Author's Note; Greetings Guys! I am glad to see people are reading my story – and especially thanks to my reviewers who take the time to correct, improve and mostly encourage me! I would love to hear of people's opinions, and if there's any cool ideas any1 may have out there, or would like to see somethin' in this fic, just lemme know! At the mo, I'm a bit of a slow burner, but the action will soon kick off – promise!
LindaHoyland; Oh, I am seriously delighted with myself that you liken my description of the dream and stuff! And yep, I was thinkin' of the Nazgul (the scariest figures in the movie!) – but incase anyone thinks that it is one, nope – it's not! As present, nothing is known (thanks to my slow pace) and Eldarion sees no face – yet! Really, I am so glad you liked:-) x
RS; Well Hun, you may have read above that The Shadow Man is not a Nazgul, but yep – appears very like one. I do hope that Aragorn takes your advice in heeding his son's comment about Narsil and his dreams! And let us be very clear right now – Aragorn is just all mine! Moohahahaaaaa! Xx
TeZukAb0ch0u; Yay – another new reviewer! Well, since you insist….I mean "demand" another 'chappie', here you go:-) I am thrilled you are enjoying this, and you are on the ball – this is gonna be suspense, and there's plenty of angst! It's gonna get a LOT worse before it get's better!
Sarahbarr17; Hey girl/neighbour! – d'yaknow, I have cousins in Co. Armagh! It's a great spot up north, ey? I think you're my first reviewer from the island – YAY! I'm delighted you're likin' the fic, and the dream – I just hope Aragorn cops on about Narsil too – or at least before it's too late! gives reviewer evil look x
Conn8d; Glad I sorted it - I've been thinkin' of the name for my spin-off, and I reckon 'My Little Pony', but it sounds familiar…. Hee hee! Here's the next chapt. Anyway, so enjoy!
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Chapter 4 – "This cannot endure"
Another pile of papers, bigger than yesterday's, sat crookedly upon his desk. The tired King sighed as he sat back into his leather chair and took a sip of warm tea from his mug. He stretched and yawned as he bid to relax, for he had been denied much sleep since his arrival home. His diligent personal assistant and clerk Berard arrived in after him to help review the papers and explain some matters. Placing the mug beside him, Aragorn reached to the top of the waiting stack and began the first of his daily tasks.
The first paper concerned taxes, as did the second, third and most that followed. The payments made by the people were somewhat high under the city Council's decisions. The work of the army had been the cause, they said, but now that the men were settling home, the King surveyed the matter. Thankfully, however, as he looked to the papers, it seemed as if they were steadily declining and would soon return to normal.
"The Steward reports similar good news in Ithilien," informed Berard, "Their City walls were completed
before your return, and now the people enjoy their modest finances to be as it was."
"I have no doubt that Faramir keeps the folk there with honour," Aragorn slightly smiled at hearing of his friend. He had still to meet him since their call to war nearly nine months ago, "I am as lucky as they to have such a Steward."
"The nobles may become more agitated upon hearing of further decreases in their pocket," the secretary commented, thinking of the situation which was at present the weight of the King's work.
"They will far from starve," he answered lightly, "Let no one worry of such!" The papers which he worked through proved as much. Amidst the facts and figures, Aragorn came across other papers, but they still concerned political and state matters. However, in his scanning, he found a different sheet. Upon reading it, he saw that it was an application for the position of Nursery Maid. It was most certainly misplaced in his study and furthermore, it arrived quite early as the present minder had not long asked of her leave. "What of this?" he asked his aide, reading it again.
"I don not know, Sire. It was addressed to here," Berard answered, looking to see if the King had found anything distressing.
"I must have it sent to the concerning office," he said without further bother. Keeping it in mind, he set it aside and continued with his work.
As he wrote upon the papers, the King heard a gentle tap on his office door. Believing it to be the arrival of one of an expected councillor, he did not look up after permitting entrance to his visitor.
"You look busy," came a familiar voice.
Aragorn saw fit to lift his head and there saw someone much fairer than his any of his staff. It was the Queen's pristine face poking around the door. "No, nothing to be done here," he playfully answered, discarding his pen and sitting back into his chair. Seeing her made him smile, inward of not always out.
After greeting his Queen, Berard dismissed himself and left the couple to converse alone.
"Well, I very much doubt that is the case. You even missed breakfast this morning." Arwen said, now entered fully.
"Yes, well, that is perhaps because I had my breakfast much earlier than you, my Lady. Despite his lack of sleep as of late, our son still awakes before the cockerels' crow!"
"That is why I have come. I mean to ask of last night." She left the door ever-slightly open and walked over to him.
"I suppose is good to say that there is nothing of much relevance to report," Aragorn told, leaning again forward whilst resting his elbows on the desk. "Once you left, he appeared his usual self, asking about this and that. After my two, or, at most, three hours of rest, it crossed my mind that his mind may be simply over-active!"
Arwen was unsure if she preferred no news to something of possible use, "If that is the case, he did not inherit such a trait from me," she chided. "So he did not awake there after or even stir in his sleep?"
Yawning again, he shook his head.
The Queen then gracefully proceeded around to his high risen chair and standing beside him, looked to his work. "Is there any matter in which I can help?" she offered, glancing through the papers which lay scattered across the desk.
"Not unless you idealise working through various rates and returns?" he replied, welcoming her delicate hands around his shoulders. After a brief silence where they merely enjoyed each other's presence, the King again spoke, "Tell me, where are the children now?"
"They are in tuition. I spoke with Delora this morning before coming here, and asked if she noticed a shift in Eldarion's manner. She did not. Perhaps if I ask Nellie later, she may convey a change in him."
"You seem as if you would hear of some alteration…." he asked in confusion.
"I cannot help but think such a case of nightmares is due to a particular reason, and I would like to find why."
"Recurring nightmares are common with young children…."
"Yes, I am aware of such, but tell me, have you encountered any child that has suffered so severe?" she calmly stated, "I do not remember Elraen being so affected. It has been over a fortnight now since this began, but it grows worse…. and more common."
Aragorn could not help but agree with his wife – their son was indeed suffering, and it did not appear normal. "I have not seen anything else which has caused him to become so sorely beset," he confessed, reaching above to take her hands into his, "and I hate seeing him so."
Another pause followed as Arwen contemplated on voicing her suggestion. Believing it to be the only option they had left, she decided to speak after much deliberation. "Do you think that you could perhaps heal him?"
"No, I could not," he answered hastily, sitting upright. Immediately regretting the nature of his answer, he sighed and expanded his reply, "That gift has gone long ago Arwen. My work in the Houses of Healing are over."
As he spoke, she felt the sadness return to him and heard the pain strain his voice. He was still haunted. "Do not be so bleak, my Estel, you are wrong," she whispered, sitting on the strong wood arm of his chair.
"I only speak what I believe to be true. Even if I possessed all the healing powers across the land, Eldarion's plight is not a physical one. I cannot help him."
Drawing his shoulders back against her, she wrapped her arms around him in apology for causing bother.
"There must be some way then. What would you have us do?" she nearly whispered, pressing against his cheek.
Letting his head fall limp against her, he released another sigh. "I wish I knew. All that is possible is to perhaps keep constant watch on him and all that he does – and we near do as much anyway."
"I know, husband, but maybe with Nellie's retirement, I will ask for a Nursery maid who can keep a more rigid watch on him. On them all…."
At sixty four, Nellie had proved herself well in keeping pace with the children, and it was with regret that they were to see her leave. She had been assigned since Elraen's birth and had quickly become a close friend to the royal family. However, her age would sometimes limit her role. With a new Minder, perhaps, the duty could be extended, and the King saw sense in the idea.
"I see no reason as to why not. At this rate, I will try anything to get a full night's rest here," he said. In glancing across his desk, his eyes caught attention of a particular sheet. "Oh, whilst we are discussing maids, I found this within my pile today."
Curiously, Arwen took the sheet from him and read. "This is an application for the position of a Nursery maid…." She remarked, wondering at the coincidence, "How did you receive this?"
"It was sitting amongst my papers, addressed to my study…."
Turning it over and back again, Arwen became more bemused, "I have not yet readied the advertisement to be published in this week's news edition."
"Perhaps Nellie has passed word around, or recommended us to someone," Aragorn offered, unphased.
Another knock came on the door, and it was Berard. "I am sorry for the interruption, Sire, but Sir Erethin has arrived for his meeting."
Thinking her husband's thoughts may be the case, she folded the letter and after kissing him, she took her leave.
"I shall see you at lunch," Aragorn quipped as she exited through the door, "Send him forward, Berard….."
In her stead, the red-haired Sir Erethin entered the study. "Elessar King," he bowed, "I thank you for this meeting I have requested."
"Come, sit, and tell me what you wish," the King kindly welcomed his nobleman. Erethin was a member of his council and proved a dedicated member of government.
"I know our meeting of the city nobles has already discussed the matter, Your Majesty, but may we review your decision to lower the city taxes?" he asked, "It is, we think, perhaps soon….."
'Yes,' Aragorn thought to himself, 'a dedicated and typical member of government!'
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Though he had rigorous paper work, several meetings, a case in court, an opening and many visits, the King faced the most amorous task of the day in readying three energetic children for bed. The nursery had been cleaned, the fire extinguished, supper was served and the children had been bathed and dressed in their nightwear. Of course, Elraen, Eldarion and Sadriel would not sleep until he concluded his deeds by reading them a story and tucking each of them into their beds. When the time came later for him to follow suit, he was more than willing to slumber.
Donned in his linen nightshirt, Aragorn eagerly curled up against his revered wife between the toast-warm blankets of their large, limber bed. Arwen could not help but smile when he had fallen asleep in the middle of telling about his day. Placing a delicate kiss upon his cheek, she too joined him in easy repose within the confines of their snug haven.
As had become schedule, however, Eldarion's piercing cry came again down the corridor, waking the King and Queen. "This cannot endure," he groaned, lead-heavy as he rose to go to his son. Making his way to the door, he assured Arwen that she need not be trouble in going with him this time.
"Perhaps we could bring him to the Houses of Healing?" she said hopefully.
At this stage, Aragorn did not object. "We shall visit first thing tomorrow."
