We Never Change

Halbarad�s grin was always widest, glimmering of mischief. �Ellesar, the only news I have heard from the White City is that of your wife. It seems she has sent the whole court into a tizzy over her refusal to hire a nursemaid.�

�Yes, I�m sure the next Great War will be over my wife�s lovely bosom and who is allowed to suck upon it.� Aragorn�s quick smile appeared beneath his beard. �As of now, my son is the only one who has that right.�

�Apart from you, of course.�

�Oh, the gold I would pay to be that infant�� Niringil smiled dreamily.

A stern glare from the king followed. �Now Niringil, that is my wife and son you speak of.�

�I meant no offense.�

�You rarely do.�

Halbarad smiled at his old friends. �We never change, do we? We�re still the same fools we were when we first took the black.�

�Of course we haven�t changed.� The king grinned. �How unpleasant of us should we ever become men.�