Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: So this is the official sequel that follows Aragorn as he struggles to become a Chieftain of the Dunedan. It will still be slightly alternate Universe because Gilrean, Aragorn's mother is dead in my story Families Can Cure Everything. This is my first time that I actually feature a canon pairing Aragorn/Arwen but I am not going to focus upon it. Let's begin.
Title: Walking The Path
Summary: Aragorn, son of Arathorn was fostered in Imlandris. Can he now rise up to the challenges his forefathers have set before him? Follow Aragorn as he leaves his home he has known since his youth and takes upon the role as leader of his people and faces his own darkest dreams.
Warnings: slightly AU.
Author: Laurenke1
Rating: PG 16 just to be save since it will feature some adults themes and fighting scenes.
The first steps down a path
Aragorn, son of Arathorn took brisk steps through one of the many beautiful and airy corridors of his childhood home, the elven haven of Imladris. The young male had only been told of his true heritage yesterday, but already, he felt a change coming over him. He was no longer the Adan child in Imladris, known to the elves as Estel, but Aragorn, son of Arathorn, as well.
He had not yet begun to realize what responsibility this burden of a heritage might entail but he needed to see his people with his own eyes. To see how they fared and to learn in time to take over the leadership, as he was to be the future chieftain of the Dúnedain.
As of now, he was on his way to meet with Elrond's twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir. Just as Elrond had been his foster father, these two identical elves had been his foster brothers. The sadness that had lingered in his father's sharp grey eyes had put Aragorn on guard.
He knocked on the door to Elrond's study, showing remarkable patience as the deep baritone voice of his father bade him to enter, moments later. He pushed open the door, stepping inside the bright room with the sunlight streaming in from the windows.
The regal elven lord, who sat in an armchair rose immediately with fluid grace that Aragorn could only hope to accomplish one day. The Lord of Imladris was dressed in deep red robes, his dark hair tied back from his face in the traditional style braids and the circlet on his brow glittering in the sunlight that came from outside.
The sharp grey eyes in the ageless face locked with Aragorn's own as the elf spread his arms, saying in his deep voice. "I bid you good morning, Aragorn." The use of his actual given name did not get past Aragorn.
The two other occupants from the room, both male elves, were dressed alike. Dark blue tunics with light grey leggings, with clothed the powerful leg muscles, and dark grey velvet boots that came up to their knees. The midnight hair of both were tied back in a warrior style braid, one Aragorn himself could carry as well. However, he had chosen to tie his hair instead back in a low ponytail, keeping the long wavy dark strands away from his face.
"Ah there you are. We have been pondering on why you could be late. You were the one who asked us to come and meet with you…" The eldest of the two intoned, smiling at him as the dark eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Elladan, cease this baiting!" Elrond snapped at his oldest son causing the other male elf to chuckle lightly as he stepped towards Aragorn and softly said, "You glow with a light, brother. Are you still our Estel?" Elrohir's voice was soft and filled with questioning.
Aragorn closed his eyes as pain flashed through him. It had hurt him that they had kept his true name a secret, and yet he understood the reasons. If he had remained with his people, he might have been hunted down because of who he was. He would have been killed and he was very thankful that Elrond had offered him a home and a family but he had to decide upon a hard choice.
If he chose to turn his back on the task that awaited him, he would await exile. Exile from those he cared for. From his family and friends and his home. His path was unclear to him and Elrond had said that he would toil long and hard before he would find rest. Still, he had not made a decision yet.
He needed time to think and to speak with his family. Last night, he had failed to appear at dinner but Elrond had not sent anybody after him, knowing that his youngest son needed time alone, to think, to ponder, to decide.
Elrohir seemed to sense his hesitation for he found the elven hand on his shoulder as he forced his eyes open. Elrohir smiled at him and said, "I deeply apologize, Est--Aragorn. I should not have asked."
Aragorn forced his eyes away from his brother. He could not look at the pain buried deep within his beloved brother's eyes. Turning away, he saw his foster father standing there. Elrond held his eyes with his own and then suddenly Aragorn could take it no more.
He took a step backwards, feeling strange all of a sudden. His whole future had changed yesterday with the news of who he truly was, and he simply could not pretend that it had changed him.
He forced some weak excuse out of his mouth and fled the room, not seeing the hand Elrond laid on top of Elrohir's suddenly tense shoulder as the lord walked after his foster child.
Aragorn fled to the gardens, taking quick steps towards the resting place of his mother, where they had buried her years ago, after she had died. He sat down heavily, reaching out with one hand to brush away the dirt on her grave and to play with the flowers that grew there, nostalgically.
"Elrohir's worry for you is great. I had told them before this day that it would be hard once you learned of your true name…" Elrond's soft voice startled him but Aragorn refused to show it.
"What would you know of changing one's life in the span of a day? What do you know of the crushing of dreams, of hopes abandoned?"
"I know everything about such things, Aragorn! You asked of me only last night if we were kin and I told you yes. My brother Elros and I were twins, just like Elladan and Elrohir are. We were simply not as alike as my sons but we looked different. Elros was broader and taller then I am. He looked like a man while I looked like an elf. We both fought in the War of Wrath against Morgoth with the aid of the Valar…" Elrond's breathing hitched and Aragorn turned around to look at his father.
Elrond's eyes were filled with pain and the younger male straightened, waiting for his father to speak. "We are Peredhel (half elves) but the Valar requested our presence. They said we had a choice to make. Foolishly, I thought that my brother's heart yearned to be with the elves that had raised us, as mine did. I did not speak with Elros about this, assuming that I knew his choice. Yet the moment he spoke and became a mortal, all of my dreams, hopes and desires were shattered."
Aragorn was looking at Elrond silently as the older elf met his gaze frantically, continuing to speak. "I never assumed that I knew happiness again but in time when I married Celebrian and we had our children, I did become happy, after a fashion. I knew that my brother's line would never be extinct and I was glad for it but I alone remember the look in his eyes, the bittersweet feeling when our closest bond disappeared and Elros closed his eyes for the last time, due to the choices we made. I know what it feels like when your world falls apart and all that you have worked for is lost…."
The Lord of Imladris fell silent, his keen grey eyes seeing deep into the past, taking on a far away look that Aragorn knew he could not penetrate. Elrond was seeing into his memories, of the times he had spent with his brother. The history books might mention facts about Elros, but Elrond knew of many things about his brother that nobody else did.
"Ada?" Aragorn asked softly, slipping into old habit.
"Yes, Aragorn." Elrond's deep baritone voice answered him as he stared at his youngest son.
"Did you mean that when you said that I would face exile if I chose a different path?" Aragorn was shuffling his feet but he needed to know. He needed to know if he had the support of his family.
"I meant it, Estel, but that choice is still before you." Elrond's answer was patient but the elven voice had a hint of steel in it and Aragorn knew that Elrond was warning him that the right choice had better be made.
"This is the first time that you name me Estel again. Have I forfeited the name?"
"No, Este--Aragorn but I was not sure if you wanted us to call you Estel. But it is of no matter now. Only time will tell when you are ready to face and make your decision. I suggest you meet up with Glorfindel before you leave Imladris. He knows much of the lands of the Dunedan and may know where you can find their encampments. You must also talk with Elladan and Elrohit, as they have met each generation of Dúnedain. I must go back to finish some paperwork. You will come to dinner this eve?"
It was an offer and Aragorn recognized it as such. Elrond was offering to allow him to have peace and to think of the hard decision that he had to make. Normally Elrond wanted that his family dine together whenever they were available and as he nodded at his father, smiling at the elf as he said. "I will try to, Ada but I cannot make any promises."
It was enough for Elrond. The elder elf clasped him on the shoulder and walked inside, his robes billowing about him.
Aragorn followed at a more sedate pace, his mind already on the afternoon ahead. He had made up his mind and he just needed some help. Taking a deep breath, he walked back to the room where he had left Elladan and Elrohir. It was time to enlist the help of his brothers.
His brothers looked sceptical when Aragorn asked his question but they followed him both back to his room, Elladan taking a quick detour to fetch his hunting knife.
Aragorn sat himself on the bed, pulling the string from his hair which caused it to fall about his face and shoulders. His hair was long, till about the middle of his back. The man knew what he had to do. His silver eyes were gleaming as they focused upon Elladan, who stood before him, holding the thin razor knife Elrond had given him.
His brother looked down at him and asked, "Are you sure that this is what you wish, Aragorn?"
"Yes, Elladan, I have made my decision. It is time to make sure that everything will be correctly dealt with so that I may start upon the path I have chosen," Aragorn sighed, his heart feeling lighter, now that he had chosen, but his mind was wondering how his family was going to respond.
As his other brother walked into the room his mind was made up. He would go through with his plan.
Dinner in Imladris was always a huge affair. The servants bustled about to set the plates for those who dined with the Lord of Imladris. But today no guest dined with the wise healer, only his family and those important in Imlandris (Glorfindel, the Balrog Slayer and seneschal who sent many a maid's heart aflutter at his mere appearance . Erestor, the chief councillor, head advisor, and seneschal as well, to Elrond who had saved his lord many times with well thought out plans and decisions.)
Lord Elrond was seated at the head of the table with three reserved plates for his children to the sides which were currently empty. Lord Glorfindel was seated at his right hand side and next to him Erestor. Both friends had their eyes trained upon the lord who was idly picking his food, now and then glancing up at the three empty chairs that stood out like a sore spot.
"I am sure Elladan and Elrohir will come soon. They have never missed dinner before." Glorfindel laid a hand on his lord's arms. Elrond's sharp grey eyes shot up and met the concerned blue eyes of his friend, as he forced a smile to his face.
"I am not worried. They must be caught up in filing some report." He tried to reassure them, as well as himself.
Erestor snorted in his wine at this and Elrond's head snapped to the side to glare at his head councillor. But even before he had time to say something, the doors to the hall flew open.
Elrond's head, as well as the other heads around the table, snapped up to gaze upon the door and Elrond's mouth fell slightly open. Aragorn entered, together with Elrohir and Elladan, who were chatting softly amongst themselves, pretending to be ignorant of the stares they received. Elrond's eyes flew over his youngest son.
Aragorn had cut his long hair short. It now fell just above his shoulders and the younger male was freshly shaved as well, silver grey eyes twinkling. Elrond was on his feet, crossing the room instantly and resting one hand on his youngest son's shoulders, as he said, "Welcome Aragorn, son of Arathorn, future chieftain of the Dúnedain. May the light of the Valar shine upon your path. You have chosen well, my son."
Aragorn smiled at him and then embraced his father, knowing that the first step on the path was always the hardest, even when he was surrounded by family.
I hoped you liked it. Review of course and tell me what you would like to see. The next chapter will be where Aragorn sets out to meet the Dunedan alone.