Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR if I did I don't think I'd be writing this at the moment!!

I have changed Aragorn's age to forty. I had been playing with the idea in my head before I even posted the story and I don't think the story will work with Aragorn as eighty. Thanks for reading. Please review.

Thank you Lynn-G for reviewing!

Chapter 3:

"Have you ever visited this place before?" Legolas asked Aragorn as they were riding through the woods.

"Once, about twenty years ago. I remember there were two young boys ages three and four and a heartbroken Queen who had just lost her husband. And Arien was only five months old. Now all that's left of that family is Arien. That family have a curse upon their heads. Everyone has died in some connection to war and violence. If not fighting, then in grief over those who have died."

"Curse? You do not believe in them." Legolas replied somewhat surprised at what Aragorn had said.

"There is no other way to describe it. Bad luck is too timid an expression."

The two friends journeyed for three days and arrived at the town late in the evening of the third day. So as they would not draw unwanted attention, they dismounted from their horses and Legolas pulled his cloak tight around him and put his hood up. This helped dim his elven glow somewhat. They passed through the town with only a few glances their way. When they came to just outside the grounds of the castle they stopped. A wall was being built around the gardens.

"Strange." Said Aragorn. "On thing I remember about this place was that the castle was open o everyone. There were no walls built around the castle as the families through the generations where great believers in equality between all people. It is strange that the last surviving daughter would build a wall."

"You have not heard then?" Came a voice from the shadows of the buildings behind them. Queen Arien is no longer here." Out if the darkness emerged a figure of a man. Tall and broad shouldered he looked to be little over twenty. He wore peasant clothing but a sword hung at his side.

"What do you mean?" Asked Aragorn worriedly. His father's suspicions in the back of his mind.

"Who are you? And what is your business here?" The man asked ignoring his question.

"We have been sent by Lord Elrond from Rivendell. We have come to speak with the Queen and offer our condolences." Aragorn answered wary about giving this man their names

"Lord Elrond?" He repeated his voice softer than before. "Please will you come with me?" And with that he turned and walked away from the castle and down a side street. Aragorn and Legolas glanced at each other.

"Keep a sword by your side." Aragorn whispered so low that only Legolas' elven hearing would pick it up. Legolas nodded and removed one of his twin knifes and hid it beneath his cloak. He then led his horse following Aragorn.

They walked for five minutes before they stopped in front of a small house. They tied their horses up and followed the man inside who lit a lamp and offered them chairs to sit on.

"My name is Tirfalin and up to three days ago I was a personal guard to the Queen...and her friend." He said the last bit quietly, his gaze on the lamp in the middle of the table.

"Please, tell me who you are." Tirfalin asked looking up.

"I am Aragorn, ranger of the north and this is Legolas of Mirkwood." Tirfalin gazed at them.

"You're both elves?" He questioned.

"No, just Legolas." Legolas then removed his hood, his gold hair tumbling down his shoulders and Tirfalin looked at him startled.

"I have never met an elf before." Tirfalin said in awe.

"Please continue what you were saying about your Queen." Legolas interrupted.

"Oh yes." He stammered. "It was three days ago when I awoke earlier than usual. There was a lot of noise outside my door. I lived in the castle. I dressed and left my room, stopping a maid who ran passed. She said Arien; I mean the Queen was missing. I ran to her room to check but she was not there. I found the dagger she kept under her pillow on the floor though. Her uncle took the throne the very hour she was found to be missing and has not left it. He sons have been causing trouble and half her loyal guards including myself where dismissed for disruptive behaviour. Not one of us was disruptive. Those of us who were dismissed are sending a search party out in the morning."

"Has her uncle not sent one out?" Legolas asked.

"No. He said we must wait a week and see what happens. I know in my heart he was behind this. Most people think this also."

"Yes, Lord Elrond also." Aragorn said to Tirfalin's surprise. "We lied a little to you. We were also sent here to see if Queen Arien was ok. Lord Elrond thought her uncle would try to harm her in some way. It seems he has succeeded."

"We must send a message to him Aragorn." Legolas said. Aragorn nodded and turned to Tirfalin.

"Do you know anyone who would go to Rivendell with a message from us?"

"Of course, anyone of the dismissed guards would go. Please wait here. I will bring someone to you." With that Tirfalin left the house.

Legolas removed his knife from under his cloak and resheathed it.

"We must go talk to this Uncle Legolas."

"Aye. We should go tonight or early tomorrow morning. After we must join the search party."

"Yes. I find it strange that no one say what happened. Surely there were guards posted all over the castle." Aragorn said just as the door flew open.

"Nobody saw it as half were called to another disturbance. And the guards on the doors where all found to be asleep." Tirfalin said, walking in followed by two other men.

"Aragorn, Legolas this is Feronly and Dawiins. They were dismissed with me and were part off the personal guards. They will take your message to Rivendell."

"Thank you." Aragorn answered. "Will you be willing to leave tonight?" This question was answered with a nod and Aragorn asked for some parchment and a quill. He wrote explaining their situation and that they were going to leave with the search party in the morning. He then handed the letter to Feronly and both he and Dawiins left with a bow of their heads.

"Come Legolas, we must go speak with this uncle." With that they got up and left the house telling Tirfalin they would be back shortly.

A/N: I didn't really like that chapter a whole lot....Ah well. Sorry for the atrocious names too. Dawiins????? Please review. Thanks!!!