Disclaimer: Don't own Lord of the Rings, end of story.
A/N: MAJOR chapter. Read and find out what happens. Im not sure if I got Gilrean's heritage right. I thought that it said in the books that she was a Dunedain princess, if I got it wrong I'm sorry.
Chapter 9: "I know who you are..."
While Arwen told Aragorn of Lothlorien, her father prepared for his journey to the city. Elrond sat on his bed deep in thought about what he was doing, what he had seen recently. He still wished to know who this Ranger was. Elrond found it difficult to dislike Aragorn. He was an interesting man, full of adventure and enjoyment, but no matter what good qualities he showed, Elrond feared the secret he hid.
Elrond had searched Aragorn's face hoping to find what he kept secret. Instead of finding the answer to the concealment, he unearthed Aragorn's feeling for his daughter. Emotions that she felt also, emotions that they both hid from each other. Elrond feared for his daughter, wondering if he could stop her love for him.
Elrond also pondered over a peculiar incident that occurred. He had been walking through Rivendel with his thoughts on the events surrounding him. He then saw that Aragorn was standing in the cemetery. It is quite strange for a man to be in an Elfin cemetery, so Elrond moved towards him.
Aragorn stood before a statue of a woman, her arms open, her face empty, but the features showed that this woman was once beautiful.
Aragorn turned sharply when he heard Elrond's footsteps.
"She was Gilraen, wife of Arathorn, on of your people the Dunedain." He explained to Aragorn.
"Arathorn," Aragorn replied, "The Heir of Elendil. She was his wife?"
"Yes, it is rumored that she has a child, the last heir of Numenor. Many search to find if this is true."
"What would you do if you found this child?" Aragorn asked.
"It would depend on who the child turned to be." Elrond replied. He then left Aragorn and the grave of Gilraen.
Elrond now left for Lothlorien to see if the Lady Galadriel would tell him who Aragorn was. This Elf woman had many powers, she could see the past, present and future. He was also gifted with foresight, but he saw only outlines while Galadriel saw vivid details. This woman knew who you were before you were born, before you even met her. She would be the person who could identify Aragorn.
Elrond left Rivendel at dawn, he followed the Old Forest Road through the mountains. Him and his company pursued The Great River Anduin into Lothlorien.
When his company plunged into the leafy-green forest, they were met by Haldir, one of the Lorien Elves. "Man erin, Haldir," Elrond said in greeting, "We seek an audience with the Lady Galadriel."
"You must come with me for she has been expecting you."
This did not surprise Elrond in the least, knowing how powerful the Lady of Light was, so he followed Haldir through the woods.
Elrond had seen Caras Galadhon on many occasions, but the city never ceased to amaze him. The city was bathed in a soft silver light, The trees, that were titanic, were hung with lanterns that sparkled in the forest. Though it was night, the city seemed as bright as day. Silver homes and buildings surrounded them in the canopies of trees, and before him stood the palace of Lord Celeborne and Lady Galadriel.
He did not see the Elf woman that night, considering the hour of his arrival, but the next morning he was presented before her. The woman stared at Elrond, not in a cold way, but in a way to where he had a hunch that she knew what he was going to say before he even said it.
"Lord Elrond of Rivendell, I welcome you here again. Now pray tell what you wish to ask." She said to him, not out loud, but in his head. This was one of her many abilities, and it frightened many, including Elrond.
"I have in my home a stranger from the North. He claims to be nothing except a man, but I feel that he hides something. I wish to know of what he conceals."
The woman left her throne and stood before him, looking very wise. She then said to him:
Many things have happened, many things have yet to come.
There are many people in this world,
and some are more important than you think.
There are those that say their path is hidden,
But they really cannot recognize its worth.
There is one who's future depends on his choices,
Those decisions will effect the lives of others.
You have witnessed great failure in the past,
But there is one who fears it.
Elrond, do not be deceived by ones appearance,
For there is one who seems low of stature,
but is that of high lineage.
With that said she turned away leaving Elrond to solve the riddle she gave him.
Elrond left Lorien, still pondering over this enigma Galadriel presented him. He understood little about it, he was still without an answer when he reached his home and was greeted by his two older twin sons Elladen and Elrohir and Arwen. Aragorn was also there, though he was fully healed he was reluctant to leave for a reason Elrond knew well. He thought about the riddle for many days.
When the answer came to him, he saw how blind he had been. He remembered Aragorn at the grave of Gilrean, he also remembered seeing the greatest failure of man, Isildur taking the One Ring of Power. The puzzle flew into face, he now saw what he should have seen all along.
Aragorn was Isildur's heir.
His Elven ears caught the sound of laughter from Arwen's room. He seethed with anger at Aragorn, knowing that it was he whom she laughed with. He stalked out of his chambers and trudged through the corridors till he reached his daughter's room.
He saw that they were sitting on her bed talking and laughing together. The merriment ceased when he opened the door.
"I know who you are Aragorn... son of Arathorn."
He said in a cold tone. Aragorn reacted in an unexpected way, he did not deny what Elrond discovered which is what many would expect. He closed his eyes, as if trying to let it completely sink in, and then opened them. Arwen sat frozen, in complete shock of what her father just said.
"I will not tell you how I know." Elrond told him, though Aragorn did not ask, "I have kept my word to my daughter, your wound is healed. You will now leave Rivendell and you will never return."
Aragorn got up from Arwen's bed and followed Elrond out of the room. He stopped before he went out of the door, and gave one last look at her. Sadness filled his eyes, and you could see how he wished that things were better.
Rolsalen was saddled quickly, and Elrond watched as Aragorn climbed onto the horse.
"Do not feel sad for leaving," Elrond told him, "for my people won't. You have been a burden far to long, the Elves will be glad your gone."
Aragorn looked up from Elrond and saw a figure standing by a window. His last look at Arwen, then he kicked his horse and rode out of Rivendell.
What happens next? I'm not going to tell you. Review review review.