An extract of Aragorn's musings in the days before he ever came to meet Frodo or the Fellowship - perhaps whilst he still protects the Shire. This was written a long time ago, I'm not sure about it, but I'll leave it up.
I sweated down the horse, letting her steam in the evening twilight as she chomped at the frozen ground. Sundown's dusk hung over us both, and the rest of the world. We remained alone.
I was alone.
Strangely unconcerned, and yet never quite at ease, I can exist here. Just as one learns to rely upon their senses, and find comfort in their own companionship, so can I subsist in these barren lands of hills, and trees. It holds no quails for me; at heart I am a solitary creature.
I like it that way.
Some have said better I were not even here, than come to skulk and brood, peril cloaking my shoulders in its haze, and misery shadowing my wake. They ask "Why bother you to come at all? What is your need? What is your purpose?" But every human being is needed. The trouble is that not everyone realises it.
Some things never change. I have never changed. Therefore nothing's changed for me.
I live now as I was born to be; upon the road. Ever travelling, seldom resting. My wits to live by, my horse to move by and my sun the navigator. A fine pair we fetch together. I scour the lands as she rides the sky above, forever at my shoulder. Her presence a comfort, radiant and glorified. Such richness is wasted on the ostentatious people of this world, and perhaps also those who have not the time nor patience to see it. But never in my eyes shall disregard await such beauty. Not as long as I have breath to breathe it, nor sight to behold it, nor touch to feel it. And I do feel it, for when sometimes it cannot be sought; I sense it in my blood instead. It's in the bones. Rooted deep.
The moon, in contrast, holds the bliss of darkness, hiding the evil and the wrong, shroud them away in mist. For I would do the same had I the means. Her whitened pallor is not of frailty but that of shining majesty and gentle grace. Touch now my face, for tomorrow I shall not see yours again. For I must rest, while my brave warrior princess stands watch astride me. I'll lie back before you and surrender unto your protection.
My horse stirs again, moving away in search of richer pickings. I have truly found the greatest treasure. A world unseen, unheard, yet truly there. Flowing in every stream, dancing on every flower... And each time I fall asleep I am met again, for beauty is with me in my dreams. It resides among even the worst places of the worlds, perhaps reflected from the surface of our skin, but still a part may reach our soul. We are not so callous as some think.
Love is still love, when all is said and done.
