Disclaimer: Characters are the property of the Tolkien estate.
Journey of the Swords
All Things Old Are New Again
Glorfindel was at the top of the ravine when the weary party reached his vantage point on their final leg of the sad journey to Imladris. It had been so exhausting that, several hours ago, as the sun had risen on a new day, Elrohir had gently mounted the back of the large black stallion so the woman in front did not fall off or drop her charge.
Silently, Glorfindel nodded to the twins to proceed. The Rangers following were offered the house's famous hospitality.
Dirhael, the woman's father and leader of the sad procession spoke, "Lord Glorfindel, we appreciate your offer but, unfortunately, this is not the only widow and child from the attack. I shall return. In the meantime, thank Lord Elrond for his care of my daughter and grandson."
"Be safe, Dirhael, on your mission. Rest easy in the knowledge that the latest in Elros's line is the loving and understanding hands of his brother."
"Ever the Lord has tended his brother's children. We will return, perhaps after planting. We are forever in your debt." With that, the escort of four Rangers bid farewell to the Sons of Elrond, the Lady Gilraen and two year old Aragorn. With grim determination, they turned their horses and faced the journey back to the village.
Elladan Elrondion led the somber group to the courtyard where Lord Elrond and Erestor greeted the party. He continued to take charge of the situation on arrival. "Ada, we have brought Lady Gilraen and little Aragorn here because orcs have attacked and killed Arathorn on our hunting trip. The action was well planned and we honestly feared for Aragorn's safety if they remained in the village."
Elrond stepped forward and reached up to gather the child from his mother's arms so she could dismount with Elrohir's assistance. It was obvious that all were exhausted. As he reached for the child, he spoke over his shoulder to Erestor "Have a suite prepared and see that Lady Gilraen has whatever she may need. Send the midwife in to see to her personal needs as it will provide a familiar face in these stressing times."
"Yes, My Lord." Was all he heard and Erestor, with Gilraen in tow, was gone.
Turning back, to attend to the child, he was met with a face and two piercing eyes that made him start. For an instant, he saw his twin brother, as if he were a child again about to be settled onto the horse in front of him. It was all Elrond could do to keep from gasping, but he tried to cover it by stepping forward and gathering the child into his arms. Fortunately, since the boy had known the twins all his life, Aragorn was much more curious than fussy in the stranger's arms.
Glorfindel had seen the shock in Elrond's eyes but not the reason. His concern for the Lord of Imladris brought him immediately to the other side of the horse.
"Are you alright, My Lord." He asked extremely quietly while gently putting his arm on Elrond's shoulder. "You look like you have seen something frightening and have become quite pale."
Elrond shifted the child from his shoulder so Glorfindel could see the little one. "Well, there's no doubt of the lineage." Glorfindel said again quietly and reverently. "Your brother always did have a bit more of your Atar's eyes than you."
"Perhaps we should head inside." Elrohir commented as he finally was able to dismount. "It looks like the rains are coming in again." With that, everyone still outside headed for the house.
Once inside, the twins took their leave to bathe and change leaving Elrond and Glorfindel with Aragorn who was still staring at them with those silver grey eyes.
Breaking the silence, Elrond finally commented. "Since it was essentially an assassination, we will have to conceal the child's identity for everyone's safety."
"Do you think Gilraen will permit a name change?"
"We don't have much choice. Aragorn is too much of an identifier."
"What are you thinking, my friend?"
"In view of many things, I rather thought Estel would be a good choice."
"And honoring your brother's line."
"Yes, that too, mellon nin." As Elrond headed to a storage closet off his chambers.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Glorfindel followed close on his heels.
Gingerly balancing the toddler on his shoulder, Elrond rummaged through drawers until he found clothes for the little boy. The next stop was the washroom where Glorfindel helped get a pan of warm water and wash cloth. Then, expertly, he laid the child on the bed and took his clothes off. Over to the wash stand where the basin had been placed for Aragorn's first bath at Imladris, then into fluffy towels to be dried.
"The twins really forced me to develop these skills." He said without waiting for Glorfindel to put words to his surprised look.
It was during this bathing and dressing, that Elrond gently began to introduce the child to his new name. It was offered, almost like a nickname, a special name that 'ada has for you'. And so it was, gently, over time, and with the quiet ascent of Lady Gilraen, as little Aragorn adjusted to his new surroundings, and he came to forget the old and answer only to the new name – Estel.