I have taken the liberty of adding an extra character: Arrowlan, Aragorn's younger twin sister. While I typically don't like OC's taking such a major role like this, I want to give her a try. If she works out, I will add more stories with her in them, I have ideas to write all the way through the fellowship. Well, on with the story:
Chapter 1: FleeingGilraen glanced around, frantically. The sound of battle had been getting closer for some time, a fact that had not gone unnoticed by the wife of the Chieftain of the Dunedain. Her unease for her husband, who was out in that battle, kept her from noticing the sound of approaching footsteps. She spun around, jumping what seemed like a mile as the cabin door swung open, revealing a young sandy-haired ranger.
"My lady… your husband orders… you ….to flee… with the children. We can't… hold back… the orcs much longer." Gilraen was slightly surprised that this young man had even managed to get the message out, he was breathing so hard. Even as the thought flittered across her mind, the sharp twang on an arrow was heard. The messenger looked startled, before crashing to the floor with a black arrow protruding from his back.
Gilraen didn't waste any more time. With her long black hair flowing behind her, she rushed across the small cabin, into the inner room. There, nestled together in a small wooden bed built by Arathorn were her two dark haired twins. Aragorn, the eldest by three minutes sat up, bright silver eyes looking around, questioningly. Even at two, he had a startling way of knowing when people were worried. As soon as he saw his mother, eyes wide with hair slightly disheveled from her dash into inner portion of the house, his own breathing sped up, and he scooted closer to his younger sister.
"Aragorn, listen to me, we are going to leave. You and Arrowlan need to stay very quiet, understand?"
Aragorn nodded his head, his chubby face had a very solemn expression has he leaned over to gently wake his sister. He hated to do so, he much preferred watching her as she slept, for with her brown red hair spread on the white pillow, he thought she looked like one of the elves that his father was always talking to.
Arrowlan's dark cobalt blue eyes opened slowly. Despite the slowness of her actions, she was alert. She had sensed her brother's distress and confusion. Looking into his eyes, she saw fear written clearly across his face. Sitting up, she reached a pudgy hand out to grab Aragorn's.
"Mama, what goin' on? Why you scared?"
"Arrowlan, I need you to stay very quiet. Both of you, no matter what happens, don't say a word." Gilraen finished gathering the supplies that she would need to get to Rivendell. Her husband trusted the elves there, and she knew they would offer her sanctuary.
Gilraen's heart beat hard in her chest as she heard the orcs walk into the living space of the cottage, banging around, there rough voices sounded throughout the dwelling.
"Hurry!" Stretching out a hand to both twins, she picked them up and fled out the back window of the cottage, into the darkening evening.
