I did promise I would update soon, so here you go!

-Nescit Cedere-

It had been a day since we had left Minas Tirith and we were headed for Dagorlad. It was close to Lithlad so we decided we would stay on the border of Dagorlad and Pelennor Fields, just to be safe. Once we were to arrive, we had decided to see what Mordor look like. We had heard stories from several soldiers and our family about how it had collapsed after the Battle, taking the Tower with it. We were halfway to Mordor by now and everyone was handling the trek quite well. Faramina, Aarya, and I walked together behind Estel and Thranduin but in front of Arathorn and Elrudyn, the Elves constantly examining our surroundings or searching for any sign of danger. I didn't know what it was, and I was not sure whether anyone but me felt it, but I had a feeling that we should turn back while we still had the chance.

"Aranyth!" I glanced over my shoulder to see it had been Elrudyn who had called my name. Arathorn walked passed me to reach Estel and Thranduin as my cousin beckoned for me to join him.

"I will be back." I told Aarya and Faramina, who nodded in response and continued their conversation, Faramina being a bit shy leaving Aarya to do most of the talking- which of course, she didn't mind. I fell back, allowing Elrudyn to catch up to me before continuing. He had grown much over the few years, looking almost like an exact replica of Uncle Dan in his elfling years, his chocolate brown hair falling down passed his shoulders, two warrior braids connecting in the back and held there by an elven brooch, forming another braid. His eyes were a faded grey-blue color, features nearly the same as Uncle Dan but with some of his Nana's looks. "What is it?" I whispered lowly, so no one could hear us. Elrudyn's eyes continued to snap here and there, narrowing as they focused onto Mordor.

"You can sense it, can you not?" he inquired in a mere whisper. I looked at him then towards Mordor. The feeling came over me once again.

"Yes. What do you think it is?" I asked. He tilted his head, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"I do not know. Perhaps it is merely the lingering darkness left behind after Mordor fell. Or it may be a warning..."

"I cannot tell from this distance." I murmured and he shook his head.

"Neither can I." I wondered if we should turn around but then that would ruin the camping trip. Besides, Estel had yet to say anything. He usually was the one to sense when things were amiss, but I had learned to never ignore Thranduin, Aarya, and Elrudyn- especially Elrudyn- when they said something was wrong. They were almost always right, so we learned (The hard way, mind you). "We should be safe for now, but we must keep a close lookout for anything unusual."

-Nescit Cedere-

We had reached Dagorlad but did not dare enter the plain, remaining on the border of Gondor and Mordor. It was quite a sight to see. Arrows protruded from the ground, swords left lying about, some areas in the dirt still darkened with blood...Everywhere I looked, I could see the battlefield. There were even hoof prints! And larger ones as well. Trolls, if I remember correctly. Legolas had recounted the time he feared he would lose Aragorn during the battle because of a troll that had pinned Ada to the ground, but just as the troll was about to strike him, Sauron's tower had burst. Everyone still wished to get closer to where the Black Gates once stood, to see how much of Mordor was left but we needed a break. Estel announced we would rest for a little and everyone sat down.

Elrudyn had placed himself albeit further from the group, trying to pinpoint where exactly this feeling was coming from. Ever since we reached the border, it had been growing intensely. Even Faramina could feel it, glancing here and there every once in a while. I couldn't help but grin at my friend. She was a Dunedain, but was quite shy and very Faramir-like. She resembled her Father greatly, with her light reddish-orange hair, but she had Eowyn's features and Faramir's eyes. She was strong, of that we had no doubt, having been trained by Ada and Faramir, as well as Dan and Ro. She wore gloves most of the time, the sleeves of her shirt long to the point they touched where the gloves ended, wearing a dress-like tunic that enabled her to battle if she needed to, boots rising up just below her knees, and wearing leggings beneath.

Aarya was very much like her Father, Elrohir. She had his hair color as well. She and Elrudyn looked much alike it was very...frightening. The only difference was her hair was a bit darker, a little like Nana's, her eyes the same faded-grey blue eyes, features more Elleth-like. She wore a tunic very much the same as Faramina's but it was of Elven-make, silky and light, tunics beneath with boots. She wore blue colors while Elrudyn wore a light purple. Dan and Ro were the same. Dan wore blue and Ro wore purple. There were even days they all wore crimson, Rivendell's color. Their eyes sparkled with mischief and they were constantly smiling. Well, not constantly, but they always appeared rather joyful.

Thranduin resembled his uncle, Thranduil, the most. Their hair was the same white-blonde color, eyes piercing blue that at times I wondered whether they could see our souls, and the same facial structure. His mother was Thranduil's sister-in-law but she and his Father had mysteriously disappeared when he was young and Legolas had taken him in, having found him abandoned near the fortress Dol-Guldur. No one knew what became of his parents, but Thranduil had a feeling that he did but never said anything. He wore green or oceanic blue colors most of the time, grey-ish leggings, brown boots, and always had his bow and arrows slung over his shoulder, as well as his twin knives strapped to his back. He was the tallest in the group, with Elrudyn and Aarya second, then Estel and I, leaving Arathorn and Faramina, the youngest in the group, last.

Arathorn took after mother greatly, but you could still tell he was Elessar's son. His hair was the same length as Estel and Ada, but darker brown color, eyes grey-blue but they had a tendency to turn brown every once in a while. He wore Ranger garbs, as well as Estel and I, and light boots, his clothing dark so that he could blend in the shadows.

Estel was a younger version of Ada when he was a teenager living in Rivendell. If you didn't look closely enough, you might even mistaken him as Aragorn, son of Arathorn II. Estel had the same aura as Ada, the same kingly features, his hair the same exact color and mother's eyes. Because he wore Ranger garbs, a few of the elder Rangers would have to take a second look at him. His personality was the same as Ada's. Helpful, kind, very calm, and rarely ever got angry. And when he does, you had better hope you aren't in the same room as he is. We were quite the group but we somehow fit together. Ever since we met one another, we became instant friends, our bond very close and nearly unbreakable. At times, there were issues, but they would always be resolved sooner or later.

As soon as I had finished assessing everyone, we were ready to leave once again to find a place to camp, for it was far too dangerous to camp out in the open in these lands. We drew nearer to Mordor, where the Black Gates once stood and decided to camp near the rocky hills, where the light from our fire would be hidden. As we sat around the fire, we began to share tales of our childhood and about what we had heard from our parents. Estel, I had noticed, continued to glance over at Mordor, narrowing his eyes as though he were watching something. I turned to see what it could possibly be only to find Mordor coated with pure darkness as the night fell. Our Elven sight allowed us to see more than what the humans could but I still couldn't see what he could have possibly been looking at. That was when I saw it. An outline of what looked to be a tower...A tower radiating with an eerie light...

Everyone fell silent, staring at one another, each having seen what Estel and I had.

A tower that should have been destroyed seventeen years ago...

-Nescit Cedere-

Aragorn shook his head at his brothers' antics. Glorfindel and Erestor were once again arguing while Elladan and Elrohir bickered about their next prank. He wondered how Minas Tirith was still standing. Ai, if he was having trouble, how was Rivendell fairing? He remembered, with a pang of sorrow, that most of the Elves had already left. Elrond being one of them. Elrond had left a few months after their twins, Estel and Aranyth, had just turned two. He had given them his blessing as one of the High Elves and had promised Aragorn that he would still be watching over them, though he would be in Valinor. Aragorn wandered over to the nearest bookshelf, trying to find a book that might keep him occupied till dinner would be ready. He distantly wondered how the children were fairing on their camping trip. He had been immensely relieved when they stated they would camp on the border of Gondor rather than Lithlad or Dagorlad. He knew they would explore the battlefield but he knew that wasn't really anything to worry about.

He scanned the titles quickly, searching for a book that would keep him occupied but could not ignore the nagging feeling that something was very wrong. One caught his attention and Aragorn blinked, staring at the book for a while before shakily pulling it off of the shelf. It was a journal. But not just any journal. He slowly lifted the cover, gazing at the well-drawn pictures that decorated the first page. He turned the page sorrowfully. There, on the second page, in graceful writings, were the names,

'Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas, Estel... ' Aragorn smiled softly. His family. The memories were still fresh in his mind. Memories he refused to let go. It had pained him greatly to say farewell to the Elf who had raised him as his son for the last time. He turned to a random page and began reading silently in Elvish.

'We have done it once again. Elrond had decided to allow us to escort Glorfindel and himself to the Rangers for our first time. It was growing late and we were quite weary. Elrond called for us to rest, sending Elladan and Elrohir to collect wood for fire. We have settled on Weathertop, where it has been rumored that there have been many supernatural occurrences taking place. Glorfindel and I have learned that these were not just rumors. Now, we are fleeing from the spirits whilst searching for the others. Elrond has vanished as well as Dan. Estel and Ro are on the lower grounds but we have yet to see them. These spirits are quite protective of the ruined fortress. ...'

Aragorn could recall this moment well. They had decided to camp at Weathertop, expecting to leave in the morning, but that was not so. Elrond, Dan, and Ro had left to scout the fortress after sensing that something was amiss. Aragorn had also gone since Elrond would not allow them to go alone. They separated into two groups. Glorfindel had been left with their companion but when they returned, they found Elrond had disappeared, Dan was nowhere to be seen, and Glorfindel, as well as their friend had gone missing. Things became very interesting later on that night. He skimmed through a few other pages until one caught his eyes.

The Battle of Pelennor Fields

'The fate of Middle Earth is soon to be decided. We have succeeded in defeating Saruman at Helm's Deep. Now, we must defeat Sauron. I have foreseen this day as well as the day that Estel would be crowned King. Estel, now Aragorn, has called upon the Dead to fight, promising to free them should they fulfill their duty. With the Dead by our side, I am certain that we will emerge victorious for the upcoming battle. We have also captured the Black Ships Lord Elrond had warned us of, thanks to Gimli for accidentally hitting Legolas's bow, causing for the arrow to pierce the heart of one of the pirates. I suppose that does count as a warning. '

Aragorn could not help but smile at the memory. He had asked for Legolas to fire a warning shot but Gimli, being Gimli, tapped Legolas's bow with his axe and the arrow misfired, killing a pirate instantly. It angered the pirates but they were no match for the army of the Dead. His smile instantly faded when he read the next line.

'I am frightened.
Very frightened. I have seen the outcome of the battles to come. The Lady Galadriel graced me with the opportunity to gaze into the Mirror, knowing I would not survive the battle. I have foreseen Sauron's fall, Aragorn's Coronation, Halbarad's death...I have seen Aragorn's children. I had known travelling with the Fellowship would be the last adventure I partook of.'

The writing became less graceful, telling Aragorn that the writer had been trembling while writing. The sorrow that he felt and the inner turmoil began to grow.

'I dare not say anything to Aragorn. I promised I would stand by his side no matter the consequence. But entering this battle with the knowledge that it will be my last...Not even knowing how my life will end...I pray that it will be swift, but I know it will not be so. Orcs are filthy, merciless, creatures. If my death should come, I only ask the Valar that I will be able to see Aragorn once more. I cannot bear the thought of leaving him! How the Valar could-'

Aragorn could read no more, snapping the book shut, not realizing the tears that fell and soaked into his kingly attire. How could he not have seen this before? How did this journal come to be here? The king felt a hand descend upon his shoulder and looked to see Glorfindel standing beside him with the others behind him. An expression of concern graced their features as Faramir inquired if he was well. Aragorn raised the journal and their eyes widened in recognition. Sorrow and grief flashed through the Elves' eyes as they remembered who the journal once belonged too. Aragorn's voice wavered as he tightened his grip on the journal,

"...Dyn..."

-Nescit Cedere-

And there you have it! Another chapter! Probably the shortest of them all but, hey, at least I updated! I know some of you may be confused as to what is going on with Aragorn at the moment and that would be my fault. I planned on posting a prequel to this called 'Of Elves and Rangers' where it would explain a lot more and would mostly be about Aragorn's childhood and up to the time the Lord of the Rings would take place. I will be publishing that on this site as soon as I get started but I will be updating The River of Time soon!