Hidden Secrets
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or any of the characters, locations, etc. from The Lord of the Rings nor do I claim too. I only own the creation of Wanderer.
Summary: Wanderer, a Ranger from the North, on the run after a massacre, is shot. Wounded by a poisoned arrow, she stumbles across the path of Strider who is taking the Hobbits to Rivendell. At the same time, Aragorn's past comes back to haunt him. And in both their cases, some secrets are not better left forgotten…
Prologue
T.A. 3018
A shadowy figure pulled up the hood of her travel-worn cloak as she stepped out into the silent black night. Looking upwards, the figure noticed the cloudless and starless night and felt a sudden chill deep inside. Something bad was about to happen once more. Softly and quietly, the figure moved amongst the shadows to the nearby stable and slipped inside.
Inside the stable, a dappled gray mare stood, tied up and shifted nervously. The figure whispered a few calming words in Elvish as she saddled the mare. After checking the girth, the figure checked her hood once more and swung up into the saddle and rode into the night.
It was no longer safe.
Strider the Ranger settled into a chair in the darkest corner of the inn. He was exhausted and sore from his long ride. Lighting his pipe, he waited and tried to relax. Many things were weighing heavily upon his mind and none were too pleasant. None other than the beauty that was Arwen Evenstar. He could only hope that she would be in Rivendell, where he would be arriving shortly, if those four Hobbits ever showed up!
It had been many years since he had seen Arwen. It had been a long and arduous nineteen years without her. A little over nineteen years ago Arwen had met him in secret in the Wild. Together, they had spent a wonderful two years until the growing threat of Sauron called him back into his old life as a Ranger of the North. And after all this time he could still recall that final day with perfect clarity.
T.A. 2999
A younger Strider entered a small house and was met by a smiling Elven beauty with her long dark tresses pulled back in a braid and a sparkling jewel around her neck that perfectly matched the sparkle in her eyes. But her smile faded when she noticed the frown showing upon his face.
"Estel, what is wrong?" Arwen asked, concern edging into her soft voice.
Solemnly, he replied, "Sauron the Deceiver is returning. I have to go soon, Arwen."
"How soon?" she asked, her eyes searching his.
Lowering his head, unwilling to meet her eyes, he said, "Tonight."
"Why must it be so soon?"
"Gandalf the Gray needs my help."
"There are plenty of other Rangers! Why must it always be you? What about us? What about the life we wanted?" Arwen said, her anger rising with each word spoken.
"Arwen, you and I both knew this day would come at some point. My only regret is that it came far too soon for my liking."
"Does it really what we knew? You don't have to do this Estel! You don't have to leave!" she pleaded with him.
"I must leave. It is my destiny as Isildur's heir! There is no other to take my place!" he cried out, angered at her refusal to understand.
"Fine then! Leave! I no longer care! Namarie!" she called, turning away from him.
"Arwen," he whispered softly to her.
Spinning around on her heel, her gray eyes flashing angrily, she told him, "Get out or I will!"
Estel froze. It was supposed to be like this. Arwen wasn't supposed to be angry with him. She was usually so understanding. Why all of the sudden had she changed? Was something amiss? But as soon as he blinked, his beloved Evenstar was gone.
T.A. 3018
Biting back the memories and the pain, Strider looked up and noticed the entrance of all four of the Hobbits that he was supposed to escort to Rivendell. They had arrived just as Gandalf had told him they would. Now, all Strider had to do was observe them and wait for the right moment to speak to them.
Author's Notes:
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! The story is mostly already planned and parts have already been handwritten. It would mean a lot to me if people reviewed because it is always helpful to know that someone appreciates your hard work.
And 'Namarie' means farewell in Elvish, incase anyone was wondering. And the years are to make it easier to understand what's going on with the flashbacks.