(no subject)
This snippet of TLTW takes place about five months after Ellohir is born.
Disclaimer: Don’t own it. Don’t make money off it.
From inside the padded basket, Ellohir cooed and kicked his chubby legs. Frodo wiped milk from his face and the baby let out a gleeful squeal.
“You’ve eaten well, haven’t you, darling?” Frodo’s heart sank just slightly, as it did when he saw the milk droplets on Ellohir’s lips. How he longed to be the one to give such nourishment to Ellohir! There were times he watched Ellohir suckling at Alia’s breast and he was ashamed by the depth of his envy when he saw those blue eyes looking up at nursemaid with such security and contentment.
Ellohir was now dressed in a linen bunting, and Frodo grasped one covered foot and kissed it, causing the baby to giggle happily. Frodo lifted him, grunting at his weight. “Well fed indeed,” he groaned good-naturedly. The baby squirmed in his arms until Frodo was able to balance him just right.
“Where shall we go then?” He kissed Ellohir’s damp forehead, breathing in fresh baby scent. Alia had given him a bath just that morning, and his fine curls smelled of lavender.
Frodo set him gently in the wooden buggy, tying him gently but securely with the leather ties. The buggy had been a gift from Rohan, and Frodo leaned against it, catching his breath, blinking the black dots out of his vision that the strain of lifting Ellohir had caused.
Frodo pushed the buggy down the winding corridor.
“Hoy, Master Halfling!” Two boys, both sons of different guards, crowded the buggy.
“Is this the halfling child?” one asked.
“It’s the king’s heir, you fool!” his friend said, elbowing him.
“Hush, I was only asking!”
“This is Ellohir,” Frodo said with a smile. The baby watched the boys, his eyes wide and curious.
“He’s so tiny,” the first boy said. “Is that because he’s a halfling?”
“He is only half hobbit,” Frodo said. “Have a care to remember your king.”
“Aye, Master Halfling. I am sorry.”
The second boy tickled Ellohir under his chin and the first stuck out his tongue and made funny noises. They leaned in too close and Ellohir’s chin shook.
“Move back, lads!” Frodo said. “You are frightening him.”
But the boys were enjoying themselves too much, making more faces, laughing, and bumping against each other and the buggy.
Ellohir let out a piercing wail, as Frodo pushed the boys away from the buggy.
“You fool!” the second boy said to the first. “You made him cry!”
“Sorry!” The boys fell over each other, trying to apologize to Frodo. “I’m really sorry, Master Halfling!”
“Go on, now,” Frodo said, scooping Ellohir out of the buggy.
The boys took off running down the corridor. The baby clung to him and Frodo wiped his tears away. “Hush, Ellohir. It is all right. Hush!” He kissed the baby’s head. How dear he was! That this precious babe had been tiny enough to fit inside him just five months ago still sent shivers through him.
“Master Halfling,” a deep voice said. “Is everything all right?”
Frodo smiled at the Captain of the Guard, who rarely made it to their quarters. “Oh, it is nothing. Some lads came to say hello and inadvertently scared him.”
The Captain’s face clouded. “If one of them was my son, he shall not sit for a week!”
“No real harm done!” Frodo said hastily, flushing. He often forgot that mischief was simply not tolerated from children of Men. Already Ellohir’s tears had stopped and he was clutching Frodo’s neck, his little mouth working as he fell into sleep.
“He is the sweetest child I have ever seen,” the Captain said.
“Thank you,” Frodo said.
“Good day then. I will let you take the little one back to bed.”
“Good day to you, too,” Frodo said, setting Ellohir back inside the buggy.
***
Aragorn found Frodo and Ellohir asleep in the center of the big bed. His heart caught in joy at the sight of the two curled together, identical heads of curls, fair skin, and pink cheeks. He backed out of the room, unwilling to disturb their peace.