Chapter Seventeen – Revelations and Teaming up…

"It doesn't matter, please, carry on," said Estriel.

"What else is there to say?"

"Uh, the whole rest of the story?" suggested Jenna.

"Or what he believes to be the story," muttered Darayne.

"You still deny it!?" shouted Aragorn.

"Guys, let's remember to breathe!" said Jenna.

Estriel patted Darayne on the back, "Breathe in…Breathe out…"

He smiled at her.

"Thank you, but I am calm. Let me explain."

Aragorn settled back against a tree, arms folded defensively across his chest. Jenna watched Darayne intensely; glad that some of the mystery would soon be solved.

"Arador, our grandfather, had a son named Arathorn, who is Aragorn's father, and a daughter named Aranel, who is my mother. My mother was very beautiful, and was much loved by all who knew her, including my father, Darath, a ranger from a distant branch of the line of Kings. Darath and Aranel fell in love at first sight, and promised to wed. But by this time, Arador was dead, and Arathorn's permission was needed for them to marry. However, Arathorn carried a grudge against my father and refused to grant them permission, even though they both pleaded constantly with him…"

Aragorn interrupted, clearly angry.

"Because Darath was unsuitable! Because he had many unpaid debts to his fellow rangers, and had not proved himself in battle! Because Darath had loved many women, and many girls! Because, he knew that if Darath was made to wait, his love would be proved- the longer he could wait for her, the more worthy Darath would be of her!"

Darayne scowled at him, but carried on, trying to stay calm.

"Perhaps, but it seemed cruel to both of them. So they planned to elope, and one night they stole away to Gondor and became husband and wife. Arathorn was furious, and tried to track her down, wrongly convinced, that Darath had abducted her. They came upon my father, who slew two of his companions before escaping. Thus, Arathorn's hatred of my father grew. Then my mother became ill…"

Darayne's voice became intensely sad.

"She died a month after I was born. Arathorn's grief was such that he swore to hunt my father down and kill him, sure it was his fault. He also blamed me, for my birth took from him a dearly loved sister. In grief, he went to hunt Orcs and was slain."

Aragorn bowed his head, but the girls and Darayne clearly heard him speak.

"Your family took from my family everything we prized. Your father took my aunt, and you took my father. You left me, two years old, with naught but my mother, and forced her to seek sanctuary and refuge with the elves. I had no teacher, to help me learn what the chief of the rangers should do! I had no father, growing up, but Elrond, to whom I owe so much- more than I can ever repay. Now do you understand? Darayne has robbed me of two family members. There is also the other business."

Jenna felt Darayne stiffen beside her. Estriel had moved away, to rest her back on a tree stump. The tension suddenly went from calming to intense anger and suspicion.

"Be careful that you do not repeat unfounded rumour, Ranger!" Spat Darayne angrily.

"When it comes to the behaviour of members of your family and the seduction of women, I can believe much! But I say nothing, because, as you claim, I have yet found no definitive proof."

The girls looked at each other, Estriel raising a mental eyebrow. So Darayne was rumoured to have a bad history with women? She had better keep a strict eye on him and Jenna then. She saw both points of view, but thought Aragorn was being harsh on Darayne- it wasn't his fault! His father, she wasn't going to comment on, but Aragorn and Darayne had no business carrying on a stupid feud. Darayne was being immature. Aragorn was being unreasonable. What a pair, eh?

Jenna tentatively broke the staring competition the men seemed to have going on.

"Erm…So that's the story, right?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Oh."

Es narrowed her eyes at them.

"That's all? All? You!...He!...So basically, for lack of prettier phrasing, hate each other because of events that neither of you could have influenced or changed?"

The men looked sheepish.

Jenna looked at Aragorn and Darayne.

"I am aware that you both hold grudges against each other, but do you think that you could control your anger for as long as it takes to get to Mirkwood?" she paused, looking towards Estriel for reassurance. "Because, like it or not Aragorn, we're coming with you." Aragorn looked as though he was about to object. "If you don't agree, then we'll just follow you anyway. And if you distrust Darayne as much as you say you do, surely you do not want two innocent maidens to be travelling alone with him..." This was a sneaky tact, and she knew it, but what can you do?

The ranger sighed.

"Very well, Jenna, but know this. If he gives me a reason to regret this choice, I will leave, and you will not follow."

Jenna nodded.

"That is fair."

"Having answered all your questions, and consented to letting you accompany me, I have one request," said Aragorn.

"Name it," said Estriel.

"I wish to have my sword back."

"Oh," said Estriel, giggling. "One second."

She left, and then returned, holding his sword slightly awkwardly- it was rather heavy and definitely unwieldy if you had no idea how to hold it. She passed it to him, at which he looked pleased, examined it and then returned it to its scabbard.

Darayne looked at Jenna expectantly, at which she got the hint and went to get his sword. She returned, offered it to him, and he took it. As he went for the handle, their hands touched, and even Estriel and Aragorn could not deny the chemistry between them. It was clear as daylight- so clear that Aragorn lowered his eyes and turned away, and Estriel felt a sudden longing to hug something. However, as the moment passed, and they realised they had been staring deep into each others eyes, both flushed, Jenna let go as if it had burned her, and Darayne thanked her in a voice slightly higher than usual.

Darayne looked at Aragorn, mistrust showing clearly on his face.

"Aragorn, where do we journey to at present? Unless I am very much mistaken, we are travelling west, to the Shire. I believed that you were taking the creature to Mirkwood, to the elves?"

Aragorn seemed reluctant to part with any extra information.

"I am going to meet an old friend to ascertain what to do with him."

Jenna and Es shared a bemused look.

"Vague, much? Never mind, Elessar, let's get on with it. Come on, people- Aragorn, do you want to share the horse? What about Gollum?"

Es began to organise everything, and soon they were riding through the forest. However, as they were nearing the edges of the forest, it began to rain. Then it began to pour. Then a thunderstorm set in.

"Aragorn! I'm cold! And wet!"

Es yelled to her companion, who had chosen to ride Meg with her. Sméagol was tied onto the back of the horse in a couple of layers of tarpaulin with his head sticking out for air- Aragorn wasn't going to risk losing him, and they wanted to keep him warm and not let him get too tired- the storm was tiring even their strong horses quickly.

"Here! Wrap yourself in my cloak and we can share body heat!"

Aragorn wrapped the large cloak around Es in front of him, and tentatively hugged the soaking wet girl. Jenna and Darayne looked at each other.

"That looks like a good idea..."

Said Darayne, blushing slightly.

"If you think so..."

Jenna snuggled against him, content to let him 'drive' the horse, while they kept each other warm. She felt happy, contented with his arms around her, and however hard it was to admit it, Darayne felt very much the same way. They rode about half their previous average, and felt more tired and buffeted by the wind than they had for a while. Aragorn and Darayne were constantly snapping at each other, and Es and Jenna were fast becoming depressed.

They made camp in a small hollow under a large hill, and, with Gollum secured to both Aragorn and a tree that grew by the entrance to their camp, the girls made supper while Aragorn and Darayne rigged some shelter and a fire that- hopefully- wouldn't go out, then drew lots to see who would watch when. Es got first, then Darayne, then Aragorn, then Jenna. It worked quite well really- Es was the least tired, and Jenna was a morning person, and Darayne and Aragorn were used to taking difficult watches. After a supper of more pasta and chocolate (which Aragorn particularly liked), they settled down for the night.

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