Hidden Secrets

Disclaimer: I only own the plot and the characters you don't recognize!

Chapter Thirty-five: Complications

T.A. 3019

Aragorn went for a much-needed walk before returning to the Golden Hall. He was not in the mood for celebrating. There were far too many important matters for him to think about.

Aranwen's strange behavior was weighing heavily upon his mind, as well as Arwen's departure for the Grey Havens. The coming war was a problem as well, not to mention that he would eventually have to give up his lifestyle as a Ranger and become the King of Gondor. He had known for some time that this day would come and he knew it was upon the horizon. Every passing day and every mile traveled was bringing him closer to his unwanted destiny.

"Lord Aragorn!" cried Eowyn, racing to his side. Her voice was cracking and she seemed to be in a hurry.

"What is it?" Aragorn snapped, in a mood.

"It's Aranwen. Something's happened…"

Aragorn forgot his problems in that instant. "Where is she?" he questioned, facing Eowyn, his gray-blue eyes trying to find out what was wrong with his daughter.

"In the Hall—" Eowyn started, but there was no need to say anymore because Aragorn was already gone, racing into the Golden Hall, where the celebrations had ended because of the appearance of a stranger.

Aragorn burst into the Golden Hall, to find Aranwen lying on a table, drenched and hastily covered with some blankets. A Man dressed in dark, travel-worn clothes, who was also soaked, stood beside her. The Man glanced up from his vigil to glare at Aragorn.

Aragorn did not bother to look at the young Ranger. He only had eyes for Aranwen, who was shivering.

"What happened?" Aragorn asked quietly, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

"She threw herself into the river. I fished her out…" the Man's voice started to break. He seemed as upset and worried by the events as Aragorn.

Aragorn looked at the stranger for the first time. "I thank you for saving my daughter."

"You were supposed to be watching her!" roared the stranger, his hood falling back and revealing an angry Beran. "You nearly let her die!"

A ringing sound filled the hall as Beran withdrew his sword, and aimed the lethal blade at Aragorn's heart. The older Ranger raised his hands up. Aragorn was unarmed at the moment and he did not want to get into a fight with Aranwen hurt.

"I was watching her, Beran," spat Aragorn, his disgust for the younger Ranger clearly showing. "But she asked for some space and I granted it to her."

"And you nearly let her die! I trusted you with her!"

"You nearly killed her in the past! Now you follow her about like a shadow. Why can't you just let her go?"

"She hasn't told you, has she?" Beran questioned with a sneer.

"Told me what?"

"That we are married. I am her husband."

Aragorn's face fell in shock. How could this be true? Why would Aranwen keep this a secret from him?

"You lie."

"Why would I lie? I love her."

"She's too young to be married," insisted Aragorn, trying to come up with a reason why a union between the two Rangers was impossible.

"She's older than you would think," Beran reminded him. Aranwen had been forced to grow up at a young age. She was still fairly young in years, but she knew far more than most people her age.

"That may be true, but I fail to see why she would keep this secret!"

"Maybe it is because of our falling out. When I hurt her, she was running from me. She probably did not want to bring it up at the time," suggested Beran.

A plausible excuse. But why would she bother to keep it hidden after Aragorn met Beran? Why was he hearing this from Beran and not from Aranwen?

"I still don't believe it."

"Ada," whispered Aranwen wearily. "It's true… What Beran is saying is true…"

Beran's sword clattered to the cold stone floor; forgotten. Beran and Aragorn turned to face the awakening Aranwen.

"Aranwen, what happened?" Aragorn inquired. He only knew that she nearly drowned, but knew not that she had done it to herself on purpose.

"I fell in—clumsy me…" lied Aranwen. She was not yet ready to tell him the truth. Just like she had not been ready to tell him about her marriage to Beran.

Beran shot her a strange look, but did not correct her. He had seen her enter the frigid waters of the river and there was nothing accidental about it. She had been trying to drown herself.

"Are you okay now?"

"Yes, ada. I'm just tired."

Aragorn nodded. Fighting a river was hard work. River currents were strong. She was lucky that Beran had been following her and pulled her back to shore. To think of his daughter as dead, was heartbreaking. Yet, she had come so close… too close… to the edge.

Eowyn entered the Hall and walked up beside the trio of Rangers. "How about I help you get into some dry clothes?" offered the White Lady of Rohan.

"Thank you," replied Aranwen with a smile. She had forgotten about her suspicions surrounding Eowyn and Aragorn when she nearly drowned. All she remembered was Eowyn as a friend.

Aragorn helped the weak Aranwen sit up and Eowyn led her from the Golden Hall. Aragorn turned to face Beran, who was still silent. Beran had said not a word since Aranwen awoke.

"I must go now," whispered the Ranger, as he snapped out of his frozen state. "I will leave you to look after her."

Aragorn was puzzled by his behavior, but he was unable to stop the young Man from disappearing into the night. Something did not feel right, yet he could not place a finger upon it. Aranwen and Beran were both hiding something. Or some things…

Author's Notes:

I can't believe that I haven't updated in over a month! Yikes! I'm going to try to update again soon, but I make no guarantees. Sorry if Aragorn seems a like OOC in this chapter. Enjoy!