Aragorn reaches out to Ingeras and the boy learns that they have a lot in common.
Ingeras was exceptionally quiet at breakfast and he wouldn't look anyone in the eye. "Still not hungry, Ingeras?" Elrohir piped up. "You don't know what you're missing!" Ingeras noticed one particular person absent from the table.
"Where is Aragorn?" He asked anxiously.
"He had something he had to do." Elrond explained. "Don't fret, penneth. He'll be back."
"I'm really sorry about last night, everyone! I didn't mean to do it!" Ingeras blurted out. They all smiled at him.
"It was not your fault, little one. We're just thankful that you're safe." Glorfindel smiled kindly. Elladan ruffled Ingeras's curls, earning him a small swat, to which the others chuckled.
"Only Arwen can do that!" Ingeras warned Elladan.
"My apologies." Elladan sighed dramatically.
"We are not angry with you, Ingeras. Just very concerned." Erestor said.
"What if I do it again? What are you going to do?" Ingeras asked timidly.
"What do you think we will do?" Glorfindel asked curiously. Ingeras stared down at his hands in his lap.
"I don't know." He said glumly. "Are you going to send me away? Or punish me?"
"No, child! Of course not!" Elrond exclaimed. Arwen appeared and clasped the little boy's shoulders.
"We won't send you away, Ingeras. You will stay here, for as long as you need us." She said.
"And have we punished you at all for sleepwalking?" Elrond asked firmly. Ingeras was cut by his sharp tone and stared at his hands again.
"No, Sir." He mumbled.
"And we are not about to. If it happens again, we will try to figure out a way to cure you."
"Really?"
"Ai. Your body is putting up a barrier, a protective resistance against stress and pain." Elrohir said. "If it continues to result in peril, we'll find a safer way to help you overcome it."
"I hope so." Ingeras sighed.
"First, we will see how you sleep this week." Elrond said.
For four more days, Ingeras slept through the night. But by the fifth night, he had another sleepwalking episode. This time, he'd wandered out of the Homely House to one of the waterfalls. Erestor had peeked inside the bedroom to check on the boy then alerted the household that Ingeras was gone. When they found him, Ingeras was standing precariously over one of the mighty waterfalls. Aragorn had kept his attention, quietly speaking to him, as Elrohir and Arwen had crept up the ledge then gently led Ingeras back down. Aragorn had carried him to bed and stayed by his side all night.
Aragorn left Ingeras's room at dawn and entered the healing room where he found Elrond and Arwen hovering over a worktable. "What are you doing?" Aragorn yawned.
"Preparing a sleeping draught for Ingeras." Arwen said.
"It will help him sleep but we will be able to enter his subconsciousness and we can communicate with him." Elrond added.
"You're going to question on what else happened to him?" Aragorn sighed.
"There is a great deal of pain bottled up inside that little boy. It needs to be released." Elrond said firmly.
"When will you do this?"
"Tonight."
When Ingeras woke up, he found the twins at his side. "Good morning." He yawned.
"Good morning, Tithen pen. How are you feeling?" Elrohir asked.
"Alright, I suppose." Ingeras mumbled. "Did something happen?"
"I'm afraid so." Elladan nodded. Ingeras sat up and grimaced.
"Oh no! Did I do it again?" He cried.
"It's alright, penneth. We're going to cure you tonight! Or at least Ada is." Elrohir said.
"How?" Ingeras asked suspiciously.
"Relax, little fellow." Elladan patted his head. "It won't hurt. But Ada will be asking you questions, about what happened to your parents."
"I don't want to talk about that." Ingeras moaned, hanging his head.
"We know, penneth." Elrohir rubbed his shoulder. "But it will make you feel better, trust me."
"No, it won't. Nothing will!" Ingeras blurted out.
"Ingeras..." Elladan spoke up.
"Leave me alone. Please leave me alone. I want Aragorn." Ingeras wept into his pillow. Elrohir nodded to his brother who went to fetch Aragorn while he stayed with Ingeras.
"I'm sorry, Ingeras. When my mother left, I didn't want to talk about it either. It was so heavy." He said.
"Please..." Ingeras shook his head.
"My mother didn't die. She...she left." Elrohir said dejectedly. Ingeras looked up at him.
"She left?" He blubbered, horrified.
"Ai."
"But why? Why did she leave you?" Ingeras sputtered. Elrohir breathed deeply.
"The Orcs, those monsters that attacked you in Mirkwood. Our mother was on her way to Lothlorien, to visit her mother. The Orcs captured her. They held her hostage and tortured her terribly. 'Dan and I were able to get her out and bring her home safely, but..." Elrohir's lip trembled, vividly recalling the painful memories. "But the damage had already been done. Ada healed her body, but her spirit was broken from the torment she'd suffered. She loved us very much, Ingeras. But her heart never healed from what happened. So...she set sail for Valinor, to the Undying Lands where she could be at peace."
"Is there really such a place?" Ingeras asked.
"Ai, young one. And someday we will see her again."
"Do you miss her?" Ingeras looked the elf directly in the eyes. Elrohir blinked back tears. Even after all these ages, the absence of his mom and knowing what had been forced on her still hurt very badly.
"Every day." Elrohir murmured.
"I'm so sorry." Ingeras said sympathetically, tears still streaming down his cheeks.
"Thank you, Ingeras. I told you that so you would understand. We've been where you are. We've been through the pain and the fear. And that's why I can assure you that we'll help you get through this." Elrohir smiled.
"He's right." Aragorn said as he stepped inside. Ingeras reached his arms out for him. Elrohir stepped out, quietly closing the door. "It'll be alright, Ingeras. It will be hard to speak out about what you've been through, but it's not good to keep it all to yourself."
"It's just soo hard." Ingeras looked up at the kind man.
"Ai." Aragorn nodded, stroking his face. Ingeras closed his eyes, and pretended it was Vlad's arms holding him right now, Vlad's hands brushing his tears away right now. Aragorn was a human like he was. He had the essence of mankind, and not elves who were mysterious, fair beings. Aragorn had strong arms and calloused hands like Vlad. Ingeras snuggled into his chest. Aragorn kissed his head.
"I think elves are amazing creatures, but...but it sure makes me feel good to have a human with me." Ingeras said.
"That's alright." Aragorn patted his head.
It was after dinner when Elrond led Ingeras to the healing ward. He helped him into a bed and gave him the sleeping draught. Arwen and Aragorn were on both sides of Ingeras, while Elrohir and Elladan watched from the foot of the bed. "Be brave, Ingeras." Arwen smiled sweetly at him, caressing his forehead, reminding him so much of Mirena that it hurt. Tears already came to his eyes. He clenched her hand.
"Please don't stop." He begged her.
"Of course not, love." Arwen kissed his face. Ingeras looked over to Aragorn.
"Will you stay with me?" He pleaded.
"Yes, Ingeras. I'll be right here." Aragorn nodded reassuringly. Elrond couldn't help smiling warmly. It was obvious that the young little stranger had taken a liking to Arwen and Aragorn as his adoptive parents during his stay here. And it was a good thing. Ingeras needed something solid in his life, something to cling to, besides painful memories.
"How do you feel, Ingeras?" Elrond spoke up.
"I feel...sleepy." Ingeras mumbled.
"Don't fight it. Just relax and let it fill your mind."
"I'm scared." Ingeras bit his lip, glancing up nervously at the elf lord.
"I know, Ingeras. And that's perfectly alright." Elrond said kindly. "After this cure, hopefully you will start feeling less afraid."
"Aragorn?" Ingeras closed his eyes as he couldn't keep them open any longer.
"Yes?" Aragorn sat beside the bed.
"I'm starting to go to sleep."
"Ai. You're not alone, Tithen mellon."
Elrond checked Ingeras's pulse and monitored his breathing till it was obvious the boy was asleep. "Ingeras, can you hear me?" He asked.
"Yes, Lord Elrond. I hear you." Ingeras sighed.
"Ingeras, before the Turks invaded your land, what was your life like at home?"
Ingeras grimaced sadly. "I was so happy." He moaned. "I would spend lots of time with Momma, and we played Slay the Dragon. I was the hero and Momma was always the fair princess. She was beautiful. She looked just like a princess, and she was."
"What about your father, Ingeras?"
"Papa is a the prince of our kingdom. He often has to go away. But when he comes home, we'd play, or go riding, or read books, or practice swordsmanship."
"So, your father is the ruler of your land?" Elrond arched his eyebrows.
"Yes."
"Why did you not tell us this before, penneth?" Aragorn spoke up.
"I was afraid." Ingeras gulped.
"Afraid of what?"
"You don't know what the Turks' invasion did to Papa! I swear, he was only trying to protect us! I was afraid you elves would hunt him down and try to kill him!" Ingeras was shedding tears now.
"And what reason would we have for wanting to kill your father, child?" Elrond asked with concern. Ingeras sobbed, turning his face and trying to hide it in the pillows. "Ingeras, I promise we are only trying to help you." Aragorn soothingly gripped the boy's shaking shoulder. That seemed to do the trick.
"Because, Papa...became something...dangerous...a, a, a, a...he became a mon...a m-m-monster, to d-d-defeat the Turks. It was the only way! You don't know them! They kill without a second thought anyone who defies them. They wanted to take me away, me and all my friends and the boys in our kingdom!"
"Why?" Aragorn asked.
"To become soldiers for the Sultan. He has more ruling than even a prince! What he says is law. It cannot be reversed. And to defy his order, any order, means death!" Ingeras shuddered.
"Ingeras, if you can, will you please tell me when and how this trouble all started?" Elrond asked. Ingeras wept a bit then tried to speak.
"It was Easter Sunday, the feast where we celebrate our risen Lord. The Turks just came right in unexpectedly and without justification. Papa thought Hamza Bay was there for the Sultan's tribute. He taunted Papa, for he knew of his dark past with the Turks. Then he announced that the Sultan wanted 1,000 boys to join his Janissary corps." Ingeras explained.
"And what exactly does that mean?" Aragorn pressed. "Why is that need for alarm?"
"I told you! The Turks are brutal." Ingeras cried. "They turn boys like me into animals, out for blood, the blood of any who don't agree with them! Papa had been given up by his own father as a boy and given to the Sultan. He grew to become a ruthless, terrifying warrior. Entire armies would flee for their lives if you even mentioned his name! Papa hated his life fighting for the Turks. He came home to rule in peace."
"Until the Easter feast, when the Turks returned." Elrond nodded. As Ingeras spoke in his sleep, Elrond had entered his mind and could see everything in the boy's memories: the outrage of the Transylvanian people, the look of terror on Mirena's face, and Vlad's apparent helplessness as to another solution.
Ingeras went on to tell them everything: the foiled handover when Vlad killed Mehmed's soldiers to save him; the attack on the castle; the trek of refugees; Dimitru's death; the Monastery under siege., etc. There were moments where Ingeras would stop and cry, trembling, feeling he couldn't go on anymore. But the family of Elrond patiently waited and gently spoke him through it. When he reached the parts of his testimony of Mirena dying and Vlad fighting Mehmed, Elrond spoke, "You've told us enough, Ingeras. You do not need to speak any more. Rest now, son." He rubbed the boy's shoulder.
"A-Aragorn?" Ingeras whimpered.
"I'm here, Ingeras." Aragorn said.
"Will you stay with me while I sleep?"
"Yes." Aragorn promised. Ingeras's whole body shook, and he cried harshly.
"Momma! Papa! Why did you leave me? Papa, please come get me! Don't be dead! Come find me, please! I'm all alone!" Ingeras wailed.
"No. No, little one. You are not alone!" Arwen shushed him. "You have us. We're here for you. You are not alone, child. "
While Aragorn stayed in the healing room, holding Ingeras close to himself, Elrond made his way to his library to look up some documents. Being a wandering wizard, Gandalf had often brought Elrond recordings of the fates and events of not only other lands, but also other worlds! Elrond searched for nearly an hour until he found a pamphlet regarding Transylvania. He sat down and skimmed through the faded pages until he found exactly what he was looking for:
"In the year of our Lord 1442, the Turkish Sultan enslaved 1,000 Transylvanian boys to fill the ranks of his army. These child slaves were beaten without mercy, trained to kill without conscience, to crave the blood of all who defied the Turks. From among these boys one grew into a warrior so fierce that entire armies would retreat in terror at the mention of his name: Vlad the Impaler, Son of the Dragon. Sickened by his monstrous acts, Vlad came to bury his past with the dead and return to Transylvania to rule in peace."
Elrond noticed that there was no further information on Vlad, except that he'd married, borne a son, and his people loved him.
"Burning the midnight candle, my friend?" Erestor asked as he appeared.
"Ai, Erestor." Elrond sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Did you know that our little visitor is the young prince of his land in the world he comes from?"
"I did not, my lord!" Erestor exclaimed.
"His father became a creature of questionable moral because his people were backed up against the wall without hope of deliverance, and he gave himself to save his people from their enemies and then he would be restored. Only the enemy had other plans and he became a dangerous creature for eternity. That is why Ingeras did not tell us at first who he really was. He was afraid for his father."
"The poor lad has been put through more than children should see in war." Erestor sighed. "Do you believe your interrogation has cured him of the sleepwalking?"
"I believe so. I've only ever had to use that method three times in my entire span of life. And it has never failed me yet."
"Thank Eru for that. Wait, did King Thranduil know of this information when he had Ingeras under his roof, and when he sent him to us?"
"I doubt it, Erestor. Or he and Legolas would've informed us when making arrangements to bring Ingeras here."
"How is the boy?"
"He's sleeping in Estel's arms."
"Then he is in good hands." Erestor smiled.
"He is indeed." Elrond agreed.
Ingeras slept through breakfast the next morning, but smiled in relief when he woke up to Arwen's gentle face. "How did you sleep, penneth?" She asked softly.
"Well, I think." Ingeras rubbed his eyes. "Where is Aragorn?"
"Right here, Ingeras." Aragorn answered from the other side of the room. "How are you feeling?"
"Hungry."
"No surprise. You slept right through breakfast!"
"Oh no." Ingeras groaned.
"Are you up to taking a walk?" Aragorn offered.
"Yes! Why?"
"I want to show you something, after you dress." Aragorn smiled.
Ingeras quickly dressed and hurried down to the foyer to meet Aragorn. He didn't want to miss a single moment that he could grasp spending time with the ranger. "Erestor?" Ingeras tugged on the elf's robe.
"Yes, little one?" Erestor replied.
"Where is Aragorn?" Ingeras asked, a little worried.
"He is out by the fountain, waiting for you." Erestor smiled.
"Thank you." Ingeras nodded and raced outside. He was relieved when he found Aragorn standing near the large fountain. "I'm here." Ingeras announced.
"That was fast." Aragorn grinned.
"What did you want to show me?"
"Come with me." Aragorn offered his hand. Ingeras eagerly took it. The ranger led him through gardens and around a gazebo. Till finally, they came to a beautifully white, porcelain statue of a smiling woman sitting serenely on a monument, engraved with Elvish writing.
"Who is she?" Ingeras whispered.
"My mother." Aragorn said longingly.
"So, your momma is dead?" Ingeras looked up with concern at the tall, strong, meek man that reminded him of Vlad.
"Ai." Aragorn nodded. "My father died when I was an infant. And my mother died when I was about your age." Ingeras clasped both his hands on Aragorn's large one.
"I'm sorry." He said. "You must miss her very much."
"Yes, I do." Aragorn sighed.
"Elrohir said that elves call their papas 'Ada'. But you call Lord Elrond 'Ada'. But you're not an elf. Why do you call him 'Ada'?" Ingeras inquired curiously.
"Because, he is my father." Aragorn smiled, looking down at the boy. "You see, my momma and Lord Elrond were relations. And, when she died, he took me in and raised me as his own."
"So, you lived here? With Arwen, and Erestor and Glorfindel, and 'Ro and 'Dan?"
"Yes."
"Did you like it here?"
"Yes, I did. It was hard at first when I lost my momma. But Lord Elrond's family was very kind. They helped me, as we're trying to help you."
"But I can't stay here. I need Papa."
"I know. And if he comes for you, you'll always be welcome to come back and visit." Aragorn said.
"Really?" Ingeras echoed him.
"Ai." Aragorn nodded. Ingeras shed tears, but he was smiling as he hugged Aragorn around his waist. Aragorn smiled and picked the boy up. He hated the idea of Ingeras ever leaving, but the boy needed his own father. And if it that made Ingeras happy, then the separation would be worth it.
"Dear Legolas,
It's me, Ingeras. I hope you are well. I am still very, very sad about my momma. And I miss Papa so much. But, I am enjoying my stay in Rivendell, and you may tell your father the king that I am grateful that he sent me here. I want to see Papa again more than anything, but Lord Elrond and the others are starting to feel like an adoptive family to me.
First of all, I should properly introduce myself. I am Prince Ingeras Tepes, of Transylvania. It is in another world. My father is….or was, the prince of our country. Our greatest enemies invaded our homeland. They are true monsters, and there was almost no other way to defeat them! My papa did something, chose a questionable weapon for protecting his people. It was dangerous and now he has become dangerous. I did not tell you at first because I was afraid and at the time you were strangers to me. I was afraid for my father. And no offense, but your papa scares me! I'm sure he doesn't mean it, but he intimidates me.
The House of Elrond are all nice, but Aragorn is my very good friend. He reminds me of Papa. I hope they can meet someday!
I hope Mirkwood isn't as dangerous now. I would like to visit you again, only this time on good terms."
Elrond's children had come to consider Ingeras their new, adoptive little brother. They said it was like raising Aragorn all over again. Elladan and Elrohir were trying to teach Ingeras how to climb trees like an elf. The boy was still sad, but when the weather was fair, he enjoyed outdoor activities with the older boys. Aragorn joined when he could, but there were days that he was absent, off with his men of the South.
One afternoon, Aragorn was returning from a trek with the rangers when he saw a small figure, expertly climbing up one of the trees. Aragorn smiled and made his way over. He saw Elladan standing underneath the tree, while Elrohir was up in the branches. They were doing a timing challenge with the boy, seeing how quickly he climb up cautiously. "Estel, you're home." Elladan smiled, and wrapped his arm around the ranger. "Did you behave yourself, little brother?"
"Did you?" Aragorn retorted.
"Aragorn!" Ingeras exclaimed excitedly, waving with one arm. "You're back!"
"That's right, I'm back." Aragorn waved back.
"Look at me!"
"I see." Aragorn crossed his arms.
"Time is getting away from you, Ingeras. Come on!" Elrohir urged him. Ingeras carefully traveled from limb to limb. Almost reaching the dark-haired elf.
"Not bad, 'Dan." Aragorn approved. Ingeras had learned much while he was gone.
"You made it!" Elrohir praised when Ingeras reached the top.
"I did it!" Ingeras cheered.
"Nice work, penneth!" Aragorn praised him. Elrohir and Ingeras started to climb down.
Ingeras was eight feet from the ground when the limb he was holding onto cracked. "Aah!" He gasped.
"Ingeras?" Elladan looked up and started to run toward the tree, but then the branch broke and Ingeras came crashing to the ground.
"Ingeras!" Aragorn and his brothers panicked and rushed to him. Ingeras curled up into a ball. "Ingeras, are you alright? Are you hurt?" Aragorn asked. Ingeras whimpered like a whipped puppy nodding.
"Stay still, Tithen pen." Elladan told him. He carefully ran his hands over the little boy's body and they all noticed that Ingeras was cradling his left arm to his chest. It looked stiff. "Where are you hurting, Ingeras?"
"My arm! My arm! Please help me. It hurts!" Ingeras wailed, looking up pleadingly at the three healers.
"Shh. Shh. Alright, Ingeras. Just stay still and try to breathe normally, okay?" Aragorn spoke kindly to him.
"Let me see your arm." Elladan told him. He gingerly took the arm in his lap and felt around the bone, earning a shrill yelp from the little boy. "It's pretty swollen." He told his brothers in Elvish.
"You two find some supplies for a splint. I'll stay with him." Aragorn replied in Elvish. He scooted closer to the boy. "Shh. We're going to get some help, Ingeras. It's alright."
"It hurts! Aragorn, it hurts!" Ingeras cried.
"I know, son. I know it does." Aragorn said sympathetically. "Just don't move, okay?" He tenderly rubbed the boy's forehead. Elladan and Elrohir gingerly splinted the dislocated limb. Then Aragorn slipped his arms underneath Ingeras and carried him back to the Homely House.
"Ada!" Elrohir exclaimed urgently as he entered the foyer. Elrond came running.
"Elrohir, what is wrong? Is it Ingeras?" He asked.
"Yes, Ada. He fell and I think his right arm is broken."
"Where is he?"
"'Dan and Estel are bringing him right now."
"Good. Getting a work table ready in the healing wing." Elrond instructed. He met his other sons as Aragorn came in, holding a whimpering Ingeras. "Elrohir tells me you hurt yourself, Tithen pen." Elrond said.
"My arm really hurts, Lord Elrond." Ingeras looked up at him helplessly.
"Yes, I can see that." Elrond nodded sympathetically. "Well, Estel can bring you to the healing room and we'll get you fixed up."
Ingeras was lying on one of the hospital beds, with his arm in a sling. His arm had been treated and set. Aragorn was alone with him now but Arwen was on her way to the healing room to visit. Ingeras had kept asking and asking for her. Aragorn was sitting next to him on the bed. "Ada says you were very brave." He told him.
"Mmm." Ingeras mumbled.
"You alright?" Aragorn asked.
"My tummy hurts." Ingeras moaned.
"Really? Where?" Aragorn asked, straightening up. Ingeras hadn't said anything about that until now. Had he hurt himself worse than they thought? Aragorn decided to make a quick check, so he pulled the covers down to Ingeras's knees.
"All over." Ingeras replied quietly. Aragorn pulled up the boy's shirt and scanned it for bruising, but didn't find any.
"I'm going to feel around on your stomach, to make sure nothing is wrong. Okay?" Aragorn told him. Ingeras nodded and remained quiet as Aragorn carefully prodded his abdomen, checking for damage. Ingeras didn't flinch. He just lay there. "Well, I'm not feeling any injuries. Do you feel ill?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"You know what I think? I think you're homesick, Ingeras." Aragorn smiled, pulling the boy's shirt back down. Ingeras merely nodded. "You miss your papa very much, don't you?" Aragorn spoke softly and patiently as placed his hand under the boy's tunic and gently rubbed Ingeras's belly in soothing circles.
Tears filled the boys' eyes. "Yes, I do!" He cried. "I wish he was here." Oh, how he wished Vlad was here right now. And Mirena! He'd never gotten hurt or sick without Mirena there to comfort him. And now? He would never be able to have that sweet reassurance from her again.
"I know, Tithen mellon." Aragorn nodded, massaging the boy's stomach.
"Do you think he's dead?" Ingeras sputtered tearfully.
"I do not know, Ingeras. I pray not."
"I want my momma. I miss Mama!" Ingeras started to sob. "It's not fair! Why did they have to kill her? I hate them!" He wailed. Aragorn scooted up to the pillows, leaning close to him and wrapped his arms around the weeping boy. "She was the best mother ever. Why did she have to die? Why did she leave me?"
The door opened, and Elrond peered in with Arwen. "Is everything all right, Estel?" Elrond asked. Aragorn shrugged. Arwen and Elrond stepped in. Ingeras didn't notice them. Aragorn kissed his head.
"I miss Mama!" Ingeras continued weeping. "I want Mama! Why did she have to die?" The adults let him cry.
"I have asked the same thing over and over again about my mother too." Aragorn said.
"And mine." Arwen murmured, sitting down next to Ingeras and squeezing his hand. Ingeras looked up at her. Those blue eyes! It made him miss Mirena so much more. He cried until he couldn't anymore. Arwen kissed his head. "Better now?"
"A little." Ingeras nodded.
"How does your arm feel?" Elrond asked.
"Not too bad, but it does hurt."
"Ai. If you keep it still, it will heal quickly." Elrond said.
"Ingeras, did you know, that Legolas's mother was also murdered by the enemy?" Arwen asked, taking his hands. Ingeras gaped at her.
"His? His mother was killed too?" He sputtered.
"Ai. She was trying to protect him. He still misses her. I think that is one reason he wanted to help you so much, because he understood how you feel."
"Oh, poor Legolas. And he doesn't have any brothers or sisters! Not like you all."
"You are right, he does not."
"I wish I could see him."
"We should ask King Thranduil if his son may come for a visit." Arwen suggested.
"I hope so. King Thranduil is rather scary, but Legolas was always nice to me and kept me safe. I miss him." Ingeras said.
"Well, when your arm is a little better, I would like to teach you tracking, like my fellow rangers do. Would you like that?" Aragorn suggested.
"Yes." Ingeras nodded, rubbing his eyes. This whole ordeal had exhausted him.
"We should let you rest." Elrond smiled warmly.
"I want Arwen to sing to me. Please?" Ingeras asked.
"Certainly." Elrond grinned.
"I'd love to." Arwen beamed.
"That would be my choice too, if I was in your shoes, Tithen mellon." Aragorn chuckled. He stood up so Arwen could be closer to the boy. He was already drifting.
Elrond spoke again. "And until your father returns, or somehow we find out what became of him, you'll always have a place here in Rivendell."
