AN: This veers from the original canon in the sense that I have Aragorn remaining in Imladris, while Tolkien has him go to round up the Rangers. I know I shouldn't go away from the original, but I, myself, see no harm in it for this portion. Maybe if I inserted Arwen in for Glorfindel's place, then you could get mad with me. So, now you know, have fun reading…
Chapter 34
Each heart is a pilgrimAragorn sat alone upon a balcony whittling an old piece of wood he had found lying around. He sang softly to himself as he did so. He turned his head slightly, hearing the steps before they could be seen.
" Strider," came the ringbearer's soft voice.
Aragorn turned with a pleasant expression on his face.
" Good morning, Frodo, Sam."
The two hobbits gave small nods.
" Have you two become bored of Imladris already?"
Frodo shook his head quickly.
" Nay, it is overwhelming. Is there any place that we can walk through that is nearly vacant?"
Aragorn hesitated before rising.
" There is one place."
~*~
Aragorn watched the hobbits disappear into the forest. He glanced back, catching sight of two Elves beginning to track them in the trees above. Aragorn shoved his hands in his pockets, turning face-to-face with a statue. He sighed, crouching down and beginning to wipe off the ivy and dirt.
*I am surprised Ada let it run down so.
He lifted a hand, brushing either side of the statue's jaw turning his head slightly when a twig snapped. Aragorn chose to ignore the intruder while the words translated themselves from Elvish to Westron in his head.
" She thought in Imladris you would be safe." A lengthy pause ensued. " In her heart, your mother knew you'd be hunted the rest of your life."
Aragorn stared straight ahead, choosing to ignore his foster father as he drew closer.
" The skill of the Elves can reforge the Sword of the Kings, but only you have the power to wield it."
Aragorn glanced at Elrond, looking every bit of the rebellious man he was. His eyes dulled for a moment before staring back at the statue.
" I have never wanted that power."
~*~
Two months later
Aragorn greeted Elladan and Elrohir. The two twins sent him polite nods, but their minds were full of something. Aragorn released them from his presence, sensing they needed to speak to their father.
" Are you still angry with me?"
Aragorn turned and shook his head.
" Nay, but I am still disappointed."
Legolas gave a small shrug.
" Even the unassailable can fall."
" But that does not mean they fall lax."
Legolas gave an irritated sigh.
" I suspect that even if I apologize for the deaths of my people, you will still be angered."
Aragorn looked down.
" I am sorry."
Legolas shrugged.
" When is the ring-bearer to set out?"
Aragorn shook his head.
" Why do you ask me?"
Legolas chuckled a bit.
" Other than Arwen, Elrond seems to dote on you the most. I suspect he might have told you."
Aragorn shook his head again.
" He has said nothing."
~*~
Aragorn sat alone in his room, singing softly an old song his mother had taught him. Funny it was, how his thoughts had returned to his mother as of late. Two arms encircled his neck and his mother was put to the back of his mind. Aragorn looked up with a small smile.
" How long have you been here?"
Arwen gently kissed his lips.
" Not too long. I have been listening to your song. I remember it well. Ada sang it to me when I was a child."
" My mother sang it to me while I was with her in Minas Tirith," Aragorn explained.
Arwen came around to drop gently into his lap. One of Aragorn's hands came to rest on her hip. Arwen leaned in so her forehead connected with his.
" The time draws near."
Aragorn's brow furrowed.
" To what, Nightingale?"
Arwen gently ran a finger down his weather beaten cheek.
" You shall be leaving me again. I can sense it."
Aragorn gave a small sigh.
" So you suspect it also? I feared Elrond would send me with the ring-bearer."
Arwen touched his heart.
" Tis not your lot in life."
Aragorn looked up sharply.
" Then what is my lot?"
Arwen shook her head.
" You have to make that decision yourself."
Aragorn took her lips in a gentle kiss, allowing it to drowsily continue.
A cough came at the door, but the two ignored it.
" Excuse me, I hate to intrude."
Arwen looked up with a grin.
" It is not becoming to lie, Greenleaf."
Legolas chuckled and grinned in response.
" Then I enjoy very much interrupting this." He made eye contact with Aragorn. " Elrond has summoned some of us to his study. He sent me to fetch you."
Aragorn gave a small nod. He stretched slowly, glancing at the beauty in his arms.
" I guess you could not tell him I am busy, could you?"
Legolas just lifted an eyebrow.
" Do you think I have a death warrant on my head?"
Aragorn gave a small laugh. Arwen allowed him up, taking his hand.
" Come, I will see if Ada shall allow me in also."
~*~
Aragorn, Arwen and Legolas slipped into the back of the study. Elrond's eyes flitted to them, darkening and proving he was not pleased with their tardiness. The hobbits stood in the front with Gandalf. A dwarf stood nearby, along with Boromir. Aragorn's eyes turned to his two foster brothers. Elladan turned his head, refusing to give anything away. Aragorn turned his attention to whatever it was Elrond was saying.
" The Company of the Ring shall be Nine; and Nine Walkers shall be set against the Nine Riders. With you and your faithful servant-" Aragorn could only guess Elrond was speaking to Sam and Frodo- " Gandalf shall go; and this shall be his great task and maybe the end of his labors."
Elrond moved from around his desk, coming to stand beside the three already named to be part of the Nine.
" As for the rest, they shall represent the Free folk of Middle-Earth." Elrond moved deftly towards the three latecomers. His hand touched Legolas' shoulder.
" Legolas shall be for the Elves." And off Elrond moved, then towards the dwarf. " And Gimli, son of Glóin for the Dwarves."
Elrond said something else, but Aragorn was busily concentrating on the hand squeezing his. He looked down at Arwen. Her face betrayed her worry. Elrond's steps resounded in Aragorn's ears as Elrond approached him, lying a hand on Aragorn's shoulder.
" For the men, you shall have Aragorn, son of Arathorn, for the Ring of Isildur concerns him closely."
The hobbit turned with a smile.
" Strider!"
Aragorn took a step towards the ringbearer, freeing his hand from Arwen's as he knelt before the little man.
" Yes," Aragorn managed a smile. " I ask leave again to be your companion, Frodo."
Frodo seemed direly relieved that Aragorn had been chosen to go.
" I would have begged you to come," said Frodo, his brow furrowing a bit as his gaze turned to the other man in the room. " But I thought you were going to Minas Tirith with Boromir."
At that, every Elf in the room sent Aragorn a questioning look. Aragorn ignored them. He had given long thought to the consequences if he was to set out to Mordor. He knew he would surprise Elrond with his decisions.
" I am going with Boromir." Aragorn paused, as he stood, stretching his long legs. For a moment it seemed as if he stood taller than Elrond. "And the Sword-that-was-broken shall be reforged before I set out." Aragorn ignored the boring eyes. " There are many miles that we will share, therefore, Boromir too shall join us in our trek."
Aragorn turned his gaze back to Elrond. The Elf-lord seemed lost for words. Elrond collapsed back in his seat before shaking his head slightly.
*I ask him one day and he is dead set against it. Now the next thing I know, he might just be accepting destiny. Eru forbid any of my children have an easy line of thinking to figure out.
" Elrond?" Gandalf prodded.
Elrond looked up sharply.
" There still remain two to be found." His gaze fell on his two sons off to the side.
*They could surely aid in the cause. But dare I send them out only to lose them?
" But that leaves no room for us!" one of the hobbits cried out in dismay. " We want to go with Frodo."
Elrond stared at the hobbit.
*Foolish child.
" That is because you cannot begin to imagine what lies ahead."
" Neither does Frodo," Gandalf suddenly came to the hobbit's support.
Elrond massaged his head, in no condition to argue with an old coot of a wizard.
" Then so it shall be," Elrond said wearily. " In seven days the Company shall depart."
The group began to file by. Elrond caught Aragorn's shoulder.
" I wish to speak with you."
Arwen paused, seeing her father detaining Aragorn. Elrond motioned for her to go on. She took her brothers' arms, gaily beginning to speak with them.
Aragorn watched Elrond moved around the study, pouring two glasses of wine.
" What brought about this change?" Elrond asked.
Aragorn gave a small sigh.
" I am in no way embracing my destiny, mind you." Aragorn took a wine glass suspiciously. " I merely decided that if I was to set out to Mordor, then I would remind Sauron of my forefathers."
Elrond took a swallow of the strong Elven wine.
" It pleases me to hear you at least acknowledge your heritage."
Aragorn placed the glass back upon the table.
" But it does not mean I seek to follow in their footsteps." He turned towards the door. " Am I excused?"
Elrond waved his hand.
" Aye, if you wish to escape from me."
Aragorn seemed to fly from the room. Elrond refilled his glass. He took a sip, before pounding the fragile glass against his desk.
*So the Bane of Gil-galad has come about again.
Elrond gave a small sigh.
*And where is the King of the Elves when he is needed the most? He has flown away across the Sea to fragrant halls while what has been left in lieu of his unfortunate death withers and fades. The Edain rise and the Elves fade away until we shall be naught but creatures in a fantasy tale.