The Blessed Days of the King
by Orangeblossom Took
The Blessed Days of the King
Fourth Age, 34
Minas Tirith
The King was looking out a window at a blue sky, observing the approach
of a group mounted on horses and flying the banner of Ithilien, a sight
that pleased him greatly. He heard the sound of small feet running
lightly over stone toward him and swung his son up in his arms as the
four-year-old squealed with delight.
The child was dark-haired, grey-eyed, and tall for his age. Aragorn was
proud that his son was already reading Westron and Elvish, thanks to
Arwen’s gentle instruction. It would be a few years yet before he would
get Eldarion a tutor. However, today was not about Faramir and his
party or even Eldarion but they would greet their guests.
He held his son up so he could see out the window and asked, “You see
the banner and riders, son? Do you want to welcome Prince Faramir and
his family with me?”
The boy was excited by the prospect and replied, “Oh, yes! Is Elboron
with them? He promised to take me riding. He and Lady Eoywn are the
best riders! When do I get a pony?”
Aragon laughed and said, “You’ll have to ask your mother about that,
Eldarion, and she is very busy today but you may go riding with
Elboron. I trust him to be safe.”
The King and little prince went to the throne room to formally greet
the party from Ithilien on this joyful day. It still shocked him to see
how much Faramir and Eowyn had aged. They were now over sixty and their
son was thirty-two and his marriage would be the next special event to
bring them together. Their daughter, Eolais, was twenty. He had seen
many others grow old around him in the last thirty years but none were
as close to his heart as these two.
Eldarion took his responsibilities seriously and bowed to Faramir,
Eowyn, Elboron, and Eolais. The Ithilien royals then went outside to
take a privileged spot at the head of the gathering crowd. Aragorn and
Eldarion went to join Arwen and proceed with the ceremony everyone was
here for.
Arwen was resplendent in a deep blue gown. She and one of her ladies
were tending to the two most important people in today’s ceremony. Each
woman held a small bundle, swaddled in blue silk embroidered with stars
and a white tree.
Aragorn could not help giving a less than solemn grin and asking, “Shall I carry Linwe or Lessien?”
Eldarion piped up and asked, “Can I hold one of the babies? Please?”
Arwen smiled gently and said, “Not today, little one. After the
ceremony, we will sit down together and I will let you hold your
sisters while you are seated.”
The King, Queen, and Prince were joined by various courtiers. Arwen and
Aragorn each held a small baby girl with a rosebud mouth and a head
capped with silky black hair. The babies were unusually serene, even
when they were brought out into the sunshine and the cheers of the
crowd.
