This is my first Pre-LOTR fanfic that I have been wanting to write for a very long time now. I do hope you enjoy reading!
-Granted-
Aragorn sighed as he walked through the forest of Mirkwood. He had once again been thinking of his Father, Arathorn II. He couldn't help but wonder what Arathorn was like, who he was, and what his life would have been like had his Father lived. But the cursed Orcs just had to come and take his Father away from him when he had been merely two years of age. His mother had died soon afterwards in Rivendell and Aragorn was taken in by Elrond and raised as one of the Elrondions. He loved his adoptive family, but he yearned to learn of his Father, but no one would speak of the man. Sure he had heard tales during his travels with the Rangers but that wasn't enough for Aragorn. He needed to know more.
He pressed on, wondering if he should stop by the Mirkwood Palace or continue onwards towards Laketown. He was unable to decide when a familiar Elf dropped down onto the path before him.
"Estel!" The Elf happily greeted and Aragorn blinked when he saw that it was Lasgalen, the middle child in the Thranduilion family.
"Lasgalen?"
"This is unexpected! What brings you here to Mirkwood?" Lasgalen asked after embracing the Ranger. He was oddly overexcited to see him there and immensely relieved.
"I was only passing through-" Aragorn began to say before Lasgalen interrupted.
"Passing through? No, no, you must come to the Palace!"
"I-"
"Legolas has not seen you in ages, Estel! Nor have we! If he were to learn you passed through Mirkwood without even stopping for a visit, he will be furious. And you know how Legolas can be." Lasgalen said and Aragorn sighed, shaking his head with a slight smile gracing his lips. "Actually, it would be better you come to the Palace, after everything that has happened."
Aragorn frowned deeply at this. Something had happened? Hopefully nothing serious.
"Very well. I suppose I can spare a few days." Aragorn glanced over his shoulder for a moment before turning to face Lasgalen, who frowned.
"Is everything well, Estel? You look as though you have not slept in days!" Then Lasgalen grew concerned. "Or are you falling ill? Do tell me you are not falling ill…Or has something happened?"
"Nay, mellon-nin. I am not ill and nothing has happened. Only exhausted."
"Of course you are. Come, Estel. I will take you to the Palace." Lasgalen slung his bow over his shoulder, moving his long blonde hair out of the way, forest green eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Where have you been these past twenty years? We heard nothing from you and your brothers said you had not been writing for the past eight years or so." Aragorn flinched. There were many reasons as to why he had failed in writing letters to his family.
"Gondor and Rohan." Aragorn vaguely answered. "I was only just given leave."
"For how long?" Lasgalen asked, noting how tense Aragorn appeared. He narrowed his eyes. He could tell the man was hiding something. But what? He supposed he would wait to find out.
"A few months." Aragorn replied and Lasgalen frowned. Aragorn was not his usual self. He appeared to be troubled by something.
"Then you have plenty of time to relax!"
"If only that were so. I am afraid I can spend no longer than three to five days in Mirkwood, mellon-nin." Aragorn regretfully informed the normally cheerful Elf.
"What? Estel-" Lasgalen made to object but Aragorn shook his head.
"It is a serious matter that I would rather not involve any in."
"Estel? Is everything well? Have you visited Rivendell so your family would know you are safe?" Aragorn's silence was Lasgalen's only answer. "They are worried sick, Estel! You abruptly stopped sending letters and Dan and Ro were beside themselves with worry! Not even Legolas could cheer them up! They went searching for you but not even the Rangers knew what became of you."
"I cannot go back." Aragorn barely whispered, bowing his head, grey eyes filled with grief and pain. Now Lasgalen knew something was amiss. Had something happened to Aragorn during his travels?
"Estel…What happened to you?"
"Nothing." Aragorn murmured. A hand grasped his shoulder and Aragorn raised his eyes to meet Lasgalen's comforting gaze.
"Estel, I will not press you to tell me but I do hope you approach someone before it is too late. At least try to relax and forget your troubles while you are here. You do know you are a part of our family here, correct?" Aragorn smiled as he recalled the many fond memories he had of Mirkwood. "Hopefully, you and Legolas will stay out of trouble this time." He heard Lasgalen mutter and laughed.
"Trouble seems to follow us no matter where we go." Aragorn admitted and Lasgalen nodded in agreement.
"Aye, don't we know it!" They entered the gate and the Elves guarding the doors to the Palace opened them to allow them to enter. Everything was just as Aragorn remembered it from several years ago. Lasgalen lead them through many corridors until they finally reached the Throne Room. Pressing a finger to his lips, Lasgalen peered around the corner to see if his Father was busy. Aragorn looked as well only to find the room was empty. "How strange…Ada is normally here…Ah, Darwa!" Lasgalen called when a beautiful she-Elf entered the throne room, her white-blonde locks flowing down her back, a simple crown resting on her head, shimmering blue eyes bright, wearing a simple blue and white dress. She gave Lasgalen an irritated glance.
"Muindor, call me 'Darwa' one more time-" She started to threaten but Lasgalen rolled his eyes.
"Now, now, Darwa," Aragorn could have sworn he saw her eye twitch. "No need to get so angry. Where is Ada?"
"Have you tried his-Estel!" Aragorn was tackled into a hug by the small she-Elf. He managed to return the embrace, cracking another smile when she pulled away, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "When did you get here? How are you? You're not hurt are you? And Where have you been!" Aragorn once again noticed how she appeared rather…overjoyed to see him. Of course, he had not seen them for nearly two decades but surely that wasn't so long for Elves.
"I only just arrived." He replied but before he could say anything else, Nordawyth spoke.
"Legolas will be pleased to see you! Come, I will take you to Ada!" She took his hand and started leading him away, Lasgalen shaking his head at his sister's excitement. "They must know!"
"They must know what?" Aragorn asked, but no one answered him. They appeared uneasy.
"Would you believe she is the oldest?" Lasgalen rhetorically asked Aragorn while she shot him a glare.
"By a century! It is a good thing I was the first born! You," She poked him in the chest. "were a terrible elfling and still are! And had it not been for me, you would have been in hot water numerous times!" Lasgalen sobered, nodding in agreement.
"Aye, my dear sister, you are correct." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, winking at Aragorn.
"Ungrateful son of an Orc." Was his sister's reply. "To think you are Crown Prince."
"You wound me!" Lasgalen mock-gasped.
"Oh please. So, Estel, how have you been?" She turned to Aragorn.
"Well." Aragorn answered.
"Staying out of trouble, I hope."
"Mostly." Aragorn grinned. "
"So, no, you have not been."
"You know me well, Nordarwyth." Aragorn could already feel most of the tension he was feeling drain away. Nordawyth was a blunt but honest Elleth. She was kind and caring but reckless and to Aragorn, she was the sister he never had. Most of the time, she was a stern Elleth but once any grew to know her, she would loosen up and become one of the best companions any could ever ask for. She took after her Father, the Elvenking Thranduil, greatly. They walked down a grand corridor, reaching Thranduil's office. Not bothering to knock, Nordawyth entered.
"Ada!" She called, startling the three Elves who where inside.
"Nordawyth!" Thranduil sighed, but fondly gazed down at his only daughter, having grown used to her abrupt intrusions. "What is so important that you had to interrupt this meeting?"
"We have a-Oh! Greetings, Lord Glorfindel! And Leg'las! You've returned!" Legolas chuckled, but it was without feeling. His sister was easily distracted as well. Glorfindel blinked for a moment before returning the greeting. It had been many centuries since he had come to visit Mirkwood and he could see the changes to the forest and the Elves within. Legolas, Lasgalen, and Nordawyth had grown into fine young Elves as well. Each were skilled with weapons and in battle but each had a different, unique, personality that set them apart yet seemed to fit them well.
"Muinthel." Nordawyth frowned, noting their expressions.
"Has something happened?" She asked.
"Have you forgotten what today is?" Legolas asked her and Nordawyth blinked before it dawned on her.
"Oh! The day Estel was pronounced supposedly dead!" Everyone stared at the Princess while Lasgalen covered his mouth to hide his smile.
"Nordawyth-" Thranduil began when Nordawyth cut him off.
"Well, I am sorry to inform you that Estel is very much alive."
"What?" The three chimed.
"How would you know, Muinthel? He has not been seen for twenty years and no one has heard from him since-"
"Minor details. I have seen him myself, very much alive." Nordawyth answered, waving a hand dismissively in the air.
"You have seen him? Since when and why have you not said anything?" Legolas demanded.
"As I was saying before, we have a visitor, Ada. One whom we all know and love dearly." Nordawyth moved to the side and Aragorn steeled himself as he entered. For a moment, there was silence. Then...
"ESTEL!" A green blur sped towards Aragorn, who was knocked back by the force of Legolas tackling him into a hug. Dazed, Aragorn found that he was sitting on the ground, Legolas squeezing the life out of him.
"Mellon-nin," Aragorn gasped, patting Legolas's back. "Need to breathe." Legolas did not loosen his hold, his head buried in Aragorn's shoulder, and to Aragorn's surprise, he found that his friend's shoulders were shaking. "Legolas?"
He was crying, Aragorn noted with a pang of guilt. Legolas then pulled away, furious as he gripped the man's shoulders, eyes glittering with unshed tears.
"Where have you been?! Do you know how worried I was when you did not respond to any of our letters!?" He nearly shouted at the mortal, who cringed at the sharpness of his friend's voice. "Vanishing for twenty years then hearing nothing from you for over eight years! We thought you were dead!" Aragorn wisely chose not to say anything, knowing it would only worsen everything. "Not even the Rangers knew where you were!"
Waiting for his friend to stop ranting, which went on for quite while, Aragorn carefully chose to speak.
"Legolas…?" He waited for another moment.
"Thank the Valar you are back!" Legolas slumped over with relief and embraced the man once again. Aragorn hugged the Elf back. It had been so long…
When Aragorn was finally able to stand, he turned to find Thranduil and Glorfindel gazing at him. Shifting uncomfortable, he went to speak when Glorfindel gave him a sharp glance.
"You, Estel, have a lot of explaining to do." Meekly nodding, Aragorn flinched when the Golden Elf approached him, expecting a lecture when Glorfindel pulled him into a strong embrace. "You had us all worried to death, little one." He whispered before stepping away.
"It is relieving to know you are safe and unharmed, Estel." Thranduil gave him a nod of approval and Aragorn grinned. "And I welcome you to my realm."
"Always so serious, Ada." Nordawyth remarked. "I don't think anything fazes you. I, for one, am happy Estel is back!" She wrapped her arms around Aragorn from behind, placing her chin on his shoulder. "The only sane brother I have!"
"Nordawyth." Lasgalen rolled his eyes. "You are the only insane one of us all."
"Am not!"
"Children, now is not the time. Estel appears tired and I do believe he needs rest. Show him to his room, Legolas, then after a few hours, we will meet for dinner." Thranduil cut in and everyone agreed.
-Granted-
Dinner had been eventful, everyone asking Aragorn of his travels. He answered their questions as best he could, not wanting to give too much away. He was already putting their lives in danger by being there. But he could not back down on his promise. He could stay for at least three days then leave. But that would raise questions. Everyone would know he was hiding something and demand to know what it was or refuse to let him leave until he told them. He couldn't tell them. They were already at risk of being hurt.
Though, he was in Mirkwood. That should protect him for some time. He highly doubted someone would actually dare to cross the border and come after him. Only a fool would dare to do so. Nordawyth, he could tell, was watching him carefully. He inwardly groaned. She could see right through him but wisely did not voice any of her suspicions. She would corner him later, that he knew. As soon as dinner was over, Aragorn hightailed it to his room. He did not get far when Nordawyth came.
"Estel."
Yes, she knew.
Aragorn sighed.
"Nordawyth." The Thranduiliell crossed her arms as she stood in front of him.
"You are hiding something." The way she said it made it sound like an accusation.
"It is nothing-"
"Don't even try to pull that line on me. When you say that it is nothing, it always turns out to be something." Nordawyth curtly said. "Are you in danger? Is that what it is? Why you are so reluctant to stay? You are afraid our lives will be at risk since you are here?"
She had hit the nail on the head.
"Nothing gets passed you, Nordawyth." Aragorn remarked, though not unkindly. Sometimes, it was relieving to have a person such as Nordawyth around.
"What is it?"
"A minor thing, I should hope." Aragorn admitted, walking towards his room with Nordawyth in tow. "An assassin who is not pleased with me." The She-Elf rose an eyebrow, whistling softly.
"An assassin! I must say, that is a new one. What did you do?"
"I accidentally foiled their plans of assassinating the King of Rohan."
"Of course you did." Nordawyth shook her head. "One day, you are going to get yourself killed."
"Hopefully, not for a very long time."
"Indeed. Or Legolas will come after you, resurrect you, then murder you himself. Or I will do it for him." Aragorn chuckled.
"I do not think you have to worry, Nordawyth. I am safe here."
"I do not know, Estel…If you could find trouble in Lothlorien, of all places, who knows what trouble you could attract here?" She pointed out.
"True…"
"Actually, you did find trouble the last time you were here!" Nordawyth exclaimed.
"No, that was before the border." Aragorn corrected. "And if it hadn't been for the trap, we would have been mauled by Orcs."
"Oh…Well then." They had reached his room when Nordawyth bid him goodnight and left. He watched her leave before entering his room and plopping down onto the comfortable bed. He had asked Glorfindel not to say anything to Elrond and the twins and Glorfindel, though he did not like keeping information from his Lord and friend, reluctantly relented. The Golden Lord knew there was tension between Aragorn and the family, but Elrond and the twins had been immensely worried when he had vanished without a trace. Truth was, Aragorn wanted to put as much space between him and Rivendell and left suddenly one night. He did regret what had transpired on that night, but never could he face them again. Not after all he had done. Aragorn rolled onto his side, gazing out the balcony doors. Would they ever forgive him? Would they accept him for who he was? It had cut him deeply when they began referring to him as 'Aragorn' and not 'Estel'. It was a change he had never gotten used to. 'Aragorn' was a stranger to him. It wasn't who he was. He was not fit to be a King. Most certainly not the King of Gondor. Who was he to be such a King? A Ranger of the North. A Dunedain. So it was that Aragorn had chosen exile.
He looked at Barahir, resting on his finger. Why him? Why couldn't his Father have been king? Why hadn't his Father chosen to become king? His brow furrowed at the thought. If it hadn't been for the Orcs, would his Father have chosen to become King of Gondor? Would he have taken his rightful place on the throne? Or would he, too, choose to live in exile as Aragorn had? If only he knew his Father…if only he had his Father with him. Turning over once again, Aragorn pulled the blankets up to his shoulders and allowed himself to drift into a deep slumber.
-Granted-
Aragorn sat up with a start, slowly reaching for his dagger. Something was wrong. His grey eyes scanned the room, searching for anything unusual. Standing, Aragorn started for the balcony doors, his sharp hearing catching the soft sound of cloth rustling. Just before he reached them, a shadowy figure leaped out and attacked. Spinning out of harm's way, Aragorn deflected the dagger thrown at him and jumped to the side to avoid being hit.
An assassin.
He could tell the assassin was angered and irritated that he had woken, but Aragorn did not care. He advanced on the assassin, who had pulled out another dagger and lunged. The assassin managed to barely escape being nicked and growled, tackling Aragorn. Aragorn kicked the assassin off of him and rolled away, leaping to his feet immediately. The assassin was quick and nimble, but Aragorn was experienced and clever. Both were seasoned warriors but the assassin, Aragorn knew, was not trained for actual combat. For the assassin, his assignment was to sneak into the palace, slay Aragorn, then escape. He had not been expecting for Aragorn to be a light sleeper and to actually confront him.
"Who sent you?" Aragorn calmly demanded to know.
"Wouldn't you want to know?" the assassin replied, his voice deep.
"I will ask again, and if you answer, I will not harm you." Aragorn said. "Who sent you?"
"You will have to find out for yourself." The assassin threw a poisoned dart at Aragorn, who barely avoided it. The distraction was all the assassin needed to knock Aragorn aside and escape, leaping over the balcony rail and into the tree.
It had been an Elf that had attacked him, Aragorn realized with a start. That was a disturbing thought. His door was flung open and Aragorn looked up from his position on the ground to find Nordawyth running to him.
"Estel? Are you alright?" She asked him, leaning over him, concerned.
"I'm fine." Aragorn answered, sitting up, his arm aching from having fallen on it.
"What happened?" Nordawyth asked, kneeling beside him to check for injuries.
"An assassin." Aragorn answered and she gave him a sharp glance.
"Here? In Mirkwood? How did they get in?" She wondered aloud.
"It was an Elf."
"What?" This, Nordawyth had not expected. Aragorn nodded, looking over at the balcony where the assassin had escaped. "An Elf is after you?"
"It appears so." Aragorn murmured, wincing when Nordawyth moved his arm.
"Most likely twisted it."
"Did anyone else…"
"No. My room is next to yours so I am the only one who heard it. Though, I wasn't sure what was happening till I heard your voice." Nordawyth scowled. "To think it was an Elf! Ada must be told-" She made to go when Aragorn grasped her wrist.
"Nordawyth, please, do not tell anyone of what happened." She gave him a look.
"Estel, there is a mad Elf after your head-"
"I cannot endanger them."
"But if they are not told, you will be hurt!" She argued.
"I do not think they will attack for some time. Nordawyth, please understand, I do not want to put your family in danger. If anything were to happen to any of you, I would never forgive myself."
Nordawyth, he knew, was torn. After a moment, she relented.
"Oh, very well…But only this once, Estel! If this happens again, I am telling my Father and Glorfindel." she said and Aragorn accepted this.
"Thank-you, Dara."
Nordawyth nodded. "But I will be watching. Whether you like it or not, I am going to be constantly checking up on you."
"Do be careful, Dara." She gave him an incredulous look.
"Me? i am not the one being hunted."
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, yes," She waved a hand uncaringly before sighing. "I doubt I will be getting much sleep tonight."
"Nor I." Aragorn said.
"In that case, come! I will show you the Gardens!" She tugged him up and the two spent the rest of the night wandering the palace, studying pictures hanging in ancient corridors and exploring.
Neither noticed the shadow following close behind, watching Aragorn closely and devising another plan to replace the one that had failed.
-Granted-
Sure hope you enjoyed! The next chapter should be up soon! It'll be a few chapters before Aragorn's adventure begins since I wanted to kind of ease into it but it'll come soon enough!