Celeborn walked beside Aragorn.
" You have been here a month, Estel, and yet no one knows why."
Aragorn sighed. Celeborn bid him to sit beside him along the cheerful waters of Nimrodel. Aragorn began his story.
" I am known to be able to go for periods, long periods without sleep. Tis the way Elladan taught me. Three days, we had been fighting," Aragorn closed his eyes, unwillingly being transported back to the scene, " Our healers were taken out in a second. I was left as the healer, though no one knew how or why. They granted me a reprieve for a time."
Silence fell. Celeborn recognized it. Someone had died.
" Who died?" Celeborn asked softly.
" His name was Dernier. He was my only mortal friend and the only one who figured out my identity. We were in the same group since recruiting. I fell asleep and they came again. I could have healed him or warned him if I had not been asleep, but I wasn't. I failed," Aragorn turned his head down, " I was asleep while those orcs trampled him into the mud."
Celeborn looked up, remembering the feeling all too well.
" You and the last king of the Elves are no different."
Aragorn rolled his eyes.
" Please spare me the king and destiny talk for today. Lady Galadriel speaks of it endlessly."
Celeborn chuckled.
" Galadriel is persistent."
" You would know," Aragorn muttered.
Celeborn ignored the comment.
" I took care of Ereinion Gil-Galad, as you heard from Elrond most likely. You know of Glorfindel of Gondolin? He was best friends with Ereinion, not from day one, but close enough. They were like brothers," Celeborn's eyes shadowed, " Mandos is the only thing that has ever come between them. When Glorfindel died, it took Ereinion a long time to get over, and on top of that, Ereinion had lost his last living close relative."
Aragorn sighed, playing with his hands. Celeborn noted the man's nervous twisting of the silver ring.
" Elrond will not consent until you take the throne."
Aragorn sighed.
" This would be easier if I were Elvish," he looked, up, his eyes baring his soul, " I do not want her fate to be mine. I do not want her to be a Luthien."
Celeborn nodded.
" I fear my granddaughter will not take the Straight Road to Aman, ever."
" Were it my choice-" Aragorn began.
" But it is hers."
Aragorn nodded. " I wish it were mine." "
"Wish what were yours?"
Arwen pulled Aragorn to his feet, oblivious of the seriousness in the air. Celeborn shook his head with a smile.
" Go on, you two." He waved them off.
The couple raced off. Celeborn shook his head, his eyes distancing.
*Tis amazing how much they look like Luthien and Beren. It is too bad they will die.
Celeborn shook his head. It was a pity anyone had to die, even if it was proposed as the gift of Men.
Galadriel smiled, embracing her grandsons.
" This a surprise. I thought you two were in Mirkwood."
"Mithrandir sent us. He wants us to bring Estel to Imladris."
Galadriel shook her head.
" You will find no help from me. It will be entirely his choice."
Elladan nodded.
" Where is he? We have greatly missed him."
Galadriel smiled.
" He is fine. Your sister is here."
" Daernanaeth,"Arwen giggled as they ran in.
The couple froze, seeing two other with Galadriel. Estel's face paled and he felt fear, though he knew not why.
" I see you have indeed found Arwen."
Aragorn smiled hesitantly.
" Elladan, Elrohir."
Elladan gave him a hug.
" We have missed you in Imladris, little brother."
" I have missed you both. I believe the Elves know a thing or two more than men when it comes to battles; but then again, you do have millennia's to perfect it."
Elrohir sent him a mock glare.
" Are you telling us you men are better than us Elves?"
Aragorn shrugged with a grin.
" Take it as you wish."
" Why you..." Elladan trailed off.
His blue eyes were glued to his sister's hand. He then glanced at Aragorn's.
" And when did this come about?"
" Midsummer's Eve, a full moon ago," Arwen answered with a smile.
The twins exchanged glances before grins appeared.
" Ada's gonna kill you," Elrohir whistled.
" I will have to see it when you tell him. When are you going home?" Elladan asked.
Aragorn hesitated. Arwen perceived why her brother's had come. She touched Aragorn's shoulder.
" Go home with them. It has been long since you have seen Ada."
Aragorn shook his head.
" I cannot remember why I left."
The twins exchanged a glance. They have been meaning to ask him about that.
" Ada nor Legolas ever told us, but Ada misses you. He is most definitely not angry with you," Elladan said.
Arwen made eye contact with Aragorn.
"Go with them, Estel. Go home and then come back here."
Aragorn finally nodded. " I shall ready my things."
Elrond watched out the window for his son's arrival. Her could hear the footsteps behind him.
" You are pacing, son of Thranduil. You wish to have gone to Lorien, but instead obeyed your Father's wishes."
Legolas sighed, stilling his steps.
" Not exactly, He wished me home immediately to lock me away again."
Elrond shook his head, turning to look at the Elf that was nearly another son to him since the Prince practically lived in Imladris.
" You are the only child of his true love. He worries."
Legolas half-sighed, half-snorted, looking out towards Lorien.
" One day I will visit there, but by that time, what he seeks to hide form me will be gone."
Elrond touched the younger Elf's shoulder comfortingly.
" It has been gone side your first birthday." ~*~
Aragorn's heart lifted, as he smelt the incensed air of Imladris. The gates passed by and anxiousness grew.
" Come by the back way, We will surprise him at dinner with you." ~*~,/center>
Elrond settled at the dinner table lastly, bidding them to sit his heart heavy. His sons had arrived with no tidings of Estel. His eyes scanned the seats and fell on Estel's empty one. Doors burst in and a vision entered hastily.
" Forgive me for being late, but someone forgot to wake me for dinner."
Elladan sent Estel an innocent smile. Elrond just stared, unable to do anything else. His prodigal son was finally home. Aragorn took his seat. He glanced up, noticing Elrond's eyes on him. Elrond looked so surprised. Estel had grown taller and more muscular since the last seeing. The Elves usually had a leanness to them, but Estel hovered between man's more bulky and stronger frame and the thinness of the Elves. His hair was short, brushing his shoulders, and gold eyes sparkled like the gold trimmings on his robes.
" Estel, I welcome you home. This is a pleasant surprise. Imladris is graced to have you back."
" Thank you, Ada. I am glad to be back. I did not know how much I missed it."
" Ada, where is Legolas?"
Elrond shrugged at his eldest.
" He was here earlier and I doubt he went home."
Aragorn waited when dinner was over for Elrond. Elrond embraced the man.
" It was been long," Elrond's eyes searched his, " Are you well?"
Aragorn nodded.
" Lorien was beautiful, but this is home. I missed it," Aragorn turned his head to inspect the dining hall, " I cannot believe I left it for no reason."
" No reason?"
Aragorn glanced at surprised Elrond.
" Or not one that I can remember. They tell me either you or Legolas know."
Elrond nodded. He should have remembered. The nightmare was now his. Twas the punishment he paid for trying to rid the boy of his nightmares. Elrond shuddered slightly. He would never sleep well again.
" I missed you, Estel."
Aragorn's gold eyes crinkled the same way they had when he was a boy. Aragorn's face was now tanned and the skin leathered and scarred, but a smile made that all disappear.
" You should smile more, Estel. You look formidable when you do not."
Aragorn chuckled.
" It kept the maidens from me."
Elrond had to smile at Aragorn's devotion to Arwen.
"Where is my mother, Ada?"
Elrond looked down.
" In bed. She is not well."
Aragorn swung around, his eyes dark with worry. He knew his mother was growing old.
" Where is she? I must see her."
Elrond began to lead him off. His heart panged. He had seen the silver ring.
Gilraen turned her head, hearing the steps.
"Aragorn?"
Aragorn took her hand, placing a kiss upon her brow to hide his distress at her breathless and soft voice.
" Nana, what-what has happened?"
Gilraen touched his face, her eyes full of tears.
" You are so handsome. Follow your destiny, Estel. You are Isildur's heir."
Aragorn shushed her, not wishing to hear it from her also.
" Will she be ok?" he looked up at Elrond.
Elrond looked away. It was not his place to say. Gilraen clenched Aragorn's hand, drawing his attention.
" It is time you knew," a deep breath, " I am dying."
Aragorn moved away, his eyes wide in horror. He looked at Elrond.
"Is this true?"
Elrond nodded.
" Twas I who diagnosed it."
" How long have you know?"
Silence fell. Gilraen finally sighed.
" Since your twentieth birthday."
Aragorn's eyes lit with fire.
" And why was I not told then?"
" I did not want you to worry."
Aragorn shook his head, crouching beside her again.
" You will be fine. You have lived this long. Have you no hope?"
Gilraen's eyes teared up.
" None that I can see."
Aragorn stood on the balcony, the wind drying his tears.
" She did it to protect you."
Aragorn quickly dried the invisible tears. Elrond stood beside him.
" I see my daughter made her choice."
Aragorn glanced at the silver ring glimmering like the ocean under the fading sun.
" Does it please you?"
Elrond looked up silently, his eyes seeking out the Gil-Estel for strength.
" My son, years come when hope will fade and beyond them little is clear to me. And now a shadow lies between us. Maybe, it has been appointed so, that by my loss the kingship of Men may be restored. Therefore, though I love you, I say to you: Arwen Undómiel shall not diminish her life's grace for less cause. She shall not be the bride of any Man less that the King of both Gondor and Anor," Elrond paused, letting the words sink in, " To me then even our victory can bring only sorrow and parting but to you hope of joy for a little while. Alas, my son. I fear that to Arwen the Doom of Men may be hard at ending (Tolkien App. A)."
Elrond drew in a shaky breath and Aragorn knew it had been Elrond's foresight speaking.
" I know you do not want to be a king, but tis the only way for you to wed Arwen," Elrond said gently, " My daughter shall not lose her immortality for just a mere man."
Aragorn looked up his eyes speaking of the sorrow he felt, for it was no secret he did not want to be king.
" Then I guess all we can do is see what the future holds, for my heart still despises the thought of being king."
Elrond nodded, laying his hand upon the man's back.
" You will rise above the height of Elendil, Estel. You just must embrace what destiny has given you."
" We will never wed." *I have no wish to be king
He pulled a sheaf of paper from a journal.
My Dearest Nightingale,
I pray all things are well in Lorien for they are not so in Imladris. Ada knows of our troth. It has come to this: I must take the throne to recieve your hand. You know i will never do this. I hope in Lorien you find one worthy of you; Elvish he be preferebly. I know not where the future leads, but i want you to know i will always love you. There will never be any other maiden but you.
Aragorn
He folded it, slipping it in an envelope before beginning to write others.