Five years later:
The small party of Rangers rode into the courtyard. Aragorn swung off his horse & turned to lift the reins over the animal's neck. His cousin, Halbarad, followed suit. A squeal of childish delight suddenly split the air as a small figure flew down the stairs. Aragorn pivoted in time to catch the child in his arms & lift her up.
"Estel! I told 'em!" the little girl exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. "I told 'em you were here!"
Aragorn laughed. "Did you indeed, Little One? And did they believe you?"
"No…" she replied with a pout. Then she became aware of Halbarad & the others watching her with varying expressions of surprise & disbelief. She tucked her face into Aragorn's neck in a sudden attack of shyness, then peeked out to look at Halbarad with wide eyes – eyes that matched Aragorn's almost exactly.
Aragorn smiled, both at Silmariën's sudden shyness & at Halbarad's shock. He moved towards the other man. "Come, child. You must meet our kindred."
Halbarad mastered his surprise & smiled at the small girl.
"Silmariën, this is our cousin, Halbarad." Aragorn said, shifting her so she could look at the other man.
"What's a 'cousin'?" Silmariën asked curiously, studying Halbarad intently.
"Well, it's rather like … a brother, only not quite. Our mother & Halbarad's were sisters, you see, so that makes him our kinsman…"
Silmariën's expression changed & she snuggled closer to Aragorn. "Mama went to be with Papa, didn't she?" she asked a little forlornly.
The question startled Aragorn. Elrond must have told the child… "Yes, melyorë (dear heart), she did," he replied softly.
"She's happy then. She missed Papa awfully…"
That startled Aragorn even more. How could one so young…?
"Yes, Silmariën, she did miss Papa. But they are together now & they will always be watching over us even if we can't see them…"
"Silmariën, what…? Oh!" A new voice floated across the courtyard. Aragorn stiffened & swung around.
Arwen stood at the top of the steps, looking down at him. Behind him, he could heard Halbarad's muffled chuckle. "Good day, my lady," he said formally, bowing to her.
Silmariën wriggled out of his arms & ran back to Arwen to grab her hand, tugging on it. "See!" she demanded. "I told you Estel was here!"
Arwen smiled down at her. "So you did, Little Sister. From now on, I will believe you when you tell me such things." She looked back at Aragorn. "My lord, welcome back to Rivendell. You as well, Lord Halbarad, gentlemen."
They all bowed formally to her. Elrond appeared behind her, a smile on his face.
"Estel, my son, well met. You, as well, Halbarad. I am pleased to see you here." He looked down at his youngest fosterling. "Silmariën, go with your sister. I wish to speak with Estel, then I will send him to you."
"Promise?"
"You have my word, child."
The little girl hurried off, pulling Arwen after her. Aragorn watched them leave, a wry smile on his face. It would seem his little sister was taking over the household.
"Estel, Halbarad," Elrond interrupted his thoughts. "I wish to speak with you. The rest of you gentlemen, please take your ease. This house is yours."
The two Rangers followed him into the building, to his study. Inside, he gestured for them to sit while he went over to a nearby table to pour some wine out. He handed glasses to both of them, then picked up his own & raised it. "To your mother, Estel. May her soul finally be at peace. All of Rivendell grieves at your loss."
Aragorn bowed his head. "You told Silmariën?" he asked finally.
"Yes, my son," Elrond looked at him gravely. "She knew something was wrong."
Aragorn smiled sadly. "She told me, just now, that mother is happy… She is with father."
Elrond nodded. "The child has the most amazing gift… of knowing things you would not expect her to know." He looked over at Aragorn's companion. "And what do you think of our little one, Halbarad?"
He shook his head. "In truth, my lord, I am at a loss for words. Estel told me of her, but I thought he was making a jest at my expense. But, seeing her now… I do not know what to think. If I did not know better, I would swear she is kith & kin…"
"Indeed, she is almost the exact image of Estel at that age. It is most uncanny." Elrond studied the younger man. "Has Estel told you about the prophecy, as well?"
"Yes, my lord. You truly believe little Silmariën is the child Malbeth foresaw?"
"As time passes, I become ever more convinced. Which is why, when you return to the North, she will go with you. It is time for her to begin her training in earnest."
"If you believe it is time, then so be it," Aragorn said quietly. "Although, I am not sure what our people will think… It may be difficult for her in Fornost."
Elrond took a sip of wine. "You may be surprised, my son. Silmariën has the most remarkable gift of winning people over. Rather like you, in fact."
"It is settled then. Silmariën comes with us," Aragorn said, smiling. "And perhaps, it would be a good time to start using her other name: Rána."
"Very well, my son. You should go to her. Elsewise, she will come hunting for you. And, every time she is in this room, I must spend days gathering everything back up…"
Aragorn laughed. "I will save you the work then, my father. Until later. Halbarad, are you coming?"
The younger man hesitated, then said, "I will come in search of you shortly, cousin. There is a matter I wish to speak with Lord Elrond about."
Aragorn frowned, then nodded. "As you wish. I'm sure you'll be able to find us."
He rose & left the study. Halbarad sat staring into his wine, not speaking for a long time.
"What troubles you, youngling?" Elrond finally asked in gentle concern.
"Estel also told me of the foresight you have had, my lord. How you can see nothing of his fate…"
Elrond sighed heavily. "That is true. My heart is gravely troubled for him. Why do you ask?"
"I think I have foreseen something as well…" Halbarad hesitated, carefully setting down the wine glass. "I … I think I have foreseen my own… death."
Elrond sat up, looking at him sharply. "Tell me."
Halbarad focused on the wine glass again, his eyes becoming distant. "It was in a dream. I … we were in a mountain pass, standing before a dark door. Estel was there, as were your sons… It was a terrible place; fear rolled from it like smoke from a fire. But … Estel was determined to go through it, so we were determined to follow him…
"Then the dream changed. I was standing in a open land before a great walled city… From what Estel has described to me, I think it must be the White City… The sky seems to be on fire; there is smoke everywhere… Confusion… Then I saw … myself… lying on the ground, a terrible wound in my side… But I felt no pain… And there was a woman… as like to Estel as anyone could be… She was kneeling over me, crying… I said… something to her … about guarding Estel. And, then, there was darkness. Nothing else. I awoke & found myself in my own bed."
Halbarad looked up at Elrond with troubled eyes. "I have said nothing to Estel about this. But, in my heart, I know fear. Yet – it is not for me; it is for him!" He took a deep breath. "Master Elrond, do you truly think this girlchild is meant to be Estel's protector?"
"Even as you are, my … son. The two of you shall share that responsibility, when the time comes. That is why you must take a hand in her training."
Halbarad nodded, his expression becoming determined. "Then I shall. I will see to it that Silmariën – or rather, Rána becomes the finest warrior I can train."
Aragorn walked out onto the terrace, following the squeals of childish laughter. He found Silmariën being chased by Arwen & another Elvish woman. The little girl stopped as soon as he appeared, then darted over to throw her arms around him. Aragorn laughed & dropped to one knee to return the hug.
Arwen watched the pair with a tender smile as she walked over to join them. She was beginning to see the bond her father had told her about. Estel seemed like a very different person with this small child. He would make a wonderful father…
Aragorn looked up as Arwen joined them. Their eyes met & communicated. He slowly regained his feet.
"Silmariën," Arwen said gently. "Will you go with Liriel for now? I would like to speak with Estel for a little bit."
The child pouted & snuggled closer to Aragorn. "I wanna talk with 'im, too," she protested plaintively.
Aragorn smiled & rested a hand on her head. "I know you do, Little One. And I promise I will come & talk with you as soon as I can. You know, you should go & find our cousin, Halbarad. I'm sure he'd like to talk with you & you can become friends with him, too."
Silmariën's eyes lit up. "I like that!" She grabbed Liriel's hand & pulled the Elf in the direction of the house.
Arwen laughed softly as she watched the pair disappear into the building. "And what has your poor cousin done to deserve that?" she asked teasingly.
"I consider it revenge for the look of shock on his face when he first saw her," Aragorn replied, smiling as well. "His thoughts were far too obvious."
"And what revenge will you take against me?" Arwen asked after a brief pause. Aragorn turned to look at her in surprise.
"What do you mean?" he asked warily.
Arwen's eyes dropped. "I came very near to hating you – with all my heart – when I first saw Silmariën," she admitted quietly. "I wanted to hate you for being … unfaithful to me. And I wanted to hate the woman who bore Silmariën… for taking you from me."
"I was never…" Aragorn began to protest. Arwen covered his mouth with her hand to stop him.
"I know, beloved. Father was very quick to tell me her story, when he saw my reaction." Arwen slipped her hand through his arm & began to lead him off into the gardens.
"Has he told you… all of her story?" Aragorn asked. His arm shifted to encircle her waist & she rested her head against his shoulder with a soft sigh as they walked.
"You mean the prophecy? Yes, he told me. It is most… odd. How she cannot be of your blood when the two of you are so like… But I do think Silmariën has been very good for you."
Aragorn flushed slightly at her words, but he had to smile. The child's coming had changed his life – & brought some happiness to his mother… His expression changed.
Arwen sensed the change in him & the reason for it. "Oh, my love, you must not grieve too much for your mother. She is at peace now."
"I know," he said heavily. "But losing her… It… hurts."
Arwen stopped & turned to take him in her arms. His arms wrapped around her. "I know, my love. I know that pain all too well. Remember? But you know how much she missed your father. Now they can be together for all time."
She looked up at him with an intense expression. "This too I know – if the Gift takes you first… I will not be long in following…"
He looked at her sharply & his grip on her tightened. "Arwen, you must not say such things… Our future…"
Her fingers silenced him again. "Our future will be what the Valar wish it to be. And your fate will be mine, beloved."
Her lips replaced her fingers against his mouth & she molded her body to his. Her hands lifted to entangle in his hair. Aragorn struggled with himself for a brief moment, then gave into the temptation of her kiss.
The small party of Rangers rode into the courtyard. Aragorn swung off his horse & turned to lift the reins over the animal's neck. His cousin, Halbarad, followed suit. A squeal of childish delight suddenly split the air as a small figure flew down the stairs. Aragorn pivoted in time to catch the child in his arms & lift her up.
"Estel! I told 'em!" the little girl exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. "I told 'em you were here!"
Aragorn laughed. "Did you indeed, Little One? And did they believe you?"
"No…" she replied with a pout. Then she became aware of Halbarad & the others watching her with varying expressions of surprise & disbelief. She tucked her face into Aragorn's neck in a sudden attack of shyness, then peeked out to look at Halbarad with wide eyes – eyes that matched Aragorn's almost exactly.
Aragorn smiled, both at Silmariën's sudden shyness & at Halbarad's shock. He moved towards the other man. "Come, child. You must meet our kindred."
Halbarad mastered his surprise & smiled at the small girl.
"Silmariën, this is our cousin, Halbarad." Aragorn said, shifting her so she could look at the other man.
"What's a 'cousin'?" Silmariën asked curiously, studying Halbarad intently.
"Well, it's rather like … a brother, only not quite. Our mother & Halbarad's were sisters, you see, so that makes him our kinsman…"
Silmariën's expression changed & she snuggled closer to Aragorn. "Mama went to be with Papa, didn't she?" she asked a little forlornly.
The question startled Aragorn. Elrond must have told the child… "Yes, melyorë (dear heart), she did," he replied softly.
"She's happy then. She missed Papa awfully…"
That startled Aragorn even more. How could one so young…?
"Yes, Silmariën, she did miss Papa. But they are together now & they will always be watching over us even if we can't see them…"
"Silmariën, what…? Oh!" A new voice floated across the courtyard. Aragorn stiffened & swung around.
Arwen stood at the top of the steps, looking down at him. Behind him, he could heard Halbarad's muffled chuckle. "Good day, my lady," he said formally, bowing to her.
Silmariën wriggled out of his arms & ran back to Arwen to grab her hand, tugging on it. "See!" she demanded. "I told you Estel was here!"
Arwen smiled down at her. "So you did, Little Sister. From now on, I will believe you when you tell me such things." She looked back at Aragorn. "My lord, welcome back to Rivendell. You as well, Lord Halbarad, gentlemen."
They all bowed formally to her. Elrond appeared behind her, a smile on his face.
"Estel, my son, well met. You, as well, Halbarad. I am pleased to see you here." He looked down at his youngest fosterling. "Silmariën, go with your sister. I wish to speak with Estel, then I will send him to you."
"Promise?"
"You have my word, child."
The little girl hurried off, pulling Arwen after her. Aragorn watched them leave, a wry smile on his face. It would seem his little sister was taking over the household.
"Estel, Halbarad," Elrond interrupted his thoughts. "I wish to speak with you. The rest of you gentlemen, please take your ease. This house is yours."
The two Rangers followed him into the building, to his study. Inside, he gestured for them to sit while he went over to a nearby table to pour some wine out. He handed glasses to both of them, then picked up his own & raised it. "To your mother, Estel. May her soul finally be at peace. All of Rivendell grieves at your loss."
Aragorn bowed his head. "You told Silmariën?" he asked finally.
"Yes, my son," Elrond looked at him gravely. "She knew something was wrong."
Aragorn smiled sadly. "She told me, just now, that mother is happy… She is with father."
Elrond nodded. "The child has the most amazing gift… of knowing things you would not expect her to know." He looked over at Aragorn's companion. "And what do you think of our little one, Halbarad?"
He shook his head. "In truth, my lord, I am at a loss for words. Estel told me of her, but I thought he was making a jest at my expense. But, seeing her now… I do not know what to think. If I did not know better, I would swear she is kith & kin…"
"Indeed, she is almost the exact image of Estel at that age. It is most uncanny." Elrond studied the younger man. "Has Estel told you about the prophecy, as well?"
"Yes, my lord. You truly believe little Silmariën is the child Malbeth foresaw?"
"As time passes, I become ever more convinced. Which is why, when you return to the North, she will go with you. It is time for her to begin her training in earnest."
"If you believe it is time, then so be it," Aragorn said quietly. "Although, I am not sure what our people will think… It may be difficult for her in Fornost."
Elrond took a sip of wine. "You may be surprised, my son. Silmariën has the most remarkable gift of winning people over. Rather like you, in fact."
"It is settled then. Silmariën comes with us," Aragorn said, smiling. "And perhaps, it would be a good time to start using her other name: Rána."
"Very well, my son. You should go to her. Elsewise, she will come hunting for you. And, every time she is in this room, I must spend days gathering everything back up…"
Aragorn laughed. "I will save you the work then, my father. Until later. Halbarad, are you coming?"
The younger man hesitated, then said, "I will come in search of you shortly, cousin. There is a matter I wish to speak with Lord Elrond about."
Aragorn frowned, then nodded. "As you wish. I'm sure you'll be able to find us."
He rose & left the study. Halbarad sat staring into his wine, not speaking for a long time.
"What troubles you, youngling?" Elrond finally asked in gentle concern.
"Estel also told me of the foresight you have had, my lord. How you can see nothing of his fate…"
Elrond sighed heavily. "That is true. My heart is gravely troubled for him. Why do you ask?"
"I think I have foreseen something as well…" Halbarad hesitated, carefully setting down the wine glass. "I … I think I have foreseen my own… death."
Elrond sat up, looking at him sharply. "Tell me."
Halbarad focused on the wine glass again, his eyes becoming distant. "It was in a dream. I … we were in a mountain pass, standing before a dark door. Estel was there, as were your sons… It was a terrible place; fear rolled from it like smoke from a fire. But … Estel was determined to go through it, so we were determined to follow him…
"Then the dream changed. I was standing in a open land before a great walled city… From what Estel has described to me, I think it must be the White City… The sky seems to be on fire; there is smoke everywhere… Confusion… Then I saw … myself… lying on the ground, a terrible wound in my side… But I felt no pain… And there was a woman… as like to Estel as anyone could be… She was kneeling over me, crying… I said… something to her … about guarding Estel. And, then, there was darkness. Nothing else. I awoke & found myself in my own bed."
Halbarad looked up at Elrond with troubled eyes. "I have said nothing to Estel about this. But, in my heart, I know fear. Yet – it is not for me; it is for him!" He took a deep breath. "Master Elrond, do you truly think this girlchild is meant to be Estel's protector?"
"Even as you are, my … son. The two of you shall share that responsibility, when the time comes. That is why you must take a hand in her training."
Halbarad nodded, his expression becoming determined. "Then I shall. I will see to it that Silmariën – or rather, Rána becomes the finest warrior I can train."
Aragorn walked out onto the terrace, following the squeals of childish laughter. He found Silmariën being chased by Arwen & another Elvish woman. The little girl stopped as soon as he appeared, then darted over to throw her arms around him. Aragorn laughed & dropped to one knee to return the hug.
Arwen watched the pair with a tender smile as she walked over to join them. She was beginning to see the bond her father had told her about. Estel seemed like a very different person with this small child. He would make a wonderful father…
Aragorn looked up as Arwen joined them. Their eyes met & communicated. He slowly regained his feet.
"Silmariën," Arwen said gently. "Will you go with Liriel for now? I would like to speak with Estel for a little bit."
The child pouted & snuggled closer to Aragorn. "I wanna talk with 'im, too," she protested plaintively.
Aragorn smiled & rested a hand on her head. "I know you do, Little One. And I promise I will come & talk with you as soon as I can. You know, you should go & find our cousin, Halbarad. I'm sure he'd like to talk with you & you can become friends with him, too."
Silmariën's eyes lit up. "I like that!" She grabbed Liriel's hand & pulled the Elf in the direction of the house.
Arwen laughed softly as she watched the pair disappear into the building. "And what has your poor cousin done to deserve that?" she asked teasingly.
"I consider it revenge for the look of shock on his face when he first saw her," Aragorn replied, smiling as well. "His thoughts were far too obvious."
"And what revenge will you take against me?" Arwen asked after a brief pause. Aragorn turned to look at her in surprise.
"What do you mean?" he asked warily.
Arwen's eyes dropped. "I came very near to hating you – with all my heart – when I first saw Silmariën," she admitted quietly. "I wanted to hate you for being … unfaithful to me. And I wanted to hate the woman who bore Silmariën… for taking you from me."
"I was never…" Aragorn began to protest. Arwen covered his mouth with her hand to stop him.
"I know, beloved. Father was very quick to tell me her story, when he saw my reaction." Arwen slipped her hand through his arm & began to lead him off into the gardens.
"Has he told you… all of her story?" Aragorn asked. His arm shifted to encircle her waist & she rested her head against his shoulder with a soft sigh as they walked.
"You mean the prophecy? Yes, he told me. It is most… odd. How she cannot be of your blood when the two of you are so like… But I do think Silmariën has been very good for you."
Aragorn flushed slightly at her words, but he had to smile. The child's coming had changed his life – & brought some happiness to his mother… His expression changed.
Arwen sensed the change in him & the reason for it. "Oh, my love, you must not grieve too much for your mother. She is at peace now."
"I know," he said heavily. "But losing her… It… hurts."
Arwen stopped & turned to take him in her arms. His arms wrapped around her. "I know, my love. I know that pain all too well. Remember? But you know how much she missed your father. Now they can be together for all time."
She looked up at him with an intense expression. "This too I know – if the Gift takes you first… I will not be long in following…"
He looked at her sharply & his grip on her tightened. "Arwen, you must not say such things… Our future…"
Her fingers silenced him again. "Our future will be what the Valar wish it to be. And your fate will be mine, beloved."
Her lips replaced her fingers against his mouth & she molded her body to his. Her hands lifted to entangle in his hair. Aragorn struggled with himself for a brief moment, then gave into the temptation of her kiss.