Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or locations mentioned in the following story. They are all the product of JRR Tolkien.

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Translations:

Le gwaur mellon- you're dirty my friend

En estel in edain rinna- the hope of men returns

Aragorn looked slowly at the carnage around him. Amongst the ruined landscape lay hundreds of dead and dying men and orcs. He even spotted the still forms of two of the magnificent eagles that had come to their aid during the battle. In the distance, Mt Doom still roared and spewed forth lava and smoke. There was not a single tree or green blade of grass to be seen. All was blackened rock and desolate soil.

He shook his head softly. Right now he had more important things to worry about. As always after a battle, his eyes looked for the blond head of Legolas. It would be a heavy burden indeed if his friend had been wounded or lost. His questing eyes soon found what they sought. Legolas was alive and appeared to be unhurt. Next to him stood both Gimli and Pippin. Aragorn sighed with relief. He had become very fond of both the dwarf and the hobbit during their adventures, and it was good to see them alive. Behind them stood Eomer. That proud man had his head lowered and Aragorn knew he not only mourned for Theoden King, but also worried About Eowyn, back in Gondor. There was much weight already placed on the young King's shoulders.

He walked over to join his friends. Up close he could see more clearly. Gimli had a rag wrapped around his upper arm, and Pippin had a dark bruise on one cheek. Only Legolas looked intact, although not much like his usual self. Aragorn grinned wickedly and said to him, "Le gwaur mellon." Gimli, who knew what the words meant, laughed out loud. Pippin looked confused. Aragorn chuckled at the look on the elf's face. After a few minutes, Legolas grinned and pulled Aragorn into a hug. Behind him Aragorn heard some of the men start to cheer. He pulled away from Legolas, and as he did his gaze fell upon a dead man. His eyes lost whatever joy had been in them. He turned away from his friends and stared at Mt Doom again.

"We've won lad," Gimli told him. "Why are ye so melancholy" The dwarf had spoken loud enough to gain the attention of all present. The sheering died down to complete silence. Aragorn turned back and looked at them.

"Yes Gimli, we've won, but at what price? Thousands dead, land laid to waste, and only the Valar know what condition Gandalf will find Frodo and Sam in, if indeed he finds them at all. What has really been gained by all the death and destruction." He lapsed into silence, as he became lost in his thoughts. He was interrupted when one of the men stepped forward.

"I'll tell you what was gained my Lord." He dropped to one knee and was quickly followed by all the other men.

"Hail Aragorn, king of Gondor."

Aragorn felt the full weight of his destiny descend upon him. He looked at all the men who looked to him as their leader. He was not ready for this. He felt he would never be ready. A calm hand came down upon his shoulder. He looked up. Legolas was smiling at him gently.

"En estel in edain rinna," he said quietly. Aragorn felt calmer. He smiled back at his friend then straightened his shoulders and turned and faced his people.

"Come, we must bury our dead then get our wounded back to Gondor for treatment. Tomorrow we will start rebuilding our lands."