Aragorn stood before his father, accounting for all that had transpired since he left the service of Ecthelion. He spared no detail, he greatly respected Elrond even when he disagreed with him, and he knew how much the powerful Elf valued candor above pandering. He explained that he had come to be friends with Denethor's wife, since her lady-in-waiting and dearest friend had returned to her home to care for her ailing father.
He said that he had been given leave by the Steward and had taken it gratefully, but returned a little less than three years later when he received word that Ecthelion's health was failing. Though it was not exactly easy for him, he admitted that he had lain with Denethor's wife that night.
It was at that point that Elrond interrupted him, grilling him about the fact that he had learned of his daughter's betrothal three years before this admitted adultery. Yet Aragorn remained unwavering - though he would admit to the mistake and admit that it was a mistake, he would under no circumstances apologize for it, for in his mind that would mean apologizing for his son, something he would never do. He loved his child, no matter how he was gotten, and he would not ask anyone's pardon for that.
Aragorn tried to continue his tale but just then Arwen knocked at the door of her father's study. She smiled brightly when she saw him, but Elrond dashed from his desk to stand between them, fury flashing in his ancient eyes. He told her in no uncertain terms that the betrothal was to be abandoned at once and, at the look for devastated confusion in his daughter's eyes, he unkindly took Faramir from Aragorn's arms, showing her the proof of her lover's infidelity. She stared at Aragorn in utter anguish before fleeing from the room.
Elrond again turned to face the one he had raised as his son. There was no way to describe the ire radiating from the Elf-lord; it frightened Aragorn and he begged that his son not be harmed. Elrond merely shoved the screaming infant back into his father's arms, claiming that the ill-gotten wretch ought be cast into the Bruinen. Aragorn was then ordered to be gone from Imladris without delay and banished thenceforth.
As he numbly made his way away from the Last Homely House, Gilraen, his mother, ran out to him. At least there was one person left who would not judge him, he thought. But she did not embrace her son, instead asking how he could be so foolish, saying that he had disgraced her intolerably.
Aragorn wanted to cry, he felt so entirely broken, but he felt too empty to shed tears. It felt as though, with all those he had loved renouncing him, there was nothing at all left of him. He felt surreal and Faramir's cries seemed distant to him, as if even his child did not want to be near to him.
Aragorn woke suddenly in a cold sweat. All was dark about him and he realized that they were still on the road. The night was colder than he had expected but this far north, so near the mountains, the many visible stars only served to emphasize how chilly it was. Faramir lay sound asleep in Gandalf's arms, wrapped snugly in Elrohir's cloak.
Aragorn lay there awake, shivering, and wondering if anyone would actually miss him if he just left without saying anything. He did not know how to face the possibility that his dream would prove prophetic, that the ones he loved most would reject him. He tried his best to repress a sob at the thought, but failed.
Hearing his little brother's sadness, Elladan turned, reaching out to embrace Aragorn. Seeing how cold he was, Elladan took off his cloak and wrapped it around his beloved brother. "What is wrong, little Estel? We are nearly home now," Elladan whispered.
It was telling that Aragorn did not bristle at the pet name "little Estel" as he normally did, but only muttered in a choked voice that home, this time, was the problem.
"Whatever can you mean? All will be well once we are home, as it always is," Elladan assured.
Aragorn could not inhibit his tears longer and allowed himself the luxury of expression of grief as long as his brothers were close enough to protect him. "I dreamed, 'Dan... i dreamed father cast me out. Even my naneth...," he wept pitiably.
"Sidh, Estel," Elladan soothed. "You know by now how to understand your dreams. You are only afraid of that happening. Neither adar nor your naneth will ever abandon you, they love you immeasurably, just as 'Ro and i do... even if he is too impish to show it sometimes."
Aragorn could not help but laugh, it was a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. His brothers always managed to cheer him up somehow.
"And anyway, even if adar does turn you out, you had better think twice if you think we would ever forsake you. We would wander the wild with you and Faramir if it came to that," Elrohir said, suddenly wide awake.
Mercifully, Aragorn found he was able to sleep the rest of the night, assured of his brothers' support, if naught else. The next day they were on the road again, drawing ever nearer to Imladris's borders. There might be a camp again tonight, but it was rather likely that if they would simply ride on for a few extra hours into the dark, the borders would be reached and then all could rest in comfort. It was that afternoon, when the twins rode ahead to scout, that Gandalf rode up beside Aragorn and said, "And for my part, should Elrond do anything so foolish as to send you away, he will have the rough end of my staff to deal with!"
Aragorn managed a little smile, it was heartening to know that there were those who would remain at his side. And yet, he begged the Valar that he would not lose those he loved most over this. They were drawing ever nearer, the land around them was already so familiar. Aragorn tried to focus his thoughts on how he would explain this situation, but gave up as it only served to tighten the knot deep inside him. He held his little Faramir close and renewed his vow to keep him safe, at all costs.
ooo
Denethor steadily lead his troop across Anorien. Being a plate-armor-and-pavilion type of soldier, he guessed the trip would take about two weeks, but it was no matter to him how long it took to hunt down Thorongil. He guessed that the Ranger would take rest at Edoras and if he did not catch him there it was no matter, for surely Théoden would point him in the right direction. Thorongil had been a rueful thorn in his side since he came to Gondor, but this time Denethor meant to make him see how it was to be less than faultless.
The Steward's heir had set out on the hunt nearly one week after Finduilas had been delivered, at the time that Aragorn had just arrived in Edoras. With a two week journey ahead of the pursuers, it left an unwitting Aragorn only just enough time to get out of Rohan before Denethor would arrive there. But Aragorn had on his side a wily old Wizard who often knew much more than he let on... unfortunately, this time the same could be said of another Wizard who intended to aid Denethor along.
ooo
Ok, so it seems i am updating at random now. Such is the muse :)
liz: Oh, Aragorn has a fallible side all right! Mithrellas is a little... headstrong, shall we say. But she is more practical in her ways than Eowyn often seems to be. Mithrellas is just not afraid to stand up to authority if she has a cause to. But, we shall have to see what the effect of that is going to be.
Elenhin: I guess one never knows what i will be updating next (not even me), so here again is an update for this one. I hope to (maybe) finish Shadows this weekend. Enjoy!