Aragorn
Aragorn jerked out of sleep. Panting as he tried to push the horror he'd felt from his mind. Why was he plagued by these visions of Arwen's demise? She was immortal and on her way to the undying lands where she would be safe for eternity. And yes, he would be alone. But she would be where she belonged.
"Sir?" A soldier's voice was hushed, "King Theoden awaits you, my lord!"
Aragorn nodded and hurriedly followed him.
When he stepped inside the large tent, he saw the fair-haired king speaking to a dark-robed figure whose back was to the door, their face shrouded by a black hood. When he saw the ranger, Theoden nodded and said softly, "I take my leave."
As soon as the flap closed behind him, the figure got to his feet and slowly lowered the hood, revealing a face that Aragorn knew and loved. "Ad...My lord Elrond!" He ducked his head respectfully.
Elrond
Elrond's heart clenched as he looked at his youngest, immediately noticing how the ranger caught himself from calling him the familial term.
He fondly remembered the days when the tiny human boy would run to him, demanding to be picked up. "Ada...Ada...ADA!" The excited squeals echoed in his memories. Or nights of cuddling the dark-haired bundle in his arms, rocking and singing him to sleep. Now, his son couldn't even meet his eyes.
Yes, Aragorn's love for Arwen had changed their relationship. But he had never stopped loving his son. And when the Fellowship had left Imladris, he hadn't pulled his son close and expressed his love and pride. What had he done instead? He had lectured him on the need for Arwen to go to the undying lands and perhaps even implied that the human was selfish for desiring to be with her. What had he been thinking? His son was anything but.
All this flashed through his mind in a moment. Taking a deep breath, he spoke softly, "I come on behalf of one who I love." The ones who I love, he thought to himself.
Aragorn looked up at him as he continued. "Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come."
Aragorn's jaw was set in a hard line, and his nostrils flared. "It will not be our end but his."
Elrond looked sadly at his beloved child. "You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret, he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They'll be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more Men."
"There are none!"
"There are those who dwell in the mountain."
The elf watched the dark thoughts flash across Aragorn's face. "Murderers… traitors! You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing! They answer to no one!"
Elrond took a deep breath as he stepped closer to Aragorn. "They will answer to the KING OF GONDOR!"
Reaching into his cloak, he finally revealed what he carried. "Andúril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil." Finally standing close to his son, he held the sword up, resting on his open palms. He had done what he could. This was his son's choice.
Aragorn spoke softly, "Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil."
Elrond's eyes burned as the human stepped closer and only paused slightly before picking it up. A moment later, he pulled it from its sheath and stared at the shining blade, wonder shining from his vivid blue eyes. At that moment, Elrond couldn't help but see a glimpse of the young boy whose eyes had shone similarly at the simple wonders of life.
Aragorn spoke in a hushed voice. "The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith."
Elrond placed a hand on the human's shoulder. "The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth." He stared into the blue eyes. "Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road."
Aragorn looked away, but Elrond continued speaking. Automatically switching over to Elvish. "Ónen i-Estel Edain."
Aragorn bit his lip and returned. "Ú-chebin estel anim."
Aragorn
The dark-haired Dunedin broke from the elf's gaze and began to fasten the sword around his waist. For a moment, he wondered if he was still dreaming. Had the father of his true love and the only father he'd ever known just given him the sword of his forefathers? And charged him to become king? He buckled the sword belt and fingered the hilt. Yes, he would take the paths of the dead. He was Isildur's heir and the heir to the throne of Gondor. He would do what he was destined to do. But he still wondered. Was this a desperate father who wanted to save his daughter? Or did his ada really have complete faith in him? Before he could speak, a long, slim finger hooked under his chin, and he was forced to lock eyes with Elrond. "Estel..." The dark-haired elf breathed. "ion nin!" The hand moved to cup the side of his face. Aragorn let his tears drip down his cheek. "Estel...you are more than just the hope of all middle earth. You gave an ancient elf more hope than he'd felt in many a year. Being your ada has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given. Nothing can change my love for you. The time has come for you to step into your destiny. And for you and Arwen to begin your lives together."
Now tears were falling steadily down the human's face as he was pulled into his father's arms. A gentle kiss was pressed to his forehead. He returned the embrace, murmuring into the elf's shoulder. "Hannon le...Ada!"
The arms tightened around him.
After several minutes, the elf placed a final kiss on his brow and slowly loosened his hold. "I suggest you make haste, ion nin! There isn't much time. But don't worry! We will see each other soon. When you are crowned king of Gondor."
Aragorn nodded and finally pulled away. He strode from the tent with his heart much lighter in the knowledge of his ada's love and pride.
THE END
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Hannon Le in advance!