Once again I'm back with a new story! First of all I would like to say that if you haven't read my past stories: 'Just An Innocent Child' and 'Recovery' then it is probably a good idea to read them. However it is not necessary as all things regarding the past stories will be explained later on in the story, though not in this chapter. Hopefully this clears everything up so without any further ado, I present 'The Forge of Friendship'!



-The Forge of Friendship-

By Strider's Girl

Chapter 1: The Realm of Mirkwood



Aragorn son of Arathorn, formally known as Estel in Rivendell, walked beside Gandalf the Grey as they descended from the pass above Mirkwood. Hung at the young man's side was his sword, a present his elven brothers - Elladan and Elrohir - had given him on his twentieth birthday two weeks ago. His father had given him an elven cloak and brooch, as well as a dagger.

However that day had been the worst of his life. He could still remember his father's words echoing endlessly through his mind.

//You are Aragorn son of Arathorn, direct descendent of Isildur of Gondor, heir to the throne of Gondor.//

His reaction had been anything but reasonable. The words had effected him causing him to relieve memories he had hoped to leave behind. His mother had tried reasoning him, but Aragorn had refused to listen. He had left Rivendell a few days later, meeting Gandalf and asked by him to accompany him to Mirkwood to aid in a 'problem' that was occurring in the woodland realm.

Aragorn paused in his step and glanced over his shoulder back up the mountain path that could lead him home if he so chose to.

"You regret your actions, young one?" Gandalf said, appearing at his side and studying the man.

"Possibly." he replied.

"You cannot keep avoiding them Aragorn."

"Call me Estel. I do not wish to go by that name." he had told the wizard this fact many times, but the old man had refused to listen, and continued to call him 'Aragorn' and not his elven name 'Estel'.

Gandalf laid a hand on the man's shoulder as Aragorn spoke again. "Why me? Why am I cursed to be Aragorn son of Arathorn! The one and only heir of Gondor? Why must fate choose that for me?"

"You cannot stop being who you are young one. All you must do is except who you are."

"I am destined to be a King of Men something that I never thought I'd be. I do not like men; I HATE them! I can never forgive men for what I've suffered through. I cannot except; I never will." Aragorn turned silver eyes on the wizard and sighed: "I probably wouldn't feel like I do if I'd known earlier."

Gandalf knew what had happened to Aragorn when he had been ten years old. He had lost his innocence in a horrendous way. Aragorn had been hurt badly by a man called Deollyn who was serving his time in prison. Aragorn had not fully recovered from that experience, though his brothers believe different. Gandalf had seen the young man suffering on their journey to Mirkwood.

However Gandalf knew that if Aragorn was to heal he would need to enter the world of men himself. To him the sins of one man, was enough to condemn them all. However Aragorn hadn't known about the two men that had helped prevent him from falling into despair during his imprisonment in Deollyn's little hide-away hole. Aragorn could not forgive what Deollyn had done to him, and that had caused him to believe that all men were evil.

"It was for your protection. Elrond wanted to protect you from the Enemy. You can guess what will befall you if the Dark Lord of Mordor discovered you."

"I still cannot forgive Lord Elrond - the one who was my father! - for not being truthful to me. He always said he was." Aragorn had become quite horrible towards his elven father since being told his identity, but he was beginning to except the elven lord's reasoning for doing so.

"Aragorn, you cannot hate your family for keeping secrets from you. It may hurt you inside, but they are the only family that you have. They will aid you in your time of need. If you demean them now they will not be able to help you. My friend you are the hope of men. You are young and your destiny is a long way away. Don't broad upon it; let you live your life before many hardships fall upon you. Don't let it keep you back. Put your thoughts away and forget it. Accept it for now; worry about it later." Gandalf reminded, a smile curling through his grey beard.

"I'll accept it for now, but I won't forget what Elrond has done." Aragorn replied.

Gandalf nodded accepting the young man's decision. This was the first step towards Aragorn's lesson of acceptance of himself and destiny. However now he would not dwell on the human's problems, instead he would concentrate on the problem at hand. The problem regarding Thranduil's realm in Mirkwood.

The two companions turned their attention to the densely thick wood that lay ahead of them. There was a path leading through which Gandalf steered both of them to. Before entering the dense wood the wizard cautioned Aragorn.

"The wood-elves do not have a fondness for men as some elves do. Some will look to you as danger mainly because of the current problems facing Mirkwood."

"It's men isn't it?" Aragorn asked, "The problem involves men."

"Yes it does. I do need your help in this."

"I will stay. I promised I would help you. I don't break my promises."

Gandalf smiled. "I'm pleased that you think that way."

"Why do they not like men? The wood-elves?"

"Ah, simple." Gandalf said, "unfortunately I cannot tell you. I am leaving that task for Prince Legolas who we are due to meet at the Gates of Mirkwood. And I should warn you, Legolas dislikes men the most out of his people. He was hurt the most by them and he's never forgiven them."

"Like me." Aragorn whispered as Gandalf walked into the forest with Aragorn following.

*****



It was another day till the two companions came to the Gates of Mirkwood. Two elven guards stood there and they stepped in front of the gate, blocking them from entering.

"Speak! Who are you?"

"Surely," Gandalf laughed, "that you would not remember me? Mithrandir?"

"We're only checking. It's our job." the guard said. The elf's eyes strode over Aragorn and he said: "That one is not allowed within these lands. You very well know this, especially with what is going on!"

"I will atone for him." Gandalf said, "He is my companion."

"How can we trust him?"

Gandalf let a smile cross his face. "I'm sure Lord Elrond wouldn't like the fact that you wouldn't let his foster son into this realm? He'd have something to say."

The guard hesitated. "Very well. We will let him pass, but keep an eye on him. Not many elves feel inclined to trust men in these dark days."

The gates were opened and they were admitted into the forest.

Gandalf looked around and then turned back to the elven warrior. "Where is Prince Legolas? I am due to meet him."

As if on cue a silver haired elf appeared from under the nearest tree and strolled over to the wizard. "Do not fear I am here." the elf's eyes fell on Aragorn and the eyes hardened. "May I ask why you have brought one of the filthy Edain to my home?"

Aragorn stared back at the elf.

Gandalf shook his head. "He is here with me. He has agreed to help solve your problems with the men in this realm."

Legolas turned away from the two. "I do not suffer to be with men. He either leaves or I dispose of him myself. I made a promise Gandalf, that if any man came near me I would kill them."

"He is different. He's grown up with elves in Rivendell." Gandalf explained. "Give him a chance before you judge him."

Legolas gritted his teeth. "Very well I will. You must keep him within your sight. I do not want to be with him alone. Providing you remain here Mithrandir I will not harm him."

Gandalf nodded. "That I will do. I do not think Lord Elrond would like you to harm his son anyway."

Legolas just waved a hand. "Come. I will take you to a secure area where we can discuss our plans."

Aragorn walked beside Gandalf. "I have a feeling that I'm not going to get along well with him."

"Do not worry Aragorn. Just give him time. Legolas doesn't understand you. If he takes the time to know you then his opinion will change."

"Are you suggesting I tell him what happened to me? Surely you're not?" Aragorn asked.

"No. Merely I am suggesting that it may be wise to explain to him of your hatred. Not tell him what happened."

"I will do this thought it pains me to do so."

Gandalf smiled. "It is time you faced your fears Aragorn. You cannot forget about it and lock it away. Fears will always come back. It is time."

Aragorn pondered the wizard's words. He did not wish to even tell the elf Prince of his fears or of his hatred. Even if he did would the elf believe him and would he be friendlier to him once he knew the truth?

These things raced through his mind, his fears increasing as he thought over them.



TBC



Next chapter will be up soon!