Lords, Ladies, and all those not sitting on a cushion! I present to you "Second Chance "
Disclaimer; As much as I am saddened to admit, this is not mine. The characters are the brain child of the remarkable Professor JRR Tolkien. I am simply borrowing them for my (and hopefully your) amusement.
Warning; This story contains elements of AU. If this does not sit well with you, please hit the back button NOW. If you do chose to read, please do not flame, though constructive criticism is welcomed.
This story is dedicated to Angel of the Night Watchers who gave me the idea of writing a story about Haldir being Eldarion's guardian. IwishChan, I have not forgotten about the 'in between' tale, I just need to work out how to start.
CHAPTER ONEIt was three years since Kalya Elrondiel had been murdered. Aragorn, King of Gondor, thought that he had accepted the fact that his twin was dead but on the eve of his hundredth birth day, the Man found himself unable to do anything but think of Kalya.
It was only twice a year that Aragorn seemed to become subdued – the anniversary of Kalya's death and his birth day. Thankfully Faramir, Aragorn's Steward, was used to dealing with the nobles of Gondor and perfectly capable of holding council while the King was 'indisposed'.
"You still haven't let go, have you?" questioned a gentle voice from the doorway of his study. Looking up from the report he was trying vainly to concentrate on, Aragorn caught sight of Haldir, March Warden of Lothlórien, the only other person who understood fully what Aragorn was going through.
"I'm surprised you have," remarked Aragorn, casting his eyes back to the page in front of him. Haldir crossed the room in five swift strides, knelt down beside Aragorn and roughly turned the Man to face him. A fury burned in the Elf's eyes that hadn't been seen since his own brother, Orophin, had fallen at Helm's Deep, fourteen years previous.
"I never let her go," he snapped. "Never! Kalya meant more to me than my life but I promised that I would care for Eldarion the same way I did her. I could have wallowed in my self-pity and died years ago but instead I found a new reason to live.
"Elessar, I am not asking you to forget Kalya, but I am asking you to fully release her spirit. It will only make you suffer if you continue to cling to the past and visions of what might have been."
Tears swam in Aragorn's eyes as he gazed at Haldir. Without fully comprehending what he was doing he fell forward into Haldir's arms and buried his face in the Elf's shoulder.
"I miss her so much!" he whispered, his voice choking with emotion. "I wish she was here!"
Haldir smiled lightly; "She is here. All you have to do is look around your Kingdom, at your family. Your son is so like her personality wise that it is almost as if she never left. Princes Elfwine of Rohan and Elboron of Ithilien bear witness to her nature as well."
Haldir pulled away from Aragorn and cupped the Man's face. "No one will forget her Elessar. She was loved by so many people for that to happen."
Whatever comment Aragorn was going to make next was cut off by a squeal and a flurry of tunic as Prince Eldarion, heir of Gondor, came tearing into his father's study and literally pounced on Haldir.
Taken by surprise, Haldir just had time to latch an arm around the child's waist before he toppled backwards, taking Eldarion with him.
"Your finally here!" exclaimed the very excited nine-year-old. Haldir laughed.
"Yes, pen dithen. I arrived about two hours ago." little one
"Why didn't I see you?" demanded Eldarion, clambering off the wood-elf.
"Because you were in lessons," replied Haldir, sitting up.
"Where you should still be, Eldarion," commented Aragorn. Eldarion looked up at his father.
"I've finished my book-learning for today. I have weapons practice in an hour," he reported.
"My mistake," conceded Aragorn.
"Can you come and watch me?" asked Eldarion, his eyes pleading with his father.
"I don't know, ion nin," began Aragorn, "I have reports to do." my son
"Nonsense," smiled Haldir. "Even Kings can take the time to watch their son's weapons practice."
"Han aníron," begged Eldarion. Aragorn sighed. please
"All right. And Haldir will be coming too. Go and get ready."
Eldarion grinned broadly and scampered out of the study.
An hour later, Eldarion was in the training field along with nineteen other boys. Each child was holding a wooden practice sword and standing opposite a partner. Eldarion was currently paired with Elboron, son of Faramir.
Their instructor moved around the pairs calling out varying commands, altering stances, providing pointers.
Aragorn, who had changed out of his heavy court robes into a lighter tunic and leggings, sat on the ground watching his son and godson spar together. Haldir sat beside him and was looking impressed.
"He takes after you," commented the Elf as Eldarion blocked another of Elboron's attacks. Aragorn smiled weakly.
"There was a time when neither boy was keen on weapon practice. I remember Elboron stating quite firmly that no teacher could replace Kalya."
"I don't think anyone would dare try," responded Haldir.
"King Elessar!" called a voice. Aragorn looked up and groaned. Lord Carnir was striding towards him and was not looking at all amused.
"Lord Carnir," acknowledged the King standing up. "How can I help you?"
"Perhaps you could explain why the budget for my military has been cut by a quarter!" exclaimed Carnir, waving a sheet of parchment under Aragorn's nose.
"Everyone's military budget has been decreased. There is no need for Gondor to have such a large military," replied Aragorn, extracting the parchment from Carnir's hand. "The money will be better spent on providing the people with what they really need. Food, water, shelter."
"My Lord –" began Carnir.
"You were at the council when this was decided and you raised no objections," Aragorn reminded the Lord.
"That was because I was not fully aware of what was being under taken," replied Carnir.
Haldir tuned out the argument between Aragorn and turned his attention back to the sparring field.
Out on the field itself, the boys were taking a few moments to gain back their breath after sparring for twenty minutes.
"You aren't bad for a child," teased Elboron. Eldarion glared at his friend.
"Don't call me a child!" he replied. "I am only two years younger than you!"
"As I said, a child," smiled Elboron.
"Oh, be quiet," sighed Eldarion taking a mouthful of water.
"Well, look who decided to join the common folk," sneered a voice behind the two boys. Eldarion swallowed the liquid in his mouth and turned around. He was presented with the chest of a thirteen-year-old boy.
"If only you were a commoner, Halhigil," said Eldarion. "We might actually get along."
"Why would I want to get along with a spoilt Princeling?" sneered Halhigil. "Especially one who associated with underlings."
"Go away Halhigil," sighed Eldarion, pushing his hair away from his neck. As he did so, he uncovered the mithril chain which he had worn continually for the past three years.
"What's this?" jeered Halhigil reaching forward and pulling the chain free of the cloth confines.
On the chain was a silver ring which consisted of two intertwined vines, one with thorns, the other ending in a jewelled flower. It was one of Eldarion's treasured possessions and he only took it off at night because he was worried of damaging it while he slept. Originally it had belonged to Elros, twin-brother to Elrond, former Lord of Imladris and later to Kalya. Before she had left on the mission which had claimed her life three years previous, Kalya had given Eldarion the ring with every intention of coming back alive. Unfortunately, fate had decided that it was not to be so and now Eldarion, determined that he would never forget his father's twin sister, wore the ring in remembrance. The companion ring was strung around Aragorn's neck.
"Look at this boys," exclaimed Halhigil, displaying the ring. "Our Prince is wearing his mother's jewellery!"
Eldarion snatched back the ring, his face darkening dangerously. Elboron placed a hand on his younger friend's shoulder.
"Little mummy's boy!" sneered one of Halhigil's companions.
"Actually," stated Haldir, who had approached the group quietly about three minutes previously. "The ring is Eldarion's. Princess Aurél gave it to him three years ago."
"You mean the heir who didn't know her place?" asked Halhigil. Haldir's face remained unchanged but both Eldarion's and Elboron's darkened. Haldir could almost feel the hate and loathing pouring off the two boys. Halhigil was on a roll and didn't seem about to stop.
"And she then went and got herself killed by a pathetic Orc who my grandfather could kill blindfolded!"
Halhigil's companions laughed and the two Princes lost it. As one they threw themselves at Halhigil, knocking the older boy to the ground. They proceeded to hit every available part of Halhigil's body.
"What in Valar's name is going on here?" demanded Aragorn as he pulled his thrashing son off of Halhigil. Haldir stood with Elboron in his arms. Both boys were panting with rage and exertion and neither answered their King.
"Bado, nestago lam lîn nuin nîf orch!" spat Eldarion, glaring heatedly at Halhigil. If looks could kill…go kiss an Orc
Aragorn slapped the back of Eldarion's head, bringing the little one out of his rage.
"I ask you again. What is going on here?" stated Aragorn. The tone in his voice was not one which was heard very often and it was one that nobody argued with. It was Elboron who answered.
"Halhigil was bullying Eldarion and slandered Kalya's memory."
"It was simple teasing," said Halhigil, who was now stranding up. Aragorn turned to Haldir.
"Give me Elboron and accompany Halhigil home. Ask which ever parent is available to come and meet me in my study, along with the boy." Haldir nodded and released Elboron.
Halhigil was not stupid enough to argue with his King and reluctantly led Haldir to his home while Aragorn marched the Princes back to the Citadel.