Title:Where the Stars are Strange?
Rating:PG
Theme:Back to School
Elements:Geography
Beta:Virtuella, also thanks to Raksha for
suggesting some plot elements
Summary:Arwen
invites some other children to join Eldarion for his lessons
Word
Count: 1447
Disclaimer - These
characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written
for pleasure and not for financial gain
Arwen
looked up from her embroidery as her husband entered the room.
“I am
sorry I was delayed, vanimelda,” said the King, kissing her tenderly.
“I
have been waiting for you, my love,” said Arwen, returning his kiss. “Eldarion’s
tutor has been to see me today. He is concerned that our son is lacking in
enthusiasm for his studies.”
“I will talk to the boy,” said Aragorn.
“Eldarion needs to understand that he must study hard if he is to make a good
king when the time comes.”
“That is not the problem,” said the Queen.
“The tutor thinks Eldarion is suffering because he has no other children to
compete with in the schoolroom.”
“I managed perfectly well on my own,”
said Aragorn. “I did have some inspiring tutors, though. Your father and
Glorfindel were never boring to listen to.”
“I told the tutor that as
long as you did not object, my love, that I would invite some other children to
share some of Eldarion’s lessons.”
“Very well, vanimelda. ”Aragorn yawned
as he settled himself on the couch beside her. It had been a very long day and
he was eager for supper and his comfortable bed.
**
Arwen soon chose
some fellow students to study with her son. Faramir and Éowyn’s daughter,
Elestelle, as the Steward and his lady were currently in Minas Tirith, Hador and
Valandil, sons of Aragorn’s guards and occasional playmates of Eldarion, and
Elwing and Faris, the nearest in age to Eldarion of Ambassador Tahir and Lady
Adiva’s large brood.
The Queen and the tutor had a lengthy discussion
concerning which subject the other children should join Eldarion to study.
Quenya was too obscure: Eldarion was far better schooled in lore and history
than others of his age and would shine too much, while in arithmetic, he would
shine too little. Eventually they decided that Geography would be the perfect
subject for the children to learn together.
Aragorn, though, had been
less than enthusiastic when he heard of his wife’s choices both of the children
and of the subject. “It would have been best if you had just invited Hador and
Valandil, or chosen another subject,” he said. “Still now they are all invited,
we can but hope for the best.”
“They are all nice children from good
families,” Arwen protested. “I know Eldarion does not like girls much, but you
could hardly not invite your best friend’s daughter, while Lady Adiva is always
saying how she wants her children to feel they belong in Gondor as well as
Harad. I know Elwing is older than the others, but I did not wish Elestelle to
be the only girl, and Faris often comes to play with Eldarion.”
For the
occasion Arwen had suggested that the lesson take place in Aragorn’s library
rather than the small study that served as Eldarion’s schoolroom. The Queen had
instructed that the servants place a large globe upon the table. It was a
beautiful and priceless object that had been given to Arwen’s father by Thorin’s
folk as a thank you for his hospitality. The seas were made from lapis lazuli
and the land from emeralds and topaz.
The children sat around the table
their faces reflecting a variety of emotions. Hador and Valandil were somewhat
subdued; Eldarion was excited to have a lesson with other children. Elwing and
Faris whispered to each other and Elestelle sat quietly, her golden hair setting
her apart from the others.
The tutor greeted the group enthusiastically.
“Who can tell me where Gondor is?” he asked.
“It’s there!” cried
Eldarion, pointing to the relevant spot on the globe.
“I know!” chorused
the other four.
“And who can tell me what the other lands are called?”
the tutor continued.
“That one is Rohan where my Uncle Eomer is King,”
said Elestelle, pointing to Rohan. “The people who live there call it the
Riddermark.”
“That is correct, Lady Elestelle,” said the tutor. “And can
you show me the land where your father reigns as Prince?”
Elestelle
stared at the globe then got to her feet and peered at it more closely.
“Ithilien is there, I think,” she said. “It looks dreadfully small, though, when
really it is a vast land full of trees!”
“If a globe showed a place the
right size it would have to be as big as the place itself and there would be no
room left in the place,” said Elwing.
“That is a very profound thought,
Lady Elwing, “ said the tutor.
“My father likes me to learn philosophy,”
said Elwing rather smugly.
“Does anyone know of any other lands?” said
the tutor.
“The Shire in the North is where the Perianth live,” said
Valandil a trifle shyly.
“It is part of Arnor where my father was born
and the other great land that he rules over,” Eldarion added. “My father’s
kingdom is the largest and fairest in all of Middle-earth.”
“Harad is
larger and fairer than Gondor,” said Elwing. “My mother and father took me to
visit the other members of our tribe who still dwell there. We have vast deserts
and beautiful oases with cool streams and bright flowers.”
“The sun is
brighter and the horses swifter,” added Faris.
“How do you know that?”
Eldarion retorted. “You were only a baby when you went to visit!”
“I do
not forget my homeland,” said Faris.
“Gondor is our home now,” said
Elwing. “But Harad is a fair land and the Great Khan is the most powerful ruler
there is!”
“My father is the greatest ruler!” Eldarion contradicted
angrily. “He rules Arnor as well as Gondor.”
“And my father is the
noblest prince!” Elestelle added. “And Uncle Eomer is a greater King than the
Khan!”
Eldarion glared at her.
“But King Elessar is the greatest
of them all,” Elestelle added. “How can Harad be fairer than Gondor? Uncle
Aragorn, um, the King says your land is all sun baked sands and even your stars
are strange!”
“It is your stars that are strange!” Elwing replied. “Ours
are just as stars ought to be. Harad is the fairest land there is.”
“How
can you say Harad is better than Gondor?” demanded Hador, forgetting that he had
felt somewhat overawed until now. “ If you weren’t a girl I’d hit
you!”
“I’ll hit you then!” cried Faris, jumping up from his
place.
“Our stars aren’t strange at all!” Eldarion said fiercely also
jumping up. The remaining children copied him.
“Return to your places!”
cried the tutor.
The children ignored him. Within moments Eldarion,
Valandil and Hador were fighting with Faris, whose sister rushed to his rescue.
Despite being of the gentler sex, she was three years older than the boys and a
tall strong girl. Elestelle remained aloof from the fray, but kept shouting.
“Gondor is best!” until Elwing pulled one of her golden pigtails. Elestelle
screamed.
“What is the meaning of this?” a stern voice
demanded.
The tutor bowed low to the King, Hador and Valandil looked as
if they feared that their heads might be severed any moment, while Elwing and
Faris looked on the verge of flight.
“I was teaching the young people
geography, sire,” said the tutor.
“They said Harad was better than
Gondor!” Eldarion cried, his young face still flushed with anger.
“And
that our stars were strange and Harad was fairer than Ithilien!” Elestelle
added.
“What a foolish argument!” Aragorn said sternly, glaring at the
children. “All of you were born in Gondor and did you not know that the land
where your longfathers dwelled will always be the most fair as will the land you
choose to call home? I have travelled through many lands and seen great wonders
in them all, but to me Rivendell will always be the fairest spot on Arda as I
grew up there and met my lady. Now, Master Tutor, what do you suggest we do with
these miscreants?”
“Please don’t send us to the dungeons, sire!” pleaded
Valandil.
“How about that they each write about their favourite place and
what it means to them, my lord?” suggested the tutor.
“An excellent
suggestion,” the King replied. “I propose they write in great
detail.”
The children looked as horrified as if the King had thrown them
in dungeons.
“Will you show us the places you have visited on the globe,
sire, please,” asked Elestelle. “My daddy has tried to tell me about how many
there were.”
“Very well,” said Aragorn. He was already inwardly debating
over whether to employ a different tutor for his son, but for now he would tell
the children of his travels. Maybe that was the only true way to learn
geography.