Chapter 4: A Test of a Boy's Courage

That evening, Aragorn took a walk around the grounds. He could not believe it was still his first day here. He had enjoyed it so much...he had learned his destiny.

But why him? Why was he Isildur's heir? He did not feel worthy of such a thing. He did not feel like a king. What would everyone do if he turned it down? He supposed that the steward's son would take over. And he personally had no problem with that...he was happy where he was.

Suddenly, Aragorn sensed that he was not alone. He whirled around searching through the trees, but there was no one there. Giving the forest a mistrusting glance, he turned back to his course...

"Hello." A face popped up in front of his, and he jumped. It was the elf boy, Legolas, the one who had stood up for him to Haldir.

Aragorn smiled in greeting.

"I believe an offer of thanks is in order..." he said.

The boy looked puzzled. Aragorn realized that he had forgotten all about the incident that morning.

"Um, never mind." Aragorn said.

Legolas shrugged to show he didn't care, and looked around.

"Beautiful, isn't it? It reminds me so much of my home." The elf boy's face grew sad as he gazed over the meadows and streams.

"I truly miss it. Do you miss your home?" he asked Aragorn.

The boy was not prepared for this particular question. He thought to himself: Did he really miss LothLorien? He realized that he had already forgotten the wind that calmed the great woods. He had already forgotten the golden afternoons he had spent in Lady Galadriel's company, playing games and reading books...But worst of all, he had forgotten his mother, how they used to laugh together...

"Aragorn?" A voice interrupted his thoughts, and he saw Legolas looking at him in a concerned way. He must have thought for a long time.

Aragorn smiled and pushed back the tears that he now realized had been welling up inside him.

"Yes." He said, "I miss my home."

He and Legolas walked to one of the many small streams that ran along the great river. They sat beside it and skipped rocks for awhile.

"Ha!" Legolas cried out triumphantly when his rock skipped more times that Aragorn's.

Aragorn smirked.

"I bet that mine will skip more this time!"

Legolas grinned.

"You're on."

They laughed as they skipped the rocks and Aragorn won. They played over and over again, not tiring of the game. Suddenly Legolas jumped up and smacked Aragorn on the arm.

"Tag! You're it!" the elf boy cried gleefully, and Aragorn sprang to his feet and chased him along the great river. He had almost caught up to the elf, when Legolas stopped short, staring at something in the water. Aragorn snuck up to him and tagged him.

"Ha! You're it now!" he yelled, but Legolas continued to stare into the water, Aragorn followed his gaze and gasped. It was Haldir.

The proud elf did not look so haughty now, as he struggled to get to the bank of the water. Haldir's eyes were wide and desperate, and he was swimming with all his might against the rushing current. Legolas looked at Aragorn, but the human boy was already peeling off his jacket. Aragorn looked at the elf beside him.

"Go for help!" He yelled to Legolas, who instantly turned and ran toward Rivendell.

Aragorn grabbed a nearby branch and held it out to Haldir.

"Reach for the branch!" he cried, and the elf grabbed for it. Haldir's hands caught hold of the branch, but then he slipped, falling into the current.

Aragorn ran alongside the river, keeping an eye on Haldir. He raced ahead of the elf and jumped into the river. The cold water threatened to weigh him down, but because he was wearing the light elvish materials, he resurfaced almost immediatly, gasping for breath. He looked around and saw an unconsicious Haldir floating a few inches away from him. He grabbed onto the elf's arm and dragged him toward the shore. Haldir was breathing normally, but he was dead weight to Aragorn, especially since they were in a fast moving current. And as the water bubbled and churned around him, Aragorn's mind grasped one thought: get to shore.

Aragorn swam with all of his might, and he saw the shore coming closer. He swam even harder, still keeping a firm hold on Haldir. Suddenly, a stick lashed out of nowhere, and he grabbed onto the end. He gradually inched his way towards the riverbank, and managed to swing Haldir up onto the shore. Aragorn swung himself up and lay on the bank, panting for breath. He looked around to see who had helped him by lowering the branch into the water, but there was no one there. He was so exhausted he did not see the figure slipping silently into the trees, disappearing in the whisper of the grass. All he wanted now was to sleep.

But he could see that Haldir was very hurt. He had to get him to safety. Aragorn managed to drag himself to his feet, and sling Haldir over one shoulder. Then the boy looked around, praying for help. There was no one there. Just a breeze and a prayer to help him now.

Aragorn heard a twig snap. He whirled around.

"Is someone there?" He asked. Why did they not help him? They could obviously see that he needed help. Then he heard a soft nicker behind him.

He turned around to see a beautiful light gray horse with a black mane standing directly next to his shoulder. It whinnied and tossed its head. Aragorn breathed his relief. He wouldn't have to carry the elf back after all. Suddenly, the horse reared and galloped away. Aragorn groaned inwardly. He could not believe his bad luck. He sighed and started walking towards the woods. It would be getting dark soon, and he needed cover.

Aragorn did not think while he walked...he just stumbled along. The boy was too tired to think, too tired to do anything but drag the unconscious elf behind him. As the dark enclosed the two, Aragorn felt a prescence, but not near him. Whoever or whatever it was was moving swiftly away from them. He found that he did not care. Aragorn was exhausted, yet something inside of him pressed him onward. Perhaps he was strong, perhaps he was brave...or perhaps he was just too stubborn to give up.

Up ahead, he saw the lights of Rivendell. He realized that he had been walking for a long time. Haldir and he must have floated a long way from the elf city. And as he stepped out of the woods, he said a prayer of thanks to whomever had helped him. He stopped to rest, examining the damage that had been done to Haldir from the river. It was as serious as any battle wounds, and Aragorn knew that the elf could die. Slowly, Aragorn got to his feet and slung the elf over his shoulder and headed for the house of Lord Elrond.

Aragorn wandered into the building and through the halls, but there was no one there. He searched every room, but to no avail. Where had they all gone? There was bound to be someone here. Then, he heard voices, carried on the wind. He followed the sound to a small courtyard, where Lord Elrond was standing with a beautiful elf woman and...

"Mother!" Aragorn cried. His voice was strained, but she had heard it. She turned and saw him standing in the light of the doorway. Her face was tear-streaked, as though she had been crying. She gave a sob of something that sounded like "My son!" and ran towards him. The elf woman ran toward them as well.

"Haldir!" The lovely elf cried, grabbing her son into her arms. Aragorn was so exhausted, he collapsed into his mother's embrace. Now, thought the boy, I can rest.

I know...I know...its long, huh? Next chapter skips ahead a few years...so be prepared! Review please