Chapter 52 The Leave-taking and Epilogue
The next day, Aragorn took his leave of the household. The day began by raiding the pantries for food that would keep for several days. Suddenly, the hunting trips he and his brothers had gone on had had purpose. Next, he gathered together everything that he had packed the night before and loaded his saddlebags. Aragorn still enjoyed talking to and giving treats to his beloved Melian. She had become a fine mare with the most beautiful painting of grey and white on her body. And she had finally come into her own as a well-known horse for she had just turned 13 right before Aragorn found out about who he really was.
Finally, all was ready for his trip. Aragorn said goodbye to everyone two or three times at least. This was a lot harder than he thought. Gilrean refused to see him leave. She couldn't bear sharing her grief at this moment, so Aragorn had said his goodbyes to her earlier that morning in their rooms. She had also given him messages to give to the Dunedain should he overtake them eventually. They mainly told of how everything had gone and was going and to take care of Aragorn for her.
"You have already acquired many names in a short while, but I shall give you one more. I bid you to keep your name and heritage safe in your heart and share it with no one, even if they seem to be trusted as a friend. Only reveal this information if it is absolutely crucial or you have contacted me. I know many of those who roam this Middle Earth, some good, many now turned bad. So choose carefully whom you make acquaintances of. I say all of this to get to the point of you need a traveling name. And I have chosen one to suit you well, introduce yourself as Strider of the Dunedain to any who ask. It is a name fitting of someone who wishes to hide as you do," Elrond had told his foster son.
He had also said a private goodbye to Arwen. Aragorn told her nothing of his conversation with Elrond, but he still felt he needed to tell her that he might not see her again for a long time.
Aragorn hugged everyone one last time and finally mounted Melian to ride off. Elladan and Elrohir would join him for a while and he was glad, he did not wish to make that goodbye yet.
After several months in his company, Elladan and Elrohir finally returned to Imladris. They had made sure Aragorn traveled as far north as they could accompany him. As he watched them leave, Aragorn's heart suddenly felt very heavy. For the first time in his life, he was completely alone in the world. He did not even have a real name, at least not one that he could share. Later that night, he finally set up his camp and fell into a restless sleep. It would become one thing that he could count on in the wilds.
A few weeks later, he overtook the Dunedain and gave them his mother's messages. He was grateful to be in the company of men again…
Epilogue: This ends the second part of Aragorn's tale. Watch this space in the next few weeks for the continuation, Ranger in Waiting. Though, she may not remember, thanks to Lothithil for the title. This will be the third and last part in the tale and will eventually end where all great lives end, at the death of Aragorn and the beginning of his son's rule. Thanks again for your encouragement, help and just in general reading of my humble tale.