Le Melin, Beloved Consort #Wattys2016

Chapter Five, Loved One Returns

Chapter Five, Loved One Returns

"Calén, feitha!!" Orophin called to his charge.
"Later, Orophin!!" Calén called back, his raven black hair danced in the wind as he ran down the winding pathways of Caras Galadhon. It seemed more accurate to say that he was flying rather than actually running for how fast he was running it appeared that his feet barely touched the ground. He avoided other Elves expertly, rushing towards his destination and the one man he hasn't seen in so many years.

He stumbled to a stop, breathing rather hard and fast, and grabbed a hold of a tree he had stopped beside, propping himself up as he caught his breath. He didn't need to utter a word, because the moment he stopped, the man who was unpacking his bags in a small camp he had made on the ground level of Caras Galadhon stood up to turn around and face him. Grey eyes met emerald, and time seemed to slow down before altogether stopping. Calén could do nothing but rejoice in his heart, for the man he longed to see for over two decades was standing in front of him alive and well, and seemingly untouched by the slow decay of time.

Uncaring of the group of people who stood behind Aragorn, Calén slowly stepped forward as if he was unsure if he was real. Aragorn's name falling reverently from his lips. Said man couldn't help but do nothing but stare in wonder at the Elf that stood before him. For the last time that Aragorn had laid eyes on him, was when he, Calén was in the middle of his thirtieth summer, Calén still had a few childlike qualities to his face and stature, but now standing before him was not a child, but a beautiful, strong man. Calén's face was oval shaped and no longer held any sign of puppy fat that all Elflings and children seemed to have. His face was surrounded by wild tresses of midnight black hair that had fallen out of the thick braid. Dark green clothes hugged his strong, leanly muscled frame, shielding him from the early winter chill. His emerald eyes shone with intelligence and wisdom and his whole body posture breathed happiness at seeing his love once more.

"Aragorn!" Calén breathed as he broke into a run just as Aragorn moved forward his arms spread wide, and they met in a kiss that could have shaken the very foundations of the earth with the strength of its passion, and seemed to clear away at least some of the sorrow and weariness that had clung to Aragorn with an iron-tight fist since Gandalf's passing a few days before. When they parted, Aragorn took a gentle hold of Calén's face; taking in every single change he could find. He wiped away the tears that were streaming down Calén's perfect cheeks, tears of relief and happiness, and words of joy flowed from thin, soft lips like water whispering against the rocks of Anduin. "You're alive! You're here! You're really here!"

"I'm here, Calénandir. I'm here," Aragorn spoke calmingly, even though he was just as overtaken by joy, and happiness, and love as Calén was. Calén threw his arms around Aragorn's shoulders while the Dúnedain wrapped his arms tightly around Calén's thin waist. Aragorn squeezed his eyes tightly shut trying to stop the trembling of his body and to stop the tears from falling. He frowned when he felt Calén shivering and held Calén closer as if to pass on his warmth to his love.

"I kept my promise. I waited for you, Aragorn. I can feel the Shadow growing every day, and every day I pray that it would be the one you'd find your way back to me. When I heard that there was a meeting in Rivendell I knew that there was a chance that you would come."
"And now I am here." Aragorn replied softly as they parted and Aragorn looked down at Calén while the Elf fisted his hands on Aragorn's chest, wrinkling the already wrinkled tunic, it was as if he was afraid that if he didn't hold onto Aragorn he would disappear.

"And you are even more beautiful than I remember." The smile that Calén gifted him made Aragorn's heart soar, and for the first time in decades Aragorn felt at peace, even though the Darkness was growing. "You haven't changed at all," Calén whispered as he reached up to cup Aragorn's face between pale shivering hands. He caressed beard covered cheeks with his thumbs, smiling at the feeling of it tickling his skin. He moved up and pulled Aragorn into a kiss, sighing when Aragorn tightened his hold on him. Calén laughed lightly as he pulled back, completely ignoring the shivers wrecking his body. That didn't mean Aragorn didn't notice them as well. "You're cold." He murmured as he rubbed Calén's back and then his arms as if to stimulate the warmth back into his body.

"I ran all the way here from Nana's and Adar's chambers." Calén admitted softly which did nothing to stem Aragorn's worry. "Come sit by the fire and I shall introduce you to the Fellowship." Aragorn said as he led Calén over to the fire and the Fellowship. "Finally remembered that we're here hey laddie." Gimli said gruffly as he winked at them before bursting into loud laughter. "Now I could never forget you Master Dwarf." Aragorn said with a smirk causing the others to laugh as he took a seat behind Calén with his legs on either side of the smaller man, hugging the Elf close to his chest. Calén sighed in contentment and snuggled back into Aragorn's embrace, enjoying the warmth that enveloped him and the peace that finally settled over his mind and heart.

"This is Calénandir, adopted son of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn," Aragorn introduced him to his friends that were gathered around them, all sitting in a semi circle around the fire. "He likes to be called Calén though. Calén, these are my friends Gimli son of Glóin; Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm son of King Thranduil; Boromir son of Denethor, Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took. We lost one of our friends Gandalf the Grey." Aragorn introduced Calén to the Fellowship and them to him. Each of them either waving or nodding their head when Aragorn introduced them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Calén said smiling warmly at them all.
"Well met Calén." Legolas said with a slight bow to his head. Aragorn smiled as he watched his love chat enthusiastically with the Hobbits telling them all the pranks that he'd played on the guards, the two more mischievous Hobbits listening to him reverently and Aragorn knew that if they were able they would have been taking notes on how not to get caught after a prank. He was glad that his friends had accepted his love with open arms and Calén accepted them in return, especially with the war brewing, he just wished he could have longer with Calén for they had to leave again. He was brought out of his thoughts my Sam's question, but that wasn't what really brought him out of his thoughts it was Calén's answer to the question.

"I'm sorry. What?" He asked with trepidation. Sam looked at him confused for a moment before shrugging and repeating his question. "I was asking Calén if he would be coming with us. As you seem much happier now Strider." Sam answered.
"And what did you say?" Aragorn asked Calén urgently confusing everyone. Calén turned to look at Aragorn a frown pulling his lips down. "That I'll be coming with you of course. I know what your going to say Aragorn but there is nothing you can say that'll change my mind. I'm fully trained, both with a sword and a bow and arrow, though I may not like fighting but I cannot just stay here within these borders wondering whether you're alive or not. I'll go mad."

"Calén that is why I would prefer if you stayed here. You're safe here and you won't have to do any fighting." Aragorn argued but was cut off by Calén.
"No Aragorn you do not know that. Haldir reported the other day Uraki have been seen coming to the forest on the eastern shore. I'm coming with you and I do not want to waste our time arguing about this when we have just re-met after twenty long summers." Calén said as he placed a soft kiss on Aragorn's bearded cheek. Before Aragorn got the chance to answer a voice called to Calén from behind them.

"Calénandir!" Calén turned around and saw that his mother was behind them. "Come. We have things that need attending to." Lady Galadriel said softly her voice floating on the wind. Biding his hopefully new friends goodbye Calén placed a chaste kiss to Aragorn's lips before heading off to join his mother. The pair talking rapidly in Sindrin that it was too fast for either Legolas or Aragorn to catch.

End of chap 5!

Translation:

*Elvish: feitha. English: wait.
*Elvish: Nana. English: mummy/mother.
*Elvish: Adar. English: Father.