Kittens Come to Dinner
Elarinya sighed as she dropped her head down onto the heavy volume she was supposed to be memorizing from. The words on the page were beginning to blur from fatigue and hunger. It had been a few hours since the midday meal and the young princess was hungry already. The sound of a tiny mew caused Elarinya to lift her head. The girl grinned when she saw the newest addition to her kitten family sitting upon the book, eyeing her curiously. She was a pretty little gray kitten with white feet and a white tipped tail. Ithildin stared at the Princess with large, inquisitive, green eyes as she mewed again. Elarinya giggled as the tiny cat batted at her light blonde hair. She couldn’t agree with Ithildin enough that she had done enough studying for the afternoon and it was time to play.
The Princess gently picked up her feline friend before sitting down upon her bed. She placed Ithildin down onto the soft covers as she reached for a hair ribbon that sat upon the coverlet. Elarinya giggled as the kitten chased the ribbon wherever it went to, even jumping up to swat it if she held it aloft. Ithildin ran everywhere, not caring if she jumped all over her young owner in the process. Elarinya was so busy giggling and being entertained by her grey kitten friend that she failed to hear the knock upon her door. Aragorn entered his daughter’s room after hearing a great deal of laughter on the other side.
“I thought you were supposed to be studying arithmetic, sell nín. “ Aragorn spoke in a stern, but gentle tone. He could see that times tables, equations, and proportions were forgotten in favor of playing with the new kitten. Ithildin turned her head towards the King and gave him a welcoming mew.
“Oh Ada, it’s so dull! Can’t I have the rest of the afternoon to myself?” Elarinya pleaded as she looked at her father from her place upon the bed.
Aragorn moved to his daughter’s desk and began to examine the assignment she was working on. “There is no such thing as a free afternoon unless you’ve earned it.”
“But I’ll surely never use all of this when I’m a healer.” Elarinya scowled as she got up from the bed. Aragorn gave his daughter a stern look.
“You most certainly will use arithmetic every day as a healer, sell nín. And you shall have to be able to solve arithmetic problems very quickly, especially if someone’s life is in your hands.”
Elarinya sighed and took the seat next to her father as they reviewed her assignment together. Inwardly Elarinya was glad Aragorn was reviewing her mathematics assignment today rather than her usual tutors. Her father seemed more patient and had a way of explaining the problems in a manner that the young Princess understood more readily.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be a good healer if I can’t get the hang of these problems, Ada.” Elarinya said in frustration. Aragorn reached out to drape an arm across his daughter’s shoulders. “Not even Master Elrond himself became one of the greatest healers in all of Middle earth overnight. You will be a wonderful healer, just like your grandfather. But you must be patient and take things one step at a time, my dear child.”
Elarinya managed a small smile. She looked down as Ithildin jumped onto her lap and then onto the desk. Aragorn smiled as he reached out to gently pet the kitten’s head.
“See, even Ithildin agrees with me. You’ve taken very good care of her and her older brother.”
Elarinya scooped up the kitten that promptly began to purr loud enough for both father and daughter to hear. It amazed them both how such a tiny creature could make such a loud rumble. Eventually the assignment was finished, and Elarinya could breathe a sigh of relief.
“Now you may do as you wish with the rest of the afternoon.” Aragorn murmured as he dropped a kiss on the top of Elarinya’s head. “Just remember that we have evening meal with the council members and the visiting lords from Southern Gondor. You’ll need to be in your best attire and on your very best behavior, sell nín.”
“But what about Ithildin and Lossësûl, how will they get their supper?”
Aragorn smiled in an amused manner. He should be proud that his nine year old daughter was eager to take good care of her two cats. Lossësûl came scurrying out from under the bed and rubbed against the King’s leg in greeting. The little white boy kitten Elarinya rescued was still small, but was beginning to show signs he would soon be a very handsome cat. Sometimes Aragorn allowed Elarinya to take some scraps of food to the kittens. But tonight it probably wasn’t the best idea to allow his daughter to place leftovers in a bowl and run off with them.
“You will be able to feed them after you return from the evening meal. I doubt they will starve, and I will be sure to give a note to the chambermaid to bring them their meal.”
Elarinya frowned inwardly. It would likely be a late hour before the evening meal was over with. The important men always talked on and on, and Elarinya was meant to sit there and be a proper lady. The young Princess despised the formal dinners. She much preferred the more casual nature of super shared with her family to this. At least then she had a chance to talk, everyone did. But nothing in the world was more boring than listening to old men talk about old men things.
On top of that, the last Aragorn left a note for the chambermaid to feed the kittens, she forgot. The kittens ended up escaping once the chambermaid opened the door to Elarinya’s room. It was hours before Aragorn and his daughter found the two kittens again in the gardens. How had Aragorn forgotten about that mess? He must be terribly busy to not remember that incident.
Elarinya stood perfectly still as her nurse tied the laces in the front of her gown. It was another stuffy frock that Elarinya didn’t particularly care for. It didn’t help either that her nurse nagged at her about being careful not to get cat hair on the velvet dress. The nurse departed momentarily to fetch the barrette Arwen intended for Elarinya’s hair.
Ithildin mewed as she batted at Elarinya’s sleeve. The princess sighed as she patted the kitten’s head sympathetically.
“I wish I could take you with me. You would be much more entertaining than those old stuffy men.”
Ithildin mewed again and tugged at the opening of the pocket in Elarinya’s dress. The Princess smiled and scooped up the girl kitten.
“Well, I hadn’t considered that idea but maybe it will work.”
The pockets were just the right size to transport a small kitten. Elarinya smiled and places Lossësûl in the other pocket. Thankfully the pockets hung inside the dress and both kittens were well hidden. By then the nurse returned to hastily arrange Elarinya’s hair with the barrette. Eldarion accompanied her to fetch his sister and tapped his foot impatiently as he waited. The crown prince didn’t like to be late for anything. Fortunately both of them arrived in the nick of time for the meal to start. Elarinya was thankful the kittens were quiet during the Standing Silence, and the King’s welcome. Once the Princess was seated beside her brother she peeked into the pockets to find both kittens fast asleep. Whatever did kittens dream about? Elarinya pondered the question while the men talked about boring things.
At last the meal itself began, much to Elarinya’s relief. The savory scents from the food upon her plate made the Princess’ stomach growl. It would seem she wasn’t the only one the smells seemed to stir hunger in. Both kittens were now wide awake and eager to sample some of the items from their young mistress’ plate. Elarinya managed to sneak small bits of food off her plate to feed to Ithildin and Lossësûl. The task made even more difficult by the fact she sat beside Eldarion. There was little the Prince’s eyes missed. Elarinya was so distracted by trying to eat and hide the fact she was feeding the kittens that she failed to notice Ithildin jumped out of the pocket and onto the floor. Her older brother was quick to follow. Elarinya kept her gaze locked forward, even though she inwardly wanted to be able to crawl under the table and scoop up both kittens. She knew there was no way she could pull off such a stunt without attracting attention.
Aragorn was listening to one of the visiting lords speak when he felt tiny kitten claws latch onto his leg. A split second later a ball of fur sat upon his lap. The King was used to the kittens jumping up into his lap by now. They had a way of escaping and coming to find Aragorn wherever he was. Ithildin was especially eager to assist with paperwork. The King silently slipped the kitten a couple small vegetables from his plate to keep it occupied. Aragorn was not about to fuss about the kittens presence. Thankfully they were behaving themselves.
Lossësûl jumped up onto the Queen’s lap. If Arwen was surprised by the white kitten’s action, she did not show it upon her face. Although it was specified that the kittens were not to join the family for the evening meal tonight, Arwen would handle the situation later.
The conversation shifted and both kittens were quickly forgotten. It wasn’t until Aragorn heard an odd scuffling noise that he noticed Ithildin had jumped up onto the table. The conversation fell to a sharp halt as the gray and white kitten made her way to the King’s plate and promptly began to sample from it in a rather greedy manner.
Elarinya covered her face with her hands as she sunk down in her chair. She could almost hear the reprimands now. She stood hurriedly from her seat and apologized profusely before grabbing both kittens and hurrying from the room. The Princess cursed herself for being so foolish as to bring her pets along. Surely she would be in terrible trouble for acting so foolishly. Elarinya wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. She wondered how she would be punished. Surely she deserved something terrible. Would her parents take away the kittens? The very thought of it brought on a fresh batch of tears. A gentle knock upon the door briefly distracted Elarinya from her thoughts. Aragorn entered the room; an unreadable expression was upon his face. The King sat down next to Elarinya upon the bed before he reached out to scratch Lossësûl’s chin.
“I’m really sorry, Ada. “ Elarinya whispered in between sniffles. Aragorn responded by wrapping his arms around his daughter and pulling her close.
“You do realize, sell nín, that Ithildin is the only one in the history of Gondor to get away with eating from the King’s plate.”
Elarinya cracked a small smile and sighed. “I know I shouldn’t have brought them with me, Ada. But I was afraid the chambermaid would forget about them again, and I felt guilty for leaving them behind. And it’s so terribly boring at the formal dinners.”
Aragorn nodded in understanding. Both and Arwen had discussed their concern over the fact there wasn’t a single playmate for Elarinya, and no doubt it must be hard on their young daughter. “I can understand that it must be difficult for one your age to be surrounded by nothing but adults. And it is true; I would have preferred you had left the kittens in your chambers. But I am glad you can understand why it was best.”
“Are you going to take away Ithildin and Lossësûl?” Elarinya queried as she looked up at her father’s face.
“Of course not, they are both every bit a part of this family as you and I. Your choice tonight does not warrant such an action.”
“But I am going to be punished aren’t I?” Elarinya asked meekly.
“I think you already know the answer to that question, my child.”
Elarinya nodded as she bowed her head. “I wish I didn’t have to go to the formal dinners, they’re so terribly boring. Are all adults so stern and boring?”
Aragorn could not help but laugh at his daughter’s question. “I’m not sure that all adults become that way, but some certainly do take themselves a bit too seriously. They mean well though, and there are many responsibilities and concerns weighing on their mind.”
The Princess took in what Aragorn was saying, in her own way she understood. The King was silently thankful he never had to grow up within these walls. He couldn’t imagine how difficult it could be at times. The Citadel was not exactly made for children to thrive. The prior summer, Aragorn and Arwen had taken Elarinya to Ithilien and their daughter seemed to come out of her shell in the more relaxing environment. She was so much like her father in so many ways. Aragorn also felt more than a bit stifled by these stone walls from time to time.
“I will try to arrange a holiday to Emyn Arnen. I sure lady Éowyn and Legolas would be happy to see you again. And you can see how the sapling has grown since you helped Legolas plant it last year.”
Much to Aragorn’s relief, Elarinya seemed to perk up considerably at the idea. “Can Ithildin and Lossësûl go too? I want to show them to Uncle Legolas!”
Aragorn smiled as he gently ruffled his daughter’s hair “Of course, I’m sure we will find a way to bring them along. We just have to be certain they won’t try to share the Prince of Ithilien’s supper!”
Elarinya giggled as her father leaned forward to place a kiss upon her brow.
“I must return to business, sell nín. And you should start thinking about retiring for the evening. I will return to bid you goodnight once I am done speaking with our guests.”
Aragorn was about to reach for the doorknob when Elarinya spoke up.
“Ada, do you think someday I might have a little brother or sister? I think I would like that very much.”
Aragorn looked over his shoulder and smiled. “I too would like that. We shall see what the future has in store. But until then, I’m sure Ithildin and Lossësûl will take you on many an adventure.”
Elarinya giggled. “Hopefully those adventures won’t be in the direction of your supper, Ada!”
Both father and daughter laughed as Ithildin looked up and gave an indigent mew while Lossësûl looked about as if he had no part in what took place tonight. Who knew what plans those two were already brewing? Aragorn could only imagine!