Authors Note; Well everyone, I've been writin' loads since I finished my exams – man, I missed my computer! I started this fic on Friday, and I have already 3 chapters completed (that's a lot at my rate!) So ye won't have the long wait this time! At the request of my darling dear RS, I have composed an action fic! For those of you that have read my 'spoiler' section, this story has been mentioned, but the thing is, I am gonna incorporate a few of my original stories into this one! If you want a more detailed description, go read about this in the 'spoiler' section on my bio page, otherwise, you can read on and let it all unfold! It'll be updated plenty in the next few days. Hope this is what you are lookin' for Rachel! xx
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The Lord of the Rings - The Shadow Man
Chapter 1 – The Return of the King
"My Lady, the King of Gondor and his army returns," came the regal announcement across the grand Palace throne room.
Upon hearing those words in which she had been waiting for the past few months, Arwen immediately ceased all she was doing and called for her children.
Once ready, the family sat into the waiting carriage with excitement and briskly made their way to the bottom of the seven-tier city of Minas Tirith. Arwen had not seen her husband in nearly eight months – it was their longest parting since the Quest of the One Ring, and of course, the children were as anxious to again be near their beloved father. Once they reached the front gates, Elraen, Eldarion and Sadriel all hurriedly made their way to the front of the crowd which stood in wait. They had no intention of waiting for their mother, who kept a more graceful stance. She walked with the guards in sheer delight as she became nearer to her husband with each step. The family led the joyous crowds in welcoming their soldiers home from battle, and the people of Gondor eagerly watched the horses bring their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons home across the Pelennor Fields.
Though he was some distance away, The Queen knew the familiar form which sat upon a chestnut horse. He was not hard to find. Two others rode each side of him with huge flags adorned with the White Tree of Gondor, surrounded by seven white stars, and his navy-black breastplate bore the same design. His ruby cape flew with the wind behind him and though he may have appeared regal, she could tell he was tired. How she longed to let him rest in her arms. How she longed to reach him - to touch, to smell, to see and to kiss him.
"There he is!" "I see Ada!" "I see him too!" came the jubilant cries of her children, which echoed that of those around her. How this wondrous gathering at the gates contrasted differently to the last one! Finally, the people's sorrow and waiting had come to an end.
The heavy thud of the horses' gallops caused the vast ground to shake, and a trail of dust whirled against the setting sun behind them as they grew ever closer. Unable to contain themselves any more, the royal children ran out toward their father, and their sudden action caused others to do the same.
The men were very near now, and their worn faces had become clear, but once they met their families, the smiles and laughter outshone even the sun. Arwen watched as her husband dismounted his new friend, Brago, and as his feet again touched his home soil, he left the ranger behind him once more and returned to his role of King. As he looked beneath him, he turned his head each side to see three beautiful children surround his feet. They had considerably grown in his absence, but he knew them well. He lifted each of them in turns, often taking up two at one time. He tried to speak, and so too did the children, but their words were smothered with laughter and kisses. Elraen, Eldarion or Sadriel didn't dare take their hands from around him for an instant, and similar could be said of the King. He was worn and torn after eight months of duty, but his tired body welcomed their embrace. He then placed both Elraen and Eldarion sitting in his spot upon the horse, and lifting Sadriel into his arms, he took Brago's reign as he made his way to the slender, raven-haired Lady waiting up ahead.
She could barely contain herself as he approached. She could not take her eyes from him. The Queen noticed he now had a limp, and slowly and evenly, he made his way to her. Eventually, with a relieved, strained sigh, The King left his youngest down from him and he presented himself before his wife. Breathing heavily, he closed his weary eyes for a moment, afraid to open them incase this was all a dream, for that was the case whilst he was away. But much to his relief, the beautiful vision was still there in front of him when he opened them again. With love and delight, he could not speak as he looked into her.
As she looked upon the man that stood before her, The Queen could not speak either. She had waited for this moment from the time he left, and she too feared this was a dream. But in examining his tall frame up and down, she realized that it was not. It was real. He was real. His hair was disheveled, his clothing was in need of repair and he had become thin. His face was weathered, yet his grey eyes smiled upon seeing her. How she longed to see that face again. Unaware of any of her surroundings, and unable to think of manners in such a moment, the Queen suddenly leapt forward and caught her husband's mouth with hers.
Taken by such surprise at first, The King gladly received the passionate kiss. He automatically let Brago's reign go and wrapped both arms securely around his wife. It was if they had never been apart – she fitted perfectly into his embrace. They unwillingly broke apart upon the calls for the King, but their eyes remained locked.
"Welcome home," Arwen whispered, for her natural voice was under threat of crying.
Aragorn could still not speak, but answered his wife with another kiss.
Seeing all the celebration around him from high upon the horse, Eldarion could scarcely take it all in. As he looked at his father, it did not seem as if he was actually there. The world around him felt odd, as if it were all like paper.
"Ada," he asked in a small, unsure voice, "Is it all over?"
Aragorn turned to look up at him with a strong smile, and once again he took Brago's leather reign as he moved toward home, "Yes son, it is over."
