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An Unexpected Adventure [IN HIATUS]  by KathyG

Summary: In the spring of 2012, four American children find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar world and part of an unexpected adventure.  This story is AU, and blends Lord of the Rings book-verse and movie-verse.  This story also contains a lot of spiritual and religious content as a part of the AU elements.

Disclaimer: The world of Middle-earth and all its peoples belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien; the three films of The Lord of the Ringsbelongs to New Line Cinema and to Peter Jackson.  This story is not for profit, but is a gift for the enjoyment of those who read it.

Citations: In most chapters, there will be some quotations directly from both the books and/or the movies.  Quotations from Tolkien's books are in italics, and quotations from the movies are underlined.  Occasional quotations from other sources as well as silent dialogue, words spoken in emphasis, and passages from the Bible will also be in italics, and those citations will be footnoted at the end of each chapter in which they occur. We will also footnote research sources and credit the ideas of other people.

Thanks: We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of our beta, Linda Hoyland, another well-known and prolific LotR fanwriter, whose many wonderful stories also grace this site.

Chapter 95: A Little Bit of Food

In the feast hall of Merethrond, Bergil found himself bustling around during the preparations.  While he had been sad not to witness the coronation, it was quite an honor to be one of the pages who would be serving at the Feast, and he knew his father was very proud that he had been one of those chosen.  He had gone back to the Citadel after the army had crossed the Anduin, along with many other servants and pages.   

At least Sador had also been chosen to work during the feast as well, so Bergil was very glad of that.  But he really missed Joey.  But Joey was still with the Army of the West, or at least he had been among them, serving Lord Boromir.  Bergil supposed he would now be back in the Citadel by now, since he knew that the first King's Court had been held.

Right now, his arms were full of his portion of the frontal cloth for the high table.  He had a hold on one short end, Sador had a little section of the long side just Joey's side of the middle, and few other people were holding on to the rest of it.  On the front and centre of the black linen was an embroidered emblem of the White Tree and the Seven Stars.

The naperess, who was in charge of all the table linens, was carefully securing the top with little weights and smoothing the sections out from the centre, walking back and forth along the dais behind the table to smooth out every wrinkle. The frontal did not cover the back, which was why the little weights were needed. Then she came around to the front to make sure it hung perfectly level.  Bergil was very glad when she indicated that it was correct, and he was allowed to let go and step back.  Next, he and Sador and the others had to get the actual tablecloth that would cover the entire top of the table.  It was snowy white, with white-on-white embroidery of six-pointed stars all around the edges.  It hung down all around the table about a hand's breadth.  It was not as heavy as the frontal.  But still, he and Sador and the other helpers had to wait while the naperess fiddled with it to make sure it hung perfectly.

Then came the last cloth.  This one was also white.  It covered only the very top of the table and did not hang down the sides, but hung down only on either end of the table, which hung down almost to the floor, like the frontal did.  It was of thicker and coarser fabric, because it would be drawn off the rest of the linens near the end of the meal, just before the serving of the subtlety and the sweets, to save the more expensive linens from being stained by soup or gravy or sauces during the earlier part of the meal*.

When they had finished laying the cloths to the naperess's satisfaction, she replaced the weights so that the table would not get disturbed before it was time for the actual feast.

Bergil and Sador sat down for a moment on the edge of the dais, until they were given orders for the next task.

"Whew!"  Sador puffed after the exertion.  He was by far the youngest and smallest of the helpers in the Hall.  "I never thought cloth could be so heavy!"

Bergil nodded.  "It does look good, though," he said.  "I wish Joey could have been here to help us, too.  I have missed him."  

"I have missed him as well.  But I know that his little sisters have missed him dreadfully, along with their older brother and sister."

"Oh!  That is right!  You got a chance to know their little sisters while the rest of us were with the Army.  What are they like?"

But before Sador had a chance to answer, one of the older servants called out, "Come along, boys!"  It was the butler"No time to waste!" he said sharply.  "There is silver to polish!" 

-oo000oo-

Joey followed the rest of the family up a familiar staircase and a familiar corridor, but then they took a turn to a less familiar one.  He realized that these were guest quarters that he had never had reason to explore, as none of his errands had ever led him that way. 

It was so good to be back with the family again!  All of them!  Well, except for Lucy.  A groom had taken her to the kennel before Court was held, as it would have been rude to take a dog into the throne room.  But he was sure that someone would bring her back soon.

The McClouds were silent, by an unspoken agreement to wait until they had reached the privacy of their rooms to carry on a serious conversation.  And it was not long until they had done so, for his dad had stopped at one door and opened it without knocking.

Joey looked around the room.  It was laid out like many of the guest apartments in the Citadel.  There was a long wall to the left, and a spacious table was against the wall on that side.  Joey knew that the table could be pulled away from the wall, because the Steward had a similar table in his quarters, and on a couple of occasions Joey had helped pull the table out to be set for private meals with extra people.  The right-hand wall was pierced by a large window.  And the rest of the wall, where the door they had entered was, had a fireplace in the centre, and another door on the other side of that.

There was a long settee, and several comfortable chairs placed around a low round table.  A servant was in the room placing a large tray with tea and fresh water, and some light refreshments on that table.  He bowed silently and left the room before any of them could say anything.

“Well, kids,” Steve said, exchanging a smile with Gail, “we have an awful lot to catch up on.  We can easily guess how you ended up in Middle-earth, but there’s so much your mom and I don’t know.”

“Same here,” Jennifer said, glancing at Kevin and then at Joey and Kaylee.  “I mean, we know you ended up in Middle-earth the same way we did, but what did you do after you got here?”

Gail raised her hand.  “We’ll tell you, but first, we want to know what happened to you, from the moment you left the campsite till now.”  Steve nodded in agreement.

The children sat in silence for a moment.  “Well, I guess we may as well begin with when we left the campsite,” Kevin said, and began with the same detailed explanation that they had originally given Elrond after they had arrived in Rivendell. 

Jennifer explained about how she had eventually figured out they were in the same Middle-earth that her friend Nicole was such a fan of, back home.

With a few interruptions from Joey and Kaylee, Kevin told how they had figured out, on the day of their arrival, that God must have sent them to Middle-earth to do a job for Him, of Gandalf's revelation of his true nature, and how they had finally realized it was God's will that the older three accompany the rest of the Fellowship on Frodo's mission.

"They wouldn't let me go," Kaylee put in.  "Master Elrond said I was too little.  I was mad at first.  But I got to learn lots of things."  She looked at Jennifer.  "Why did Aragorn…I mean, the King–why did he say I saved Halbarad?  I'm glad if I did, but what did I do?"

Jennifer smiled at her little sister.  "Do you remember, just before we went into the cave, you found a pretty stone?"

"Uh-huh."  Kaylee nodded.  "It was pretty and round and flat.  I really liked it—I gave it to Halbarad to carry in the pouch I made for him!"

"Well, now the pouch has a hole in it that needs to be mended.  Halbarad had hung the pouch that carried the stone around his neck.  An orc's spear hit the pouch and bounced away from the stone inside.  It hit him pretty hard, so it knocked him off his horse, and it also knocked him out when he hit the ground.  He was still hurt, but not killed.  Your stone really saved his life!"

"Oh!" said Kaylee.  "I'm glad it saved him!  I would be so sad if he died!"

Then Kevin and Jennifer continued to give an outline of what had happened up until the Fellowship broke up.  But when Jennifer came to the part where she had surrendered to the orcs so that she would not lose track of her brother and Merry and Pippin, Gail couldn't help herself.

"You did what?" she cried sharply, stiffening her back.  Steve put a hand on Gail's arm to calm her.

“It was the only way I knew to keep track of Joey and the hobbits,” Jennifer explained.  “Just trying to follow them wouldn’t have worked, Mom; I might have been captured anyway, if I’d done that.  I left some stuff behind for Aragorn to find, so he’d be able to find us.”  Jennifer remembered how hard it had been to leave her things behind, but she'd done it.  "And thank the Lord, their boss Saruman had told them to keep their captives 'unspoiled'.  That included not just Merry and Pippin, but Joey and me, too."

Steve nodded and held out his arms to Jennifer.  "I know it must have been terrifying, but I am proud of you, my brave girl!  You did what you had to do."

Joey piped up.  "I'm really glad she did, Mom.  I was so scared, I really was.  I kept thinking that sooner or later the orcs would figure out that I wasn't a hobbit, too, and then they’d kill me.  And just having Jennifer there made me feel a lot better.  I know that was kind of selfish of me, but it's true!"

Gail sighed.  "I know, sweetheart.  Jennifer did the best she could in a hard situation."  She looked at her oldest daughter.  "I just wish it had never been necessary."

Jennifer grimaced.  “Yeah, that makes both of us.”  Steve nodded in agreement.

"By the way," he said, "we found your backpacks on our own journey here.  We brought them with us.  We'll dig them out tomorrow and return them."

"Yay!" Joey exclaimed.  "I thought they were gone forever!"

Jennifer and Kevin nodded, and Jennifer said, "Oh, thank you!" and Kevin added, "I second that!  I thought my Bible was gone forever!  But it would have been too heavy to carry while we were running to catch up with the Orcs."  

Steve nodded.  "So, we saw, but you did what you had to do."

"It was hard to run after them.  Boromir was hurt, Gimli was fast in spite of being shorter, but even then, it was hard to keep up with Legolas and Aragorn!"  Kevin spoke briefly of that pursuit and how they finally found the signs that Jennifer, Joey, Merry, and Pippin had escaped on their own, and how they’d learned that Gandalf was alive.  

But as Jennifer was about to tell of their time with Treebeard, Mairen returned to their quarters with Avorn.  "The other Elves are also returning, for we must get ready for the feast."  As if to confirm it, bells rang out.

"Oh!" exclaimed Joey.  "I need to go check and see if Lord Boromir will need me tonight to serve at the High Table!"  He jumped up.  "I'll be back in a few minutes, either way!"

Steve nodded.  "Go ahead, then, son.  When you have a job to do, you need to take care of it, and right now, being his page is your job."

Joey nodded.  “Yes, Daddy.”

Kevin furrowed his brow.  “He might need me to do my job, too.  I’ll have to ask him if I have any duties tonight!  I'll come with you, Joey.  I bet he lets us off tonight, though, since our family is here.  Either way, we can come back here to clean up and get ready."   

-oo000oo-

As Joey and Kevin walked together to find Lord Boromir, Joey looked up to Kevin.   "Something Dad said made me think about something else."  He sounded troubled.

"What's that, Joey?"  Kevin wondered what their father had said that worried Joey.

"Well, you know when we took our oaths, me and Pippin, to serve Boromir?  When I became his page, and Pippin became his squire?  Well, after we did our part, Boromir had his oath, and he said he would be like my father until my own father and me were reunited.  Maybe I'm not even his page anymore.  I'm really glad to have Dad and Mom now, but I don't know if I want to stop being a page.  It's kind of neat to have a job I can do."

"I don't know what to say," answered Kevin.  "But knowing what I do about how seriously the people in Middle-earth take oaths, I would guess it doesn't just automatically stop just because of that.  There will probably have to be some sort of new oath for him to give you back to Dad, or—well, maybe not another oath, but some sort of ceremony."

"Maybe."  Joey still sounded a little troubled, but he didn't look quite so worried.  "I guess we can ask when we see him, then."

Since they had no idea exactly where the Captain-General actually was at the moment, they were quite glad to run into Master Ondahil.

"Master Ondahil!" Kevin said.  "Do you know where Lord Boromir is?  We need to ask him if we have any duties tonight!"

"He is, at the moment, closeted with his father, the Steward, the new King, and Lord Faramir.  They are unlikely to be free before it is time for the feast.  But I can answer your question: neither of you are expected to be on duty tonight.  Instead, you will be guests at the High Table.  In fact, I was about to come to see your family to convey King Elessar’s invitation to all of you, even young Kaylee and little Megan, unless your parents would rather they not do so."

Joey grinned.  “I hope they will!”

Kevin grinned back.  "I'm sure they will, but I don't know if they’ll want Kaylee and Megan to go.  It depends on if Mom thinks they need to stay with Mairen and rest."  He turned to Master Ondahil.  "If you would like us to, sir, we can give our parents the message.  We knew that even if we did have duty tonight, we'd still have to come back and clean up."

"Very well, Sir Kevin.  I do have other messages to convey before the feast, so I will rely on you to deliver this one to your parents."

The two boys nodded and turned back the way they came.  "I'm sorry you can't find out the answer to your question now, Joey.  But I'm sure you’ll be able to do so soon.  Maybe tonight, at the feast."

Joey nodded.  "Maybe."  They didn't bother to knock, but went right in.  

"Well, that was quick!" said Steve, surprised to see them return so quickly.  

“We ran into Master Ondahil, and he told us we’re off duty tonight.  Lord Boromir’s real busy at the moment,” Kevin explained.  He and Joey explained about the message from Aragorn that Master Ondahil had given them.  

“Please, please, can Megan and I go?” Kaylee begged and glanced at her little sister.  “Please, Mommy?”

Gail shook her head, looking somewhat reluctant.  "I don't know…"

"What's the problem?" Steve asked.

She looked at him.  "They've had a long day already.  And it's a very formal occasion."  She looked at the two younger girls doubtfully.

"If I may, Gail?" said Mairen.  She did not wait for Gail to respond.  "Kaylee and Megan have been to several formal meals since they arrived in Middle-earth, and they have behaved respectfully for the most part.  And if they should flag or get sleepy, signal me, and I shall bring them back here."

Gail glanced at Steve.  He shrugged.  "It's up to you.  But I think they deserve to go, if you agree."

Gail turned to Kaylee and Megan, who were looking at her hopefully.  "Very well, girls.  You may go.  But be very good, on your best behaviour."

"Oh!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!" they chorused, as they buried their mother in hugs.

In a short while, the family was ready to head to Merethrond, the Great Hall of Feasts. While there were other places to hold a feast in the Citadel, Merethrond was saved for the greatest of occasions, and there could be no greater time for celebration than this, the renewal of the Kingship of the line of Elendil, as Steve thought wryly.

-oo000oo-

Steven looked up and down the table at the other guests.  Their family was seated to the left of the Lord Glorfindel on one side of them, and at the other end, the wizard Radagast.  He and Gail were with the little ones.  Megan was next to him, and Kaylee sat between Megan and Gail.  Jennifer sat on the other side of her mother, with Joey between Jen and Radagast on his other side, and Kevin sat next to his father.  And Lord Glorfindel was next to Kevin. 

The Elven Lord had been questioning Kevin about his experience in riding a Great Eagle, and Steve had been listening intently.  His son had ridden on an Eagle!  Every time he thought there could be nothing left in Middle-earth to amaze him, something else came to his attention that blew him away!

That’s another way of flying the friendly skies, Steve thought dryly.  And the Lady Galadriel had sent him a prophetic message about it!  "On the wings of Eagles,” indeed!

"Did you realize that she literally meant an actual Eagle, son?" he interrupted.

Kevin shook his head.  "I had no idea!  Not until he landed there by me at what had to be the most miserable moment so far.  I was so afraid I would never be able to deliver my message.  But then, there he was!   The Lord had sent Landroval to me to carry me the rest of the way!"

Glorfindel nodded solemnly.  "The Great Eagles are the servants of Manwë, who speaks on Eru Iluvatar's behalf.  When an Eagle intervenes, you can be certain it is Eru's will."

Just then the servants began to arrive with the first course.  There were plates of steaming fresh bread, some sort of dip that smelled of garlic and herbs, and a platter of what looked like stuffed eggs, though Steve was not quite sure exactly what they were stuffed with.  Not devilled eggs—that was evident. They also brought some pears served with grape juice sauce.  He signalled the person bringing a pitcher of wine to pass him by, but another servant had one of cold water to fill the goblets of those who did not wish for wine.  Steve helped himself to some of the bread and dip, and he also helped Megan get some of each.  He took one of the eggs for himself and another for Megan.  He tasted the egg—it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't something he cared for, either; it had raisins in it, for goodness's sake!  He took one bite and left the rest of it on the plate.  Megan, however, seemed to like hers, and had a second one.  Steve did like the pears, but only ate a little bit, as he knew there was more to come.  Megan loved them, but she also only ate a small amount.

Thank goodness she’s never been a picky eater, unlike her brother and sister, he thought.  And thank goodness Joey and Kaylee aren’t picky eaters anymore, either.  That's one good result of their visit to this world; they've learned there are more good things to eat than burgers, chicken nuggets, and pizza.

Mindful of some of the previous feasts he had eaten since coming to Middle-earth, Steve ate somewhat sparingly.  He knew there would be other courses, and he didn’t want to run out of room before he could finish them.  He ate a little more of the bread and dip, but only very small portions.

He blinked as he heard Kevin say, "Dad!  Glorfindel tells me that you got injured in Lothlórien.  What happened?"

Steve tried to give a pared-down version of his own part in the battles in the Golden Wood, but Glorfindel seemed glad to sing Steve's praises and insert details that Steve would just as well have left out.  Steve felt his face going warm from embarrassment, but he couldn't help but appreciate the way Kevin looked at him with pride.  At Steve’s request, Kevin began to tell him about the Battle of Helm’s Deep.

At the other end of the table, Joey listened to Radagast, who was answering Joey's questions about his family's journey from Rivendell and their stay in Lothlórien, with occasional interruptions from Kaylee or his mother.  Kaylee explained to her older brother all about Radagast's bunny-drawn sleigh.  Joey's face turned an astonished look at the wizard, with a slight look of incredulity.

Radagast just grinned and nodded, with a twinkle in his eye that reminded Joey a lot of Gandalf.  Speaking of which, Joey asked, "How long have you been friends with Gandalf?" 

Radagast laughed.  "I see that you are your little sister's brother!  For she, too, hops about from question to question, scarcely waiting for an answer.  But I will say this: we have known one another since before the Moon began his pursuit of Lady Sun, and we have been friends off and on since before Time began."

"So, you’re an angel, too?" Joey asked.  Jennifer gasped.

"Joey!" Gail interjected.

"Oh."  Joey put his hand over his mouth.  "I'm sorry!  I shouldn't have asked that!"

"No harm has been done, young man.  You have an answer, but we shall not speak more of it here and now."  The wizard cast his eyes over the crowded hall.

But now Jennifer had her own question.  "And what about Saruman?  Was he also a friend?  Before, I mean?"

"Before his betrayal, you mean?  Alas, he was one whom I respected, and who had been given authority over me so that I did his bidding without questioning his wisdom.  But I would never have been so bold as to call him 'friend', for he seemed to have no use for friendship."  He sighed.  "And though I think Gandalf also did question Saruman's wisdom from time to time, neither of us ever suspected him of actual treachery."  Radagast paused to dip a bit of his bread into the sauce and take a swallow of wine.  "It is a sad thing that a trusted one should try to lift himself up through deception.  But ever he thought himself wiser than all others of his station."

"Well, he wasn't so smart about the Ents!" Jennifer said.  "He tore up a lot of Fangorn Forest, and it never even occurred to him that the Ents might decide to get back at him."  She paused and grinned.  "And boy, did they do a good job of getting back, didn't they, Joey!"

Joey also grinned.  "And we had a good seat and got to throw some rocks at his orcs!"

Gail had been listening intently.  "I can see we didn't get all the story yet.  What are Ents, and why were you throwing rocks?"  

Jennifer was about to explain how Pippin had come to get his hands loose, and how the four of them had managed to slip into Fangorn Forest, when they were once more interrupted by the servers.  This time, they brought what appeared to be a cheesecake, as well as a platter of mushrooms.

Gail still found it odd that most of the feasts she had attended didn't seem to separate dishes she would have thought of as "dessert" from those that were more savoury, but she was beginning to get used to it.  She took a small amount of all three dishes.  The mushrooms were excellent, and the cheesecake was tasty—it had a hint of a floral taste to it–strange, but also pleasant.  She also enjoyed the chicken meatballs and noodles, which seemed like something she could make at home.  I’ll have to get their recipe to take home, she thought.

"So, Ents are tree people?" Gail asked, as Jennifer began to explain Treebeard.

"They sure are.  They look like trees, huge trees," Joey answered.  "They're enormous, and they talk really, really slow!"

The recounting of the siege of Isengard at one end of the family, and of the Battle of Helm’s Deep on the other end, carried on for a while as they ate their chicken meatballs and noodles.

“No fair!”  Kaylee pouted.  “I want to meet some talking trees, too!”  She had lost interest in Kevin's description of the Battle of Helm's Deep, and had turned to listen to what seemed the more interesting conversation on her other side, which had reminded her of the talking trees in The Wizard of Oz.  "Did he sing?  Did he have apples?  Was there a Scarecrow and Tin Man?"

Jennifer and Joey burst into laughter.  "It wasn't a movie, Kaylee!  They were real people, even if they did look like trees,” Jennifer said, bending forward so Kaylee would see her.  Since their mother was sitting between them, it would be impossible for Kaylee to see her big sister otherwise.  “Treebeard did sing, but his song was very long and sad, and most of it was in Ent-language, which we didn't understand.  And nope, no apples, I’m afraid; he’s not an apple tree, not like those trees in the movie."

"And there was no Scarecrow or Tin Man, either," added Joey.  "I don't even know if they have scarecrows in Middle-earth, much less a talking one.  Besides, the trees didn’t sing in that movie, remember?"

"Oh."  Kaylee sighed.  "I forgot—it was the Tin Man."  She slumped back in her seat.  "But I wish I could meet a tree-person."

"Maybe you will," said Jennifer.  "You might get to meet Treebeard, depending on which way we go, when we head home."

Next to Jennifer, Gail nodded, but said, "Don't count on it, sweetie.  Maybe we might, but Middle-earth is a large place, and we might go a different way when we head home."

"Well," Kaylee answered, "I sure hope 'maybe' happens!”  With an amused smile, Gail ruffled her daughter’s hair.

On the other end of the family, Steve was troubled as he listened to his son's tale of taking part in the Battle at Helm's Deep.  He was secretly horrified at hearing how young boys and old men among the refugees had had to take part in the defence.  He asked only a few questions, but listened intently to all Kevin had to say about his first experience in a real battle.  He felt a surge of pride when Kevin recounted how he had saved the Elf, Haldir, during the battle, and nodded when Kevin told him about how he'd made friends with Haleth.  "It's weird, Dad.  I've really only known Haleth a few weeks, a couple of months at the most, and yet he feels like my very best friend now, more even than the friends I grew up with since I was little, back home."

Steve nodded with understanding.  "Being in battle is an intense experience, son.  It happens a lot in the military, that you make friends easily with those whose backs you have, and who have your back." 

Kevin smiled wryly.  “That's true!  And you know, I’ve been in three battles now.  I’m already a war veteran, Dad, and I’m not even out of high school yet!”

Steve was pleased not to hear a note of bragging in Kevin's voice.  Instead, his son sounded more resigned than anything else.  The men Kevin had travelled and fought with had been good men, and it sounded as if they had set Kevin a good example.  Steve had yet to actually meet the new king, but he knew that he owed this Aragorn his thanks.

The family continued to catch up as the meal progressed.  They were next served a green salad.  It looked just like any other green salad, except that parsley and mint made up a large portion of the greens, which were served with a simple oil-and-vinegar dressing.  Steve nodded approvingly.  Ranch dressing and Thousand Island are my favourites back home, Steve thought, but a good oil-and-vinegar could be a nice change.

There were still two more courses to go, and conversation flagged as the next one was large.  With five different dishes to choose from, Steve bypassed most of them, and only partook of the delicious roasted onion and a really good veal dish.  Right after that, several servants came to carefully remove the top tablecloth, which by now had a number of stains and a lot of crumbs, to make room for the last part of the feast.

The next and last remove consisted solely of simple nibbles: sugared pine nuts, dried peaches, and some very good sharp cheese.  Kaylee was barely touching them and was yawning, and Steve and Gail caught one another's eye, as they noticed Megan had fallen asleep against her father's side.  At least, Steve thought, she didn't fall asleep with her face in the plate.  He grinned, remembering when Joey had once fallen asleep face-down in a plate of spaghetti in a restaurant.  Poor kid still blushed when he saw the picture his mother had taken with her phone at that time.

“Someone’s getting sleepy,” Gail said.

“And someone else has already fallen asleep,” Steve said, looking down at Megan.  “I do believe it’s Kaylee and Megan’s bedtime.”

"Maybe we should tuck them in.  They've had a very long day," said Gail, "although I would like to stay here longer, and meet the King, since we have been told so much about him."

Steve was trying to decide (for he, too, wished to meet the man who had so impressed his older kids) when they were approached by Avorn and Mairen, who had dined at one of the lower tables. 

After greeting them, Mairen said, "I was wondering if you would like me to take your little ones up to bed.  Avorn and I have seen little of each other this day, and they would rather have quiet conversation this evening.  Talking to so many curious Men is…difficult."

"Oh, would you?" asked Gail.  "We are tired also, but we want to spend more time with Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey, and we very much want to meet the King!"

It was a measure of just how tired and sleepy Kaylee and Megan were that instead of protesting, Kaylee just muttered, "Oh, good," in a sleepy voice, and Megan reached her arms out to Mairen.

"Well," chuckled Steve, "I think that problem is settled."  He turned to give each little girl a kiss on top of her head.

Gail kissed each of them on the cheek, and said, "Don't forget to say your prayers."

"We…" Kaylee yawned.  "We won't forget..."  Avorn had picked her up, and she yawned again and tucked her face into the Elf's shoulder.  The two Elves carried the little girls out of the room.

Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey had stood back, waiting, and then Kevin said, "Would you like us to introduce you to Aragorn now?  He's just over there."

Steve and Gail exchanged glances.  “We’d like that very much,” Gail said, smiling, and Steve nodded in agreement.  Steve glanced to where Aragorn was standing with Gandalf and the Steward and Frodo near the centre of the table, but far enough back that the servants could go about their job of clearing the table.  "If we wouldn't be interrupting?"

Kevin shook his head.  "He told us we could see him anytime, unless he was holding court or something like that.  And if we wait much longer, a bunch of other people will be over there."

“Come on, then.”  Jennifer gestured toward the king, and Steve and Gail followed their older children toward Aragorn and his companions.

Joey took his mother's hand and pulled.  So soon they had reached the spot.  Kevin stopped politely, and Aragorn grinned.  "At last!" he exclaimed.  "At last, I shall meet the parents of these remarkable children!" 

Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey gave him small bows, and Steve and Gail followed suit.  Kevin introduced Steve and Gail to both their parents and to Gandalf.  They already knew the Steward, of course.

There was no shaking of hands, as that was not the custom in Gondor, but Aragorn gave them a nod and a smile.  "It is very good to meet you at last," he said.  "I have been looking forward to making your acquaintance, and to telling you that all of us who travelled in the company of Kevin, Jennifer, and Joey have come to be very fond of them and to respect them.  I also enjoyed the company of Kaylee while we were in Rivendell, and I look forward to seeing her again."  He looked at Gandalf.  “We both did.”  Gandalf nodded.

Kevin then introduced Gandalf.  Face to face with a person that they knew was actually a messenger of God, Steve and Gail both felt more than a little awed, and more than a little intimidated.  But Gandalf greeted them warmly, with a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eye.  "I am most pleased to meet you.  Your children came to us, and there was no chance in their coming.  It was meant to be, as I am sure you know."

Steve and Gail exchanged glances.  “Yes, we do,” Gail said.  "Though I am not sure we understand the whole of it even now."

“I don’t think any of us do,” Steve added, glancing at the children.  "Back home, we have a proverb about everything working out**, and I suppose the presence of our children was a part of that."

"And your own presence is most certainly also a part of it.  I do not believe the whole story is finished yet," Gandalf replied.

As Gandalf was so kind, Steve and Gail were able to relax now.  Steve nodded, and said, "We can't thank you enough, both of you, and all the others, for taking such good care of our kids while they were with you."

Aragorn sighed.  "I would that I had been able to do more to keep them from all peril, but the urgency of our task sometimes kept that from happening.  I confess, one of the most terrifying moments of our quest was when I realized that not only were Joey, Merry, and Pippin the captives of orcs, but that in order to protect her brother, Jennifer had surrendered herself also.  It is one of the bravest acts I have known, in a life in which I have known many who were brave."

Kevin, who had been politely quiet after introducing his parents, said, "Whew!  You and me both, Your Majesty!"

Aragorn laughed. "'Your Majesty'?" he asked.  "Why do you call me that?"

"It’s how they address kings and queens back home, at least in the places that have kings and queens," Gail said, and Kevin nodded in agreement.  “And they address princes and princesses as ‘Your Highness’ or ‘Your Royal Highness.’”

“They sure do,” Kevin said.

"Interesting.  In certain formal circumstances, or in correspondence, someone might say 'Your Grace', but if we are in public places, you may use 'my Lord' or 'Sire', Kevin.  And in private, you are certainly welcome to use my name as you always have.  As one of my companions on our journey, you are exempt from those formalities.  I so decreed in my court today, if you will recall.  You would only need to be formal with me if you were on duty as a knight."

Joey looked up.  "Can I ask something, sire?" he said quietly.

"Of course, Joey."

"Um, I'm not really sure…I know I should ask Boromir, but am I still his page?  I don't know if I still am, since he said until I got back with my dad, when we had our oath."

Aragorn smiled, and Lord Denethor chuckled.  It was the Steward who actually answered.  "I believe that now the fealty between you holds, until my son has a chance to transfer the authority back to your father.  There has been very little time for such, but I am sure that Boromir will attend to it soon."

"What do you mean, Joey?" asked Steve.  He had not had a chance yet to ask Joey just what was entailed in his son's duty as a page.

"When Lord Boromir took my oath to be his page, he made one back at me, and it said he would be like my father until I got back with you.  We figured, or well, at least I figured that wouldn't happen till I got home.  We didn't know you'd come here, Dad!”

Steve was surprised, but just said, "Well, that was very good of him to think of that, and it was the right thing to do, because that made him responsible for you, and was protection for you."

"I know," Joey said blushing.  "I'm glad he did.  I really like being his page.  It made me feel, well, like I was kind of useful here.  Still does, in fact."

Lord Denethor added, "You were more than 'kind of useful', Joey.  Do not forget that you saved my son's life at Parth Galen, before you ever became his page.  And I do recall how useful you made yourself at the Houses of Healing during the siege; I had a glowing report from the healers on your courage and your efforts to help the wounded."

Just then, Master Ondahil approached with a couple in tow.  Gail and Steve noticed this was the same couple who had been seated near them in the grandstand that morning, the haughty ones who had been offended by Mairen's presence.  "My Lord, Elessar, I bring those who seek audience with you.  This is Master Egalmoth of Linhir, Provost of that city, and his wife, Núneth…"

Ever dignified and polite, the new king turned towards his Chamberlain and the man and woman with him, and the others drifted off.  Frodo was approached by his cousins and Sam, and he and Gandalf joined them, but the Steward stayed with the McCloud family.  "Let us find Boromir now," he said, "and we will learn when he may take care of your dilemma, young Joey."

They located him at the other end of the great banquet hall, which by now had been mostly cleared of the signs of feasting, as servants removed tables and benches.  Joey spotted someone waving at him—it was Bergil and their friend Sador, each helping carry one end of a bench.  They had briefly freed up one hand each to wave, and Joey waved back and chuckled as he heard the adult servant carrying the other end chastise them, and then he trotted to catch up with his family after his distraction.

Boromir, Faramir, and Lord Glorfindel had all turned to greet the family approaching them, along with Lord Denethor.  Since all of them had been introduced earlier in the day, there was no need for more introductions.  Denethor nudged Joey forward.  "My son, your page has a burning question for you, " Denethor said with a smile.

Boromir looked Joey in the eye.  "Yes, Joey.  What is it that you wish to ask me?"

Joey gave a small bow.  "My liege, am I still your page?"

Boromir looked a little surprised. "You have given me good service, Joey?  Why do you think I would not want you?  Or is it that you no longer wish to serve me?"

Joey looked alarmed.  "No!  Er, I mean, no, sire.  But when we did our oaths, you said I would be yours until my dad and me got, um, reunited.  And now he's here.  And so, I don't know if I’m still your page now or not."

"Ah!  Yes, Joey, I did say I would return you to the authority of your father when you once more were together.  Although we did think that would not happen until you go home.  Still, I must keep my word."

Steve was watching intently.  While he understood that in this world, oaths and responsibilities were treated with much more seriousness than in his own, he could not help but feel a sense of concern.  Boromir looked him in the eye.  "Steven McCloud, of Or Egon, what have you to say?"

Steve nodded, and said, "Lord Boromir, I am very grateful to you for the way you have stepped in and have taken responsibility for Joey.  It is not the custom of our homeland to allow children as young as him to take on such serious duties, but you’ve taught him a lot, and he has not only been able to learn a lot, but he seems to have enjoyed it and thrived.  May I ask, do you always act as father to the pages in your service?"

"To be honest, your son is my first page.  But it is not the usual custom to offer that sort of guardianship to every page, only those who are orphaned, or who are far very far from the eyes of their parents.  Normally, I would not need to supplant a father.  But for all we knew, it was likely that Joey might never get home, and we did not know until recently that you had arrived in Gondor.  And it was needful that he should have some official supervision, especially when he was still separated from Kevin and Jennifer."

Steve nodded.  "I thought as much.  Joey clearly is torn over having to leave your service.  Would it be acceptable if he could retain his duties until such time as we leave Gondor to return to our home?"

"I believe that would be acceptable, if it is acceptable to Joey."  Boromir turned to Joey, who had been listening anxiously to hear the verdict of the adults.  "Joey, would you like to continue as my page under those circumstances?"

Joey nodded so hard that his head bobbed comically, and he beamed.  "Yes, sire!"

"Very well.  There will be another court in a couple of days, to deal with some important things that King Elessar did not deal with today.  Shall we renew the oaths on that day?”

"Yes, sire!"  Joey snapped to attention for a moment and then grinned and jumped up, pumping his fist in the air.  "Yes!"  Blushing, he put his hand over his mouth and cringed.  

All the adults laughed.  "That's OK, Joey," his dad said.  "I think we can understand."

Gail bent down and hugged her son.  "We are so proud of you, Joey!"

He blushed again, but hugged his mother back.

-oo000oo-

A/N: *Below is the information about the medieval method of covering a table for special feasts.  It was taken from a very informative book Lost Country Life, by historian Dorothy Hartley:

The table on the raised dais was covered in an elaborate manner: (1) A frontal, which might be richly decorated, was secured across the top of the table.  It hung down to the floor, hiding the legs of the diner and keeping out draughts.  (2) A long cloth, the width of the top of the table, was laid so that it hang down at both ends.  (3) Next came a covering cloth on top, was laid so that it would hang a hand's breadth all round, and thus cover the joins between the first two cloths.  (4) Finally a narrow draw cloth was laid; it went along in front of the diners, and on it stood bread, saucers and so on.  This could be withdrawn after the messy part of the meal, leaving all clear for its social ending.  We still speak of 'drawing the cloth', and formal banquets still end with dessert: fruits, sweetmeats, and wine upon polished mahogany.  (Lost Country Life, by Dorothy Hartley)  There are a few "read-only" of the book in PDF format online which show the illustration of the way the table was laid.  Unfortunately, they cannot be scanned.

Dreamflower borrowed the coronation menu from this Web site: Coronation Feast of Dag IV & Elayna II.

**The Proverb that Steve is referring to is The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.’  (Proverbs 16:4.)





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