Brothers: A LOTR Fanfic

Chapter 2

Now, 18 years had passed since that day. Arador was 22, and Aragorn was 20. Both of them had grown into honorable young men, and Gilraen was proud of them. They had been going by their Elvish names, Beleg and Estel, for the last 18 years, but Elrond finally decided that it was time to reveal their true heritage to them.

He found Arador and Aragorn in their room.

"I need to speak to you both," Elrond said. "It is about something very important."

"Go ahead," Arador said.

"You are not who you think you are," Elrond began. "Beleg and Estel are not your true names, as you already know. But you do not know why you are called by those names. You are heirs of Isildur. Arador is the next heir to the throne of Gondor, and Aragorn would be next if anything happened to Arador."

"Isildur? As in the Isildur who slew Sauron and kept the One Ring?" Aragorn asked, surprised. Elrond nodded.

"Why did this have to be kept secret?" asked Arador.

"Because if Sauron found out that there was an heir, he would hunt down and kill whoever it was," explained Elrond. "He does not want to see a king return to Gondor." He paused. "Now that you know who you both really are, I need to give two things to Arador. Arador, follow me."

Arador and Elrond left the room leaving Aragorn alone. They went into Elrond's study, and Elrond led Arador over to a statue, which helds the shards of a sword.

"Arador, these are the shards of Narsil, the sword that Isildur used to cut the Ring from Sauron's hand," Elrond said. "And this," he said, picking up a ring. "Is the Ring of Barahir. It is a token of our kinship. The sceptre of Annuminas will not be yours yet, for you will have to earn it. But take the ring and the shards of Narsil for yourself. They belong to you now."

"Thank you, heruamin (my lord)," Arador said.

Five years passed, and things were not very different. Aragorn was sitting in the garden one evening singing the Lay of Luthien. As he sang, he saw an Elf-maiden walking through the trees towards him. She had long, dark hair and wore a long and flowing blue dress. On her head there was a silver headpiece.

He knew who this was. His mother had met her before, but he had not. She had told him about her, and how she was one of the fairest of her people. She was Arwen Undomiel, daughter of Lord Elrond.

Aragorn gazed at her as she came closer. "Undomiel!" he called out. "You must be Undomiel."

She looked at him and said, "Yes, that is my name. Arwen Undomiel, the Evenstar of my people. Now that you know who I am, who are you? Are you a guest of my father's? Are you a traveler that is just passing by?"

"No," Aragorn said. "I was once called Estel, but my true name is Aragorn. I am the second son of Arathorn and Gilraen. My brother is Arador."

"So you are the brother of Isildur's heir?" Arwen asked. "I have heard about you."

"I have heard about you as well," said Aragorn. "I have been here for many years, but this is the first time I have laid eyes upon you. Why is that?"

"I have been living in Lothlorien for a time," Arwen said. "That is where my mother's kin are. I returned here only two days ago." She smiled. "I am glad to finally meet you....Aragorn." With that, she turned and walked away.

Aragorn was left with a good feeling in his heart. He knew that he was in love.

Gilraen was in her bedroom reading a book when Aragorn came bursting in.

"Naneth (mother)!" he exclaimed. "I must talk to you."

Gilraen put down her book. "What is it, my son?" she asked.

Aragorn closed the door behind him and sat down on the bed next to his mother. "Naneth, I am in love," he said.

"In love? With who?" Gilraen asked.

"With the daughter of Elrond," answered Aragorn.

"Arwen?" said Gilraen. "But you have not met her."

"I met her just now," Aragorn said. "In the garden. She has returned here from Lothlorien. Naneth, she is the fairest being to walk this earth, other than you."

Gilraen smiled and said, "My son, I know you may have feelings for her, but it is not right for a mortal to wed an Elf."

"But I love her," said Aragorn. "And I think she loves me back. But if we are not allowed to love eachother, I guess I will forever wander alone."

"Do not worry," Gilraen said, putting her arm around her son. "You will find love someday."

Arador, who had listened to the entire conversation from behind the door, was angry. How could Aragorn find love and not he? Why was there no maiden to love him?

Gilraen's door began to open, and Arador quickly ran back to his room. Aragorn appeared there a few moments later.

"I know," Arador said, as he walked over to Aragorn.

"Know what?" asked Aragorn.

"About your little love secret," Arador replied.

"How would you know that?" Aragorn said.

"I 'overheard' your conversation with Naneth," said Arador. "I know that you are in love with Arwen, Elrond's daughter."

"And you have a problem with it?" Aragorn questioned.

"Aragorn, you cannot love her!" Arador exclaimed.

"Why?" said Aragorn.

"Because....I love her!" Arador said.

"You do not love her," stated Aragorn. "You are only jealous. Jealous that I have found someone, and you remain alone. Jealous that there is no maiden who loves you."

Arador opened his mouth to speak, but closed it and stormed out of the room.

Aragorn and Arador did not speak to eachother for many days. Finally, Gilraen decided to fix this dispute between them. She hated to see her sons fight.

"Aragorn, Arador, we need to settle this," she said.

"What's their to settle?" Aragorn asked. "Arador hates me."

"No, he doesn't," Gilraen said. "Now, the two of you need to make up. Tell me what is troubling both of you."

"Naneth, Arador is jealous that I am in love with Arwen," Aragorn began. "That is why he will not speak to me."

Gilraen looked at Arador. "Is this true?" she asked him.

Arador was silent for a moment before answering. "I just don't think that Aragorn should be in love with an Elf," he said. "Mortals should not love Elf-kind."

"That is true, but you didn't answer my question," Gilraen said. "Are you jealous?" She stared at her son and waited for him to answer.

"Okay, okay, you got me," Arador answered. "I am jealous. I didn't want to admit it."

"Now that we've got that solved, I think you should apologize to eachother," said Gilraen.

"Why do I have to apologize?" Aragorn asked. "What did I do wrong?"

"Aragorn, just apologize to your brother," Gilraen replied. "And Arador, apologize to Aragorn."

"Sorry," Aragorn and Arador mumbled to eachother.

A few months had passed since then. Aragorn and Arwen had been seeing eachother secretly, and nobody knew about it. Or so they thought.

Elrond knew that there was something going on. He saw that Aragorn looked much more joyous since Arwen had come to Rivendell. He also noticed that Arwen had been acting different. He needed to find out more.

Aragorn was in the garden one evening when Elrond confronted him.

"Good evening, my lord," Aragorn said.

"Aragorn, I know your secret," said Elrond.

"I don't understand," Aragorn said innocently.

"You are seeing my daughter in secret," Elrond said. "You should know that you cannot hide anything from me."

"My lord, what are you talking about?" asked Aragorn.

"Do not lie to me, Aragorn," Elrond said in a serious tone. "I know all."

"You're right, Lord Elrond," Aragorn said, finally giving in.

"I do not want you to see her anymore," said Elrond.

"But why?" Aragorn asked. "What is the harm in our seeing eachother?"

"I will not have my daughter love a mortal," Elrond answered. "And I will not let her love a mortal who is a nobody. You are not the Heir of Isildur, Aragorn. Your brother is. But even he is not worthy of her love just like you aren't worthy. I will not let her marry anyone less than the King of both Gondor and Arnor. That may be you or your brother someday, but hope is still slim. But for now, stay away from Arwen." He turned and walked away.

Aragorn knew that he should obey Elrond, but he could not give up Arwen. Her love was precious to him, and they loved eachother deeply and truly.

Aragorn and Arador later left on a journey into the wild. On this journey, they became friends with Gandalf the Grey and helped him fight against Sauron. They also rode with the Rohirrim and the armies of Gondor against the Enemy.

They did not return to Rivendell for 30 years. Arador was 57, and Aragorn was 55. Both of them were still young for their race. They entered Rivendell and were greeted by their mother, Elrond, and many other Elves. Arwen was also there, but she and Aragorn had to hold back the urge to embrace eachother since Elrond was in their presence.

Arador and Aragorn stayed in Rivendell for many years. They went on small trips, but always returned home quickly.

After returning from one trip, when Arador was 87 and Aragorn was 85, Aragorn found out that Arwen had gone to Lothlorien for a little while. After hearing this, he immediately set out for Lorien to find her.

"Arwen! Arwen!" Aragorn exclaimed, as he ran up the hill of Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien.

"Estel!" Arwen called, using his childhood name. They embraced eachother and kissed. "I have missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, melamin (my love)," Aragorn said. "But there is something I must do."

Arwen stepped back as Aragorn got down on one knee. He pulled out a ring. "Arwen Undomiel, will you marry me? And be my wife someday?" he asked, smiling.

Arwen gasped. "Yes, yes! I will!" she exclaimed. Aragorn slipped the ring on Arwen's finger, and they kissed passionately.

After breaking the kiss, Arwen said, "Estel, there is something that I need to tell you."

"What is it, my love?" Aragorn asked.

"Well, it's the reason I came here," Arwen said. "I needed to be away from my father."

"Why? Does he know we're still together after all these years?" Aragorn said.

"No, I do not think so," said Arwen. "But let me tell you the news...."