Chapter 7

Aragorn was unaware at first, and then he heard an animalistic growl from somewhere close by. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Looking around the camp, there was nothing. Not even Legolas. He cautiously stood up and began to look around only to be pinned on the floor from behind.

"What?" he murmured feeling a heavy weight on his back sharp claws digging into him and a low growl in his ear. He managed to get from under the creature and stood up; he was surprised to see the thing that attacked him also stand, in a more crouched form.

Again the creature rushed him he dodged but tripped over a log from behind; he felt something sharp dig into his side, ripping his clothing. He yelled in pain and felt warm blood trickle down his side; he looked to see the creature staring at him, face to face.

"No," he whispered. It couldn't be.

The creature was about to take another swipe at him when a flaming arrow was shot by him, then another the other side, it decided to run off.

Aragorn glared at his friend, who had barely missed his head each time.

"Are you alright Estel?" he asked with great concern.

"It's just a scratch." He muttered distantly, his mind still whirling in shock.

"What was that? Did you see?" Legolas asked.

"Yes I saw," he paused, "it was Ada."

Legolas' eyes widened in surprise, "Estel...are you sure it was Lord Elrond? It could have been..."

"Legolas," Estel snapped, "I think I would know my own father. It was him...even in the darkness I could tell it was him...but that means he's..."

"The one that has been massacring people." Legolas said sharply.

"NO. He wouldn't..." Aragorn tried to deny what his friend and heart told him.

"Estel...it has been ten years...so long in the hands of orcs...anything could have happened to him in such a long time...I'm surprised he's still alive...let alone attacking people." Legolas muttered.

"He could have killed me," Aragorn whispered, "he nearly did kill me...the look in his eyes...there was no recognition at all...he was just..." he trailed off wavering slightly.

"You're bleeding," Legolas noted, "come we will head to Imladris, your brothers will need to know."

"I can't," he muttered, still in shock, "I have not seen them since...how do I know they won't just send me away..."

"Estel, don't be stupid. They are like brothers to you, they would never send you away, especially injured, they love you too much, no matter what happens, they always will," Legolas smiled, helping the human on to a horse, "Come on, we should go now." With that the two rode off toward Imladris.

Fear coursed through Aragorn, he had not seen his brothers in ten years, how would they react to him coming unexpectedly, let alone with news that their father was alive...and had nearly killed him. Well he would find out soon enough.