In Aragorn's Safekeeping: Life in the King's House

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognizable characters; I am only borrowing them for fun for a little while. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.

Many thanks to my Beta Readers – J. and Marsha

Author’s Note: Some of Aragorn’s Northern Dúnedain Rangers appear in this chapter and may appear in other chapters as well. Most were in the main story, though in very, very minor roles and will continue to have minor roles here, but for those of you who are reading my ‘Brothers at Heart’ story you may recognize them. These are indeed the same characters and any incident that they may refer to is probably something that happened in the other story. It is, of course, not necessary to have read that story, but I did want people to know that my stories are all connected together in that way. The story I write after I finish ‘Brothers’, which is going to be an Aragorn & Éomer centric story, will also include Rebecca, Thomas, Halbarad, and some of these Rangers, etc.


Chapter 2 – Giving Thanks


Rebecca looked around the second floor sitting room with satisfaction and she suddenly blinked back tears as memories of other Thanksgivings sprang to mind. She shook her head angrily, knowing she needed to focus on today and reminding herself that she truly was thankful for the life she now had - especially Thomas, Aragorn, and Arwen. And, Halbarad she added with a soft smile.

The decision had been made to have the Thanksgiving meal in the sitting room instead of the dining room to make it more of a special occasion. With the help of many servants, Arwen and Rebecca had decorated the room in fall colors: late blooming flowers sat in vases on various tables; garlands of orange, brown, and red cloth had been interwoven with dried leaves, berries, and flowers and the garlands had been carefully draped around the room; the table was draped with a deep golden colored cloth instead of the usual white.

Rebecca had spent time with the head cook and they had come up with ways to make some of the foods that were normally eaten at Thanksgiving. Or, at least what Rebecca hoped would be similar tasting for her and Thomas; she knew the others would enjoy whatever was served. The apple pies had been the easiest thing for the cook to make, but she wasn’t sure if she had ever gotten the man to understand exactly how she wanted the dressing for the goose made. He had his own ideas and in the end she left him to it. They would all be together and that was the most important part of Thanksgiving.

Halbarad and Faramir were coming, as well as all four of Aragorn’s personal guards from the Northern Rangers; Hinluin, Laegrist, Baisael, and Balrant. Rebecca and Thomas had been surprised at that, but Aragorn thought that they missed their families more than they admitted. Rebecca was glad that Hinluin was coming, she liked the young Ranger and he was Thomas’s friend. But she had not exchanged more than a few words with the rest of the Rangers since they had returned from Rohan and they still made her somewhat uncomfortable. However, she knew they were Aragorn’s friends as well as his guards and if they were lonely she did want them to come and be welcome. The more people that were here, the more it would feel like a normal Thanksgiving. After one last glance around the room Rebecca hurried out the door and headed down the stairs to change into a special dress she had picked out for the occasion.

As Rebecca reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for her room, the outside door opened and Aragorn strolled in looking quite relaxed and she stopped and waited for him. “You got done early,” she said with a pleased smile.

“I told you last night that I thought I would,” Aragorn smiled in return. “I believe that Faramir wanted an afternoon off as much as I did. He was quite efficient this morning during court and then we hurried through the council meeting.” He paused briefly. “Perhaps we should do this more often, things might get done more quickly.”

Rebecca laughed, “Then it wouldn’t be special, Adar. But, now that you’ve seen how things can be done, you can do it like that all the time, can’t you?” she grinned. “You could have more free time, to do the things you’d like to do.”

Aragorn slowly shook his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You are always concerned about how much free time I have, Rebecca. While there will often be times when my duties will keep me from my family, I can usually take the time I truly need. There are many things that need to be done to restore the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor and even if I were not the king I would still have to work.” He glanced around but the only guards within hearing were two of his Rangers. Nevertheless, he did lower his voice. “Was it much different in your time?”

“Yes, quite a bit,” Rebecca nodded with a thoughtful expression. “Most people only worked five days a week about eight or nine hours a day. Though, of course it depended on their job.” She shrugged, “So it seems strange to me to see you working such long hours every day, though I’m sure our President worked everyday like you do.”

Aragorn nodded, assuming a president was the leader of their land. “Well, your home is here now and most people have to work at least six days of the week, most often seven. From what you and Thomas have told me your time has things easier in many ways… with this,” he frowned trying to remember what they called it. “The power… electricity?” Rebecca smiled and nodded. “It must make things easier and the… cars?” Rebecca nodded again. “Those must make it easier for people as well. So it is not surprising that they have more free time than the people here.” Aragorn laid his hand on her shoulder, “But I am content, sell-nín, I have all that I have dreamed about for almost seventy years,” he gestured down the hall towards his chambers where Arwen awaited him.

“Seventy years,” Rebecca shook her head and sighed. “I can’t imagine waiting for someone that long and you just got married and…” she paused and frowned as she realized how long Aragorn would live compared to her relatively short life… he could still be alive and would know her great-grandchildren at least. She swallowed hard at that thought, having never considered it before.

“What is it, Rebecca?” Aragorn asked gently with a concerned look as he watched the emotions flash across her face.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really,” she shrugged and turned to leave. “I need to change before we eat so I’ll see you in a little while.” Rebecca stopped at the look on Aragorn’s face that said he wouldn’t take her silence for an answer and she turned back with a small sigh. She glanced at the Rangers standing behind him and hesitated.

Seeing the direction of her gaze Aragorn indicated to his men to stay where they were and walked a short distance down the hall. “Do you want to go somewhere more private?” he asked quietly, gesturing once again to his chambers, his brow furrowed with concern as he wondered what could have caused such a rapid change in her.

Rebecca shook her head, “No, this is fine, Adar.” She searched his face for a moment looking for signs of aging. While his grey eyes showed his true age because of the depths of wisdom, hardship, and loss that he had endured throughout his life, the rest of his face did not look very different than what Rebecca would have called a middle-aged man. There was some weathering that spoke of years spent outside and a few strands of grey hair, but no one would have taken him for someone that was eighty-eight years old. “I just… I just realized how long you will live and how short my life will be in comparison and that,” she blushed slightly, “you will probably know my great-grandchildren. I will be old and grey and you’ll look almost the same. It was just something I hadn’t thought of before and it… seems wrong… or something.” Rebecca shook her head not able to really describe what she was feeling and she watched Aragorn anxiously.

“I see…” he replied slowly and then a small smile spread across his face as he asked, “Would you prefer that I die first?”

“What?” Rebecca asked in horror. “Of course not! How can you even say that? It’s not funny, Aragorn.” She blinked back tears and backed away from him.

“Forgive me, Rebecca,” Aragorn said quietly, reaching out and grasping her hand and drawing her back towards him. “It is not something I should jest about, yet that is the only other possibility. I have thought of and dealt with this before… I have known many people throughout my life that did not have the lifespan that I do,” his eyes reflected his sorrow briefly. Rebecca hung her head and Aragorn reached out and lifted her chin so that he could see her eyes. “But, Rebecca… I may live to be over two hundred years of age or I may die in a battle well before that time. Or, I could die in an accident… and the same is true of you. Either of us could die today or tomorrow… it is not something we can control. It is not something that I would have you concern yourself with.”

Aragorn studied Rebecca for a long moment and then continued. “It is true that if we each live our normal, expected lifespan then, yes, you will pass long before me,” he grimaced and tightened his grip on her hand. “But, perhaps it will comfort you to know that Arwen and I will be there for your children and grandchildren, and yes, great-grandchildren as well.” He gave her a gentle smile, though his eyes showed his grief at the thought of her passing.

Rebecca took a deep breath and nodded once. She gave him a sad smile, “I suppose as I’ve already lost one set of parents, it will be… easier this way… maybe.”

“Probably not,” Aragorn replied softly before embracing her for a moment. Pulling away, he kept his hands on her shoulders as he continued. “There will be no easy way, Rebecca, and yet we will deal with it as a family when it happens. Do not trouble yourself with it now; we have many years before we need to face that.”

“You’re right, but… you’re right,” she said firmly, determined not to dwell on something she could not change, something that was, hopefully, years in the future. She gave him a small smile, “I really do need to change.” She turned to go and then glanced back once more. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome,” he smiled. Aragorn’s smile faded as he watched her walk down the hall and around the corner. Heading for his chambers he thought about Rebecca’s fears and realized that he would need to heed his own advice. Because the thought of losing either of his children caused his heart such pain that it almost took his breath away. Aragorn was pleased they were having this Thanksgiving celebration because he was truly thankful for these children… young adults. The last three months of living a normal life with Rebecca and Thomas had shown Aragorn sides of them that surprised him. Thomas especially had become more open and self-confident as he relaxed and settled into his place as Aragorn’s son. There were times when he would see flashes of grief in their eyes over something that might be said or done but, for the most part, they seemed to be healing well.

Entering his chambers, Aragorn smiled at the sight of Arwen sitting near the hearth embroidering. Even after five months of marriage the mere sight of her… his wife… brought a smile to his lips and a gleam to his eye. He crossed the room swiftly, “Meleth-nín,” he greeted her as he leaned over, placing a tender kiss on her lips.

Arwen set aside her embroidery and arose from her chair as Aragorn took her hand and helped her to her feet. “Estel,” she smiled, kissing him again. “I was becoming concerned that you would not be able to make it on time.”

“I was speaking with Rebecca.” Aragorn decided to share the conversation he had had with Rebecca at a later time and he walked into their bedchamber to change out of his formal robes and into more comfortable breeches, shirt, and tunic. Arwen followed him.

“She is excited about this day… as is Thomas.”

“I hope they are not disappointed with this Thanksgiving feast of theirs,” Aragorn said as he pulled on a light blue shirt.

Arwen slowly shook her head, “I think it more likely that it will remind them of their past, Estel, and is likely to cause them at least a level of grief. Although, I do think that they are as prepared for that as well as they can be.”

“I am not sure if they will ever fully be prepared for that,” he replied as he thought of his recent conversation with Rebecca. “Though, it will lessen with the passage of time.” He shrugged into a grey tunic that matched his breeches and slowly fastened it closed.

“What was your conversation with Rebecca about, Beloved?”

Aragorn paused, looking up and met his wife’s concerned, questioning gaze and he gave her a rueful smile. “I had hoped to speak with you about it later, after the feast. And we can, but I will tell you that she just now realized that I… that we will probably outlive her.” He saw understanding and compassion in Arwen’s eyes as she replied.

“She will age and grow old and we will not appear to… another thing in her life that she will have to adjust to… that makes it different from what she has known in her past.”

Aragorn nodded and walked back into the sitting room and over to the couch. “I think it was just the idea of it that made it so difficult for her, Arwen. She will be all right once she has had time to think it through and to discuss it with Thomas.” He glanced at Arwen as she joined him on the couch. “I hope she speaks with you as well. I fear that I did not put her at ease as much as I had hoped to. It was a… difficult discussion for me as well.”

“I am sure that it was, Estel.” She gently squeezed his hand and they said no more for a time, both lost in their own thoughts.

0-0-0

Thomas looked across the room at the stiff postures and uncomfortable expressions on the faces of the Rangers as they waited for the meal to be served. Even Hinluin looked distinctly nervous as the four men stood mutely by the fire looking around the room. Aragorn, Arwen, and Halbarad had not yet arrived and the men evidently did not feel comfortable enough to come and join Faramir, Rebecca, and himself. Excusing himself from the conversation, Thomas walked over to speak with them. Hinluin smiled at his approach.

“Won’t you come and join us?” Thomas invited with a friendly smile. “This is a holiday where Rebecca and I are from. A time for family and friends to gather and give thanks to Eru, but it is not a formal occasion. It is supposed to be a time of fun and talking and just being together. Come and sit down at least,” he invited once again, gesturing to the couches where Faramir and Rebecca were sitting.

“Thank you, my lord,” Laegrist said with a small bow before moving to join the others.

“Please, do not call me that today. I would prefer that you call me Thomas.”

“I’ll call you Thomas,” Hinluin said with a grin.

“I’ll try and remember that,” Baisael replied, “though it does not seem right to do so.”

Balrant looked him up and down as if seeing him for the first time and then he smiled briefly, “I’ll call you whatever you wish to be called Thomas. As long as King Elessar does not object.”

“Adar will not object,” Thomas replied as he sat on the couch next to Hinluin with Balrant across from him with the other two Rangers taking chairs nearby. “I do not think that he enjoys being called king very much either, I think he prefers Aragorn. But you probably knew that, you’ve known him for years.” Thomas tried to figure out how old Balrant was and decided he must be a little younger than Aragorn.

“Since I was seven, but I only called him Aragorn until my naneth finally convinced me to put the word ‘lord’ in front of it.” Balrant looked at his brother, Baisael, and the other two Rangers, “We’ve always called him either Lord Aragorn or my lord. It wouldn’t have been proper to call him anything else.”

“Even when he was young?” Rebecca asked.

“Of course,” Laegrist replied with a small frown. “That is who he was. Only Halbarad and his family called him Aragorn and even Halbarad eventually called him lord. Though, I’m not sure why he started doing that.”

“It happened when Lord Aragorn came back from his journeys down South here,” Baisael responded quietly. “He had been gone close to twenty-five years and he was so different when he returned… more lordly, perhaps, and Halbarad saw that.”

“Well, he doesn’t always call him ‘lord’ now,” Faramir said with a small smile.

“He has a good reason for that,” Thomas said, remembering back to the time before they had marched to Mordor and Aragorn and Halbarad’s somewhat heated discussion over whether Thomas should call Aragorn ‘lord’. Halbarad had finally seen the enormous changes Aragorn was facing and the need he had for some normalcy in his life… something being called simply by his name could provide.

“Why?”

Thomas looked at Hinluin and shook his head, “It is not for me to tell.”

“What was he like when he was young?” Rebecca asked curiously. She watched the three older Rangers shift uncomfortably and exchange worried glances. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, “that’s probably not something you would really want to talk about.”

“No, my lady,” Baisael said, shaking his head. “It seems wrong to tell such things about Lord Aragorn.”

“I don’t think he’d mind, but I understand.” Rebecca paused, “Well, can you tell us what your village was like… what life is like among your people?”

It was Balrant who answered her and Rebecca began to see that he was perhaps a little more open than the other two Rangers as he described what life was like in a Dúnedain village. She was appalled, although she tried to hide it, to learn of the hard life that the people lived… where the women and children were left for months at a time while the men went out to patrol the vast reaches of Eriador. Balrant was just describing what a typical village might look like when Aragorn and Arwen walked into the room. Rebecca saw a look of relief quickly flash across the faces of the three older Rangers as they stood to greet their king. Aragorn motioned them to sit back down as he and Arwen sat down on a small couch.

“I would have you be at ease today and just enjoy this as you would a family celebration in Dolomar,” he smiled at the Rangers. Aragorn turned to Rebecca, Thomas, and Faramir, “Dolomar is where all of us, except Laegrist, were born and even he moved there as a young man. It is the village where I lived when I first returned to the Dúnedain.”

“You still have a house there,” said Halbarad who had slipped into the room.

“Yes, I do,” Aragorn chuckled, “though I have not actually lived there for years and I never spent much time there. When we go north in a few years, I will take you to Dolomar and you can meet more of my people.”

“I would certainly like to see it,” Arwen said. “I have wanted to see it for years, even before I met you I wanted to visit a Dúnedain village because my brothers often talked about the villages and the people.”

“Will I be permitted to go with you on this journey to the North?” Faramir asked hopefully.

“Perhaps,” Aragorn replied with a twinkle in his eye. “I suppose it would depend on whether or not Éowyn would like to go and if we can talk Prince Imrahil into coming and taking command here while we are gone.”

“Éowyn will want to go,” Rebecca said reassuringly to Faramir. “I’m sure she would. She would like to see Merry and the Shire and all the other places her and I have talked about.”

“I think he’s teasing Faramir,” Thomas said in a loud whisper and Rebecca blushed as Aragorn smiled.

“I was not sure either, Lady Rebecca,” Faramir confessed.

Aragorn shook his head slightly at their inability to tell when he was jesting after all the time they had been together. “Is this how you would decorate your homes?” he gestured around the room at the things Arwen and Rebecca had done. “It looks… festive.”

Thomas shook his head, “We didn’t decorate much at my house, sometimes mom would have some candles on the table, but that’s all.” He saw the Rangers’ looks of confusion and explained quietly, “We had other ways of lighting our homes and candles were just used as… decorations and something special for holidays.”

“Don’t try to understand how they light their homes,” Halbarad commented. “It won’t make sense to you.”

Hinluin closed his mouth.

As the servants began bringing in the meal, they stood and moved across the room to the table. The Rangers looked extremely uncomfortable and Aragorn pulled Baisael, Balrant, and Laegrist aside and sought to put them at their ease. “I truly would have you be comfortable in my home. I have known you most of my life and there are few here in this city that I can say that about… and all of them are in this room. I know that when you are on duty things must be different, but when you are off duty or here in my home, I would like to think that the long years of our friendship will not change because I now wear a crown. I do not think that I have changed.”

“I’d like that, my lord,” Balrant said with a small smile. “And, you have changed… you have a wife and… children now.” There were smiles from the other men and Aragorn could see them all relaxing somewhat. While he hoped they would feel more at ease he knew it would take some time before they were fully comfortable with him in his new role, especially here with his family. But he was well aware of the enormous sacrifice they were making for him by staying in the South and he wanted them to be included in celebrations such as this – if they wanted to come. He gestured towards the table and they took their seats, the Rangers grouped together at one end.

After the Standing Silence, Aragorn looked at Thomas. “I believe there is a special… custom in your land before you eat this meal. Rebecca mentioned it to me.”

Thomas nodded and after glancing at Rebecca he gave a simple, but heartfelt prayer thanking Eru for family and friends, the bountiful harvest and asking for continued peace for Gondor and Arnor. After he said amen, Thomas looked up and smiled, “Now we can eat!”

Arwen had dismissed the servants as soon as the food had been placed on the table so that all of them could speak freely and so now they began passing bowls and platters of various foods to one another. Two geese had been cooked and stuffed for the meal and if it was not turkey, if was nonetheless delicious and was different enough from their regular meats that it was special for Rebecca and Thomas. Some of the others watched curiously as Thomas and Rebecca poured gravy over the stuffing – which the cook had made from bread - just the way Rebecca had asked him to.

The variety of foods prepared by the cooks surprised almost everyone, only Arwen had known what the cooks were making for this special meal. Besides the goose, dressing, and mashed potatoes, the side dishes were also things that were rarely served. There was squash that had been cooked in a special type of broth that both Rebecca and Thomas found delicious. There was a mushroom dish that everyone, except Rebecca, enjoyed. Thinly sliced carrots with herbs and exotic seasonings from Harad that made the dish truly unique in flavor were also served. There were also a variety of pickled vegetables placed about the table. Even the bread had been shaped into special and intricate shapes for the day.

Aragorn kept one eye on Rebecca and Thomas as he ate the wonderful meal that had been prepared. He noticed the times that they paused and a faraway look appeared in their eyes, or when a shadow of grief crossed their faces. But, he also noticed that they were very attentive to each other and if one of them appeared to be struggling, the other one would reach over and touch their hand lightly or whisper something quietly into their ear. Aragorn glanced at Arwen and saw that she, too, was keeping an eye on them and he smiled inwardly.

Conversation was kept light throughout the meal and tended towards the personal as people shared stories and memories from their past. Rebecca and Thomas were asked about the traditions of the holiday. After a few moments of looking at each other they explained some of the basic history of the holiday, skimming over things that they thought might be too difficult to explain and answering numerous questions… especially from Faramir. They also spoke of how they celebrated the holiday with their families.

Arwen shared about life in Imladris with Aragorn giving his thoughts of what it was like growing up there as a mortal. Faramir had them all chuckling as he shared a few of his misadventures with Boromir that involved playing and hiding from the guards in the numerous nooks and crannies that were all over the Citadel. Even the Rangers unbent enough to briefly speak of their childhoods. Only Hinluin remained silent, evidently the pain of all he had lost was too much for him to speak of.

As the last of them finished their meal it was agreed that the apple pie, which was to be served for dessert, would be eaten later on in the afternoon and they rose from the table and moved to the other end of the room. The fire that earlier had been burning brightly in the large fireplace had died down without the servants tending it and Aragorn knelt down on the stone hearth to add some wood.

“My Lord King,” Baisael cried, the distress in his voice obvious as he hurried to Aragorn’s side. “You shouldn’t be doing that.” Laegrist followed him while everyone else just watched, some with small smiles on their lips.

Aragorn paused with a large log in his hands as his gaze flicked between the two Rangers. “Do you doubt my ability to add wood to the fire?” he asked smiling, his voice gently teasing. The Rangers shook their heads mutely and their king finished building up the fire and stood, briskly dusting off his hands. “Come,” he urged the two men, placing a hand on each man’s back and steering them towards the couches and low tables where the others were settling, “sit and enjoy the rest of our time together.”

Thomas idly shuffled the cards that Rebecca had made him for his birthday as he watched Aragorn sit down next to Arwen. There had never been a chance for him to teach Aragorn or any of the others to play cards and he hoped there might be time today. Rebecca and Arwen had set both a checker and a chess set out and he thought that perhaps some people might play games instead of just talking. Thomas didn’t know how to play chess but he had often played checkers with his younger brother.

“What are those, Thomas?” Faramir asked.

“Cards… playing cards. Rebecca made them and gave them to me for my birthday.”

“Ah. I see.” A puzzled frown crosses the steward’s face. “What do you do with them?”

“You play games with them. There are lots of different games you can play, some are simple that children can play and some are more complicated.” Thomas turned the cards over and showed Faramir the numbers and designs Rebecca had painstakingly drawn and lightly painted on the thick parchment. He handed several cards of different suits to the steward. Faramir looked at them for a moment before handing them back.

“They seem well drawn,” he commented, looking at Rebecca who blushed slightly and nodded in acknowledgment of his words, “although, I do not know the full purpose or meaning of the various markings. Besides the numbers,” he added.

“I can teach you,” Thomas offered eagerly. “Rebecca and I have wanted to teach Adar and Arwen how to play a card game and have never had the time to do so.” He glanced sidelong at Aragorn who smiled and nodded.

“I will play. I gather this is something you did on this holiday?”

“Not very often at mine,” Rebecca spoke up. “We had other games that my cousins liked better.”

Thomas nodded, “My brother was little and he liked checkers, I mostly played cards with the men at the ranch where I worked.”

“What are checkers?” Hinluin asked.

Surprised by the question, Thomas indicated the game on the table. “Checkers… or, do you not call it that here?” Most things were called the same as in his time, but perhaps this was different.

“It’s called draughts.”

Balrant suddenly chuckled quietly but he stopped immediately and looked down when everyone turned their gazes on him.

“What causes your laughter?” Aragorn asked. He thought he knew the answer but wanted to draw the man out nonetheless.

Shifting uncomfortably in his chair for a moment Balrant finally answered, looking mostly at Aragorn but occasionally shifting his gaze to Halbarad. “I was remembering the Mettarë gift you made us children that first year you returned. It was a draughts game, and…” he shrugged and stopped speaking though a faint smile lightened his features.

Halbarad’s expression, which had been frowning as the Ranger spoke, cleared. “I remember that now. Aragorn made that game and taught you and the other children how to play it.” Balrant nodded.

“I was so very young then,” Aragorn commented, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “Younger than Hinluin and not much older than Thomas.”

“Old enough to have little boys looking up to you and following you around,” Baisael said nudging his younger brother with his elbow. Balrant scooted away from him but his eyes sparkled with hidden laughter.

“Old enough to know who you loved and what it would take to win her hand,” said Arwen, wrapping her arm around her husband’s.

“Old enough to lead… “ started Halbarad.

“Enough,” laughed Aragorn turning to Thomas. “I thought you were going to teach us to play this game of yours.” Inwardly, though, he was pleased to see his men comfortable enough to jest with him and with each other.

“This is much more interesting and I’d like to hear more about it,” he grinned.

“Thomas,” Aragorn growled, biting back a smile.

“All right,” Thomas held up his hands in mock surrender. “There is one problem,” he said as he looked around. “The game I was planning to teach you can only have up to six people playing.”

“What are you going to play?” Rebecca asked wondering if it was a game she even knew.

“Rummy. Do you know it? I hope that you do… it would make it so much easier.”

“Yes, I’ve played it lots of times.”

Not surprisingly, all four of the Rangers declined to play, although Thomas could see the longing in Hinluin’s eyes and he whispered that he would teach him the game a little later. Those four men sat and began playing draughts and chess while the rest of them went to a small round table that Arwen and Rebecca had had set near the fire for just that purpose. Thomas had already divided the cards into the four suits and he now laid them on the table and took a deep breath as he began to explain what the markings meant.

“I thought that I’d explain the cards before we started playing the game… that should make it easier. I hope so, anyway,” Thomas said worriedly.

“It will,” Rebecca said encouragingly. “Besides every game uses the same cards so they have to know what the suits and everything mean if we want to play other games.”

“All right, there are four different kinds of cards called suits. Hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs,” Thomas pointed to each shape in turn.

“I understand hearts and diamonds,” Halbarad muttered, “But… spades and clubs?”

“I think a spade is supposed to be like a shovel,” Rebecca shrugged. “I have no idea about the clubs, though. It’s just what they call it.” She shrugged again looking around the table at Aragorn, Arwen, and Faramir who all nodded. Thomas continued.

“Each suit has the same number of cards, thirteen.” He spread the thirteen hearts in order on the table in front of him. “This one is called the ace, but today it’s just a one and so…”

“What does that mean?” Faramir interrupted him with a frown creasing his brow.

“Well, in some games it can be used in other ways, but today it’s just a one. All right?” Thomas eyed him anxiously and Faramir smiled and gave a small shrug before motioning him to continue.

“These are easy, just the numbers two to ten.” He looked up and caught Aragorn’s eye and his adar smiled before taking a sip of wine. “These last three cards are called, the jack, the queen, and the king.” Rebecca and Thomas both smiled at Aragorn and Arwen who looked startled. Faramir smiled down at the table while Halbarad’s face was unreadable.

“I don’t know why they are called that,” Rebecca said after a moment. “In our time, these cards have pretty pictures on them… or handsome ones,” her gaze shifted from Arwen to Aragorn. “But, I couldn’t draw them. Maybe Thomas should,” she added.

“I like them like this, you made them for me.”

“A king and a queen I understand,” Arwen said with amusement in her voice, “but what is a ‘jack’?”

Thomas shrugged. “I don’t really know, it’s just what they call it.”

‘’There are many things about these cards that are unknown to you,” Aragorn said smiling.

Thomas shrugged again, “We grew up playing with them and you don’t always know why something is what it is, you just… you just… well, people tell you things and you trust them, I guess.”

“Like we trust you now,” said Faramir glancing briefly at Aragorn and then back at Thomas.

“I guess so… just like I’ve trusted you and Adar and Arwen and Halbarad to tell me things that are true ever since I’ve been here.” He grinned, “Now, if you’ve all decided that you can trust me… and Rebecca with this very important game, can I explain it now?” Amused laughter broke out and Thomas went on.

He spent the next few minutes explaining the basics of the game. How cards were shuffled, dealt, discarded, laid down, and so forth. The hardest part for them to understand was the making of runs and groups of cards and how they were different. Rebecca and Thomas then had them play a hand with all of the cards down on the table for all to see and they played the hand all the way through and by the end of that hand the four newcomers thought they had enough knowledge to play a real game.

By unspoken agreement, Rebecca and Thomas were not keeping score having decided that it was fun just to play and that perhaps they would do that at another time. If, they ever played again. While they could not tell if Halbarad was enjoying himself or not, it was obvious to both of them that Aragorn, Arwen, and Faramir were all having at least a measure of fun, even if it was just enjoying the newness of the game itself.

That had been playing for quite some time when Faramir asked, “How long does this game go on? How is a winner decided?” His gaze shifted between the two young people sitting across from him.

Rebecca glanced quickly at Thomas before she answered the steward. “We didn’t tell you that part, Faramir,” she admitted. “You are supposed to keep track of points,” she pointed to the numbers on the cards, “at the end of each hand and when one person reaches, say five hundred points, they win the game.”

“And why are we not doing that?” Aragorn asked, confused. “How will we know when to stop?”

“We thought it would be easier for you this time… one less thing to keep track of, and more fun if we didn’t. I used to play it like this with my little brother… “ Thomas’s voice trailed off at the expressions on the faces of the older – much older – players at the table.

“Are you comparing us to your little brother?” Halbarad asked scowling at Thomas.

“No! Of course not! I mean maybe I did, but I didn’t mean to,” Thomas said desperately, looking around the table for help.

Aragorn began to laugh. The others might not have been able to read Halbarad’s expression while they were playing this game, but he certainly had. His cousin did not enjoy games of any type; Aragorn had never been able to teach him chess, and for Halbarad to sit and play this game had only been out of kindness to Rebecca and Thomas. For Thomas to now compare him to a child, however innocently, was clearly more than Halbarad could bear.

After a moment Arwen and Faramir began laughing as well and then Rebecca began giggling, covering her mouth with her hand at Thomas’s look of betrayal.

A small smile finally crept across Halbarad’s lips as he stared at Thomas. “No, I suppose you did not.” He indicated the cards in the middle of the table. “How long do we play, then?”

Thomas licked his suddenly dry lips and breathed out a sigh of relief as he glanced around the table at the still smiling faces. “As long as we want to, we can set a time limit or just agree to stop whenever people are tired of playing, Halbarad. We can stop now… we’ve been playing for quite a while. Would you rather play chess or checkers... I mean draughts?”

Halbarad shook his head, “No, I don’t want to play any other games.”

Aragorn snorted with amusement. “Do you play chess, Thomas?”

“No.”

“Rebecca?”

She shook her head, “No, my father had a set and I played with the pieces a few times but I never learned how either.”

“Arwen, Faramir, it looks like we have a bit of a challenge ahead of us,” Aragorn smiled at the expressions on the faces of Rebecca and Thomas.

“This is a challenge I am more than willing to take on, Aragorn,” Faramir said. “I seldom get a chance to play anymore.”

“I am willing to teach them,” Arwen agreed smiling gently at the two young people.

Aragorn turned to the four Rangers; Baisael and Hinluin were talking quietly as they sat near the fire sipping on their wine while Laegrist and Balrant were engaged in a game of chess. He was starting to ask them for their help when a knock on the door startled them. Frowning, Aragorn turned towards the large double doors that led into the room. They were not supposed to be interrupted today. “Enter!” he called loudly. The captain of the Citadel Guard opened the door and stepped halfway into the room and bowed. Aragorn stood up on seeing the man knowing the captain himself would not have come unless it was important.

“Forgive me, my Lord King, I know you were not to be interrupted but something has come up that I felt needed your immediate attention.”

“I trust your judgment, Captain Tarcil. What is it?”

“One of the Northern Rangers has arrived bearing a message from Lord Alvist and he says it’s urgent, my lord.”

“Where is he?” The captain gestured back out the door. “Send him in immediately,” the king ordered. Tarcil turned to go but was called back. “And, Tarcil? You did well. Anytime one of my stewards sends an urgent message I expect you to interrupt me or wake me… even in the middle of the night.”

“Yes, my lord,” he bowed and went out the door.

A moment later a filthy, mud-splattered exhausted looking Ranger strode through the door and hurried to his king.

Laegrist shot to his feet. “Eradan!” he exclaimed. The messenger glanced at Laegrist before fixing his eyes back on Aragorn.

“My Lord King,” he said hoarsely as he bowed. “I have a message for you from Alvist… I mean, my Lord Steward Alvist.” He smiled slightly as he reached into his belt pouch and pulled out the slightly rumpled parchment and handed it to his king. “Thank you,” he murmured as he took the cup of water Faramir handed to him and greedily drank it down.

“Sit and have something to eat and drink, Eradan,” Aragorn said smiling warmly at the Ranger as he moved slightly away from the gathering to read the message.

“I’m filthy,” Eradan protested weakly.

“Everything in here will clean, Eradan,” Arwen said as she ushered the weary Ranger to a table. Rebecca had already gone to the door and asked a servant to bring food for the man and as she returned she saw that Laegrist was hugging the Ranger and Halbarad was sitting next to him. She wandered over to Thomas.

“Who is this Ranger?” she whispered.

“He’s Laegrist’s brother,” he replied not taking his eyes off of Aragorn.

Aragorn suddenly swore softly, startling everyone in the quiet room. He ran his fingers through his hair as he said down heavily on the closest chair not taking his eyes off the message in his hands. He continued to read, turning to the second page and then the third without pause and without looking at anyone else. Dropping his hand into his lap as he finished reading the long message, Aragorn looked into the distance for several minutes blinking back the tears that came to his eyes. Turning slightly in his chair he ignored the concerned gazes of those in the room and concentrated on Eradan just as the Ranger was starting to eat the food that had been set before him.

“I assume you know what this says.”

“Oh, yes, my lord,” the deep sorrow was evident in his voice and the others exchanged worried glances and several of them started to speak but Aragorn held his hand up to forestall them.

“Did Alvist give you any other instructions?”

“Just to answer your questions and then to either stay here if you have need of me or to return if you need a message taken north.”

Aragorn nodded and took a deep breath as he looked at the others in the room, focusing on Rebecca and Thomas the longest. “Alvist tells me that the Shire was… invaded while Frodo and the others were away. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are fine,” he quickly said to reassure everyone while also keeping an eye on his two children who had gone deathly pale. “It appears that some of Saruman’s… men came in soon after they left and started taking things over.”

Glancing back down at the message to make sure he repeated things correctly, Aragorn continued. “One of Frodo’s cousins helped these men, although he has disappeared and they think he was killed. The men took everything they could find that was of value.” He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. Arwen walked over and scooted a chair over next to him, taking his hand and rubbing it gently.

“They also just destroyed things… trees and gardens and they ruined many of their homes.”

“Why?” Rebecca asked, tears filling her eyes as she remembered the stories the hobbits had told her of their beautiful land and homes.

“Some men have evil hearts, Rebecca… you should know that by now,” Thomas replied as he slumped down on a couch near Aragorn. Rebecca followed with a frown darkening her face.

“I know, but…”

“What else happened, my lord?” Faramir asked his eyes almost black with anger.

“When the four hobbits rode into the Shire they were, of course, appalled at everything that was happening. While Alvist does not give all of the details, it appears that between the four of them they were able to rouse the hobbits and… “ He took a deep breath and shook his head at the thought of the peaceful folk of the Shire having to fight and defend themselves against men. “There was quite a battle. They killed many of the men and captured the rest. Alvist also says that some hobbits were killed.” Aragorn grimaced. “Also, it appears that Saruman himself showed up at Bag End and had words with Frodo, but he is dead now.”

“Dead? How did he die?” Arwen asked. “He is a Maia.”

“Gríma killed him,” Aragorn shook his head as he tried to imagine how that had happened. “But, Gríma is dead, too. Some of the hobbit archers that were standing there killed him.”

“Dead,” Rebecca whispered with a shudder. She moved closer to Thomas who wrapped his arms around her. “I’m glad we don’t have to worry about him anymore,” she whispered into his ear and he nodded his agreement.

“When did this happen?” Halbarad asked. “They headed north a long time ago. How long does it take to get messages here?”

“Remember they went to Rivendell first, Halbarad, so they did not get to the Shire for quite some time.” He looked at Eradan who was finishing off the last of his meal. “When did you leave?”

“I left Bree on the seventh, my lord.”

“Sixteen days? You’ll ruin your horse! That is much too fast for that distance, Eradan,” Laegrist said sharply and then looked at Aragorn with dismay. “Forgive me, my lord, I didn’t mean…”

“Peace, Laegrist, I was going to say the same thing.”

“I exchanged horses in Tharbad and at Edoras. Éomer King was most willing to help me, especially when I explained my errand to him.”

“Yes, he would.” Aragorn nodded. His eyes narrowed as he looked closely at the exhausted Ranger and he turned to the man’s older brother. “Laegrist, take Eradan back to your chambers for tonight and tomorrow we will make arrangements for him to have his own rooms.” The Ranger nodded and Eradan got shakily to his feet and bowed to his king before following his brother out the door. The three other Rangers took their leave as well.

Aragorn sat for a moment before following them out the door. “Eradan!” he called and the man turned and walked back.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Thank you.” Eradan inclined his head. “It is good to see you again; it has been far too long.” Aragorn had not seen him for years, his travels having taken him to parts of Eriador other than where Eradan patrolled. He reached for his hand and the Ranger hesitated only briefly, glancing down at his dirt-stain hand, before taking his king’s arm with a grin.

“Yes, it has,” he said as he clasped his king’s arm tightly.

“I will speak more with you tomorrow after you have rested, I would like to hear of your wife and children.”

“And my grandchildren,” Eradan’s eyes lit up.

“Congratulations,” Aragorn said smiling.

“Your lady wife is…” he hesitated.

“Beautiful and the most wonderful wife a man could have, Eradan.”

“I’m glad, my lord, you’ve had to wait a long time.”

“I did. Go and rest now and we will find time to speak tomorrow.”

“Yes, my lord.” He started down the hall and then turned with a grin. “Perhaps I can go hunting with you and Halbarad while I’m here. I’m sure there must be deer around here.”

Aragorn chuckled and waved him away. Walking back into the room where the others were waiting, he decided that he was thankful for many things this day: his family; the safety of the hobbits; and for old friends that did not let his role as king interfere with their longtime friendship.


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To be continued…

Author’s Note: About card games. I realize now that there were probably some types of card games during this era, especially as checkers and chess were already in existence… which I used in my other story. However, I had already said in ‘Safekeeping’ that cards did not exist and so I needed to keep that part consistent here… and it was fun to have Thomas teaching the others.

Reviewers: Thanks to everyone who reads the story and especially to those who review, I appreciate the encouragement. I will try and answer everyone by email if I have an address.