Written by: Writer from Rivendell
For: Thundera Tiger
A/N - Written for the PPC fan fiction exchange for a certain Thundera Tiger. The challenge (or prompt) - Write a conversation between adult Aragorn and Gilraen.
Well, TT, I tried. ^^ Happy reading!
Summary: "Then Aragorn took leave lovingly of Elrond; and the next day he said farewell to his mother . . . and he went out into the Wild." Herein follows the farewell that Aragorn and Gilraen might have exchanged, along with Aragorn's final goodbye. Drabble - less than two hundred words.
She did not ask why he had come. She did not need to. Everything she needed to know could be read in one swift appraisal of his face. He was leaving.
"You have come to seek my blessing," she guessed, "for you are leaving me for the promise of the Wild."
Her son, Aragorn, before known as Estel, nodded slowly. "Yes, I have. Will you not give it?"
Gilraen sighed. "I will not see you go as a man shamed."
"Then you will leave me with your well-wishes?" he inquired.
A smile played across her lips. He knew her too well. "My son," said she, "I will not be the one to hold you in Imladris. You shall not be my captive here."
He bowed his head in thanks. "Then I may take leave of you, and of the House of Elrond, and go forth without a heavy heart."
Something in his words struck a chord; that she was reminded very strongly of Arathorn, of his sense of honor, of his graveness in manner and speech, until she no longer knew whether to laugh or cry. Unsure of what her son's reaction would be to tears, she chose laughter.
It was with wonder in his eyes that Aragorn looked upon Gilraen laughing. As she laughed, the years fell away, until he no longer gazed upon the face of his mother - a woman hardened by the years of hopelessness, of exile - but upon the face of his father's wife.
"Go," said Gilraen, as she stopped laughing. "Go into the Wild, and take with you my blessing."
"Thank you, mother," said Aragorn, before turning and leaving.
She would only see her son once more before she died, in Eriador, before she lost all hope. She would never see him crowned King, nor would she see him married to Elrond's daughter Arwen, or even see him set off on his quest to destroy the Enemy's ring. Yet in her heart of hearts, she knew that upon their last parting, whatever hope she had lost had gone to her son, and that he would carry out what Arathorn had not been able. She was able to die in peace.
"Onen i-Estel Edain, -chebin estel anim."
"I gave hope to the Dúnedain, I have kept no hope for myself."