Before his hand could even graze the surface he hesitated. Did they want him here? Did HE want to be here? All the doubts that had been swirling around his mind before now boiled to the surface. He let his hand fall down to his side.
A mistake, that's what this was. He'd just go back to the Rangers now. No harm done.
The rational part of his mind whispered that the elves already knew of his arrival. Even if Elrond or the twins hadn't seen him already, they would hear of him. That he was here, and then he left without greeting them. Fled like a coward.
Still. Strider couldn't bring himself to face them, not anymore. Not like this. After so many years, could he just show up and expect things to pick up as they were?
He sighed and turned away, heading back to the forest. Back where he belonged.
He winced as he heard the door behind him fly open.
"Going somewhere?" A familiar voice drawled.
Strider turned slowly back around. Elladan was leaning against the doorframe, smirking.
His throat constricted at the familiar sight. He wanted to say something, but found that he couldn't. He stared at Elladan, uncertain- it had been so long!
Elladan's face softened as he witnessed Stider's struggle.
"Come here brother" He crossed the distance between them in a few short steps and embraced Aragorn tightly.
Strider fought to gain a hold over his emotions as he clung to Elladan. Once he had gained control again he stepped back and bowed slightly.
"It is good to see you again Lord Elladan. You look well."
Elladan raised an eyebrow at Aragorn's formality, looking very much a younger Elrond in that moment.
"Lord?" He asked incredulously "Lord? Never have you called me thus! Has it been so long Estel?"
Aragorn winced again. He didn't know where he stood, true, but calling Elladan "Lord" had been a mistake. He had never done so in the past, and to do so now... well it would only make the situation worse. Or rather, HAD made it worse. But it was too late now.
Luckily, an identical figure had stepped out behind Elladan and saved Aragorn further embarrassment.
"Estel!" Elrohir cried, rushing over to embrace him as well. "It has been much too long."
Aragorn again fought for control in the arms of his brother. What was wrong with him?
Elrohir stepped back and appraised his foster brother at arms length. "You are not wounded are you? Or ill? I know how fragile you humans can be."
Aragorn laughed shortly. They knew nothing of the frailty of humans. If they saw how desperate and dirty the ranger's camps were...
"I am well Elrohir, do not trouble yourself."
Elrohir started at the terseness of his tone, and glanced at Elladan who gave a barely perceptible shrug.
"Well don't just stand there little brother, come in!"
Strider trailed his foster brothers slowly into the house.
"We've kept your old room for you" Elrohir informed him. "In fact, I don't think anyone's been in it since you left. Except to clean- you can leave quite a mess little brother!"
"We were tempted to leave it for you, but Father insisted it be clean upon your return" Elladan added
Aragorn stiffened slightly at the mention of Lord Elrond. Noticing the movement, the twins shared a look quietly behind his back.
"Speaking of your return" Elrohir said lightly "Why has it been so long? We expected a visit long before this! We were beginning to think you'd forgotten all about us now that you're with the Rangers!"
Aragorn forced himself to relax and he laughed "Not quite! I fear it is you who have forgotten me!" It was said jokingly, but there was a bite of truth to his words.
However, both the twins cried out indignantly at his words.
"Forget about you? Never! We've done nothing but worry about you since your departure!"
"You could have at least written a letter! If not for the updates that Father gets from the ranger's camp, that at the very least said nothing of your demise, we would have been forced to send out search parties long ago!"
This last was from Elrohir, who from the look on his face seemed as though he thought the idea of sending out a search party was not, on the whole, a displeasing idea and one to file away for later use.
Aragorn smiled and apologized "I'm sorry my brothers, I was quite busy these last few months-"
"Years, apparently" muttered Elladan
Aragorn mock glared at him "As I was saying, I've been quite busy with the rangers and I haven't had the time to write or visit. However, if I may note, I haven't received word of any sort from you either!"
"WE are elven royalty. We haven't the time to go traipsing around the country side searching for shaggy, unwashed humans." Elrohir noted loftily
His suddenly dignified pose was quickly ruined by a sharp elbow to the ribs from Elladan.
"What he means to say is, he didn't want to ruin his pretty little outfit by getting DIRT on it, of all things. Rumor has it that can happen out in the wilderness. And his hand was cramped from writing out courtly invitations to young elven ladies. He couldn't possibly write you a letter."
Aragorn snorted at the thought of either of his brothers getting squeamish at the sight of dirt and writing flowery notes. He'd seen them covered from head to toe with mud, and that was on one of their better days!
Seeing his brother relax at the familiar banter, Elladan changed tactics "Would you like to put your things away in your room? I'm sure that Father would love to see you as soon as possible"
Strider shifted uncomfortably. "Of course, I'll just be a moment."
As he stepped into the room to put his pack down, one of the twins caught his arm "Estel? Is there something you aren't telling us? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just-"
Footsteps echoed down the hallway and the soft murmurings of two elves in council could be heard.
As the two elves rounded the corner, Estel looked over and was immediately caught in the disapproving gaze of Lord Elrond.
A/N: Sorry that these chapters are so short! And that it's getting off to a bit of a slow start- I promise the real action will start soon :)
Friendly Feanorian and Sandy-wmd ~ Thanks for the lovely reviews! They made my day :) I hope you enjoy this next chapter! And that you get your cookies!
