-2961 of the Third Age-
"If it hadn't been for Lady Varda, I'm sure I would have died," Aldril said as he leaned back on Tauriel's lap. She was tenderly stroking his silky hair. The campfire's flames cast dancing shadows across the half-elf's face; the memory of that experience was still vivid, like the smoke curling up from the fire.
Aragorn, sitting opposite them, listened in silence, as did Tauriel, both absorbed in imagining what Aldril had had to endure.
Shifting with a slight discomfort, Aragorn leaned toward the flames.
"But those creatures… what were they like?" he asked cautiously. "You mentioned they were horrors, but you didn't describe them."
His curiosity burned as hotly as the fire before them; knowledge of creatures that existed before the arrival of the Valar was forbidden lore, one that very few in Middle-earth could claim to possess.
The Dúnadan's curiosity was met with a brief laugh from the half-elf.
"Aragorn," he began, sitting up from his beloved's lap. "There is some knowledge it is better not to seek. If I were to describe what they looked like, I would bring with me the dark magic that permeates them… and I wouldn't want the future king of Gondor to descend into madness because of me."
Nodding, Aragorn closed his eyes for an instant.
"I apologize if my curiosity sounded reckless," he said.
Aldril dismissed his words with a wave of his hand.
"It's no matter, I'm not bothered. But remember: don't ask Gandalf about any of this. That old man would surely give you a scolding with his staff… and then he would strike me for having told you even a little about those creatures."
This time, a melodious laugh rang out in the clearing, as beautiful as a flower in spring. For an instant, Aldril was lost in that sound, which, to him, was a poem.
"Yes, Gandalf would do that," Tauriel said, recovering from her laugh. Then she looked at her beloved with curiosity. "But, dear one… you mentioned the Grey Wizard was with you and the Balrog. How did they defeat it? Were you there?"
Aldril brought his hand to his chin as he recalled what had happened with the Balrog.
"Once Lady Varda vanished, I was left in a state of weakness. I walked toward where Gandalf had fled with the Balrog, and when I emerged outside, I only found the corpse of Morgoth's servant. I later learned from Elrond that Glorfindel, Galadriel, and Gandalf himself were the ones who delivered the final blow."
With a teasing smile, he looked at his fiancée.
"I bet without them, right now we wouldn't have Gandalf the Gray, but Gandalf the White," he joked.
Tilting her head, Tauriel looked at him strangely. Like Aragorn, she didn't understand Aldril's joke. Well, to be honest, only those who knew the history would have laughed along with the half-elf.
"I don't understand, darling," Tauriel said.
"Perhaps in the future, my love," Aldril replied, lying back down.
His carefree attitude made Tauriel shake her head with an amused smile. She knew Aldril well enough to know that, now and then, her beloved would utter jokes or phrases impossible to grasp. Over time, she had learned not to try to decipher all of them.
"Well, I'm a little sleepy," Aldril said, yawning. "If you want to ask anything, do it before rest claims me."
With a springtime laugh, Tauriel moved away from Aldril. She went to her backpack—which she had retrieved earlier from Aldril's storage ring—and from it pulled out some soft, cozy narcissus-covered pillows, as well as a large blanket capable of covering them both.
Meanwhile, Aragorn nodded. He had already prepared his sleeping place, so he was the only one who remained beside Aldril, who, lazily, looked at the stars, resigned to the loss of the comfort of his beloved's soft thighs.
"I have nothing else to ask," Aragorn said, lying down. "I'll be setting off tomorrow, so I'll rest and let you sleep."
And just like that, without another word, all of them allowed themselves to be wrapped in the starlight and the silver glow of the moon, which embraced and gently lulled them. The whistling wind, which swayed the grasslands, became their lullaby, allowing the three of them to fall asleep quickly.
Time passed, and with it, the golden brilliance of the sun lit up the fields. The morning animals woke up and began their day in search of food. Some squirrels and field rats watched as Aldril and Tauriel said goodbye to Aragorn, who, mounted on his horse, was preparing to depart.
"Once more, allow me to thank you for all these years of instruction," Aragorn said, bowing his head in a gesture of respect. "I will eagerly await the day of your wedding; no matter how far I may be, rest assured that I will be there in person."
"Be careful on your journey," Tauriel replied. "You wouldn't want Arwen to suffer your loss; that would kill her."
A little embarrassed, Aragorn shrugged as a wide smile adorned his face.
"I will be careful, Lady Tauriel," he said, turning to the half-elf and giving him a knowing smile. "I hope you also help watch over Lord Aldril; he's fearless, and I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him before his wedding."
"You don't need to worry about that, I'll take good care of him," the red-haired elf added. She looked at her fiancé with overflowing love. "I will always take care of him."
Feeling Tauriel's ardent and passionate gaze, Aldril couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. No matter how many years passed between them, he would never grow accustomed to his fiancée's beauty. Clearing his throat, he looked at the Dúnadan.
"The wedding will be in the middle of next spring. I expect your presence; otherwise, I'll have to complain to my cousin."
That small, teasing threat made the three of them laugh for a few moments, until the sunlight rose high, illuminating their figures and casting their shadows upon the ground.
"Take care, Aragorn," Aldril said, dropping his joking tone and adopting a more serious one. "If you need help, don't hesitate to ask."
"I will, Lord Aldril," the Dúnadan replied. "Thank you for everything."
With a final farewell, Aragorn set off toward the horizon, where the rising sun slowly concealed his figure, until he vanished into the distance.
**
Remember to support me on Patreon, where I'll be uploading new chapters more frequently, as well as new fanfiction! [email protected]/Mrnevercry"