Thank you all for your reviews. I do believe the next chapter shall be the closing end of "Found and Lost." As always, let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 37: The Beginning of the End
"Mama!" Melda called as she ran into Éowyn and Faramir's home in Ithilien. Ellethwen looked up from the book she was reading near the window and saw her eighteen year old daughter rush into the room with wide dark blue eyes. Melda, like Boromir had predicted, grew to look like her mother. Her long black hair was unbound and flowed down her back covering her simple brown dress and her pale cheeks were flushed.
"What is it Melda?" Ellethwen asked as she slipped her marking paper into her book and closed it.
"Eldarion is here," Melda said quickly. "He rode with King Elessar and Luthien and Mia," Melda said running into the washroom off of Ellethwen and Boromir's room. Luthien and Mia were Aragorn's and Arwen's eldest daughters. Luthien was thirteen and Mia was eleven. Ellethwen stood from her chair and walked into the washroom. Melda was looking in the looking glass and brushing out her hair quickly. Ellethwen laughed softly and looked at her daughter's and her reflection. She looked only ten years younger than her fifty-six years, but her face had aged slightly.
"Melda, calm yourself. Why are you acting this way?" Ellethwen asked as she helped Melda brush her hair out.
"Dallin said I looked a fright and that I would make such an impression on the King and Prince that I probably would never be invited to the Harvest Ball this fall." Ellethwen rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"You're brother is only trying to tease you," Ellethwen said as she finished her daughter's hair. "Would you like me to braid it for you?"
"No, mama, I like to wear it lose like you and Aunt Éowyn," Melda said as she turned and looked at her mother. Melda embraced her and Ellethwen smiled sadly. She had only been a year older than Melda when her own mother passed and she couldn't help but think that soon her daughter would be wed and with a family of her own.
"I love you, my daughter," Ellethwen whispered.
"I love you too, mama. Now come," Melda said pulling back and taking Ellethwen's hand. "Papa said for me to retrieve you because you are to greet the King with him." Ellethwen nodded and let her daughter lead her from her room and down the corridor and outside where a smiling Éowyn was standing next to Faramir with their own sons standing next to her. Boromir turned and held out his hand to Ellethwen who let go of Melda's hand and took his quickly.
Nearing sixty-four Boromir was as handsome as ever, and in his aged face there was still the love he held for her for so long. Melda fell in line next to her and Dallin was standing tall and proud next to his father dressed in his Gondorian guard armor. At twenty-three Dallin had grown too fast for Ellethwen's liking, but he was a member of the guard now, and a servant to Aragorn's command. Even though peace had reigned for a long time in Gondor she still worried that a day would come where she would send him off to battle.
Aragorn made his way over to them after he dismounted his horse and smiled at them as he removed his gloves. Eldarion walked behind his father, tall and proud, one would not know the prince was actually a month younger than Melda and at eighteen he was already sought after by young women of the court. Luthien and Mia followed quietly giggling. The group bowed and Aragorn chuckled.
"My friends," he said and the group laughed before Ellethwen stepped forward and embraced her friend.
"Welcome to Ithilien, your majesty," she said as she pulled back. Aragorn chuckled and nodded his head. He had aged a great deal, but his eyes still held light in them and his smile was still the same behind his grey beard.
"It is good to be here," Aragorn said as he put his hand on her shoulder.
"How does Arwen fare?" she asked softly. The queen and Ellethwen had grown close over the years and she was due to have her and Aragorn's fifth child in three months.
"Fine, she is well and looking forward to when you rejoin her in Minas Tirith," Aragorn said. Ellethwen smiled and nodded her head.
"We are due to return in two weeks so our wives may enjoy their chats again," Boromir said as he stepped forward.
"Indeed," Aragorn said as he winked at Ellethwen.
"Well, do come in!" Éowyn said. "Do come in we have a feast ready in the dining hall." Aragorn smiled and followed Éowyn, Faramir, and their sons into their home. Luthien and Mia looked at Dallin and giggled again before they followed their father. Boromir looked to his son who merely shook his head before he went into home. Melda stepped next to Ellethwen and looked at Eldarion.
"Good afternoon, my lord," Melda said and Ellethwen looked from her daughter to Eldarion who gave her a small smile and bowed his head.
"Good afternoon, Melda," he said and Melda blushed as she ducked her head. "May I escort you inside?" he asked as he held out his arm to her. Melda looked up quickly and smiled before she nodded.
"Aye, I would like that," she said softly as she took his arm and walked past Ellethwen and Boromir. Boromir watched them with a raised eyebrow and Ellethwen stifled a laugh at her husband's face.
"That boy may be my prince, but if he lays a finger on my daughter-," Boromir said but Ellethwen stopped him by covering his lips with her fingers.
"My love, they are young," she told him gently. "Who knows what time will bring?" she asked as she lowered her hand. Boromir seemed to sputter but Ellethwen rose up and kissed him softly. "Come, the others are waiting." Ellethwen laced her arm with his and led a still silent Boromir into the home.
Ellethwen sat her tea cup down and looked around at the faces at the table. Luthien and Mia had gone for a walk with Éowyn and Faramir's oldest son, Elboron, and with Melda and Eldarion trailing behind. They walked in the garden just outside Faramir and Éowyn's home. "So, Aragorn," Faramir said as he too lowered his tea cup and all eyes turned to him. "What brings you and your eldest to Ithilien?"
"Now is not the time for business," Éowyn said. "Over full stomachs and sleep heavy eyes? Honestly, Faramir, I am sure King Elessar is weary from his travels. I'm sure he and his children would wish for rest now."
"It is alright, Éowyn, I've actually not come on business," Aragorn said as he lowered his goblet of wine. "I've come just as a visit and to see how my friends are doing, plus the children wished to see Ithilien again." Ellethwen smiled when she noticed the twinkle in Aragorn's eye as he looked to her. Ellethwen stood then and all eyes turned to her.
"If you will excuse me for just a moment, I'm just going to check on them," Ellethwen said as she raised her skirts slightly and moved from the table. She walked out of Faramir and Éowyn's home and down the path that led her to the garden on the other side. She smiled when she saw Luthien, Mia, and Elboron having what seemed like a race through the various trees, but when she spotted Melda and Eldarion moving down the tree covered path she quickened her pace and followed them. "Melda!" she called and Melda pulled away from Eldarion, her cheeks blazing a bright red. Even Eldarion seemed embarrassed at being caught. Ellethwen walked quickly to where they stood and Melda fidgeted nervously with her hands.
"Yes, mama?" Melda asked in a quiet voice.
"Come with me my daughter," she said as she held out her hand and Melda glanced at Eldarion before she walked over to Ellethwen with a hung head. "I suggest, my prince," Ellethwen said and Eldarion looked from Melda to Ellethwen, "that if you wish to court my daughter, you speak with her father." Eldarion's blush deepened and she heard Melda take a sharp breath, but Eldarion held Ellethwen's gaze. "Is that your intention?" Eldarion's eyes moved to Melda before he stood taller and locked his grey eyes with Ellethwen.
"It is my lady," he said firmly and Ellethwen gave him a smile before she nodded her head and took Melda's arm. She looked to her daughter and Melda looked slightly pale but there was a smile playing at her lips, one Ellethwen had never seen before. She tugged on Melda's arm and began to lead Melda back to the house. "However," Eldarion said and Ellethwen stopped and looked at him. "Must I speak with Lord Boromir?" Ellethwen laughed softly.
"Aye, for he is her father," Ellethwen said. "Although, I would wait until we return to Minas Tirith. Come on Melda, help me gather the children and get them inside. It's getting dark." Melda nodded and looked at Eldarion who gave her a smile before bowing his head. Melda gave him a smile in return. As they walked up the path, Ellethwen looked at Melda. "How long have you secretly been seeing each other?" she asked softly. Melda stiffened and glanced at her mother. "Melda, you cannot lie to me." Melda sighed and pulled Ellethwen from the path into the shadow of the tree.
"Mama, you cannot tell father," Melda said. "Eldarion expressed interest at the Winter Solstice Ball. I have done nothing to dishonor myself, mama, we have not even kissed." Ellethwen smiled and took Melda's hands.
"I will not tell your father, but you are too young to be courting," Ellethwen said sadly.
"Mama, please, I know father will not approve, but . . . mama, I think I am falling in love with him," Melda finished in a whisper.
"Oh my Melda," Ellethwen whispered before she hugged her daughter. "You are so young yet, perhaps it is just infatuation." Melda pulled back and shook her head.
"No, mama, and you were not much older than I was when you realized you were in love with father," Melda said. "It is as if I cannot keep my mind away from him while we are apart, and I count the seconds until we are to see each other again, but I do not know what is to happen." Ellethwen saw the same uncertainty in her daughter's eyes that she had seen in her own when she was struggling to admit her feelings for Boromir.
"If that is how you feel, Melda," Ellethwen said slowly. "When the time comes and your father bellows against the courtship, I will do all I can to make him see just how much you care for the prince." Melda let out a squeal before she hugged her mother.
"Thank you mama," Melda said quickly and Ellethwen smiled.
"Now, help me gather the others, Eldarion is making his way up the path," Ellethwen said and Melda nodded before she and Ellethwen quickly moved onto the path and brought Luthien, Mia, and Elboron inside. Ellethwen looked over her shoulder before she moved from the garden and saw Eldarion pacing slightly his hand raised to his chin. The young man had no idea how much he looked like his father when he did that.