Summer's End

The morning wasn't half gone before two little girls reminded their parents of their presence. Lyneya was exhausted, but feeding her daughters took precedent over catching up on lost sleep. Alcon took care of changing diapers and then handed the girls to Lyneya. He watched in fascination as she held a child to each breast and they suckled hungrily. When Lyneya noticed him staring she blushed.

"Alcon," she said exasperated.

Alcon just smiled, "What? I love watching you like this. You were always meant to be a mother. You've never looked more beautiful."

Lyneya smiled, and Alcon went to the kitchen to get her some breakfast. She needed her nourishment. As he quietly slipped out into the main room, he noticed Grayson's things neatly stacked in the corner and the smell of breakfast cooking. He followed the scent of eggs and venison to the kitchen where he found Grayson instructing Godwin in the proper cooking of eggs.

"Never over cook an egg, if it is solid in the middle, your fire was too hot or you weren't watching close enough…"

"I like mine scrambled with cheese," Godwin said.

"I have never had them like that before, is that the way your sister makes them?" Grayson asked.

"No, Aunt Jamie likes them that way," Godwin informed him.

"Then make yours that way, and I can learn from you too," Grayson said as he handed him some more eggs.

"Good morning, son," Alcon said. "You didn't have to get up so early."

"The sun is already high in the sky, ada. It's hardly early," Godwin said. "We're making you breakfast."

Alcon glanced at Grayson and then smiled at Godwin, "I see. Let's make up a plate for Lyneya first, and I'll bring it to her."

Grayson wordlessly handed Godwin a plate and the boy piled it up with meat and eggs and fried potatoes. Alcon smiled when Godwin proudly handed it to him.

"Tell her I said good morning," Godwin said.

"I'll tell her," Alcon assured him.

Alcon glanced at Grayson again and the ranger just gave him a respectful nod, which Alcon returned before returning to his room. He was still having a hard time with this arrangement, but this ranger seemed likeable enough. He would get used to this in time.

Legolas and Skye were both exhausted after all the festival's clean-up. They received word of the arrival of twins at Alcon's house while they were finally sitting down to breakfast. Eruanna filled them in and then went home to sleep. Legolas sighed and smiled at his wife across their small table.

"And another family grows. My nephews have all done me proud. I'm sure their parents would be pleased," Legolas said.

"Twins, it must run in the family," Skye said lightly. "My father was a twin, and I have twin cousins. I'm surprised Thelyn didn't wind up with twins."

Legolas was suddenly interested in her family. "You have cousins?"

"My uncle's kids."

"Do you have brothers or sisters?" Legolas asked.

"No," Skye said. "I was unexpected, and they made sure it didn't happen again."

Legolas was horrified. "Children are a great gift. An unexpected child would be a blessing."

Skye smirked, "I never felt like anyone's blessing."

"You are my blessing," Legolas said meaningfully.

Skye's smirk turned into a broad smile, "And you're mine."

Legolas reached over and took her hand, giving it a loving squeeze. "You know, I would find children a blessing."

Skye blushed and looked down at her plate, "Don't rush me."

Legolas laughed, "No, of course not, but there is always the unexpected."

Skye met his eyes and they were full of laughter. Her heart melted every time she looked into those eyes. God, she loved this elf! She took her glass and lifted it.

"Here's to the unexpected," she said with a laugh.

Legolas lifted his glass in answer, "All the best things in my life were unexpected, including you. I cannot wait for our next encounter with the unexpected."

Cilmo came in from the watch early today. He was anxious to see his beautiful wife. He found her in their bedroom, laying their drowsy son down for an early nap. He smiled at the sight of her and remembered the first time he'd laid eyes on his sweet Ally. He'd wanted her from the very first moment and not even a King could change his mind in the matter. She turned and gave him a smile and he felt a knot in his throat.

"Ally," he said hoarsely.

She stepped over to him and wordlessly wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest. Cilmo crushed her in his arms. She always seemed to know what he needed every time. Sometimes he needed her to listen to his anger over something, and sometimes he needed her to tell him it was meaningless. Sometimes he needed a little space and sometimes he just needed her to hold him. She always knew, and he loved her for it.

"Ally, I love you," he whispered in her ear.

Allassante smiled at her sentimental husband. "Bad day on the watch?"

"No, I just realized how empty my life was before I met you," Cilmo said seriously. "I used to look forward to the watch because it gave me something to do, but now I look forward to coming home to my family."

Allassante smiled, "I made fresh nut bread, are you hungry?"

Cilmo kissed the top of her head, "In a minute. I just want to stay here for a little longer."

Allassante hugged him a little tighter. His strong arms were such a comfort, and it warmed her heart to realize he loved her so much. "We can stay here all day if you like."

Jamie snuggled a little closer to her husband and he put his arm around her. She loved the early morning. It was before sunrise, but they were awake. Neither was ambitious enough to get out of bed, so they cuddled and talked. Their voices were soft so as not to disturb the slumbering child in the cradle by the bed.

"Are you still happy here?" Thelyn asked.

Jamie was surprised by the question. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I saw how excited you've been to have Skye here. She reminds you of home. Do you miss your home?" Thelyn asked again.

"Sometimes I wonder how my mother is doing, but I am very happy here," Jamie said. "I have you and Veon and the rest of your family, and all our friends… What more could I want?"

Thelyn smiled and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "Could you want another child?"

Jamie laughed, "A son perhaps?"

Thelyn looked at her seriously, "A daughter."

"Really?" Jamie asked with a cocked brow.

"Think how beautiful she would be, with you as her mother," Thelyn said with a smile.

"Another child would be fine, whatever it turns out to be," Jamie said.

Thelyn toyed with the collar on her gown, gently tugging it until the buttons slowly popped out one by one. "Then we should get started trying to conceive right away," Thelyn said as his eyes darkened with desire. "Veon needs a playmate and I am anxious to see my daughter."

"Or son," Jamie said.

Thelyn just smiled as he rolled her to her back and covered her, "It will be a daughter."

Jamie smirked up at him as he nuzzled her neck. "How can you be so sure?"

Thelyn kissed her neck and then looked her in the eye, "Have I ever been wrong before?"

Jamie couldn't argue with logic like that. He'd had a fifty-fifty chance and got lucky, but there was no telling him that. She giggled as he playfully undressed her. She'd never been happier any time in her life than she was right now with her family. Thelyn was the husband of her dreams she never thought she'd actually find. Was she still happy here? Oh yeah!

Nyére was sitting at breakfast in the great hall when Polodrin finally emerged from his father's office. They were probably discussing weighty matters of Gondor or some other such business. He looked across the hall and their eyes met. His face lit up in that boyish smile she loved so much. It was strange to see a bearded man and think of him as a boy. He was definitely a man, desirable in every way, but he held on to his playful boyish ways. Nyére realized long ago that he would never grow up, and she was glad. He joined her at the table and she asked him about his morning.

"You left our bed early today, is all well?" Nyére asked.

"We had to deal with our settler from Rhûn this morning," Polodrin said. "Witnesses confirmed his involvement in the raids."

"What was done about it?" Nyére asked with concern.

"He faces judgment for the twelve lives lost this summer. He has been taken into custody and will be brought under guard to Minas Tirith to face the king."

"And his family?"

"His wife and children didn't know what he was doing, father was certain of that. They will be allowed to stay here if they wish," Polodrin said. "With him gone, the raiders will be less bold. I hope this will give our neighbors in the wood a little peace."

"At least one family could use a little breathing room," Nyére said seriously. "I know how difficult it has been for them to protect Godwin."

"The boy is in good hands. He has all the protection he needs for now, and upon the call of need, he would have mine as well. I could do no less for my friends," Polodrin said seriously.

Nyére smiled. He was protective of his friends. That was one of the things that she loved about him. "I love you, Prince of the west."

Polodrin smiled at the reminder of her first title for him. "And I love you, fairest lady Snow."

A few days passed, and they settled into a new family routine. Godwin was helpful as much as he could be, and when he felt like he was getting under foot, he went outside. That is where Grayson was usually waiting for him. Godwin resented the Ranger's presence at first, but with Alcon busy looking after Lyneya and the new twins, Grayson was the only one left to talk to. Today the Ranger was combing his horse's mane when Godwin found him.

"So, what shall we do today?" Grayson asked as he glanced up from his combing.

"Anything," Godwin said dejectedly as he sat on the ground by the stall.

Grayson could see the signs of turmoil in him and recognized the cause immediately.

"They love you, Godwin. They are simply busy learning to care for the twins," Grayson said.

"That is what everyone says," Godwin said dryly.

"Indeed, it is true," Grayson confirmed. "I understand your feelings. I am the oldest son, and felt as you do when my sister was born."

"Yes, but I am not his son, not truly. Now he has his own children, and won't…"

"No!" Grayson said firmly. "You know that is not true."

Godwin looked up at the ranger who stood glaring down at him. He put his comb away and sat beside him and heaved a sigh as his expression softened.

"You know, I was adopted too," Grayson said quietly. "My father found me as a young child and I had no one. He carried me on his horse with him for two days without stopping until he brought me to his home. From that moment on, I had a new father and mother. When they had their first child, I thought they wouldn't want me anymore and ran away."

Godwin's eyes doubled, "What happened?"

"He came after me," Grayson said.

"Was he very angry?"

Grayson chuckled, "No. He took me hunting, just the two of us. He told me then what I want you to understand now. He said that I was his son as surely as if I was of his blood. He told me I was his heir, the oldest, and he would teach me his ways. My father said he'd give his life for me. I heard that same thing again when I first met your father. He looked at me and told me plainly that he'd give his life for you. He didn't know if he trusted me with you."

"Alcon said that?"

"Yes," Grayson said.

Godwin sat in silence for a while, pondering the straw on the floor of the barn when Grayson added another thought for him.

"I haven't known many elves with children, but this much I can tell you. I have never seen any father look at their son with more pride and love than I have seen in the eyes of your father."

"Then I was just being foolish," Godwin said softly.

Grayson smiled, "No, you misread the signals. Perhaps that should be our lesson for today, how to read people. Not every smile is friendly, and not every frown is malicious. The truth of intentions lies in the eyes."

"Then what truth is in my eyes, Lord Ranger?"

"You carry more worries than most men. Your eyes are old, but lack the wisdom of the aged. Your intentions are good, but you can be misled by those you place your trust in. You must learn to read the trustworthiness of people. Once you have mastered that, you will be a very wise young man."

Godwin looked into Grayson's eyes a moment and considered how he felt about him. For some reason he trusted him, and he wondered if he should.

"I think that I trust you," Godwin admitted.

Grayson sighed, "That is good, but strictly speaking, don't admit that to everyone you meet. Even people who prove their trustworthiness can change. You must always watch out. Men of your country change their allegiances too often to be trusted," Grayson said seriously.

Godwin scowled, "I know. I have met one, and he claimed loyalty and then broke the laws of the wood. I'll not soon trust another Easterling who bows his knee and calls me Overlord."

"Good. I can see you have seen both edges on that sword. I pledged an oath to the king and your father, but now I will pledge it to you. I will be your teacher and will do all I can to prepare you for the future, whatever it brings you. I will guard and protect you, even to my death if need be. That is my oath. What I ask from you is only that you try your best, and … it is my hope that we can be friends."

Godwin looked at the ranger. His face was weathered from exposure to the elements, but he didn't look old. His eyes were bright, and sincere. Godwin couldn't help but wonder why a ranger would care for the friendship of a child, but he liked him.

"I would like that," Godwin finally said. And that was the beginning of a very strong and long standing friendship.

Life in the Elvish settlement returned to the routine. Day slipped into night and then day again. The carefree lazy days of summer were filled with song and laughter in the wood, but summer was drawing to a close. The Avari were no longer guests or refugees, but part of the community. The troubles in Rhûn died down and no more raiders were seen along the borders of Gondor. The watch stayed ever vigilant on the guarding of the wood, but peace once again blessed the realm for a time. Families grew as did the friendship between the elves and the men of Emyn Arnen and Minas Tirith. But while everyone else seemed content to enjoy the present, one boy looked to the future. Here in the wood, it always seemed like summer, but a storm was coming. Night and day, Godwin trained tirelessly with his father and his new friend, Grayson. Someday, he would have to leave here, this home he'd grown to love. But for a while, he could remain among the Elves of Summer.

END.