Author note:

Here is chapter 2!

Please remember that english is still not my first language (and my english corrector is falling me...), so please tell me if you see any mistakes or misused words or expressions.

Disclamer: I don't own any character beside little Aranel, and I don't own the world either. Only borrowing it... I'll ask for permission later...


The morning came quickly, too quickly for the tired survivors. Of the whole camp, only a handful of rangers were still alive. Amongst the dead laid their chieftain. The twins had spent the night thinking about the future of Arathorn's heirs and wife while helping cleaning the camp, but the only answers they came up with wasn't going to please everyone, especially Gilraen. At dawn, they had finally settled down, watching the sleeping family. Aragorn was the first one to wake up, alerting the elves. He looked at the faces in front of him, sleepy eyes watering when the memories of the past night caught up with his sluggish mind.

" Shh… Shhhh little one." Whispered Elrohir, taking the kid on his lap to calm him. Elladan, seeing that his brother was taking care of him, went to get some food. Tears were easly forgotten as the boy ate some cheese and bread. Gilrean woke up some time after when her baby began crying. Sorrow was still visible in her eyes, but the initial shock had past and she was more composed. She fed her baby, then herself.

" What's her name?" asked softly Elrohir, Aragorn still on his lap.

" Aanel" answered the little boy before his mother could. The adults smiled, ruffling the boy's hairs as the kid didn't undersand.

" Her name is Aranel." Finally answered the woman.

" I didn't know you and Arathorn had an another kid." Said the older twin.

" She was born only 3 months ago. The last time we've heard of you was over a year ago."

"Sorry we've taken so long…"

Gilraen shook her head. " I think Arathorn was going to make a trip to Rivendell just to make sure everything was alright with the two of you, but there were more orcs lately and he was afraid of leaving me and the children… Seems he was right after all." She managed to say the last sentences with great efforts, tears falling down her cheeks. Aragorn looked at his mother, surprised, then he got up and made his way to her and put his and on her cheek.

" Don't cry mommy! He said evything would be aright!" he exclaimed, pointing Elrohir.

Gilraen let out a little laugh, squeezing the hand of her son on her cheek. There was no joy in that laugh. The twins exchanged a look, and they quickly decided that Elladan was going to tell the news, away from the toddler.

" Come with me, little one. We will see if our friend need help to tend to their wounds…." Elladan shoot his twin a warning glare. "…Or maybe not. Let's go look out for thing that has survived the fire, okay?" Aragorn nodded and took the offered hand of the younger twin following him around the remaining of the camp. Gilraen looked panicked as her son got away and motioned to get to her feet, but Elladan quickly took a hold on her shoulders and got her to seat back.

"It's fine, Elrohir is with him. Nothing will happen."

" The two of you were also with my husband but he was still killed!" snapped back the woman in anger. The two of them froze, guilt overwhelming the elf as he remembered that he wasn't able to save his friend despite being near him and the woman already regretting her harsh words.

" I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…"

" Gilraen, you are still grieving the husband who was slain before your own eyes. I wouldn't be surprise if you began to throw things at us, thought I would prefer you didn't. And you are right, we should have been able to protect him." Said Elrohir softly behind her, Aragorn sitting with one of the ranger before the fire. He had overheard the conversation and decided to help his brother. Elladan had enough time to recover from the comment, and then began to talk again:

" We won't make the same mistake twice. The camp is no longer safe and even thought the survivors will join another group of rangers, it is not you place anymore. We have to protect you, and Arathorn's heirs. Come with us with your children to Rivendell. You will find peace there, and a safe palce to raise them."

Gilrean's eyes were wide with fear and surprise.

"You want me to leave everyone?" she asked, beginning to shake.

" We want to keep you safe. Please make that choice for you children. We think the orcs are trying to end the life of all Isildur's heir, thought their reasons are unknown. That would be the reason of last night's attack. You now there are no safer place than Rivendell. Please, think about it."

Gilraen's gaze went from a twin to and an other a few times, then looked at her son to finally settle on Aranel. She stayed silent for a while and none of Elrond's son pushed her.

" All right" she finally said with a little voice, close to tears again, " but I want so say farewell to my husband before"

~*~*~*~

Farewell and promises to send help said, the sons of Elrond, Gilraen and the children were on their way to the elven realm. Aranel was hopefully sleeping in Elladan's arms while Aragorn described unintelligibly everything he saw, sitting in front of Elrohir. His mother was silent despite the twins' attempt to get her out of seclusion, riding her late husband's horse. This was going to be a looooong journey.

~*~*~*~

The three days ride to Rivendell went quickly and painfully silent. Gilraen was withdrawing in herself, only talking sometimes to her children, and even that was quite rare. The twins' desperate attempts to open her to what was happening around her appeared to be useless. The good point was that the situation gave them a chance to get to know the children. Aranel was sleeping most of the time, but when awake she looked around a lot, especially at her hands for a curious (and unknown) reason. Aragorn was really protective at his sister and mother, often joining the twins to take care of the 2 girls. He could also be really pigheaded when he didn't want to do something. The best thing seemed to be leaving him alone, and then he would do it. Anyway, the twins were happy when they passed the borders of the elven realm. They were home at last.


So this is the end. Next chapter, meeting with Elrond and some decisions for the kids' future are made!

Review please!