AN: This chapter is for Erynriel, I hope you enjoy it.
Tauriel POV
'I still cannot believe that we are parents.' Tauriel whispered to Legolas the next night as Thranadir rested near them, deep in his waking dreams.
'Nor can I. In some ways it feels like only yesterday that we were elflings chasing a runaway elk throughout the keep.' Legolas said and Tauriel chuckled before the Prince continued. 'Yet in another sense I can feel the weight of the centuries that have passed since then.'
Tauriel mused upon Legolas' words. 'I suppose that is what the mortals call the 'timelessness of the elves'. As your Father once put it, the fortunes of the world may rise and fall...but we shall endure.'
Legolas chuffed and traced a finger along Tauriel's high cheekbone. 'I do not endure this, I yearn for this, for you, for Thranadir.'
Tauriel turned her head and kissed his elegant finger. 'Correct answer.'
For the next few weeks, Thranduil along with Ranadir oversaw the duties that Legolas and Tauriel would have normally carried out. The two elves could hardly bear to be apart from their little one, even for the briefest of times.
Their friends visited often, especially the three young boys, Eldarion, Elboron and Fin-galad. The trio of trouble-masters found great joy in sitting with Thranadir upon his blanket and telling him of all the mischievous things that they had been up to about Ithilien. Thranadir loved to bask in their attention, bright green eyes watching them joyfully.
Faramir's son, Elboron was barely out of his toddling years himself yet Fin-galad was always there to keep him out of trouble…mostly. Though also mortal and barely older than Elboron, Eldarion's mind developed faster due to Arwen's lineage. The future king was becoming Fin-galad's co-conspirator upon wreaking havoc throughout the kingdom, much to Aragorn's amusement and Faramir's despair.
Tauriel narrowed her eyes and smiled as the three scampered out of her chambers for their dinner.
They just cannot wait for the day that Thranadir will be old enough to partake of their plans.
Some days later, Tauriel went down to the stables to meet Legolas and to take Thranadir out for his first horse ride through the city. The Captain supposed Thranadir's first ride had become a sort of grand event for the people. Everyone seemed to turn up to offer congratulations and to see her son and even to ride out with them.
Lately, Éowyn had been preoccupied tending to Arwen, who was far along into her second pregnancy. Tauriel was a little surprised to realise that she had begun to relish Éowyn's spirited manner. She was gladdened to finally have a moment with Éowyn as she and Legolas brought Thranadir out for his first ride through Ithilien.
'Thank you, again, Éowyn. I feel like I have not had a moment alone with you to properly express our gratitude for your gift to Thranadir.' Tauriel took the blonde woman's hands into her own as they looked to where Legolas sat with Thranadir upon the great white back of Arod.
The White Lady of Rohan smiled. 'It is an ancient tradition of Rohan. When a child is born, they are cloaked in the crest of their family, protected and loved.' Éowyn gazed up lovingly to Tauriel before looking back to Legolas who watched them with an interested expression.
Éowyn's brow dipped. 'Rivendell is abandoned, Lothlorien empties. Thranadir represents how the mortals of this world will protect you, until the last of your kind leaves these shores, for you died for us. The Alliance of Men and Elves is not forgotten. Nor will it be.' Éowyn smiled at Legolas.
Tauriel knew that Éowyn and all her people would likely be dead if Galadriel and Elrond had not sent their forces to Helm's Deep, Legolas amongst them.
Tauriel hugged Éowyn. 'And we will not forget you, nor your kindness and strength.'
Faramir strolled up to them, leading their three horses. 'Éowyn is right; Thranadir is a part of us all. He was conceived by elves that are friends to dwarves before being born in the lands of men.' Faramir mounted his grey stallion and reached across to gently stroke Thranadir's blond hairs. Thranadir giggled and tried to reach out from Legolas' arms to grasp Faramir's shiny helmet. Tauriel smiled at Thranadir as she and Éowyn mounted their own steeds.
Tauriel's ears pricked at the familiar sound of heavy footfalls as Gimli pushed Arod's white rump out of the way. He only just avoided a kick aimed in his direction from an offended Arod. 'Aye I suppose you could say that the wee laddie is symbolic of our friendship Legolas. Oh that reminds me…Seeing as we all seem to be giving gifts!' Gimli fumbled around his broad waist belt until he removed a small throwing axe masterfully engraved with geometric leaf designs.
'Dwarves gift the Mother on such an occasion. This is for you Tauriel. A deadly flower Captain, that is what you are. So I made you a pretty, lethal axe. I know how you like to throw those daggers.' Gimli eyed her hip belt suspiciously.
Tauriel turned the axe in her hands, the object felt foreign and top-heavy to her fingers but she could appreciate the sentiment and that in the right hands, it would be deadly. The Captain could also feel Ranadir discreetly ogling the axe to her side as he helped Gimli swing up behind him.
Ranadir seems to have developed quite the taste for dwarfish weaponry.
'Hannon le, Gimli, I will try to become adept at its use!'
Ranadir caught her gaze and gave her a handsome smile. He and Serilla had already given Thranadir the gift of an apple tree sapling. Tauriel knew that they would nurture the sapling in a pot until it will be big enough to be planted outside.
Legolas POV
The party rode through Ithilien much to the joy of the Gondorians who had emerged to see his son and to Thranadir, who seemed to love the attention bestowed upon him.
They met Thranduil upon Ortherion talking to Aragorn and Arwen and a small delegation from Minas Tirith.
Thranduil had presented Thranadir with a circlet of silver leaves, which he would eventually grow into as the young prince of Eryn Lasgalen.
After pleasantries were exchanged and the group had dismounted to better talk to each other, Arwen motioned to one of her subjects.
Legolas watched as a white foal was brought forward on a soft velvet halter. He was long of limb and held his head more proudly than the surrounding Gondorian horses.
Legolas heard Éowyn give an appreciative murmur to Faramir at the sight of the foal.
Arwen moved forward and gestured towards the foal that was wickering until she laid an elegant hand upon its flank and the animal calmed immediately to her touch.
'This is Adrahin, sired by my own steed, Asfaloth.' Arwen briefly turned her crowned head towards the great grey stallion that looked towards them with his ears forward curiously.
'Elven horses.' Éowyn confirmed.
Arwen nodded once. 'I intended for my Father to take Asfaloth across the Sea with him, for he has seen much of war and loss. Yet when the time came he would not ride out and refused to be led through the Gates of Minas Tirith. He chose rather to stay with me and share my fate.' She looked back fondly at her horse, which stood out from the rest and had eyes only for her.
'A noble beast indeed! I did not realise Elven horses carried such loyalty to their masters.' Faramir interjected.
'Our horses live longer, run swifter and do not let our riders fall. My people care for them in return and treat them with compassion. I cannot say how the bond forms between rider and horse but it is hard to break.' Arwen took the halter from the groom that had brought Adrahin forward.
'Would you like to meet Adrahin, Thranadir?' Aragorn said whilst gesturing to Legolas.
Legolas brought Thranadir forward. Young though he was, Adrahin's white ears pricked up upon seeing the little elf. Knowing his son was completely safe, Legolas bent down ever so slightly so that Thranadir could see the foal.
Adrahin gave a very soft wicker and slowly moved his long head towards Thranadir, snuffing air curiously at him.
Legolas smiled as Thranadir laughed and his small hands reached forward to grasp a lock of Adrahin's grey mane. The little foal stayed completely still, letting Thranadir feel his mane fall through his little fingers.
'I think Thranadir just made a friend, hannon le.' Tauriel laughed. Arwen looked pleased and smiled at Aragorn.
From behind Faramir, a young elf, a young Numenorean and a young mortal sprang forwards before pausing at the sight of Adrahin.
'You should all be in lessons!' Éowyn scolded, crossing her arms in front of her.
The children turned from staring at Adrahin to look at her with guilty faces. Fin-galad had grown taller, and his chestnut hair longer. His grey eyes held a sparkle of Ranadir's mischief. Elboron was fair of hair and eye, much like his parents. Eldarion was reminiscent of a very young Aragorn, both he and Elboron only recently mastering speech, although Eldarion had already greatly mastered his words.
The children tried to change the subject. Elboron gave his Mother an innocent smile before turning back to the small wonder that was Adrahin. Éowyn narrowed her eyes and Legolas knew that the boys would find themselves in extra lessons this evening as punishment for escaping their tutors.
'Woah, he is very handsome!' Elboron approached first as Adrahin turned his head and blew air in their direction.
Gathering their courage, the three boys moved forward to gently pat Adrahin, who seemed to like all the attention and was still being held calmly by Arwen.
'Adrahin will need to be trained before Thranadir can ride him. Perhaps you three would like to aid our stable master in such a task?' Aragorn asked the boys, already knowing what they will likely say.
'Is training Adrahin a quest, hîr vun, hiril vuin?' Fin-galad boldly questioned, looking between the two monarchs.
Arwen gave a laugh reminiscent of Galadriel. 'Yes, you may consider the quest fulfilled when Thranadir is old enough to ride Adrahin.'
'You must be patient, and respect the wisdom of the stable master.' Aragorn commanded gently.
Legolas felt his lips twitch into a smile as the three little ones huddled together to discuss the King and Queen's offer.
Discussion quickly finished, Fin-galad nudged Eldarion forward to the patiently waiting King and Queen.
'Yes Naneth, I mean, hiril vuin. We promise to look after Adrahin and train him so that when Thranadir is as big as us, he will be able to ride him.' The three boys even bowed formally and Legolas heard Ranadir sigh proudly.
Arwen tilted her head. 'I am glad.'
Aragorn chuckled. 'Well done, my son.'
They all laughed good-naturedly but Legolas saw that his Father only briefly smiled at Thranadir before turning his gaze back to Ithilien with a troubled expression. Thranduil's blue gaze was once more locked in ice.
Ada has barely said anything these past weeks. Something is obviously bothering him.