Chapter 16
Understanding Destiny
Legolas sat silently on the windowsill, staring aimlessly out into the beautiful forest. It had been hours since Aragorn had left with Elrond and despite the knowledge that he knew the elf lord would keep both of them perfectly safe, Aragorn's behavior as of late frightened him and he was worried. He wished he knew what he could do to help, to heal, but he just didn't know. All he could be was a support and a friend, secretly praying that he would know what to do when called upon and that everything would turn out all right in the end.
His sharp ears caught the sounds of a familiar step and turned his head from the trees to the door just in time to see the handle turn and the wood creak open. The person slipped inside but within the doorway froze a moment, not expecting to be caught so quickly.
Yet even caught by surprise as he was, the figure walked as purposefully as physically possible into the room before Legolas could even react.
The prince jumped down from the windowsill but did not move from where he landed, for he was quickly left without room. He knew the person walking in, but the manner in which he had done so was so unlike how he had been acting lately that for a moment Legolas was taken aback.
The man stopped, unsure now what to do. He had not treated his friend or his brothers in the gratitude-filled way that he should have. He had shut himself off from them, lost and confused at every turn of events. Would they forgive him of his wrongs?
"Estel?" Legolas' voice was filled with wonder and no small amount of awe. What had Elrond done to bring about such a change? There was no darkness in the young man's gaze, only traces of weariness remained now that would most certainly fade with time.
The tone of Legolas' voice was all it took. Choking on the lump in his throat, Aragorn closed the distance between them and wrapped the prince deeply into his arms. He opened his mouth to speak, but found that he could not as a repressed sob escaped him instead. He hadn't realized until that moment he had been just as afraid of losing the prince as he had remaining in Ralorn's clutches... no, worse. Sorrow more severe than anything he had ever felt seemed to echo and vibrate through his touch, very clear to the one whom he held.
Legolas was shocked by the contact and it took him the briefest of moments to respond, gathering the man tightly into his arms. Painfully accustomed now to the near unresponsiveness of his friend, it greatly surprised him to see Aragorn so badly shaken... but yet himself again.
"Estel? What's wrong?"
Aragorn tightened his arms around his friend. "Forgive me Legolas. I am so sorry for the way I have treated you... so sorry..." the last of his apology was cut off as the tears fell from his eyes, as he hunched his shoulders and willed his friend to listen to him.
"Estel..." Legolas pulled the man away from him, catching his shoulders and forcing the ranger to look him in the eyes. His gaze was deep and piercing as he searched his friend's soul.
Aragorn took the unflinching gaze as one of disapproval and tried to shift out of the prince's grasp. He knew he did not deserve his old friend's forgiveness. Did not deserve it, but oh, he wished for it with every breath he took. He loved and cared about the elf, he wanted to be worthy of the other's trust. Rejection was something Aragorn knew he did not want to see come into his friend's eyes, it would tear him apart. Quickly, he turned toward the door.
Legolas easily halted the man's attempted retreat and again locked his gaze with Aragorn's now tear-lined one. Wanting to be doubtless, he searched for any sense of unease, any madness, any fear, any gut-wrenching hurt. His gaze softened as he could only find pleading and the smallest trace of the pain he had once been consumed with. Estel was back, Elrond had cured him. Somehow, miraculously, Legolas was again seeing the silver eyes he knew so well, filled with every sense of life once more.
"Forgive you for what, mellon nin?" his voice was slightly rough. "For searching to find peace? You have no need of forgiveness from me for that." Legolas smiled, really smiled, brushing the backs of his fingers against his friend's cheek. He was so relieved Aragorn was all right, his face filled with joy.
Aragorn's eyes widened at the quickly garnered response and the unspoken acceptance, knowing immediately that he was forgiven. But how could that be? "You've forgiven me?" he whispered, amazed that he had been accepted so easily. "Why?"
Legolas sighed, but the smile did not leave his face. "Because you mean more to me than your actions... actions that were not entirely of your making. And I made a promise, did I not?" he repeated the words of that night in the mountains. "I will not leave you. I will never leave you."
"Legolas," Aragorn again pulled his friend against himself. "Thank you... for understanding."
"And thank you Estel, for holding true."
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When Aragorn limped into the stables, he noticed first the sweet, encompassing smell of fresh hay and the even stronger scent of the horses. He walked slowly through the main walkway, bypassing the stalls, allowing himself to be guided with one hand on the stall doors. The aging yet sturdy rafters had remained the same for many, many years, and the familiarity of it was soothing to the man.
Several horses, sensing a new being in their midst, poked their heads out over their doors and eyed this man with curiosity. Some even nickered as he walked past, recognizing him by both stature and smell. The ranger smiled, patting some as he walked past.
Upon reaching a particular stall, Aragorn hesitated and looked over the door, for no horse had come forward. He noted that this door looked newer, as was the latch holding it closed. Folding his arms and leaning forward over the wooden door, he gazed fondly at the stallion within. Curled up on the ground and nestled deep in his bedding, one leg stark white with bandages against his deep chestnut color, Tole lay dozing.
Sliding the latch aside, Aragorn entered the stall. Tole's ears cocked forward at the sound of an approaching presence, but made no real effort to defend himself for he knew he was safe. His front leg, severely injured by Mayroniel, had been cleaned up, cared for, and bound. Though it was no longer deadly, it still gave the stallion great pain and as of yet Tole had made no attempt to leave his stall to venture outside. Content for now to recover and relax, he had simply been waiting for a special visitor he knew would come.
Tole lifted his head and nickered as Aragorn approached and with difficulty knelt to the ground. Finding no words to express what was in his heart; Aragorn settled down at Tole's head and wrapped his arms around the stallion's neck, stroking him gently. Tole grunted happily and let his head settle into the ranger's lap, overjoyed that his chosen had come at last.
Aragorn sat with him for a long time, not speaking, not needing to. He let his hands stroke and rub down the stallion's face, ears, neck, and shoulder. Occasionally he leaned forward far enough to bury his face against Tole's warm neck, savoring and taking in the sweet smell that was unlike any other in the world to him.
"Ai Tole," he finally whispered, fighting back tears that fell anyway. "I don't know what I would have done without you. You saved my life boy. You saved my life."
Tole only nickered, a strong sigh rippling through his body, his dark brown eyes deep and loving, as though he had understood every word.
"He was only returning the favor."
Aragorn looked up at the new voice and quickly recognized Elrohir now leaning over the stall door, a length of rope coiled over his shoulder and a small black herb sack in his hand. The elf twin smiled at the scene in front of him before he too entered the stall.
"When he finally got back home with Gowen, that leg would barely hold him up. Ilúvë feared he would go lame..." Elrohir stroked the stallion's side with a gentle, sad smile on his face as he recounted the unease of the head overseer of the stables. "Another few miles probably would have. But the Valar have been watching over you, faithful one." He whispered to the horse. "They have heard the call of your heart." For a few days Tole's future had been uncertain, yet now he lived with the promise that soon he would be able to run again like before.
Carefully unwrapping Tole's bandage Elrohir expertly inspected the healing wound, and with a gentle hand, opened the herb bag he had brought with him and spread its contents over the wound. Slowly, Tole's leg relaxed as the painkiller did its work. The horse sighed again.
Still not ready to let go of his stallion, Aragorn looked up at his older brother, his eyes full of pain but no darkness as there had been before. "Elrohir, I-"
"Don't." Elrohir cut him off, his voice and eyes firm. "Don't even say it. There is nothing to forgive, little brother." Voice softening, Elrohir scooted closer and wrapped his arms around the man. "You have nothing to be ashamed of."
Aragorn neither flinched nor pulled away from Elrohir's embrace, something that surprised both he and his brother a little, yet something they were both very happy to have happen again.
"Thank you Elrohir," Aragorn said softly, his grey eyes dancing again. "Thank you for knowing."
Elrohir touched his cheek with the same sad smile on his fair face, knowing still that there was much left to be done. "I fear another will not be so easy. His heart is torn, Estel." Elrohir said to him. "Find him, and make it whole."
"What must I do?" Aragorn asked, unsure. Elrohir only shook his head and smiled before placing his hand over the man's heart.
"Listen to this. It brought you home, it helped you heal and whether you admit it or not, you have the touch of a healer inside. It is that that discovers the paths of healing in others as well." He stroked Tole once more, and then stood. "The herbs will make him a little drowsy. You should be safe to leave him now."
And with that, as though the conversation had been nothing more than a few comments about the weather, Elrohir adjusted the rope on his shoulder and disappeared beyond the stall door, a merry twinkle in his eyes.
Aragorn shook his head and carefully shifted Tole's head out of his lap and back into the soft hay bedding. Tole barely noticed. Already so far gone to sleep that the herbs Elrohir had given him had little effect in the end. Silently Aragorn passed through the stall door and slid the lock shut, appraising the stallion one last time before leaving in search of his other older brother.
As he listened and glanced at each passing stall, the ranger tried to think through what he would say. Elladan always took things harder, more personally, then he ever should. It was wearying to the very core when thinking just how Elladan may have taken the past three days and the last contact they had had, even after all that he had already done. He needed to make the elder twin understand... he was free in the mercy of his brother, not pained in the wrongs of him.
Aragorn knew Elladan heard him long before the ranger discovered him. Surely, how could he not? The ranger shook his head. He should have known Elladan would have been with the mares. Unlike his twin he had always preferred them to the stallions, and it was one of the things that set him and Elrohir apart.
"Elladan?" leaning up against a stall doorway, he kept one hand on the latch in preparation to enter.
The elder twin slowly turned from his mare, keeping the brush in his hand and giving his human brother a hurt but calm look. The very sight of it broke the diplomatic gaze Aragorn was trying to give him, his grey eyes turning pained.
Aragorn was sure that he knew how to talk to Elladan; had put it together until what he wished to say was clear to him. But he was not prepared for his brother to act as though he had shut him out. Words of an apology he had not thought of previously tumbled from his lips.
"Elladan, I'm so sorry."
Elladan turned away, not trusting his voice as of yet, and in a therapeutic way began to brush his horse again, his hand loose but consistent in the patterns it knew so well. The elf shut his eyes as he did so. He was hurt, but not in the way Aragorn thought he was.
Aragorn was not easily thrown off, but though he wished that he could just leave the stables and do nothing more, there were things he needed to say. Whether Elladan wanted to hear it or not, he needed to say it. He slipped through the stall door and stood near the horse's head. The mare nuzzled the human gently, familiar with the man and at ease in his presence. Aragorn brought one hand up in habit, gently rubbing a special spot behind the horse's ear and making her nicker in contentment. The man's full attention however, remained directed to the only other being in the airy stall.
"Elladan please," Aragorn whispered, unsure of how to continue. That first night back in his old room had been hard... so very hard. The ranger could vividly remember how long and painful it had been. There was no relief by the second night, or the third. Elrond had taught him that when he took a hurt, it would take time to heal no matter the type of wound. Even still, it did not excuse the fact that he had rejected his brother's desire to help him. "I was afraid, but I was not afraid of you."
A soft voice answered him from the other side of the mare. "Then why did you push me away? All I have ever wanted was to help you..." Elladan continued to work as he spoke what he could no longer withhold. "This entire mess began with my inability to listen, my ignorance when it came to understand another from so many years ago, and he took that out on you. I have so much to make up for, most of all to you... and you rejected me."
Aragorn could once again feel the tears welling up in his eyes, and he leaned closer to the neck of the mare to keep them hidden. "I never rejected you, but somehow I did not need that kind of comfort, not yet. You already helped me Elladan, you helped keep me alive when we were in the mountains and don't mistake the fact that it did only little to save me. It did more than parhaps you will ever know, and that was what you needed to do. That was not what I was missing to be at peace, I knew I had you by my side. I was missing something much different."
Elladan did not respond and Aragorn rushed on. "Elladan... please... don't shut me out. Don't repeat my mistake, one I wish I had not made. Yell at me, tell me I was wrong and I will agree without objection... but do not give me only your silence."
"Estel," the sounds of brushing ceased and Elladan's strong hand suddenly grasped the one that had been massaging the mare's ear, the elf's voice now overcome with sadness. "Forgive me my silence. I feared that even after all we had been though, in the end it wasn't going to pull through and I was still going to lose you..." Elladan walked around his mare and gave the man a steady gaze. "Often, I feared as such. I thought parhaps here at home you would find peace again, but I had failed to see what affect it would have on you, at least at first. I could not bear to hear you cry out in fear during the night, but now somehow I believe I understand."
"How?"
"Elrohir and I talked after Ada took you away." Elladan said by way of explanation. "He has always been the strong one, and I come here," the elf gestured loosely about the room, indicating his self-made isolation. "... caught between feelings of hurt and understanding while he greets you with open arms, accepting you back as I know I should."
Aragorn shook his head. "But you always take me back. Sometimes I fear that one day I will push you over the edge and you will never speak to me again, but always... you accept me back despite the pain I cause you." Aragorn watched his older brother carefully as he admitted the fault. "It's impossible for me to stay mad at you for very long under any circumstances, so why is it so hard for me to let you in when I may need you the most?"
Elladan smacked the ranger lightly on the side of his head, a fond smile breaking over the elf's face. "Parhaps I just need to learn to show you that I'll always love you no matter what."
Aragorn smiled back. "I do know." And for the first time since they had returned, he felt complete peace in his brother's presence, and the thought warmed his heart.
"So," Elladan said with finality in his tone that suggested a change of subject, a twinkle in his eye. "Shall we gut-spill a little more or are you going to help me take care of this old girl?" he asked the man, patting the mare's side. The mare turned her head and butted Elladan playfully, glad that she was going to be paid some attention again.
Aragorn nodded eagerly and accepted another brush from the twin, easily falling into the work that needed to be done. As they talked and laughed, he was thinking about what Elladan had said. He understood now more than ever before the duty of love an older brother can have for another, the responsibility they place on themselves as the teacher and protector of those they care about the most. Thanks to the time he had spent with Gowen, of whom had taught him more about the role of an older brother than anyone else, the ranger now was confident that he had discovered exactly why the twins often acted the way they did. And even though it felt childish to Aragorn, going to his brothers for help or support, it was good to know that the door would always be open and they would always be willing to offer aide just as he would be for them or anyone else. Such was the language of love between them all.
"Elladan?" Aragorn asked at one point in the conversation.
"Mmm?"
"Will you teach me how to ground-fight better?"
Elladan glanced at him over the mare's back, a light of pure excitement in his eyes. "Of course Estel."
"Soon?"
"Anytime you want."
"How about when we finish up here?"
Elladan laughed again, his heart now at ease. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
As they left the stables some time later, both were laughing, just like old times. Aragorn realized just how much he had missed his brothers. The light and joy they brought to his life was astonishing, and he prayed that it would never leave.
"Estel, look, Gowen is approaching us!" Elladan pointed to a hunched over figure some distance off, between them and the Last Homely House. Gowen was struggling on his crutches, weaving back and forth over the open field in search of the stables where his destination lay.
"Gowen!" Aragorn called out, catching the teen's attention. "Over here!"
Gowen perked up at the sound of the ranger's voice and immediately changed his course, hobbling over as fast as he could.
"Strider! There you are! I've been looking for you, Legolas told me you were looking for me."
"I was. I'm glad you found me Little Brother." Aragorn ruffled his hair. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Well I can see that if I don't take some action soon we won't get back home until nightfall." Elladan observed, gazing at the others with an amused, critical stare, as if he were sizing them up. "All right then," Smiling, he snatched up Gowen around the middle and set the boy up on his shoulders, crutches and all. "You both look beat, but I need to let Estel feel like he's got some dignity left." Elladan said with a mischievous smirk while winking at his little brother.
Aragorn only smiled and ground his knuckle into Elladan's ribs, electing a sharp cry of laughter from the twin. "Nah, Elladan just needs to feel young and strong. Age keeps catching up to him, you know."
Elladan sputtered as he tried to think of a sharp comeback while making violent gestures to his little brother, all of which Aragorn only laughed at heartily.
Gowen could only laugh as the brothers bantered back and forth. This joy was so welcoming and fulfilling, he couldn't remember the last time he had smiled so much.
"So what did you want to ask me?" Gowen managed to say before Elladan attempted to refute the reckless 'age' comment Aragorn had made.
Aragorn, still smiling as he walked next to his brother on the left side. "I wanted to ask you about your brother."
Gowen's face fell a little. Thinking about his brother hurt a lot most of the time, even here in the wondrous place of beauty and timelessness. Often, he felt it was a path ending dead, his hope of seeing his older brother alive again stretching to monstrous proportions. "Strider... I-"
"I promised that I would help you find your family, did I not?" Aragorn smiled fondly up at the boy. "Come on Gowen; tell me anything you can about your brother. What he looks like, what he used to do, where he might go. There must be a way to find him."
Gowen sighed, then paused for a moment, thinking. What harm could it do? He did want to know the truth at least. "He was much older than me. He must be in his late twenties by now. He was always more interested in healing than my father's trade. He has a strong, smooth voice and his hands were always gentle. He was as tall as an elf with dark, expressive eyes. I can still remember him as the last time I saw him. I never really needed to see him to know what he was thinking. Don's always wanted to help others. When my-"
"Wait a moment!" Elladan stopped walking; looking up at the teen on his shoulders with an appalled look on his face. "Don? You're brother's name is Don?"
"'Dan? What's wrong?" Aragorn asked of his brother cautiously as Elladan tiredly massaged his eyes with two fingers, smiling a silly little smile.
Elladan only laughed lightly, looking first at Aragorn, then up at Gowen. "It's just not possible..."
"What's not?"
"That his brother could be the same healer that allowed us to talk to an elf named Valan, who told us how to find you." Elladan shook his head. "This is madness... but I think I know where the one we search for is."
The boy atop his shoulders tensed. "You know my brother? You know Don?" Gowen looked down at Elladan vaguely, but his eyes sparkled more than any of them had ever seen before. "My brother is alive?"
"That, young human, would be quite a story," Elladan laughed as he began walking again. "Come with me you two. As soon as Ada gives Estel the go-ahead, we have one more journey to make."
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Aragorn and Legolas walked slowly through Rivendell's gardens, encompassed entirely by the rich smells of the earth. The sight around them was beautiful and entrancing.
"Legolas," Aragorn said quietly at one point. At Elrond's request his arm was slung around the elf prince's neck, keeping both his balance and pressure off his still tender feet. It was either that or be confined to a chair for the rest of the evening.
"Mmm?" Legolas responded by way of answer, glancing occasionally at his friend, sharing his attention with his surroundings unlike Aragorn, who seemed completely enraptured by the gardens.
"Why is this place so ageless in such a time of change?" Aragorn whispered, letting his free hand brush through a garland of soft white petal flowers that had bloomed the same way at the same time for as long as he could remember.
"It would be easier to ask why the world changes at all, Estel." Legolas smiled fondly at his friend.
Aragorn laughed. "I know. I just..."
"Estel," Legolas cut him off, pointing at something some distance ahead. "Look."
"What do you see?" Aragorn tried to follow the elf's line of sight but could not seem to pinpoint exactly what Legolas had spotted.
Legolas was unmoved. "Look," he patiently urged.
And Aragorn saw. He understood now why it had taken him a moment to register what Legolas wanted him to see.
Valar, he had not seen her since the time of his rescue...
"Arwen?" he said softly, his heart seizing slightly.
She was leaning up against an ancient oak tree whose outer layer of bark had long since aged and cracked with weather and time but yet still managed to remain sturdy and strong. Her face was downcast, her eyes lighting on nothing in particular. Close by, Asfaloth was grazing quietly, though the stallion's eyes would flicker up to watch his Chosen constantly.
Arwen seemed to blend and fade into the tree behind her, nearly impossible to spot. If Legolas had not said anything, Aragorn probably would have overlooked her entirely.
Surely, Arwen would have preferred it that way.
"Take me to her Legolas, please," Aragorn implored his friend, already pulling urgently toward the maiden in the not-too-far distance.
"Be still Estel!" Legolas did not attempt to dissuade the man, he had no desire too. He had gone with Elladan and Elrohir only once to visit Arwen since the time of their return to Rivendell. The change that had been wrought in her was unlike the one that occurred in Aragorn, and it was one she refused to let the others, even her own father, to touch. Her physical wounds were healed and healing, she was already on her feet again. But within, none could really tell.
She spotted them before they were close enough. Before either could read the emotions that raged over her eyes Arwen turned away, immediately intent to flee into the deeper section of Rivendell's woods.
"Arwen!" Aragorn called out to her before she had even taken three steps, halting her. The ranger's voice was firm and commanding, yet still held the warmth and caring that it had when he was not angry. "Do not run from me again."
Arwen froze and made no move to escape. She listened to both Aragorn and Legolas walk closer; one in a light, steady tread, and the other in a heavy limp set against both feet. Yet he was walking again, more than what she had seen the last time they had been together. Folding her arms tightly she bowed her head forward, clenching her eyes shut, and waited for their approach.
Suddenly only the heavy limp sounded in her ears. Legolas had stopped walking, but Aragorn had not. It took Arwen a moment to realize exactly why she was trembling. He was walking alone, slowly to be sure, but unaided.
"Arwen?" right behind her, his voice no longer commanding. Fingertips lighted on her shoulder. "Arwen, please look at me."
Choking back the lump in her throat, Arwen did as she was told. She cried out softly as she did so, taking a step back in mortification as she took in Aragorn's injured, still healing state. There was a slump to his shoulders and a severe tightness to his body that attested to his severe treatment endured only weeks before. His clothing hid the worst of his wounds, his eyes hid even more.
Aragorn discovered himself to be uncharacteristically at a sudden loss of what to do next. Though Arwen did not easily allow others to see what she was really thinking, he could read her eyes so clearly now. She was full of heartache; her very soul seemed to tremble with it. Grief and self-condemnation hazed the light that should have been there instead.
Taking a half step forward he reached out for her, but Arwen flinched away from his touch. Falling to her knees, she bowed before him, trying so hard to hold back tears that stubbornly fell.
Undaunted, Aragorn stumbled to his knees and knelt in front of her, stifling a small groan. Ignoring his body, the ranger again reached forward, this time catching her face gently with his hands. Pulling close, he whispered, "Why do you still grieve?"
"I could not save him," she whispered back, both knowing full well who she spoke of. Ill at ease under his touch, she continued, "I condemned you. I failed you both."
"No, Arwen," Aragorn brushed her tears away. "You saved us both."
Arwen looked up at him, her eyes wide and full of pain. "I left, even though I knew I should not have. You could have died-" she exhaled sharply, her eyes again drifting shut. "I never would have forgiven myself..." her voice failed, and she spoke no more. Tears fell silent down her face.
"You could not have known events would happen in the form that they did." Aragorn continued to speak as he held Arwen up. "You defended me from the abuse of the guards during the journey, offered me help when no one else would, took such great care for not only my well- being but Gowen's as well, something that was both hidden from Ralorn... and something only the Valar could have gifted in such a time of need. If it is forgiveness you seek, then I give it to you with all my heart. Please, do not lament any longer. You saved my life. I can hold no ill against you, ever."
With tears in his eyes, Aragorn kissed her gently on the forehead, long and tender. "I owe you my life. It is I who should grieve for you and you alone, for the pain I have caused you and the hurt you still feel. Forgive me... please."
Wrapping her arms around the man tight, Arwen held him close. Letting go of the self-condemnation she felt she whispered, "I am sorry."
Aragorn held her back. "I am as well."
Asfaloth wandered up to the two beings and nuzzled Aragorn softly, nipping at the man's long unruly hair. It was as though the stallion was thanking the man for doing what Arwen would allow no other to do. Still holding on to Arwen with one hand, Aragorn reached up and patted the stallion's white cheek, leaning his face against Asfaloth's warm head for a moment.
Arwen returned to her mother's kin soon thereafter, taking her horse with her. Often, they would escape together to explore the wilds and travel between the two great elven realms. Asfaloth spent many years wandering the forests of both Rivendell and Lothlórien with the elf maiden. As the great stallion grew older, Arwen allowed him to be bred. His offspring were all strong powerful foals that grew in the pride of their sire. Asfaloth died in Lorien when he was nearly 40 years of age, but his heart did not fade from the world as so many others do. Several years later, a colt was born of a direct lineage to the now passed on stallion, bearing not only his wild, faithful spirit but his beautiful color and tall build. He was named after his great-great-grandsire, and once old enough was given to Glorfindel the Balrog Slayer from Arwen Evenstar as a gift. The horse and elf grew very close, and there was a bond between them akin to the one Arwen had had with the colt's distant sire years before.
It would be the same stallion that would carry a young hobbit with a terrible burden that would soon rule the fate of the world from beings far worse than the elves once after Elladan and Elrohir, much like how his distant sire had carried a precious young human when he was nearly dead to conquer his fears, helping to save the life of a man who would later unite the peoples of Middle Earth under one banner as a just and strong King.
§§§
Nearly four months to the day since Aragorn had been captured and the journey had begun, a familiar group found themselves again walking away from Rivendell in search of a small trading town some distance into the Misty Mountains. Though many hearts had been healed of the pain they had endured in the fading past, there was still one yearning to be whole.
It was greatly pleasing to them all to be back in the forests. Though the power of Rivendell was vast and the safety they felt absolute, there was something about traveling through the mountains together that uplifted them all.
Though the journey was not long to Ilmgalad, Aragorn was visibly wearied by it. His body and mind were well on their way to full health, but he needed more time to regain the strength he once had. He was smiling though, excited by the prospect of what was going to happen.
Dusk was approaching as they reached the little town. Elrohir and Aragorn decided to ride ahead, to warn those they sought that they were coming. It would be better for Aragorn anyway, to move faster. The party split ways; Elladan, Legolas, and Gowen coming in just after Elrohir and Aragorn.
Gowen was quiet through most of the journey. He rode with Legolas, having struck an unlikely but friendly relationship with the elf. He spoke when spoken to, but never offered much on his own. He was frightened and exhilarated at the same time, the unknown future and what it could offer literally stunning him beyond what had become his normal behavior. Since the time of his father's death and his own capture, Gowen truly felt like he could say he was going home again... to his brother.
When Elrohir and Aragorn reached the healer's home, Aragorn was very short on breath and his chest ached. He assumed it was from slightly over-strenuous activity that would be cured with some rest, but Elrohir pointed out that it would be an excellent way to catch Don's attention.
The young healer was outside the building, his gaze sweeping over the sky. In one hand he held a book that now and again he would write in, just briefly. It took him a moment to realize that anyone approached him now, so lost in his own thoughts as he was. Pulling his eyes away from the heavens to the coming beings on horses, his usual greeting stopped mid-sentence as recognition came to him.
"I remember you!" Don came forward a few steps and smiled joyfully as Elrohir dismounted first.
Elrohir greeted the healer happily as he walked over to Aragorn and helped the man dismount. "Mae govannen Don. I have someone here I'd like you to meet."
Aragorn had to lean against Elrohir as he attempted to regain his breath. He did manage a smile, and his gaze was untouched by the slight pain his body felt. "Don. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to meet you."
"It was you, wasn't it?" Don took the ranger's outstretched hand and clasped it warmly in greeting. "You were the one they were looking for."
Aragorn and Elrohir nodded. "We were wondering," Elrohir implored softly, "if you could help us. I do not think the journey here agreed with my little brother entirely."
Don was already gesturing them to follow him. "Yes, of course. Please, come with me."
"My brother and good friend are on their way." Elrohir warned as he helped Aragorn inside. "We rode ahead of them but they should be here shortly."
"It has been very quiet today," Don told him in return as he held the door open and invited them inside. "I would greatly appreciate the company."
Aragorn was correct in his assessment of himself, it was over-working himself that had lead to his shortness of breath and the renewed tightness of his body. Don's hands and voice were gentle as he took care of his patient, promising that soon the man would feel the pain for only a little longer. He mixed a special herb tea and encouraged Aragorn to drink it all. It was to settle his nerves and bring back his breath. Minutes later, Aragorn had both.
A short while later there was a knock at the door. Don now greeted Elladan with the same warmth he had greeted his other guests and quickly invited him inside.
"But wait," Don realized there was someone missing from the group Elrohir had promised. "Where is your friend? Did you not say he was coming as well?"
Elladan answered for his twin. "Do not fear, he is indeed coming. I believe he was enjoying the trees too much to hurry." The twin laughed.
"I see," the healer replied. Once again, he turned to the book in his hand.
"Don," Elladan said suddenly, moments later. "Would you come with me?"
Don glanced up at him, a questioning look in his eyes. "Where to?"
"Not far, just outside." Elladan was having a hard time keeping a wider smile from forming over his face. "There's something I wish to show you."
Don set down the book he had been writing in and nodded. "Sure."
Outside, Don looked around. The street was almost empty, dusk nearly upon them and everyone who lived here in this small trading town was heading for home. The sun was visibly sliding down deeper into the edge of the horizon, gently taking with it the light and warmth of her touch. The world was welcoming the blanket of night, stars beginning to appear in the sky.
The young healer looked over at the Eldar, asking for an explanation. "So, may I ask why we are out here?"
Elladan didn't even look at the young man when he asked the question; rather, he kept his eyes on the far side of the street. "Wait. You will see."
At that moment, Don did see. Two beings and a tall horse came around the corner, one walking unaided and the other slumped over a set of crudely made crutches. The taller being, most definitely an elf by the gentle luminance of his race, escorted a younger, shorter young man with one leg bound and splinted, the splints going beyond his foot about six inches. The teenager placed no weight on his bad leg,
The taller being Don recognized immediately to be one of the elves that had been here weeks before – Legolas, if he recalled correctly, leading his mare forward. The younger man, however, he could not place. Even so, Don felt something when he studied the boy's still young face. There was something familiar.
Instead of waiting for them to approach, the young healer left Elladan's side and walked slowly to the approaching two. He acknowledged Legolas with the same smile he had greeted the others with, but then focused on the younger man, a human... wondering, for just a moment, who he was...
Then Don felt his heart rise into his throat as recognition slowly began to seep back into mind, dredged up from the deepest memories that he had buried long ago.
Legolas stopped walking, encouraging the teenager forward. "Go on," he whispered to the boy. "He is there."
The teenager kept walking until he was about five feet from Don, stopping when he sensed he was near. His leg ached with such weariness from the long journey he had put it through since it had been broken. Under the care of Lord Elrond, it was mending swiftly, but there was still much healing left for him. Some of which, only the healer in front of him could give. Letting his body lean forward on the two crutches that held him up, the teenager reached forward with one hand and called out a name. His brother's name.
"Don?" he whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
Don froze. Nine years... so long he had long since given up hope that he would ever see his younger brother again. Only since Valan had a glimmer returned of his former longing. But he had never once wished that the one he sought would never appear. Not a day went by that he didn't think of it, didn't remember. He had dreamed of family, real family, as fiercely as his younger brother had. Searching the boy's face, he looked for something familiar. The child he had once known had changed so. Innocence and soft features had been overcome by maturity and age. He was so different... but when Don looked into the teen's eyes, he found something he knew.
Stepping forward and closing the distance between himself and the teenager, he too whispered a name. "Gowen?" in his head he tried to calculate how long it had been and the boy's age when they had parted last. It matched.
With trembling fingertips, Don reached out and enveloped his little brother's outstretched hand in his own. Long fingers crushed his left hand.
A moment later Don had taken the steps that separated them and wrapped his little brother in his arms. He lifted the teenager off his feet and allowed the crutches to fall to the ground without notice, only beginning to realize the depth of the pain from what he had thought lost. The young healer began to cry as he did so. He had thought the boy missing, gone, taken, dead. Only in the deepest recesses of his heart did he continue to cling to the hope that he would see Gowen again in this life. Nine years of lost love and affection between them piercing his heart so badly that Gowen accepted the embrace as freely as the last time they had been together, wrapping both arms around his older brother's neck and holding him like he never, ever wanted to let go, weeping into his shoulder.
"Thank you..." the elves could hear Don whisper, his voice broken up with both sorrow and joy, to parhaps them or maybe, to some greater being than them all. "Oh child... thank you."
Allowing the long since broken family repair itself, both Legolas and Elladan went back inside and rejoined Elrohir and Aragorn.
"Does he remember?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas nodded. "How could he forget?"