Chapter Text
B2MeM Challenge: Winter Wonderland - B3 - Winter Wonderland, Riddle Me Writerly
Format: Drabble
Genre: family
Rating: Gen
Warnings: n/a
Characters: Aragorn, OCs
Pairings: n/a
Creators' Notes (optional): Takes place during "Winter in Arnor", during Aragorn's first winter with the Dunedain.
Summary: Aragorn joins his cousins for the Mettare celebrations, beginning with a riddle-game during the first snowfall.
“I am greater than Eru, more evil than the Morgoth. The poor have me, the rich need me, and if you eat me, you'll die. What am I?”
The young ones of Tâduin were starting up a riddle game, and ‘twas Halbarad who had posed the first one. Aragorn watched with interest. He had guessed the answer at once, of course, but as they huddled inside the lodge, protected from the chill of the snow outside, he wondered which of the little ones might guess it.
“Nothing,” five-year-old Gilwen piped up, much to his surprise. “Nothing is greater than Eru or more evil than Morgoth. The poor have nothing, the rich need nothing, and of course if you eat nothing, you die.” She shuddered at the thought. Her sister, Silivren, cuddled her close, and Halbarad gave the child an approving nod and a smile.
“Well done, little starling. Who would have thought it?” His smile widened. “So now. You get to throw the first snowball of Mettarë!”
Gilwen bounced up, black hair flying, and flew to Aragorn, tugging his hand. She ran ahead as he followed her out, and –
Splat!
The child’s snowball caught him in the chest. He laughed.