Chapter VI: Late Meetings

~2981 TA Eriador~

"You did not claim the throne."

"The time was not right." The study was lit by a single candle set in a holder on the desk. "As much as the people liked me, Denethor did not and I would not risk civil strife. He is no fool. The last we met…the way he looked at me, the things he said…He knew who I was. The office of Steward will soon pass to him and it is hard to say what he would do. There has been a steward so long he and others think a king is not needed or perhaps the stewards should ascend the throne. They are, after all descendents of Elendil through Anarion. "

"When will the time be right?"

"As Denethor is older by only a few months and with Sauron still in power…"

"Meaning you may never accept the kingship."

"Accepting it is not the problem," the young chieftain leaned against the desk, "It is actually claiming it that may prove difficult."

"No one ever said it would be easy…alas for my daughter."

"Atar?"

"My son, years come when hope will fade, and beyond them little is clear to me. And now a shadow lies between us. Maybe, it has been appointed so, that by my loss the kingship of men may be restored. Therefore, though I love you, I say to you: Arwen Umdómiel shall not diminish her life's cause for less cause. She shall not be the bride of any Man less than the King of both Gondor and Arnor. To me then even our victory can bring only sorrow and parting- but to you hope of joy for awhile. Alas, my son! I fear that to Arwen the Doom of Men may seem hard at the ending."

"I am sorry, atar. I cannot go against my heart, but nor did I force my feelings upon her. I want you to understand that."

Elrond gazed into his foster son's eyes. There Aragorn saw great sorrow but he also saw understanding.

"It is late; you should take some rest, Aragorn," Elrond gently placed his hands on Aragorn's shoulders. Aragorn nodded and turned to leave. As he opened the door, he turned back.

"Ada, how-?"

"There are many great mysteries in this world, Aragorn, even I do not know them all, but the fact is I have means of finding out certain things and be satisfied with that."

Aragorn nodded once again and exited the room. It seemed so long ago and yet just yesterday all at the time since he last walked these halls. He wondered if Elladan and Elrohir were here or if they were out hunting orcs with his brethren. As much as he desired to fight by their side, he had had enough of war for the time being. His thoughts turned to his mother. He should look in on her and let her be aware of his presence, but she would most likely be sleeping and he did not want to wake her. He quietly opened the door and peeked into her room. A fire burned in the fireplace and she sat in a chair near the window by a few lit candles doing some needlework. "You shall hurt your eyes trying to sew in this light."

"Aragorn!" She started and dropped her sewing. He wrapped her in his arms in a loving embrace. "How long ago did you arrive? What time is it?"

"I have not been back long and it is very late. I thought you might be sleeping."

"No," she shook her head, "I could not sleep."

"I would have come earlier, but Elrond wanted see me and I wanted to see him as well. We had some things to discuss."

"Of course," she placed his hands in hers, "Where is Barahir," she gasped worriedly, "you did not lose it did you?"

"Peace, mother, it is safe. Of course, I did not wear it whilst I was in Gondor and Rohan. Someone may have recognized it. I kept it tucked out of sight on my person at all times."

"I am relieved. How were your travels?"

"I learned much, I saw many places, and I made a few friends, such as they were. After all, they did not really know me. On my way home I stopped in Lothlórien."

Gilraen frowned, "You saw the Lady Arwen there, I assume."

"I did, but let us not talk about such things tonight, mother. It is late and you should be sleeping, as should I." He kissed her on the forehead and left her room.

A none too happy Celebfán was woken to help him get bathed and ready for bed. Elrond was sitting in his room when he returned. Celebfán left after bidding them a fair night. "It occurred to me that I had forgotten something," the elf lord spoke, rising from the chair, "It should have been the first thing we addressed and I hope you shall forgive me for forgetting." He watched his young son ponder his words as he drew near.

"What could we have forgotten, adar?"

"This." Elrond smiled and pulled Aragorn into an embrace. "Now, as your physician you are hereby ordered to rest and not to be bothered by any meddlesome problems of this life for the next few days."

"Speaking of which," said Aragorn, heading for his bed and setting down upon it, "Are they here or out fighting orcs? Because if they are here, then I'm not going to get any rest, I'm afraid."

Elrond laughed and habitually tucked in the Dúnadan as he did when he was simply Estel. He patted his head and kissed his forehead then blew out the candle. Estel's hand caught his as he turned to leave and Estel gently called to him.

"Yes, ion nin?"

"Nin lye linuva?" Elrond smiled and resumed his chair by Estel's bed and began to sing.

After a much needed rest, Aragorn returned into the wilds. It was still some years before he was reunited in Bree with his cousin.

Halbarad had received word that he was to go to the inn and wait there for someone who could tell him more of what was happening with Aragorn. He felt a tap on his shoulder and found it was Aragorn himself that stood behind him. He looked his cousin up and down after a hug and assessed his health: a nice shade of paleness that came from rangering, proper weight of a ranger, hair not ridiculously long or braided, and nice coating of grime and dirt. And while he knew there still lingered a sadness in him that he could not cure, the depression had gone and Halbarad somehow knew that everything would be fine between Elrond and Aragorn. It was none of his business. If Aragorn wanted to tell him, he would.

"I am afraid I am a bit overdue in telling you many things, my brother," said Aragorn.

"Then let us drink and you can tell all."

They walked to towards the Prancing Pony. Shops were closing and some people went home while others went to the pony. As they passed one shop, the shopkeeper, a middle-aged man looked up and smiling, waved at them. Halbarad did not notice but Aragorn offered a wave back to the man. Aragorn observed that the man was not a man of Bree, but he sold nice looking flowers and he silently wished the man good business and perhaps he could give some to the maiden who had stolen his heart some day.

I Met

*Mednaur- fire water.

Ion nin- my son

Nin lye linuva- will you sing for me.

I hope you enjoyed it and oh yeah, thaur lossadan- abominable snowman. For those of you hoping to see Aragorn in Lorien with Arwen, I didn't see the need for Tolkien wrote it so beautifully and whose hearts could he steal in Mordor? The lines that Elrond says regarding Arwen: My son, years come when hope will fade….I fear that to Arwen the Doom of Men may seem hard at the ending, were also written by Tolkien. I currently have no ideas for the next story, but I hope it won't be too long. Reviews please!