Post by Admin on Jan 2, 2021 21:50:32 GMT
Author: Linda Hoyland
Rated G
The characters belong to Tolkien. I borrowed them for this contest.
Aragorn climbed into bed. Arwen, clad in a white silk nightgown, was seated propped up against the pillows. She looked thoughtful. “It will soon be Eldarion’s birthday,” she observed.
“I had not forgotten,” said Aragorn. “The Master of Ceremonies is arranging the official feast.”
“An official feast is boring for child,” said Arwen. “We should also celebrate in a way that he would enjoy. Perhaps we could invite some other boys to have a party with him, or maybe we could take him riding? Maybe Faramir or Legolas might have some suggestions?”
“Faramir’s tastes are too bookish for Eldarion and Legolas is too fond of climbing trees with our son.” Arwen frowned at the memory. “No, I would rather we chose Eldarion’s treat ourselves.”
“I think we should ask Eldarion himself what he would like to do,” said Aragorn. ”Being able to choose would be a treat in itself. I recall when I was a boy that my time was so filled with planned activities that I enjoyed nothing better than a day to please myself in.”
“But what if he wants to do something dangerous?” Arwen protested.
“We will tell him he must choose within reason,” Aragorn reassured her. He drew her close and blew out the candle.
000
Eldarion beamed when his parents told them of their decision. “I don’t want to have lessons that day then,” he quickly replied.
“No one should have lessons on their birthday,” Aragorn assured him. “But what would you like as a special treat?”
“I don’t want my sister to have to come.”
“She is rather young,” Arwen conceded.
“So what would you like to do?” Aragorn asked again. “I have a free afternoon on your birthday so we could do something together.”
Eldarion frowned as he thought about it. His frown deepened. After a long silence he said, “I want to do something I’ve not done before that’s exciting.”
The King and Queen exchanged worried glances.
000
Later that day, Aragorn had a meeting with Abbas, the Ambassador from Harad to discuss trade tariffs. The King struggled to concentrate as the Ambassador outlined a proposal whereby Harad would pay lower tariffs on importing silk if they bought more linen from the Gondorian cloth merchants.
“Trade would flourish and both our peoples would benefit,” said Abbas.
“Um,” said Aragorn. “So you plan to buy more wool?”
“We desire to buy linen, esteemed Lord King.”
“Hmm, of course, silk.”
“We desire to sell silk and purchase linen, my esteemed Lord. Pardon your humble servant for asking, but is all well with you? You seem somewhat distracted.”
Aragorn smiled ruefully. “It is I who should apologise, Ambassador. I fear my thoughts were elsewhere. My son wants to do something he has never done before on his birthday and I am at a loss how to surprise him with a suitable treat. But enough of my problems. Let us concentrate on the matter in hand.”
The ambassador’s eyes twinkled. ”If you would permit me to make a suggestion, esteemed Lord King, I believe I might be of assistance.”
000
Much to Aragon's relief, Eldarion's birthday dawned bright and sunny. The little boy was excited from the moment he woke up to find his parents and baby sister in his bedchamber laden with gifts.
Aragorn and Arwen sighed at some of the gifts their son received and inwardly resolved to hide them away until the boy was older. The Ambassador from Khand had sent a jewelled dagger. It was a beautiful object, but completely unsuitable for a child. The royal couple were little happier at Legolas' choice of a flute for their son. When Eldarion raised it to his lips the sound that issued forth was enough to curdle every drop of milk in the City.
“It is time for breakfast,” Arwen said hastily.
“Then can I have my birthday treat?” asked Eldarion.
“I have a meeting this morning,” said Aragorn. “You may play outside until the midday meal and then I will take you for your birthday surprise. Come on now or breakfast will be cold.”
Arwen stealthily gathered up the dagger, the flute and several other unsuitable gifts and hid them in her bedchamber while Aragorn took their son to breakfast.
0000
Aragorn called the meeting to a close at noon despite the efforts of some long- winded counsellors to prolong the discussion. He had made a promise to his son and he intended to keep it.
Eldarion was almost too excited to eat his lunch, but Aragorn told him that adventures were much more fun when one was not hungry and told him a story. Eldarion was so wrapped up in the tale of his father having to sweep a stable to earn a crust in his Ranger days that he ate his meal without realising he was doing so.
As soon as the meal was over, Aragorn told his son they needed to change into riding clothes. Eldarion pouted.
“You enjoy riding, ion nin,” said Aragorn. “Why the long face?”
“You said we could do something I've never done before,” said Eldarion. “I've been riding lots of times.”
“We are riding down to the Pelennor Fields to meet Ambassador Abbas,” Aragorn explained.
Eldarion pulled a face. “Surely I don't have to spend my birthday with him? He is old and dull!”
“Eldarion!” Aragorn said sternly. “You must not speak of the Ambassador like that. He is much younger than I am and he is not dull at all. I thought you enjoyed playing with his son?”
Eldarion had the grace to look contrite. “I do and I suppose he is quite nice. It is just I wanted to do something exciting for my birthday.”
“The day is yet young,” said Aragorn.
0000
Early that afternoon, Aragorn and Eldarion, accompanied by their guards, rode through the City. Many people waved to them as they passed and Eldarion enthusiastically waved back, while his father raised a hand in acknowledgement somewhat more sedately.
As they approached the Pelennor Fields, Eldarion started to ask his father questions.
Aragorn smiled enigmatically. “If I told you what we were going to do, it would not be a surprise,” he said.
“I hope it's not a camel,” said Eldarion. “The Ambassador showed me a camel once and he spat at me.”
“That was because you got too near,” said Aragorn. “Ambassador Abbas did warn you not to.”
When they arrived at their destination the fields appeared deserted apart from a few grazing sheep. “There's no surprise here!” Eldarion exclaimed in dismay. He looked as if he were about to burst into tears.
“We are early,” said Aragorn. “Be patient, my son. We will dismount and let our mounts graze while we wait.” He slid from Roheyn's back and helped Eldarion from his pony. The King kept his keen gaze fixed on the track which led across the fields. A few minutes passed then he could make out that a party was approaching them. “Look!” he said to Eldarion.
“I can see the banner of Harad and men and horses,” said Eldarion. “But what is that grey thing that is moving? Is it some sort of animal?”
“Wait and see,” said Aragorn. “They are coming towards us.”
The party approached swiftly headed by Ambassador Abbas and his banner man. They rode fine grey horses. Behind them came more horsemen and at the back of the small procession ,a great grey beast that looked like a small moving mountain. It had four massive legs as thick as tree trunks , six fierce looking tusks, and a long trunk like a giant grey serpent. Atop the great beast was a kind of chair upon which sat a man who looked as tiny as a kitten beside a horse.
“Ada!” cried Eldarion. “What is that?”
“It is Mûmak or what the Hobbits call an Oliphant,” said Aragorn. “Have you not seen them in your story books?”
“Is it real?”
“We are not asleep and dreaming,” laughed Aragorn. “She is newly arrived from Harad the Ambassador tells me.”
“Will she eat me?” Eldarion asked anxiously.
“Indeed not. The Ambassador assures me that she is very tame and friendly.”
“But I thought Mûmakil were trained to kill people?”
“Only the bulls are fierce, the cows are very friendly.”
Eldarion still hung back. The Ambassador reached them and dismounted from his horse. “Greetings on the auspicious anniversary of your birth, Prince Eldarion,” he said, bowing low. He gestured towards the Mûmak who extended her long trunk, which Abbas caressed. “This is Nahla and she wants to be your friend. She likes to be stroked.”
Eldarion put out a tentative hand and stroked the massive trunk. Nahla trumpeted loudly. The little boy jumped. Then he laughed and continued to to caress the great beast.
“She likes you,” pronounced Abbas. “Would you like to ride on her with your father?”
Eldarion gazed at him wide eyed then turned to his father who nodded.
Eldarion gave a whoop of joy and leapt into the air. “I'm going to to ride a Mûmak ! This is the best birthday surprise ever!”
Rated G
The characters belong to Tolkien. I borrowed them for this contest.
Aragorn climbed into bed. Arwen, clad in a white silk nightgown, was seated propped up against the pillows. She looked thoughtful. “It will soon be Eldarion’s birthday,” she observed.
“I had not forgotten,” said Aragorn. “The Master of Ceremonies is arranging the official feast.”
“An official feast is boring for child,” said Arwen. “We should also celebrate in a way that he would enjoy. Perhaps we could invite some other boys to have a party with him, or maybe we could take him riding? Maybe Faramir or Legolas might have some suggestions?”
“Faramir’s tastes are too bookish for Eldarion and Legolas is too fond of climbing trees with our son.” Arwen frowned at the memory. “No, I would rather we chose Eldarion’s treat ourselves.”
“I think we should ask Eldarion himself what he would like to do,” said Aragorn. ”Being able to choose would be a treat in itself. I recall when I was a boy that my time was so filled with planned activities that I enjoyed nothing better than a day to please myself in.”
“But what if he wants to do something dangerous?” Arwen protested.
“We will tell him he must choose within reason,” Aragorn reassured her. He drew her close and blew out the candle.
000
Eldarion beamed when his parents told them of their decision. “I don’t want to have lessons that day then,” he quickly replied.
“No one should have lessons on their birthday,” Aragorn assured him. “But what would you like as a special treat?”
“I don’t want my sister to have to come.”
“She is rather young,” Arwen conceded.
“So what would you like to do?” Aragorn asked again. “I have a free afternoon on your birthday so we could do something together.”
Eldarion frowned as he thought about it. His frown deepened. After a long silence he said, “I want to do something I’ve not done before that’s exciting.”
The King and Queen exchanged worried glances.
000
Later that day, Aragorn had a meeting with Abbas, the Ambassador from Harad to discuss trade tariffs. The King struggled to concentrate as the Ambassador outlined a proposal whereby Harad would pay lower tariffs on importing silk if they bought more linen from the Gondorian cloth merchants.
“Trade would flourish and both our peoples would benefit,” said Abbas.
“Um,” said Aragorn. “So you plan to buy more wool?”
“We desire to buy linen, esteemed Lord King.”
“Hmm, of course, silk.”
“We desire to sell silk and purchase linen, my esteemed Lord. Pardon your humble servant for asking, but is all well with you? You seem somewhat distracted.”
Aragorn smiled ruefully. “It is I who should apologise, Ambassador. I fear my thoughts were elsewhere. My son wants to do something he has never done before on his birthday and I am at a loss how to surprise him with a suitable treat. But enough of my problems. Let us concentrate on the matter in hand.”
The ambassador’s eyes twinkled. ”If you would permit me to make a suggestion, esteemed Lord King, I believe I might be of assistance.”
000
Much to Aragon's relief, Eldarion's birthday dawned bright and sunny. The little boy was excited from the moment he woke up to find his parents and baby sister in his bedchamber laden with gifts.
Aragorn and Arwen sighed at some of the gifts their son received and inwardly resolved to hide them away until the boy was older. The Ambassador from Khand had sent a jewelled dagger. It was a beautiful object, but completely unsuitable for a child. The royal couple were little happier at Legolas' choice of a flute for their son. When Eldarion raised it to his lips the sound that issued forth was enough to curdle every drop of milk in the City.
“It is time for breakfast,” Arwen said hastily.
“Then can I have my birthday treat?” asked Eldarion.
“I have a meeting this morning,” said Aragorn. “You may play outside until the midday meal and then I will take you for your birthday surprise. Come on now or breakfast will be cold.”
Arwen stealthily gathered up the dagger, the flute and several other unsuitable gifts and hid them in her bedchamber while Aragorn took their son to breakfast.
0000
Aragorn called the meeting to a close at noon despite the efforts of some long- winded counsellors to prolong the discussion. He had made a promise to his son and he intended to keep it.
Eldarion was almost too excited to eat his lunch, but Aragorn told him that adventures were much more fun when one was not hungry and told him a story. Eldarion was so wrapped up in the tale of his father having to sweep a stable to earn a crust in his Ranger days that he ate his meal without realising he was doing so.
As soon as the meal was over, Aragorn told his son they needed to change into riding clothes. Eldarion pouted.
“You enjoy riding, ion nin,” said Aragorn. “Why the long face?”
“You said we could do something I've never done before,” said Eldarion. “I've been riding lots of times.”
“We are riding down to the Pelennor Fields to meet Ambassador Abbas,” Aragorn explained.
Eldarion pulled a face. “Surely I don't have to spend my birthday with him? He is old and dull!”
“Eldarion!” Aragorn said sternly. “You must not speak of the Ambassador like that. He is much younger than I am and he is not dull at all. I thought you enjoyed playing with his son?”
Eldarion had the grace to look contrite. “I do and I suppose he is quite nice. It is just I wanted to do something exciting for my birthday.”
“The day is yet young,” said Aragorn.
0000
Early that afternoon, Aragorn and Eldarion, accompanied by their guards, rode through the City. Many people waved to them as they passed and Eldarion enthusiastically waved back, while his father raised a hand in acknowledgement somewhat more sedately.
As they approached the Pelennor Fields, Eldarion started to ask his father questions.
Aragorn smiled enigmatically. “If I told you what we were going to do, it would not be a surprise,” he said.
“I hope it's not a camel,” said Eldarion. “The Ambassador showed me a camel once and he spat at me.”
“That was because you got too near,” said Aragorn. “Ambassador Abbas did warn you not to.”
When they arrived at their destination the fields appeared deserted apart from a few grazing sheep. “There's no surprise here!” Eldarion exclaimed in dismay. He looked as if he were about to burst into tears.
“We are early,” said Aragorn. “Be patient, my son. We will dismount and let our mounts graze while we wait.” He slid from Roheyn's back and helped Eldarion from his pony. The King kept his keen gaze fixed on the track which led across the fields. A few minutes passed then he could make out that a party was approaching them. “Look!” he said to Eldarion.
“I can see the banner of Harad and men and horses,” said Eldarion. “But what is that grey thing that is moving? Is it some sort of animal?”
“Wait and see,” said Aragorn. “They are coming towards us.”
The party approached swiftly headed by Ambassador Abbas and his banner man. They rode fine grey horses. Behind them came more horsemen and at the back of the small procession ,a great grey beast that looked like a small moving mountain. It had four massive legs as thick as tree trunks , six fierce looking tusks, and a long trunk like a giant grey serpent. Atop the great beast was a kind of chair upon which sat a man who looked as tiny as a kitten beside a horse.
“Ada!” cried Eldarion. “What is that?”
“It is Mûmak or what the Hobbits call an Oliphant,” said Aragorn. “Have you not seen them in your story books?”
“Is it real?”
“We are not asleep and dreaming,” laughed Aragorn. “She is newly arrived from Harad the Ambassador tells me.”
“Will she eat me?” Eldarion asked anxiously.
“Indeed not. The Ambassador assures me that she is very tame and friendly.”
“But I thought Mûmakil were trained to kill people?”
“Only the bulls are fierce, the cows are very friendly.”
Eldarion still hung back. The Ambassador reached them and dismounted from his horse. “Greetings on the auspicious anniversary of your birth, Prince Eldarion,” he said, bowing low. He gestured towards the Mûmak who extended her long trunk, which Abbas caressed. “This is Nahla and she wants to be your friend. She likes to be stroked.”
Eldarion put out a tentative hand and stroked the massive trunk. Nahla trumpeted loudly. The little boy jumped. Then he laughed and continued to to caress the great beast.
“She likes you,” pronounced Abbas. “Would you like to ride on her with your father?”
Eldarion gazed at him wide eyed then turned to his father who nodded.
Eldarion gave a whoop of joy and leapt into the air. “I'm going to to ride a Mûmak ! This is the best birthday surprise ever!”