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Chapter 11

The Leave Taking

Anayah started to doze following her vision and seeing that she had fallen asleep Elrond motioned everyone to leave the room, then pulling a light blanket over the sleeping she-elf he turned and followed the others out.

Aragorn had sent a message bird to Halbarad and his Rangers earlier in the evening briefly outlining his plans, and he had full confidence that his second-in-command would carry out his instructions without question. Entering his bedroom, he had begun to pack what supplies he felt he would need on this journey, when both his packing and his musings were interrupted by the entrance of the twins.

The Ranger attempted to ignore his brothers even when both twins sat on his bed and silently stared at their human brother with the most sorrowful and forlorn looks on their faces they could manage. As any good brother would have, he ignored them both and continued with his packing until finally, in exasperation, he met the eyes of Elladan then Elrohir and firmly said, "No!"

It was Elladan who decided to try reasoning with the young ranger.

"Estel, I want you to listen to me for a moment!"

When Aragorn continued to ignore him, Elladan got off the bed and placed himself between his brother and his travelling pack.

"Estel I want you to listen to me and at least think about what I am telling you."

When Aragorn finally met his eyes, he continued.

"Somewhere out there are 25 frightened and hungry, kidnapped men, women and children who have been dragged from their homes and taken to Ilúvatar knows where to do what Ilúvatar knows what. If these people are being held by humans, which I very much doubt, there could be as many as ten guards but if they are being held by Orcs, they could be guarded by anywhere from ten to 20 Orcs. This is not a job that one person can do alone - you need us little brother - I really mean that. I am not trying to downplay your skills, I am just trying to tell you that three of us would have a better chance of getting the job done and surviving the ordeal than one person would on his own!"

Aragorn seemed to think about Elladan's words for a moment before he spoke.

"No."

He turned away from Elladan, then thinking about it, turned again and locked eyes with the oldest twin.

"And I mean no!"

He turned away and continued to pack.

Elladan turned angrily, to Elrohir.

"Oh Great Valar! He did not listen to a single word I said!"

He flopped down on the bed, totally exasperated with the Ranger.

Aragorn knelt on the floor in front of the eldest twin so he could look him in the eye.

"I did hear every word you said and understand what you are trying to tell me, but now, I want the two of you to listen closely to what I have to say. I am going in to an area where I suspect both the missing people and horses may be but since this is only a scouting and tracking mission, if I do find either the people or the horses, I fully intend to return to Imladris and ask for help in rescuing them. Elladan, it is not that I do not want your help or the help of Elrohir - I just do not want it at this moment. Do both of you understand me?"

Elladan sighed. "I do understand, Estel, even though I do not agree with you. However, I will not have you leave with harsh words standing between us. So go, and may the grace of the Valar protect you."

Giving his human brother's shoulder a squeeze, he left the room, followed closely by Elrohir who also squeezed his brother's shoulder as he walked by.

Having finished packing what he would need for his journey, Aragorn turned to leave his room and saw Legolas standing in the doorway, dressed for travel with his bow mounted over his quiver. The blonde archer said nothing and just continued to smile at his friend until Aragorn rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"No Legolas, you cannot come with me!"

The elf continued to smile as he replied. "Understood. When do we leave?"

"As soon as I say goodbye to Ada."

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Aragorn walked quickly down the dark hallway leading to his father's study. He had finished packing some time before, had said his good-byes to both his brothers and his sister, and was now ready to take his leave of his father. Knocking on the door, he waited patiently for an invitation to enter.

"Come in my son, I am here."

There was no light in the room when he entered, then seeing the luminescent glow from his father's elvish form on the room's balcony, he dropped his traveling pack on a chair and walked toward the silent elf Lord. When Lord Elrond still did not break the silence, Aragorn decided that he would have to speak first.

"Ada, are you angry with me?"

Elrond turned and looked into his son's eyes and Aragorn was shocked, for his father's eyes were filled with tears!

"Am I angry with you? Why would I be angry with you, Estel? You have done nothing to make me angry with you. The worrying I do as I stand on the balcony of my study, my bed chamber, or even on the balcony of your room is something that I do from old habit acquired from the time you first started going out on your own."

"I do not understand. If I am such a competent warrior and healer why do you still worry about me? You have prepared me well for the path I choose to walk this night and that is why I do not understand why this hurts you so. It is hurtful for me to see you so unhappy, so please Ada, help me understand your grief so I may take it from you and ease your heart. How can I leave you knowing your heart is in such turmoil?"

Seeing his son's distress, Elrond put his arms around the young man's shoulders and pulled him to his chest as he had done so many times during the years his son had been growing up. After a time Elrond pushed the young man back and looked deeply into his eyes.

"Estel, it is a father's place to worry and as I do this for you, so you will one day do this for your own children. You have brought so much joy and laughter into this house over the years you have been with us that I cannot imagine this place without you. I know that your purpose for leaving this house on this night is for a just cause, and that we must honor our allies' request. I am worried though, and for reasons I do not yet understand, for a sense of foreboding hangs in the air about this place and I feel as if some evil approaches though I do not know what it is."

"I have felt it too, Ada. It is because of your foreboding and the warning I received earlier from my sister, that I shall be more vigilant - I promise."

Elrond sighed. "I know you will be careful, Estel, although knowing that will still not calm this father's heart and keep me from worrying." He gently pushed his son towards the door. "Now go, the night is no longer as young as it was."

"Then as I take my leave, I would also have your blessing."

"Of course you have it my son. May the Valar protect you on your journey and may they keep you safe until you return to us once more." He hugged his son a final time.

Aragorn turned to leave but then had a thought. "Ada, if it would make your burden any lighter, I have decided to let Legolas accompany me."

"Or, I have decided to go with him." The blonde archer now stood in the doorway of the study, waiting for his human friend.

Lord Elrond Peredhil, Noldor Lord of Imladris could only roll his eyes as he replied, "Sweet Eru protect us all!"

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Far away, in the forest called Mirkwood, King Thranduil had just finished sending a message bird to Imladris informing Lord Elrond that he had set out to travel on that night and that his mission to Imladris was one of the utmost importance. He had briefly explained what he had experienced and stated that it was hoped Elrond would be able to shed some light on the matter. That task being done, Thranduil gave last minute instructions to those who would handle the matters of state until his return. Then, mounting his stallion, and followed by his personal guard, he left the palace courtyard at a gallop.

TBC