Chapter Three: Growing Up

Elrohir smiled as he watched the young human jump back from a blow, spin to his left and come in on his opponent's unprotected flank and strike a light blow. Yes, the boy was getting better every day; the elf smirked, due in no small part to the training the twins had been giving him. Just as that thought was crossing the elf's mind, the boy was slammed up against a tree and a sword was at his throat. The other fighter smiled cockily at the human, "Do you yield, young one?"

The teenager stared up hard into Elladan's eyes, "I really do not have much of a choice do I?" That said the human shoved the elf away from him and angrily strode from the meadow.

Elrohir pushed himself off the fence he was leaning against and approached his twin, "What happened?"

Elladan pulled his eyes away from the section of the woods the boy just disappeared into, "I don't know, one minute we were happily sparing and the next he was stomping off."

"Sixteen year olds will be sixteen year olds."

Both twins turned and smiled at their long time friend. Elladan shook his head, "I do not remember you ever acting like that Arathorn."

The man shook his head, "No, but that was because I fostered under your roof and had Elrond to teach me humility and patience." The man sighed deeply, "I wish Gilraen would change her mind but since she is not likely to I guess I will have to try my hand at it." Giving a nod to the twins the chieftain too disappeared into the woods.

Arathorn smiled as he struggled to find his son's trail, the boy was becoming more and more of a ranger everyday. Finally having found his son's tracks, the man followed them to the shores of a small pond where his only child was angrily throwing stones into the water. Arathorn sighed as he watched his son, how he wished Elrond was here, the ancient being always knew the right thing to say. Arathorn shook his head, the elf was not going to pop out of the woods, so it was up to him. Throwing his shoulders back, Arathorn determinedly walked across the glade and sat next to his son. The elder human waited several minutes for his offspring to acknowledge him, but when it appeared that would never happen Arathorn took the initiative, "I saw you sparing with Elladan earlier, care to tell me what happened at the end?"

Aragorn stopped throwing rocks and clinched his jaw, "He cheated, " the boy stated angrily.

Arathorn gently dropped his arm around his son's shoulders, "He did not and well you know it."

The boy remained silent a moment than conceded his defeat, "All right he was not, but its not fair – I can never beat them! They know something they are not sharing."

Arathorn laughed aloud, "Aragorn, is that what you really think?" The boy shrugged so Arathorn turned the boy's head until their eyes met, "That is ridiculous my son – the twins have given up much to train you, they hide nothing. I know you know little of elves but believe me Elladan and Elrohir are two of the best. They are wise and you should always trust them and listen to their council."

The boy twisted his head out of his father's hand, "Wiser than us, never! They can never understand us – they are elves, father. We must rely on our own kind."

Arathorn sadly shook his head, "That is your mother talking. If only you had gone to Imladris you would understand the wisdom of the elves." Seeing the hard glint in his son's eyes the man sighed, "Just promise me you will try to appreciate them my son."

Aragorn reluctantly agreed, 'I will try father, for your sake."

Arathorn released his grip on his child and sighed, "That is all I can ask."

TBC

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