Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own anything remotely related to the LOTRS books, movies, or video games. Lord knows I wouldn't be able to afford it if someone sued me. The only thing I claim is the plot bunnies, the horse, and Frank. Though Frank doesn't make a guest appearance in this one.

So you wanted a Elegost fic, well you've got one. And it is my point of view of how he came to be known in the land of Middle Earth. So if you don't like, sod off and bug someone else with your flames and what nots.

Don't like, don't review.

Lord of the Rings: TTA, Ranger Tales

-Prologue-

Fog rose from the plains of Rohan on the early morning. The sun cast shadows from the Misty Mountains over Fangorn and onto the lone rider. The rider was young Aragorn, Chieftain of the Dunedain. He was on his way from Gondor to Lothlorien. He was in no particular hurry, Arwen wouldn't be there, she had left several days ago to Rivendell.

He rode along, letting his horse pick his pace, which was usually a walk unless the animal spooked. However, this morn he trotted, ears perked and his stride was long. His head was held high, as if looking and listening for something. Aragorn took this as a sign to be on the alert, so he sat tall and watched for anything suspicious. Then suddenly the horse picked up the pace and started to canter, Aragorn let him go as he pleased.

As they neared the Rive Limlight Aragorn could hear a distant crying. It was from no adult, but a babe. Aragorn heeled his horse and with a surge of speed the horse galloped towards the crying. Upon arriving, Aragorn leapt from the back of the stallion and ran towards the forest. The trees groaned and parted slightly and light sprung through the tight canopy of leaves. It cast down on a tree with its branches lowered and intertwined like a basket.

In the branches was a cloth, and lying wrapped up was a baby. Aragorn stepped into the thick forest and towards the child. Aragorn reached out for the crying child, who opened his eyes to see the figure standing before him and his guardian tree. When Aragorn picked him up, the branches snapped out of place and the trees moaned. The baby stopped crying as he looked up at a human face instead of an Oak, with the baby quiet now, all the trees seemed to sigh in relief.

Aragorn followed the path out of the forest and once he was out, the trees came back together. Aragorn looked at the dark horse who was looking anxiously at the child, then back towards the forest.

"We must fly to Lothlorien my friend, but smoothly," Aragorn said to the horse. He then walked over to the river and climbed on a bolder. "Aradol, come so I can get on you."

The dark horse trotted to Aragorn and stepped beside the rock. Aragorn swung his leg over the horse and told him to go. Aradol walked down the river, looking for the best place to cross, once he found a shallow part of Limlight, he stepped in the cool waters and waded through. Once he'd crossed the river, he started to canter. His stride was long and smooth, but if the child made the slightest sound as if to start crying once more, he slowed down.

It was well after noon when Aragorn arrived at Lothlorien. Aradol did not stop at the forest, he kept going in and they were met promptly by the Elves of Lorien. Haldir was with them; he looked at Aragorn with puzzlement and stepped up to him and Aradol. Aragorn handed Haldir the baby and dismounted from Aradol.

"Aragorn, this isn't you-" Haldir began, but was cut short by Aragorn.

"No! I found child in Fangorn Forest," Aragorn told him.

The baby stared up at the Elf and started to scrum.

"Here take the child back," Haldir handed him back to Aragorn, seeing as how the baby was getting uncomfortable in his arms. "Galadriel and Gandalf are waiting."

"Give Aradol extra grain tonight. He carried his feet lightly for the child." Aragorn told the Elves that held the stallion's reins.

Aragorn wasn't sure what the reactions of the Higher Elf and the Wizard were going to be. While they walked, he also wondered what the future of the baby was going to be.

Haldir took Aragorn and the child into Lothlorien where they climbed the winding stairs in the trees. When they came to the throne, Celeborn, Galadriel, and Gandalf stood. Gandalf had not long met the ranger and heir to the throne of Gondor, but he knew better then to think this child be his. Galadriel knew through her foresight, she knew when Aragorn first entered the woods. She had a look of sadness come over her and she immediately took the child from him.

"Where on earth did you find the child?" Gandalf asked.

"In Fangorn," Aragorn looked briefly at Gandalf, then back at the child.

"Death, it was all around him," Galadriel spoke with concern. "They were attacked by the Wild Men, all were slain. The trees felt pity for him, they assailed those that were left and gathered him in their branches." She paused. "His parents were not among those that fell. No, he was found by an Elf, she was bringing him with her to Rivendell. She named him, Elegost."

The young Elegost started to scrum and whine.

"Someone should go to Rivendell and inform them that one theirs has been lost," Celeborn suggested.

At this moment, the child started to whimper and looking around desperately, Galadriel put her hand on his almost hairless head and whispered to him in her born tongue. He calmed down, but he did not stop searching the area.

"I will go to Lord Elrond, I could take the child with me as well," Gandalf offered.

At the sound of Gandalf taking the child on a journey to Rivendell, Aragorn had a sudden urge of protectiveness wash over him.

"I will accompany you then," He told the old gray Wizard.

"Very well then," Gandalf nodded. "We will leave in three days. We must give him time to rest."

They all agreed and Galadriel took Elegost to the Nursery to have him taken care of. Aragorn and Gandalf went to their sleeping area to prepare their beds for the night.

"He is most lucky you found him," Gandalf said.

"It wasn't me who found him. My horse, Aradol, knew he was in the woods. When the forest came into view his ears perked forward and his stride lengthened," Aragorn gave credit to the animal.

"Funny creatures' horses are, they almost seem human at times," Gandalf lied back on the soft padding.

Aragorn nodded then he too laid down his body for rest.

For the next three days the Elven nurse maids had a hard time to getting Elegost to eat, sleep, or just lay content. Several times Aragorn had to assist them on getting him to sleep. Aragorn would sing to the child until he was fast asleep. The maidens praised Aragorn for his aid and told him many times what a wonderful father he'd be. Aragorn paid no heed to their comments, he was just glad to help, and he knew the other Elves that wanted to sleep were glad as well.

A nurse maid was accompanying them as well on the journey to Rivendell. Aragorn was thankful, for he didn't want to be stuck changing baby Elegost. If she hadn't come, he would have appointed that task to Gandalf.

On the third day, the three set out on horseback back towards Fangorn Forest. Gandalf would have preferred to have taken a pass over the Misty Mountains, but he didn't want to risk the baby's health. So they began their long journey around the mountains and through Rohan, where Gandalf planed to stop as a resting point for both them and the horses. Then they would---

"Take the Old South Road, then we'll cross the river and follow it up to the East Road and take it to Rivendell," Gandalf explained his route to them.

Aragorn would have followed the river and cut close to Moria to get to Rivendell, but he knew that Gandalf chose that way because of Elegost. As they drew nearer to Fangorn, Aragorn remembered how relieved the trees had seemed when the baby stopped crying. A smile played across his face, Gandalf looked over at the young ranger and he scrunched his brow at him trying to determine what Aragorn was thinking.

"What are you giddy about?" Gandalf let up.

"I wonder if he will remain in memory of the forest." Aragorn looked over seemly aging man.

"Trees remember many things that have affected them, if Galadriel says they felt pity for the boy, then I do believe they will remember," Gandalf tilted his head slightly. "Why do you ask Aragorn?"

"It's nothing, Gandalf." Aragorn smirked.