Chapter 24

Estel sighed in relief as Nandé closed the door behind her. He knew she meant well but she could be too caring at times, and it could really irritate him, especially if he felt he was fine.

He decided to grab a book and escape whilst he could.

"Estel," a voice called, he froze and turned, "how are you feeling?" it was Glorfindel.

"I'm fine, thank you, just need a little air."

"Do your brothers know you are up?"

"Not exactly, well Elrohir does, he didn't mind...does that count?" he smiled sweetly.

"Just be careful and don't go too far."

"Why does everyone always worry over me?" he muttered walking off.

It was a lovely day, being late autumn the trees were turning in various colours making the surrounding forest feel that little blither. He was glad to be home.

Settling under his favourite tree he looked at the book he picked up. It was about various accounts of stories of the past. He had not remembered having that in his room. He had never remembered seeing it in the library either. He shrugged and started reading.

"Come on Elladan," Elrohir said taking some papers from his twin's hand, "We've been working on this most of the day, you could use a break."

"Ro, I'm fine, honest." He protested taking the papers back.

"No, we are going for a walk, it will still be here when you get back."

"Fine." He muttered giving up and placing the papers on the desk and followed his brother outside.

Leaves of golds, browns, reds and yellows danced spectacularly to the floor in the gentle cooling breeze. Elladan smiled softly, the calm atmospheres reminded him of more peaceful, happier times, he looked to Elrohir and saw a similar smile of sadness and reminisce on his face. "Elrohir, look," he pulled the younger from his thoughts and pointed to Estel. The young man had fallen asleep under a blossom tree, the blossoms had started settling on him and he had a book loosely in his hands.

Elladan looked at the page Estel had been looking at and saw a picture of the ring of Barahir; he looked up into a pair of sleepy silver eyes.

"Hey sleepy." Elrohir spoke softly.

"Who is Aragorn?" Estel asked suddenly.

"What?" Elrohir frowned.

"In my dream...I kept hearing the name Aragorn..."

"It was just a dream pen neth." Elrohir started but Elladan stopped him.

"Walk with me gwador," Elladan said softly, "Go on Elrohir, we'll join you shortly." The look in his eyes proved it was no request. Estel stood up and brushed the blossoms from him before falling into step with his elder brother.

"You were reading up on your history, were you not?"

"Yes I was...it was interesting." He answered uncertainly.

"But you already know some details though, do you not?"

"Of course, father always told me stories."

"He also told you of Isildur, did he not?"

"He did. He also spoke of Isildur's heirs and that they were of the Dúnedain, and that the line had been lost throughout the centuries."

"Good, so I do not need to explain more to you. Did you also know of Arathorn?"

"I have heard of him." Estel said slowly, "He was the chieftain of the Dúnedain...he was Isildur's heir and was killed around the same time as my father..."

"You know more than I thought. However there are a couple of other things. Arathorn had a son around your age, Aragorn; he was the last living heir of Isildur, and the one prophesized to be the king of Gondor, the last Hope of Man." Elladan paused, seeing Estel was trying to process the new information, realisation lit his eyes.

"You mean...I'm..."

"Yes Estel, you are Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir and heir to the throne of Gondor. Father insisted, when we brought you here, that you were not to know about your heritage, until the time was right. The enemy believe Isildur's line was broken years ago if they were to learn that you were alive, they would not give in until they kill you." Estel sighed, his mind still trying to pick up what information he could from what Elladan had told him. "This belongs to you." he placed the ring of Barahir on the man's finger.

"No," Estel yelled suddenly, "It's not true. I don't believe you."

"Estel, gwador..."

"You see. That is where you are wrong. A brother would never lie about something like this." he stormed off.

"Estel, you cannot run from this forever." Elladan yelled to his brother's back.

"Watch me." He heard on the wind. He should have known how Estel would take it. Not well.