AN: If you want to be a beta reader for this story, then you please need to email me. Big thanks goes to my beta reader for this chapter, Lydia Rose. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Did I say thank you to you yet?
Chapter 29
Another leads you only
To everything you're told
3017
His face twisted into a smile as he began to inch upon his unsuspecting prey. It squirmed and wiggled waiting for him to grab it. A noise welled up in his throat.
" Gollum, Gollum."
" Drat, looks what yous did."
" Gollum, Gollum."
" Wes go hungry if wes no catch fishes."
Aragorn's face contorted with pity as he watched the creature argue with itself. He shook his head, readying the burlap bag. Sméagol-Gollum turned back to his fish catching. Aragorn took a deep breath.
*I have wasted eight years of my life to find you, Sméagol. I will not waste another minute.
He leapt out, burying the fisher into the depths of the bag. Screams ensued, but Aragorn held fast, like a rock. Finally Gollum stopped thrashing. Gandalf approached.
" Good work."
Aragorn looked up.
" You could have lent a hand."
Gandalf shook his head.
" You seemed to have it all under control."
Aragorn shook his head, knotting the net top with a tie. He turned his attention to his bleeding arm. The creature had bit him.
" Gandalf, do you happen to have Athelas on you?"
~*~
" Something approaches."
The Elves slithered in the darkness, becoming one with the trees. Their keen eyes stared at their hooded visitors.
" Tell the Captain we have Edain upon the borders."
~*~
Aragorn looked around warily.
" Something is not right," he whispered.
Gandalf shrugged.
" Tis just the Elves. They cannot perceive if we are friend or foe."
The arrow at his neck made both gasp in.
" I believe they think foe," Aragorn whispered.
~*~
The Elves were all hooded, their faces covered by the blackness.
" Let us through. I am Mithrandir," Gandalf demanded, taking off his hat.
" We allow in only those that our captain allows," an Elf replied, his voice heavily accented.
Aragorn nodded, casting back his hood also.
~*~
It took most of the day to reach the captain. Aragorn glanced at the struggling bag he carried. He set it down when they stopped, kicking it slightly. The Elves cleared away as one came through. The Elf bent beside the pack.
" It is Sméagol-Gollum. We take him to put under King Thranduil's care."
The Elf stood, the hood slowly pushed back.
" So this is what you have been doing for the last twenty-nine years that you just forgot to write about?"
Aragorn just stared, before his mouth dropped.
" I am sorry?"
Legolas crossed his arms.
" Tis fine. Let us get this bundle to my father before any spiders decide they wish it for dinner."
Legolas turned, giving orders to his band of Elves.
~*~
Thranduil nodded his head.
" We shall lock him up in the dungeons. We shall keep him here until you return for him."
Gandalf smiled his thanks. Thranduil clapped his hands.
" Take our guests to their rooms."
Aragorn chuckled a bit, turning away.
" Guest. I believe that has a better ring than slave."
Legolas shook his head.
" Your favorite dungeon can be cleaned out if you wish it."
Aragorn managed a laugh.
" That is ok. I do not wish to see it ever again."
The two began a long walk down the jeweled hallway. Legolas ignored the ogling glances of the Elven maidens as he walked.
" Tell me of the outside world. Here in Mirkwood, we receive no word of it."
Aragorn crossed his arms.
" It goes on just as it has. Spring to Winter. Life," Aragorn paused, looking up fleetingly, " And death."
" Who died?"
Aragorn sighed.
" My mother."
Legolas bowed his head.
" I am sorry. It is hard to lose family."
Aragorn shrugged.
" I am fine."
" You can lie to yourself all you want. It makes no difference to me," Legolas replied.
Aragorn pursed his lips in a sign of irratation.
" The Nazgûl are at Dol Guldur."
Legolas nodded.
" Yes, we know that."
" I went east for a couple years, but lately, for the last eight years, I have hunted Gollum," Aragorn's distaste showed.
" Have you seen the twins or Arwen?"
Aragorn shook his head.
" I am surprised they never came here."
Legolas shook his head.
" No, just me, my brother and sister."
Aragorn was all too bluntly reminded that Legolas paid this because of him.
" I believe I will retire."
Legolas watched him go, shaking his head.
*He is every bit like Elladan. They refuse to face their pain.
~*~
Elladan found his father bent beside the still new grave.
" She is dead, Ada. I do not think you need to worry of her coming back."
Elrond looked up.
" She went to join them all in the Halls of Men and to never come back."
Elladan glanced over at his father.
" Arwen misses you. She has not seen you since she arrived. That was eight years ago, Ada."
Elrond rose, shaking his head.
" Have you ever noticed how much your sister resembles your mother?"
Elladan nodded.
" They are exact replicas, only Arwen has dark hair."
Elrond touched his son's shoulder.
" Then you have your reason why I have not seen her."
" Ada, stop this mourning. Nana is gone, but not dead. We will see her again. She no longer suffers."
Elrond sighed.
" I wonder if she knows I hate her for leaving me here," Elrond looked at his son, " Yes, I hate her for that. Leaving me when our marriage had just begun."
Elladan was speechless. His father brushed by him. Elladan sat down.
" And people think the Sons of Elrond have it so easy."
~*~
Gandalf pulled Aragorn off to the side.
" I have this hunch. I am leaving for Minas Tirith. I ask that you come also. You may be able to get me into the library I require."
Aragorn shook his head.
" I was-"
" I was not asking you to come, though I worded it that way. I am sending Elladan and Elrohir to keep an eye upon the Shire and on Frodo. This has just begun."
Aragorn nodded. Legolas met him at the door.
" May your feet take the swift path to safety," Legolas said softly.
Aragorn nodded his thanks, mounting.
~*~
Minas Tirith had not changed since his last visit so many years ago. Aragorn was glad he kept his head covered. He had not remembered all the murals of Isildur everywhere. Gandalf dismounted in front of the main palace.
" What is your business with the Steward?"
Aragorn stepped forward.
" Tell him Thorongil wishes to have a word with him."
The two were ushered inside. Denethor turned to welcome them.
" You have not changed a bit, Thorongil."
" Thank you. Look at you. Taking your father's place," Aragorn greeted him with a smile.
" Aye, oh," Denethor glanced back at the two men, " My sons, Boromir, the eldest and Faramir."
Aragorn nodded his head to each.
" Last I saw you, you were not even wed, but only courting Finduilas."
Denethor's face fell.
" She is dead."
Aragorn pressed his lips together.
" I am sorry."
" So why have you come?"
Aragorn looked at Gandalf.
" This is Gandalf, the Istar. He wishes to use your library."
Gandalf nodded.
" I need to read the Scroll of Isildur."
" Ah, quite fitting given the times. They say Sauron is seeking his ring again."
Gandalf nodded gravely.
" And I tend to like to prepare for the worst."
~*~
Gandalf looked at Aragorn.
" I want you to go to Bree. If I am correct, hobbits shall arrive there. Take them to Imladris."
Aragorn nodded.
" How long shall I wait?"
Gandalf shrugged.
" Until they arrive."