The Crosses Enigma

Aragorn, King of the Reunited Kingdom was annoyed.

As King of Gondor, and the first to be so in a very long time, he had expected to be escorted by the Guards of Minas Tirth.

It was only natural of course.

But as pulled on his old boots, tugging them into place, he could not help but feel how ridiculous being surrounded by so many soldiers just because he was the King.

He was a ranger and had lived more than 80 years of his life as such.

//You were a Ranger Estel, but no longer. Now you are King Elessar of Gondor and the reunited Kingdom.//

"Sulking does not become you my Love..." He had not heard Arwen enter the room, her soft bare feet quiet on the smooth palace floors.

She wrapped a creamy white throw about her shoulders and sat beside him, placing a warm pleasant kiss on his bearded cheek.

He wrapped one arm around her person, stroking her long dark hair.

The throw was her favorite ever since she arrived in Minas Tirth, it reminding her of Lothlorien with its silvery white color.

Sighing he kissed her upon her forehead, she of course was more correct than he would like to admit.

Imagine, the King of Gondor sulking from something as menial as being flanked by the guards who's jobs were to protect him and his family.

"You would make a formidable enemy to know me so well Undomiel..." he said, some of his disappointment that he could not play ranger just once more, fading away as he kissed her lips.

As newlyweds they were still quite feeling the euphoric emotions that newly married young people felt, but as King and Queen of all of Gondor and Arnor, they did not get to express these feelings as often as they should like.

"All will be well while you are gone Estel, Faramir and I shall see to it..." she assured, rubbing her hand across his chest affectionately.

"hmm" was his version of yes, his eyes closing as he enjoyed the small interval before he departed to Imladris. The mission ahead of him was important as any, if not filled with fewer dangers.

He had fallen somewhere between dozing and day-dreaming, the warm feeling of her at his side had been something he had yearned to have for nearly eight decades. Even if they could not spend every waking moment together because of duties, it was what they had always wished.

The fact that they were finally together, that Gondor was restored and the WR was over still felt like a waking dream. As if it were not real but his imagination.

Finally he knew his Guard, Gandalf and Gimli would be awaiting him. He opened his eyes to see his Queen watching him. A secret smile gracing her full lips.

"I shall miss you oh' Queen of Gondor" his ran his hand through her hair, settling his palm against her smooth porcelain cheek.

"And I you oh' King of Gondor" she said with humor lacing her fair voice, she leaned in and graced him with a kiss. He sighed after they pulled apart and stood, reaching for his cloak to pull over his dark long tunic.

He might have to look the part of king, and he did just this. But he would always carry his past as a man raised among Elves and as a Ranger.

The tunic�s outer part had obvious Elven influences, the colors were black, grey and maroon. Colors he had adopted as he dressed more and more the part of human, instead of his well worn ranger wears, or his fair Rivendell dressings.

As king he at least had freedom in what he wear, and thus, everything he put upon himself was a subtle mixture of his past.

Arwen watch him quietly as he slipped his cloak about his shoulders. He looked upon his clasps and seemed to be at an in pass of which one to use.

She smiled and stood, letting the shawl drop upon the royal bed.

Not one to conform to the standards of what a Woman should be, Arwen would not say she helped Aragorn dress simply because she was Female.

She set out his clothing because she enjoyed watching him dress.

Then again, he would wear the same colors and styles every day if it were up to Aragorn. And she hid her smile, standing at his shoulder as he continued to contemplate something as simple as a broach to keep his cloak in place.

Their were ones fit for court, ones given as gifts (which were often to opulent even for a formal affair) and ones for simpler outfits.

He was not aware of her beside him, as his hand hovered between his Fellowship broach, Rangers insignia, and a Golden one given to him by Elrond.

Part of him wished to wear the fellowship one, as it brought back such fond memories. But it did not seem right without the others there.

His Rangers broach also seemed very tempting, his desire to play "Strider" just once more weighting heavily.

And the last, he could not figure out why he second Guessed Elrond's gift.

He touched it, half removed it, and then let it fall again unsure.

Arwen's light hand picked it up and he turned surprised to see her standing there. She removed the Elven forged broach wrought of gold, the insignia of the house of Elrond and begun to knowingly clasp it to his cloak.

"Tin meleth dar-na le, Estel" she said, her eyes concentrated on her work to place the clasp firmly.

He said nothing as she continued to speak. "sen innas al-presta..." she did not finish as she look upon him. He was looking away from her, lost in thought.

Her hands pulled away from the golden clasp, and cupped his face to look at her.

"His love also does not wax or wane..." he seemed so lost in the moment, she realized just how hurt he had been by Elrond's insistence he not marry Arwen.

Though he speak no more of his disapproval, things had not been the same since that fateful day Aragorn departed for the Wild's.

She was reminded just how very young Aragorn was compared to her people�s long years.

He seemed the 20 year old he had been when she first met him. A young man who hurt still, deep down in his heart at disappointing the only father he had ever known.

She said nothing more, wrapping her arms around his cloaked shoulders...

She made a note to speak with her 'Adar', she would set this right.

Before the call of the sea was answered, and it was forever too late.




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As Aragorn ascended the flight of stairs and made his way closer to the company gathered for the trip to Rivendell, he caught sight of two people that made him smile.

Gandalf the White, and Gimli son of Gloin.

The Maia stood towering over the Dwarf, and his lips were moving in conversation with the Lord of the Glittering Caves.

And Gimli was shaking his head, feet planted firmly.

Aragorn knew that look.

"...no, no no..." Gimli was saying again, and the words faded as he eyed Aragorn entering their presence.

The Capitan of Aragorn's guard called orders to his soldiers and they turned and saluted the king.

Aragorn simply nodded his approval and eyed Gimli, arms crossed and look of stubbornness strewn across his face, then looked at Gandalf.

The Wizards mouth twitched and Aragorn instantly knew he was amused.

"Good day Gentlemen, prepared for our journey" he asked casually, giving Gandalf a look of his own, silently questioning what was being said between the two.

"Indeed, you look well Aragorn. How be your fair Queen?" Gimli asked, changing the subject.

"Well, I thank you for asking. She sends her love to both of you, and apologizes that she cannot be here to see us off. She has other engagements this day, tell me what were you two 'discussing' before I arrived..." Aragorn was no Legolas, but he was deft at the changing of a subject, and he knew it.

"I was offering Master Gimli a ride upon Shadowfax, but it seems he has his doubts" Gandalf's eye lip twitched again, feigning off humor.

"I don't like the way he looks at me" Gimli sated simply, and Shadowfax not to be out-done snorted and stomped one elegant foot. His tapered ears pinned down as he lowered his head in a mock glare of the Dwarf.

Gimli glared back at the Meras, arms firmly crossed upon his puffed out chest.

It took all of Aragorn's might to not erupt in a fit of laughter at the scene before him.

Lord of Horses against the Lord of the Glittering Caves.

"Well, you may ride with me Gimli if you like" stated Aragorn watching the Dwarf with high amusement. "Roheryn may not be Arod nor I Legolas...but we can carry you all the same"

Knowing that Gimli would never refuse Aragorn of this, because it had been more a statement and not a question, Aragorn moved off to his own Steed. Smiling at his victory won.

He gave Roheryn a fond pat upon his head, scratching behind his ears and rubbing his palm down his fine neck. In one swift movement he mounted, adjusting Anduril in its hilt.

Aragorn put out a hand, hiding his humor at Gimli�s vexed expression and gave the Dwarf a hand up.

All others followed, all mounted and ready for their journey to Rivendell.

Aragorn nodded to his Capitan Romir, and with a motion of his hand, all were off. Riding through the streets of Minas Tirth on one last mission for the Good of Middle-Earth.

People came out to watch, still awed by the idea of having a King. They headed towards the waiting gate of his city, and onward to there duty at hand.

Though he thought fleetingly, that this would not be the last time.






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Translations:

"Tin meleth dar-na le Estel"="His love remain with thee, Estel"

"sen innas al-presta"= This will not change...


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