Chapter 31
The road that leads to nowhere,
The road that leads to you
Aragorn sat in the corner of the Prancing Pony. Today, a horse had carried his informer to Gondor. He had come here to think of what she had told him. He tipped back in his chair lazily, eying his subject: Bill Ferny. Surveillance had proved that the man was an odd fellow and she had been all too right about the queer creatures that visited him. A flurry of attention caught his eyes and he sat up a little more, peering from under his forest green hood at the four hobbits. Aragorn's eyes settled to their faces so he could read their lips. He watched the introductions.
" My name is Underhill."
Aragorn's eyes narrowed.
*I spent some years by the Shire. There was no one named Underhill. He looks a bit like a Baggins though.
The four hobbits entered the bar section. The one called Underhill looked his way and his eyes grew.
*They have seen the Nazgûl. They fear me.
His sharp eyes never wavered from them as he puffed on his elvish pipe. Finally, they asked about him. Barliman knew him only as Strider thankfully, and that Strider was not the friendliest of sorts.
*I am a crazy man. A ranger, roaming the wilds. They think I'd no sooner cut off an orc head, then theirs.
Aragorn leaned back a bit more, content to observe.
*They should watch that one there. He needs to mind his p's and q's. Mr. Underhill looks as if he is hiding something.
Aragorn's eyes detected something to the shape of a ring. He sat up straight, his feet falling to the ground with a dull thud.
*The One Ring.
Aragorn relaxed again, leaning in for the long watch.
~*~
Frodo fearfully felt the man's strong hand around his neck as he was pushed into a room.
" You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill."
Aragorn watched the hobbit draw back.
" What do you want?"
Aragorn set to putting out the candles.
" Just a little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry."
" I carry nothing."
" Indeed," Aragorn pushed down his hood. " Are you frightened?"
Frodo's lips trembled just a little.
" Yes."
Aragorn nearly laughed.
" Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you," Aragorn began to lean down.
Loud footsteps reached his ears giving him the barest moment to whirl around, whipping out his sword before the door swung open with a loud bang.
" Get back or I'll have you, Longshanks."
Aragorn relaxed, flipping the sword with a twinge of annoyance.
*Surprised by three hobbits… What am I coming to? Even orcs have lighter feet than hobbits.
" You have a stout heart," he said to the one holding up fists, " But that will not save you now."
He glanced back at Frodo.
" You cannot wait for the wizard, Frodo. They are coming."
~*~
Aragorn sat by the window, sword in hand. In the inn across from the Prancing Pony he watched the wraiths, a tense hand around his sword hilt. He drew in a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart and still the fear that wafted into his soul. They would not find them here for the Wraiths searched in the wrong place.
*I must return to Imladris now. I must tell Arwen what I have done. I must tell Ad-Elrond of what I have done.
He could already see the disappointment in their eyes and that was worse than the Eye of Sauron.
" Mister Strider," a hobbit said softly.
He looked over at them.
" What are they?"
Aragorn sighed again, his sharp eyes meeting each of their gazes before he glanced back out the window. Elrond's teachings came back to him, as fresh as the day he had learned them.
" They were once men, great kings of men. Then Sauron the deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question. And one by one, fell into darkness." He turned his sharp gaze back to the hobbits, fixing his stare once again on each of them one by one, "They are the Nazgûl. Ringwraiths. Neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the power of the ring. Drawn to the power of the One, they will never stop hunting you."
Glancing over the four tiny men, Aragorn could clearly see the fear in their eyes.
" Do not fear them."
" Why?" Pippin asked.
" Pity them instead, for they have lost their souls. They are slaves that know only evil," Aragorn glanced out the window, " Leastways, they will not come here."
~*~
Elrond watched his daughter aimlessly wander the halls of Imladris. Her shoulders lay slumped and her face did not shine. Elrond feared for her health, hearing the soft cough and sniffle at times. Her steps dragged and at that moment, Elrond knew he was losing her.
" Aragorn left his engagement ring on the bed along with the shards of Narsil," Elladan said softly.
Elrond sighed.
" I know. She wears his ring upon a chain around her neck."
" Why did he leave, Ada?"
Elrond shook his head.
" I did not understand it either. He has changed so much. I do not know him anymore."
~*~
Aragorn led the hobbits on their way to Imladris, Frodo motionless in his arms. The Ranger offered up a silent prayer thanking at the short-legged hobbits were keeping up with his quick pace. Aragorn did not know how much longer Frodo could last. The wraith's sword had pierced close to the heart… the wound was taking over...
" Strid-"
Aragorn shushed the hobbits. The chilling sound of a lone horse's hooves rang clear in the dead silence. The hobbits trembled, trying not to breathe, afraid that the Nazgûl had tracked them this far. Instead of a black robed menace, a golden haired lord appeared and Aragorn relaxed, releasing the pent up breath he had been unconsciously holding.
" Glorfindel."
Glorfindel took a quick glance at the ailing hobbit and took the limp body from Aragorn's arms.
" I will ride ahead."
~*~
Elrond was surprised to see Aragorn leading the three hobbits into Imladris. Mithrandir rushed out to meet the man.
" Strider, my friend, you have finally obeyed my orders thoroughly."
Aragorn tried to smile through the fatigue that lined his every motion. Even the hair upon his head felt unnaturally heavy.
"I was there many months before anything happened, Mithrandir. I was beginning to think you had sent me there on a wild goose chase."
Gandalf just shrugged.
" I was just being cautious. Come inside. Elrond has already seen to Frodo and wishes to see you."
Aragorn hesitantly approached.
*Please do not call me Aragorn or Estel. Please, Please, Please.
"Welcome back, Strider," Elrond said softly.
Aragorn just nodded.
" Thank you for receiving us, Lord Elrond."
Gandalf seemed the most perplexed by the formality between the men, but he understood when Arwen appeared at the steps. Aragorn turned down another pair of steps, away from her. Arwen turned away, rushing down a different hall. Elrond glanced at him.
" Things have never been peaceful in my family."
Then Elrond turned off towards the healing rooms. Gandalf just shook his head.
*The House of Elrond is ready to fall, for all its members are against the other.
~*~
Aragorn found the library soothing and he took a book. His eyes drifted up the mural of Isildur and he sighed. Hands found his shoulders.
" Why do you refuse me?"
He could not bring himself to meet her eyes. Memories of what he had done...the betrayal…the guilt… He could barely speak under the heavy burden.
" I do not deserve your love."
She moved from her place behind him and knelt before him. Desperate for eye contact of any kind, she caught his chin in her hand trying to bring up his face. His eyes still evaded her gaze.
" I would go against my father and wed you today, if I knew you would love me until the day I died."
Aragorn firmly shook his head. He felt the tears biting the backs of his eyes.
*Curse me for being so bloody emotional.
" I can never be yours. I have dishonored myself in my absence."
Arwen's eyes searched his face.
" What do you hide?"
Aragorn gave one last sigh before he met her gaze. He opened his thoughts for her to invade. Arwen stumbled back as she rose stiffly and hurriedly, almost trying to push his very memory away. Her beautiful gray eyes stared at him, hurt…angry...afraid…betrayed. The last emotion pained Aragorn the most.
" How could you," she whispered.
Aragorn just looked down, his scarred hands suddenly of great interest. He could not bring himself to look into her eyes again and see betrayal.
" I hope you hate me. It will make this easier."
Already, a tear dripped down her cheek.
*He betrayed me.
*No, he was drunk.
Her mind argued amongst itself.
*Can I forgive him?
She bent down in front of him again, her body suddenly filling his lap.
" I love you, Estel. And there is absolutely nothing that you can do to make me love you less. You can do nothing that I will shun," she looked deep into his eyes and tried her best to smile, " I would marry you without my father's consent."
Aragorn stood abruptly.
*What game does she play with me? She does not love me. She cannot love or forgive me.
" I will never have your hand."
Arwen grabbed at his arm, preparing to make one last plea of reason, but he shrugged it off and continued his trek outside. She watched him go sadly, tears trekking down her pale cheeks.
~*~
" Ada, I have made my choice."
Elrond looked up from his reading. Erestor and Glorfindel glanced up also from their seats nearby and the twins seemed to not be so engrossed in their books.
" I will not go with you over the Sea."
Elrond's feet fell with a thud from the desk he rested them on. His eyes had darkened considerably.
" Arwen, you will abide by my wishes as long as you are my daughter."
Arwen returned his stare with one as dark as his own and filled with so many emotions, he could not begin to label them. She finally shrugged with a bit of a coy smile.
" What if tomorrow I am no longer your daughter?"
She turned out and glided away.
Elrond clenched his fist, staring at the ground before looking up.
" What does she mean by that? What does she mean by that?"
Four shrugs came from around the study. Elrond sighed, leaning back and clenching his fist even more.
" Lord Elrond, the hobbit is awake."
Elrond rose soundlessly to follow the other Elf. Elladan looked over at his brother.
" I believe Arwen just told us she wishes to marry Aragorn tonight."
The twins exchanged wide-eyed glances before scrambling up. Erestor and Glorfindel watched them go with confused expressions.
" They have never been of sound mind," Erestor remarked.
Glorfindel let out a snort.
" I second that."
~*~
Arwen found Aragorn sitting beside the banks of the river, near the great waterfalls that tumbled into Imladris. He glanced up slightly and then back down, before looking up again and gawking. She was absolutely radiant dressed in a beautiful virgin white. Aragorn could barely make his mouth work. Arwen leaned over, kissing him gently. Aragorn responded unconsciously, seeking to know of her forgiveness. She pulled away.
" I forgive you."
He pulled her close.
" Thank you."
Arwen pulled back, laying another kiss on his lips. Bells went off in his head as her nimble fingers worked on the silks he wore. He moved back, easing from her hands.
" Arwen, what are you doing?"
She looked down guiltily. Aragorn tipped up her chin.
" You do not need to act as an Edain harlot to confirm my love. I would not be able to face myself in the morning if you…" he trailed of.
Her eyes were as dark as a January tempest. He had caused her temper flare and that, unleashed, was deadly.
" I," she sighed, the fire diminishing in her eyes, " I want to show you I love you and that I will give up everything for you."
Aragorn gently kissed her.
" I know you would. You show it just by forgiving me. I thank Eru I remember none of it."
Arwen smiled.
*At least an Edain woman will not be in his thoughts when he kisses me.
Aragorn rose, helping her up.
"Le garch hûn-nin (You have my heart)."
Arwen threw her arms around him, eyes glazing with tears at the simple phrase.
"A le garch habar (And you have mine)."
She took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. Aragorn lovingly brushed her jaw line.
" Arda was blessed the day you were conceived."
Arwen only smiled.
" Stay with me tonight."
Aragorn's eyebrows rose. She flushed a bit.
" You know what I mean, Estel."
Aragorn permitted another kiss before following her.
AN: I LOVE my betas!! Thank you betas!! To reviewers: We are almost at the 150 mark. Yahoo!!! Please keep reviewing!! We'll have a party when we get to 150. PS: Self-Promotion here: Check out my two short stories taken from Estel. One is 'The Greatest Reward', it is a dead giveaway to the end of 'Estel'. And the other is 'Superman', which is the battle of Helm's deep. Please check them out and review if you want. Thanks!!