(no subject)

[eliabrith]

When Darkness Falls
Part 1.

Eldarion smiled as he glanced about the small dining room. It wasn’t often it was just family members for a meal and even rarer that they were all present. Even birthdays weren’t a family occasion, they were public and market by banquets held in the Palace in honour of the person whose birthday it was. Not that he minded, most of the court were friends and some of the members could be considered as uncles or older brother figures.

But this was the last time his family would all be together for some time, possibly for many years
so he took the time to just sit think and watch. He was finally going to live with his grandfather and Uncles in Imladris where his mother had grown up. His father had considered sending him to Eryn Lasgalen, where Aragorn had grown up, for some time as well as the extended stay in Imladris but had finally dismissed it as unworkable. He glanced about soaking up the relaxed atmosphere, a far cry from general daily life where work took most of his parents time.

His father King Aragorn Elessar sat to one side of the hearth simply watching the flames dance and for a time Eldarion simply studied his profile. This was the first time in months he’d seen his father without some business urgently requiring his attention. As King, Aragorn was often away or occupied by matters of State, such as the Lord’s Council tomorrow which would be the last official function Eldarion would have the displeasure of attended for a while. He would leave with his mothers kin the day after it concluded.

His mother Arwen had insisted that they have this private time for a farewell supper and as there would be little free time with the Council being held it was decided that both the official function and family supper would be held the day before it started. The official court function had been held at luncheon instead of dinner at the Queen’s decree. He turned his eyes from his father to the younger family members.

His twin sisters sat on a fur rug on the floor whispering to each other while their mother Arwen looked on with a tolerant smile from her seat on the opposite side of the hearth from her husband. His sisters had grown up from sweet shy girls to being the court gossips within a couple of years, though Legolas had assured Eldarion that it was a phase all girls went through and it would pass sooner or later. Unfortunately the phase had already lasted long enough for most of his confidences and secrets to become common knowledge among the young ladies of the court. He hoped by the time he came back to Minas Tirith the phase would have passed, although with them being immortal it may not have. He groaned quietly and made a mental note to ask Legolas about it at the earliest possible opportunity.

Four sets of blue-gray eyes turned on him Elven and Half Elven ears having caught the slight noise that escaped him.

“Is something the matter Eldarion?”

“No Father, tis nothing.” He smiled hoping no-one would enquire further and they could sink back into the easy silence but a quick glance at his mother told him it was not to be.

“Something must be amiss to cause you distress my son.”

“Nay Mother, it was simply a random thought.”

“Perhaps if you shared your troubles with your family it would help? After all that is why we are here.” Arwen replied sweetly.

Eldarion looked at his mother recognising her seemingly innocent query as both what it seemed and a veiled insult at his Father’s reluctance to confide in his wife or speak to her of matters not directly connected with her other than in casual conversation such as weather and general news. From the corner of his eye Eldarion saw Aragorn stiffen as he too recognised the jibe while the twins remained blissfully ignorant of the change in atmosphere as their parents stared at each other over the girls heads. Eldarion cast about for an excuse to satisfy his mother and diffuse the situation, he dare not tell the truth as it would only provoke another quarrel between his parents.

If he mentioned his leaving at all his mother would take it as a reluctance on his part to leave and demand he stay with her as she had done 5 years ago which had been when it had been first planned for him to go study with the Elves. Even though at 20 he was able to make his own decisions Arwen would still use it as an excuse to have an argument with Aragorn.

And if he mentioned Legolas it would end any chance of peace for the rest of the evening and cause a horrible atmosphere for the Council. He could understand why his mother resented Legolas, after all she was Aragorn's wife and the mother of his children and felt that as his wife he should belong to her exclusively. She was bitterly jealous that her husband had never offered her anything more that his friendship while Legolas held his heart, It didn't matter to her that Legolas had been a part of Aragorn's life for longer than she'd known her husband.

Grasping at the first admittedly weak excuse to come to mind Eldarion broke the incresingly uncomfortable silence.

"Mother it is not troubles that pained me, rather it was the memoery of a bad joke told to me earlier."

Arwen blinked at her son not having expected him to answer, in fact she had almost forgoten the childrens presence. Aragorn looked thoughtfully at his son as though aware of Eldarion's attempts and nodded almost imperceptably.

"Tell us the joke!" Chorused the twins, unintentionally distracting Arwen further but landing their brother back in hot water.

"I'm sure I've told you it before." Eldarion stalled wracking his brain for a joke.

"You might not have." said Elwen with her younger sibling backing her up with a nod and crossed arms.

"Yes Eldarion, tell us your joke." Arwen smiled at her son encouragingly.

"Umm let me see if I can remember how it starts again." Thoughts racing Eldarion could not think of a single joke.

Just then there was a knock at the door


note this isn't even nearly finished it's just what i got done traveling to class on the train this morning typed and spell checked and word counted (bout 800 at the legolas para) and on here so i can shift it from the iMac to the laptop and keep working on it somewhere that doesn't require gloves to be able to move hands