11
Chapter Forty-One
SUMMARY: Daeron enjoys a wonderful two weeks in Dale with Turamarth and Tauriel, before returning to the Palace with Bard.
Everything is going wonderfully…
…Until…
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The Woodland Realm, 13th of March, 2942, T.A.
Early in the morning, as they lay in each other's arms, Thranduil told Bard about Daeron, in general terms.
"I am sorry I cannot say much more, Meleth nîn. In any case, he has been working much too hard, and he needs a rest, so he will accompany you, and return with you in two weeks."
"To be honest, I think I know what the problem is, but if he doesn't want to talk about it, fine. Turamarth will keep him busy and do him good. I'd love the company on the road."
"I have not had the chance to ask, Meleth nîn; how has your sword work and archery progressed?"
Bard kissed the top of Thranduil's head. "Wonderful. It was slow, at first, but now it's really snowballed, and I can't believe the shots I can make now!"
"So, archery is once again a solace for you?"
"It is, love."
"I am relieved to hear that, Meleth nîn." Thranduil raised his head and kissed him. "For your sacrifice, you have been given back your gift, tenfold."
"Loving you, is no sacrifice, you silly Elf." Bard looked into his eyes and ran his fingers through the long strands of blonde silk. "Gi melin, Thranduil; uireb."
"And I love you; always." Thranduil whispered, as he kissed him.
.
After lunch, it was time for Bard to leave. Tilda took it better, because she knew her Da would come back, in two weeks, and she was anxious to get even better, so he could be surprised, again.
Once again, Bard said goodbye to the children in their chambers, and Thranduil walked with him, to the Main Doors, hugged his husband, and wished him safe journey. "I am always saying goodbye to you." he whispered.
"I know. But just think how wonderful it is when we say 'hello,' again." Bard squeezed his hands. "At least this time, we didn't break any furniture."
The Elvenking couldn't help but laugh. "Galion appreciates that; I am sure."
"I can't guarantee never to do it again, you know." Bard growled. "I'd go through our entire dining room set, just to see that look on your face, again. Stars, you were a sight to see…"
"So were you, Meleth nîn, but we must stop, now." Thranduil whispered into his ear. "Otherwise, you will have an uncomfortable ride."
"Aye, you're right." Bard shrugged. "I'll send letters with the next wagon, love, and see you in two weeks. Are you ready, Daeron?"
The Guard was standing a discreet distance away. "I am, My Lord."
"Enjoy yourself, Lieutenant." Thranduil gave him an encouraging smile.
"De athae, Hîr Vuin." Daeron saluted his King, then went out to his horse.
After another hug, Bard went to Fînlossen, and with a smile and a wave, they all rode away. Thranduil stayed at the Main Doors, with his hand raised, until the wagon train was completely out of sight, sighing, before he went back into the Palace.
.
.
When the high walls of Dale appeared in their sight, Daeron began to feel better. He missed this place, even though it was a ruin, when he left.
"You'll be pleased to see what we've finished in the past couple of months." Bard called over to him.
"I am excited to see it, My Lord."
The bells rang, announcing their approach, and Bard and his escort galloped ahead of the wagons, to enter the gates.
Daeron gasped, when he saw all the new houses, and buildings. "This is wonderful!"
"Aye, that it is. We've got a long way to go, but most everyone will have homes to go to when spring comes. It will take a couple of years to be completely finished."
Daeron couldn't stop looking around. "It begins to look like the Dale of old, My Lord. I'm very happy for you."
"I'm happy for you, too. You'll be living here, and I know how much you like this place."
"I always have."
They made their way to Great Hall, where Percy waited on the steps. "Welcome home, My Lord." He bowed formally.
"Thanks Pers." Bard got down from Fînlossen as a guard came to take him away. "Daeron came along for a visit."
"I see that. Hello, Lieutenant! How do you like what we've done, so far?"
"It is a marvel, Lord Percy."
They went through the doors in the Hall, where the cooks were busy with the evening meal.
"Where is my cousin, do you know?" Daeron asked Percy.
"Oh, he'll be along, soon enough. His crew is working on a building on the other side of town. It's a three-story unit with six apartments –"
Percy was interrupted by the sounds of loud barking, and soon, Bard was struggling to keep his balance, as Thangon's paws were on his shoulders.
"Hey, Thangon!" Bard managed to spit out, as his face was smothered with dog kisses. "All right, all right… Get down, now."
Daeron laughed at the sight, and went to scratch the big beast behind his ears. "He is quite devoted."
"He snores," Bard shrugged. "but I think I'll keep him."
Daeron stored his luggage in Bard's study for now, and went to find Tauriel, who greeted him with a hug.
"How have you been?" she asked him, smiling. "Come, I've got some wine in my room."
They each took a chair in front of her fireplace, and her cat jumped onto Daeron's knee, while she poured them each a drink. "How have you been?" he asked, as he pet the grey tabby.
The Elleth handed him his cup, and sat opposite. "I do not miss the Palace as much as I thought I would, although I miss the children and Ada very much. What brings you here?"
"Lord Thranduil has decided I need a rest." He smiled at her.
"Ada was right, Daeron; you look pale and tired." She looked at him concerned. "How long can you stay? A week?"
"Two weeks. I will return with Lord Bard, when he leaves, again. Please, Mellon nîn, do not worry about me. I expect you want to hear all about your sisters and your brother."
Tauriel's face lit up. "Yes, please!"
So, over the next half hour, Daeron gave her a full account of each of them, but when he told her of Tilda's surprise for her fathers, Tauriel put her hands over her mouth and squealed with delight.
"She's walking? She can walk?"
"She can take about five steps on her own, and last week, I put her in front of me on Aegis, and we rode around the arena. She did well, and the motion will help strengthen her hips and back."
"It is the best news possible! I have been so worried..." Tauriel put her hand on her chest. "Bard told me how you saved her life. I am glad to have the chance to thank you myself."
He smiled. "I am only a poor substitute, until their big sister can look after them, again."
"DAERON!" Turamarth bellowed, as he stood in Tauriel's doorway, grinning. "You're here!"
He stood up and went over to give his cousin a hug. "I am. I missed your ugly face."
"And I missed your ugly face." Turamarth winked at Tauriel, who rolled her eyes.
"Where is your bed? My things are in Lord Bard's study for now…"
"And that's where they will stay. He told us to set up in there for your visit. Lord Bard will work out of his chambers while you are here, so we can catch up." Turamarth grinned. "Hurry up!"
Tauriel offered to help get them settled, so soon, the room was all set up and the three of them had their supper in there, with lots of wine and gossip and laughter. Daeron felt better already.
Late that night, when they were in their bunks, he told his cousin, his best friend, everything that was on his mind, and on his heart.
"Oh, I know." Turamarth said, casually.
"What do you mean, you know?"
"I could tell, even before the Battle, there was something about that girl that stirred your heart. She was bruised and battered then, but she had the makings of a true beauty. Am I right?"
Daeron lay there in the dark, and ran his hand over his face. "She is the loveliest creature I have ever seen, Tur." He sighed. "She is my first thought when I wake up, and my last thought before I sleep. No matter what I do, she is always there…"
"When did you know?"
"I felt drawn to her when I first met her. I realized later she reminded me of..."
"What happened in Old Dale? You mean, Sellwen?"
A pause. "Yes. And I do not understand, but I cannot help it. I love her, and I am afraid."
"Why?"
"Because it is… unlikely. So much can go wrong, and it may not even be permitted."
"I refuse to believe that."
"I cannot afford to have hope. I cannot go through that again. You know what happened before..."
"I know." Turamarth was somber for a few moments, then, "Enough! Lord Thranduil sent you here to get some rest, and I will not allow you to become maudlin, or melancholy. Besides, you will win in the end, no matter what happens."
"I will?"
"If you don't get to marry her," Turamarth said, cheerfully. "you will end up with me!"
"Ci orch 'waur." Daeron threw his pillow at him.
"Ae!" Turamarth laughed. "Naeg!" and threw his pillow back at him. "If I am a dirty orc, then I pity you. Everyone knows I am better looking!"
"Ego!" Daeron muttered, with a smile, before he went to sleep.
.
.
City of Dale, 26th of March, 2942, T.A.
The two weeks in Dale were spent in a flurry of activity, as both Turamarth and Tauriel made it their mission to make sure Daeron rested and had fun. They wouldn't let him work with the building crews with them, but whenever possible, they spent time with him, in the nearby forests.
Tauriel and Bard took him on a day trip to Erebor, and Bofur gave him a tour, while Bard met with the King Under the Mountain. It was beautiful, and the Dwarves were pleased to hear such sincere praise.
"I can see now, why you always loved Dale," Tauriel told him. "I had never even met any Men or Dwarves before all of this, and I appreciate their unique gifts. I enjoy life among Men, very much."
"I do too."
Daeron spent his evenings either at the gaming tables with the Dwarves, or playing darts with his Elven comrades. He had brought several books that he'd been wanting to read, but never had the time. He slept in during the mornings, and he and his cousin laughed their way through the evenings, whether they were out in the Great Hall, or alone in their room.
.
As he was helping to escort Bard back to the Palace, the King of Dale smiled at him. "You, my friend, look much better."
"I am, My Lord." He smiled. "I really am."
And he was.
Much of his melancholy had lifted, and whatever the future held for him, he was resolved to bear it. He knew, for good or for ill, all would be revealed in the fullness of time, and should his love not be returned, he was resolved not to fall into bitterness.
.
.
Bard had a wonderful visit with the children, and he was thrilled to see that Tilda's progress picked up speed both physically and mentally, but she still tired easily, and struggled with proper names.
The older children were doing well with their studies and activities, and Bain and Sigrid had made excellent grades on some recent exams.
During Bard's visit, the boys' weapons class held a small tournament, and everyone cheered on Rhys, who won first place in Archery! Someone else was there to cheer with them: Rhian! She came with Indis, and of course, baby Darryn.
Rhian had visited the Royal Chambers several times, over the last few weeks, so she and Sigrid could work on their needlework, while all the rest of them fussed over the baby, as the boys played games.
.
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The Woodland Realm; 29th of March, 2942 T.A.
The evening after Bard returned to Dale was spent in Thranduil's chambers. Darryn was sitting on the lap of one of his favorite people - the Elvenking. The baby always burped or passed gas, or spit up or wet his diaper, whenever Thranduil held him, and tonight, when he messed in his diaper, everyone but Galion was shocked to see the Elvenking calmly take him out to change him.
"I can do that, My Lord –" Rhian got up.
"Nonsense. He is not the first child I have had to change, and he will not be the last," said Elvenking, as he got up to look after him. Go back to your knitting and enjoy yourself."
When he returned, he sat down beside Tilda and shook his head at Darryn, who was very proud of himself. "Adanneth, why do you do such things to me?"
"You 'inspire' him, Ada." Sigrid teased.
"I'm flattered." Thranduil rolled his eyes.
Darryn just laughed and grabbed a handful of his hair to give it a good yank.
"Naeg! Now, is this proper courtly behavior?"
"You should braid your hair back, Ada." Tilda giggled, and helped him disengage his long blond locks.
"He does it because you're a King, Ada." Sigrid smirked at him. "He wants to impress you."
Darryn seemed to agree, because he laughed and kicked his legs, as he noisily filled his diaper a second time. Bain and Rhys thought that was hysterical.
This time, Rhian insisted on taking care of it.
"I should bring him to you when he gets constipated, My Lord." Rhian laughed and blew a raspberry into Darryn's neck, before she went off to change him again.
Thranduil stared at her retreating back with amazement. When he first met her, he'd never imagined her making such a playful joke! Rhian barely resembled the pale, broken creature that nearly lost her life, three months ago. Now, she had roses in her cheeks, her eyes were bright, and her hair fell around her face in long shiny curls.
He turned and saw that Sigrid, Hilda and Galion were thinking the same thing. Galion nodded his approval, and Hilda smiled and winked at him.
When she came back, he watched her chat with Sigrid, and by the firelight, he could see she was a stunning young woman. Her brown hair was shining, and her light green eyes twinkled. It wasn't hard to see why Daeron was in love with her.
But though Elvenking might appreciate her beauty, his heart belonged to a tall Bowman with wild black hair and warm eyes that made him think of his favorite trees.
Stars he missed his Bard…
.
Tilda grew stronger by the day.
By the time Bard returned, two weeks later, She could walk from her bed to the living room by herself, if she used the walls and furniture to support her, which thrilled her Da and Ada to bits.
Despite all the Elves could do for her, Tilda's illness had weakened her heart, and Daeron planned to closely watch her for the next several years. She mustn't become too exhausted or upset, as this could put a strain on her system, and impede her healing. Her lungs would be sensitive for a very long time as well, and she will need to cover her mouth and nose whenever she was taken out of doors.
Otherwise, she was increasing in strength and stamina at a good pace, and he and Meriel felt that with a steady routine of strengthening exercises and a healthy diet, Gandalf's prediction would come true; she would fully recover and be running around with the rest of the children, eventually.
Recently, he'd given Tilda the best news of all: starting the next week, she could to join her classmates at school! When Daeron gave her the good news, she squealed with excitement, as everyone around the lunch table clapped and cheered.
"Thank you!" She held her arms out to give Daeron a hug. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
"You have worked very hard, My Lady; you have earned it." Daeron smiled down at her. "But we must start slowly; only one hour per day, and we will increase it if you do not become too tired. Meriel will come and sit beside you, to help you manage your pencils and things. If she sees you becoming fatigued, she must bring you to back, to rest. Do you promise not to argue with her about this?"
Tilda nodded her head. "Ada made me pictures of everybody, so I can remember their names and everything!" she waved her hands, and bounced in her wheelchair. "I can't wait!"
As promised, Thranduil had visited her class and made sketches, and with Miss Eryn's help, he wrote down the name of each child. He, Meriel and Tilda went over the drawings several times, until she knew them by heart.
Thranduil watched Tilda with a full heart. That terrible night, when she nearly died still haunted him sometimes, and to see the excitement in his Tithen Pen's face, brought him joy.
He got up and knelt by her wheelchair. "N'uir thiad gîn 'ell, gwennig."
.
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The City of Dale, 15th of April; 2942, T.A.
"Hey big boy, ready to get to work? Tulë!" Bard grabbed his coat and things and whistled at Thangon who wagged his tail, and leapt to his feet.
He was anxious to spend the day with the building crews. After days on end of paperwork in his study, it was wonderful to go out and work with his men, and get his hands dirty! Manual labor helped him feel connected with his city, with the future they were all working to create.
Every letter Bard received with news of Tilda's progress warmed his heart: just this week, she began to attend school, part time! He was just proud of his older two, who had begun to master Sindarin and many other subjects Bard couldn't begin to understand.
Life was good, and life in Dale was going to be better than any of his people had ever hoped for.
A late-season cold front had rolled in, causing some snowfall, and freezing temperatures. Thranduil had predicted a long, harsh winter, so no one was that surprised, and no matter what it was outside, everyone felt excited that spring would eventually come, in the North.
There was good news for Alun, as well. His letters were still being vetted by his mother's caretaker, but he was assured that his correspondence with his mother offered the poor woman the hope she needed to go on. Ina would remain at Thranduil's Palace, indefinitely, and Thranduil offered her a permanent home with the Elves, if she wanted it.
There was still a lot of work to be done, but the end was in sight; soon Dale would be ready to receive its people. Once the heavy rains were over, and the roads dried up, wagons could travel safely with the loads of Dale's most precious cargo.
Weeks… in a matter of weeks, he would see his children every day; not just every fortnight. Best of all, he and Thranduil would sleep in the same bed, every single night…
Every. Single. Night…
Those short, visits were wonderful, as opposed to months apart, but enough was enough. He needed his children, and needed his Elf. Bard smiled to himself, as he looked around his bedchamber. Soon, his husband would be here with him, and his children would be back in their rooms down the corridor.
It was all coming together.
He grabbed his leather gloves, left his room and found Tauriel waiting for him in the corridor.
"Good morning, Bard!"
"Same to you, love. Are you ready?"
"Yes. Just let me get my coat. I am looking forward to a day out of doors."
"Oh, me, too. I don't care how cold it is; if I have to look at one more list of supplies, I'll go mad." He pulled on his green knitted cap that Sigrid had made him, and out they went.
They left the Great Hall, and chatted and laughed along the way. Thangon ran ahead of them, pouncing in the snow, like a clown. He stopped and rolled in it, then raised his rump in the air, and wagged his tail, ready to play. Bard made some snowballs and threw them for the dog to catch, and they both laughed at Thangon when they exploded on his head.
"Come along, you goofball; we've got to get to work. Tulë!"
"Good morning, Ben!" Bard saw the man over by the barbican at the Eastern Wall, and gave him a wave. The man was standing with his assistant and they were looking up and watching the Dwarves pull up a block of stone with several ropes and pulleys to place it on the very top.
Bard went and stood beside him, and shaded his eyes from the morning sun and watched the progress. "Ulmo's balls… that's high!"
"Aye, I know it." Ben said. "But we've got to get this done, as soon as possible. Doesn't do much good to have all the houses ready, if we don't have a good way of watching out for them. Once the weather gets warmer, all kinds of things will come out of hiding, and we've got to see them coming."
"No; I agree with you. The Dwarves seem to enjoy themselves up there, don't they?"
"That they do. The Elves like it, too. Ben said, as they both watched the one named Bifur bark out orders to pull in rhythm to raise the gigantic block of stone. The tower was almost finished. All that was left after this last row, was to bring up and place the battlements. Those were stacked in a pile nearby.
They stood and chatted for a few moments, enjoying the sunshine, when Thangon began to bark up at the Dwarves.
"Thangon! They know what they're doing; stop distracting them!" Bard grinned. "Sorry Ben; looks like my boss wants me to get to work." Thangon was grabbing at Bard's sleeve, trying to pull him away. "All right; all right, buddy."
Bard turned to walk away, but remembered something.
"Hey Ben! Can we get together before dinner? I'd like to go over – Thangon, will you shut up?"
Thangon was barking in earnest and backed up several yards.
"Bard –" he vaguely heard Tauriel's voice and out of the corner of his eye, he saw her reach her arm out-
"What the bloody fuck –"
"Bard!" Tauriel screamed, as she dove at him. "Tirio!"
At that same instant Bard felt Thangon's full weight as the big dog threw himself at him, and knocked him to the ground.
.
.
ELVEN TRANSLATIONS:
Adanneth – Young Man
Gi melin, Thranduil; uireb – I love you Thranduil; always.
Ci orch 'waur! – You are a dirty orc
Ego! – Fuck off
Ae! – Hey!
N'uir thiad gîn 'ell, gwennig. – Ever is your presence a joy, my little maid.
Tulë - "Come" command for Thangon (Quenya)
Tirio! – Look out!