion.

"It appears that the Lord of Dreams has taken quite a shine to you," smiled Aragorn. "Now then, you said something about an Oak?"

Gradually the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. Eldarion spoke to Elboron again during the Yule festival. The first time was so that they could celebrate some form of the celebration together but a week afterwards, Faerveren had contracted a cold, due to her inexperience of northern weather. To begin with it was little more than a runny-nose and sore throat but within a couple of days it had mutated into a fully blown chest infection which left her weak and unable to little more than an infant. Imlosiel was barred from her sister's room in case she caught the infection but Eldarion was having none of it. He tried his best to keep his little sister cheerful but in doing so he managed to contract a milder version of the illness and ran himself into the ground.

At night, the two spirit-brothers met in the dreamscape of Lórien, and Elboron soothed Eldarion's weary spirit, giving him the energy to make it through the next day. Once Faerveren's illness had run its course, the meetings between Eldarion and Elboron were once again stopped.

Annúminas, April FA16

Eldarion was in the training field with Arahael and three of the other boys who remained with the rangers. Eldarion and the three had become friends, though Dior was still a little uncomfortable to be on familiar terms with his Lord. Arahael it transpired was an expert archer so now the four of them stood in a line facing a target, firing in turn. Suddenly Eldarion gasped as though hit and dropping his bow, he doubled over, panting. Arahael motioned the other three to lower their bows and un-nock the arrows, while he moved to Eldarion's side.

"Eldarion, what is wrong?" asked Arahael, taking hold of Eldarion's shoulders and making eye contact. He frowned when he saw a bright spark of pain in the Prince's eye. Eldarion desperately thought of something to say that would not arouse suspicions but he was concentrating on what he was feeling to think of anything.

"Eldarion, I can't help you unless you tell me what the matter is," coaxed Arahael.

"He's hurt," whispered Eldarion, not caring that Arahael did not know who he was. Nor did it matter that his statement would raise questions later. A second stab of pain caused Eldarion to cry out and he fell to his knees, curled tightly into a ball.

"Dior, go and find Aragorn. Do not look at me as though I asked you to fight an army of Orcs. Go!" Dior hastily went, while Túnír and Balrant knelt beside their friend. Arahael quickly laid Eldarion on the ground, the Prince looking like he was about to faint and was still whimpering in pain. Eldarion however was unaware of what was happening around him. He tuned everyone around him out as his fëa desperately sought its companion. He began whispering a host of phrases in both Sindarin and Quenya, interspaced with gasps of pain, as echoes shot through his body.

When he next became aware of his surroundings he realised that he was laying flat on his back on the training field. Something else he noticed was that there was a body laying beside him. Balrant was on the ground next to him, watching his friend's every move. Eldarion smiled at the other boy before rolling his head and caught sight of Aragorn who was sitting beside Arahael. Arahael was trying to placate a shaking Túnír.

"Ada?" asked Eldarion, wincing as his voice sounded hoarse. Aragorn and Arahael glanced up and smiled. Aragorn moved instantly to Eldarion's side and sat cross-legged beside him. Balrant vacated his position beside Eldarion and moved a few feet back.

'What happened?' he asked, speaking Sindarin. Taking the hint, Eldarion responded in the same language.

'Elboron is hurt. Badly.'

'How?'

'His chest and his back. It felt like he landed on his back and was then punched but I can't tell.'

'I will write to Faramir and ask him,' assured Aragorn. 'Can I borrow Faerlain?' Faerlain was the hawk Eldarion had received from his parents for his fourteenth Birth Day and was a true asset in the communication between Gondor and Arnor. On occasion the bird made a trip to Meduseld as well. Eldarion nodded his head as best he could in his current position.

'Ada, I have to tell them what happened,' said Eldarion suddenly motioning to those surrounding him. Aragorn nodded his head in acknowledgement. Eldarion was old enough to make his own decisions and it was best that there were no secrets kept between the friends, and Valar knew how much Eldarion needed Dior, Túnír and Balrant simply to stay grounded. Aragorn wrapped his arm beneath Eldarion's shoulders and helped his sit.

Eldarion steadied himself before reaching out a hand to Túnír. Túnír reached out and took the proffered hand. Eldarion gave a gentle tug and the other teenager walked on his knees to Eldarion's side.

"What happened? You said 'he's hurt' and then you started to speak in a different language!" exclaimed Túnír. "Who is he?"

"The languages were Sindarin and Quenya. And 'he' is Elboron, Prince of Ithilien," replied Eldarion.

"The one you talk about all the time?" interjected Balrant. Eldarion nodded. "But how do you know he is hurt?"

"Elboron and myself have a rare bond. It is similar to that of a soul-mate but is formed rather than decreed." Diormuttered something about 'Elvish magic' causing the others to turn and face him.

"What did you say?" asked Eldarion, trying not to phrase the question as a demand.

"'Tis unnatural to have such a bond between two males and is obviously some form of disgusting Elven magic," repeated Dior. Túnír and Balrant narrowed their eyes at the rapid dismissal of the connection while Eldarion simply stared at him. Aragorn and Arahael had decided that it would be better to stay out of the discussion between the four, though Arahael listened with interest.

"It is a bond formed from mutual love and trust," said Eldarion. "What is so wrong with that?"

"Unnatural," shrugged Dior. "A man is supposed to love a woman not another man." At this statement Eldarion's eyes narrowed dangerously. Túnír rested a hand on Eldarion's shoulder but it did little to pacify the Prince.

"Do you not love your brother? Your cousins? Do you bear no love for your friends and fellows?" asked Eldarion, trying to keep his voice neutral. Aragorn's heart swelled with pride at the diplomacy Eldarion was displaying.

"That is different," replied Dior, crossing his arms across his chest. Balrant and Túnír were now glaring at Dior so fiercely that if he were wood, Eldarion was convinced he would have burst into flames.

"It is not different," snapped Eldarion, suddenly taking up the defence. Túnír increased his grip and Balrant's hand found its way to his shoulder as well. "It was decreed byIlúvatar and we have no right to question. It was formed the moment we met and made itself known when I was nine. It is not the bond of a lover and nor will it become so!"

"You cling to your Elven heritage the same way Shadow did. Ever are you using Elvish words, speaking in Elvish as though you are better than the rest of us. You are a Man and you should be proud to be such. Men are the dominant people on this earth. We were here first and we shall remain long after all the others have died," spat Dior. Diplomacy was making a running leap for the preverbal window as Eldarion struggled to keep his temper under control. Túnír sent Balrant a warning look, the younger of the two having seen Eldarion lose his temper. Dior was walking a very thin tightrope which was fraying by the second.

"I am proud of my Elven heritage! And the Edain are the fourth born race of Arda. Elves came first, then Dwarves, Ents then Edain!" snapped Eldarion. "If is wasn't for my grandsire, Elros, then you would not exist!"

"The Lord Elros may have been born Elven but he chose to become Man. Why? Because he fell in love with one of our people. Even our Elf-Queen fell for a Man. The Elves are failing. During the last war, they turned tail and ran, leaving Men to deal with a foe that they created!" shot back Dior.

Diplomacy waved Eldarion a fond farewell and dived out of the aforementioned window. Túnír instantly wrapped his arms around Eldarion's torso as he made to lunge Dior.

"Don't," he whispered. "You will be just as bad as he is if you hit him!" Eldarion sat seething in Túnír's grasp but the other youth would not release him. Eventually Eldarion calmed enough for Túnír to release him. Eldarion instantly stood up and ran, as fast as he could, away from the training field. Aragorn delivered a subtle stab into Arahael ribs and the younger man leapt to his feet after the youth, while Aragorn, Túnír and Balrant remained where they were. It was Balrant who spoke first.

"What in the name of the Valar was that all about?" demanded the chestnut-eyed youth.

"Balrant, you must be joking," smirked Dior. "Do you not realise what Eldarion is? He loves one of his own kind." Aragorn's eyes began to smoulder.

"And he explained that it is the love of a brother!" said Túnír in annoyance equal to Balrant's.

"I love my siblings but I do not have a bond that allows me to feel them. It is obviously deeper than the Prince is letting on. Urgh, it makes me want to vomit to even think about it," said Dior.

"Then don't!" snapped Túnír, standing up. "Go back to your precious little world where feelings of others are of little consequence. We have known this place all our lives but Eldarion is still trying to find his feet. He counted you as a friend, as did I, but no longer."

Túnír hurled something at Dior before turning and marching off in the opposite direction Eldarion and Arahael had disappeared in, Balrant close behind him. This left Dior alone with Aragorn who was watching the youth as both King and offended fellow.

"I but spoke the truth as I see it," said Dior, trying to defend himself to Aragorn.

"Go," said Aragorn in a deadly whisper. "And be thankful that you have a capability of walking away. Eldarion's temper can be bad as an Orc's, especially when the ones he loves are slandered. I would not advise approaching him any time soon."

Dior gave a nonchalant shrug, scooped up the tokens that had been flung in his direction, stood, brushed off the seat of his leggings and sauntered away, leaving Aragorn sitting in a daze.