Chapter 28: Aragorn

Merry was walking through the garden gate at the same time as the other hobbits were opening the front door, pulling on coats and hats and stuffing their pipes in their pockets.

'Here, where are you all off to in such a hurry?' Merry cried. 'I've got sausages and those lovely spuds Sam asked for. And there is cabbage and fresh peas too.'

'We are going to see Aragorn,' Frodo said. 'We need to find Legolas.'

'Well about time,' Merry replied approvingly and dropped his basket inside the door and turned, slamming the door shut, ran down the garden path after them.

The hobbits swiftly and easily found their way to the palace and were almost immediately ushered into Aragorn's council room where he sat at a long, very polished table surrounded by lots of chairs, some pushed in and some not so it looked like a lot of people had been sitting down and then got up hurriedly.

'My dear friends!' Aragorn pushed himself to his feet and took long strides to welcome them. He clapped Pippin on the shoulder in greeting and more gently patted Frodo and Sam. A smile lit up his face but Pippin could see how tired he was. Pulling his chair away from the table, Aragorn shifted it closer to a low bench that was comfortably Hobbit and Dwarf sized.

'I cannot stay long,' he said apologetically, pulling his rich robes around to seat himself in the chair. 'One of my council died recently, Lord Herion. Very suddenly and in rather strange circumstances. There is a dispute over who should have his place at council. His eldest son is rather headstrong and very young for such a role.' He paused and smiled. 'But that does not concern you. How are you, Frodo?' He put his hand on Frodo's shoulder and his face grew thoughtful, inward and Pippin knew he was listening to how Frodo was recovering. 'Are you still taking that infusion I gave you?' he asked.

'I always make him drink it first thing in the morning and last thing at night, Strider' Sam said immediately.

'Yes,' Frodo laughed softly, glancing towards Sam. 'I do all that I am told, I swear. But we are not here for that. Aragorn….'

At that moment, there was an apologetic cough and Pippin saw a tall, thin Man was standing near the door.

'Sire, I am sorry, but the Steward asks that you sign this. It is urgent or I would not…'

'No, never mind, Faranden. Here.' Aragorn scribbled his signature on the scroll without reading it and gave it back to the Man.

He turned back to Frodo. 'Now, you were saying?''

'There was a note from Gimli…'

'My lord, forgive me.' This time it was a short, fat clerk who peered round the doorway, his bright eyes darted around the room, alit upon the hobbits with delight, as if he could not quite believe they were there. But there was cleverness behind the delighted gaze. Aragorn glanced at the Hobbits, sighed in irritation but he beckoned the short clerk in anyway. 'Yes, I know. Give it to me.' He scrawled another signature.

'And while I have your attention, sire…' Another two scrolls were pushed in his direction and again he signed. How many times a day did Aragorn get interrupted, wondered Pippin.

'Aragorn!' Frodo said insistently. 'Please!'

Aragorn looked up, pen poised over the paper. But his face changed when he saw how serious they were and how agitated. Slowly he put the pen down and looked at the clerk. 'Take all this away, good Aradhel. It can wait.'

The little clerk bowed low and, smiling at Frodo, gathered up the scrolls and scooped them into his arms. Nodding agreeably, he backed away.

Aragorn turned to the Hobbits patiently. 'You were saying about a note from Gimli?'

'Yes. To Legolas. He went off to Pelargir to meet them…' Pippin began but even as he spoke, it sounded weak. 'But it just doesn't feel right, Strider.'

'Pip, let Frodo tell it,' Merry interrupted, tugging at Pippin's arm and pulling him to sit down.

Frodo told the story quickly and succinctly, answering Aragorn's questions while Merry kept Pippin from bursting out now and again. Aragorn leaned forward, his forearm on the table and his face intent.

'You are worried about Legolas?' he asked, and smiled. 'He is more capable of looking after himself than anyone I have ever met. This is a city of Men, Frodo. Who of us could defeat him or overpower him? And who would wish him ill?'

Pippin bit his lip in consternation. That niggly feeling just would not leave him. 'That ghoul is still out there though, Strider,' he burst out at last. 'It hasn't been seen but it's still out there.'

Aragorn sighed. 'Legolas is the only person who claims to have seen it,' he said quietly.

'Claims!' protested Pippin indignantly. 'Are you saying it is not real?'

'No. I am not saying it did not exist.' Aragorn held up his hands appeasingly. 'But it is a fact nonetheless, that no one else has seen it. That has been pointed out to me several times by Faramir, by Bearos, by others.'

'Gandalf thought it was real,' Pippin said defiantly. 'And how do you explain Ioralas' death otherwise?' he demanded. 'All his blood was gone.'

'Gandalf thought this…ghoul might have been connected somehow with the Mirror,' Aragorn said reasonably. 'And since that has left the city, it is most likely that the ghoul is still in the city. If it ever existed.' He paused and frowned as if remembering something. 'Although Herion died from blood loss…but that was…' He paused and looked down into the polished surface of the table. 'You think Legolas has just disappeared? That Gimli's message was somehow…a lure?'

'Perhaps,' Frodo replied. 'We need to know how that message came to Legolas. Who gave it to the messenger boy, who knew he was going to the stables then.'

There was movement near the door and the room suddenly seemed colder. Pippin glanced out of the window to see if the sun had gone in but Frodo turned abruptly, his face crumpled in distress and he cradled his wounded hand against his chest. Sam immediately sprang to Frodo's side.

'Your poor hand, master Frodo. Does it hurt?'

Aragorn watched, the healer in him attentive until there was a discreet cough and Aragorn looked up. 'Ah, Bearos. Will you send in Aradhel again?'

Pippin stared at the Man. It was his entrance that had caused Frodo's distress he was certain. Pippin had seen Bearos before of course, but not really noticed him. But now Pippin really looked: Bearos looked ill, like he could barely stand. His face was very drawn, long and thin and his eyes almost bulged from their sockets. It looked like he could barely keep his jaw from dropping open. Pippin felt a strange revulsion but no one else seemed to have noticed.

Aragorn had leaned back in his carved chair and shoved his hands through his hair. Bearos bowed low and swiftly departed then. Almost too swiftly. Almost unnaturally.

'He doesn't look well,' Pippin said suspiciously. 'Has he got something? You need to be careful, Aragorn, you mustn't catch something.'

Aragorn turned his head to look after Bearos. 'Unwell? Bearos?' He turned back with a surprised expression on his face. 'I expect he is just tired like the rest of us.'

'No. There is more,' Frodo said slowly. He blinked and looked at Aragorn. 'Be careful.'

Aragorn looked at him quizzically. 'Legolas never trusts him either. He is always telling me there is something off about him.' He paused, his gaze dropped to the polished table. 'Now you make me worry too for Legolas. Perhaps I should…'

Moments later the short, fat clerk appeared in the doorway again, bowing low and glancing quickly at the hobbits, a delighted smile upon his cheerful face.

'Aradhel, tell me,' said Aragorn, 'there was a message from Gandalf?'

'Indeed, sire.' Aradhel nodded, smiling broadly. 'There have been three now. The latest has just arrived. Would you like me to…?'

Aragorn held up a hand to hold him. 'In a moment, good Aradhel. Three?'

Aradhel nodded, folding his hands over his fat belly. "Yes, Sire. The first was from Pelargir to tell you he had not caught up with the fugitive, Kustîg. The second to tell you they had arrived in Umbar. This latest one I have not read of course, Sire, but my guess is that they are returning here.'

'Was there another, speerate message with any of them?' Aragorn asked. 'Anthing from Gimli?'

Aradhel frowned and shook his head. 'No. I would have remembered. There are only the ones from Gandalf.'

Aragorn nodded. 'And this latest?'

'It is on your desk, my lord. As always. It is the top one for I thought you would want to read that one the most urgently.' He stood, one hand clasping the other, anxious to please the new King.

Aragorn smiled and nodded. 'Thank you, Aradhel. That is all…No. Wait. Come here. Pippin, show Aradhel the message.'

Pippin glanced at Aragorn questioningly but took out the message from his pocket and unfolded it, smoothed it out on the table.

Aradhel peered at it, frowning. 'I have not seen this, lords. Should I have done?'

'Pippin, do you know who brought it to Legolas?'

'Yes,' Sam interrupted. 'It was that little lad. All skin and bone he was. Tuillin he was called.'

'Tuillin?' Aradhel frowned again. 'We have no messenger boy of that name. But I can quickly find out if there are any scullery boys… Although if he was thin, he will not be likely to work for the King.' He smiled fondly with a glance at Aragorn. 'We feed the children well here.'

Aragorn nodded. 'Thank you Aradhel. Please do ask around, and when you do, get me the name please of who it was that gave this boy message to be sent. Oh, and send for Thadion, the Chief Ostler. I want to see him immediately. No delay now.' For the Mews was within the grounds of the palace.

Aradhel bowed and scurried off busily. There was the sound of hurried voices and then running feet.

'I have appointments waiting. Just let me sort someone else to do that.' Aragorn rose to his feet. 'Faramir!' he called through the open door.

A few moments later, the Steward appeared, his face curious, attentive. A smile crossed his face when he saw the Hobbits and he came forwards to greet them. He looked tired too, thought Pippin for Faramir was still recovering too after all.

'Faramir, there is some business I have to attend to myself,' said Aragorn. 'It cannot wait so will you see my other appointments?'

'Herion's widow?' Faramir glanced at the King and smiled agreeably. 'I will speak with her of course, sire.'

Aragorn sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. 'Ah. I had forgotten she was coming. Thank you. to her about your plans for the Houses of Healing that will allow her to remain in her house.' Aragorn grasped Faramir companionably on the shoulder and guided him out of the room.

Almost immediately Faramir had left, the Chief ostler arrived, red-faced and breathless. He snatched his cap from his head and bowed low. 'Your majesty,' he said. 'You summoned me. Do you wish to inspect your new horse? I have him ready for you whenever you wish.'

'My new horse?' Aragorn asked mildly.

The ostler was a short, wiry Man but had a cheerful and kindly face. Now he looked confused. 'Yes, Sire. I was instructed to get you a new horse, one that is in keeping with your new state. Showy and magnificent.' Thadion glanced at Aragorn nervously.

Aragorn pulled back. 'I ordered no such thing, Thadion,' he said stonily. 'I am quite happy with my good Roheryn. I need no other horse. Please. Do not trouble yourself.'

Thadion, the ostler, looked so relieved Pippin thought he might faint. 'That is what I thought, sire. But I do not question. I merely serve.'

'I called you for another reason, Thadion.' Aragorn indicated a chair and the ostler brushed the seat of his breeches first and with a nervous look at the fine chair, perched on the edge of the seat, cap in his hands. 'I want to know why you sent your lad to speak to Legolas this morning.'

'Oh.' Thadion's face changed completely to one of concern. 'Well what I actually wanted to know was if he required Arod after all, or if he was happy to leave him at pasture, Sire. After his last visit, see?'

Aragorn made a small encouraging noise and Thadion went on, 'I was hoping he might be here with you, Sire. I have not seen him since that day, and, well, it was a little strange the way he went off without a horse and not a word.'

Pippin glanced at Frodo and Sam and Aragorn leaned forwards, arms resting on the polished table. 'Tell me what happened.'

Thadion's face became serious and concerned. 'Well masters, must be three? Four days ago? He came to the stables, wanting Arod so he could go to Pelargir. Well, only a day or two before I had been told as he wanted Arod turned out to pasture, which we had done of course. So when Legolas turned up asking for him, I was confused. He said he was going to Pelargir to meet up with the Lord Gimli.' The ostler looked worried.

Pippin thought that Legolas and the ostler must know each other quite well for the ostler did not use titles or seem at all awed by an Elf.

Thadion shook his head and twisted his cap in his hands anxiously. 'While he was looking at the horses, I was called away, Sire.' His lips pressed together for a moment. 'When I came back, Legolas was gone already.'

'So did he take another horse?' asked Pippin anxiously.

'No, that's just the thing, my lords,' Thadion said with a frown. 'None of the horses were missing when I came back and Legolas had gone. I assumed he changed his mind and now I worry for he is not with you.'

'He never came home.' Frodo glanced at Pippin.

'Is there something wrong, my lords?' The ostler looked upset. 'Has something happened to him?'

'Wait.' Aragorn interrupted. He looked at Thadion and asked, 'You left him alone to choose a horse. Is that right?'

Thadion looked uncomfortable. 'My lords. I did not think…he can ride anything and I trust him with my own children. I did not think any harm would come to let him just take any horse…'

Aragorn shook his head and said soothingly, 'No fault lies with you, Thadion. You were quite reasonable to leave him alone. And that is what you did? You did not stay with him?'

The ostler shook his head, twisting his hands in his leather apron.

'And you did not see or hear him leave?'

'No, sire. I was talking to the lord Faramir. He did not stay long, but when I went back out to see how Legolas was getting on, for I expected to help him a little, he had already gone.'

'Faramir was there?' Aragorn asked confused.

'Yes, Sire. He was asking me about your new horse.'

Aragorn shook his head in disbelief. 'Faramir knows I do not want another horse. We have spoken of this!' He sounded angry now and Pippin glanced anxiously at Merry. It all seemed to be going horribly wrong.

'There was someone else with him, Sire. A funny chap.' The ostler rung his cap in his hands. 'Forgive me for saying, my lord. He twitched and … well, he seemed to be giggling most of the time. It was most strange. The Steward said little but this Man spoke for him. When they left, I went to see which horse Legolas had chosen but he had gone. No horse had been taken so I assumed he had changed his mind.'

'What was the other Man's name?' Pippin said, suddenly insistent.

The ostler thought for a moment. 'Funny … I don't seem able to remember.' He shook his head. "And I usually have such a good memory.'

But Pippin gave him a sharp look. 'Would you recognise him?'

'Oh yes. I think so.'

Pippin leaned forwards and whispered to Aragorn, 'Call Bearos. Call him in now.'

Aragorn frowned as if he was about to protest but Pippin leaned forwards. 'This is Legolas we are worried about. Call him. What is there to lose?'

At that, Aragorn nodded. He rose to his feet and took two strides to the door. 'Bearos? Would you join us a moment please?'

Bearos appeared. His gait seemed odd, slightly shambling and one sided as if he were lame in one foot. But it was his face that Pippin noticed, it seemed even worse since the last time he had come in. It sent a chill through Pippin; Bearos' jaw seemed to have dropped and his teeth clacked. His eyes seemed bloodshot and bulging and Pippin could not believe that Aragorn would want this Man anywhere near him for he seemed almost to be disintegrating. But to Pippin, it seemed as though Aragorn was not seeing the same as he.

'Your majesty?' Bearos bowed low and when he straightened, his face seemed normal again although his teeth were clenched like it took great effort.

'You spoke to Thadion recently?'

'Yes, my lord.' Bearos seemed confused. 'At the Steward's request, sire.'

'Faramir's request?' Aragorn said sternly. He took a step toward Bearos as if he were angry. 'You were there with Faramir?'

'Yes, Sire.' Bearos spread his hands appeasingly and inclined his head as if acknowledging a mistake.

Pippin thought his fingers seemed very long, and his nails sharp, but Aragorn did not seem to notice anything about this Man, Pippin thought in annoyance. It was like he didn't really see him.

'It was the Steward who summoned me and told me you had ordered him to see the Chief Ostler,' Bearos continued. 'Faramir would not desist or be delayed. It seemed so urgent that I had to go right that very minute. The good man here can vouch for me.' He looked at Thadion, who nodded quickly. 'I still have the message Faramir sent summoning me to his side,' Bearos said.

Aragorn closed his eyes as if he could not believe what he heard. 'Faramir?' he said slowly. 'What did you speak of?'

'Forgive me, Sire.' Bearos bowed low. He looked at Aragorn as if he were nervous but Pippin thought he was pretending for a grin seemed to hover over his thin lips and his eyes seemed bright with madness. 'Faramir wanted me to ask Thadion about the new horse he was supposed to be getting. I am sorry, Sire,' he said in a low voice as if he were ashamed and afraid. 'I know you have said you do not want this but Faramir was so insistent…he was so determined. I thought you had changed your mind. I did not think to question it, Sire. Forgive me!'

Pippin watched in disbelief as Aragorn's face softened and he reached out and clasped Bearos' arm in a conciliatory manner. As if he understood the Man's dilemma.

'But you were there? And you left with Faramir?' Pippin found himself asking aggressively, wanting to defend Faramir for it was beginning to sound as if Faramir had somehow concocted this whole elaborate plan. 'This is preposterous!' he exclaimed. 'How is Faramir supposed to have made Legolas vanish?'

'Sire,' Bearos' voice had sunk low and he bowed his head. 'I saw something as I left. Or… I thought I did.'

'What did you see, Bearos? Do not be afraid. I am not Denethor,' Aragorn said.

'I was dismissed by Faramir soon after and returned to the council chamber. But I had left my gloves in Thadion's office.'

Pippin glanced at Thadion, who was looking at Aragorn and nodding in agreement with Bearos. 'He did, Sire. Black ones they were.' Thadion avoided Bearos' glittering eyes.

'But I returned to the palace by the small gate that leads into the rose garden,' Bearos said. 'I have always liked it,' he explained. 'But as I passed, I happened to look back into the little courtyard that is at the end of the mews. It backs onto the Rath Dínen, Sire.' He paused and Pippin thought it was done for effect. 'I saw the Steward, Sire. He was putting away his knife. I do not believe it was anything to do with Legolas' disappearance, Sire, but I am just telling you what I saw.' He spoke quickly as if defending Faramir but Pippin's heart sank.

'His knife?' asked Aragorn in disbelief.

'It could have been for any number of reasons, Sire,' Bearos said quickly.

'These are lies!' Merry exploded suddenly. He had been sitting so silently, Pippin thought but now he saw his cousin's fists were clenched and his jaw was tight with fury. 'You seek to put blame on Faramir!' he accused.

Bearos took a step back as if afraid but Pippin was watching him carefully. 'My lord!' Bearos protested and he clutched at his chest as if he were wounded. But Pippin saw the gleam in his horrid mad eyes. 'I am merely trying to help the King. But if my words offend, I withdraw them immediately.' He bowed low.

'Go,' Aragorn dismissed him, waving his hand.

As soon as the Man had gone though, he sank his head into his hands. 'It was Faramir's knife that was thrown at Legolas by the ghoul the night he found Ioralas' body,' said Aragorn wearily. 'I returned it to him the morning of the day that Legolas disappeared.'

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