A Timely Visit

Calene was not going to budge on this. She held fast to Kaled’s arm as she pulled him away from the area quickly “I know you don’t understand now, but if there is another one that is alive you wouldn’t stand a chance against it. It would take one swipe of its hand and you would be dead. We cannot take that risk and we don’t need any of that stuff. When we reach Minas Tirith I will have your grandmother tell you about her encounters with Trolls.”

Laenaya was more than a little relieved when she saw them move back onto the road. She lowered her bow and replaced the arrow into her quiver that she had since fastened to her hip. She had hardened leather forearm guards on now too and did not remove them when she shouldered her bow and ran to help Gulbrandt. She eyed the cloak that bulged as if something large was inside it but said nothing. “Thank the light you’re back,” She said then spared a moment to give Kaled a look that could have frozen a lake in the middle of summer. Kaled caught a glimpse of her look and once more focused his gaze onto the ground and said nothing. When Calene finally got him in his saddle Kaled’s face was a mask of sullen indignation. Gulbrandt tied the bundle onto the back of the mule then accepted Laenaya’s help to mount his own horse. In only a few minutes they were all moving down the road again and all 3 adults flashed wary gazes all around them as they rode. Nightfall came…

As the sun crept dangerously low beyond the trees Gulbrandt finally decided to make camp. The troll was still fresh in his mind but it would not do to have a horse break an ankle just now. Laenaya was selected to keep watch with bow in hand ...mostly for Kalad’s sake while Gulbrandt and Calene prepared their camp. It would be tight in the tent with 4 but there was nothing for it and in any case, 1 person would be up on watch anyway. Calene had gotten a large fire going while Gulbrandt produced a large Iron kettle and began preparing a stew that consisted of dried vegetables and dried beef that when added into water reconstituted into a thick, meaty stew. Everything was spiced so as it all cooked together the armoas that filled the area made everyone’s mouth water even Kaled’s who still pouted and sat quietly near the fire.

“Hill trolls, here?” Laenaya asked right after Calene had finished telling their little tale of Kaled and the Cave. She shivered at the thought and pointedly did not look at the boy who could have unwittingly got them all killed. Gulbrandt began to spoon out the stew and handed Calene a wooden bowl and spoon. Laenaya was next and then Kaled but when ht tried to hand him the bowl Kaled crossed his arms and looked stubbornly away from him. “Don’t be a fool boy, we’ve got a long ride ahead of us tomorrow and if you can’t sit your saddle proper I’ll tie you to mine...see if I don’t,” He said. Kaled looked up at him then and Gulbrandt’s expression was proof that he meant what he said. Kaled took the bowl and grunted as he turned and faced away from them. Gulbrandt just shook his head and went to fill his own bowl then sat back down next to Laenaya.

Neither Laenaya nor Calene slept easily that night. Both women had thoughts of trolls in their head and every sound they heard they would snap awake, fearing that danger might be lurking nearby. Thankfully, the night passed without incident or trolls and the group got up before sunrise to eat and then broke down the camp and readied their horses. Laenaya kept her bow and quiver on her person and was vigilant for any sign of danger as she rode at the back of the group. Brandt was up front with Calene and Kaled between them.

It was a long, hard day of riding, but by late afternoon the White City came into view in the distance. Tears came to Calene's eyes as she saw it. She had not been home in so long and the sight was almost overwhelming and not just for her. Kaled just stared, wide eyed as they drew closer and closer. They were waved through the main gates by a guard and then they began to ride up the twisting streets higher and higher towards the palace. All around them people went about their day, buying and selling wares and visiting with friends and family. Kaled's eyes were nearly bulging out of his head and they darted every which way to try and take it all in. Calene was talking to him about the history of Minas Tirith, but he was hardly listening.

Finally, they reached the palace at the very top of the city. The flag with the image of the White Tree waved proudly in the breeze. Immediately, a groomsman appeared to take their horses. Calene was both nervous and excited about seeing her parents. She knew they would love Kaled, but she thought that they should perhaps clean up first. Laenaya invited them into the apartments that she and Brandt shared so they could get cleaned up and change. Calene took a wash cloth and scrubbed at Kaled's face and hands to get all of the dirt off and then used her fingers to brush through his hair. Once she was satisfied they walked with Laenaya and Brandt down to their parent's apartments.

Laenaya walked in first with Brandt and she spoke her greetings to her parents. Her mother would immediately be able to tell that everything had been mended between Brandt and herself. The sparkle had once again returned to her eyes. They spoke briefly about the attack they had suffered on the way, but Laenaya assured them that she was fine and Brandt was recovering.

"What about Calene? Are she and her family alright?" Nauriel asked anxiously.

Laenaya smiled. "Well, we have a little surprise for you both."

She stepped away for a moment and then a few seconds later Calene walked in with Kaled. She smiled at her parents with happy tears in her eyes. "Hello Ada...Naneth."

Elessar smiled when he saw Laenaya enter and he looked over at Nauriel who was also smiling. Smiling and her face also had a hint of relief in it. She had sent her and Brandt to check on Calene and Deshane and she was extremely pleased that she had returned safe and sound. Her heart skipped a beat when Laenaya told her about an attack and that her husband had been injured. ‘I should have sent a contingent of guards with them!’ She thought but as she considered further self admonishments Laenaya stepped aside and Calene was suddenly there. Nauriel stood and pressed a hand to her chest. The movement caused the white blanket that had been on her legs to fall forgotten onto the floor in front of her. Her eyes began to well up with tears and her lower lip began to tremble. As she began to gain control of her emotions a small boy stepped around her to her right and peered shyly from her skirts. Elessar waived the guards out as Nauriel’s grip on herself shattered and tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Calene!” She said in between breaths and she took a step forward. As she did however Calene rushed toward her as tears fell from her eyes and she wrapped her arms around Nauriel and the two women began to sob as they hugged one another tightly. Elessar dabbed at his eyes as well as he looked at the young boy that now stood alone where Calene had been.

Calene hugged her mother tightly and could not stop the tears that began to stream down her cheeks. She didn't realize how much she had missed her parents until she saw them again. Knowing how close her mother had come to death had rattled her and it was a relief to see that she was alright. She didn't know what she would have done if she had received the news that her mother had died. She couldn't imagine this world without her. Her time would come, as it would for them all, but she decided in that moment that she wouldn't squander what time was left any longer. She would travel to the city once a year to see her family.

She managed to get control of herself and she pulled back and wiped her eyes before hugging her father tightly. She took a shaky breath and stepped back to let them see Kaled. She motioned for Kaled to step up beside her and she put a hand on his shoulder. "Kaled, I would like for you to meet your grandparents, King Elessar and Queen Nauriel. When they last saw you you were still just an infant."

Nauriel couldn't believe how big Kaled was! She had still been picturing him as an infant she had once held in her arms. But now he was growing up, almost right before her eyes. "He looks so much like his father," Nauriel remarked to her husband. "But I can see our daughter in him as well."

Elessar waited patiently while the two women dried their tears and hugged one another. His face held a perpetual smile and his eyes took the whole of her in. When she looked at him his smile seemed to bloom into something more. Once she moved he held out his arms and embraced her when she embraced him. He kissed her head and squeezed her to him. In his arms she was somehow just a girl again. He always seemed to have that effect on his daughters. In his presence and strength and confidence lay safety and a father’s love and warmth.

When she looked up at him he was still smiling and he lifted a hand to her cheek and wiped a few tears away. “There there girl, how I’ve missed you Calene,” He said softly then his gaze shifted down to Kaled who stood there shyly looking down at his feet. “And this is Kaled,” He said in his deep voice and he bent down onto one knee before the boy. Kaled’s eyes widened in surprise as Elessar picked him up and put him on his bent knee.

“We are told…” he began then noticed the long knife that was in his belt. He drew it out and both he and Kaled looked at it. “Well, do you know what this is Kaled?” The king asked and Kaled scratched his nose. “Um...a knife sir,” He said skyly and his cheeks bloomed with color. “Oh, its much more then that. This blade is of elven make, where ever did you find it?” He asked as he studied the runes upon the blade. As if a switch had been turned on Kaled told of his finding the cave, the troll and the knife. After a time more chairs were brought and a small snack of hot tea and biscuits were laid out for them. Elessar spoke of his and Nauriel’s past dealings with Trolls though it was Nauriel who he credited with saving his life against 2 of the largest mountain trolls they had ever seen. Kaled soaked up the tales like a sponge and then there were more visitors.

Calista and the twins, Ariana with Einor and Meliara and Airen and Narisa with Calaren. And finally Conleth and Serethiel.

The following evening a large dinner party was planned for the family to celebrate Calene's visit home. Calene no longer had use for formal dresses and so she borrowed one of Laenaya's. Laenaya hadn't yet told her parents she was pregnant again and she thought maybe tonight she would let Brandt make that announcement. She had spoken to Calene about it while they were dressing and Calene gave her her blessing to do so. As for her pregnancy she was going to wait and see what would happen. After five miscarriages she wasn't very hopeful that this one would end any differently and she had learned not to get people's hopes up.

Meanwhile, Narisa was with Calaren in their guest suite. The pair was visiting from Gehenna. They had brought several horses with them to sell and decided to stay for a visit. They didn't have any children yet and hadn't really discussed it. They were quite happy with their lives. Narisa and Calaren weren't just husband and wife, but they were companions and partners. They each had a equal part to play in the breeding of their horses and they were quite proud of them. Narisa had a passion for horses and riding that ran in her veins. She was much happier in a saddle than she was in the kitchen. Narisa and Calaren still had a playful passion and that had diminished after their marriage. They were very much in love and it showed.

Currently, Narisa was trying to dress for dinner, but Calaren seemed more interested in keeping her clothes off and wasn't helping her. "Calaren, stop it!" she laughed while trying to bat away his hands. "If you keep this up we will be late for dinner."

The years did not show on Narisa. Her long black hair was like finest silk to the touch and her eyes were like dark pools he could stare into forever. Her skin was as pale as alabaster and her lips like ripe plums. Calaren kisses the back of her neck as he pushed the dress she was trying to put on away from her. His hands moved to cup her perfect breasts and he pressed his middle up against her bare bottom.

“I don’t know if it’s this city or your just the most beautiful woman in the world. But I can’t stop myself from wanting you...from tasting your flesh,” he said as he shifted around and took her right nipple into his mouth. As he did he slipped his right hand into her undergarments and pressed his fingers up inside of her. “It’s painful to not be you Narisa. I don’t know why I feel I’ll go mad if you do not make love to me,” he murmured as he licked and sucked and rubbed his fingers across her most sensitive places.

Narisa loved her husband very deeply. No other man could ever compare to him. He was handsome and rugged and made her feel beautiful and loved. He could ignite a fiery passion within her with just a single look or touch. He was her everything and she felt extraordinarily happy with him. Of course they had their fights every so often, but they never lasted long and the making up was always filled with passion and love.

Narisa felt her willpower slipping quickly away. Calaren had that kind of effect on her. She felt her own desires bubbling up inside of her and she moaned at his words and touches. She knew now that they were going to be late to dinner...possibly very late, but she didn't care. A short time later she lay with him on their bed with the dress she was supposed to be wearing then on the floor. She was stretched out on top of the sheets like a cat. After a few minutes she looked over at him and grinned. "Ok, we really have to get dressed now."

Calaren was sprawled out on his stomach next to her, his bare bottom round and perfect for her to gaze upon as she liked. “It has been a while since all of you have been together, yet you’ve never asked me once about moving here...Are you happy Narisa...with me in Gehenna?” He asked as he reached out for her. He rubbed her flat stomach. “Would you like a babe there my darling? Is it time my love?” He asked.

Narisa was surprised by Calaren's question and she looked over at him. "I enjoy visiting the city, but I doubt either of us would be happy being cooped up all the time. Your heart is like mine...wild and free. If I were to want to go anywhere it would be back to Rohan where our families are."

She placed her hand atop his, which was still resting on her stomach. "I'm not sure I am ready for that change yet. I enjoy being with you so much. I don't want to have to share you with anyone right now. And the horses are a bit like our children. They can certainly cause as much trouble," she added with a grin.