Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: No reviews, that makes me sad. Oh well, let's begin.
"Prince Eldarion, over here!" Eldarion spun his horse into a quicker pace as the guards cried out. He broke through the trees into a clearing and he gasped. Before him was a sight no many people saw in their life. There was a dead grey wolf laying there, an arrow sticking out of her side as one of the guards had shot her.
He dismounted from his horse and placed a calming hand upon her flank to calm the frightened animal. He then took a step forward. To see such a magnificent animal alive was a rare gift but to see it dead was sad.
He swallowed thickly as he crouched down beside the grey form. There was a so rustling noise coming from his right and he watched as the guards strung their bows once more. He rose to his full height and moved his hand, telling them to wait.
He walked forward on soft feet, his sharp ears picking up a soft yapping noise. The next moment he shot forward and pushed the branches away to see a small ball of fur lying there.
It barked at him and Eldarion waved his hands to the guards, telling them to lower their weapons. He crouched down and gently inched closer to the ball of fur, recognizing it as a wolf cub.
He held out his hand, quite aware that the little one could bite him if he chose to but instead the cub gave a soft howl before crawling closer. His heart wept with happiness as the cub smelled his hand and then licked it, inching closer still. He curled his other hand and touched the small creature on the head, surprising at how soft it was.
"We have shot your mother, little one. Oh, now I know why she was so fierce, she was trying to protect her child. I will give you a new home, I swear." He gently picked up the little wolf, cradling it in his arms and holding it close to his own body.
"We shall return to the city." He called out as he saw the guards share looks with each other.
"My lord, you do realize that you cannot possibly take this beast into the city with you. It will feed on the children, best we put it down now!" One of the guards called out.
"I will not put an innocent down. This cub is harmless. I will take it home with me and I will let Ada decide what to do with it. We leave for the city now." Eldarion softly answered, not wanting to explain his reasons.
When he mounted the horse he softly said in the elvish tongue. "No need to be afraid, my friend, she will harm us." The horse snorted and moved underneath him as he placed a hand against her flank to calm her. The wolf let out a small sound and he looked down. There were biting marks in her neck to indicate her mother had carried her to safety before facing her doom.
He settled the horse into a comfortable pace and they went towards the city. Eldarion looked down now and again as he tried to identify his feelings.
He felt in some way that he was connected to the animal and he did not wish to hurt it. Could it be that he indeed had some special connection to animals as Ada always said the elves had? It would probably explain why he was feeling this way but instead he resolved to speak to Aragorn about it later as he looked to the road once more.
He hid the cub in his clothes and told it to be silent as they went into the city. He knew it would strike fear into the hearts of his people if they saw a wolf, even if it was a young wolf. They would want to kill it then and no amount of talking would get him out of it then.
He made a bundle of his cloak around the wolf as they entered the citadel. He waited until the guards had dismounted before he did not same, beckoning for one of the guards as he said. "Could you please tell the king, prince Eldarion requests to speak to him in private? Thank you."
He proceeded inside, following the guard while keeping a steady pressure on the cloak. He waited patiently outside his father's office as the guard entered and then stepped out again. "The king has agreed and you may enter."
He nodded and stepped inside as Aragorn rose, asking worried. "Is something the matter, Eldarion? This is unlike you to ask for a private audience with the king."
"I did not wish for anybody to interrupt us, Ada, that is all. I want to show you something." Eldarion walked towards the sitting area in front of the fire place as he sank down upon his knees to unpack the bundle of cloak.
Aragorn drew closer as the bundle moved and settled himself in the chair. Eldarion looked up at his father to see the curious look upon the older man's face. The next moment the wolf small head poked out of the folding of the cloak. Aragorn gasped suddenly as he sank down next to Eldarion.
"You brought back a wolf." He stated, reaching out with his hand to allow the animal to sniff him and then scratch him behind the ears.
"Yes, we shot his mother and I could not leave him behind. I simply could not, Ada. He is so small and I know it is not good to bring back a wild animals but I could not leave it behind." The younger man spoke as Aragorn picked up the wolf and turned it on its back.
The wolf gave a soft howl as Aragorn placed it in his lap, one hand scratching the belly and the other one holding the mouth shut as it tried to bite him. "It is a girl and she appears to be in good condition. There are no wounds and the animal is well fed. He must be the only one left of the cubs, else she would not look this well. I think she is about 9 weeks old."
"Can I keep her?" Eldarion rose eager eyes to Aragorn's face as the man looked away thoughtful after a moment.
"I do not know, Eldarion. She is still small but she is a wild animal. I do not know if it is a wise idea to keep her. You would need to train her very well to listen to you and to keep her from biting people. I think the best idea would be to let her free in the woods and allow her to live free." Aragorn answered, still stroking the small wolf.
"But she may die. Her mother is dead and she cannot survive on her own, please Ada?" Eldarion asked softly, switching to elvish.
"Yes, it is a possibility but I do not know if it is such a good idea to keep a wolf here. Even one so small." Aragorn gave a soft yelp as the wolf but his hand. He scowled and looked down. "Do not bite me!"
"I think if I train here she will be a great pet. Please, Ada, just for a short period of time. Just to see how it will work out. I mean we can always get rid of her, right?" Eldarion pleaded now.
"If she is used to humans around then, no! But perhaps it would be worth a try." Aragorn stared down at the small bundle of fur lying asleep in his lap. "It would be nice to have a puppy around the house." He continued.
"So I can keep her?" Eldarion asked, not believing it. He had stood up and was looking down at Aragorn as the king smiled up at him.
"I daresay you can. But one thing, Eldarion, you are responsible for her. If she ever bites a human, I will not hesitate to shoot her. Do I make myself clear?" There was a serious expression on the king's face and Eldarion nodded.
"Yes, Ada. What name shall I give to her?" He took her from his father as Aragorn answered.
"Why do you not name her Luna? It means moon in one of the ancient languages. I think it would suit her well." Nodding happily, Eldarion grinned.
Aragorn watched his son leave the room with his new pet in his arms and knew there was somebody new to love in their life and for some unknown reason it made him deliriously happy to know how his child reminded him of his bonded mate, knowing Legolas would have wanted to have a wolf as well. He walked to the window and looked to the west, saying softly. "I would love to see your face today, Legolas, to see you smile at me. I will come for you soon, do not worry my beloved."
And then the king of Gondor went back to his duty while his mind remained for a long time with his mate across the sea.
Hope you liked it. Please review.
