Disclaimer: I do not and never will own Lord of the Rings or anything related to it.
A/N: This story is slightly (debatable) A/U. It follows the movie canon. Based on the scene where Haldir and the Elves come to
Helm's Deep. No slash-read my bio, I don't write it! Also I am sorry for destroying or in any way contorting anything from the books
(or movie). This will probably be very short! Please REVIEW!!! Now, on with the fic!!!
The Uruks were a day away still and everyone was readying for the battle looming ahead. Aragorn was perturbed that Theoden was so stubborn that he would not send for aid. And now, Legolas was despairing. He had just come from the armory where Legolas had declared that no one would survive the coming battle. Now the small seed of doubt grew and flowered in his heart. Dejectedly he sat on the steps of the Keep. Then, for no apparent reason, his gaze was drawn to a frightened young boy, who could not be more than thirteen, glancing furtively at him and back at the sword he had just been given. Thinking he could at least give the boy some comfort, Aragorn called to him, "Give me your sword." The boy came slowly over and handed the weapon to the Ranger. "What is your name?" inquired Aragorn.
"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord...The men say it is hopeless...They say we will not live out the night..." Haleth whispered, frightened. Aragorn judged the blade of the sword then gave it a few experimental swings, hope growing with each movement. He stopped and gripped the blade tightly, then handed it back to the boy replying, "This is a good sword. Haleth, son of Hama, there is always hope!"
His confidence renewed, Aragorn prepared for battle, determined to fight despite Legolas' fatalistic prediction that all would die. He was surprised when he reached for his sword and found the blonde Elf holding it. Legolas handed the weapon to the Ranger and said, "We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."
Aragorn clasped Legolas' shoulder, "U-moe edhored, Legolas." There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.
At that moment Gimli walked in, adorned in a mail vest, "If we had time, I'd get this adjusted! It's a little tight across the chest..." He let the bottom of the vest fall, a good portion clattering to the ground as Aragorn nodded solemnly, hiding amusement. Just then the silence was broken by a fair sounding horn. Legolas turned, looking in the direction of the sound, "That is no orc horn!" he exclaimed, dashing out, Aragorn and Gimli not far behind.
They flew out of the Keep to find Haldir and a host of Elves standing inside the gate. The came out as Haldir told Theoden, "I bring
word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together," the Elf
captain turned and glanced at Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, then turned back to Theoden, "We come to honor that allegiance."
Aragorn and the other two ran down the steps, "Mae govannen, Haldir!" Welcome/well met, Haldir! Aragorn called. Theoden
started at Aragorn's obvious recognition of the host's leader and was even more shocked when the Ranger reached out to clasp
Haldir's shoulder in proper Elvish welcome but instead pulled the Elf into a very unElf-like embrace. Haldir started at the sudden,
almost childish reaction, and smiled, reminded of Aragorn's relative youth. The Ranger stepped back, "You are most welcome!"
Legolas gladly clasped Haldir's shoulder and stood with the other Elves as Haldir said, "We are proud to fight alongside men once more."
The Elves were quickly shown a place to rest until the battle and Haldir, along with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, went to the council chamber to discuss how Theoden wished the Keep to be defended. Before they left the Elves, Aragorn enthusiastically greeted quite a few of the Elvish warriors, speaking to them in their native tongue.
"Haldir! It is wonderful to see you!" Aragorn told the Elf, able to express his relief now that they were away from the men whose fragile courage would have been shattered by the show of worry.
Haldir smiled, "Well, young one, Lord Elrond wished to make sure you stayed out of trouble. It looks as though you have not."
The Ranger laughed, "True enough, but trouble seems to follow me as flies to honey."
Theoden watched all of this with growing amazement. He could understand the friendship between Legolas and the man-such meetings could have been found in various places-but to be on such familiar terms with the captain of such a great host and also, it seemed, many of the captain's men, was incredible to the king.
"Indeed. It seems that whenever have ventured outside of your father's house, trouble finds you. It has always been thus with you, Estel," Haldir replied.
Theoden was still more confused by Haldir's calling Aragorn 'Estel' and murmured, "Estel?"
Haldir, thanks to his Elvish hearing, heard and answered, "Indeed. No matter his age, I shall always call him thus, for he will always be thus in my mind."
"I was called Estel in my youth," Aragorn supplied for the confused monarch.
"In his youth. My dear Estel, I have leave from the Lady to tell you that you are still young and shall always be so," Haldir told Aragorn. Aragorn smiled, "Ah, but I am old in the eyes of men. Among Elves, I shall always be young, even if I live to be centuries old."
Haldir nodded then became serious, "I also have a message from your father. Lord Elrond bid me remind you: 'The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead.'"
Theoden blanched at Haldir's words, "I don't understand..." the king whispered.
Aragorn turned to him, "What, my lord? What do you not understand?" the Ranger asked curiously, without scorn or anger.
"How is it you came to be on such familiar terms with so many of the Firstborn? And for what reason the Lord Haldir called Lord Elrond Peredhil your-your father?" murmured Theoden.
Aragorn sighed at Haldir's shocked and amazed look. The Elf captain could not believe that Theoden did not know of the Ranger's lineage. Incredulously, Haldir said to the man slowly, "Estel, have you not told them of who you are?"
"I do not wish for that power. I have never wanted it..." Aragorn replied firmly yet softly.
"You cannot escape your destiny. You cannot escape who you are," Haldir said.
Theoden listened, confused by the exchange. Then Haldir said, "Forgive me my Lord, for ignoring you. As to your questions, Estel was orphaned when still a babe. It was thus the reason he was brought to Imladris."
Here Aragorn broke in, "Lord Elrond raised me as his own. He is the only father I have ever known."
"Estel was raised among my people," Haldir added, "It is for this reason he knows us so well."
"I was raised not knowing my true heritage...I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur," Aragorn said softly. Theoden's eyes widened, he had not known that Aragorn was of such a line, he had assumed that he was a mere Ranger of the North.
"Before you stands the Heir to the Throne of Gondor," Haldir said softly, but with firm pride in the man. Theoden was shocked and somewhat aprehensive. Aragorn was of very noble lineage. Contemplating these things, Theoden excused himself and went to arm himself.
Aragorn, having seen his distress, followed him. He found the monarch alone in the next room.
"Are you well, milord?" Aragorn asked.
Theoden turned to him and bowed slightly, "Of course. Forgive me, I have treated you badly...If I had known who you...If I had known..."
"If you had known you would have what? Treated me differently? I do not wish to be treated as more than a man. I have never wished for more than that. Come, we must prepare. I stand with you and your people until the end of this," Aragorn replied.
With that the King of Rohan and the future King of Gondor walked out, into the night to fight for the survival of their world, each with a greater respect for the other.
Okay, so I know the ending kinda sucked...Well, questions, comments? More? No more? Let me know by pushing the pretty blue button and REVIEWING!!! Thanks for reading!!! Check out some of my other fics! Hugs and bunnies!!!
