Restless

Chapter 6

“Day 55”

Work stopped and heads popped up from between the tall crops. Men and women alike stood stunned in place as they watched the royal entourage slowly move down the dirt pathway and into the Shire.

Hobbit children stared wide-eyed at the colorful standards that rose far above even the head of the tallest mounted man. Unlike their familiarity with Gandalf, not a single child moved an inch toward the approaching company. They simply whispered in excited chatter to one another, eyes fixed on the passing caravan.

Hobbits followed behind the strangers, keeping at a far enough distance to enable them to disappear into the foliage and the nearby crops should these 'intruders' turn hostile.

Passing by a nearby hobbit home, Aragorn raised his hand and the company glided to a halt behind him. He leaned down and smiled at the petrified woman who could only stare at him. In her hand was a garden tool that she gripped like a vice, ready, if necessary to swing it at the 'tall one'.

"Might I ask which path will take us to the home of Samwise Gamgee?" Aragorn's question only served to frighten the woman even further.

She stared on in shocked silence until her husband cleared his throat and squeaked out a, "That way." He pointed down the road but offered no more information.

Aragorn smiled politely as the man stole glances at Arwen, obviously stunned by her beauty, and the fact that she was the only woman riding in a company of men. His mouth hung open like a love-sick child until his wife struck him with a not-so-polite elbow to the side.

"Might you be willing to guide us?"

The woman gasped and gripped her husband's arm tightly.

"You have no need to fear me or those who ride in my company," Aragorn said, striving to reassure the couple standing before him as well as all the rest who were hiding in nearby bushes. "We are old friends of Sam and Merry and Pippin."

Leaves rustled to their left and Aragorn looked over Roheryn's other shoulder to see a tiny hobbit girl staring wide-eyed up at him. "I'll show you how to get to Bag End."

"Thank you, little one." Aragorn smiled warmly at the little girl. "Would you like to ride with me?"

The little girl gasped and then giggled when her little friends whispered at her to come away from the stranger.

"Yes, sir."

Aragorn smiled widely and reached down toward the girl. Grasping her firmly under the arms, he lifted and settled her into the saddle in front of him. When the child's eyes widened in fright at being so high above the ground in the arms of a large stranger, Arwen reached out to calm her.

"There is no need to fear, young one." Arwen's voice was soft and delicate and the little girl smiled widely. "My name is Arwen and you are sitting in my husband's arms. He would never harm you."

"Aye, my manners!" Aragorn rumbled from behind the girl, startling her. "I am Aragorn, young one. We ride from Gondor, a kingdom far to the south."

Murmurs of excitement rippled through the hobbits and many stepped out from where they were poorly concealed to get a better look at the King and his Queen. Merry and Pippin had no shortage of tales concerning the Kingdom of Gondor and their journey with it's, then, future King. Their names were well known in the Shire, and a collective gasp of relief flooded the hearts of the hobbits.

"I'm Lily," She smiled happily, nearly bouncing out of the seat with excitement. She, too, had heard the tales of those who fought in the great battle of the Ring.

Aragorn wrapped an arm loosely around her waist and gripped the reins. "Which way, little one?"

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News of their impending arrival preceded the royal company and soon Pippin and Merry appeared at the top of the hill, smiling down at the approaching caravan. Behind them, Bag End was nestled peacefully into the surrounding hillside, its gardens filled with blossoming flowers- some native to Hobbiton, some carried from far-away borders to find a new home in the Mayor's garden.

Before the horses glided to a halt, Pippin was on his knees greeting his King. He was still a soldier of Gondor regardless of how long he had been out of the King's direct service. Merry, as a Rohirrim soldier, fell to his knees beside his friend, honoring the King of the Reunited Kingdom.

"Welcome to the Shire, Lord Aragorn!" Merry cried. Since he had not yet been given leave to rise, he craned his neck to look up at the Queen. "And Lady Arwen! What a pleasant surprise!"

Aragorn dismounted Roheryn and lifted Lily onto the ground. Turning to Merry and Pippin, he raised his arms, "Rise my friends, please! Welcome me not as your King but as your friend and former traveling companion."

"We welcome you as all three!" Merry stood as Aragorn knelt before him and embraced the hobbit tightly.

The door cracked open behind them and everyone, Man, Elf, Dwarf and Hobbit alike, turned their attention to the top of the stone steps.

Sam popped out with a beaming smile, Elanor skirting around his feet and down the steps before he could stop her. Rosie appeared suddenly at Sam's side and called to her daughter, who expertly ignored her mother's call and made straight for Merry and Pippin.

"Aragorn!" Sam rushed down the steps and embraced the still kneeling King. "It's good to see you!" he turned to Arwen, who slowly dismounted Asfaloth. "And you, Lady Arwen!"

"What brings you to the Shire?" Pippin asked, smiling as he watched Legolas and Gimli approach.

"Ah - a need to stretch some restless wings, to see some old friends and to check on a re-built city." Aragorn looked down at Elanor with an amused grin. The little girl bounced around Arwen's skirts, barely daring to touch the luminescent fabric.


"You will stay with us?!" Sam smiled at his friend. He glanced at Rosie, who shook her head in affirmation.

The Chamberlain eyed the diminutive hobbit warily. He'd seen a few of these vertically challenged individuals before but never imagined that there was a whole blooming town of them. They apparently lived in dirty, simple homes, with no regard for the comforts to which he was accustomed. These dwellings were hardly suitable for a King. "My Lord," the man began and the hobbit looked up at him with wide, kind eyes.

Aragorn shot the Chamberlain an immediate silencing look.

Arwen filled the silence by taking Sam's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, "We would be honored."

The uneasy tension was broken as the hobbits cheered and Aragorn and Arwen, Legolas and Gimli, followed the diminutive hobbits into Bag End. Merry and Pippin directed the rest of the caravan to the large field, usually used for grand parties, on which to pitch their tents, then followed their friends into the hobbit hole, eager for news of Gondor.

Throughout the day, hobbits from all over the Shire paid a visit to Bag End, reminding the hobbits who lived within its walls of a day not long past, when the visitors bore gifts for Bilbo Baggins' one-hundred and eleventh birthday celebration.

By the time darkness fell, the King and Queen, as well as their gracious hosts, were exhausted. There were more hobbits in the Shire than Aragorn could ever remember and every one of them wanted a word with him.

Finally, Aragorn called for his guards, stationing them outside the door to politely inform any further well-wishers that the royal couple, and the home's inhabitants, had gone to bed.

But bed, did not necessarily mean sleep……

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"Mmmm," Arwen arched her neck as Aragorn trailed feather-light kisses down the smooth skin. Slowly, he brushed a whiskered cheek against the softness of her neck, drawing a soft sigh from her lips. Long, pale fingers wove into his hair and tugged at the strands. Her body trembled as his lips found that sensitive spot along her nape.

When his hands slid beneath the thin material covering her willowy form, she gasped drawing an amused smile from his lips.

"The hobbits, love," Arwen advised, as his thumb slowly traced circles around a rapidly hardening nipple. Tremors raced down her spine when his fingers closed on the sensitive bud and squeezed gently. "We mustn't be too loud."

"I can be quiet when the need arises." He murmured against her neck.

Arwen's hands slid down his bare back to massage the tanned skin. A mischievous smile crept across her lips as her hands slid beneath the covers barely covering their semi-clothed bodies. "I feel - " He groaned against her neck as smooth hands enveloped him. "That may be necessary."

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"Arwen!" cried the tiny voice. Small hands tapped against the polished wood in an effort to gain an answer from those sequestered behind the door

Aragorn grunted against Arwen's neck and she raked her nails down his back. "Hurry," Arwen whispered urgently as his thrusts turned from long, languid, torturous strokes, to at once short and rough. His mouth covered hers, swallowing her urgent cries and preventing his own.

He muttered a string of elvish curses into the side of her mouth, grunting in frustration as he worked to finish what they'd begun before the child's sensitive ears heard their muffled cries. In his fevered passion, he couldn't even remember if he'd locked the door.

His body shuddered and he buried his mouth once again into her neck to keep his cries as quiet as possible. With one final, hard thrust, he squeezed his eyes shut and gripped her hips. Warmth spread throughout her body and she trembled beneath him in the fiery aftermath of a powerful climax. His lips covered hers in a most fervent, desperate kiss just as Elanor turned the door-handle.

Darkness saved the couple more embarrassment as Aragorn quickly rolled away from his wife, and toward the door ,while Arwen pulled the thin coverlet over their bare skin. He squinted as the small candle the child held cast shadows against his bare chest. Arwen was shielded from the child's eyes by her husband's body and she frantically reached for a robe in which to cover her bare skin. She quickly slipped the silk around her shoulders and leaned over her husband's shoulder, as Elanor's eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"Arwen! Are you hurt!" Elanor asked as she stepped into the room, eyes wide with fear. "I heard you screaming!"

Aragorn smiled kindly at the child, blinking as she stepped closer with only a candle to light her way.

Sam and Rosie skidded to a halt at the door, eyes wide with horror.

"Oh curse me," Sam muttered, stepping cautiously into the room and grasping his daughter's arm. "Elanor! You know you are not to go into any room unless you knock first."

Arwen peered over Aragorn's shoulder, smiling at the thoroughly embarrassed hobbits.

"But I thought Arwen was hurt!" The child's eyes were wide with fear. "And, I did knock! No one answered!"

Sam couldn't meet Aragorn's eyes and Rosie didn't dare look in the direction of the couple.

"Come here!" Rosie took Elanor's arm, tore the candle from her hand, and swept her out of the room without so much as another word.

"I'm - I'm," Sam stuttered, unable to meet Aragorn's eyes. He stared at a non-existent spot on the floor. "I don't know - I'm - what to say."

Aragorn opened his mouth to speak when Sam regained control of his senses long enough to blurt a quick. "I'm so sorry!"

"It is already forgotten," Aragorn smiled, attempting to ease the discomfort of his diminutive friend. Arwen slid a hand around her husband's waist, fingers brushing lightly against all too sensitive skin.

"She won't bother you again," Sam blushed, unable to find a graceful way out of the situation. "I'll see to it."

"Thank you, Sam. I'll be sure to lock the door this time." Aragorn smiled sympathetically while at the same time attempting to stop the creeping of his wife's hand down toward his already tightening groin. "Don't punish her too greatly."

"No, No," Sam backed out of the room, "No, I - I won't." He quickly closed the door behind him, leaving an amused King and Queen of Gondor in the darkness of their room.

"Well," Aragorn sighed, rolling onto his back and drawing Arwen into his arms. "There has to be a first time for everything."

"I'm sure it will not be the last," Arwen chuckled as wandering hands flattened against her backside to pull her tightly against him.

"Now, where were we…….."


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“You’ve done well for yourself, Sam. The Shire looks bustling with activity and the crops seem plentiful.” Aragorn took a seat at the small table and crossed his legs beneath it. The hobbits had no Man-sized chairs so Rosie had gathered a few pillows for the King and Queen to sit on. “Quite different than my years wandering through your countryside as a Ranger.”

“It’s amazing,” Rosie smiled, setting a plate on the table before Aragorn and Arwen. “Ever since Sam returned, and used the soil given to him by the Elves, the Shire has not been the same.” She regarded Arwen with a kind and thoughtful stare. She had heard about Arwen’s decision to give up her immortality for her husband and had spoken at great length with Sam about that decision. For the woman to have such a beautiful and dedicated queen in her home now, was something Rosie had never imagined.

“Galadriel’s gift was well used.” Arwen smiled thoughtfully and nodded in thanks to Rosie for the food. If she was saddened by the mention of her long-departed grandmother, she gave no sign.

“There have even been more children born in the Shire than ever before, and the cattle have multiplied to herds larger than we can control! Everything is so plentiful!” Sam exclaimed. “Never in my wildest dreams, and there have been many,” Sam added with a grin, “did I ever think this is what would come of the Lady’s gift.” rwenrwen squeezed her husband’s hand beneath the table and gazed at him out the corner of her eyes. Thankfully, the discomfort of the previous night had not carried over into the morning.

“Is it true you are going to visit Arnor? Or, what has so far been rebuilt of it?” Sam asked.

“We are bound for Annuminas to see the capitol, yes. The Rangers have settled there and have begun to re-populate the City. It will no longer be a valley and hillside full of old ruins.” Aragorn said with a smile. "Though the ruins of old will remain intact as a remembrance."

"I've heard the stories of the Dwarves coming this way bringing stone-carving tools." Sam said with a thoughtful smile.

“The dwarves have labored long and hard to rebuild what was once a beautiful kingdom. The work they’ve done in Gondor is breathtaking. I am eager to see Arnor in all its renewed glory.” Aragorn paused to take a bite of bread and cheese before continuing. “I don’t know when I might again return.”

“Of course, that answer is simply a façade for the Chamberlain and the King’s Council,” Arwen added with a smile. “Aragorn wanted to see you again, and your family.”

Rosie blushed and Sam cast a questioning gaze toward Aragorn. “Really?”

Aragorn smiled and laced his fingers through those of his wife, giving them a gentle squeeze beneath the table. “Indeed it is. The Council would never have approved of me making such a long journey to see old friends, so I have combined the trip with one they would be more apt to approve.”

“But can’t the King come and go as he pleases?” Rose asked innocently. She was clearly unfamiliar with royal protocol, as was Sam.

“In most cases, no.” Aragorn smiled tenderly at Rosie. “There are matters in which I have no control. Though I may rule Gondor, and Arnor from afar, there is very little I am permitted to do without the approval of the Council.”

“Well, that’s a mistake, make no doubt.” Sam muttered.

Aragorn chuckled. “Some days, I feel the same.”

“Aragorn!” Elanor ran around the corner and launched herself into the King's arms. He gave a muffled ‘oof’ as she collided with his chest at a full run.

Arwen chuckled and Rosie looked at her daughter in horror. “Oh, I’m so sorry! Elanor come here now. Have I taught you nothing about being polite.” She glanced at the King, embarrassed. “I’m sorry. She’s a rather bubbly child.”

“I see that,” Aragorn wrapped his arms around the girl and gave her a tight squeeze. “It's all right.” He stared down at the happy, innocent face before casting a sidelong glance at his wife. “She’s the sweetest child I have ever seen.” He smiled at Sam and Rosie. “You are very blessed to have her. I’m told that you will be expecting another soon?”

Rosie blushed and Sam smiled proudly. “Yes, indeed. In about another six months or so.”

Aragorn smiled. “It seems the crops and cattle are not the only plentiful things brought about by Galadriel’s gift.”

Rose blushed and Sam coughed back his surprise at the King’s comment.

Elanor settled herself on Aragorn’s lap and began to eat off his plate, shoving bread and cheese in her mouth so fast no one could stop her.

“Elanor, chew it!” Rosie admonished.

“Are you feeling better this morning?” Elanor’s big wide-eyes stared at Arwen.

Aragorn nearly choked on his bread and Sam almost snorted milk out his nose. Rosie looked properly horrified but Arwen shook her head. “I’m better, little one.” She shot her husband an amused glance. “Thank you for asking.”

Arwen reached down to break the bread and cheese into smaller pieces for the child and when her hand brushed the smooth softness of the child’s skin, a powerful longing filled her heart and she inhaled sharply.

The topic was forgotten as Elanor squealed in delight when Aragorn tickled her. The King cast a concerned look toward his wife, masked under the guise of an amused smile at Elanor's antics.

Elanor leapt off his lap and ran around the table, cheese in hand, in an effort to get away from the King's tickling fingers. She snatched a piece of bread off his plate and stuffed it into her mouth before her mother could take it out of her hand. The child crawled under the table to get away from her mother and raced down the hallway, but not before snatching another piece of bread - this time off her father's plate.

Sam just shook his head while Rosie stood and chased her daughter down the hallway in an effort to extract the fist-full of food the child had managed to stuff into her mouth “How long wyou you be able to stay?”

“For a few days at least.” Aragorn answered, grinning as Elanor’s squeals echoed down the halls.

“If you are going to Annuminas would it not have been better to take the High Road from Bree?”

“Indeed it would have and my decision to come here first has been a bone of contention with the royal Chamberlain ever since we set out from Bree.” Aragorn chuckled, picking a piece of food from Arwen’s plate since his had disappeared into the mouth ofambuambunctious hobbit child.

“He does seem a bit….tense.” Sam admitted with a frown.

“He’s not quite used to my way of doing things.”

Arwen chuckled at Aragorn, remembering the many times the Chamberlain had spoken to her ‘off the record’ about her husband’s unorthodox decision making.

“He’s been quite unhappy for the entire trip. I may leave him in charge of Annuminas to spare our ears his whining on our journey home.”

Arwen stifled a chuckle and stared at Aragorn. “That may be the straw that breaks him, husband.”

“He would be away from me and have his own regent to serve. I would think it would please him greatly.”

“You would do that to Aldamir?” Arwen asked with wide eyes.

“He’s headed the Dunedain since my crowning and he’s done well with the rebuilding of Arnor in my absence. I think it would be a perfect match.”

“If the Chamberlain is not seen returning you to Gondor with every hair in the same place as when you left, he will be dishonored.” Arwen said with a smile. “It is a matter of pride for him and regardless of how frustrated you make him, he’ll never willingly stay behind when we journey back to Gondor.”

Aragorn huffed in disgust and turned to Sam, “Let me now extend an invitation to you and your family to visit Gondor whenever your schedule allows. You are welcome at any time.”

Sam beamed before wincing at the screams now piercing every wall in Bag End. “Thank you. We may well, take you up on it.”

“Simply make your way to Annuminas and tell Aldamir there that you require an escort to Gondor.” Aragorn moved to stand – or kneel - as he was too tall to stand comfortably inside the Halfling structure. “I must attend to a few duties, however, before my Shadow comes to inform me once again of how lax I’ve become in my responsibilities.”