Disclaimer: JRR Tolkein owns all the people except for Turenso
Chapter 2: The City of the Elves
It had been a long hard journey passing through the thick woods of LothLorien, but Lord Elrond showed no signs of slowing down. Aragorn sensed that he was afraid of something that would happen once they reached the edge of the woods.
Aragorn also sensed that Elrond himself was tired, but pressed on nevertheless. Something had driven him to a greater speed than was necessary.
As they reached the end of the Woods of Loth Lorien, Elrond turned in his saddle and spoke for the first time that morning: "I pray you, be cautious...The death of the great lord Durin in the underground city of Moria has caused much evil to stir...Silent and swift we must ride, for Rivendell is not far once we pass out of Moria's realm."
Aragorn nodded, though he had not picked up the elf lord's meaning. There was something wrong, a terrible fate that would await them should they dare to set foot into the depths of the dwarf city.
It turned to dusk as they rode unceremoniously across the Moria plain, on a whim and a fancy that they would indeed be let alone. They passed by a hill made of rocks, trying not to make a sound, lest they awaken the fury of the night. Elrond whispered to Aragorn, assuring him that there would probably be no reason to worry themselves. The noises were only night animals.
But they were not alone. Not while the shadows crept and whispered. Aragorn's mount became spooked at a rock that fell as he passed. She reared and whinnied, as a ghostly wind swept itself across their path. Elrond spoke to the mare to steady her, and she calmed. But Aragorn looked up to the top of the hill...
Standing in the fading sun, they saw a large white wolf looking down upon them threateningly. Aragorn thought he would faint. The beast was at least twice the size of Lord Elrond. Suddenly, the creature sped down the hill, its long legs propelling it toward them with a shocking speed. Aragorn put his arms up to protect his face...
A warm, wet sensation came over him. He sat up to realize that the wolf was licking his face. He scrambled to his feet and backed away, staring up at the wolf. Lord Elrond laughed "Aragorn, this is my friend, Turenso. He helps to guard the northern border of Rivendell." All the boy could do was sigh. "So are we really in Rivendell at last?" "We are in its realm now, Aragorn. But we must ride to the city, my home, if we truly wish to be safe." his companion said.
The white wolf led the way as they climbed back onto their horses and set off again. Aragorn pondered the previous events in his mind. He thought he had been so close to death back in that small valley. Yet why had he not defended himself? If he did die, he wished to die an honorable death, defending someone from a horrid fate. Fight he would, then, the next time death sought him out.
They entered the city just after the sun had set, yet Aragorn was too tired to look upon its finery now. All he wanted to do was let glorious sleep consume him. He did not even feel himself get off the horse. His last feeling was the hard ground that he collapsed onto.
Aragorn awoke deep in the night. He sat up in his bed. Had it all been a dream? Was he indeed, in the elf city of Rivendell? But he had no doubts of where he was when he crossed to the balcony and looked out. A pearly moon cast a bluish light on the buildings surrounding him. The boy drew in his breath.
For here was a sight to behold! The moon made the towers and awnings look enchanted. There was not a soul in sight, save Turenso, who was dosing in the garden below.
The delicate blue light depicted how intricate and lovely the houses were. And all Aragorn could do was stare. If only his mother could see this! Of course, Loth Lorien had its own beauty, but of a completely different kind.
Now the mind a young boy never rests, and Aragorn liked to sit and mull things over, so he walked slowly back into his bedroom, careful not to disturb the slumber of those around him. He sat upon a dark wooden chair and started to think.
Why had Elrond brought him to this beautiful place? When Aragorn had overheard the elf talking, Elrond had mentioned that he needed to begin his training as a man. Why could he not have remained in Loth Lorien, and begun his training there? Why had his mother not come with him?
Now he realized how much he missed her...Her gentle smile...The way she laughed...The way she understood him...The way she insisted on tucking him in at night... He doubted anyone here would treat him as kindly as she had...As only a mother could.
Aragorn suddenly felt very tired. He needed to sleep to regain his strength, for he did not want to let Lord Elrond down after all the Lord of Rivendell had done to bring him here. Aragorn sensed that it would take all the intuition he had to learn the ways of the Elendil.
AN: Hmmm...This one was ok, I guess...Next chapter begins his training! Please review...