Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR or anything that J.R.R. Tolkien created. I do own the characters I made and the story.

A/N: Okay it is finally here. This is the sequel to 'The Heart of a Child'. You should read that one before you read this one, but it is not an absolute necessity. Most things are explained here, but for a better explanation read that one first. So please read and enjoy. Remember to review.

The Heart of a Ranger

The sequel to The Heart of a Child

Chapter 1

A Journey through the Woods

Amras pulled his cloak tighter around his body. He looked to his left. His four other companions also seemed cold and weary. It had been almost three weeks since they had slept in a nice warm bed. That had been at the Prancing Pony at Bree. Now they were heading back toward Gondor. It was cold and the rain had slowed their journey. Amras sighed and slowed his horse.

"We'll rest here for the night." Amras said to his companions.

The others nodded and dismounted from their horses. Everyone quickly began setting up camp. After camp was set up, the group sat around the fire in an attempt to keep themselves warm. Amras sat down.

"How are you holding up, Sis?" Amras asked his younger sister who sat next to him, rubbing her arms.

The sixteen-year-old girl looked up and smiled warmly at her brother. "I'm fine Amras. Don't worry about me."

Amras smiled. He was always worried about his little sister, especially since their parents had died eight years ago. Reallan had taken it pretty hard and Amras had taken care of her during those troublesome days. Their town had been attacked by orcs and Reallan was one of the only ones that had escaped. Amras and seven others had been away on a journey when the orcs came. When they came back, they found everyone dead. Amras soon found that a ranger had found Reallan hiding in the woods and had taken her with him to Rivendell. After Amras had found his sister, he traveled toward Gondor. They eventually settled in a small town northwest of Gondor.

Amras smiled again as he looked at his sister. She had grown so much since their parents had died. She was now a beautiful young woman. She often enjoyed traveling with him and spending time with him whenever she could.

As the men began to fix the meal, he talked silently with her.

Reallan smiled as she sat near her brother. His kind words always brought a smile to her face. The journey had been long and difficult, but Reallan did not mind. Times like this was what made it all worth it.

*~*~*

Aragorn walked carefully through the woods, picking up a few branches from the ground as he passed. He and his companion had only been traveling since the early morn.

"We shall rest here for the night." Aragorn said as he tied his horse to a tree.

His elf companion nodded a response as he searched the forest with his eyes.

"What is it, Legolas?" Aragorn asked.

"There is another campsite near here." Legolas replied.

Aragorn looked around. He could not see the place, but he could smell the smoke from their fire.

"I will investigate and see if there is any danger." Aragorn said.

Legolas nodded. "Be careful!"

Aragorn nodded and pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head. He crept toward the direction of the smoke. As he neared the campsite, he noticed four men, but his gaze fell on the woman who was in the group. He looked curiously at her and decided to get closer. He crept toward them staying in the shadows. Soon he was quite close to the small group and could overhear their conversation. They talked in hushed whispers about their journey.

Aragorn finally decided it was none of his concern and that there was no danger. He turned to leave when he heard one of the men call to the female.

"Reallan, would you please hand me some more wood?" One of the men asked.

Aragorn turned around and looked at her. His gaze turned to a smile as he realized that this was the young girl he had saved a few years ago. He quickly recognized her brother Amras and two of his other companions, Shinway and Igrid.

Aragorn watched silently as Reallan gathered a few sticks and branches. It was unknown to her that he was even watching.

"It is a cold night to be out." Aragorn suddenly said.

Reallan immediately jumped to her feet. She held a sword in her hand and pointed it toward the ranger she could now see.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Reallan asked immediately, drawing the attention of the group.

Aragorn was surprised at her swiftness and he smiled beneath the hood of his cloak.

"What do you want here, ranger?" Amras asked as he came to stand by his sister.

"I mean no harm. I was just passing by." Aragorn said as he looked around. He noticed that Igrid and one other man had an arrow pointed at him. The others held their swords ready.

"Then leave now before I order my men to shoot." Amras said.

"I will do as you have asked, but first I must greet an old friend." Aragorn said as he pushed his hood down.

Amras looked at him and lowered his sword. He ordered his men to do the same.

Reallan stared at him. He was familiar. Suddenly she smiled. "Strider!" She exclaimed as she ran to him.

Aragorn embraced her. "So, you remember?"

Reallan looked up at him. "Of course I remember. Do you think I could have forgotten?" Reallan said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Aragorn smiled. "You have grown so much since I saw you last."

Reallan smiled. "I have missed you, Strider."

"So what brings you out here?" Amras asked.

"My friend and I are traveling through the forest to the Mirkwood Realm. I came to investigate your camp to see if there was any danger." Aragorn replied.

Amras nodded.

"Will you stay with us a while?" Reallan pleaded.

Aragorn shook his head. "Nay, I must awake early tomorrow. Legolas and I must reach Mirkwood."

"But I haven't seen you in years. You can't leave right now." Reallan said.

Aragorn smiled sadly at her. "I am sorry, my Lady. Perhaps I will see you again soon."

Reallan let her head drop.

Amras placed a hand on his sister's shoulder. Looking to Aragorn he said, "It was good to see you again, my friend. Don't let it be another eight years before we see you again."

Aragorn smiled. "I won't. You can count on it."

"Travel safe." Amras said.

Aragorn nodded. Goodbye, Reallan."

Reallan looked up. "Navaer,"

Aragorn smiled as he embraced her one last time.