AUTHOR'S NOTE: In this chap. I decided I wanted to show another side of Aragorn we do not see when he is with Arwen and such. But I want to thank everyone for reading my story! It's always enjoyable to read someone's review and what they have to say :). I realised this was going to be quite a long story, so hang in there! I also realised it will be very difficult to write the end :(. You all know what I mean. So enjoy this next ch.!!

Orcs began to multiply and trouble villages and people dwelling near the Misty Mountains. The Dúnedain became aware of this even before the people knew it was an issue for it was their own kin and families that were beleaguered. Sauron had a passionate hate for the Númenórean descendants that had done more damage to him than any other race since the Elves of the First Age, so his mighty will that drove his minions lead the orcs in the North to also hate the Edain almost as much as Elves.

Aragorn first knew of the new wave of attacks that were about to rise, and he commanded the Rangers all around Eriador to be aware and seek them out before anything happened. They were unwise to contend with such a skilled battle leader. He himself journeyed near the North Downs by Fornost of old, but came swiftly to the Misty Mountains where he knew some of the Rangers' wives and children dwelt for all the Dúnedain were scattered throughout the lost realm of Arnor.

He reached the base of the mountains at night when the sun had already set. The moon was veiled in a haze of clouds and the many trees created long shadows upon the earth. Aragorn felt no weariness for he was an enduring Ranger of the North who slept and ate little in the Wild. He continued to move over the land to find the first of the homes he knew of. It was situated in a small wood that climbed the mountainside, hidden from sight and near a cool mountain stream running down from the high places.

He knew even Edain women were wary and watchful at need as Rangers, so he made sure he was seen openly when he approached a wood-and-stone dwelling. He turned when he saw a woman in the shadows holding a long sword. To other eyes she could not be glimpsed in the dark so easily, yet Aragorn's sight was keen and sharp.

"You may show yourself," he said.

She stepped out of the trees and leaned on the glinting sword. It was newly sharpened. "Forgive me. I supposed you were of my kin, yet in these days I'm none too careful." She had pale eyes that glistened in the shadows and dark hair that hung braided down her back.

"That is well. I bring urgent word that Orcs have been showing their faces more of late, and in this area. Keep all of your children and everyone else inside at night as you are now."

"Yes, I saw one not but three days gone; alone, yes, but not for long. I would have slain him, yet I feared there were others nearby. We are keeping a guard on the land about us," she whispered. "The Dúnedain are vigilant; they will not catch us at unawares."

"That is not what worries me, for I indeed know of the courage in Edain women, but it is their numbers I wonder about. They also know of our strength in battle, so they will attack or raid in great force if they can."

She nodded and the forming wrinkles in her pale skin creased her face as she frowned slightly. "We are ready for whatever may happen. My two children have learnt much now," she said glancing towards the home, its windows dark. She sheathed her sword and again looked at Aragorn. "Would you care to come inside, Ranger, where it is warmer?"

"I would, yet I must move on tonight."

"The others are warned for I sent word to them at once, all that dwell here in the mountains. I would feel better if you spoke to me of the latest word. There is nothing more you can do this night for the others."

He thought silently for a moment. "If you wish it." He was wondering if she actually wished someone else to be there in case a band of orcs did come. The way she looked around in the trees' shadows confirmed his thought, though her stern face did not belie her true feelings of dread. They entered silently into her home, and Aragorn was again reminded of how diminished his people were. They once had all dwelt in houses of stone or great mansions across the Sea in abundant wealth and contentment; then had mighty fortresses and high towers in Middle-earth before their downfall. One day...it would be as it once was in days of prosperity and peace. He again vowed to complete his test if only to aid the Dúnedain whom he loved.

He had been standing as shrouded stone with his body erect and eyes shining in deep thought for a long moment. The Edain woman was amazed at how kingly he stood, his head nearing the ceiling for it was not high.

"My lord?" she said quietly. He looked down then upon her and she knew at once. "My Lord Aragorn! Is it really you?"

He smiled slightly and bowed. "Yes, it is I."

"Forgive me, I did not know for not all have seen your face, but all have heard the name of Aragorn son of Arathorn and are glad. You have brought us much honour for you are the most respectable lord we have yet had. I myself am pleased to have you here."

"Thank you," said Aragorn. "I am honoured to be in your home."

"I am Míriel daughter of Túrin. What news from the North?"

He told her of the troubles with the Orcs and what she should do so that at least one family would be prepared. It was not much, yet all they could really do was to flee their home to hide.

"Thank you, my lord," she said curtsying slightly in her dark woollen skirts. "Now I may rest better."

"For that I am glad. May the Valar keep you all." Aragorn departed as the moon was high in the dark heavens still obscured by the clouds scattered there. He moved swiftly through the wood, over an open vale in the mountains, and came to the stream that flowed over the dark rocks of the earth. Its tumbling song of sweet melodies brought to his mind thoughts of Rivendell where the water sprung out of the earth singing most beautifully.

Since the others had warning of the Orcs, he decided to remain in the area to search them out before they moved. He thought to look for strongholds higher in the mountains where they brooded in darkness. The next hour or so, Aragorn waited to do so by journeying in the vicinity of the Edain dwellings though he never neared enough to see them.

When he was returning to where he first had been, harsh cries split the night's silence. "Oh no..." Aragorn felt dread creep upon him when he realised the sound was from the direction of Míriel's home whom he had spoken to. He sprang away through the trees, over the slopes, and as swiftly as a bird flying overhead. The shouts of cold, merciless voices pushed him as they grew louder. A band of orcs had moved out of their hiding to attack and raid those they could find.

Aragorn rushed on until flickering flame washed his face in orange light up ahead. The Valar save them. Fires were burning and he hoped their home was not yet destroyed, but even more that the woman and her two children were safely away.

Suddenly an orc appeared before him looking a bit surprised. Aragorn swept out his sword, a great glimmering arc preceding the orc's swift death. Its dark blood stained the earth as he moved on with blade in hand. Now he could see the dwelling: it was not burning but all that was kept outside was alight as well as some of the trees about. Dark, hideous figures rushed about in a flurry of excitement, and their harsh, guttural tongue could be heard plainly as they shouted and jeered.

If the Orcs had challenged the Valar in the West after slaying hundreds of fair Elves and ravaging all that was beautiful in Middle-earth, they would have awoken no greater wrath as they had now for Aragorn had heard the screams of children as they were thrown to the ground after attempting to flee into the night. There were two orcs who looked down upon the young boy and his even younger sister with gleaming teeth and sharpened swords.

There was a drop from the slope coming down to the cleared area where Aragorn was rushing down. Like a shadow it came upon them and leaped from the overhanging knocking them to the ground. He had slain them in the fall and stood now, a looming figure that struck fear into their black hearts. The boy held his sister and felt hope return as their protector stood ready for the Orcs that were about them. Slowly he turned to challenge to approach with eyes aglow in the firelight. The Orcs quailed at the sight of the strange man who had so suddenly appeared out of the night, and took a long moment to gain enough hatred to charge him. Swift as a serpent he blocked their heavy blows and guarded the children with all his skill.

"Keep back," he called to the boy and girl as he swept the head from an orc after regaining his blade from one's stomach. They could not break him or near the guarded ones for his passion was terrible to behold. One by one they fell never to rise again. The rest fled for fear of the Ranger of the North, letting out wretched cries of defeat as they hastened away.

Aragorn saw that no more were left to fight, and he swiftly knelt before the Edain children trembling with fright. Their large grey eyes were shining with fear and they still held tightly to one another. He laid a hand on the boy's cheek and the other on the girl's head of dark hair.

"Are you all right?" he asked gently.

The boy shuddered. He could only be seven or eight years of age by his appearance. "Yes, my lord."

Aragorn gave a sigh of relief and opened his arms to them. "Come! We must find your mother." The little girl rushed into his arms without hesitation and her brother followed close. He lifted them in each arm, and asked if they knew where their mother had gone or if she was safe.

"I think...I think they killed her," sobbed the girl. She buried her head in his shoulder. Aragorn felt a sharp pain flicker in his heart, and he hurried with them to search for her. It did not take long for she sat slumped against the stone of her dwelling with a long gash in her leg and another on her shoulder. Aragorn feared she surely was slain until she stirred there upon the hard ground. He set the children down and rushed to her side.

"Míriel, awaken. The shadows are fled." She did not open her eyes. He laid a hand upon her brow as he closed his eyes.

Soon after she slowly lifted her blue eyes to his face. "Lord Aragorn...you have returned," she whispered. Blood was on her lips.

"Yes, and I must tend to you for time is against us. Lie still." The boy and his sister watched as he began his work, whispering in elvish, cleansing the wounds, and washing her brow. "Drink this," he said after he had crushed athelas into some clean water. Míriel did with his help, and colour returned to her pale cheeks. It was then that the twilight of dawn blanketed them in a soft, grey light as the fires burnt out and did not spread further through the trees.

"The fires of evil are quenched by your light," she smiled.

Aragorn stopped what he was doing and met her gaze. "If only it was enough to destroy it all." He wrung the cloth he had used. "You need to stay somewhere else tonight with your children. Do you have a horse?"

"They put it loose," said the boy where he sat with his knees drawn up to his chest. "He may be dead even after all this."

Aragorn sighed. "I should have stayed."

"No, all is well," said Míriel. "You have done much already."

Aragorn went into the forest and whistled a long piercing note. Soon afterwards, a slender horse came trotting towards him. He saddled it, helped the woman on, and accompanied them to another homestead deeper in the forest.

When they arrived an older man came out to greet them after spotting the horse from a distance. They were taken in immediately, yet the children lingered for a moment outside.

"Thank you, my lord," said the boy looking up at Aragorn.

He knelt to his height. "You are most welcome, lad. What is your name?"

"Húrin," he looked down at his sister, "and this is Elenna. We owe you our lives. We would have been slain if you had not come."

"You owe me nothing for you already have reminded me of whom I protect...and why." They embraced him once more before he departed those lands never to see them again, but the memory of him remained ever in their hearts.

Arwen was in good spirit and she greeted the Lord Elrond warmly one day when she saw him.

"Ah, Arwen," said Elrond. "You were not at the noon meal."

"Yes, I felt no need for refreshment today," she said. "All I had need of was to contemplate and be at ease."

He smiled slightly and nodded. "Of course. Many of my days are such it seems when you have so much time in your grasp, but I am afraid I have not time to stay with you now for I must speak of important things with a guest that has arrived. He has much to tell."

"That is well. Who is this guest you speak of?" Arwen asked.

Elrond smiled slightly. "It is Mithrandir."

"Mithrandir? May I accompany you to meet with him?" she asked Elrond eagerly.

He nodded and said, "It is well with me, and he will not mind at all. He is quite the curious wizard and enjoys the company of any Elf; especially a child of the Lord Elrond."

Elrond and Arwen entered into a room where there sat a stooping man who appeared aged like the eldest of Men with long grey hair and beard. His eyes sparkled like dark stars, and his thin lips seemed as though quick to smile. He was puffing on a long carved pipe that looked of elven make, yet Elves never smoked so she knew it must have been a special gift to Mithrandir. Arwen had met him once before many long years ago, when there had been a meeting of the White Council, getting on well with him at once and him with her.

He turned his head as he puffed out a smoke ring and smiled warmly. "Ah, Elrond. There you are. I have been waiting for you for some time now," he chuckled. His voice was low and slightly guttural but soothing to the ear. His expression changed when he saw the Evenstar standing beside Elrond for there was surprise in his eyes. Gandalf stood slowly to greet her.

"Gandalf, Arwen had returned to Imladris at last and wished to see you," said Elrond.

Gandalf smiled again and bowed over Arwen's hand. "In all my travels I've still never seen one so lovely, Arwen. It's a wonder even the Elves could keep silent of you for there is no talk of you in lands of Men. Now what of you? I have not seen your face for too long," he said taking her hand. His was quite warm.

Arwen smiled and said, "Well, there is little to tell, my friend, or not enough to interest you. Elrond shall have his chance to speak with you; but what of you, Gandalf?"

Gandalf chuckled and they all sat near the high balcony that looked out over much of Rivendell. "I suppose I shall begin in the telling, fair maiden. We have plenty of time while I am here." Long they sat there listening to the enchanting words of Gandalf the Grey who told of who he had spoken to on his journeys, where he had stayed in different lands, and what had happened in the time he was absent. Arwen paid closer attention when she heard him mention Aragorn's name, and she knew Gandalf would eventually realise the connection between them if she did not mention it herself.

"That is all I have to tell," he said finally when the sun began its descent into the West. "I can say no more." Arwen laughed softly. "Such a strange thing that has happened here in such dark days, now a light shines through the shadows. We have surely been blessed with your presence. Your coming signals the beginning of great things."

Arwen felt discomfited by his compliments. "I thank you, Gandalf. You are indeed much too generous with your words and a wonderful friend."

He chuckled once again. "And I thank you, Arwen," He paused gazing at her with his dark eyes brimming with an ancient wisdom. "I was going to talk with Master Elrond here, yet I ask you to stay for I would much desire to hear your thoughts. I understand if you wish to leave us now so as not to hear the troubles of the world."

"They do not worry me for no longer shall I allow the Shadow to darken my spirit, Gandalf. Only if Middle-earth falls to darkness will I feel the despair of wickedness fall upon me as it had once before. Never again."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Master Elrond, I shall stay here a little while. It has been long since I was in Rivendell and seen such easing beauty. I also have a great need to put my thoughts in order, so perhaps we shall speak later," said Gandalf.

"Of course. I shall leave you here order your thoughts for I also have things to tend to briefly. Arwen, will you come with me then?"

She looked at Elrond and back to Gandalf, then smiled slightly at Elrond. "Of course. I shall speak with you at another time perhaps?"

Gandalf nodded. "Indeed. I look forward to our time together." He watched as the mighty Elf-lord departed with his fair and noble daughter at his side in resplendent brilliance. He had made many journeys with Aragorn and had slowly determined that there was a deep, special place in his heart for the daughter of Elrond, Master of Rivendell. A slight smile appeared on his lips as he leaned back with his pipe.