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A Tale of Aragorn,

King of the Reunited Kingdom:

In Search of the Ring.

2931 (1st March):

On the 1st of March, Aragorn II son of Arathorn II and Gilraen was born. He was named by his father after his distant ancestor, Aragorn I (2227- 2327) who was slain in Eriador by wolves.

He was the 41st Heir of Isildur, future King of the Reunited Kingdom, Gondor and Arnor, 16th and last Chieftain of the Dùnedain.

2933 - 2950:

Arathorn, father of Aragorn was slain by orcs while hunting the enemy in the company of Elladan & Elrohir, the twin sons of Elrond. 'Tis said that an arrow pierced him through the eye. He was but sixty when he died. Thereafter, Gilraen, with the aid of the twins, hastily took the two-year old sibling to Rivindell and sought refuge within the borders of the elven city.

Thither dwelled Lord Elrond, one of the Peredhil, an immortal, son of Earndiel and Elwing, and brother to Elros. Elrond took the infant under his wing and raised him in secrecy under the elven name 'Estel' meaning 'Hope', for he alone could wield the sword of Kings. Lord Elrond was aware that Sauron had dispatched emissaries across Middle Earth and they sought to learn whether any Heir of Isildur still lived, for the Lord of Mordor desired much to find the One Ring that Isildur took.

Aragorn was thus nurtured in the House of Elrond and thither he was dear to all. The Elven Lord took the place of Aragorn's father, and loved the boy like a son. Straight and tall Aragorn grew, with grey eyes, both keen and grave, and he was hardy and valiant and strong of wit and eager to learn all lore of Elves and Men. Aragron became wise beyond his age and when he was still but a youth, yet strong and withal, he went abroad with Elladan and Elrohir and learned much of hunting and war, and many secrets of the wild. But still, at the bidding of Elrond, believing that such matters should be kept secret, the young man knew naught of his ancestry for his mother and every one else in Rivindell did not speak to him of these things for the spies of the Dark Lord grew many and the enemy sought relentlessly for Isildur's Heir.

2951:

After time Aragorn, returned from errantry and great deeds in the company his elven brothers, Elladan and Elrohir. Elrond content of Aragorn's nobility, fairness and early manhood, called unto him by his true name and revealed to him his high lineage. He passed to Aragorn the Ring of Barahir and the Shards of Narsil, remnants of his afar ancestry.

The day after Aragorn was walking alone in the woods of Rivindell singing a part of the Lay of Lùthien for his heart was full of joy and he felt that the world was fair. Suddenly lo & behold thither walked a fair maiden, the fairest of all her kin and he thought that she was Lùthien's spirit. For a moment he gazed at her in silence, then fearing that she would pass away, never to see her again he called unto her: Tinùviel, Tinùviel, even as Beren had called unto her, in Elder days. Turning around, the maiden looked at him and smiled. She told him that her name is Arwen Ùndomniel, the Evenstar, daughter of Elrond and Celebrian, sister of the twins Elladan & Elrohir. Thereafter, she asked him who he is and thus he revealed to her his true identity. But Still Aragorn marveled in his mind at how he had never met or heard a word of her before and asked her thus. Arwen told him that in the past years she has been dwelling in Lorien with her mother's kin.

Then Aragorn wondered how old was she, for it seemed to him that she was not much older then he. Arwen looked deep in the man's eyes and out of wisdom she knew what he was thinking. Thence she told him that all children of Elrond are gifted with the life of the Eldar. Thereafter, he was embarrassed for he saw Elven bright light in her eyes and the ripe of many years past.

In the days that followed Aragorn fell silent and his mother perceived that something was troubling her son. And at last Aragorn yielded to his mother's questioning and confessed to her that he was in love with Arwen. But Gilraen told him that no mortal is fit to wed the Elf- kin for they are the noblest amongst beings. But Aragorn could not understand and was bewildered, for if the tale of his forefathers is true and thus he also had some part of kinship why is he not worthy? Gilraen replied to him and told him that his story is indeed true, however that was long ago, in another age of this world, where the Heirs of Numenor where not yet diminished. However now with the good will of Master Elrond only Aragorn still lives; from his fate he can escape not for he is ceaselessly hunted by many, and thus hope is miserably failing. Then Aragorn told her that bitter shall be his days and he will forever wander in darkness if Arwen should be taken away from him. Henceforth, they spoke no more of this matter.

But Lord Elrong could see many things and read many hearts and he realized that something was bothering Aragorn greatly for light in his eyes was quenched and his heart doubtful and silent. Though uncertain of what he had foreseen, Elrond was saddened by his daughter's choices for the love of Aragorn. He summoned Aragorn to his chambers and spoke to him. He told him that there will be a time where all hope will fade, and that Middle Earth will be shrouded in a veil of darkness. He bade him to become what he was born to be or else the doom of men who were in dire need of their King will be sealed.

"Aragorn son of Arathorn, Lord of the Dùnedain, listen to me! A great doom awaits ye either to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin."

Lord Elrond, also warned his son that he must bind no women in troth until he becomes worthy of her. Thereafter, Aragorn is bothered for then he believed that his mother was disloyal to him and asked Elrond whether 'twas she who had spoken to him of this but Elrond assured him that 'twas not Gilraen who betrayed him but his ailing heart. Moreover, Elrond told him that he is not speaking of Arwen alone but of every man's. However Elrond still felt concerned about his daughter and thus he told Aragorn the Arwen's lineage is far greater that his for she had already seen much of this world and he is but a yearling shoot beside a young birch of many summers and therefore she is far above him. And even if her heart is turned towards Aragorn he will still be grieved for his daughter's doom. For as long as Elrond abides in Middle Earth she shall live with the youth of the Eldar and when he departs she shall go with him if she chooses. Aragorn understood Elrond's reasoning but then suddenly the foresight of his kindred came to him and told Elrond that the years of his (Elrond's) abiding run short and the choice will soon be laid upon his children, whether to depart with him or to stay. 'Truly' was Elrond's answer, though still many years of men are yet to pass and no choice will be laid before Arwen, unless Aragorn, Arathorn's son comes between them and bring one of them, himself or Aragorn to a bitter parting.

Then Elrond looked gravely upon his adopted son and told him to let the days bring what they may but no more must be uttered of this matter until many years pass. Then the Elven Lord informed the young man of the one foul deed and of many years past, where the son of Arathorn, full of lust for power, in his hour of trial, failed to destroy the one ring.

Evil is stirring and the power of darkness is growing stronger. The forces of darkness are gathering. Anon the enemy will strike upon the good that is left in Middle Earth with full force, but none must lose hope. After hearing Elrond's words with earnest, Aragorn, then knew that Isildur, his afar ancestor is to blame for the darkness that is now relentlessly consuming Middle Earth. Aragorn was full of shame and feared that when his time will come to face the same evil, he too will fail the trail. Thus the failure of his forefather loaded Aragorn with a heavy burden.

Thence, against Lord Elrond's bidding, Aragorn chose not to take the way of the king, but to rather live the hard life of a ranger and keep his true name in secrecy. Thereafter, he took leave lovingly of his Elven father and the day after, he bade farewell to his mother and to the house of Elrond and sets out from Rivindell and into the wild and in the years that followed he labored in the cause against Sauron.

Late 2951-5:

The man now ranger rode into the west, towards the Land of the Dùnedan, Annuminas whither his dwindling kin dwelled. The men soon recognized him as their 16th Chieftain and heir of Elendil for he bore the Ring of Barahir and carried the Shards of Narsil and thus they named Aragorn their captain and there, he was loved by all. Thither, he also met Halbarad, former leader of the Dùnedians and their long companionship began. Thus Aragorn put up his abode by Lake Evendim. The army of the mighty Dùndains under the leadership of Aragorn defended the lands of the Shire-folk from the foul enemy.