Author's Note; Well guys, here is the second (long) chapter, and as you read on, you'll find why it was my favourite to write regarding Aragorn! I wanna say a huge thanks to my readers and reviewers :-) Ye make my day!
Viggomanic; I am really lovin' your username - Hope you enjoy below! wink
Lemar2RedFox; Awww, I am so glad you enjoyed the start! The suspense is gonna get goin' from the next chapter on!
RS; How right you are, my dear! I really do strive to make it all easy to visualize as it is in my own head, so I am so thrilled it is working! The action is set to get goin', and it's all for you! I'm mail you soon hun xx
LindaHoyland; Ooops! I have NO CLUE about horses, so thnx for the spelling correction – I did, in fact, mean 'rein'! slaps head LOL! Hope you like the fic and thnx so much for your faithful reviews!
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Chapter 2 - Celebrations
Evening turned to night and the city's festivities were underway. The sounds of lively music and laughter filled the air as the people were all reunited, and in honor of the army's return, a huge banquet was held outdoors. The past year had brought troubles, but they were glad celebrate their end – and none were more so than the Royal family.
"I have missed the taste of fresh bread," Aragorn said, more to himself than anyone. He broke a roll in half and dipped an end in his creamy soup.
"I see you have lost weight," Arwen replied, placing some of the hot vegetable mixture into a dish for their son. "Did you not like the food they severed in the East?"
Aragorn finished his bite before answering, "I enjoyed the spicy foods, though their meat choices were not always of my liking."
"Well, as long as you were looked after, I shall not worry." she said, lifting another bowl to fill for Elraen.
"I would not be so sure," Aragorn lowly remarked, looking to his food, "Perhaps you could do so later….." He kept his face completely straight with his devilish remark, so their children, or anyone who looked up to the top table, would not in the least suspect what matters the King was thinking of.
For fear of blushing, Arwen sat down onto her seat, placing a hot bowl before Eldarion. "You'd better behave, my Lord," she whispered back with an equally solemn face.
"As always," he quipped, lifting his spoon from the vessel.
Eldarion watched his father incessantly as he ate and mirrored him in also dipping bread into his own soup. However, his inexperience led the juice to drip all over the white table cloth and more importantly, over his good wear, during the roll's journey from the bowl to his mouth.
Some even managed to splash upon the King's lap, and as Aragorn stood to wipe it away with a napkin, his movement drew the crowds attention.
"Sire, will you speak?" came a merry voice from the neighbouring table.
"Speech!" called another.
Soon after, the crowd shared the same sentiment as they all joined in a chorus requesting the King to address them. Aragorn was never one to put himself on purpose display, but after a time, the music and chatter stopped, and he hesitantly straightened and obliged his people.
"My people," he began with a nod, looking to all around him, "May I firstly say, and I believe my men will share my thought, it is good to be back!" A huge cheer erupted as mugs of alcohol crashed against each other with agreement. "We have been absent for many months, and I am glad to see that my wife, your Queen, has kept the City standing in my stead." As the crowd laughed, Aragorn could not help but steal a glance to the subject sitting to his left. As she turned to him, she arched her brows and gave him a dangerous smirk. "As we all return to our families, there is much cause for this celebration tonight. The surprise attack we suffered from those of the East has been resolved, and I am pleased to announce that it was done so without physical resort. Our relations with them have, at best, been shaky, but Mutu, the Harrad tribe leader, has sworn to me that we will not suffer at their hands again. To this day, however, I have not received a satisfactory explanation as to why they attacked us, but perhaps there is none. There is never a just legitimate reason to begin such a fight, but it is always necessary to end it!" Again, the crowd roared in approval of their treasured King's words. "We have tasted much war in our history and even our own lifetimes," he continued, "but under my reign, I will see to it that my people do not have to suffer it again."
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The entertainments continued long into the night, and whilst most of the city remained dancing, eating and singing, the King and Queen preferred to conclude their celebrations indoors. With their children settled asleep and with no duties binding them, tonight was a rare occasion where they could spend an unyielding interlude together – and they were sure to make the most of it.
The light of the outside corridor burst into the King's bed chamber as he and his wife stumbled inside. They did not dare part from their hungry kisses to look around them nor to open a door. Too long had they been denied one another to let anything separate them - not even for an instant!
Though Aragorn had enjoyed his share of wine and ale that night, the sensations he felt under his wife's touch led him to a higher state than anything else ever could. Her hands gripped behind his neck in a passionate hold as her mouth melted with his. Keeping his eyes closed, he knew exactly where their bed lay and lifted her supple legs around his waist as he carried her over to their most treasured place.
Being ever gentle with the gem in his hands, he defied the burning he felt inside and lay his Undomiel tenderly beneath him upon the quilted blankets. Changing their original pace to a much slower one, he softly took his lips from hers and replaced them upon her neck, beginning a trail of mild kisses.
Arwen's breathing became laboured now as she felt the pleasure and passion inside her rise. She grabbed a handful of his rich chocolate hair and her legs tightened their hold around his hips as she felt his beard tickle her skin. How she had missed him. His hands proceeded to move evenly up and down her sides and she arched her back allowing him undo the lacing up the back of her dress. He eagerly followed suit and his nimble fingers soon pulled the ribbon apart. The first of her porcelain skin was exposed and he delicately glided cold fingers up along the middle of her back. Once his hands reached the destination of her neck, they then moved to the front where he began to pull the dress down off of her sculpted shoulders. As each inch of skin was revealed, he welcomed it into the night air with a small kiss. She pulled her arms out from the lace sleeves, and as he attempted to slide the dress down off her chest, she hesitantly put her hands on top of his and interrupted his pursuit.
"It is my turn now," she breathed, opening her eyes to meet his.
His piercing gaze remained fixed upon her as he positioned himself upright. Her dainty hands fell to the base of his embroidered velvet coat where she firstly undid the bottom button. The months of waiting was ready to burst inside her, but as always, she managed to act with complete restraint as her hand merely crept up his midsection, undoing each button with considerable time. Once the top button was relieved, he discarded the piece carelessly onto the floor. He knelt above her now with an airy, cream linen shirt, and with her fingers sailing around his waistline, he hastily removed it up over his head.
There is was – his most perfect upper half. She just gazed for a moment, but her hands could not resist reaching up and tracing across his tight tan stomach. She knew each pattern and each scar by heart, for his weathered body was all hers.
The King soaked in each sensuous touch as waves rushed throughout his body. His breathing became shallowed now, and she noticed his eyes darken. It was common for Aragorn to grow serious in their love-making, and with a somber face, he lowered himself down to meet her mouth again. After much teasing, her hands fell from exploring his back to his waist again and found the fastening of his belt. But as she began to undo the cold, silver buckle, she heard a series of thuds upon their thick, arched chamber door.
"Who is……." She whispered mid kiss.
Aragorn barely flinched and remained focused on his main objective, "Ignore it."
The banging returned louder again, though Arwen did not let it distract her this time. However, when they heard it the third time, it was followed by an alarmed guard's voice calling for them.
The King unwillingly lifted his head, "I thought I had sent the guards away…." he muttered in annoyance. It was silent for a moment after, but as their ears adjusted, they heard a faint cry come from afar. The calling for them both then continued and with much frustration, he had to heed it. By the Valar, this better be good! "What is it Telion?" he loudly answered.
"It is the Prince," the guard shouted in, "He is wailing."
"Very Well - I will be outside in a moment," Aragorn replied, sighing again. He relieved the bed of his weight and looked to find his shirt. "I will go him, and shall be back in a moment," he assured his wife, pulling the linen fabric back over his head. She gave him a little wave as he proceeded to the door. Yes, she thought, with all the interruptions and lack of peace, everything was back to normal.
As he stepped outside into the corridor, he was greeted by two of his guards. "I am most sincerely sorry for the interruption, Sire, but I thought it best to fetch you," Telion explained, "We were scouting at the base of the family quarters, and both Cerran and I heard a scream come from Prince Eldarion's chamber. We were not sure if you would have heard it or not, so we firstly investigated ourselves. Luca is in there with him now, but he is somewhat inconsolable."
"Has this occurred whilst I was away?" Aragon asked, following the cry down the Hall. The guards informed him that this was the first time they heard such a commotion.
Upon arriving at the Prince's room, Aragorn saw his son sitting upright and silently in his bed. His fair hair was mussed and the blankets were widely scattered. His eyes were an irate red and as he turned to see his father, he could only call "Ada!"
The guard that attended him sat at the bedside clutching a candle, but the King then replaced him, "Ion-nin (my son), what it the matter," Aragron began, placing a strong hand upon the boy's shoulder, "I am here with you now, there is no need to panic."
"Ada, I saw a shadow cast across the city," the boy said quietly, with his bottom lip remaining upturned,
With relief, the King released a sympathetic smile, "You had a nightmare, Eldarion, just a dream…."
"But if felt so real, Ada," the Prince exclaimed, looking to his father's eyes, "It was so dark and fell upon our Palace."
Aragorn rubbed his other hand across his son's cheek. He had never seen him so shaken. "Those days are long over, my son. I think you have heard too much about our quest years ago, and perhaps my being away has stirred some emotions?"
The seven-year-old was quick to answerer that he was not afraid of any battle stories, and indeed, was still to hear about some ghostly men in a mountain. "Uncle Gimli has not yet told me of them," Eldarion remembered, "But he did say that he scared them rather than they scared him!"
"Did he now?" the King quietly laughed, "I wonder was he as quick to tell you of the many times he simply fell from a horse?"
"No!" the Prince giggled, "He is quite silly, isn't he? Ada, can I bring you to the stables tomorrow? I have kept our horses well."
Aragorn noticed his son's demeanor brighten and it seemed that the fear from his nightmare had left him. "I do not doubt you have, but only my morning is free, and in that case, you must sleep if we are to rise early."
Reluctantly, the boy lay back upon his pillow as his father lifted the blankets and securely tucked them around him.
"Goodnight son," the King whispered, kissing the child's forehead before standing. He reached for the candle and took it with him.
"Ada," Eldarion called before his father could leave him, "You are back to stay?"
Turning from the door, the King felt his heart melt. His absence had quite affected his son. He nodded and gave a definite 'yes'.
Aragorn made his way back to his own chamber where his wife lay under the blankets in wait. "Is everything alright?" she whispered, sitting herself up.
"Just a nightmare – everything is as was," he informed, placing the slim candle into a holder on her beside chest. "I feel my being away has bothered him. He seems to fear I am going away again or something…."
"He missed you, that is all. Elraen and Sadriel made the guards check under their beds for orcs each night," the Queen assured, watching him remove his shirt again.
The King sat himself limply onto her bedside as he thought. "Did you miss me?" he then boldly asked. As he looked to her, he noticed she was void of any clothing under the cushioned blankets.
"A little," she breathed, leaning toward him to begin a hungry kiss. As he made his way up over her, she let her soft hands resume their position at his waist and opened his belt.
