AN: ok, wow, I think I just got gutted by a review. Ok, I didn't read everything about Aragorn so forgive me. I am deeply sorry. Chapter 20 is being replaced and I never posted a full 21, so here goes a 2nd go at this chapter. And about the rape thing, I'll make it personal. Would you rather live with that memory forever or would you rather someone erase it from your memory and free you from it.
Chapter 20
Aragorn sighed. He bent beside one of his fallen.
" Hey, hey, I need a healer over here," he yelled.
Dernier ran over.
" They took out all our healers," he fell into a fit of curses, " You'll have to try and heal him."
" Me? I am not healed in it," Aragorn replied.
" Thorongil you lived with the Elves. They taught you nothing?"
Aragorn searched his mind.
*Aeglos in the hands of the king…
Aragorn bit his lip.
" Hand me that bag of herbs."
Aragorn searched through it, coming up with the weed. This was the one thing Elrond had taught him concerning herbs. The soldier's pain seemed to die away as the wound began to heal. Denethor came forward, watching.
*No…
Aragorn turned to the other wounded.
~*~
Denethor glanced around. There were not near the causalities he would have thought.
" Take some rest, Thorongil."
Aragorn nodded sleepily. He moved off away from everyone. He touched a tree. It beckoned him into its heights. He climbed to the mid-branches and then fell into a deep slumber.
~*~
Dernier ran through the chaos to Denethor who was urgently trying to get the men out of the way.
" More are coming to back up this group. We are too close to Mordor's borders. We mus-" Dernier's mouth closed abruptly as a sword ripped through him. Denethor quickly wielded his sword.
" Thorongil."
~*~
Aragorn awoke hearing the clamor. His mouth opened in horror before fury over took him. He jumped down, orcs falling left and right by his sword. He fell in beside Denethor.
" Dernier is dead."
Aragorn's sword stopped in mid-stroke. Denethor covered for his shock.
" Come on, man, we must protect ourselves first."
Aragorn angrily drew his bow. Elladan had taught him when to use his bow and now was a good time. Orcs got no farther than10 feet from them, finally beginning to thin out.
" Let's go."
Aragorn sent one look back.
~*~
Denethor sat beside Aragorn.
" I am sorry."
Aragorn said nothing.
" There was nothing that could be done."
Aragorn broke his arrow in half.
" I could have healed him, but you left him there."
" He was already dead."
Aragorn stood and strode away. Denethor sighed.
*It happens to even the best when your friend falls.
~*~
" Take this is Ecthelion," Aragorn handed a paper to Denethor.
" What is this?" Denethor asked, glancing at it.
" Just take it to him."
" Why are you not?"
Aragorn shrugged.
" I do not go back by your way."
Denethor dismounted.
" Wait just a second, you are in my group. We always go back together."
Aragorn's cold gold depths surprised him.
" I am sorry, but there is a first for everything."
Denethor's eyes narrowed.
" If that is how you wish it."
" It is."
Denethor nodded. He turned his horse on. Aragorn watched them go. He sighed, mounting his own.
*I will go home.
~*~
Ecthelion took the letter from his son.
To the lord steward, Ecthelion the second from Thorongil:
I am taking a leave of absence and I doubt I shall return to your service. I wish you a well rest of your days. May Varda smile upon Gondor.
Ecthelion threw it down.
" What is this? Why did you not bring him back?"
Denethor moved back.
" He did not-"
" You just lost my most trusted advisor."
Denethor shrugged.
" He will come back. He just needs time alone. Dernier died."
~*~
Aragorn sat on the tall hill over looking Gondor. He sighed, gazing over what should be his.
*I fell asleep and it ended his life.
He shook his head.
*Again I prove why I will not be king. As if I can rule.
He mounted his horse, traveling beside a river. He turned his eyes northward where Imladris sat somewhere like a jewel waiting for him to find and revel in its wealth.
~*~
Celeborn warily approached his pacing wife.
" What ails thee?"
Galadriel did not acknowledge him. Celeborn waited.
" What I see in the mirror."
" What do you see?"
She turned her eyes upward.
" I see death."
~*~
Aragorn sighed tiredly. He was tired. He did not want to travel any further. He glanced at the trees beside him. They called to his spirit. He dismounted, laying a palm to one. How he missed Imladris with its trees and waterfalls and such. His ears alerted him to footsteps, elvish footsteps. He drew his sword.
" I know you are there. Be you friend or foe?" Aragorn called softly.
3 Elves appeared.
" Pedo le esta (Speak your name)," one ordered.
Aragorn's mind rewinded to his native language. Who was he?
" Estel, ion ned Elrond."
The three's faces darkened.
" Elrond?"
Aragorn nodded.
" Elladan?"
Aragorn shook his head.
" Estel."
" Elrohir?"
" Estel."
The three conversed between themselves. Aragorn groaned. They had probably never heard of him. A light suddenly appeared among the trees. The 3 bowed.
" Brannon (lord) Celeborn."
The silver haired Elf nodded curtly to them, turning his eyes upon Aragorn.
" Estel, it has been many years. You have grown yet again."
No smile lighted Aragorn's face as Celeborn had expected. Celeborn could see pain lurking in the mortal's eyes. Celeborn touched his shoulder.
" Galadriel and I permit you entrance to Lothlorien."
Aragorn smiled slightly.
" I thank you and your lady."
~*~
Celeborn brought Aragorn into their haven. Galadriel had wanted to meet the man.
" Aragorn son of Arathorn, forget your pain at the leader's of men's words. They know not anything but the preservation of their power. You should know by Elrond's teachings that your kind desires power above all things."
Aragorn shook his head.
" I desire no power. I will not be a king."
Galadriel walked down to him, her eyes seeming to enter his mind.
"You are the Edain's only hope."
Aragorn turned his head, his voice bitter.
" Denethor or Theoden may be their saviors."
Galadriel saw the pain in his face and knew now was not the time to speak of his destiny.
" Go, Estel. Go and rest. You will find peace here."
Aragorn sent her a hint of a smile.
" I thank thee."
He followed an Elf off.
Celeborn joined Galadriel's side.
" You seem to know something I do not, Nerwen."
Galadriel pushed him with a coy smile.
"Indeed I do, Teleporno."
A vision entered the haven.
" Daernaneth, Daeradar."
Galadriel sent a smug smile at Celeborn as their solemn granddaughter joined them.
*Now I know why you have consulted your mirror. Playing matchmaker for our granddaughter. Elrond will murder you.
Galadriel smiled up at Celeborn.
*If you could read Arwen's heart as I can, you would know her feelings are her own.
AN: A quick thing here. When Galadriel speaks of death, she means the rise of Sauron again. That's it. Is this better?