Restless

Chapter 8

“Day 57”


"Hurry up!"

"I am hurrying!"

The children had been gagged to keep them from crying out and then tossed over the men's shoulders like a sack of grain. The men darted through the forest, weaving through the trees and hip-height brush in an effort to put as great a distance from the Shire as possible. Branches snapped against the children’s faces and the small cuts began to draw blood. They whimpered through their gags, eyes wide with fear.

"We must make it to the bridge! We will take the ferry across and leave them stranded." The leader ducked under a branch. " It's twenty miles to the nearest crossing. They'll have to negotiate with us for the brats' release."

"And they look plenty wealthy to me! Bet they'll pay a LOT for these brats."

"Well then let's hurry before those mounted men come after us!"

The brigands didn’t notice a cloaked figure following in the shadows, its movements undetectable except by the most experienced tracker.

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Aragorn and Arwen raced toward the sound of hysterical screaming. Hobbits gathered in front of Bag End calling for Sam, for help, for someone to hear them.

“What’s happened?” Aragorn asked as the hobbits gathered around the King.

“Brigands!” One hobbit cried.

“Big people have stolen the children!” Another added, rubbing his head.

“What? Where?” Aragorn asked. Everyone answered at once and he took a step back, trying to pick out the necessary information from the influx of frightened babbling. “At the northern edge of the Shire?” He repeated after hearing someone mention the location.

King's guards had joined them, surrounding the immediate area in case their Liege was in danger.

“Not far.” One frightened woman said.

“Where’s Elanor?” Rosie stepped out of the small gate from where she had just returned to tending her garden. She’d left her daughter playing with some friends near the end of the road which led to the northernmost end of the Shire, and now the child was no where to be seen.

Amidst the confusion, no one heard Rosie’s question. The hobbits were roaring their frustration and anger at the King, who was busy attempting to restore some semblance of calm.

“Where’s Elanor!” Rosie cried, looking down the small dirt road on which she had left the child playing. Eye’s wide with fear, she turned to the other woman, “I don’t hear her!”

“Your – children? What kind of people would steal children?” Arwen’s eyes widened as she cast a horrified look at her husband.
agoragorn signaled to his guards to bring Roheryn as he turned to the nearest hobbit. “Which way?”

The frantic woman pointed down the road, rocking back on her heals and wiping the tears from her eyes.

Aragorn turned to the Captain of his Royal Guard and issued immediate orders. “ Leave half the royal guard here and set them up in a wide perimeter around the Shire. Protect these people as if they were members of the royal family."

Two Rangers or Arnor arrived on horseback followed by Legolas. "We will accompany you."

Aragorn nodded to the Rangers. "Your tracking abilities will be of great use." To Legolas he added. "And your keen senses."

When Gimli began to protest about being left behind, Aragorn silenced the Dwarf with a raised hand. "I need you to stay here. Protect the Shire, and my wife." Aragorn stared at the dwarf. "I leave Arwen in your capable hands."

Aragorn took Roheryn's reins and nodded to the mounted company behind him. "I want at least one brigand alive to tell us where their camp lies. The rest,” Aragorn pulled himself into his Roheryn’s saddle with one leap, “will be brought to trial based on Shire laws - and the laws of the Reunited Kingdom.”

Arwen gathered the frightened women and ushered them into Bag End, quietly assuring them that her husband would bring back any children who had been taken and exact swift and final revenge for any harm done to them.

She watched Aragorn ride away and whispered a silent prayer into the wind for his safety.

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“We can’t be everywhere at once, Sire,” The Ranger Súrion said as they trotted down the road. Well-trained eyes darted around them, careful not to miss any signs that the brigands may have been so careless to make in their haste to escape. “We are less numerous around the Shire now that we have begun to rebuild Annuminas."

Aragorn nodded and then turned to the Ranger riding at Súrion's side. "Please return to Arnor and inform Aldamir that we will be delayed until we find these brigands."

When the Ranger had departed, Aragorn turned his attention to Súrion. “Perhaps I should leave a guard here when I leave, to ensure the safety of the Hobbits.” His eyes darted to and from every tree, every branch, every trampled piece of grass, searching for any sign that the brigands had passed over the terrain. It felt good to be on a trail once again, putting to good use the tracking skills for which he had been well trained. They would find those brigands, he simply hoped that they found them before the children came to harm.

“That might be a good idea. I will also send for more Rangers to patrol the outer regions of the Shire.” Súrion’s senses were as stretched as they could be, searching for a clue as to what happened to those brigands. A snap of a twig alerted the Rangers to a small movement and Aragorn raised his hand to halt the company.

"Come out!" Aragorn called, hand resting on the hilt of Anduril. When he received no response, he nodded to his guard and they drew their blades at once. The clang of metal leaving their leather sheaths echoed through the quiet forest. Aragorn nodded to Súrion who dismounted and disappeared into the trees.

Aragorn continued to demand the stranger show himself, distracting whoever was hiding enough for Súrion to make his way around their flank. With a loud yelp, the scruffy looking brigand was dragged to his feet by his already torn collar and held securely in the tight grip of the Ranger. Súrion pulled the man toward Aragorn, and threw him down at Roheryn's feet.

"Where have you taken the children of the Shire?" he asked, the tone of his voice leaving no room for argument.

Silence greeted the King's demand.

"You can tell me now, or I will beat it out of you."

The brigand stared up at Aragorn, who looked every bit the stern and mighty King of the West atop Roheryn. The stallion dug his hooves into the dirt, flinging up particles of dust and grass.

"I-I," the brigand stuttered as his eyes flicked back and forth from Aragorn to his obviously angry steed.

"Spit it out or it appears that Roheryn here would like to begin the beating," Aragorn ran his hand lovingly down his stallion's neck.

"By the bridge." The man spit out quickly, gaining his feet quickly and attemg tog to take a step away from the stallion.

"So they can take their captives quickly across the river." Súrion stared at Aragorn and tightened his grip on the brigand's collar.

"Bring him." Aragorn commanded and favored the man with a stern look. "If we do not reach the Brandywine bridge before your comrade's have crossed, you will executed in a most unbecoming manner." He turned to his men. "Let's Ride!"

When they arrived, the brigands were carrying the gagged children onto the ferry. Weapons were drawn faster than the eye could see and Legolas had an arrow nocked and his bow aimed before a brigand even knew he was there.

The King's mounted company leapt easily over the wooden fence surrounding the area and slowed to a walk when the brigands noticed their approach.

"Release those children and you may go in peace." Aragorn snapped quickly.

The man who appeared to be the leader of the rag-tag bunch pushed to the front of the other two men, holding a squirming and frightened Elanor. "Come any closer and I'll slit her throat."

Aragorn raised his hand to halt the company.

"If you so much as hurt a hair on her head," Aragorn leaned forward in his saddle. "Your limbs will be ripped from your body and fed to you for breakfast." The tone in the King's voice left no room for argument. "Do not try my patience."

The man slid a knife out of a hidden sheath and flattened it against a pale cheek. "Come no closer."

Aragorn lifted his eyes to the sky and shouted something in a language the brigands could not understand. A horrified cry echoed through the evening sky, drawing the King's eyes toward the man who had uttered the terrible sound.

The arrow jutted from the joint of the brigand's arm, preventing him, should he even make the attempt, from moving the knife any closer toward Elanor's neck. The man released the child and reached for the arrow, attempting to pull it from where it was quite securely lodged in the bone.

When Elanor hit the ground, she stood and ran immediately toward Aragorn. He leaned down and scooped her into his arms while shouting another command.

"Release the children NOW!" he tucked Elanor under his arm and drew his sword.

"Kill them!" The man who had just lost his own captive cried, and his men exchanged worried looks.

Another arrow sailed stht iht into the man's chest, piercing his heart and killing him instantly.

"You will release those children or suffer a similar fate," Aragorn hissed, his voice stern and unwavering in his demand.

With their leader dead, the men stared at the King and his guards. When they didn't move quickly enough, another arrow sailed into a nearby post, startling the three brigands. They exchanged a few paranoid looks and dropped the children like sacks of grain and turned to board the ferry.

Three frightened little girls ran toward the mounted company, each reaching for a hand already extended to lift them into the safety of a soldier's arms.

"Bring them back alive! They will be tried in accordance with the laws of this land." Aragorn shouted to his men and two broke off from the company, led by Súrion, and made for the crossing twenty miles away.

Elanor buried tear-stained cheeks into Aragorn's tunic and shivered. "Easy little oWe wWe will make all haste back to the Shire. No more harm will come to you." He brought his cloak around his shoulders and covered the trembling child. As they trotted back toward the Shire, Aragorn began to sing a sweet lullaby he had learned as a child. The elvish words soothed the children in the darkness and they were soon fast asleep in their soldier's arms, tear-stained cheeks the only evidence of fear left on their faces.


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"He's gone where!?" The Chamberlain howled at the guard left in charge when his Captain went with the King.

The man didn't wait for the substitute captain to answer. "It's dark! He's not returned and there is no sign of him! How could you let him run off after those - ruffians!"

"My lord, he gave us no choice," the man defended. "He is our King and it is our duty to obey his commands."

Arwen sat watching out the low, circular window. Hours had passed and she could still hear the Chamberlain barking orders to the remaining royal guards. It was good to know he was at least as worried for Aragorn's safety as she, even if it was for different reasons.

Her thoughts were only for the safety of her husband and the safe return of the missing children. As the initial shock wore out of the systems of all the mothers waiting at Bag End, Arwen stole a bit of time for herself.

As the hours passed and she had time to think, she became furious with Aragorn for leaving her behind. But in the rush to not allow any further distance between the brigands and the King's men, she hadn't even thought to mount Asfaloth and ride out with her husband. Comforting the hysterical hobbits whose children were missing had been foremost in her mind. But, now that it was quiet, her fear, and her anger, began to war for the upper hand in her mind. A dark ripple had begun to grow in her mind and she had been unable to stop its talons from gripping her heart with fear.

When she stepped outside for some fresh air, the Chamberlain approached.

"It would be wise for you to remain inside, my Lady." The man bowed low in greeting as he spoke. "I have deployed guards around the area but…."

"My husband deployed the guards before he left." Arwen interrupted, in no mood to deal with the man's arrogance tonight. "Do you not think I could defend myself against brigands who steel small children?"

"I did not-"

"Tensions are high and I have fallen prey to the emotions from which they stem, my apologies." Arwen turned away and lifted her head to the stars.

The Chamberlain watched her in silent awe as she whispered into the night the rhythmic language of the elves. When finished, she turned sad eyes on the man who stood in silence, watching as if in a daze.

"A prayer to Elbereth, our goddess of the evening stars, for their safe return."

"It was - beautiful." The man found his voice and smiled at his Queen.

Suddenly, Arwen turned on her heal and walked quickly down the stone steps and out the gate.

"My Lady!" The Chamberlain called. When she didn't answer, he rushed down the steps after her.

"I am taking a guard and going after my husband. I will wait here like a weak-willed wife no longer." Arwen continued to walk down the road to where their horses were stabled.

"My Lady!" The Chamberlain gasped in horror. This family was going to be the death of him! "I cannot let you do this."

"You can and will let me do anything I choose." Arwen reached the make-shift stables and moved to saddle Asfaloth.

"Not when your safety is at stake." The man called for the guards and ordered them to surround the entrance. "The King would have me killed if I let you go." He stepped forward and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Please, Lady. I know how you feel. The King is an exceptional tracker. There is no other better suited for such a chase. He will return. You know this as well as I."

Arwen took a few deep breaths, her rage calming. "I will wait the night out. Should my husband not return by daybreak, you will send with me two riders and I will track Roheryn myself."

The Chamberlain sighed and watched her walk quickly back to the hobbit hole. He looked up at the stars and silently prayed to Arwen's Elbereth that Aragorn returned before daybreak. He would not look forward to forcibly restraining the Queen should she make this same attempt in the light of day.

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Arwen had just stepped outside for a bit of fresh air when she heard the sound of hooves striking the cobbled road. She brought her wrap tighter around her shoulders and rushed down the steps to wait behind the closed wooden gate. Aragorn was the first person she saw as Roheryn rounded the small hill, carrying his charge. He looked as if he was carrying something in his arms and Arwen's eyes widened. She waited patiently for him to dismount, a sleeping Elanor nestled securely in his arms, before opening the gate so that he could come through unhindered. He bent to press a quick kiss to her lips before making his way up the steps and into Bag End. His guards followed and soon the whole home was alive with the sound of relieved parents and happy children.

It didn't take long for Aragorn to realize that Arwen had not followed him inside and he left the happy parents in search of his wife. She was waiting where he'd left her, clearly trying to decide if she was going to be angry with him.

When he embraced her from behind and dropped a kiss to the top of her head, she stiffened. His eyes narrowed at her coldness and he tightened his arms around her waist. He rubbed a whiskered chin against her ear before pressing a lingering kiss pointed tip. "What's wrong?" He asked, his breath hot against her ear.

"You left me behind, Estel," Arwen said sharply.

"Would you have preferred I take you with me into an unknown danger?" He asked incredulously.

"I would have preferred a choice." She said, willing herself and her body to remain stiff in the wake of his attentions.

"Had you asked, my decision would have been no." Aragorn flattened his hands along her stomach and pulled her against him. His heat and closeness began to settle into her blood but she was determined to remain indifferent until he realized the point she was trying to make. "I refuse to put you in needless danger."

"I needed to be with you," she said calmly, still refusing to face him even when his hands gently pressed her in that direction.

"You are with me now." He nuzzled her neck, pressing delicate kisses along the tender skin.

She tore out of his embrace before her body gave away the desire his ministrations had begun to fuel within her blood. She glared at him, dark eyes blazing. "You were in danger and you left me behind to pick up the pieces should you not come back!"

He blinked, dumbfounded as to why this situation warranted such a strong reaction.

"You don't understand, do you?" Arwen stared, fingers clenched into fists at her sides.

Aragorn stepped toward her and held out a hand. "I've been gone on far more dangerous trips, love, for a much longer duration. Why now is this affecting you so?"

“I feel something dark closing in on us.” Arwen admitted reluctantly. “I don’t know what it is. But some warning on the outer edge of my senses.”

“Whatever this is, we will face it together.” Aragorn said.

Her big eyes were wet with unshed tears. Before she could frame a response, Sam ran through the closed gate and up the stone steps. He'd been gone all day performing his duties as Mayor of the Shire and it appeared he had just found out about the children having been kidnapped. Apparently, he didn't even know they had been found.

Aragorn and Arwen watched through the open door as Rosie greeted her husband and embraced him tightly. They kissed and hugged, sharing their mutual fright at the prospect of loosing their eldest child.

"I want to have a baby." Arwen whispered as she watched the two close the circular door and walk away arm in arm.

Ara gla glanced at his wife, taken aback by her sudden admission. A small smile crossed his face he turned Arwen to face him. Arwen stiffly leaned into his embrace, still unable to shake her anger at her husband's actions.

"Is that why you're so upset?" A hand moved to the back of her head and gently smoothed the dark locks that fell down her back. He could feel his shirt dampen with her tears.

"They are all so happy here. It's such an innocent place. Untainted by the rest of the world." Arwen said. Slowly, she looked up at him through dark eyelashes. "I don't want to lose you. And I want a baby. Your baby."

A long finger trailed the line of her cheek and he bent to press a gentle kiss to her lips. The tears had left a salty taste on her skin and he tenderly cupped her face in his hands. Slowly, he used his thumbs to brush away the wetness from her cheeks. "Well, we can go back to the pavilion and work on - "

"Just kiss me." Arwen interrupted and Aragorn was most happy to oblige.

The darkness that surrounded her thoughts fell away as her husband pulled her into his arms.

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Aragorn and Arwen sat atop their steeds, large smiles upon their faces. Aragorn turned to Sam, regarding him with a kind smile. "This will become official when I return to Gondor, Sam. But, you will hear the words from my own lips, now." He turned and addressed the entire gathered crowd of hobbits.

Aragorn took a deep breath and glanced at the Chamberlain. The man would be proud of Aragorn's next words, though he may be hard-pressed to admit it. "As King of the Reunited Kingdom's of both Gondor and Arnor, I hearby proclaim the Shire and all of its surrounding lands free under the protection of the northern scepter of my rule. No men shall enter this land without my leave, or tof mof my authorized representative who resides in Arnor."

Aragorn smiled at the look of satisfaction that crossed the Chamberlain's face. He turned his attention to Sam. "Events such as what occurred during our stay here, will never happen again. You shall live in peace, uninterrupted by the concerns of the outside world." Aragorn turned once again to the people. "This I owe you, as your King, "he turned to Sam once again. "and your friend."

Sam held Rosie in his arms and smiled warmly. Elanor pouted beside her parents, reluctant to let the King leave.

"I wanna go with you!" the child wailed loudly, holding out her arms to the mounted man.

Aragorn exchanged a knowing look with Arwen.

"When you become of age," Arwen began, leaning over her mount to bring her closer to Elanor. "Your father will bring you to Gondor and you will be made a maiden of Gondor. One of the Queen's maids."

Elanor's eyed widened and she nearly bounced out of her father's hold. "When? When?"

The royal couple exchanged an amused look and chuckled as Sam attempted to calm the excited child. They blatantly ignored the horrified grunt and annoyed look the Chamberlain shot them upon hearing this news.

"When you are of age to travel to Gondor and receive the title, little one. We will send for you." Aragorn reached down as the child launched herself into his arms. "Until then, carry yourself as a future maiden of the Queen of Gondor."

Elanor nodded, wide-eyed, at Aragorn and wrapped chubby arms around his neck. She hugged him tightly, tears falling down round cheeks.