As Aragorn walked into the small settlement there at the mouths of the Entwash at dusk, a man walked out and blocked his path. "What is your business here, stranger?" the burly citizen asked gruffly and rather suspiciously.

Aragorn, truly weary and growing more tired every moment he was still standing, really did not want to have to explain his situation to this troll of a man. And yet he knew too well that he was at the absolute mercy of these people. He repressed a sigh, that would only be losing another valuable breath. "I have no business here, good man, i seek only quarter."

The big man looked all the more suspicious. "Quarter? What does this town look like, the grand Steward's city with a tavern on every street? And who are you anyway? You have the look of a Ranger, in which case you shouldn't need any quarter. And if you are a Ranger, why aren't you with your company? Are you a deserter? Or perhaps they turned you out for some crime?"

Aragorn felt ready to cry in frustration, only that would have taken too much energy. It looked like this man would be satisfied with no less than his life story. It was times like these when he longed to be able to claim his title as heir of Elendil, though he would have been branded a madman to so much as say the name so near Mordor. "I am a Ranger, i am from the north, though i have served Steward Ecthelion."

"And why aren't you still in the service of the Steward? Surely he would lodge you, or at least give you his authorization to be lodged. You know, i am beginning to think more and more that you must be deserter, or else an exile." The man took a step dangerously close to Aragorn.

"The Steward gave me release of his service three years ago, i have been back to the City on occasion since then, and now i am trying to make my way home. That is all. I am no criminal."

"Why do you need lodging? The night is fair and a Ranger should be well accustomed to sleeping outdoors. You have yet to convince me that i should permit you to lodge in our village."

"Sir, i do not doubt that you are reluctant to house strangers, i too know that these days are growing dark and that one must take much care. But, please, listen to me, i am begging you... it is not for myself that i seek accommodation. My child is hungry and i am not anticipating exposing him to another night in the wild."

"Your child?" the man said in surprise.

Aragorn pulled back his cloak. Faramir was just waking and Aragorn had a feeling that in a moment he would be crying for food. It had been since that morning and Aragorn was growing desperate.

"What in the name of the gods are you doing out here alone with an infant! That little one can't be more than a few days old! Where is his mother?"

Aragorn was passed caring if he had to lie slightly about this situation. "His mother died in giving him life. My son and i have no one in this world but one another. Please, help us, or at least help him. I've done things in my life that i am not especially proud of, but since i have yet to meet a person who has not, i would think you might understand. If you refuse to aid me, fine. But surely you would not turn away an innocent baby? Please..."

At that the big man seemed to grow much less menacing. Sighing he told Aragorn to follow him. He lead them to a small house, of sorts, and knocked upon the door. A woman answered. "Good evening, Malantur," she said with a nod.

"Evening, lady. You'll forgive the interruption, but there's a man here what has a child going hungry. I thought you might be able to help." The man turned back to Aragorn. "Didn't catch your name."

Aragorn just stood there for a moment, there were so many to pick from, which would sound the best without being recognized should anyone happen to enquire later. Thorongil and Aragorn were right out for obvious reasons. Strider didn't sound very well at all. Elessar sounded too dignified. "Telcontar," he finally settled on.

"You poor man, you must be so exhausted," the lady of the house cooed. "Please come in. I have but a little to offer you, shelter and a fire, and i can feed your little one. There will surely be something i can give you too." Aragorn was nearly in tears thanking the woman for her generosity and promising that it would not be forgotten as she ushered him inside right away.

"Well, if there is anything you need...," said Malantur.

"He will be fine," the lady assured. "Go on home to your own little ones." She held her arms out and now it came to it Aragorn found himself a little reluctant to lay his son in the arms of another. "It's all right, sir, i assure you. I have my own son, he's but six months," she said soothingly, gently taking a now screaming Faramir. She went to pick up her own son to feed them both and Aragorn decided to concentrate on the fire, the ceiling, the floor, anything that didn't involve looking at the lady of the house, though she seemed to harbor no inhibition whatsoever. "You will forgive me, my name is Indis. Where is your lady wife?" she asked.

Aragorn glanced at her in confusion before hastily returning his gaze to the floor. Without thinking he replied, "I have no wife."

"Oh i am so sorry!" Indis gasped. "I ought not have asked. Now i see why Malandur brought you in. He, too, lost his wife in childbirth. He was frantic when he realized that he had no way to feed Mablung on his own. That's his youngest, only two now, but from the look of it, he'll be as hardy as his father."

Aragorn only nodded, not feeling up for conversation at the moment. A thought occurred to him though that chilled him enough to find his voice. "And what of your lord husband?" he asked. It would be all he needed to be found sitting there, a stranger for all intents and purposes alone with a woman.

Now it was Indis's turn to look dismayed. "I was three months along with Damrod," she said indicating her own boy, "when the captain of the Rangers came to tell me he'd been lost. He never even knew he was a father."

Now Aragorn did genuinely look at her. "You have my sympathy, lady Indis," he said sincerely.

She shook her head, again laying Faramir back in his father's arms. "He loved Gondor and died in the only way that would have been acceptable to him. My only regret is that he believed that he was serving not for the Steward, but in anticipation of the day that the King should return and renew Gondor. I no longer believe that any one shall ever claim the throne, unless it be that ambitious Lord Denethor. I should sooner make my home in Rohan."

Aragorn decided against saying anything at all.

"But come, my lord, you need your rest. My husband's bed is just through here," she said indicating another room. From outside this place never looked like it could house more than one person at a time.

"I thank you again, my lady," Aragorn said with a respectful bow before laying down and falling immediately into sleep.

When the sun rose, so too did Aragorn, at Faramir's insistence. Apparently Aragorn had sleep through two mid-night feedings and was again profusely thankful that Indis had taken such good care of his child. The seditious thought came to him while Faramir was having his breakfast that perhaps his son would be better off here, being raised with little Damrod, than he would being dragged all over Middle-earth with an asinine father. His little one cured that thoroughly though. Faramir grasped at his father's shirt with his tiny fists and Aragorn held him close and securely. "I love you so much, Faramir," he whispered. "I will find a way to get you home yet."

"Where is your home?" Indis asked, offering Aragorn some fresh fruit to break fast.

"Eriador," he said, almost vaguely.

"Oh, then you are of the Northern Rangers. I'd hoped this supply could help you reach your destination," she said producing a number of milk-filled bottles. "I suppose i have become the village wet nurse," she said with a half-smile.

Aragorn was about to weep of thankfulness when a gruff voice at the door said, "Doubt he'll make it all the way to the North lands on that, but probably at least to Edoras, with Niphred's help." He turned to see the Malandur in the doorway with a grey horse standing patiently behind him. At last some hope was returning to Aragorn's heart. Maybe the Valar didn't hate him so much after all.

ooo

sidhe: Well, i have decided to update Shadows alternately with this story, so everyone gets a turn :) I have to admit, i do come up with some original ideas and i do my best to find ways to make them work themselves into canon. And also, i never capitalize "i" - it's become a matter of principle with me. I have never seen another language in which "i" is capitalized and it makes me think that it's all so pompous. If i were to capitalize "i", then i would also have to capitalize "You", because as far as i am concerned, i am not more important than you are.

linda: No telling what Arwen will say, let along Elrond. Just have wait and see, it will all come together in good time though.

Elenhin: I am pretty sure we will see lil Bor' in the next chapter. That should be an update from Minas Tirith.

Raksha: I hope i don't disappoint you.