Hey Guys! I'm still alive! Okay, I know I haven't written or updated anything since January, so first off, lemme say I am so sorry! We had no computer at home, 'cos my Dad gave it to our neighbour to be fixed (though it wasn't even broke!) and our dumbass neighbour deleted all my writing when I got it back last month! (It's not the first time this has happened!) I had the 2nd chapter of 'A Single Night' just about complete, and another action story (yep RS!) started, but it looks like I'm gonna have to start all that again soon. I had my exams all through June and finished yesterday, so I cooked up a chapter here for ye straight away! A huge hi to all my darling fans, and RS, I'll get onto you soon! xx
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Chapter 3
The King and Queen made their way across the white stone citadel in the brisk wind and joined their excited children in gazing out across the vast green landscape. However, on close inspection, much to the children's disappointment, it was as if there was only a single figure making his way toward them. Though it was be usually difficult to discern who approached Minas Tirith from such a height, Aragorn immediately knew the tall, slender shape, and the gracile white horse which arrived from the elven woods.
"Ada, I do not see Gimli," Eldarion pouted, standing upon his tip-toes in order to gain a better view over the thick white wall. "Has he not come?"
Aragorn did not appear worried. He kept a solemn face as he kept his gaze far below him. "Just wait one moment. Keep watch."
"I cannot see, Ada," came the small voice at the King's feet, "The wall is too big and I cannot climb it either."
He looked down to see Sadriel's large blue eyes staring up into his. "I would that you would not climb walls daughter," he said, lifting her small body and sitting it securely in his arms.
"Where is Lord Gimli!" the princess asked, scanning the land below. She was making full use of her new viewing position.
"Keep watch," the King repeated with a knowing smirk.
The family all did as they were told, and saw Legolas dismount from his horse with ease before the City gates. As he stood away, much to the children's surprise, a small, stocky figure still sat on top of the horse. So small was he that he had been practically hidden behind his friend for the journey.
"There he is!" Eldarion smiled, pointing down to the tiny people. It indeed was Legolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf.
The King's smile turned to laughter when he saw an annoyed Gimli fuss as the Gondorian guards carried out their routine search on visitors. The dwarf seemed to engage in heated words with the soldiers, though they must have realized he was a close ally of the King, or Legolas saved the day as the faint cries of the guards 'Open the gates' could be heard. They were thankfully admitted entrance.
"Well, the journey from the bottom of the city to the top seemed to last much longer than that of Ithilien to Minas Tirith!" Gimli panted upon arriving at the Palace entrance.
"I think the same only because you have been saying that all the way up!" his elven companion wearily replied. His elvish patience was wearing thin and he was relieved to finally arrive at the top of the city's seven stories.
The richly carved, large palace gates opened without delay and the pair was free to walk across the striking citadel to the awaiting royal family.
"You are most welcome," the King warmly greeted them, outstretching his arms to firstly embrace Legolas.
"Thank you, mellon-nin (my friend)," the elf replied, smiling widely at meeting his closest ally, "It has been too long!"
The men parted and Aragorn stooped to greet Gimli with the same gesture.
"I see you are all well since our previous visit last year," the dwarf remarked, turning to see Arwen and the children. "My Lady, you look as beautiful as ever," he bowed, taking the Queen's hand and kissing it. He had always admired female beauty, and Arwen felt his special attention in which he often granted her was partially due to his infatuation with her Grandmother. "Though there have been some changes," Gimli continued, "How the children have grown!...And I do not remember such precaution taken with security. I was quite surprised we had not to encounter yet another set of guards at these Palace gates!"
The King grinned widely, "Still much has not changed, my small friend. You still speak as you had the first time I met you."
The dwarf replied with a proud beam, "Well, good things don't need changing I always say!"
"Is that why you have not grown?" Sadriel quietly asked from behind her mother's dress. Though she acted shy upon meeting new people, it did not take long for her to warm to them.
Aragorn and Arwen both turned to give her a stern look before the rest broke into laughter.
"Perhaps it is!" Gimli replied, clapping his hands. "And I fear the birthday lad will soon be taller than me!"
"Happy Birthday Prince Eldarion," Legolas gently said, lightly bowing before the young boy, "May you enjoy you day and all that follows." Gimli grunted and bowed in agreement with his companion. The elf continued, "We have brought you a small token to celebrate this important day…."
"Your very first bow and axe!" Gimli announced in excitement.
Both elf and dwarf reached behind their shoulders and presented the small, hand-crafted weaponry before the Prince. Eldarion squealed with jubilant delight as he eagerly took the bow and axe into his own hands.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" was all he could say, examining them closely with his fingers.
The King's reaction was not so enthusiastic as he looked to the beautiful weapons and his bobbing son with dismay. Now he knew why the guards had caused such hassle when permitting them to enter. Part of him wished they had been somewhat more strict!
"So much for not giving your son a sword for his birthday…." His wife whispered in his ear.
"Now, they are custom made to a youngling's size," they heard Gimli say, "so you should have no difficulty in using either of them." The dwarf then went on to instruct Eldarion on holding an axe should he want to pound something.
Placing a strong hand around his son's shoulders, Aragorn led him into the Palace before any damage could be done, and motioned for the rest to follow. "I am sure your gifts shall not gather dust," he said to his friends, "Come inside and join us for breakfast. There must be much news for me since our last encounter."