AN: Thanks to all those who are reviewing!! I'm running out of ideas, so please post yours if you have any. Thanks!!
Chapter 27
You cannot change what's over
But only where you go
Aragorn entered the tavern, keeping his hood up as he surveyed the dismal surroundings. The bartender shrunk away slightly.
" What'll it be mate?"
Aragorn simply sent him a scorching look from beneath the hood. The bartender lifted his flabby chin defensively.
" Now see 'ere, sir. This be a proper establishment. Don't w'nt no trouble makers, y'ear?"
Aragorn let his hood down.
" I will take your best."
The bartender's eyes were wide as he plunked a mug before Aragorn before shying away again.
" Never served an Elf before. Didn't know they drank."
" They do not drink this," Aragorn looked up dangerously.
He was in no mood to be questioned. His horse had thrown a shoe; leaving him stranded here in this dismal little place they called a town. Aragorn could laugh. The horses at Imladris lived better than this. His thoughts turned back to his horse and his spirits sunk again.
*Elves are no smiths; at least the Wood-elves are not.
" Hello, mate."
Aragorn's eyebrows rose slightly at the woman who had plopped herself down beside him. He made a move to slip away from her.
" Please do not leave. I will not bother you."
" I must see to…something," Aragorn's gold eyes flared at her apparent come-on when she moved closer, her low cut dress tempting, but his heart lying elsewhere.
*Of course she will not bother most men. They are foolish enough to satisfy their needs with her.
" I will be here until dawn. He knows where my room is. All you need to do is ask."
Aragorn plunked the mug down irritably, his sleeve falling from his hand to reveal the silver ring.
" No thank you."
~*~
Arwen glanced at her father, over the book she was pretending to read. He was mending as well as an Elf did. She knew a simple wound would not stop him from acting as a lord. She stood, robes trailing behind her as she entered a place no one went anymore.
She let the long drawn curtains fall from the windows, and then turned to look at the dusty room, her mother's study. The room differed so much from her father's. The room was light and sunny, just as her mother had been. Elrond had closed it up long ago. Neither he nor the twins wished to face the memories. Arwen loved it here. It was her last link to her mother. She smiled, running a hand over the oak desk and the books upon them. She lifted a letter she had read many times. It had been one from Celebrian's and Elrond's early courting days. Arwen glanced over her shoulder, making sure no one was in there, before lifting a round object.
*Thank you Nana and Daernaneth for telling me of this.
~*~
" Sir, sir, can I help you?"
Aragorn glanced back at the little boy quickly approaching. He sheathed his sword.
" I believe I am done, son."
The boy's face fell.
" Ok."
Aragorn sighed.
*He looks like he needs the coins more than me.
" Wait, maybe you can help."
~*~
Arwen lifted the palantír onto her desk, locking her door. She put her hand over it, bending it to her will almost too easily. She was flying over Arda, until she found him.
*You are safe, Estel. And I will keep it that way.
~*~
" Some riders in black flew in as if the devil was on their tails," a man commented.
Aragorn glanced at him, making sure no one noticed him listening in.
" Probably some rangers. Those men like to get us all riled up over nothing."
Aragorn leaned over to the bartender.
" Did any men check in here last night?"
The bartender nodded, drying a glass.
" Two of them. A little taller than you. Said they were searching for a Ranger named Strider."
Aragorn hoped his face did not pale too much. He handed the man a couple coins.
" Thank you."
Aragorn went to exit and hit two identical bodies. He looked up guiltily.
" We were wondering how long you would stay from a tavern."
Aragorn sighed in relief.
" Halbarad, you are going to make me die before my time."
Halbarad simply grinned.
" I am ahead of the twins. Were it not for their father being on the mend, they would have found you first. Meet Mardil. He is newly joined to the Dúnedain, seeking to serve the last of the blood of the Númenóreans."
Aragorn caught arms with the painfully young looking teen.
*Did I look that way on my first fight?
" You are most welcome. Why do you seek me out?"
Halbarad smiled slightly.
" You have a knack for finding difficult situations."
Aragorn waited.
" And, we have been sent to monitor this town. They say Evil rises here."
Aragorn pulled the two over to their own table.
" The Black Riders last night?"
Halbarad nodded.
" That was not us."
Aragorn nodded. He smiled slightly at Mardil.
" You will have quite an experience if what we think is true."
AN: Sorry it's so short. Like I said, can I please grab some ideas? Thanks R/R.
PS. I know that 3 Black Riders are supposed to be in Dol Guldur, but it does not tell you where the other 6 are. Perchance they be wandering around the East, seeking new servants for Sauron?