Aragorn felt his heart pound in his chest at Alcarohtarë's comment and watched as she looked him up over. He could sense Legolas tense beside him and resisted the urge to glance over at the other elf. Could she really see under this skin and see who was really in this elf's body? Alcarohtarë had only been about twenty-two when he had died and she was just starting to find herself. He noted that she had her mother's beauty and her deep blue eyes. She also seemed a bit more perceptive than her brother but that probably came from inheriting more from her mother's side of the family.

            "Who would that be, my lady?" he asked calmly and clasped his hands behind his back.

            "I know not but I should. It seems so obvious and yet I can not grasp it," she commented as her eyebrows furrowed slightly in concentration.

            "I am told that I remind many people of someone. Apparently I have a twin roaming these lands somewhere though I have not had the fortune of meeting him yet," Aragorn commented with a smile and glanced over at Eldarion.

            "Apparently so, Master Elf. So, brother, tell me what has angered you so," Alcarohtarë questioned and turned back to face her brother.

            "Renatus has just seen a Corsairs' ship a few miles down the river. He suggested that we send a small contingent of soldiers of about four or five to spy from the shores. It may be a scout ship hoping to see how prepared the city is against an attack," Eldarion informed her and turned to pace a few steps.

            "It is a good plan to have some idea of what number of soldiers they may be bringing. The city can not be caught unprepared or unaware; it could be disastrous. We need to know who we are fighting and how they fight so we may strike hard and swiftly at their heart," Alcarohtarë stated and Aragorn had to take notice of her knowledge.

            "I agree, sister. But the ship could be coming this way to trade with us. I do not want to put the city on alert and possibly offend the Corsairs into a war."

            "I do not believe that they are on their way to trade. They would have come in smaller ships and not the one that I saw on the river. This ship was also painted in black in hopes to hide in the shadows of the night; I believe it is a scout ship," Aragorn said again trying to keep the exasperation from his voice.

            Couldn't they see that he was trying to help them? He was struggling to hide his true nature and not reveal too much that may suggest who he really was. Did others have this much trouble convincing him of something when he was king? But back then Legolas wasn't opposing him every time he suggested something or made a decision. Legolas use to have the utmost respect for him but that was when he had been Aragorn, not Renatus. He was about to say just screw it all and tell them who he really was. But he wasn't going to do that; he knew he wouldn't. Aragorn almost wanted to rip his hair out and swear like a soldier. The kind of swearing the usually made Arwen smack his arm and admonish him.

            "Renatus does have a point, brother. His idea is something our father would have done."

            Aragorn saw Legolas' eyes narrow to slits at the woman's comment. Aragorn could have groaned out loud. He was really winning Legolas over now. This was becoming harder than he originally imagined.

            "If you do not wish to send any soldiers then I will go and check for myself. If I am wrong then it will be certain," he offered quickly and looked to each of them.

            "Go by yerself, laddie?" Gimli asked and leaned on his axe.

            "Yes, if no one is willing to go with me then I will go alone. I can not stand by and watch this kingdom fall to the Corsairs. I will not!" he snapped and started to walk out of the main hall.

            Aragorn made it to the end of the hallway when a call made him stop. Turning, he watched as Legolas jogged towards him with Gimli behind him. He waited for the Ithilien elf and the two stood there awkwardly as Legolas searched for the correct words.

            "If you do not mind, Renatus, Gimli and I would like to accompany you."

            Aragorn looked from Legolas to Gimli and wondered what he would have to put up with if they came with him. He knew that Legolas did not trust him in the least. Human Aragorn would have been suspicious also if he had been in the elf's position. He nodded in acceptance and waited as Legolas dashed back to his room to collect his weapons.

            "Ye be the first one I 'ave known ta be able ta do tha' ta him," Gimli supplied suddenly as Aragorn looked down at the dwarf.

            "And what is that, Master Dwarf?"

            "Well, second person, actually. Tha' first bein' Aragorn himself. He knew exactly which buttons ta push ta set tha' elf off. Only Aragorn could do it as quickly as you did."

            "What can I say? I have a talent of pushing people's buttons once I meet them. It has succeeded in creating a few enemies for myself when I am not careful," Aragorn commented as Legolas reappeared at the end of the hallway.

            "Ready, Master Elf?"

            Legolas nodded and Renatus lifted the hood to cover his head before pushing the door open. Rain lashed into the hallway as they filed out and shut the door behind them. They hurried to the stables and mounted to ride away from the citadel and down through the tiers. Gimli rode behind Legolas as he always did and Aragorn led them through the streets atop his own mount. The cloak shrouded him in shadows as Aragorn blinked the rain water from his eyes. He had to keep his distance from everyone in this city; both physically and emotionally. It would only be harder in the end when it was time for him to leave. He would have to bid them farewell again for a second time before slipping back into eternal sleep. His beloved Evenstar. Did she still walk with the living or has her body already been committed to the ground while her spirit wandered through Mandos' Halls?

            Aragorn pressed the hood back and tilted his head to feel the rain on his face, trusting the horse to find its own way. He remembered when Arwen and he danced in the rain once as king and queen. Arwen's laughter had caressed his senses then and the rain did it now. He yearned for his beloved and the sound of her laughter, the soft touch of her hands upon his face. Dropping his head, he glanced at the guards as they opened the final gates to leave Minas Tirith. Urging his horse into a gallop, Aragorn directed the animal towards the south passage through the Rammas Echor. The small expanse of the Pelennor Fields flew by them as the horses galloped on through the darkening night. The guards all ready had the gate open and they galloped through without pausing. They slowed as they entered the forest line and slipped between the trees and in and out of shadows. Aragorn slipped his hood up to cover his new silver hair and motioned for Legolas to do the same. It wouldn't be good if the Corsairs spotted their bright hair from the river and camp. Aragorn's new elven eyes saw deep into the shadows as he carefully guided his horse past the bad areas. Eventually stopping near the river, he swung off the horse and looped the reins over a branch. He heard Gimli muttering something about horses as Legolas helped him off before slipping off himself. He motioned towards lower river and Aragorn waved Legolas on to lead. Gimli was between them as Aragorn watched behind them. Ahead through the trees was a barely seen campfire or actually several small ones. Aragorn raised his eyebrows at their tactics. Building fires this close to the Minas Tirith was not the best idea if they intended to be stealthy. Perhaps they were really on a trading mission.

            Aragorn tapped Legolas' arm and motioned that he was going to wrap around the camp to the other side. Legolas nodded as Aragorn slowly moved away and climbed into the trees. He moved stealthily along through the trees tops and moved closer to the camps. His sensitive ears tuned into the numerous quiet conversations and quickly learned of their intent. They were a scout ship.

            "When are they supposed to get back? It has already been several hours."

            "They will get back after they finish their mission. We can ill afford any errors at this point. Not when we are so close."

            Aragorn listened a while longer but heard nothing else worth importance. Just as he was about to retreat into the deeper shadows he heard hurried footsteps and watched as three men hurried into the fire's circle of light.

            "Where have you three been?"

            "It took longer than we originally thought. That city is a lot bigger than it looks."

            "Did you accomplish your task?"

            "Yes. Each gate on the Rammas Echor has two guards and a fire signal to alert the other gates and the city. The Citadel Guards are always on their guard and are trained to be the best. There are always at least two of them within five yards of the king. If you are not known then you are escorted by a guard while you are in the Citadel the entire time. It will be hard to get near the king."

            "But if can be done."

            "Yes, it can. We can do it."

            Aragorn listened for longer but they had turned back to talking about Umbar. He carefully moved away and suddenly felt the branch under his foot break. Grabbing for any handhold, he fell noisily from the tree and landed hard on the ground. His breath was knocked out of him as he gasped for air before hearing footsteps running towards him. Struggling to his feet, he started to run with an arm wrapped around his abdomen. His feet lightly touched the ground as he leapt over logs while heading towards where they left the horses. Legolas and Gimli were already atop Arod waiting for him as he leapt onto his horse and they were off. Aragorn could feel the glares that Legolas was shooting him as they galloped on. Putting several furlongs between them and the camp, they slowed and came to a stop to face each other.

            "Would you like to explain how you fell out of a tree?" Legolas questioned calmly but Aragorn knew that it was only a mask to hide what Legolas was really feeling.

            "The branch I stepped on was far too weak and it broke under me. I could not find a hand hold, so I fell. That is it," Aragorn stated and turned his mount towards Minas Tirith.

            Legolas spun his horse and moved it to block Renatus' horse. He was angered that the other elf had endangered all three of them and given away their position. It was as if the elf really didn't care how he did things, just as long as it was done. Perhaps the elf fell on purpose to stop the Corsairs from revealing their entire plan. It did fit nicely with everything else that had been happening. Legolas' eyes narrowed suspiciously as he looked at the Lorien elf.

            "I know now your real reason for being here, Renatus, but know this. If I even feel a breath of malice towards King Eldarion then there will be no measure to how hard and how fast I will bring this battle to you."

            "And you had better open your elven eyes and actually start to see. You are playing in the big games up against things that you cannot comprehend and far out of your league. Know that it would be best to stay out of my way."

            Aragorn's eyes glinted dangerously through the falling rain to glare at Legolas. Why did the Ithilien elf have to oppose him on every step? He didn't remember Legolas being so stubborn when they met new people. Legolas nudged his horse closer to Renatus' mount and tried to see behind the Lorien elf's façade.

            "What are you hiding, Renatus? I see it lurking behind your eyes. Pacing back and forth like a caged animal, yearning to be released. What is it that you hide so passionately?" Legolas questioned softly and searched Renatus' face.

            Aragorn looked into Legolas' eyes and wanted to tell him. Oh how he wanted to tell his friend. The words were right there. All he had to do was say the words. It was so simple and easy. Gimli was also watching him, waiting for him to say something. Aragorn squeezed his eyes shut and pressed a hand against his arrow wound. It wasn't hurting but the dull pain kept everything in perspective for him. Finding his resolve again, Aragorn lifted his head and opened his eyes again.

            "What I hide is my concern, not yours. My reasons are my own. Once the Corsairs are dealt with and the kingdom is calm again then I shall take my leave. Until then, I will be everywhere."

            Aragorn held his friend's gaze for a moment longer before guiding his mount around Arod. He rode slowly back towards Minas Tirith with his head bowed under the hood. Legolas and Gimli were somewhere behind him but he was past caring. It was raining, he was wet, he was sore, and he just learned that the Corsairs were to attempt an assassination on his son. His first day back on Middle-Earth and it wasn't turning out to be his best day, even compared to when he was a human. He was just plain miserable at that moment. He rode his horse through the gate at Rammas Echor while Legolas stopped and spoke with the guards for a moment and gave them a warning to be on the watch out. He waited when they were finished and continued to ride on still with a few yards between them.

            Gimli leaned around Legolas slightly to look at the other elf's hunched back. He had quietly watched the exchange between the two elves and felt no need to intervene. Legolas' body was tense and rigid as the dwarf gripped the elf's waist. Legolas' eyes bore into Renatus' back as they rode; his opinion of Renatus was constantly changing to adapt to each new experience. He still didn't trust Renatus and would keep a close eye on the Lorien elf. He watched as Renatus looked up to the sky and stared at the bright stars that could be seen through the occasional break in the clouds. The elf suddenly looked as though he had the weight of the whole world upon him. Legolas remembered that Aragorn occasionally looked like that when he recalled who he really was; when his destiny weighted heavily upon him as well as expectations from those around him. Aragorn would become quiet and brood alone over the blood that ran through his veins. It would take the human a day or two to get over his dark mood. Legolas nudged his horse faster to catch up to Renatus and rode beside the elf in silence for a few moments.

            "How does you arrow wound fare?"

            Aragorn looked over at Legolas and glanced down at his hand where it was pressed against his wound.

            "Aches a bit but not terribly. Morrow it shall be gone and is in the past," he said quietly and shrugged his shoulders.

            "How well did you know Aragorn?" Legolas asked softly as Aragorn turned his gaze forward.

            "Well enough. He spoke of you often and of your friendship. He often considered you as a type of idol or mentor."

            "He did?"

            "Yes, he felt extremely close to you and would do anything for you. He once told me that a good friend will stand in harms' way for you if you ask it. And a great friend will do the same without being asked to. He considered you to be one of the greatest friends a person could ever hope for."

            "I thought the same about him. It grieved me deeply when he passed," Legolas commented softly and stared off into the distance.

            "And you still grieve for him."

            "He and I shared a friendship that was built very deep by events we both participated in. I miss his friendship greatly."

            "I am sure that wherever he is, he misses you also. He would not want you to grieve so sharply for him."

            Both turned to look at Gimli as the dwarf smothered a sniffle. He roughly wiped his eyes as Legolas smiled.

            "Are you alright, Gimli?"

            "Aye, somethin be in me eye."

            They laughed out loud while nudging their horses into a canter as they neared the main gates and rode up through the first tier on their way to the Citadel.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Drinks for everyone! The new chapter to Reborn Warrior is here! YEAH! I am so happy! This chapter just seems to pop up out of nowhere and here it is. Legolas line of: 'If I even feel a breath of malice towards King Eldarion then there will be no measure to how hard and how fast I will bring this battle to you' came from the previews of Bourne Supremacy with Matt Damon. Can not wait till the movie comes out. Well, I hope you are happy with it, or at least as much as I am. So, please review for me and give me your opinion. I love to read about them. So, until next update.

Linuvial Greenleaf- How is my dear beta slave doing? I hope you are doing well. My creativity just seems to be flowing from everything and everywhere around me. I am almost drowning in it I think. I like it really hot. Yummy.

Neoinean- can be such a pain in the rear end at times. Extremely annoying I find it. I am very glad that you are enjoying the story so much. I am still debating on whether Aragorn will reveal himself or not. It is so hard (wails). The others will start to collect the pieces and pierce them together but it is a hard tale to believe. Reincarnation is not unheard of but it is unlikely.

Roccovende- Is it a really bad thing that I am enjoying that? Heehee, this story is just taking off without me; I am just along for the ride. The idea was actually born several months ago while I was in college. I was talking to Linuvial Greenleaf and she needed a new story idea and this one just came to me while I was asleep that night and I pitched it to her the next time I talked to her. She said that she did not want to take the idea away from me so I started to play with it and it just started to evolve on its own. And here it is. And I am so proud of it.

Cloud-123- Corsairs were the only 'bad guys' that were still around when Eldarion was king so they were what I had to work with. Really hope it worked. Legolas and Aragorn just seem to be clashing in every direction. I think it is funny.

LOTRFaith- This fic is just going to be full of mental and emotional pain all the way through. I am still not sure about how I will do the ending but I have faith that I will write it well. Not sure how I will handle it from Eldarion's point of view but oh well. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Wolf Jade- I know I hate it when I have to wait so long to read the next chapter to a really good story so I try to write as quickly as I can. Sometimes I run into writer's block and it takes me a while longer. You are really making me blush over here with that compliment. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Viviana- I am blushing like a lobster over here. Thank you so much for the compliment. Aragorn and Arwen will not see each other again…well probably not in the way that you are thinking. I have a small bit planned out of what I would like to write but it will not come for a good while.

Got-lotr- No computer access? (shrieks in horror) That is almost a four letter curse word. Well almost…okay, maybe not. Hope you can get to your cousins' place often enough.

Elven Kitten- Thank you for the compliment. There will probably be lots of places where they almost discover it but do not. And then almost…and not. Heehee, I am so bad.

Grumpy- Aragorn is just being torn in two directions at once. So amusing. Arwen would have smacked him if he decided to go to Arwen and not Eldarion. Women are so…funny like that. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Beling- This early in the story I would never had let Legolas catch out. It will continue to nag him continuously and I will have so much fun with it. Sometimes you just want to smack Legolas, do you not? The grief of losing your husband/wife can make you do some strange things. And her children were grown and adults so I guess she figured that they could handle things without her. I am so happy that I have intrigued and captivated you with this story. I am honored beyond belief. Till next update.

Elvendancer- It really is a funny thought. I rarely roll around on the floor, at least not intentionally. I use to dance a really long time ago but I stopped dancing to devote my time to horses and I never looked back. Still burn up the dance floor at dance clubs or parties. I have just noticed that a lot of guys know nothing about dancing well. Have you seen 'Along Came Polly'? That dance scene between Aniston and the gay latino, oh my god. I so want a guy who can dance like that. Yummy.

Kalquelle- Right now Aragorn/Renatus and Legolas have a strained respect of each other right now. They are going to be civil to each other around Eldarion and in public. If you ever need another beta reader then I am right here ready for it. I love helping other authors. I would be honored to read over your story, mellonin.

Dha-Gal- Where have you been lately hon? I have not heard anything from you in a while on IM. I really wanted to smack Elladan over the head when I read your chapter. I have to admit that I got a bit confused when I read your review but it was fun. Until next update.

Elysia of Corellia- Oh…my…god. That was a really long review. Wow. That is really long. But I love long reviews! Personally, I would have drug my sibling off the computer if I knew there was a good Author's Alert on there and I could not get to it. I would have. My brother probably would have carried me out of the room but at least I tried. Now I finally know who Carcharoth is. Heehee, Carcharoth sounds cute! Awwwww, how cute. I hope you had a good time in Mexico. What was it like? Mexico is one of the few places that I have not been too. Not really sure if I want to go there either. Oh well, maybe when I get a bit older. You are right, Aragorn needs better training. He must have forgotten what Arwen trained him when they were married. Heehee. Legolas' brain is just going off the deep end with the reasons for Renatus' purpose of being there. You just really want to smack him. Now would they really stay away from the Corsairs? I will give you three guesses but you are only going to need one. NO! They will run head first into danger like they always do. Why? Because they are men; plain and simple. Did this chapter get here under the deadline of two weeks? I hope so. I really do not know anymore when I put up the last chapter. I just write and post.

Kelly Kragen- I am really brightly blushing over here. Thank you so much for the compliment. Aragorn can tell someone who he is but he has decided not to because he knows of the pain it would cause when he left again. OH! While I was writing this I just thought of the best way that Legolas will finally out! Crap! I have to write that down (scurries off to scribble on a spare piece of paper). Okay, written down now. I get a box of chocolates? YEAH! I love chocolate, even though I really should not be eating it. But oh well.