Beta: The very wonderful Anarithilien.

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Chapter 12. The Reign of Aragorn II

Aragorn leaned on the granite window sill and pensively looked out over the white city. The pale stone gleamed in the setting sun and the sky was a wash of pink and yellow. White clouds gathered benevolently over the farmlands of Gondor, promising a fertile rain that would turn the dry and barren battlefield of Pelennor to rich green. But instead of joy and excitement, Aragorn felt a horrible churning in his belly of nerves and dread. The burden of kingship was on his shoulders and he found himself overwhelmed. He longed for the day that Arwen was by his side; she was so capable, so good at organising. She would help him sort out what he needed to do….And more, he longed for the softness of her body, her curves that his hand rested upon, her waist, her hips, her breasts…He shook himself. That would do him no good at all.

Turning back to the heavy carved desk that was crammed with letters, messages and petitions, he walked heavily to the chair and pulled it out, sat down and stared at the papers in front of him.

He picked up one; a letter from a minor lord in the southern part of Gondor wanting to know if the King was going to pay for the repair to the roads from Minas Tirith to his small fiefdom. Aragorn put it down and picked up another; this was a petition from a widow whose husband, she said, had been killed under the king's command and she was destitute. How would she pay for her children's food? That was more easily solved he thought and put aside a small pouch of coins. But the next one was similar and the next. Soon he found himself pushing the petitions and coins to one side- this piecemeal giving out of alms was no solution.

He tried to remember what Erestor had told him that Maedhros had done to pay for everything; he could not have had great wealth when first they came from over the sea. He wondered if he could persuade Erestor to stay in the city and help him. After all, Elrond would leave now and pass West and Erestor would not go. It left him free…but to do what?

Erestor would be ideal to deal with the bickering politics of the lords of Gondor, and brokering treaties with Rohan and Dol Amroth, although he thought that would be the easiest part. But he had Khand and the Harad to deal with too, and the prisoner, Kustîg, he had brought because he did not know what else to do with him. Kustîg was presently housed in a rather lavish accommodation that was not quite a prison, but he wished only that the Khandian chief would simply accept the inevitable. Perhaps when Erestor arrived, he might introduce him. The thought brought a smile to Aragorn's lips; Erestor would come with Arwen. And Elrond surely? Perhaps Galadriel and Celeborn too. He tapped his teeth with one of the letters; Haldir might also come with Galadriel, her most important captain. During their stay in Lothlorien, Legolas had spent time with Haldir. Though he did not know how they spent their time, Aragorn guessed it was not all in archery.

Until then there were all the big problems, like how was he going to feed everyone. How were they going to afford to rebuild Gondor without taxing the very lords and merchants he needed to be his allies…And breaking his foster-father's heart. Yes. That too.

Suddenly it was overwhelming and he put his head in hands and groaned.

'I have seen that face before, though some years ago I think.'

He turned to see Elladan standing in the doorway with a smile on his face. 'I remember a boy struggling with work given him by Erestor. Your favourite was something like: discuss the impact of Cirdan's government of Mithlond compared with that of Ost-in-Edhel in the Second Age. As scintillating as this, I think.' He spread his hand towards the scrolls bundled and gathered up in the centre of the desk.

He opened the scroll and scanned it quickly. 'This is a requisition for barley from Dol Amroth.' He looked up. 'Do you want to be dealing with this yourself? If not, who can do that for you?'

'I do not want to be dealing with all of this myself,' Aragorn said emphatically. 'But I do want to know that there will be enough food for my people.'

'You will need to have good people in charge of things for you and who report to you. A council. You know how to do this,' he said reassuringly. 'You have done this in the Angle. And you have seen Elrond's council in Imladris.' Elladan leaned down and said with a smile. 'Faramir is your steward. He is one of those people who will be on your council. And he will know who else should be asked to help. It will be an honour for them.'

Elladan looked at the pile of widows' letters and the scatter of coins. 'What are all of these?' He picked one up and scanned it quickly, his face serious. 'This is important,' he said looking up at Aragorn. 'How you treat the poor will determine your reign. But you could give this job to someone else, someone trustworthy. Make sure they have the money to help and then charge them to sort out housing and food for all these people who have suffered in the war.'

'Yes, there are some good people who would serve the city well,' said Aragorn slowly. Then he sighed. 'But I do not know how I will pay for it all….I think I will have to tax everyone.'

'That won't go down well,' Elladan laughed softly and pulled out the chair opposite Aragorn. 'Well done. You have defeated the Dark Lord. Now all you have to do is rule!'

Aragorn laughed wryly despite himself. 'I have a very good wine here somewhere,' he said and rose to his feet. He snagged a pewter jug and goblets and with a nod, led Elladan out into a small courtyard filled with early roses and lavender that scented the evening air. There was an early jasmine somewhere too. 'I think that Denethor had these gardens kept well,' he said and seated himself upon a stone bench that had been set just in front of a warm stone wall so that one could easily lean back against it. He poured two goblets and handed one to Elladan who looked at it appreciatively.

'The King Returned has expensive tastes,' he observed with a smile. 'Perhaps you should keep this for when peace has brought prosperity. The rich will not want to see you squander their taxes on fine wines and delicacies. Live frugally for a while. Tell others that we build. Tell them peace will bring them opportunities to trade with other realms, that the roads will open new markets.' He drank appreciatively. Then he smiled at Aragorn and turned his face back towards the setting sun. He said nothing for a moment, closing his eyes to enjoy the warmth on his face. Then he said, 'Aragorn, you know that soon Elrohir will be well enough to ride and then we will leave. Not you, not for long,' he said quickly. 'Arwen has left Imladris,' he explained. 'She is on her way here and Elrohir and I will go and meet her in Lothlorien and bring her here. It will not be long, Estel, and all your dreams will have come true.'

Aragorn did not ask how Elladan knew that Arwen had left Imladris; he just accepted it and felt his eyes fill and his belly clenched with a strange mixture of anxiety and devotion and love. Arwen would be here. She would be beside him, sitting with him in this very garden, walking at his side. In his bed.

'And I think you will find that Arwen has some ideas about how to rule. She has always helped Elrond.' Elladan smiled again, more kindly. 'She will make quick work of this. And you have to admit that Faramir has done a very good job while they waited for your return.' He indicated the Pelennor Fields. 'The carrion has been disposed of, the city walls repaired as much as they could.' He paused and drank wine. 'He did as much as he could in preparation for what might well have become the final siege. He will be a good steward.'

Aragorn smiled. 'You're right.' A weight seemed to lift from his shoulders then. And Arwen was coming. She would be here in weeks!

In his heart a great surge seemed to fight its way out, wanting him to shout for joy. But he did not. Instead his fingers found the Evenstar and stroked it.

Elladan was smiling at him. 'It fills my heart that both my brothers have found love,' he said.

Aragorn glanced at him. 'And you?' he asked curiously.

Elladan leaned his head back against the warm stone wall. 'It is curious,' he said contemplatively. 'I did not think to find such joy in another man,' he said. 'But I find Imrahil's company more than pleasant. And I find the prospect of being without his company and the warmth of his regard makes me feel lonely.' He paused. 'Whether it is love or no, I cannot tell you now. But perhaps in time, it may grow into that.' He glanced at Aragorn. 'I am not like Elrohir you know. I have not that immense and all consuming passion that cannot be controlled, and if it is not satisfied, he thinks he will die. That is not me. But when I find my heart, it will be as deep and as devoted. It will make my Choice for me. Of that there is no question.'

Aragorn put his hand over Elladan's and squeezed slightly. It would kill Elrond, he thought, to lose both Arwen and Elladan, who was closest to him. And Elrohir? Where would it leave him if Elladan took the Way of Men?

0o0o

Legolas lay against Elrohir's chest, it had been a more leisurely love-making this time. His long legs were crossed at the ankle and he stared upwards at the ceiling, noting long cracks in the plaster that were the result of the Nazgûl's bombing of the city with great rocks and slabs of stonework from the city walls. In spite of this, there was a slight smile on his lips and he sighed with contentment. Elrohir was very still. Legolas tilted his head slightly and leaned in to listen to Elrohir's song, the sense of the high mountains where the wind blew and smelled of snow, and the eagles cried high above…It was a noble song, he thought pleasurably. Heroic. If a little lonely.

He wondered if Elrohir was still lonely, even though Legolas himself was here with him.

With kindly concern he tipped his head back to look into Elrohir's eyes but Elrohir was gazing into space, his pupils blown wide and his mouth slack. A small niggle wormed its way into Legolas' thoughts…What if he was not really significant in Elrohir's life? What if this was just a fling?

But he shook himself free of such doubts and stroked Elrohir's thigh instead. At last Elrohir looked down and rested his cheek upon the top of Legolas' head and gave a deep sigh that seemed to come from his very soul.

'I love you,' Elrohir murmured and Legolas smiled and nestled into him.

'Of course,' he said smiling.

But he did not think of saying that he loved Elrohir, for it was so obvious; his song soared whenever he was with Elrohir. He could hear how his own melody wound about Elrohir's, danced through the lovely harmonies, twined about the notes that were Elrohir's. And so he did not see the hurt in Elrohir's grey eyes and the way he almost flinched when Legolas pushed himself to his feet a moment later to pour wine.

'Elladan says that Arwen has left Imladris and is making her way here,' Elrohir said.

Legolas nodded. 'Good,' he said, lifting his goblet to his lips and drinking. He wiped his mouth with his hand. 'Aragorn needs her very much! He is so love-sick it is almost funny.' He smiled fondly. 'He went on and on about her when we were in the Wilds. Kept singing the Lay of Beren and Luthien whenever he had the chance.' He laughed softly and brought as goblet back to the bed, handing it to Elrohir. He looked at his beloved, his long hair was mussed and tangled from where Legolas had held him down, wrapping it round his fist to draw Elrohir's head down over his cock, hold him there, and there were bruises on his shoulders where Legolas had bitten him in blind passion. Wincing slightly, he traced a finger over one that had broken the skin and looked sore. 'Sorry,' he said, grimacing.

Elrohir looked surprised. 'Why are you sorry?'

Legolas prodded the mark. 'I got carried away. Does it hurt?'

'Does it hurt!' Elrohir laughed. Properly. Loudly and it made Legolas' heart jump and soar to hear him so free, so happy. 'This from the man who had me begging him to stop, who had me almost suffocate with my face in that pillow while you pounded me so I can hardly walk!'

But he had to stop because Legolas was carried away by a wave of love and desire and kissed him hard, pushing his tongue into Elrohir's mouth and pulling him so close, he wanted to be inside his skin, inside him.

'Listen,' Elrohir said at last, pulling his head back to look at Legolas. 'We have to go and meet her.'

'Who?' Legolas pulled back, leaning on his elbows and gazing up at Elrohir. He was so beautiful, with his grey eyes and black hair. It was deep black, not just a very dark brown. But truly black. So it was almost blue when the light shone on it in a certain way.

'Arwen and her retinue.,' Elrohir said, stroking a hand . 'Elladan and I must go and meet them,' said Elrohir. He shuffled back a little so he could see Legolas' face, almost as if he wanted to see his reaction.

'Oh.' Legolas understood now. He sat up, wrapped his arms around his long legs. 'When do you leave?' He tried to be generous. After all, this was a momentous time for Elrohir and his family; Arwen was making her Choice and would be forever lost to the Elves.

She would die a mortal death.

It wrenched his heart to think of it, for it reminded him too that his friends, Aragorn, the Hobbits, Gimli would also die one day and be forever lost to him.

'It will only be a couple of weeks,' Elrohir said. He leaned down to peer into Legolas' face, concerned. 'It will fly past and in no time, I will be back.'

Legolas looked up. 'Well that is not too bad,' he said brightly, hoping to comfort Elrohir and not be needy. 'We will have to make the most of the time we have together!'

Something suddenly occurred to him. 'Who will be coming with Arwen?'

Elrohir paused. 'Elrond of course. Perhaps Galadriel and my grandfather. I think some from Imladris and some from Lothlorien.'

Legolas chewed his lip. He wondered if Haldir would be amongst the group from Lothlorien. And Berensul might well accompany the group from Imladris. And Tindómion. He looked down at the coverlet. It was silk and linen and embroidered with flowers that Legolas recognised from when they rode across the Lebennin. He picked at a loose thread. That would be as well as Eomer.

'Elrohir,' he began hesitantly, knowing how fragile was their new-found love, wanting to be honest. 'You are not the first I have loved.' He caught Elrohir's hand and when Elrohir looked away, tugged on it gently. 'Please. But you are my first beloved. My only beloved.

But Elrohir looked away and squeezed Legolas' hand. 'Please. Do not speak of this now,' he said. 'I cannot think it. I cannot bear it.'

Legolas sighed. 'We have to speak of it sometime,' he said. He scooted over towards Elrohir and put his finger under his chin, bringing his face up so Elrohir had to meet his eyes. 'I need to tell you, so that you do not think it is not you that I love.'

Elrohir pulled away slightly. 'Please. It is enough that you love me. We do not have to speak of this.'

Legolas sighed and let him go.

0o0o

Even now with Sauron's army destroyed and the fields gradually restored, it was not yet a time of plenty and even the King's table was sparse. Lords brought gifts to the table of dishes and food and the bonds, so recently forged under battle, were strengthened in these times of austerity. There was a jollity at his table and Aragorn, taking his brother's advice, served a poorer wine than he had drunk in the garden with Elladan, and ate and drank with relish, for even this poor fare was better than the Fellowship had eaten in the quest.

Beside Aragorn, on his right hand, sat Faramir and on his left was Eomer. Eowyn sat between Legolas and Merry and they were attentive and concerned about her. But her cheeks were flushed and her eyes lively. She laughed often as the two entertained her. Gimli was opposite her and his courtesy unfailing.

'Your sister seems much recovered,' Aragorn commented to Eomer.

Eomer nodded, waving a chicken leg in Eowyn's direction. 'She is indeed. That Ringwraith had no chance against my little sister,' he said proudly. 'But it was you who brought her back, Aragorn, and for that I am grateful.' He tore the meat of the chicken leg and spoke with his mouth full. 'I for one would be glad to seal the alliance between our realms.'

At that, Faramir's hand seemed to shake and a spatter of wine shot over the while linen cloth. 'Forgive me my lord!' he said, mortified. 'I thought I was more recovered myself.'

'Ah!' Eomer turned his attention to Faramir now. 'And you, my lord, showed great courage in fighting on alone in Osgiliath! That is worth a song. You should pay someone to write it.'

Faramir turned his gentler grey eyes towards Eomer. 'And what would it tell, pray? That I was defeated and lost my men, that in returning, I drove my father to madness, that I was almost burned alive by him and had it not been for the Hobbit and Wizard, I would be dead? That would make a song.' His voice was bitter.

'No,' Eomer said without a trace of regard for the other Man's hurt. 'I would make a song how you rode out to defend Osgiliath after it had been taken, how you faced the army of Sauron with only a hundred men to delay long enough for Aragorn to reach the city. How you fought the Witchking yourself and though he struck you down, you still made it back to warn the city of Sauron's intent. I would tell how your poor father went mad indeed and tried to kill you in his agony and despair.' His voice softened then. 'But I would tell too, of how you treated my sister with kindness in her awakening from the dark that held her in its thrall.' He swallowed the meat and picked up his goblet. 'So she tells me anyway.'

'Lord?' A Rohirrim rider looked apologetically at Aragorn, and then leaned down to speak briefly with the King of Rohan.

Eomer turned to speak with him and Aragorn turned back to Faramir just in time to catch the look in Faramir's eyes and realised that Faramir was looking past Eomer and to Eowyn, who was laughing at something Gimli had said to Legolas. Legolas quirked an eyebrow elegantly and then leaned towards Eowyn and poured her wine, whilst saying something that had Eowyn laughing and Gimli glaring at the elf.

'It is good that you have been showing kindness to the Lady Eowyn,' said Aragorn gently, speculatively. And yes, there was a faint blush on the younger man's cheeks so that Aragorn was pleased. 'She is a lady of exceptional courage and nobility,' he continued, pouring wine into the man's goblet and waving away the servant who hovered solicitously nearby.

'Yes.' Faramir's eyes were cast downwards. 'She is.' It seemed that was all he could say and Aragorn took pity on Faramir and leaned towards him slightly.

'Eowyn needs a husband who will be her equal, not her overlord. She needs to be allowed to breathe.'

Faramir's grey eyes looked up into Aragorn's, and a sudden hope flared in them.

'I have heard that her heart is given, lord,' he said hesitantly.

Aragorn sighed and looked into his goblet. 'She is, was, in love with a dream,' he said. 'She thinks, thought she was in love with me but I am not the man she thought. I am already betrothed before I ever set eyes upon the White Lady of Rohan. I am not what she is looking for.' He looked Faramir in the eye steadily and said, 'But you are. And you have my blessing if you wish it.'

'… contravening the laws.' A low murmur away to Aragorn's left just intruded momentarily on his awareness and he turned his head to see old lord… Ah. Aragorn sighed. He could not remember his name. The old man leaned towards another younger man, but Aragorn could not remember his name either. '…cannot be allowed so close to the King whatever he is to him…'

'You are already betrothed?' Faramir drew Aragorn's attention back. He sounded like he had been holding his breath, and was amazed. He let his head fall against the back of his chair. 'That explains much for I could not believe you did not return her feelings.'

Aragorn blinked. Faramir had thought he returned Eowyn's love; but of course he would. He smiled fondly. The young Man was clearly deeply in love and could not imagine how anyone could not feel the same about Eowyn as he felt himself. He gave his full attention back to his new Steward.

'She told me you had said you were not for her,' Faramir continued. 'But I could not believe that when you returned, you would not claim her. For she is the fairest, loveliest woman. Her heart is great and noble and her deeds will be spoken of for ages hence.' His eyes shone and he looked past Aragorn to where Eowyn was. She had flung back her head to laugh merrily at something Legolas said. The elf had one arm along the back of her chair and leaning in towards her, his eyes upon her.

For a moment, Faramir's eyes darkened but Aragorn shook his head quickly. 'Legolas is no threat to you. His heart is already given. When we passed through Rohan,' Aragorn said, following Faramir's gaze, 'Legolas had been injured.' He did not say that Legolas had been struck when trying to defend Boromir from orcs. 'I asked Eomer to take Legolas with him to Meduseld to recover. Whilst he was there, Grima had both him and Eomer imprisoned and it was Eowyn who freed them…Legolas and Eowyn conspired to awaken Theoden from the spell cast upon him by Saruman.' Aragorn swirled his wine in the goblet. 'It is why Saruman hates Legolas so and will do him harm if he could. I for one am glad that Saruman is locked up and guarded by Treebeard and cannot escape. I think there is much bitterness in his heart and it will turn towards Mirkwood. If he ever escaped, it is there he will go.' A moment of prescience struck Aragorn then and he felt himself sway…heard shouting as if it was far off, screaming and a smell of blood and choking smoke…yellow smoke.

But that was the vision that Saruman had sent Legolas in Orthanc. And the news from the Wood was that Thranduil had been victorious. He cast a quick look down the table towards Legolas and shook himself. There was no trouble in Mirkwood and he should not seek it.

Unaware of Aragorn's concern, Faramir shook his head in wonder. 'The tales that have come from these times seemed to bring legends and myth to life; the Tree-shepherds are real, elves walk in our lands, and the King is returned.' He looked at Aragorn for a moment and then stood up suddenly and held up his goblet.

'To the King!' he declared loudly. 'May his reign be prosperous and peaceful. May he live long.'

All the assembled nobles and lords and ladies quickly leapt or scrambled or staggered, depending on their ages or condition after so much wine, and raised their cups to Aragorn, cheering and shouting his name.

Aragorn felt faintly embarrassed and glanced along the table to his friends; Gimli had the patient and proud air of someone who was entirely responsible for Aragorn's success, Frodo looked tired still but had a sweet smile on his face and Gandalf looked smug. Elladan nodded and raised his goblet in recognition of the conversation they had had earlier. But Elrohir had only eyes for Legolas, and Legolas glanced away from Eowyn briefly as if he felt the scorch of Elrohir's gaze. When their eyes met, a smile passed between them, confiding, secret. A lovers' smile.

But as Aragorn looked around the gathered nobles, he saw that he was not the only one who had seen the looks between Elrohir and Legolas. There were one or two others who had noticed and who were looking disapproving and the snatch of conversation he had overheard a moment ago came back to him. And the merchant, Bearas, was staring at Elrohir with a covetous expression in his face that made Aragorn's blood run cold. It reminded him horribly of Saruman.

But a moment later, it had changed and Bearas leaned towards the lords who had been murmuring and said quietly,' Tread softly my lords. You speak of those who were ready to lay down their lives for us. The lord Elrohir led the charge at the Morannon I hear and it was his heroism that saved many. And the Prince of Mirkwood killed more of the Nazgûl's steeds than any and so saved a hundred lives or more. Is this not a little thing of which you speak? Is it not something you can overlook?'

The two nobles looked at Bearas and one opened his mouth as if to speak but changed his mind, a look, almost of fear passed over him and both fell silent.

Aragorn made sure he kept his gaze elsewhere whilst he eavesdropped. He had disliked the Man, Bearas, on meeting him; there was something he could not quite put his finger on but it made his hackles rise. But now he thought he was being unfair. Surely it was not simply that the Man was poor and had come into luck, so perhaps lacked the refined manners and poise of others? Was that it? thought Aragorn. He reflected that he had been brought up amongst the elves of Imladris, and valued grace and elegance. He was marrying Arwen Evenstar after all. But he decided he could like the Man for his unconscious defence of Aragorn's brother and friend. He resolved then to make a point of putting aside his natural dislike and to listen to Bearas. Perhaps, since he was so recently come from the people, he would be an excellent choice for his council?

0o0o