Disclaimer: I do not own Elrond, Gilraen, Aragorn(Estel), Elladan, Arathorn, Elrohir, or Imladris.
Even though it was more towards day than night, the elf stood and waited. He was waiting for one he had foolishly hoped would never arrive. Approaching horses broke the silence. Three horses came to a stop in front of him. Two figures remained mounted while one jumped down and came to stand before him.
"Arathorn has been slain this night, and as agreed upon, I bring you his son. Aragorn is his name and mighty is his heritage." She proudly handed Elrond the sleeping child.
"Nay, that name is not safe for him, even within the boundaries of Imladris. From this hour forth he must be called by name other than his own, and his mighty heritage shall be concealed. For him I have chosen Estel."
"Aye, tis apt that name as he is the hope for mankind. Yet when will he know his own and true name. For how long will he be denied his legacy, his very future?"
"Til manhood he reaches, I will keep him unawares, and therefore, safe."
"Never to know of father and mother," she stated sorrowfully.
"In Arathorn's stead I pledge myself. I will love him as I love my own sons, sitting there behind you, and he will be as a brother to them. As for mother, he will not know your name, but will be told of the great love you have for him. He will know of the willing sacrifices you've made borne of that love."
"Not all sacrifices are willing my Lord Elrond. My greatest desire is now to snatch my child from your arms and leave here. To find a place where we can live in peace and damned be the consequences."
"You know as well as I that peace is not to be found easily in Middle Earth these days."
"I know," she acknowledged, "and well also I know that they will search for him here. No secret it was that the twin sons of Elrond rode with Arathorn."
"It will be let known that Arathorn was killed , and with him, his son. Two funeral chants must you sing. Two burial mounds must you mourn over. A small lie for a greater cause."
"And yet, not a lie. For my husband is slain and in your arms is no longer my son but only an elven fosterling."
"Lady Gilraen, we must go, for soon will Arathorn's passing be noted," one of the twins said. She nodded and took her child back from Elrond.
"One last touch. One last kiss. One last time as my son." He opened his eyes and smiled sleepily up at her. With a small cry she thrust him back into Elrond's arms.
"Only that could cause my heart to weep. Truly I feel as the arrow that felled my husband has now found its deepest mark. I go now to the seclusion that is my fate." With a slight bow, she turned and walked back to her horse. She grabbed the reins to pull herself up.
"Mama," a voice cried out, and stilled her movement. After the briefest of moments, she jumped onto her horse.
"Mama, Mama, Mama," Estel cried out, trying to squirm out of Elrond's grasp. She walked her horse closer and looked down at him, securely in Elrond's arms.
"You'd do better to cry for your father little one, for your mother no longer exists for you," she told him, as tears started to flow freely down her cheeks. Without another word she turned and left, followed closely by Elladan and Elrohir.
"Mama," came one last faint cry.
"Farewell and farewell my son," she cried back to him and continued on without looking back.