' How - how did you know ? ' he realized that it was a secret shared
perhaps by few elves and he knew that Gandalf knew about this matter too .
Although she did say that she was acquainted with Elrond but how come he
never heard of her name spoken in Rivendell before ?
As if he question her aloud , she answered , ' I know Elrond will never mention me before in your household but it would be for good reasons , I supposed . ' she punctuated the last sentence as if trying to reassure herself , ' When you return to him why don't you ask him yourself . ' her voice had a faint of detest and mockery .
' I 'm willing to hear your story . ' he tried leaning back against the wall but his back scream in protest so he was forced to sit upright , uncomfortably .
' You are stubborn as your father . ' she said with a small nostalgic smile , ' he used to convince me by bore me to death with one of his songs . '
' So you knew my father personally . ' it was a statement .
' Yes , I did . In fact I knew every member of your family even back to Isildur's great great grandparents.'
' Were you in the battle against Lord Sauron ? ' he had no doubt that she was . Every elf maiden he had encountered in Middle Earth were gentle and could not wield a blade or shoot out an arrow without any help from their male encounter part . Even only seeing a very short performances he had no doubt of her ability to beat Elladan and Elrohir both in sword and bows . And that is saying something .
' I participated . ' she eyed his lanky figure without any judgment .
' Is that how you knew my fat- I mean my adopted father ? '
' Elrond ? No , I knew him long before that . '
' How ? ' he was plainly curious now , his body was motioned forward as if not to miss the slightest flicker of her eyes .
' I was sent from Gray Haven to meet King Gil-Galad and Lady Galadriel and Elrond was there , naturally.'
Aragorn sense the elves mood of unwillingness to participate in the conversation . Perhaps because he was prying into her private life . He wanted to change the subject into anything which will brought warmth to those icy eyes . But after several thoughts , he was exhausted of ideas .
' Thank you for your kindness . I don't know how I will be able to repay you for this .' he trailed on but stop short by her speech , ' I did not do it for kindness toward you , Aragorn . I did it merely because it was my duty . '
' Duty.. duty of what ? '
She laughed a little and it sounded like the chime of birds early in the morning , ' You know almost Nothing . Are you ignorant or Elrond did not tell you anything ? '
He was forced to say both .
She sighed sweetly with a small curl of her lip , ' Perhaps it is the time for me to visit your dear old father again . I'm sure he would be able to handle it after several millennia .' and again Aragorn could detect a faint distastes although her voice were as wondrous as the elvish music .
' That would be wonderful ! ' he cried ecstatically . He was slowly sinking into a trap made by himself . Lured by the mysteriousness of Marilla , he was more than willing to spend more time with her .
' Don't cry yourself to joy just yet . I did not say I will . I merely said I might . And also , I thought the sole purpose of this expedition for you is to return to him both strong body and mind preparing for your future role ? I do not wish to see the disappointment in his eyes when you return as weak and puny as when you left . ' she said with casual tone , shifting her seating to more comfortable position .
Her remark stung his pride a bit but he knew she was true to the very last word . He could not come back just a year after his journey with nothing to show with pride to his father and his brothers . He would be ashamed and he would not shamed them for being a human .
She sense the growing mood in him and look approvingly , ' I might have a proposal for you . '
His attention snapped rigidly on to her and he was ready for anything which would be thrown to him .
' I have sworn my loyalty both in body and spirit to this damn cursed land along with it's future . Preparing you for your role was also in my requirement although it wasn't considered necessary back then . I might take their suggestion while I am waiting for my chance to return back to Gray Haven . After all , I am quite bored by goblins and orcs here . They do predictable things after you hunt them for few millennia . I supposed you could serve a better entertainment for me ,' her words were cynical yet he could see the faint yet growing light in her eyes .
' You mean you are willing to take me as your pupil ? ' he ask in disbelief . He always knew he needed guidance but he never think that his will be sent from heaven ( or hell ) .
' In several conditions . One , you must do everything I say . Two , you must not return to Rivendell unless you are fit enough for me to do so . Three , you must wash your hair . ' she said the last condition with a straight face . Aragorn could not help but stifle a laugh , no matter how much he tried to stop himself . He ran through his hair and knew her judgment was more than accurate .
' I accept all of the conditions and I pledge myself , body and soul to you , Marilla - ' he eyed her questioningly , hoping for her last name to pop out of thin air .
' Marilla Laruina '
Aragorn grin , flashing a set of sparkling teeth , ' Your name means golden pearl . It suits you . '
She didn't seem to hear him as her eyes were averted to the cheerful flame . She look up and he saw with wonderment that her eyes were fire . ' You said that you pledge your body and soul to me ? Why ? '
' Because I will obey to your teaching knowing it is for my own benefits . '
' The first lesson that I will teach you is the importance of an oath . I took one perhaps eighteen millennia ago and I bore the consequences of my doing for every mistakes and every faltered steps . An oath will tie your life down till death . An oath will show you no mercy nor justice . Can you see how you will weight yourself down with a simple sentence ? '
Aragorn did not answer her . He saw the wisdom in those eyes but his heart was set and willing .
' An oath also give you a purpose , a light within darkness -'
' I didn't say that you shall never take an oath in your life , Aragorn . I merely say that you should think before you speak especially in such weighty issue . You are young and I wish that you will not regret such actions . '
He sighed heavily . She persuade with gentle yet persistent voice . Fighting with her was like fighting against a rip while you are dying slowly against the crashing of the waves . He held his palm open in submission .
' You are right . At least could I have a handshake ? '
She took her glove off her right hand , revealing slender yet strong hand which was slightly calloused after a long extended periods of gripping a sword . They shook hands , sealing their deal , above the small flame . Both never foreseen how their simple handshakes had spiraled them out of their path of life and intertwined both of them with each other's destiny . Nevertheless both of them sense the beginning of their friendship .
As if he question her aloud , she answered , ' I know Elrond will never mention me before in your household but it would be for good reasons , I supposed . ' she punctuated the last sentence as if trying to reassure herself , ' When you return to him why don't you ask him yourself . ' her voice had a faint of detest and mockery .
' I 'm willing to hear your story . ' he tried leaning back against the wall but his back scream in protest so he was forced to sit upright , uncomfortably .
' You are stubborn as your father . ' she said with a small nostalgic smile , ' he used to convince me by bore me to death with one of his songs . '
' So you knew my father personally . ' it was a statement .
' Yes , I did . In fact I knew every member of your family even back to Isildur's great great grandparents.'
' Were you in the battle against Lord Sauron ? ' he had no doubt that she was . Every elf maiden he had encountered in Middle Earth were gentle and could not wield a blade or shoot out an arrow without any help from their male encounter part . Even only seeing a very short performances he had no doubt of her ability to beat Elladan and Elrohir both in sword and bows . And that is saying something .
' I participated . ' she eyed his lanky figure without any judgment .
' Is that how you knew my fat- I mean my adopted father ? '
' Elrond ? No , I knew him long before that . '
' How ? ' he was plainly curious now , his body was motioned forward as if not to miss the slightest flicker of her eyes .
' I was sent from Gray Haven to meet King Gil-Galad and Lady Galadriel and Elrond was there , naturally.'
Aragorn sense the elves mood of unwillingness to participate in the conversation . Perhaps because he was prying into her private life . He wanted to change the subject into anything which will brought warmth to those icy eyes . But after several thoughts , he was exhausted of ideas .
' Thank you for your kindness . I don't know how I will be able to repay you for this .' he trailed on but stop short by her speech , ' I did not do it for kindness toward you , Aragorn . I did it merely because it was my duty . '
' Duty.. duty of what ? '
She laughed a little and it sounded like the chime of birds early in the morning , ' You know almost Nothing . Are you ignorant or Elrond did not tell you anything ? '
He was forced to say both .
She sighed sweetly with a small curl of her lip , ' Perhaps it is the time for me to visit your dear old father again . I'm sure he would be able to handle it after several millennia .' and again Aragorn could detect a faint distastes although her voice were as wondrous as the elvish music .
' That would be wonderful ! ' he cried ecstatically . He was slowly sinking into a trap made by himself . Lured by the mysteriousness of Marilla , he was more than willing to spend more time with her .
' Don't cry yourself to joy just yet . I did not say I will . I merely said I might . And also , I thought the sole purpose of this expedition for you is to return to him both strong body and mind preparing for your future role ? I do not wish to see the disappointment in his eyes when you return as weak and puny as when you left . ' she said with casual tone , shifting her seating to more comfortable position .
Her remark stung his pride a bit but he knew she was true to the very last word . He could not come back just a year after his journey with nothing to show with pride to his father and his brothers . He would be ashamed and he would not shamed them for being a human .
She sense the growing mood in him and look approvingly , ' I might have a proposal for you . '
His attention snapped rigidly on to her and he was ready for anything which would be thrown to him .
' I have sworn my loyalty both in body and spirit to this damn cursed land along with it's future . Preparing you for your role was also in my requirement although it wasn't considered necessary back then . I might take their suggestion while I am waiting for my chance to return back to Gray Haven . After all , I am quite bored by goblins and orcs here . They do predictable things after you hunt them for few millennia . I supposed you could serve a better entertainment for me ,' her words were cynical yet he could see the faint yet growing light in her eyes .
' You mean you are willing to take me as your pupil ? ' he ask in disbelief . He always knew he needed guidance but he never think that his will be sent from heaven ( or hell ) .
' In several conditions . One , you must do everything I say . Two , you must not return to Rivendell unless you are fit enough for me to do so . Three , you must wash your hair . ' she said the last condition with a straight face . Aragorn could not help but stifle a laugh , no matter how much he tried to stop himself . He ran through his hair and knew her judgment was more than accurate .
' I accept all of the conditions and I pledge myself , body and soul to you , Marilla - ' he eyed her questioningly , hoping for her last name to pop out of thin air .
' Marilla Laruina '
Aragorn grin , flashing a set of sparkling teeth , ' Your name means golden pearl . It suits you . '
She didn't seem to hear him as her eyes were averted to the cheerful flame . She look up and he saw with wonderment that her eyes were fire . ' You said that you pledge your body and soul to me ? Why ? '
' Because I will obey to your teaching knowing it is for my own benefits . '
' The first lesson that I will teach you is the importance of an oath . I took one perhaps eighteen millennia ago and I bore the consequences of my doing for every mistakes and every faltered steps . An oath will tie your life down till death . An oath will show you no mercy nor justice . Can you see how you will weight yourself down with a simple sentence ? '
Aragorn did not answer her . He saw the wisdom in those eyes but his heart was set and willing .
' An oath also give you a purpose , a light within darkness -'
' I didn't say that you shall never take an oath in your life , Aragorn . I merely say that you should think before you speak especially in such weighty issue . You are young and I wish that you will not regret such actions . '
He sighed heavily . She persuade with gentle yet persistent voice . Fighting with her was like fighting against a rip while you are dying slowly against the crashing of the waves . He held his palm open in submission .
' You are right . At least could I have a handshake ? '
She took her glove off her right hand , revealing slender yet strong hand which was slightly calloused after a long extended periods of gripping a sword . They shook hands , sealing their deal , above the small flame . Both never foreseen how their simple handshakes had spiraled them out of their path of life and intertwined both of them with each other's destiny . Nevertheless both of them sense the beginning of their friendship .
