CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
When Eldarion came back to reality, it was because a hand had rested upon his shoulder. Blinking him looked up at the person who was sitting in front of him, looking incredibly concerned. He stiffened when he realised who was sitting in front of him.
"What do you want?" he demanded, shifting his balance so that he ended up sitting on his backside.
"To know if you are alright," replied Balrant.
"Why would you care?" demanded Eldarion. "You have done nothing but pass scathing comments for the last twenty months."
"Time and circumstances change a person," replied Balrant. "Now that I have met your champion and seen you together, I think I can say that you are not lovers and never were."
"But a week ago you would have asked whether we had had a lovers tiff," said Eldarion, still not entirely sure how to react to Balrant's apparent change of heart. He had seen it swing the opposite way not too long ago. "And you would have Dior at your side."
"I do not speak for Dior but I have watched you since the Prince arrived and you are as tactile with him as you are with Túnír and I am certain that there is nothing between the two of you."
"I still do not understand why you care," said Eldarion, still on guard.
"I am not one for the magic sir, or anything supernatural for that matter, but I do know that the three of you, Túnír, the Ithilien Prince and you, need to be together."
"But they do not get along," muttered Eldarion, tugging his knees under his chin. "And I do not wish to have to chose between them."
"I have never been in such a situation my Lord but might I suggest that they talk?"
"I have tried but the air is rife with dislike bordering on hatred," replied Eldarion.
"Jealousy," said Balrant. "And if I may be so bold sire, there is plenty to be jealous about."
"Unlike you and Dior, Elboron and Túnír did not befriend me simply because I am the King's son!" snapped Eldarion.
"I was not going to suggest that my Lord, they both hold a similar rank to you anyway so there would be nothing them to gain. It is your love that they are fighting over," said Balrant, taking the insinuation in his stride.
"My love?" blinked Eldarion. "They have that!"
"Yes, but it is a different love which gazes upon Túnír than on Elboron. Each wants what they see the other receiving."
"I love them both the same way! I have no idea how to change how I look upon them!" exclaimed Eldarion.
"I cannot help you with that, but I would suggest going to find them," said Balrant. Eldarion nodded and after providing Balrant with a small smile of thanks he took off in the direction Túnír had disappeared in.
A twig snapped behind Balrant and he swung around, his breath hitched in his throat. In front of him stood Haldir. The trio from Lórien had decided to stay in Annúminas until the spring, much to Alam's delight, the refugee building up quite a rapport with Celeborn.
"Marshal Haldir," Balrant said, keeping his eyes averted from the gaze of the Elf.
"You are Balrant," said Haldir. It was not a question, just a statement of undeniable fact. Balrant bit his lip and nodded.
"Eldarion told me about you. And Dior. I must admit to being sorely tempted to punish you for causing harm to my charge," said the Elf.
"I will accept what you give me," replied Balrant. He knew how protective the Elves were of Eldarion, especially Lothlórien's March-Warden.
"It is not my place to hand out punishments, particularly for something that happened nigh on two years ago. But I must say I am confused as to why you sought him out now and why he confided in you."
"I miss his company," replied Balrant. "He may have an unnatural bond…."
"The bond between him and Elboron is not unnatural, simply rare," said Haldir in a tone that left no room for argument.
"Sir. He had it when I met him, I was just to shallow minded to see that he would had not changed. As for him confiding in me, I have no idea. May be he just needed someone outside his family to talk to?"
"That is a possibility," agreed Haldir.
"Is it just me, or is something not quite right?" asked Aragorn as he dismounted in the courtyard, having just returned from a further scout out of the Stronghold. Arahael, who had ridden in beside him nodded.
"Something is definitely different than when we left. It is not for the good either."
"For us simple folk, care to explain what you two are talking about," said Culas as he slid from his roan mount.
"The atmosphere is tense," replied Aragorn, leading Brego to the stables. "It feels like the calm before a storm."
"Let us hope it is nothing to serious," said Arahael, following Aragorn into the stable and leading his chestnut mare into her box.
"Define serious," said Haldir as he lent on the doorjamb of the stable. Tarcil stood beside him with an equally grave look on his face.
"I never like it when you speak in that tone of voice, Haldir," said Aragorn. "Has something happened? The air it thick with tension."
"That would be Túnír, Eldarion and Elboron," replied Haldir. Aragorn looked up startled from where his was storing Brego's tack.
"They were getting along fine when I left! What has happened?"
"Túnír and Elboron are jealous of each other and Eldarion is stuck in the middle not knowing which way to turn and which friend to confront first," replied Tarcil. Aragorn groaned and rested his head against the pillar beside Brego's box. Arahael turned to face his twin in shock.
"Túnír has never been jealous of anyone in his life! Why would he start now?"
"Because love is a complex emotion," replied Haldir. "Túnír sees Eldarion pouring love on to Elboron and does not feel like he is receiving the same. Elboron is exactly the same."
"Is Eldarion speaking to either of them?" asked Aragorn. Haldir nodded.
"But it is only making things worse. He is turning to one who has shunned him for nearly two years for the comfort he should not be having to seek in the first place," replied Haldir, folding his arms.
"What of Alam and Hinluin? Have they not managed to comfort him?"
"Not in the way he needs," replied Haldir. "He needs his companion before he starts to lose touch with reality."
"Send the three of them to my study and make sure they stay there. I will join them once I have removed the dust of the road. Arahael would you join us?" asked Aragorn. It was Culas who turned on his heel to hunt out the three elusive youths. Arahael was more inclined to head straight for Aragorn's study than wash. Aragorn smiled at him.
"Wash can wait," he said, reading the expression in Arahael's eyes. "But you are getting the blame if the servant girls complain!"
"That I can cope with," said Arahael before moving off as fast as he could without actually running, in the direction of the study, Aragorn following in his wake. Tarcil stood with Haldir and watched the pair.
"Are you sure this bond thing is a good idea?" asked Tarcil. Haldir raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Eldarion told me the last time I was in the city," said the Man.
"Ilúvatar would not decree something which was detrimental in the long term," said Haldir. "Their bond will serve them later in life. They are still learning how to control it which is why it is so important that Eldarion and Elboron rebuild their friendship fast!"
"I am afraid I am biased Captain," admitted Tarcil. "Túnír and Arahael are my main concerns before the feelings of a Gondorian Prince who will leave come the Spring."
"Who would like to inform me of what had happened while I was away?" said Aragon twenty minutes later. The three youths stood in front of him while Aragorn perched on the edge for his desk, arms folded across his chest and his legs crossed at the ankles. Arahael stood beside the desk with his arms folded, watching the three intently.
"Everything was fine until he arrived," said Túnír. He, Aragorn deduced, was Elboron. Arahael stared at his son, not wanting to comprehend what was being said but doing so all to easily.
"Why would that change anything? You know how strong Eldarion's friendship is with Elboron," said Aragorn. "You were also on fairly good terms when I departed."
"I know," replied Túnír. "But everyone has made mistakes."
Eldarion's gaze darkened. "Mistake!" he exclaimed. "How was befriending Elboron a mistake? Why is it so hard for you to accept him?"
"Because while he is here, I am no longer a recipient of your affection," replied Túnír. Eldarion stared at him.
"What? Túnír, what made you think I have stopped caring you?"
"When you look at him, the look in your eye is not the same as when your gaze is directed at me," replied Túnír. Eldarion blinked as he heard Túnír confirm what Balrant had told him. For the moment, Elboron was forgotten.
"It is not intentional," he said, turning Túnír so that they were directly facing each other. "I do not know how I look upon you, but I can safely say that even if it is different from when I look at Elboron, it is not because I love you less. You are my friend Túnír, my rock in the turbulent sea of my life while I have been in this City."
"But I am not you companion," whispered Túnír, his head dropping so as to gaze at the scuff marks on his boots. Eldarion tilted his head back up, one hand resting on his shoulder and the other under his chin.
"That is what this is about?" he asked. "You want a spirit bond?" Túnír turned his head away, not willing to give Eldarion an answer. Still maintaining the physical contact with Túnír, Eldarion turned to face Elboron.
"And what is your excuse?" he asked.
"I want the friendship he has with you," replied Elboron with a shrug. Eldarion was seriously tempted to bang his head off the wall.
"I do not offer you any different!" he exclaimed.
"You two have your ways of communicating so as I do not understand," replied Elboron.
"So do the two of you!" retorted Túnír. Scratch banging his own head off the wall, Eldarion was preparing to crack the skulls of the two in-season bulls together!
"Of course we are going to have separate ways of communication! I have a different one with my father and neither of you seem jealous of that!" exclaimed Eldarion. At some point during their discussion, Aragorn and Arahael had slunk into the background and rather than seek to participate in the conversation, they contented themselves with watching the three youths sought the situation out themselves.
"That's different," replied Elboron, sounding exactly like a child who knew he was in the wrong but was not about to admit it. Eldarion's face darkened again.
"When the two of you are ready to grow up, come and find me!" he said and marched out of the study. Aragorn cleared his throat and moved back in front of the two remaining youths.
"You are asking him to do the impossible," he said. "He will never be able to choose between the two of you. All you will do is force him away from both of you."
Elboron and Túnír looked horrified by the very idea of losing his friend and they turned to face each other. This was a problem that they were both to blame for and they knew it. Túnír glanced out the window and saw that it was reaching twilight.
"He will head for the Oak. He does not leave the city after dark," said the Annúminas youth before leaving the room, not caring whether Elboron followed him or not.
Eldarion had indeed run for the Oak upon leaving his father's study but found in already occupied by Haldir and Rúmil. Not wanting to disturb the two Elves, Eldarion backed away only to collide with something solid behind him. Spinning on his heel he caught sight of Alam who was standing behind him rubbing his forehead where it had collided with the back of Eldarion's head.
"Alam, I am sorry I didn't hear you," apologised Eldarion.
(That is alright) replied Alam. (No lasting harm done)
"That is good to know," smiled Eldarion. Alam canted his head to one side.
(You are not happy) he said. (You smile with you lips but your eyes are dead.)
Eldarion sighed and flopped down on the ground. "Elboron and Túnír still haven't stopped arguing." Alam narrowed his eyes and gesticulated something rather violent.
"Alam!" exclaimed Eldarion is shock. "No, you are not allowed to do that! For one thing, Elboron and Túnír are a lot stronger than you are, and I do not want you hurt. For another, it will not help matters." Alam crossed his arms and glowered at Eldarion.
"Yes I know it is an appealing idea but I do not want to harm my friends and that includes you," said Eldarion with a small but genuine smile. Alam grinned at the change in Eldarion's disposition and seating himself on the ground beside the Prince, he crossed his legs and rested his head on Eldarion's shoulder.
"Every….thing…..be….alrigh'…..soon…." he said causing Eldarion to stiffen and look at him in surprise. Alam was looking immensely proud of himself.
"Celeborn has been teaching you how to speak hasn't he?" stated Eldarion. Alam grinned and nodded. Eldarion smiled.
"He is a good teacher. Make use of him while he is in Annúminas." Alam nodded again and rested his head back on Eldarion's shoulder.
"Speak," he said simply and pointed to the two figures who were fast approaching their position.