The characters are not mine, I do not intend to make any money out of my writing.

Forgive me abusing the beautiful speech of Sheakspeare and Tolkien. English is not my first language. Comments welcome. Just be gentle, this is my first fic.

Prologue

The night was beautiful. But then almost all nights in Rivindell seemed beautiful to him. Stars shone as brightly as ten years ago, when he had left.

"It's good to see you home, Estel." There was a hint of reproach to Elrond's words. Aragorn smiled guiltily. He shouldn't have waited that long, but he feared seeing Arwen earlier. He had to be sure he was able to control his emotions first.

"And I am glad to be home," he responded. Strange that he still thought of Rivendell as home. But he spent too much time traveling to think the northern fields of Arnor or to the vast green lands of Gondor as home. He developed very strong bond with both Gondor and Arnor and begun to consider the Dunadains his family, but it was still Rivendell that he would choose to rest from his quests at.

He realized, however, that this would not last long. It would change as everything else in his life. As his feelings for Arwen, for example, although this one change was a relief.

Ten years didn't pass without a trace on a youth that left the Elven woods. It had been ten years of expierencing the human ways, of growing up. During those ten years he realized that he had fallen in love with Arwen only because of her beauty. He knew next to nothing about her. And as the new faces entered the picture, as new places revealed their importance, as he begun to feel the weight of destiny on his shoulders, thoughts of Arwen faded away.

"Come," Elrond said. "We shall discuss the news you brought from Mithrandir with Elladan and Elrohir."

Aragorn nodded. He missed his 'brothers' who helped Elrond rise him and teach him. And he did have a couple of tricks to show them, the ones he picked up from Dunadains, Gandalf and others. Even before they had trouble finding him in the woods; they would never be able to do it now.

When he entered the Great Hall, he almost stopped in a midstep. On the second end of the hall stood Arwen, engrossed in conversation with her brothers. He searched his heart and was glad to find none of the previous infantuation. Arwen was still the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, but she was like a star. Shining brightly, but cold and distant. She was to be admired, not to loved.

He bowed courteously to Elrond's daughter and made warmer greetings with Elladan and Elrohir.

Chapter One

Aragorn had a strange feeling of a déjà vu. It was almost twenty years ago, but the events went almost in the same pattern. He arrived to Rivendell, was greeted by Elrond and taken to meet Elladan and Elrohir.

But twenty years ago his primary concern was to find out whether or not he still harboured feelings for Arwen, and now his concerns were of a much more serious matter.

The orcs and other slaves of Mordor were clearly setting to attack Lothlorien. Their forces were great and supported by a wicked magic. Aragorn heard that one of the ancient Witches from far north east was awakened and allied with the Enemy.

"Lothlorien shall not be defeated," said Elladan with conviction. Seated around the small table in the ancient library was Lord of Rivendell and his family. It would be so good to just talk, Aragorn thought. Just talk, not have a war council. I participated in too many of those already.

He looked around the place. He could remember how the library was one of his favourite places in the house of Elrond. The knowledge contained within the numerous volumes held a magnetic attraction to him. The history that he could almost see seeping from the pages could only be comparable with meeting new people and visiting new places. The poetic stories he used to surprise the members of Ecthelion's court he had learnt in this very chamber.

Aragorn's attention was brought back to the reality by the soft female voice.

"Galadriel and Celeborn would not allow anything evil enter their domain," Arwen backed her brother up. Her perfect features were strained with worry. Lothlorien was a second home to her; she had spent more time with Galadriel and Celeborn than anybody else and the thought of the Evil overtaking the Golden Wood was totally unbearable to her. She didn't care if anybody could see her concern -- she was too scared this time to control herself.

Aragorn felt quite similar, but he had a little more knowledge about what they were supposed to deal with. Shaking the nostalgia off his mind, he focused on the topic of the meeting.

"The orcs alone would never enter Lorien. But, helped by the powers of the Witch, there is no way of telling what they would be capable of. The Witches were very powerful."

Elrond sighned, his fingers nervously tapping the marble surface of the table. "I have never heard about the Witches, Estel, and I dare say I have a longer memory than you."

"I haven't known of the Witches either, until this one appeared in the Ash Moutains. I went to Rhun and I have searched the ancient castels. Witches have nothing to do with Numenor or with the Elves. They were Men native to Middle Earth millenia ago and they were very similar to the Istari. When I met Mithrandir he told me a little, but not anything enlightening. They were before the Istari. Mithrandir spoke of them with great awe."

"Millenia ago! They should exist no more. Where this one came from?" Elrohir enquired.

Aragorn shook his head. "I know not. And I doubt we shall find an answer here among us." He repeated everything he heard from Gandalf. "I shall leave for Lorien tomorrow morning. The Elves of the Golden Wood should use any help they can."

After short discussion it was agreed he should go alone. There was not much either Elrond or his children could do about the matter.They had Rivendell to worry about. Aragorn left the chamber unaware of Arwen's very intense gaze focused on his back.

***

Arwen was trying to follow Estel's trail, but found it rather difficult. No, not diffcult. Impossible. Not only was he going at increadibly fast pace, but he also covered his tracks well. So well that she was positive there was no point of trying to join him. She would never catch up or find his way. I will just have to go to Lorien by herself, she thought. Her father and brothers would not be pleased at the prospect of her being alone on such a long trip, but they were never going to find out. She knew the way well enough after all.

The woods she was going through were very peacful, comforting. It was a long time since she had time to wander around all by herself. Being the mistress of Rivendell, now that Celebrian had sailed away, was a very demanding and time-consuming task.

"Arwen, what are you doing here?"

She spun around at the totally unexpected voice. A little behind her she spotted a tall, familiar figure, blended with the background so well that almost invisible. She cleared her throat to cover for her surprise.

"Estel. I am here to join you."

"I don't remember anything about company being said at the meeting. I was supposed to go alone." Aragorn came closer, his movement soundless. Like an Elf, or even quieter.

"I have talked to Father later and convinced him that I should go."

Aragorn raised a brow sceptically. "Why you and not Elladan or Ellrohir?"

Arwen made an attempt not to bark a reply. It would be unbecoming for an Elven princess. What was he thinking? That she would be a burden? Just because she was a woman she wasn't good enough company for him?

"I know the Golden Wood and it's surroundings better than Elladan or Elrohir. Or you."

After a moment of hesitation he nodded. "You are probably right. Any help would make a difference. It's just... It is going to be dangerous, Lady Undomiel."

She laughed, her mood improved greatly. Actually she felt flattered that he thought of her safety.

"I know how to take care of myself, Estel."

He nodded again. "In that case, there is no time to waste." Even as he was saying this he couldn't keep a pang of concern away. Celebrian was supposed to know how to take care of herself too. There were many dangers waiting out there even for a two thousand year old Elven princess. And he felt that Evenstar was untouchable. If anything happened to her, it would mean the end of the old ways. With a curt nod, he stepped in before her, leading the way

They both headed east, to the Caradhras.

***