A Sword Of A Different Kind
It was standard practice for Glorfindel to be at Elrond's side when the twins reported in after Winter Patrols. Today was no exception.
As was customary, Estel bathed and changed during this report then patiently awaited his turn outside the study. It gave Elrond a chance to view the situations from both the Elven and Adan viewpoints. This also gave him a chance to assess the rapid maturity of his youngest son far better than when he had permitted all three to be together. In those cases, he noted, Estel had usually spoken little, deferring to his older Elfin brothers, a situation that would not serve him as he sped towards his future.
Elladan spoke with Elrohir standing at his side. "We engaged orcs very successfully in the two areas that were planned. We suffered only minor injuries and none of the enemy escaped. Then we headed down to the area just west of the Angle because we had gotten troubling reports there. That was where we were attacked by the trolls and Tibord was killed immediately. Estel handled the burial with Halbarad's assistance, away from the stone remnants of the battle. At this point, the area from our borders to the Angle is fairly clear."
"How did Estel fare, Elladan?" Elrond asked.
"Ada, as you know, Estel continues to become a force to be reckoned with on patrol. He grows in prowess daily. He is much stronger at coverage than Halbarad at this point although he doesn't have nearly the time in the field. There is no doubt he will make a fine Ranger when the Dúnedain choose to recognize him."
"Thank you both. You may now freshen up and get some well deserved rest." Glorfindel commented dismissing two of the Elrondions.
As they left closing the door behind them, Glorfindel looked over to see Elrond stricken and conflicted. "It is time, is it not, My Lord?" he said looking his friend in the eye. "Do you wish me to remain or wait outside."
"Probably outside, but very near, my old friend. You have often been a good backup and I have no idea how Estel will react to the news."
"Then, I will let him in and remain close at hand. Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I will ever be having waited and dreaded it for the last eighteen years….. Send him in."
With that, Glorfindel left the study holding the door open for Estel to enter then quietly closing it remaining just outside.
Elrond's youngest son stepped into the room and stood before his ada's desk.
"Estel, your report."
"On the way south, we met up with Dirhael's Dúnedain's troop of Rangers including Tibord and Halbarad who trained with me here under Glorfindel. There were fourteen in the patrol total. Ultimately we engaged two bands of forty orcs each. While the fighting was fierce, we were able to clear them out with no serious casualties. However, in an area northwest of the Angle, we were attacked by a band of eight trolls. The first one attacked was Tibord. The lead troll broke his neck. We buried him in the vicinity but away from the troll stones. Fortunately we were near enough to the Angle to get the six with broken bones to safety. Once they were settled, we swept the area back to the borders of Imladris to confirm it was free of orcs and trolls."
"Hannan le, ion nin. As usual, I appreciate the thoroughness of your report. Please sit down. You have grown into a fine young man. Not only do you make your mother and I proud, but you are a credit to your father, Arathorn the Second's memory, Aragorn." With this, Elrond waited for what was said to sink in.
"Arathorn the Second…..Aragorn….. Ada, who are these people?" Estel asked with a confused look on his face.
"Your father, Arathorn the Second was Chieftain of the Dúnedain. He and your mother, Lady Gilraen, in the short time they were married had one child, a boy they named Aragorn. That child was two years old when he and his mother were given sanctuary here at Imladris eighteen years ago, after Arathorn was murdered by orcs during the beginnings of the growth of the shadow."
"You are telling me I am that person, Aragorn son of Arathorn?"
"Yes, ion nin. Your birth name is Aragorn. Who are the Dúnedain?"
"They are the descendents of the kings of old, of the line of Elendil. They are Isildur's people, and the leaders are his heirs. They are heirs to the thrones of Gondor and Arnor."
"Think about what you just said."
After a very long five minutes, Aragorn spoke, "You are telling me that I am not really Estel Elrondion but Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
"Not quite. You are both Estel Elrondion and Aragorn, son of Arathorn! My brother, Elros, as you know from your studies, was the first king of Númenor. You and I are related. When you first came, and I first saw you there at the house in front of your mother, you looked for all the world like my brother! Glorfindel saw it as well. Much later, he also saw you as a young Elendil. We had to protect you. The only way we could do that was to hide you and your mother here and change your name. Aragorn is too tied to the lineage. We agreed that to protect the future, you had to not only be hidden but given a chance at a happy childhood with the proper education as befits your future responsibilities. Do you understand?"
Another long pause. "Atarinya, slowly, I am beginning to see parts more clearly. Very slowly."
"Ion nin, it will take time. I have three identifying relics I have kept for you, the Ring of Barahir, the Shards of Narsil and the Septer of Annúminas. I will give you the Ring now as well as the Shards of Narsil. The Septer of Annúminas I will grant to you later."
"The shards of Narsil!"
"Yes, ion nin, you might say, a very special sword to mark this very special coming of age."
"Hannan le, Lord Elrond. I think I will need some time to think all this over and especially to speak with my mother, Lady Gilraen."
"Take all the time you need. No matter what you choose, you will always have a home here."
"Hannan le, My Lord."
As Aragorn left the study wearing the Ring of Barahir and carrying the Shards of Narsil, he was greeted with a warrior's salute by Glorfindel. While no words were spoken, it was more than obvious that not only was the Scion of the House of the Golden Flower of Gondolin enormously proud of his pupil, but also, that he would stand by him in time of need for the rest of their lives.