WARNING; CHARACTER DEATH
A/N; For those who don't know, consumption is the old name for Tuberculosis (TB)
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The next few years past with nothing adventurous happening, though Eldarion was becoming increasingly tempted to throw certain members of his council off the highest point of the Citadel as they continued to badger him about marriage, or lack there of. By the year 41, Elboron was prepared to provide him with help. Lady Lothrín of Dol Amroth did indeed marry Captain Serngaer of the Swan Knight Navy (much to the Councils displeasure) in the year 39. The ceremony was horrifically lavish, Erchirion sparing no expense when it came to the happiness of his children. The year 43 brought news from Annúminas that Faerveren had birthed a second son; Lómion, while 45 was one that Eldarion would rather forget but unfortunately, we remember trauma clearer than we remember the joy in our lives.
In the middle of spring, Aragorn, along with Arwen, Imlosiel, Gwenel and Alphwen, had moved back from Annúminas, permanently. Faerveren had remained in Annúminas with her husband and children and there was some debate as to whether Imlosiel would also return to Arnor, her favour apparently having been gifted to one of the Rangers. Their arrival however was not as joyous as it could have been, for they came bearing ill tidings for Eldarion.
Túnír had died the previous winter, having contracted consumption. Alam had been devastated and had taken to roaming the wilds on his own while Arahael had collapsed with grief as he buried his beloved son and watched the other slowly disappear. Tarcil and Hinluin had been left to cope with a failing Alam and Arahael as well as their own grief.
Eldarion took the news badly. He wore a mask in public to prevent any overzealous condolences, that in itself a worrying development as he had never felt the need to hide how he was feeling, no matter how inappropriate the revelation was, and in private Eldarion retreated into himself. He strengthened the barriers around most of his emotions and Aragorn watched in despair as his once social butterfly of a son transformed into a shrinking violet. Unlike when Imrahil had died, Eldarion did not have his spirit-brother to turn to, Elboron having been sent to Anfalas on a diplomatic assignment a month before Aragorn returned. He did not even have Díorn to lean on for support as the albino had been recalled to Dol Amroth temporarily, Eldarion technically not needing an Adjutant when in Gondor.
It wasn't until the end of May that Elboron returned. He had had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind since the middle of April but whenever he tried to connect with Eldarion through their bond he had found the barriers around most of Eldarion's mind strengthened.
"Father what has happened?" he asked, discovering the Steward first.
"I need a little more detail than that Elboron," smiled Faramir as he hugged Elboron in welcome.
"Something is wrong with Eldarion," replied Elboron. "I've had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach since the middle of April but when I tried to connect with Eldarion, I found him blocking me. Why?"
"Eldarion is fading," said Imlosiel as she appeared beside father and son. Faramir bit his lip and hug his head while Elboron turned to face Imlosiel fully.
"When did you return?" he asked.
"April," replied the lady. "And we came bearing ill tidings."
"Get to the point Imlosiel!" growled Elboron, his temper never running on a long fuse when Eldarion was concerned.
"Túnír died during the winter," said Imlosiel. "Eldarion did not take the news well."
"Túnír is dead?" whispered Elboron. Imlosiel nodded.
"He contracted consumption while on patrol during the winter and he never recovered," she said, inhaling deeply so as to control her own emotions.
"Where is he?" demanded Elboron.
"Elboron, you have to deliver your report to the Council," interjected Faramir.
"The Council can wait," snapped Elboron. "Imlosiel, where is Eldarion?"
"I last saw him in the gardens, but he has taken to leaving the City. No one knows where he goes and if they do, they will not tell," replied Imlosiel.
"Thank you. Father, tell the Council and the King, that they will have their report from Anfalas as soon as I know Eldarion is alright," said Elboron before turning on his heel and marching to the gardens.
Eldarion wasn't in the gardens as Imlosiel had supposed but had ridden from the confines of Minas Tirith, that fact made obvious by the fact that Suldal was missing from the stables. His tack was still there which indicated that Eldarion had left in a hurry. Closing his eyes against the surge of emotion that originated in the pit of his stomach, Elboron moved over to Gílroch's box and prepared the stallion for a ride.
"Sorry Gílroch, I know you have earned your rest but I need you to help me find Eldarion," murmured Elboron as he stroked the animal's nose. Gílroch snorted once and butted Elboron's hand. Elboron gave a weak smile before mounting and setting the animal off into a trot through the streets before breaking out into a canter upon reaching the Pelennor.
Elboron eventually found Eldarion on the shore of Anduin. His knees were drawn up and being hugged to his chest while his face was buried in his arms. Elboron slid from Gílroch's back and allowed the animal to wander. He went to his knees before Eldarion and touched his hand. Eldarion jerked violently and his head shot up. Elboron's breath caught in his throat when he noticed the tear tracks that were obviously fresh, running down Eldarion's cheeks.
'Why didn't you tell me?' whispered Elboron, brushed away a few stray tears that hung from Eldarion's chin.
'You were on task,' replied Eldarion. 'And I can't burden you with every little hurt I suffer.'
'This is not a little hurt, Eldarion,' said Elboron. 'You've just lost your best friend!'
'I am not the one who is suffering the worst,' said Eldarion. 'Arahael and…….'
'Eldarion, I am not asking how Arahael is coping, nor do I care at this moment. I care about you! Imlosiel said you were fading.'
'Imlosiel is exaggerating. I am mortal, I cannot fade,' said Eldarion.
'But you wish you could?' exclaimed Elboron, catching the mournful tone in Eldarion's voice.
'At the moment, I wish for nothing more than a chance to say goodbye,' whispered Eldarion. Elboron cupped Eldarion's cheek and brushed away the tears that leaked out from the corner of his eye.
'He was supposed to come back,' said Eldarion, quickly losing control of his emotions. 'He was going to spend the next season in Gondor. I was going to show him Ithilien and in the autumn I was going to take him to Lothlórien. It was to be his first time in the woodland realm.'
Hearing the increasing tension in Eldarion's voice as he fought to maintain composure and seeing the unnatural look of distress in his silver-blue eyes, Elboron settled himself on the ground and pulled Eldarion to him.
'Let go, Eldarion,' he murmured. 'Don't hold your pain inside.'
Elboron's words, and the longed for contact from his soul's twin, seemed to be the key to breaking down Eldarion's walls and the younger man clung desperately to his friend as he sobbed out all the pain and grief that he had fought to hide over the past couple of months. Elboron flooded the link between them with all the love he felt for Eldarion and ran a hand up and down his spine in a feeble gesture of comfort, while closing his own eyes and sending a silent prayer to the Valar for Túnír's spirit to find rest in the Eternal Halls.
The pair remained by the riverside until twilight, mainly because Eldarion's emotional collapse had caused him to fall asleep in Elboron's embrace. Some careful rearranging soon saw Eldarion and Elboron laying entwined on the river bank, Elboron curled protectively around Eldarion. About an hour after Eldarion had fallen asleep Elboron had followed him into the gardens of Lórien, so Gílroch and Suldal had settled beside them, both on alert in case of any unwelcome visitors.
Eldarion was the first to reawaken, mainly because a breeze had picked up and was chilling his back. He smiled weakly when he caught sight of Elboron, looking so peaceful beside him.
I will lose you too, he thought as he traced the shape of Elboron's closed eyes. How will I survive with only half my soul?
Elboron stirred when Eldarion's fingers traced their way across to his ears and rubbing the skin behind the appendage. Releasing a gentle sigh of contentment, Elboron opened his eyes, blinking away the last remainders of sleep as he did so, and gave Eldarion a small smile.
'How are you feeling?' he asked, propping himself up one elbow.
'Lighter,' replied Eldarion.
'And?' prodded Elboron, still having the nagging sensation in the back of his mind.
'Scared.'
'Of what?' asked Elboron, cocking his head to one side.
'Losing you,' replied Eldarion. 'And I don't know how to live without you.'
'Eldarion,' murmured Elboron, falling on to his back and pulling Eldarion over with him. 'You will never lose me. Even when my body has perished and my bones turned to dust, I will continue to dwell in your heart. I promise you; I will always be there for you when you need me, regardless of how we are parted.'
'Thank you,' whispered Eldarion.
'What are brothers for?' smiled Elboron. 'Come, we best return to the City before they start sending out search parties.'
'In a moment,' murmured Eldarion standing to retrieve something from the bag deposited beside a tree. It was a small paper bird, very similar to the ones that had been used as place settings at the spring festival in Imladris, the first time Eldarion and Túnír had met nigh on thirty-six years ago. Extracting a small candle as well as his tinder box, Eldarion lit the candle before placing it on to the back of the crane and setting the bird atop of the water, allowing the gentle, yet strong, current carry the light away to the Sea.
'Garo 'lass ned i themais gurth, gwador nîn,' whispered Eldarion and, remaining crouched at the riverbank, he pressing his thumb to his forehead, followed by his lips and then pressing his hand, palm down, over his heart, blinking away fresh tears as the light glinted away. Be joyous in the halls of death, my brother