Chapter 7 is up, and I hope you'll enjoy it. : ) Remember to review at the end…

Chapter 7

Aragorn brought his galloping horse to a halt, glancing at the ivy-covered stairway leading down to a lone house in the middle of a well-kept garden. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the willowed branches overhead as Aragorn dashed down the marbled steps to a flower framed door, closed to the constant calls of the birds of the air.

" Mother!" he called out, his voice breaking the still air when his rhythmic knocks remained unanswered. Pressing his ear to the seams of the wooden door, he stilled his breath and listened carefully. Nothing. But then he heard it, faintly at first. It seemed to be coming from the window round the corner…music…the sound of heavenly voices singing with joy and in perfect harmony, creating a glorious overtone. The breath of the wind, rushing past his ears, slowly blowed away those sweet notes, muffling the elvish words of lost hope.

Aragorn hurried to the opened window, the ends of the curtain, a thin but soft fabric brushed his dark hair as he hoisted himself up onto the windowsill. With one glance back out, he swung his legs over the sill and dropped himself into the eating hall. Trained by both the elves and the Rangers, his boots thudded lightly on the ground, barely making a sound.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he took in the familiar sight. How long had it been since he had last seen the place where he had spent his childhood years? Too long, Aragorn thought, I should have come back sooner. Aragorn ran a finger along the edges of a gilt-edged dish, memories flooding back.

Quickly he moved through the hall, past an elvish-made table and drawn out chairs, swerving past the occasional bookshelf or display cabinet. Mother…the word pounding in his head. Where was she? Following the music, Aragorn hurried up a short flight of stairs, taking two at a time and rushed past his mother's bedroom. Hesitating for a slight moment, Aragorn listened carefully quickly forming a route. Why would Gilrean be up there? he wondered. The Ranger hurried up a second spiral stairway and down a long hallway. Aragorn tore down the hallway leaving a trail of muddy footprints on the heavily carpeted floor.

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Gilraen slowly brought the lovely note to an end, smiling at the elves around her.

" You sing well, my Lady", Tithdaeron said, sending a deep flush to her cheeks.

Menelwen, whose name and voice were heavenly to hear, rose and came to Gilraen.

" Aye. You have a wonderful gift, Gilraen. Perhaps it is time for you to use it"

Gilraen's eyes widened in surprise, " You don't mean that!" she gasped, " Sing in Lord Elrond's Hall? Please Tithdaeron and Menelwen, I am not ready to-"

The door burst open and a tall weathered man of sorts hurried in. His hair was wet and matted against his forehead, and his hands and boots soiled.

Gilraen's grip on the harp she held loosened and fell to the floor, an echo sounding throughout the room. She grabbed Menelwen's hand and pulled herself to her feet, staring at the man who walked over to her and bowed respectfully.

" Suilad, Mother (Greetings, Mother)" an unfamiliar voice said, looking down at her.

Gilraen reached out a hand and pressed her palm against the Ranger's cheek.

" Pray tell, you cannot be Estel", she whispered, stroking his forehead and lifting his dark hair from his face, " Man eneth lin, stranger? (What is your name, stranger?)"

" Aragorn, son of Arathorn, I eneth nin" (I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn)

Gilraen paused, blinking in surprise.

" Tolo si (Come here)", she ordered, her tone stern but her face clearly showing she believed him.

A smile slowly forming Aragorn complied, stepping closer to the lady he had recognized on entering the room. His face inches from hers, he took her cold hands in his.

" It has been five years, mother"

" It has been to long, my son", she replied, fondling her son's hair, " Baren bar lin. Le hannon a thoel. (My home is your home. Thank you for coming)"

Aragorn brought his mother into a tight embrace, and Gilraen willingly hugged him back. Menelwen and Tithdaeron took this as the perfect moment to slip away, and so they did shutting the door quietly behind them.

Gilraen pressed her cheek against Aragorn's chest, her eyes shining with happiness.

" You've changed, Estel…so much I can hardly even recognize you", she whispered.

Aragorn smiled, " Five years with the Rangers, mother. I have seen much despair and terror"

Gilraen raised an eyebrow as they drew apart. Gently, she took his hand and led him out to a circular porch.

" Come, Aragorn. We have much to talk about", she told him, motioning to a stone bench by the side.

" I do not know where to begin, mother", Aragorn said, sighing as he watched the trees of his mother's garden swaying gently in the wind. Gilraen paused and studied her son. Five years had indeed changed many things. He could conceal his emotions with barely any effort…very much like Arathorn, she thought, lifting a finger and tracing Aragorn's jaw line. His rugged features only added more to the likeness of the Ranger his father once was. But she knew her son well and noticed his eyes shone with happiness not often found in a Ranger. Something was amiss.

Aragorn shifted ever so slightly in his seat, but GIlraen saw through the movement and took opportunity of it.

" Your mind is elsewhere", she murmured to him knowingly. He gave a quick glance at her before returning his gaze to the outer courtyard, his steady breathing quickening by a pace.

" Estel, look at me", she ordered. Aragorn turned to his mother and placed an arm around her shoulders.

" What's wrong?" he asked hesitantly, frown lines creasing his forehead.

Gilraen remained silent staring into her son's dark eyes till he could stand it no more, looking down to his dirt-stained clothes.

" Tell me, my son"

He looked up sharply at his mother's stern gaze, every fiber in his body stiffening under the cold stare.

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" I understand why you have fallen for her, Aragorn, but there is no way the both of you can be together", GIlraen pressed on. Aragorn turned away from her, shielding his barely visible tears from his mother. Standing, he leaned against the railing round the porch and gripped them tight.

" Lord Elrond would not like it", she continued, saddened to see her son's shoulders slump just a little.

" Elrond doesn't need to know…yet", he argued back feeling his heart hardening against all the odds. The future king of Gondor with the elven-lady of Imladris and Lorien? Yes it was an unlikely match, but it had happened before…it has happened before.

" What about Beren and Luthien?" he asked, his heart rising in hope to have a better explanation for the argument. Gilraen stood and came up to her son placing a warm hand upon his shoulder, turning him to face her. In one glance she took in everything. From his red rimmed eyes and dampened cheeks to his sword-calloused hands hanging loosely by his side.

" What about them?" he asked in a hushed whisper, his voice barely audible over his quickened breathing and the rush of water from the fountain in the stone courtyard below.

She cupped his face with her delicate hands and gave a soft kiss to his nose. Aragorn looked down at her, searching her sea blue eyes for an answer.

" Nae, gerich naergon nin (Alas, you have my expression of deep regret)", she finally said, embracing him once more.

" U-aniron den. (I don't want it)", he replied shortly, his voice filled with bitterness. He pulled his mother from his arms and stepped back.

Gilraen glanced at him and blinked. It was just a blink, but Aragorn knew his tone was not appreciated.

" I am sorry, mother", he said, bowing his head, " Na-den pedim ad (Until we speak again)"

Gilraen watched as her son walked off, his confidence lost. How could it be that they had angered one another within moments of their reuniting? It should not have been. Her only child…she shouldn't have pressured him that much. No doubt others had already frowned against his love for Elrond's daughter.

Aragorn's quiet steps faltered as he slowly turned to face her, the same thought seeming to occur in his mind.

" Aragorn, I am sorry", Gilraen told him, hoping her tender voice reached her son's sharp ears. The distance was quickly covered by Aragorn's long strides as he took her into his arms and breathed in the beautiful aroma emitting from his mother's golden hair.

" Mother! It is not for you to apologize!" Aragorn cried as his mother tightened the embrace.

" It is mine to give, my beloved Estel"

" Nay, the fault is mine" Aragorn whispered to her, " I am sorry to have been so harsh to you, mother. You were the one who first showed me what it is to love"

Gilraen looked into his eyes and smiled, " All is forgiven. One cannot hold a grudge for too long or it will turn to anger-"

" Anger leads to hate and hate leads to suffering", Aragorn finished for her, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Gilraen beamed at him and combed his dark hair with her long fingers," You haven't changed that much after all"

" Neither have you", Aragorn replied. Gilraen stared at him solemnly and for a moment, all was silent.

" The night-meal is approaching…" Gilraen started.

" And I will take you to the House of Elrond", Aragorn said, gently taking her hand in his.

" Thank you, Estel"

" It shall be my pleasure to do so, mother"

" I wasn't talking about that", she whispered. Aragorn turned to her, confusion fusing deep into his eyes.

" What then were you talking about?"

" Your love means more to me than anything else"

Did anyone catch that little line from Star Wars? Well, chapter 7 is finished. : ) Hope you enjoyed it. I have to give credit to baby green eyes for giving me a splendid idea and helping me go through with it. So, now, please, please….REVIEW!!! I'd be really really happy, so, REVIEW!!!