Title: The Tree
Prompt: #55 - Tree / Mellon Fic 100
Author: TrinityTheSheDevil
Rating: PG
Characters: Mainly Aragorn and Elladan, but some Elrohir, Elrond, and Eldarion
Disclaimer: Not mine, at all.
Summary: The story of the Tree.
Warning(s): Character death but not in the "OMG AHH!" sense.
A/N: Please be aware that this story is entirely AU, not beta read, and jumps years quite a bit. However, I kinda like it ... but then again, I'm biased. :g:
--
"Estel, there is no way you can do it. The tree is far too large." Elladan said gently to the small four year old. "Perhaps when you are older, you will be able to climb like Elrohir and I. For now, you must stay on the ground, and away from harm."
"Now!" Estel's teary eyes pleaded with the older twin until the elf finally gave in.
"Alright. I'll carry you up the tree, but I am not letting you go. Okay?"
Nodding excitedly, the small boy raised his arms to be lifted up, watching in fascination as the world shrunk below him while Elladan climbed to one of the larger branches on top. His clear grey eyes pierced the surroundings with one thought in mind ... when he was older, he would be able to make the climb all by himself.
--
Five Years Later
"Estel!" Elladan yelled in fright, watching as the boy plummeted from one of the lower limbs of the large tree. He rushed forward with his heart in his throat, lifting up the limp form as he called for Elrond.
"What happened!" Elrohir asked, following his brother to the healing chambers.
"He attempted to climb the tree and ended up falling from one of the lower branches. I think his arm is broken and he has been knocked unconscious, but I would rather have ada examine him to be sure. Thank the Valar he was not able to climb any higher, for he might not have survived the fall."
Settling his little brother down upon the bed, he waited anxiously as Elrond tended to the boy. When done, Elrond sighed, shaking his head.
"He will be fine. His arm was broken clean through and I have put it in a sling for now. He does not have a concussion, but I know he will have a very large headache upon awakening. When he finally does awaken on his own, I shall have him drink some of my tea, so that he may rest for the remainder of the day."
Elladan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, clasping Estel's hand in his own. "I will sit with him until he wakes, and give him the tea when he does."
"Very well, Elladan. Your brother and I must attend to the councilmen from the villages for now, as they have to leave in the morning. Let us know if anything changes with him." Elrond said, as he gave Estel a gentle hug and left the room. Elrohir did the same, following his father out, leaving only Elladan and the sleeping Estel.
"Oh, brother. Why do you feel you must push yourself past your own limits? How many times have I told you that you are not old enough to climb the tree yet?"
"I'm almost ten ... " Came the whispered reply from the occupant on the bed. Elladan's lips twitched but he quickly bit back the grin. He was furious with Estel for taking such a risk but would not punish him now. Later, when Estel had healed enough to get up, he would realize the error of his ways. Now, Elladan was only glad to have him alive.
"You are nine, and not big or strong enough to climb the tree. After you have grown, you can safely attempt it." Elladan leaned over the bed as Estel slowly opened his eyes. The boy grimaced in pain at the light coming through the windows and Elladan knew he had a throbbing headache.
"But when will I know, 'Dan? When will I know when I am big enough to climb the tree?" Estel asked softly. "I am afraid that I will not know."
"Oh, do not worry, little one." Elladan said, smiling. "You will most definitely know."
--
Eleven Years Later
Elladan climbed swiftly through the branches and the leaves, making no sound as he did so. He made his way up towards the top, to one of the large branches that overlooked quite a bit of Rivendell. From where he was, he just could make out two feet dangling over the branch. It took him a few minutes to climb past the leaves and vines, but finally he was sitting upon the same branch as his brother, who laid carelessly back against the trunk of the tree.
"I'm sorry." Elladan's words pierced the quiet night, seemingly sharp against the silence.
"It is not your fault." Estel whispered with a faraway look in his eyes. "It is the fault of no one. I simply ... I ... " Estel's eyes watered and he looked away, furiously wiping his sleeve over his face. "I do not want this burden!"
With no other way of comforting his brother, Elladan leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the man - for that was what Estel was now, a man - and made soothing noises. "None of us ask for the burdens that are placed upon our shoulders, brother. If I had thought that it would have helped you, I would have told you long ago of your heritage. We wanted to keep you safe, however, so we took you in and named you Estel. I hope that we have given you a life of joy, for we love you dearly. You may be the son of Arathorn, but you are my brother, and also the son of Elrond. Do not forget that."
Estel ... Aragorn, nodded against Elladan's shoulder. "I am sorry for my reaction, Elladan. I know it must seem foolish of me ... "
"No," Elladan shook his head. "Not at all. Come, Estel. Let us venture back inside before it gets cool. Supper is ready, and you need to eat."
Estel nodded. "Thank you, Elladan."
Elladan watched as he slowly made his way down the tree, before shaking his head. "No Estel," He spoke too softly to be heard by the man. "Thank you."
--
Seventy Years Later
"Come, Estel. Is this going to become a habit?" Elladan said as he settled upon the branch beside the man. "Don't you think you're a little old to be climbing trees?"
Estel laughed softly. "Aye, the King of Gondor, sulking in a tree. What would the people think?"
"They'd probably think you have finally lost it ... if you ever had it to begin with of course." Elladan smirked. His face fell when Aragorn sighed heavily, looking down below at Rivendell ... a place that once seemed so much like home, but now more of an empty wonder.
"He sailed." Aragorn's voice broke.
"I know." Elladan replied. "It was time for him to go, Estel."
A sob caught in the man's throat, as Aragorn tried to hold the tears at bay. It was of little use, and soon he found himself releasing his grief upon Elladan's shoulder.
"He misses you greatly, you know." Elladan said when Aragorn had finally quieted down. "In our last conversation, he spoke to me of his regrets, and one of them was not being able to stay and watch you and Arwen raise a family. He wanted to remain here until you had lived the rest of your days, but knew the pain would be too great. It was with a heavy heart that he left you and Arwen to cross the sea."
"I shall miss him." Aragorn said.
"I also, little brother. I also."
--
One hundred and forty one Years Later
"Uncle Elladan, I do not see the point in coming here." Eldarion said, looking around at what was left of Rivendell. The haven had suffered greatly when the elves had left it; a shell of what once had been now stood in the place of what was once one of the most beautiful places in Middle Earth. It still had a beauty of its own, but it was now wild and haunting; not many people wanted to stay in Rivendell now.
It had been almost exactly a year since Aragorn had passed. Eldarion felt the deep ache in his heart, that had not been there when his father had lived. The last thing he wanted to do right now was travel to Rivendell; if he could do exactly what he wanted, he would have probably curled up in bed and cried into his pillow, for the loss of Aragorn.
Eldarion finally caught up with Elladan, realizing that the elf stood next to a rather large tree. The tree looked very old, but sturdy. Sturdy enough that Elladan climbed to one of the upper limbs and waited patiently until Eldarion joined him.
"Eldarion, I wish to tell you a story." Elladan said, a small smile upon his face. "A story of a four year old boy, and a tree ... "
--
The End