Winter 3003-3004:

After a year of restless search down the whole length of the Wilderland without success, Gandalf gave up the chase and decided to visit Frodo, leaving the task unto Aragorn's hands. Thus Aragorn delved into the perilous forest of Mirkwood whither creatures in the service of Sauron; black squirrels, goblins and spiders infest the forest and he searched for Gollum therein.

It must also be said that during the days of constant search, Gandalf and Aragorn often sought rest among the Beornings, men of the northern vales of Anduin that live on both sides of the river. It is thus evident that here Aragorn met Beorn and his Heir.


Winter 3004:

At a time, Aragorn, was attacked and overthrown by the servants of the enemy while seeking Gollum at the Old Forest Road, a path regularly used by goblins. He was dragged away by these creatures and was held in captivity for a longtime. He was stripped off his clothes and during those hellish days Aragorn was humiliated and brutally tormented. He was left sorely wounded and nigh to death and when at last his heart was finally giving out, good fortune favored him, for unawares at night his captors where assaulted by Legolas and his company. Legolas was King Thranduil's son and Prince of Mirkwood. The Elven Company found Aragorn wretchedly trussed, in band and steel half suspended from his sore wrists at the back of a dark humid cave hewn into the mountains of Mirkwood. His naked and pale body had been cruelly flogged while his broad back and chest where pierced with small knives that had been cast at him in mockery. In his hip there was embedded a thick arrow shaft that had stayed his escape from his foes. His wounds were wet and livid for the Goblins had poured unto them the black and strong water from the infested stream of Mirkwood which later the drove the man senseless, in a deep sleep of agony and torment. Hastily, Legolas cut his bonds and taking pity on the man he did not yet know, he bore him back to his father's halls and in due time with great Elven skills the man's wounds were tended and his body and mind healed. During that time Legolas became very fond of the human and so did the human of the elf. It is said here, that Aragorn revealed to Legolas his verily lineage.

Thereafter, Aragorn with the aid of Legolas and a small company of elves sought Gollum in Northern parts of Mirkwood. Alas the creature was no where to be found and thence Aragorn decided to end his search for a while and thereafter he returned to Rivindell. Legolas with a small company of elves accompany Aragorn to the Eastern edge of the forest. Once there Aragorn bade a fond farewell to Legolas (not for the last time) and then he set forth to Rivindell.


Spring 3005:

Aragorn entered the Elven realm and for the first time he met Biblo. He revealed to him that he was Aragorn, the man that Elrond had spoken of him to the old Baggins for many times. But Bilbo called upon him as Dùnedain and ever from the day they met they where close friends. During his numerous stays in the Last Homely House he assisted Bilbo in his writing. And thereafter, when the year 3005 was old, Aragorn returned north on duty.


Autumn 3006:

Over six years had passed since Aragorn's departure from Rivindell and Gilraen seldom saw her son again, as he was away in many distant countries. On a time a messenger from the Grey Company brought Strider the bitter news informing him that his mother was not well and her life was dwindling.


3007:

Hence, Aragorn rode with haste to the house of his mother that lay in Eriador. She was utterly changed. Her face bore weariness and the ravages of toil. She told him that this would be their last parting, for she is aged and will anon pass to the halls of Mandos. She told him that she will not live to face the darkness that was spreading across Middle Earth. Aragorn tried to comfort her by telling her that there is still light beyond darkness and if so he will have her see it. But resentfully she replied to him:

"Onen i-Estel Edain, u-chebin estel anim."

"I gave hope to the Dùnedain, I kept none for myself"

By these words Gilraen meant that she can see neither light nor hope for the hope she ever had was her very son who one day may accept who and what he really is but alas he favored the life of a Dùnedain ranger. Aragorn tells her that he will come to visit her when the year is older but his mother bowed her head and said nothing. Aragorn left in great sorrow.

He passed into the North once again, to Annuminas and thither he found his twin Elven brothers. After some time Legolas also arrived unlooked for at dawn at Annuminas to spend some time with his human friend. Together in the company of Aragorn and his fellow Dùnedains they defended the Shire folk.

In the withering of the cold winter, grave news was again sent to the ranger from further South, telling him that his mother was nigh to death and will very soon fall into eternal sleep. Thus Aragorn in the company of his Elven brothers and Legolas, they set out and rode hastily to the house of his mother. They had covered but a small distance, when they where ambushed in the southmost foothills of Evendim by Warg Riders, leaving all of the company marred in blood and bruises. But Aragorn was the one who is severely hurt for the foes where sent hither to kill the leader of the Dùnedains. The elves bore him back to Annuminas and laid him on a bed. The man now remembered his mother s words ere he left her dwelling and only now he understood what she meant.

'My dear son this will be our last parting'

Aragorn became full of despair and he had no peace within him and the elves feared that lest Aragorn should depart, death would reach him swiftly. Thus Elladan cast a spell on his restless human brother and Aragorn reluctantly fell into sleep. They tended his wounds with utmost earnest but his injuries were far too grave and as days dragged on, the Dùnedan's condition worsened. Alas! Aragorn's life was ebbing away. Then on the fourth night, when the crescent moon was yet young and the stars twinkled proudly in the darkness of the night strange weariness took over the elves and they fell into sleep. And when they did great coldness embraced Aragorn's aching body and a voice called unto him by his high name. He alone was aroused from his slumber and there in the room he beheld the spirit of his beloved mother. She came to him on the day of her death and with the aid of the mighty Este, one of the Ainur, she healed his wounds and took away his pains. Then the spirit of his mother was taken away in the late winter breeze of the night, nigh to midnight. Great sorrow fell upon Aragorn and his heart was laden with utter sadness at his mother's passing and bowed his head and buried it in his hands and wept bitterly. Only then did the Elven brothers and Legolas stray out of their rest, when they heard the human's cries of discomfort. They gently laid him back on his bed and he told them what had happened, but they deemed that he was losing his wits and that his mind was wandering deeper into emptiness, until they removed his bandages and instead of a deadly wound, they only found a mere laceration and were astounded. Thereafter Aragorn lulled into a healing sleep, and in dreams he was soothed by Arwen Undomniel.

The day after, when the hour was broad, the body of Gilraen was brought to Aragorn's house. Thither was arranged her funeral and she was laid to rest by river Evendim. When all was over, Aragorn, kneeled by his mother's grave and stayed thither till the day waned and was silent.

Thus 'twas that Gilraen, daughter of Dòhael and Ivorwen and mother of the future King passed away ere the following spring of the year 3007 at the age of 100 years.

During the year that followed Aragorn with his companions and the Dùnedains patrolled the area of Eriador on a regular routine and in all they slew a great number of that relentlessly beset this realm. There greatest feat was set in Emyn Beriad (Tower Hills) where the three White Towers proudly stood. Aragorn, his Elven brother and Prince Legolas along with Halbarad and four and hundred Dùnedains vanquished one and thousand orcs and two and hundred Dunlands.


Summer 3008:

At a time Elladan and Elrohir were summoned to Rivindell while Legolas, after a abiding for over a year in the land of the Dùnedains, took leave of Aragorn and returned to his home in Mirkwood.


3009- 3017:

Gandalf reached Aragorn's house and gave him news concerning Gollum and the Ring, with the temporary aid of the wizard, Aragorn renewed his search for the creature, to the east of Hithaeglir, in the southern vales of Anduin, Dagorland and down to the Black Gates and to the Morgul vale that lay in the confines Mordor which led him into many deadly perils. Much danger and toil he had gone trough in all the years of his search for the task was a perilous one and all the East of Middle Earth was growing ever more treacherous and full of drear.