Ladies and Gentlemen, ANOTHER chapter you've all been waiting for! LOL Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

"Edrian is only your middle name, Mr. Mortensen," Edwards—er, Elrond said. "You do know that."

I shook my head. "I don't have a middle name. It's on the school records."

"Your mother omitted your true first name when you were enrolled," Garrison—er, Gandalf explained, "and took your middle name as your given. It was for your safety, just as Aragorn became Estel while he was sheltered in Rivendell."

"They why isn't she here to tell me herself?" I asked.

"Clarice asked that her involvement in this aspect of your life be limited. Again, for your safety. The more she knew, the more that could be revealed through her, and thus the more risk she herself posed to your very life." Legolas touched my hand in a very comforting, non-gay way. "Your mother did the right thing. She left this for Elrond and Mithrandir to reveal."

"And that time has come," Elrond added. "Edrian, your true name is Adhémar."

Adhémar… "Adhémar." I let it sit on my tongue for a moment. "It's a kingly name."

"And you are the king," Gandalf said softly.

I frowned. "So… wait. I'm Aragorn?"

"You are his descendent. His blood has thinned and hidden itself from our view for many years after the days of his house ended." Already Elrond seemed more like the Elven lord he was and less like the high school teacher he had disguised himself as, pacing slowly and staring out of the window as he explained. "Aragorn's very lineage knew that it was not safe to reveal itself, that it must go into hiding until its time came again.

"When your father was born, we saw Aragorn's blood intensely once more, and it strengthened when Amalric and Clarice were wed. Alec, as you knew your father's name to be, was aware of the blood in his veins. But he thought that there were a few more generations yet to pass until the Heir was born and came forth again. Amalric never suspected that the King was his very son."

"That was when we intervened," Gandalf explained. "Just as it was with Arathorn, we knew that Alec was to be short-lived. His sole purpose in life was to be your father, Edrian, and we knew that there was no time to be lost. You were conceived shortly after your parents wed."

"He died two years later." I whispered solemnly, willing myself not to cry.

"As it was with Arathorn and Gilraen. Tell me, Adhémar Arhirion," Elrond said, calling me by my royal name, "do you remember your third-grade gym teacher?"

"Mr. Stern? Sort of. He coached me when I started playing peewee football. He… he kind of looked like you. Meaning Phillip Edwards, of course."

Elrond smiled. "He is my son."

"Shouldn't his alias start with a P or an E?"

The Elf-lord laughed. "Stern is the German word for star. Elrohir's name means star horse lord."

"And when you went with your little cousin to see Santa at the mall in ninth grade, she sat on Radagast's lap and asked him for her Polly Pocket set." Gandalf smiled dryly.

I grinned. Lizzie had adored me and would only go see Santa if I went with her, but then she moved away with Aunt Teresa and Uncle Robert. Then I jumped as I remembered something else. "Oh, God," I groaned. "I asked your wizard buddy if he could make Alix Evanston fall in love with me. Oh, God, I'm screwed."

"Wrong holiday, Edrian," Legolas muttered next to me.

Elrond laughed heartily. "You are not screwed just yet, but you may be very close, if you know what I mean."

Whoa.

Seeing the look on my face, Elrond apologized halfheartedly. "Perhaps I should point out, Edrian Adhémar, that your back is turned on Miss Evanston during class. You have no way of seeing where she is looking. But as the teacher, I do."

My jaw dropped. "You don't mean Alix Evanston checks me out during class."

Elrond smirked. "She seems to have a bit of difficulty disguising her enthusiasm."

Suddenly my jeans felt a little tight.

Legolas's hand gripped my arm to calm me down as he whispered something soothing in Elvish, and the discomfort subsided.

Gandalf prodded gently. "You have been in love with Alix for quite some time, yes?"

I nodded. "Since eighth grade. On the last day before Christmas break, we watched Bridge to Terabithia for our class party, and she cried so hard I couldn't stand it. How someone could look so beautiful while suffering so badly like that, I—"

Legolas nodded in understanding. "Then it is especially vital that you attend tomorrow night's Homecoming game."

"Why, is she going to be crowned Queen?"

"Alix has been nominated to the Court," Elrond admitted. "But that is not the main reason. Something cold and black stabs my heart whenever the Game is mentioned, something that brings tidings of fear."

"There is a fell voice in the air," Legolas murmured. "Linden is playing the New Hampton Warlocks. Their mascot is the raven." He looked at me meaningfully.

I swallowed the obvious hint. "Let me think for a second," I said. "The New Hampton Warlocks. School colors are red and black, right?"

Legolas nodded.

Warlocks. Ravens. Black and red. Warlock… a sorcerer. Warlock and ravens—crows. "Crebain from Dunland?" I tried.

He nodded again. It was his line, after all. "Crebain from Dunland," Legolas confirmed.

"You must take the Sword with you tonight, Edrian," Elrond pushed. "Legolas shall see to it that your skills are polished. You will need them tomorrow night, I fear. You have a good long coat, do you not?"

"Yeah." I'd gotten it for seventy-five bucks at a sidewalk sale outside the Macy's department store three towns over, a nice black wool number, classic mid-length with slight military influences. So not a geek's coat. I laughed. "People wear sweatshirts to Homecoming, not Kenneth Cole knockoffs."

"It will be cold tomorrow night, Edrian," Gandalf warned, "colder than this town has known for a long time. You will need warmth. And the Sword must be concealed."

Oh. So I needed Anduríl tomorrow night. "I see. I'll be there."

"Good." Elrond placed the scabbard in my hands. "Adhémar, Edrian Arhirion, your time is coming quickly."

Just a Note: Aragorn was sometimes called Dunedan because he was a Dunedain Ranger, so Arhirion is the same way. It's not actually part of Edrian's name. Arhirion= son of a noble lord; can also be translated as 'noble river'.

Adhémar is an old Norman name I found somewhere on the Web; Amalric I think is from the same source. In case anyone is wondering…

So I hope y'all enjoyed this installment! More soon! Love to all, Crirawen