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.
***
