AUTHOR'S NOTE I enjoyed writing this chapter with the interaction between Aragorn and Legolas and their wives. I hope you also enjoy reading it!
DISCLAIMER Anyone that Tolkien came up with, I obviously don't own them.
…
April 20, Year 6 of the Fourth Age
The fourth age began as the last of the great Eldar left this world. Aara was two years old when the new age began. Legolas began a colony in Southern Ithilien of Elves choosing not yet to depart for the Undying Lands.
Thus I became the Lady of South Ithilien alongside Éowyn, the White Lady of North Ithilien. From the great dwelling Legolas built for our family, three balconies looked out over the surrounding lands. One looked north on the Kingdom of Men and far Lórien and Mirwood; the second looked west over the glittering Anduin and Minas Tirith in the distance; and the third looked southwest upon the Sea. No part of our home looked east, for the Ephel Dúath was still a haunted place of evil things.
Ithilien was under the rule of King Elessar and thus by dwelling there, Aara still was within the laws he had set forth. Many evenings, Legolas, Aara, and I were the distinguished guests of Faramir and Éowyn or Arwen and Aragorn. My friendship with Éowyn and Legolas's friendship with Aragorn had remained strong since the end of the Fellowship and the War.
Often, Aragorn regaled us with stories of his journeys as a Ranger or from the War. On one such evening, we gathered in the palace parlor after dinner.
Aara sat on Aragorn's lap, watching the King in awe. He smiled at her and asked, "Do you know what your Ada did?" She just shook her head.
"Aragorn, why must you fill my daughter's head with such wild stories?" Legolas protested.
"What did Ada do?" Aara asked, banging Aragorn's shoulder with her small hand.
Aragorn grinned at Legolas. "Because the child wants to know." He turned back to Aara. "Well, the oliphaunt was about the trample us. So your Ada caught hold of one of the huge tusks and climbed up onto the beast! Then he cut the ropes that held the carriers on its back with a single knife and all of the evil men were destroyed."
From the doorway, Arwen just shook her head. "Little girls should not be told stories of battle, Estel," she scolded with a smile.
Aara scrambled down from the King's lap and ran to Legolas. "Is that all true, Ada? Did you really do all that?"
Over her head, Legolas gave Aragorn a grin. "The King of Gondor would not lie, elen nîn."
My daughter's eyes shone with an even greater respect for her father. She ran to me. "Did you know all of that, Mama?"
I laughed. "Yes, little one. Your Ada was a great warrior." I picked her up. "And now that Middle Earth is free of strife, he is a great Lord of our people." I smiled at my husband.
Aara yawned and Legolas and I stood to take our leave. We bowed to the King and Queen. "Hannon le, my friend," Legolas said, clasping Aragorn by the shoulder.
He smiled. "You are always welcome here."
Arwen looked at the deep blue sky that prepared to fade to black. "Your journey home is long, Legolas. It will be long dark when you reach Ithilien and your little one is fading."
"No I'm not!" Aara piped up sleepily.
"Shh, elen nîn," Legolas said fondly. "You must not argue with the Queen."
Arwen smiled. "You are welcome to retire here in Minas Tirith," she continued. "Then you can begin the journey in the morning."
Legolas looked at me. "It's fine with me," I said. "Riding with her asleep would be a hassle."
"It is settled then," Aragorn commented. "You shall stay in Minas Tirith. I will order your rooms prepared at once."
"Thank you, my friend!"
Aragorn stood to attend to those matters and Legolas followed him, the two old friends talking and laughing of old times. Arwen smiled at me. "May I have a word?"
"Of course, your Highness."
She beckoned for me. "Please, sit down." I sat next to her, with Aara asleep on my shoulder. "How old is your daughter?" she asked.
"She is seven years old, your Highness."
Arwen nodded thoughtfully. "Please do not be offended, but she has matured far less than a seven-year-old mortal should."
I looked at Aara asleep in my lap. "I know. Your grandmother, Lady Galadriel, explained it to me. She is mortal, but still borne of two Elves. The Lady explained to me that because of the blood of the Eldar that she carries, she will mature slower than a normal human." I smiled. "She equated it to the line of Númenor, but I don't know."
Arwen smiled fondly. "That makes perfect sense." She stood. "Come. We must put the little one to bed." I stood and bowed what little I could before following her.
…
Elen nîn – my star (Sindarin)
Hannon le – thank you (Sindarin)
