CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Eldarion threw his knives to the ground with a snarl of frustration before turning on his heel and lashing out at the training dummy. Despite extensive training everyday for the last three months, he still did not have the muscle tone in his left arm that he had become used to and Eldarion was not enjoying the sensation of being useless.
"You have to give yourself time Eldarion," said Elboron as he lowered his sword and watched as Eldarion took out his frustration on the straw filled dummy.
"As a child I was able to do more than I am now!" retorted Eldarion, not taking the statement as the comfort it was supposed to be.
"But as a child you were not training with fighting blades, nor were you suffering from four wounds. Yes I know they have scarred, but external wounds always heal faster than internal ones," replied Elboron as Eldarion rested his head against the shoulder of the dummy.
"Tarcil and Alam were severely injured yet they was back fighting within a month!" he muttered savagely.
"Tarcil and Alam was slashed, you were shot. An arrow bolt does far more unseen damage than a knife edge and they listened to your father when told to rest!" said Elboron, refusing to rise to Eldarion's bait. "You may have Elven blood Eldarion but you are only mortal. You have to stop training as though you are going into battle tomorrow and give yourself time heal."
"I hate feeling so useless!" muttered Eldarion, his shoulder's slumping forward.
"Useless is the last word I, or anyone else here, would use to describe you," said Elboron as he sheathed his sword and picked up Eldarion's knives. "You have looked after people for long enough, let others take care of you for a change."
"How did you cope?"
"With my back? For a start, I was bed bound for the better part of a month but I also listened to your father when he told me I had over done it!" replied Elboron. Eldarion snorted.
"No you didn't," he said, turning his head. "You protested at the very idea of being stuck in bed."
"That didn't mean I disregarded what he said," said Elboron. "Come. I don't know about you but I could use a drink."
That evening found Elboron spread out one of the chairs in the lounge and gazing absently into the fire which was burning low in the grate. One thing that Eldarion's training was definitely doing was wearing the younger man out and Eldarion had retired to bed about an hour previously. It was also wearing Elboron thin as well, despite the fact that Eldarion was no where near his usual par. It was emotionally taxing for Elboron to simply stand and watch his best friend battle to regain his former strength and prowess, knowing that there was little he could do. To make up for this inability, Elboron passed what strength he could spare to Eldarion in the hope it was increase he recovery rate.
His inattentiveness to his surroundings caused him to start when someone laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey," he said glancing up and shifted on the couch so that his visitor could take a seat. Rosruin smiled and quickly occupied the vacated position.
"You look tired," he commented as Elboron made himself comfortable in Rosruin's lap. Rosruin began to trace imaginary patterns through Elboron's hair. Elboron let out a groan before rubbing his hands over his face again.
"Eldarion is training as though he is expecting battle to arrive tomorrow," he said as he began to relax under the massaging of his scalp. "Normally I can keep up but…."
"You have been passing him extra strength," finished Rosruin. "May be you should stop that and he will realise exactly how injured he is."
"There is nothing else I can do for him. I hate seeing him so frustrated," mumbled Elboron. "And he will only wear himself out further."
"You must stop blaming yourself for what has happened. And you could always let Díorn or Túnír handle him for a change."
Elboron chuckled. "He's not a colt!"
"I know, they didn't wear you out as much," replied Rosruin. "Come, you should retire before you fall asleep. You are too heavy for me to carry all the way to your rooms."
"Comfortable," murmured Elboron, shifting his head on Rosruin's lap.
"Oh no, beds are for sleeping….. Elboron of Húrin if you fall asleep on me I swear you will find yourself waking up with Gílroch!"
A gentle snore was the only response he received.
The weeks slowly passed, turning gradually into months and by the end of winter (the harsher weather and shorter days helping to curtail Eldarion compulsive training regime) Eldarion was fully healed and no longer training at his extensive pace, much to Elboron's relief. During the period of his recovery, Arndír was nothing short of a gift from the Valar. The six-month-old was regularly found trying to take up residence in the lap of his uncle or one of his companions. The warriors, particularly the four leaders, were more than willing to encourage his antics, all of them equally smitten with the infant. All in all, the boy was making the decision to return to Gondor increasingly difficult but eventually, as the days grew longer and warmer and the path more stable, Eldarion began to here the call of the White City.
Arahael and Túnír were less than impressed that Eldarion was leaving again so soon, but Arahael knew that he would have better luck persuading Tarcil to remain permanently in Annúminas than convincing Eldarion to remain away from the southern city, so settled himself with a promise that they would see each other again in due course. Túnír however was not so easily placated and made his disgruntlement clear.
"We are different Túnír," said Eldarion as he sat beside Túnír, who was gazing listlessly over Lake Evendim. A small alcove on the northern shore of the Lake had become a haven for Túnír during his youth and had remained so as he grew. Just as Eldarion's Elven heritage led him to speak to stars, Túnír's ranger upbringing had led him to turn to nature when in need of solace.
"So your father said," replied Túnír as he continued to gaze over the water, his head resting on his arms folded over his knees, that were drawn up to his chest. "May be we are just too different."
Eldarion cocked his head in Túnír's direction. "No, Dior and I are too different. You and I? We are similar enough to allow a friendship to form yet different enough that we can be separate people."
"What does that say about you and Elboron?" asked Túnír.
"Probably that we are a little to close," replied Eldarion. "But he is my soul's twin so it would be hard not to be that way."
"Would you be leaving if Elboron wasn't?" asked Túnír. Eldarion nodded.
"Elboron leaves because I do," he said. "Besides, if I stayed here, either Brégon or Alam would become jealous!" Túnír chuckled before turning and wrapping his arms around Eldarion. Eldarion returned the embrace wholeheartedly.
"I will miss you Eldarion. The north is different without her Prince."
"He is already here," replied Eldarion. "Keep her well Túnír and I will visit again soon. I promise."
"And if I don't?" asked Túnír releasing Eldarion.
"Then I will be back here demanding to know exactly what, in the name of the Valar, you are playing at," replied Eldarion. "You don't get rid of me that easily mellon nîn." my friend
Two days later, the two-dozen Gondorians were saddled and ready for the return leg of their journey. All they needed was for their Captain to arrive so that they could set out.
"You must send a letter as soon as you arrive back in Gondor," said Faerveren as she hugged Eldarion.
"I'm sure you said the same thing the last time I left," smiled Eldarion.
"I am just reminding you," replied Faerveren. "People are known to become forgetful in their old age."
"I am not that old!" exclaimed Eldarion, pretending to take offence. "Now hand me my nephew so that I can say farewell."
"He stays in Annúminas!" said Faerveren, as she handed over the infant. Eldarion pouted slightly before dotting a kiss on to Arndír's forehead.
"You be good for your mother," he said, holding the eleven-month-old on his hip. Arndír gurgled in what Eldarion took to mean assent before stretching out his arms and wrapping them around Eldarion's neck.
'I am going to miss you, little one,' whispered Eldarion before pressing another kiss to the skin just above Arndír's ear.
"Bu-bye," gurgled Arndír as Eldarion past him back to Faerveren. Eldarion smiled and ruffled his hair before and turned to the rest of the party. Bestowing a tight hug to Gwenel, Alphwen and kissing Imlosiel's forehead, Eldarion gave each a few parting words before turning to his parents.
"Try and come back in one piece," said Aragorn as he shook hands with Eldarion. Eldarion nodded, a small smile on his face.
"I will try," he said before shelving dignity for the time being and wrapping his arms around Aragorn's shoulders. Aragorn returned the embrace, murmuring something into Eldarion's ear which caused the Prince to shake slightly, but with what emotion only Eldarion and Elboron would know. Pulling away, Eldarion turned to Arwen.
'Anor sílatha erin râd gîn, ion nîn,' said Arwen as she enfolded her arms around her son's back. May the sun shine upon your path, my son
'Nan lû i agovaded vîn,' replied Eldarion. 'I pray it will be for a more joyous occasion.' Until next we meet
'An uir hen gîn 'ell,' smile Arwen as she released him. ever is your sight a joy
'As is yours,' whispered Eldarion, kissing the back of Arwen's hand and stepping into Suldal's saddle, the misty stallion well and truly ready for the off. Saluting their King, Eldarion steered Suldal around, Elboron to his right, Díorn and Rosruin behind them, and his men following in a column formation.
"I never thought I would say this, but you are going to miss Annúminas aren't you," said Elboron, noticing the slightly wistful look on Eldarion's face as they passed through the Gate. Eldarion cast a glance back at the retreating party.
"Part of my heart will always remain in the north," he replied. "But the south is where my spirit runs free."
A/N; Two things;
1) I am toying with the idea that the bond between Eldarion and Elboron is severed. Not got all the details thrashed out yet but I just wanted to know if it is something you want me to try?
2) I have changed my mind as to when I am finishing this tale. Instead of trying to cover the next eighty-something years until Arwen's death, I am going to restrict myself to the next thirty, by which time Eldarion will be married. I know it is a cope out but it is simply to much time to fill. That and I can't write the deaths of at least ten of the most important people in Eldarion's life. There will most likely be spin-offs but Second Chance will be coming to an end within the next month or so.