Disclaimer: I don't own it, I'd like to but I don't. Chapter 1:Problems The council meeting was in session and Aragorn was getting tired of his advisors fighting over what he should do in trivial matters. Faramir, who was sitting across from Aragorn, seemed to notice this and smiled. Aragorn was still wild even after all his years as the King of Gondor and the Steward knew it.

"That's enough!" Aragorn finally shouted. "You've been arguing all morning. Lets take a nice break and we can continue this after lunch."

"But King Elessar, this matter needs to be settled." One of his advisors spoke up.

Faramir's smile grew larger as Aragorn glared at the man. "We could continue if you like but it will end in someone getting injured for annoying me. Hunger does not help my patience. Keeping that in mind anyone oppose to lunch?"

By this time Aragorn's personal guard was smiling knowing full well that the King was serious. In fact under the fancy coat he was forced to wear he still had his elven blade hidden. No one dared challenge the King again.

"Now does anyone know where my wife and son are?" Aragorn asked with a satisfied smile as he stood.

"The Queen and your son are wandering the city last I heard sir." One of the servants stated. The Royal Family often visited the city and people soon lost the awe at this and only bowed to acknowledge their presence. Some of the local shop owners also would have casual conversations with the King or Queen while young Eldarion played with the other children. Aragorn sometimes snuck out in his ranger garb and blended with the people to see how they acted around him when he wasn't the king but was instead just a commoner.

Aragorn sat down to eat just as a guard came running in. "My Lord! Your son has been kidnapped. He was playing in the third ring with some other boys under the Queen's watch when some men grabbed him and another boy. They attempted to kidnap the Queen as well but she used her elven blade to keep that from happening. We tried to catch them sire but they've disappeared. One of our men was killed and another was injured. We caught one of the kidnappers and another one died in the attempt but the rest got away."

Aragorn's eyes widened in shock then it wore off leaving a very angry King. Faramir and Ewoyn who were sitting at the table with Aragorn gasped at this news. Arwen chose that moment to rush in.

"Estel! What are we going to do?" she asked ignoring the tears running down her cheeks as Aragorn embraced her.

"We'll find him. I promise." Aragorn soothed her as best he could. "Close the city. If they aren't out of the city yet they won't be getting out. Where is this prisoner? I want to question him myself." Aragorn turned to Faramir. "I'm going to find out where my son is, you can take over the council meeting." He turned to Ewoyn. "Can you stay with Arwen? I don't want to leave her alone."

Ewoyn nodded and moved to steer Arwen out of the room. Aragorn looked at his personal guard. "Guard them with your life." He stated simply before turning on heel to follow the other guard to the prisoner.

Aragorn walked into the room where the injured prisoner was being kept. The man looked up at the enraged king and stared defiantly into the cold blue eyes.

"Where is my son?" Aragorn asked in as calm a voice as he could manage.

The man tilted his head contemplating the answer. "Now why would I tell you? So you can kill my comrades like you will probably do to me?" the man smiled. "I am not a traitor to my people like you."

Aragorn's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I am a traitor now am I? Why would you say that?"

"You married a woman of a race that thinks they are superior to men. You think you are too good for a human woman so you went for an elf. That in my defenition is a traitor." The man glared at Aragorn.

"You really need to learn what a traitor is or at least study your history. First off, I married into my culture and blood. Elven blood runs through my veins and I was raised in Rivendale. Second, I hadn't even seen a human woman when we pledged our lives and hearts to each other. And finally, if elves thought they were better than us they would not have fought along side us in the war of the ring. Now I'll ask you again where is my son?" Aragorn was getting a bit annoyed to top off his already enraged attitude.

"I won't betray my comrades."

Aragorn withdrew his elven knife. "Are you familiar with the Dunedain customs? Particularly those concerning traitors."

The man shook his head and backed into the corner.

"Then let me enlighten you. See the Dunedain do not take traitors lightly. It is a highly offensive crime. In some rangers opinion the worst crime possible. As such the punishment is very harsh. First the traitor is hung by their wrists so that their feet dangle just a little bit off the ground. Enough time in this position and your shoulders will dislocate, but that is just the beginning. You see thid blade? It's sharper than the blade used for punishment in the north. Many of my kin would start by cutting off your arms but if I am forced to take you apart piece by piece, I will start small.

"Now you have a choice. I can take you apart piece by piece until you tell me where my son is, or you can tell me now and spend the rest of your life in jail. Which one will you choose?"

The man gulped and looked at the blade in Aragorn's hand then at the King's angry eyes.

Before either man could say anything again, Faramir came rushing in. "My Lord! Our boarders are under attack. The messenger said that the enemy is as powerful as Sauron himself. What will we do my Lord?"

"Send word through the eagles and by messenger that there will be a council held at Helm's Deep. One member of every village or town of the highest ranking must attend. This includes Hobbits, Elves, Men, Dwarves, and the remaining Istari. We meet in one week." Aragorn told his Steward.

"Yes my Lord. You must leave immediately if you wish to reach Helm's deep first." Faramir looked at his King for orders to saddle his horse.

"I will leave with in the hour. Go deliver the messages." Faramir left the room at a run.

Aragorn turned to the man once more. "You have plenty of time to think your decision through. I will be back to find my son. More pressing matters call my attention away but rest assured I will get answers from you." With that Aragorn sheathed his knife and stormed out the door.

Aragorn was packing his things when Arwen approached him. "I know this takes priority over our son but I still worry Estel. He will be ok won't he?"

Aragorn stopped his packing and turned to his distraught wife. "If anything has happened to him you can be assured that revenge will take place. I will not allow anyone to lay a hand on my son without my permission and will not stand for anyone doing so. I promise you I will find him. Until then I must settle matters with this power in Mordor. We cannot afford to have another ring of power made."

Aragorn dressed in his ranger gear and strapped Anduril to his hip. Arwen followed Aragorn to his horse and said her goodbyes before watching the King of Gondor disappear into the lower levels of Minas Tirith.