Note: Sorry about the shortness of the chapter. They will vary in length depending on what happens in each. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
Meetings Between Friends
2 Weeks Later
"Minas Tirith hasn't changed much, has it?" Peregrin Took said as they entered the Citadel of the King.
"Of course it wouldn't have Pip! Nothing bad has happened to it." Merry said.
"Well, I would have thought the city would have prepared for our visit!"
"Our time here is meant to be secret. No one apart from Strider and his family must know that we are here. It is essential. Besides Frodo has asked it of us to not cause any trouble! And I mean to stick by it!"
Pippin dismissed Merry, obviously thinking that it was a silly idea. How could a famous soldier keep quiet in a city that adored him? Merry didn't understand.
The hobbits had encountered Legolas and Gimli on the way to the city across the Pelennor. Arwen had summoned Legolas; Gimli had only come along because he wished to inspect the gates that his people had rebuilt after the War of the Ring. Also he desired to see how Aragorn was coping.
"Merry, Pippin!" Legolas called across the hall distracting Merry from saying anything further to his cousin. "We are expected."
Waiting inside the main hall were Eldarion and Faramir. After the initial greetings Eldarion and Faramir led the group to Aragorn's room where they found Arwen with him.
Aragorn did not speak and an awkward silence fell over the room. At last Arwen spoke up. "Estel wishes to speak to Legolas and Frodo alone. The rest of us will wait outside."
Looks were exchanged. Gimli tried to remain in the room with Legolas but Arwen's soft voice and Faramir's commanding tone made the dwarf leave. Merry and Pippin left with no struggle. They both knew that Aragorn had wished to speak to Frodo, whether he wanted to speak to them or not he would have to wait and find out.
Once the door was shut and Aragorn had settled into a comfortable position he began.
"I want to ask you something, something that I know only you two can help me with," he sighed, "I want to leave the city for a while but not in the company of soldiers or Arwen, with you two and if it has to be, Merry and Pippin as well. All I want is to travel around my realm and see the world again before I leave it."
Legolas' eyes widened. "What do you mean by 'leave it'?"
"I want to leave Middle-Earth." Aragorn replied. Then he reached down to the carpet and pulled a piece of parchment from under the bed, spreading it out. It contained a map of Middle-Earth, and then on the left hand side, Legolas and Frodo saw Aragorn's neat handwriting: The Isle of Valinor dwells in the West. For that is where my healing heart truly yearns. For in that place I will have freedom from my pain and suffering and when at last my aching heart heals I will be able to sleep in peace knowing that nothing can disturb my deepest slumber.
"Aragorn…" Legolas found no words to express his feelings.
Frodo's eyes never left Aragorn's and when he spoke he opened his heart. "I arrived in Valinor in pain but when I stepped on to the sandy beaches and was welcomed by the elves my heart felt better. For twenty-three years I have lived in bliss and nothing has come to harm me of it. Yet Valinor is not without its discomforts. I feel more at home in Middle-Earth without Sam or Merry or Pippin and though Bilbo is there he is simply too old to enjoy the life that I could live. I would do anything to turn back time and remain in Middle-Earth with my friends but now I am bound to Valinor. Many long years have been granted to me and I have taken them when I could have lived my life in the Shire. I miss my home very much. I advise you, Strider, to not go to Valinor. Live out your life here until the time has come for you to die and then take that final journey into the West, for that you will be grateful. You would miss so much of your family and you would regret your decision. I do not wish that for you."
Aragorn bowed his head. "How can I live like this for the rest of my reign? I can't rule a kingdom sitting in a bed for the remaining years! How can I cure my aching heart?"
"By facing your demons," Frodo answered. "I have done so. I went and looked upon what remains of the Black Gate. I felt nothing, no pain or memory just flashes of what I'd done. And that was after I came back from Valinor. I still felt some pain until I did that. By facing Mordor I have beaten the demons inside me. I believe if you do the same, you will conquer it."
"And where can I go to do this?"
"Just follow the path to the sea," Frodo answered. "The way that you travelled by boat is the path that you must take. If you do not then you'll never be able to face the demons of your past."
No one spoke for minutes until Aragorn broke the silence. "Very well if you council me on that road I will take it, but I wish for your company, both of you."
"I will come because I know what this is doing to you and I do not wish for anyone to fall prey to darkness again." Frodo replied.
"And I will too journey with you for you are a dear friend and I would see you sit happily upon the throne with Arwen at your side once more." Legolas promised.
"Speak of this to no one. I wish for Merry and Pippin to accompany us but do not tell them until I am ready to depart. They may have an inclination to spread it round."
"We will not tell, Aragorn, we both promise." The elf said.
"Hannon le."
Though he had promised Aragorn he would not tell anyone Legolas felt it was his duty to inform the Lady Arwen of her husband's intentions. He did not want to leave her in the dark. He had hoped that the Queen would be happy her husband had suggested such a journey but to his utter surprise she was against it.
"I do not wish for Estel to live the palace until he is completely healed." Her excuse was that.
"But Frodo suggested the road himself. He felt better when he looked upon Mordor; I think he believe if Aragorn treads part of the road he went on, his heart will ease and the pain he bears will disappear, becoming a distant memory," Legolas explained. "Don't you want that? Do you wish for Aragorn to heal this way? I feel personally that this road is one to take. I can't explain."
Arwen sighed. How could she make the Prince understand? Finally after deliberation she chose to tell the elf her vision, and when she had finished she added quietly: "Nothing has happened up until now, but I feel it in my heart, if Aragorn leaves the city and goes on this road, he will face the Knights, regardless of what Gandalf has said about their deaths. I believe they are still out there, waiting."
"We will not know that until they show themselves," Legolas said quietly. "If Aragorn has to face them then he must. It may be the key to healing him. Arwen, you can't keep him locked up forever. Already he yearns to leave Middle-Earth. He wants to go to Valinor. He wants to be healed but he doesn't know how. Frodo has had more experience in this area then anyone I know. He knows best. If facing those demons is what Aragorn must do then he should. We can't hold him back." He took hold of Arwen's hands and smiled lightly at her.
"I'll let him go, but promise me Legolas, that you won't let him out of your sight. Keep him safe for me."
"I will, my lady." He bent and kissed her hand before departing.
TBC
I hope the part about Aragorn wanting to leave Middle-Earth was dealt with properly. Next chapter focuses entirely on Aragorn, Legolas, and the hobbits.