Title: Only Sleeping
Author: Linda Hoyland
Characters/Pairing: Aragorn, Eldarion
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Book/Source: LOTR book-verse
Disclaimer - These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain.
With thanks to Raksha

"Are you hurt, Eldarion?" Aragorn anxiously enquired of his four-year-old son, who ran inside from the garden, crying.

"The trees are dying, ada!" Eldarion sobbed. "All their leaves are falling off!"

Aragorn smiled. "No, ion nîn, they are just preparing to rest for the winter, like you undress before going to bed.

When spring came, Aragorn took Eldarion outside and showed him the buds adorning the stark branches. "Look!" he said. "The trees have their new raiment for spring. Is it not fairer than ever?"

Eldarion gazed in wonder at one new leaf, newly emerged to greet the sun.

A/n Written for the prompt "New Leaf" at "Tolkien Weekly.