One

He inhaled deeply sweet air, crisp in the morning's youth refreshed his body, his spirit, his nostalgia. He was home, after so many long years abroad, he was finally home. It had been as he had left it, as it will ever live in his deepest most treasured memories. Giving the horse which carried him a light squeeze with his heels, he trotted forward on a path that held many memories, both sweet and bitter. The path was bathed in golden sunlight and the verdant trees forest bordering it seemed to surge with life. The colors were vivid, sharp and contrasting, more beautiful than any he had yet to observe which was saying a lot given the expanse of travels of late. He whispered softly to the horse, so softly that the words were lost in the light breeze which lifted the stray strands of dark hair from his eyes as he bent to the animals' ear. It was a welcoming breeze unique to the western glens of the Misty Mountains.

Aragorn smiled. He was home.

The joy in his return to Rivendell, the place of his rearing, was dampened by the dark nature of his need. The matter weighed heavily on his heart, and try as he might to remain optimistic, hope and faith gave ground to worry and doubt as the days passed. He held the reigns firmly in his hands, continuing to the great gates and then up another, steeper path, to Imladris. Added to his happiness, mingled with his doubt a third emotion stirred within him…a longing and still another, fear. The Dunadan was not accustomed to the later and it made him quit uncomfortable. In truth, he knew not what to expect. His parting had been as a tempest, ending in even waters but beginning in crushing waves. How would Lord Elrond receive him?

He pulled lightly on the reigns as he passed through a second gate and was suddenly greeted by a host of Elvin guards, his friends. After an exchange of pleasant welcoming and friendly gestures he dismounted, entrusting his steed to be fed and rested in the stables. Aragorn could think of no better place for the faithful, weary animal which had carried him for two nights and nearly three days without more than an hour's rest. The ranger himself could feel the tug of exhaustion on his body, but he would not allow it to register, there was work yet to be done. Following two of the guards across a glowing bridge, over a stream of glimmering water and up yet another path, he prayed that his efforts would not be in vain.

"Estel! Brother!"

Aragorn turned in surprise, halting on the stairs of the great meeting hall. He could not fight the broad smile that brightened his weary features. He took two steps down to meet them, extending his arms in welcome. Two tall, fair Elves took the forearms in the formal fashion of greeting before pulling the unsuspecting human forward into a tight embrace, nearly crushing him between them. They released him a moment later. Aragorn's smile had not faded. "Elladan, Elrohir. I cannot express how well it is to see you. I have missed you."

"And we you, brother. Welcome home," Elladan, the elder of the twins, replied, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. He hid his concern well. He had longed for this moment for years. Truly he missed the man standing before him, suddenly materialized as if he had stepped out of a distant memory. But he was different now, tired and burdened. Elladan read the sorrow in his eyes, despite the grin on his face and he knew the nature of this visit was not vacation. The darkness of his destiny has begun…

"Father is waiting, let us go to him. I am sure he will be very pleased to see you-"Elrohir was saying, leading the way up the stairs.

Aragorn winced inwardly at the mention of his foster father and suddenly he was lost in a time long since passed, a moment long since lost but far from forgotten…

"Estel, you above any must understand the plight of our people. We will fade from this middle-earth; we will go to the undying lands as is our right. You cannot deny her that, you cannot deny her her mother, her brothers…her father for eternity. Would you condemn her to mortality? And when you are gone, what then? You would have her wander the earth alone and in sorrow to the end of her days, suffering a pain far beyond any you may ever endure-"

"Peace Ada…Lord Elrond. I would rather die a thousand deaths over than allow her to suffer for a single moment. I have begged her to leave, to go with her people. It is her choice…"

"You have enchanted her-"

"I love her! And she loves me-"

"Estel, my son. If you love her, you must let her go, you must encourage her to go."

"I am torn-"

"As am I. In the end, she will choose. But so help me, son of Arathorn, if my daughter, the Evenstar, prize of her people chooses a mortal life, then I will see her wed to no less than a King."

The words resonated loudly in his heart only intensifying the dark gloom that had settled ever since he had first learned of the dark road of his destiny, a destiny he would as soon refuse had he been given a choice.

"A King-"

"Lord Elrond," Aragorn bowed low before the man he knew as his father. They had left on civil terms and the bond between them, the love of a father for his son, though shaken could never be broken. Soon after the conversation, Aragorn had left and Arwen was sent to Lothlorien. Under the guidance of Gandalf the Grey, Mithrandir to his people, Aragorn became a Dunadan of the North. He had trained hard in those years in the wilderness. He had achieved many great deeds, and had earned through sweat and blood a heroic reputation among men and elves alike. But while he gained so much in the way of skill and knowledge, the young man lost the only identity he had known. No longer was he Estel of Rivendell or even Aragorn son of Arathorn but instead Strider the ranger. Somehow coming here, to this place after so many years of absence restored his loss, and made him feel whole again. And now, in the presence of Elrond, things had come full circle. "I fear the news I bring is of an ill nature."

"Please, Aragorn, sit. You are weary and your heart is full of sorrow, I can read it in your eyes," Elrond's words were spoken softly, betraying his concern and love. The unexpected arrival of his adopted son had evoked a somber mood in the Elf Lord. He had missed the boy terribly, but the boy was now a man and the man would soon be a king. Such were the dark times that they faced and while his love for his son had never dimmed, Elrond controlled the display with expert composure. They took their seats around a round wooden table. The wood was heavy and elaborately carved, its surface polished to a smooth sheen. Aragorn sat down first, followed by Elladan and Elrohir. Finally, Elrond joined them. "Now tell me, what are the ill tidings you speak of?"

"I am deeply concerned for the well being of Gandalf. I was to meet with him four days ago at the Tower of Amon Sul for what he claimed to be an urgent matter. After two days and a night of waiting, I received no word. I began to track him and followed him to Isengard where the tracks ended. The White Wizard Saruman met with me almost immediately. He assured me that Mithrandir had come, but had left in haste nearly as soon as he had arrived in the direction of Fangorn. I attempted to pursue, and found his mare at the edge of the Forest. This result puzzled me even further and when I was convinced that the trail ran cold, I resolved to come here in the hopes of hearing your council on the matter." Aragorn fell silent.

An uneasy silence ensued, but was soon broken by Elrond's pensive response. "This is ill news indeed, Aragorn. I have seen the fires of Mount Doom, there is activity in that forsaken land and I fear the time for Mordor to unleash its evil has come." Elrond searched the eyes around the table. They looked to him for direction, yet at that moment he felt as lost as they did. I attribute this weakness to my mortal half… the thought was fleeting. His composure never wavered, though he hesitated before continuing. "As you may know, the One Ring has been found. It now lies in the Shire, as last I was informed, but it will not remain there for long. I know of Gandalf's journey to Isengard, he meant to seek council with Saruman the Wise and I believe he found it. It is his knowledge that makes him valuable. We must find Mithrandir before the enemy if we are not already too late."

With this he stood and began to pace the floor, hands clasped neatly behind his back. "Elladan, you will go to Lothlorien, Elrohir, you to the ancient Lamias of the Firien Wood. The two of you shall meet with Aragorn in Mirkwood in three day's time. Alert these realms that Mithrandir is missing and also tell them that I am calling to order a great council to discuss the coming darkness and the fate of the One Ring. Gather as much information as possible and offer very little. Speak only to the Lords themselves. Your mission is of the utmost importance, and secret."

"It is understood." Elladan was the first to respond, rising from his seat as if to leave at that very moment.

"You must leave tomorrow, at first light. But for now, rest and make provisions for the journey. You should sleep Aragorn, you have traveled much as of late and you will be of no help to Mithrandir if you cannot keep your eyes open." A small yet detectable smile played across the wise Elf's features.

Aragorn nodded fractionally in appreciation and also rose from his seat.

Sleep. He prayed for success in the attempt but knew better. It would be a long night.