A/N: I took some creative licensing for this chapter because Tolkien never really said exactly what Aragorn saw in the palantír, nor even what his using it was like.

Chapter 4

Not long after they returned to Helm's Deep Aragorn called Halbarad over to his side.

"I am troubled, Halbarad." He told him. "Every day we wait for the Enemy to make his move is another day of wasted time."

"Yes," Halbarad agreed, "but the hasty stroke oft goes astray."

"Aye," Aragorn said. "But it may be we can use that to our advantage."

His face darkened as he stood resolutely. "The time has come for Isildur's heir to reveal himself. Halbarad," Aragorn turned toward him. "I need you to be with me now. Will you follow?"

"Always."

"Then come with me."

So saying Aragorn grabbed his pack and went to the remotest chamber in the Hornburg.

~o~o~

In the empty chamber Aragorn stood before a table, with the palantír resting on its surface.

He had donned a suit of black mail with a white mantle over it, and Andúril hung at his side. Fastening his cloak was the Elessar – an emerald in a setting of silver that was shaped like an eagle – a gift from Lady Galadriel.

"Are you sure that this is wise?" Halbarad asked as Aragorn turned his face eastward.

"I am sure; now is the time," said Aragorn. With that he placed his hands on the seeing-stone.

Pale orange and yellow swirled on the surface of the stone. Slowly the image of a tower appeared – and the colors abruptly faded. Aragorn saw a tall figure, dark and foreboding, in the glass.

Long have you hunted me. Long have I eluded you. He declared to the figure as he raised Andúril. No more! Behold! I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir and the rightful king of Gondor. I bear with me the Sword that was Broken and has been Reforged!

Aragorn could feel the shock emanating from the Dark Lord as he turned his thoughts away from the Dark Tower. But he was met with resistance; Sauron did not so easily give up control of that which he had for so long.

He strove against Sauron. The Dark Lord was not one who gave up easily. Again Aragorn turned his thoughts away from the Tower, and again Sauron resisted.

He sensed Halbarad hovering nearby, but, as the rightful master of the stone, Aragorn wrenched it to his control and turned southwards.

He was shocked at what he saw. Black ships from the Harad were sailing up the Anduin—no doubt towards Minas Tirith. Their sails billowed as they were driven by a strong wind.

Slowly the vision faded as Aragorn stepped away from the palantír. Weariness rolled over him and he swayed suddenly.

Halbarad caught him and led Aragorn over to a pallet on the floor. "Please, Aragorn, rest." The Ranger said.

Aragorn shook his head. "Nay, Halbarad, I have seen troubling things — Gondor does not know her peril. We must ride swiftly to her aid."

He left the chamber, and Halbarad followed behind.

Explanation on the use of the palantír:

Since the seeing-stones were located in different places throughout Middle-earth the surveyor (person using it) has to turn his body in the direction of the other stone (and person using said stone) that he wants to communicate with. Communication with the stones is done through thought. Also, in order to work correctly, the palantír would have to be placed with its axes facing the right direction (i.e. up and down).

If that explanation does not make any sense check out the YouTube channel: Nerd of the Rings. He has a video explaning the palantír.