Too Long to Wait: Another
Aragorn did not need to be in conference until nearly noon
so he had so far lazed the morning away with Frodo while
Ellohir occupied himself in his playroom. As the late
morning sun broke through the window, he lay propped by
three or four satin pillows, his arm around Frodo, who
leaned against his shoulder. Plates of food surrounded
them, all perched precariously on the bed.
"Here," Frodo said, putting a strawberry to Aragorn's lips.
"Have another."
"I'm full," Aragorn said, shaking his head with a content
smile. "I cannot allow another morsel to pass my lips."
"You must be jesting." Frodo laughed. "You've only had
three hotcakes, four sausages, a handful of strawberries,
three pieces of bread and butter--"
"Oh," Aragorn said, raising his brows and clasping Frodo's
wrist. "So now you're taking note of everything that goes
into my mouth? What you hobbits stoop to when it comes to
food."
Frodo wriggled out of Aragorn's grasp and popped the
strawberry into his own mouth.
They were quiet for a few moments, during which time they
could hear the sound of Ellohir chattering away to himself
as he played. A nervous fluttering filled Frodo's stomach,
and he realized that this would be the best time for the
topic he wished to bring up with Aragorn.
"I think Ellohir is lonely," he finally said, running his
hand affectionately through Aragorn's hair.
"Why do you say that?" Aragorn asked. "Has he said as much
to you?"
"No." Frodo clasped his hands in front of him, trying to
still the trembling. "The only children his age to play
with are the sons of the Captain of the Guard, but they are
a few years older and much bigger. I fear-"
Aragorn smiled and let one of his fingers get tangled in
one of Frodo's curls. "You cannot endlessly fret over
Ellohir getting hurt. He's a healthy boy who likes to be
occasionally rowdy, and sometimes that means he'll take a
few bumps. The older boys know not to be too rough."
"Yes...That is true." Frodo took in a breath, trying to
control the flutter in his stomach. He knew Aragorn would
not take kindly to what he would next say. "But...I
wonder-What would you think about a brother or sister for
Ellohir?"
Aragorn twisted so that he peered intently down at Frodo.
When he determined that Frodo was not jesting, his cheeks
reddened. "Do not utter such foolishness, Frodo. You know
it is not possible."
Frodo closed his eyes, fully ready for battle now that he
had gotten the worst of it out. "I know I had a difficult
time with Ellohir. But I heard-I heard something Alia said
once, that every child after the first gets easier, and
well--"
Aragorn pulled roughly away from Frodo, though he was
careful to climb over the plates of food, until he was
sitting on the edge of the bed. "You know it would kill
you. Anyone can see that even three years later, you've not
recovered fully from Ellohir."
Frodo rolled up into a sitting position, and touched
Aragorn's back. He was miffed when Aragorn tensed, but he
continued. "Perhaps if I vowed to stay in bed the whole
time, from the moment I found out-"
"No, I'll have no part of it." Aragorn's jaw clenched, and
he stood, pacing restlessly, giving Frodo occasional
glances of helpless fury. "Have you been plotting this for
weeks, perhaps months? It seems you have. If you do not
care about your own life, know that Ellohir needs you-would
be lost without you!"
"I haven't been ill in a long time, and I feel wonderful
now. I do believe that if I am careful-"
"I'll not hear a word more of this nonsense --" Aragorn
began to get dressed, pulling his leggings on with such
harshness that Frodo cringed, expecting to hear the ripping
of fabric at any moment.
"Aragorn...Aragorn, stay!" Frodo held his palms out in
surrender. "Please don't leave. All right then, we'll not
speak of it, not now."
Aragorn paused and turned to look at him, his eyes
softening. "Do not ask it of me, Frodo," he said nearly
inaudibly. "You know there is little I can deny you."
Frodo was left speechless by the pain in Aragorn's eyes.
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