May 5 - LotR Title: Homecoming Fandom: The Lord of the Rings (books) Disclaimer: The late professor Tolkien owns them. No money, no harm. Right? :) Characters: Elrond and Aragorn Prompt: May 5 - Just before the council when Elladan and Elrohir get back Rating: G Note: I tried to post it yesterday but insanejournal couldn't be bothered to load. (Edited to add title and rating. >.>) ~~
The hobbit awoke and Elrond left his side after a few reassuring words. He was tired. Three days and four nights without rest. The Ring in Frodo's neck had been calling him, tempting him (although he knew It couldn't deliver its promises) even as he had been healing the halfling.
He didn't pause to eat nor to drink; he headed for his bed and slept for hours, only to wake up as the sun was settling behind the mountains. There was still some time before dinner so Elrond walked into the gardens. The air was cold but there were no clouds. The flowers smelled of past summers and bittersweet memories.
Careful, quiet steps alerted him to another's presence and Elrond opened his eyes. Aragorn stood next to him. Three days ago he had returned with the rest of the hobbits and Glorfindel but they didn't yet have the time to greet each other.
"Are you all right?" Estel asked. There was unmasked worry in his voice.
"I'm just tired," Elrond answered and turned his head to look at the human. There was much he wanted to tell but in the end he settled for a simple "Thank you."
Silence replied. Aragorn's expression was not exactly lost but close to it; as if he forgot how to behave around his step-father. So Elrond closed the distance between them and put his arms around Aragorn. "I missed you, son," he said quietly. He missed all of his children when they were away from Imladris.
There was more gray in the human's dark hair than the last time they had met and it brought a sharp pain into Elrond's heart. His Estel was mortal and his daughter's heart would break in a century or two. But it wasn't yet time for the sadness so Elrond lifted his head and smiled at the young man. There was an answering smile and the tension melted away from the human's muscles.
Vilya whispered to him about two horses crossing the river and Elrond let his mind be filled with his Ring's knowledge. All of his children were within Imladris' borders, at last. Safe for a while, at least.
Bells sounded, calling them for dinner and Elrond had to go. He released Aragorn and caressed the human's weather-beaten face. "Your brothers are back, Estel. Would you greet them in my name, too?"