Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. I am only playing with the fandom for the enjoyment of me as well as others.

Authors note: Take care that a spew warning might apply and be cautious when handling food and liquids while reading this.

Chapter 43

While Aragorn knew very well the use of advisors there were those he felt less useful. Altogether too preoccupied with matters he felt were of little importance. Aye, indeed he felt it preferably that the drapes in the grand hall were whole, though little did he care for the details of how long it would take to have it replaced. He was well content to know that it would. How it had come to be torn, he did not know, and as this information had been hard to come by he suspected it had been the tomfoolery of some of the children. His own son Eldarion, as well as Faramir's son, Elboron were not the only boys running wild in the palace.

While enjoying a good ruckus the two were very well behaved and not wont to wanton destruction. Should something have gone amiss in one of their games, they were inclined to be straight forward with it in the hope of an easier sentence.

Many of the servants though worked long hours with little time to see to the antics of their offspring, and Aragorn knew well the lure of areas where they had been told not to play.

He saw no reason to seek out the guilty party, knowing it had most likely been an accidental incident.

His own son was only a year or so older than his friend, and though he played with the other children of the palace Elboron was like his closest friend. It helped that the two were near equal in status, as both had found that the children of noblemen oft had expectations placed on them by their parents.

Elfwine, the son of Éomer and Lothíriel were able to join them less often, but was an appreciated playmate whenever possible. Younger by nearly a year than even Elboron, Aragorn had noted that Eldarion oft tried to look out for their youngest one. Not that Elfwine was prone to need the consideration.

The court of Rohan tended to be less restrictive and the small boy of three winters was well used to running free as he pleased. Just as Éomer had done at the same age. Edoras was a grateful place for children to play, and the prince could traverse it as he pleased. Éomer was well liked, so there was no reason to think the child in any danger. Should someone come seeking to give them grief, they would have most every citizen in Edoras against them. Just as Éomer would never stand idly by and watch another child of his people come to harm.

That was not to say the boys didn't scuffle, Rohan boys were often encouraged to fight as long as the fight was fair or in defence of the weak. It would seem there were always bullies, and Aragorn had learned of several trying to prey on the royal children.

A nobleman's son had indeed tried to enforce his will upon Eldarion, and had found that to do so in view of Elwine was not to be recommended. The smaller boy was a scrapper, just as Aragorn knew his father had been. He had been taught to fight fair and knew the lesson well, but fight he would. The older bully was sent off with a bloodied nose and aching shin, Elfwine receiving nothing but praise from his father.

As Éomer and Lothíriel were now expected to arrive within a day or so, and would have Elfwine with them he had a feeling that the palace would be more lively. He had himself insisted that Elboron stayed with them for the duration of the visit, even if Faramir was uncertain if he would be able to.

He had also allowed the two older boys to go down to the gate to greet the royal company, knowing their enthusiasm was genuine. If Éomer came alone he could be counted on to spoil them, a fact they knew well. With Lothíriel and Elfwine along, they knew it might take longer, but indeed their uncle could still be counted on for it. Éomer made no difference with the boys, he may only be uncle to Elboron, though it was clear he viewed Eldarion with the same love and care.

For himself, he was content to go down to the royal stable yard and await them there, smiling as they came in view from one of the many tunnels leading up the circles of the city. While well able to ride his own small pony, a trip to Gondor was far too long for the small animal so Elfwine was sitting in front of his father in the saddle. For all the boy was an endless bundle of energy he knew to be still and relaxed on the horse, and Firefoot did not seem to mind him.

If he tossed his head it was because while Elboron had been lifted up to ride in front of Lothíriel on her horse, so had Eldarion been seated behind Éomer. Try as he might, the heir of Gondor was not quite able to refrain from sending the horse accidental signals and commands as he sometimes shifted.

For his annoyance over the fact, the horse would never harm the child Aragorn knew, but Éomer would be risking his ire until Firefoot felt the matter had been settled to his satisfaction, and the horse had a long memory. Before they left once more for Rohan, Firefoot would have found some way of exacting his revenge on his master he was certain.

Being allowed to ride the mighty war horse however was something that Eldarion viewed as the highest honour. Even more so for being seated behind the king, rather than in front of him in his arms, like a babe, as he had once expressed it when Aragorn sought to take him so.

"Welcome, it is good to see you brother," Aragorn greeted warmly, there was no need to stand on extensive protocol with Éomer, he much prefer the simple ways. "I trust the journey was easy and pleasant?"

"Aye, but we were accosted as soon as we came through the gate," Éomer gave Elboron a pointed look and watched him giggle.

"Eldarion and Elboron met us!" Elfwine declared eagerly.

"So they did, Prince Elfwine," Aragorn smiled as the small boy giggled. "I have made certain the stable is ready for your horses," Aragorn mused. "As Arwen and Éowyn has seen to some refreshment up in the garden."

"And the hope for that has been my companion for many leagues," Lothíriel sighed as she straightened. "I fear I am not yet fully accustomed to the Rohan way. I find so many days on a horse to be wearying still."

"Not many find it easy," Aragorn assured her. "And I would take it as an honour, if you let me see to your horse so you might join them." While Lothíriel had well adapted to the life in Rohan and easily saw to the care of her horse, the saddle would be heavy and difficult for her on such a large horse as she now rode. Éomer would perform the task for her but knowing the wives would await them Aragorn saw no reason not to offer his help.

"We shall just have to rid ourselves of these first," with a barely perceptible nudge of his knee Éomer moved Firefoot closer to his wife's horse, and leaned over to grab Elboron by his belt. It was no matter for him to hoist the boy over the neck of Firefoot as well as the head of his son, and deposit him on the ground in front of Aragorn.

As the boy giggled and stepped away to make room, Éomer slipped his booted foot out of the stirrup and shifted in the saddle, "your highness…" With a sketched bow he lifted Eldarion high enough out of the saddle he got his leg over, and as he fumbled for the stirrup, lowered him while keeping Firefoot in check. The stallion shifting from an accidental foot in his side. Once Eldarion was on the ground, beaming, Éomer deposited his own son on the ground by grasping him by the coat and passing him to Aragorn.

"Father, can I help take care of Firefoot?" the little boy asked once both his feet were on the ground.

"Aye," taking the reins, Éomer handed them to his son.

In size the boy was no more than a fly to the magnificent stallion, and Aragorn knew should Firefoot chose to disobey, there was nothing the child could do.

Indeed, once Éomer himself had dismounted, no more had the boy smacked his lips and started for the stable, than Firefoot moved backwards, pulling the blonde child off his feet to sit down on his rump. Eyeing him for a brief moment Firefoot then slowly lumbered across the stable yard, dragging the boy behind him on the ground.

Rather than heading for the stable, the war horse slowly trudged around the stableyard, with the child trailing behind him on the ground, laughing so hard he near lost his hold on the reins.

"Do not ask me why, but they both seem to think that is the greatest fun to be had," Éomer shook his head with a bemused smile. "Elfwine will always try to lead him, and Firefoot loves nothing more than to spoil his efforts, though I assure you it is not out of malice."

"He is however getting horribly dirty," Lothíriel frowned. "Èomer, he was supposed to look presentable for the occasion."

"He shall," the young king smiled easily. "We need but scrape a layer of mud off of him, and he shall look presentable indeed."

"He shall need a bath," Lothíriel gave her husband a firm look.

"I should not tell him so, or I expect the easiest way shall be to dunk him in a horse through, no doubt he should love it," Éomer laughed. "Fear not, beloved, I assure you our hosts shall not think worse of us for the dirt on our son. Tis the nature of boys to be certain."

"We are too dear friends to stand on ceremony," Aragorn added, looking to where the horse was still making his round around the stableyard, towing the child. "But if it gives you peace of mind, I shall lend a hand in cleaning him up before joining you." Looking at the way the child laughed, he was more concerned about Elboron wanting to join in on the fun. He did not think Éowyn would care much for it should her son come covered in dirt and dust. Even Eldarion looked as if he might be considering it after all.

"Do please see to it that my husband does," Lothíriel asked as he took the reins from her. "I must admit, Elfwine seems to enjoy it, and has come to no harm so far, but it is not quite seemly."

"If I let them, they shall go on for hours," Éomer shook his head, giving a sharp whistle. Instantly, Firefoot looked up, training his eyes on his master. "Enough, Firefoot, ģenõg." he repeated sharply in Rohirric when Firefoot was slow to obey. "Steall," he commanded once it was clear the stallion would heed him. Knowing the command well, Firefoot turned towards the stable as he had been bid. Still trailing the laughing child behind him.

Inside he stopped and allowed Elfwine to climb to his feet, indulging the child to hold the reins as he walked through the stable to his customary stall.

Following with Lothíriel's horse Aragorn smiled as the blond child grabbed a brush from a nearby bench and walked into the stall to start brushing the legs of the mighty horse. It was just like watching Éomer at the same age, though Èomer then had climbed the wall of the stall to brush Théngal's war horse.

They soon had the horses cared for, Elboron and Eldarion waiting patiently for them to finish.

"For the sake of your wife, I think we best do something," Aragorn decided as he took in the child in front of him. There had fortunately been no mud, but dust covered the boy's clothes liberally.

"Aye, she shall not be pleased if we do not," Éomer mused. "Though why there is such a fuss about a boy that age I never knew. My mother was much the same though, so there is no helping it. Come son, and we shall give you a quick rub down." He bade the child to remove his shoes, and stripped him of tunic and breeches, shaking the dust off them with a few vigorous slaps of his hand. Aragorn in the meantime found a bucket of clean water to wash his hands and face, picking a few bits of straw out of his hair.

"Good enough I should say," Éomer decided as he returned with the clothes. "I never saw you cleaner than so since you learned to walk."

"A little dust shows a healthy boy," Aragorn agreed, smiling as Elfwine put his shoes back on. Waiting until he was done Aragorn lifted him to remove them and put them on the right foot. "And I should imagine it leaves a hungry boy as well, do you wish for us to join the ladies and see if there is something for us to eat?"

"Aye, Lord," Elfwine declared in accented Westron. As Elboron spoke mostly Westron in his home, so did Elfwine speak Rohirric, though Lothíriel certainly made sure he could make himself understood in Gondor as well.

Running over to where Elboron and Eldarion awaited him he grabbed Eldarion by the hand. The two men followed, easily keeping pace with the eager children. As eager as the boys were, the men had the advantage of longer stride. Finding there to be plenty of food the young boys all dug in with gusto while the men settled beside their wives in the shade. Lothíriel inspected her son, and declared him at least clean enough though she still tried to seem stern when she passed judgement.

Aragorn felt she was by now resigned to the futility of the effort. As soon as the children had sated their hunger they were at play in the garden. It did not take long before Elfwine had a fresh layer of dust on his britches, a streak of dirt on his face and wearing a huge smile.

It seemed it should be a most enjoyable visit he mused…

A Temporary End... Please review, the Cricket is hungry...

Additional Author's note: Some of these stories might not fit into the Tolkien timeline, I apologise for this, I have not yet been able to procure an English copy, and therefor there has been things I was unaware of while writing. Some I've changed, some I've left as I liked them.
Most of the Rohirric I use, is, as I believe Tolkien himself used, Old English. Though some is modern Swedish, as, frighteningly enough, these are quite often the same. In order to give the story a more pleasant flow for the reader, I have opted not to use a glossary at the end, rather, I try to make the meaning very clear in the story.