Brothers: A LOTR Fanfic

Weasley-Fancier: Thanks so much for reviewing! I'm really really sorry that it took me 2 months to update, but I had writer's block & couldn't think of what to write next, and then school started & I've had homework & games and all that other school stuff going on. I hope that it was worth the wait!

Chapter 5

After Elrond left the room, Aragorn said, "I need to have a talk with someone." He gave Arwen a kiss. "I'll be back soon," he said to her as he got up from the bed.

"And I'm coming with you," Arador said. "I would also like to speak with that 'someone'." He and Aragorn left the room.

"We'll let you get some rest, Arwen," Gilraen said, and she followed Elladan and Elohir out of the room.

Arwen looked at Eledhwen. She yawned, and Arwen stroked her fuzzy brown hair. "It's a shame that your grandfather doesn't see how special you are," Arwen said to Eledhwen. "You are half-Elven but you are mortal. That is not common, so you are a true gift."

Eledhwen closed her eyes and settled into her mother's arms. Arwen smiled and kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams, my love," she said. She leaned back against her pillow and fell asleep, along with Eledhwen.

"Arador, why are you coming along?" Aragorn asked as he walked down the hallway.

"Because you need me to back you up," Arador answered.

They reached the door to Elrond's study. Aragorn didn't bother to knock, and he and Arador burst in. Elrond looked up from his desk.

"Elrond, I demand an answer," Aragorn said angrily.

"To what?" Elrond asked.

"To why you're acting this way!" exclaimed Aragorn.

"You should know my answer," Elrond said.

"Just tell him, my lord," Arador said.

Aragorn gave Elrond an evil glare. "You have upset everyone by your behavior over the past few months," Aragorn explained. "You have a granddaughter and you act as though you do not care. Do you know how that makes me feel? Or how it makes Arwen feel? Think about that. Think about how you are making your own daughter feel. It is though you have disowned her because of this. Don't you understand?"

"Aragorn, you are the one who doesn't understand," Elrond began. "You don't understand how it is to have your own daughter lie to you for so long about a relationship that I forbid! You don't understand how it is to have a daughter who has a baby that was born out of wedlock and has a father who is a nobody!"

"Why can't you just accept the way things are?" Aragorn questioned.

"Because the way things are is not how they are supposed to be," Elrond said. "Arwen was promised to an Elf, whom she would marry one day, and not a lowly ranger. She deserves better than you. And so does my granddaughter." He got up from his desk and left the room.

"I hate him!" Aragorn exclaimed.

"Aragorn, he'll get over it, but not immediately," said Arador. "It may take some time." He gave Aragorn a pat on the back and left.

(A/N: In case you're wondering why nobody noticed what Elrond said about Arwen being promised to an Elf, it'll come up later. Don't worry!)

Aragorn walked back into the bedroom. He saw that Arwen and Eledhwen were asleep and smiled when he saw them. He quietly pulled a chair over to the side of the bed. After sitting down for only a moment, he heard Eledhwen begin to whimper.

"Shhh, tinuamin (my daughter)," Aragorn said, gently taking Eledhwen from Arwen's arms. He cradled her and rocked her back and forth. Her crying stopped after a few moments, and she reached out her little arms. Aragorn smiled as she grabbed on to his finger.

Eledhwen yawned and settled into Aragorn's arms. He also yawned and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Lend elei (sweet dreams), Eledhwen," he said as his eyelids slowly closed.

After two weeks, Elrond still hadn't reconciled with Aragorn and Arwen. He stayed locked up in his study most of the time, unless he had to go to a meeting. He ate his meals alone in the study everyday, too.

Aragorn and Arwen were relaxing on their bed one afternoon. Arwen had fallen asleep a short time ago, but Aragorn was awake. Arwen's head was resting in his lap, and he was stroking her hair.

A thought was racing through his mind as he sat there. He was thinking back to the last time he had spoken to Elrond. It was the day Eledhwen was born. The day that Elrond had given him the reason why he was so upset.

One thing that Elrond had said came back into his mind. It was something that he had ignored, but now it bothered him.

"Arwen was promised to an Elf, whom she would marry one day, and not a lowly ranger," Elrond had said.

What did this mean? Who was she promised to? Questions ran through Aragorn's mind. Why hadn't he wondered about this right away?

Arwen opened her eyes. "How long was I out, Estel?" she asked with a yawn.

"Not long," Aragorn replied. He worked up the courage to ask her the pressing question in his mind. "Arwen, were you engaged to someone?"

Arwen sat up. "Estel, what are you talking about?" she asked.

"Your father said you had been promised to an elf, and that you would marry that elf someday," explained Aragorn.

"The only person I would ever marry would be you," Arwen said, putting her hand on his cheek. "You're the only man I would ever love."

Aragorn placed his hand over hers. "I know, but I want you to be honest," he said. "Were you promised to someone?"

Arwen took her hand away and said, "Yes, I was promised to an elf."

"Who? What elf?" Aragorn asked.

Arwen looked down. "You know him," she said. "He does not reside in Rivendell, but in another Elven realm." She looked back up at Aragorn. "I was promised to....."

DUN DUN DUN! That's where this chapter ends! Chapter 6 will be coming soon!