The journey eastward was slow and yet not without event. Mithrandir and the elven twins kept questioning him of his journeys in the southern realms, and Aragorn found himself reiterating his sojourn for the umpteenth time. He had grown tired of it, but his news brought looks of concern to his friends. Elladan and Elrohir kept whispering to themselves while Arwen stayed close to him, her hands clasped in his, giving him a warmth he needed so badly after everything that had taken place.

Gandalf looked worried as well. "I'm sure you dealt the Enemy this heavy blow and dismantled whatever went on in that accursed city in the Morgul Vale, but I fear Sauron will continue with his evil designs. The projects in Minas Morgul would only be taken up in Barad-dur, I believe. It won't be too long now... Sauron's plans may have been set back, but he's going to recover. His war upon Middle Earth will come soon."

"We still have some time, Gandalf, before He does so," he said, hoping he was right. "Time to prepare the Free Peoples of Middle Earth and warn them of Sauron's ambitious designs."

"Perhaps!" the wizard remarked, leaning on his ashen staff, his eyes frowning upon the East. "But it's time for you to return to your people in the North and guide them for a while. The rangers have been in disarray ever since you left and yearn to once more have you as their command. The North has to be protected."

"The North will hold, Gandalf," he said.

The wizard's brows furrowed as though for a brief moment there he doubted his words. "Yes, yes, they've to hold," he repeated with a sigh. "But I must also head elsewhere."

"Where are you going then?" Aragorn asked.

"I need to pay Gondor a visit," Gandalf answered. "The Morgul Vale troubles me, and Gondor can do with some guidance in the matter. Also, Ecthelion is on the last leg of his years and I must pay the old Steward a visit. After Denethor rises to his position, I fear my welcome won't be favorably looked upon."

Aragorn smiled and then nodded. "Denethor is a proud man in whom the blood of Numenor runs true. He sees through people deeply and is a good judge of a person's true character. I think he might have deduced my identity and was ever envious of me. If I returned there thither, I don't think I shall find a favorable welcome there either."

Gandalf's eyes bored into him. "Well, Denethor may become the Steward of Gondor, but even he cannot deny the return of the King."

Aragorn couldn't help but frown. Deep inside, he knew that he would have to someday claim the crown in Minas Tirith and declare himself King, but he did not think now was the right time to lay such a claim. If he did so now, he believed it would be too early, and the Council of Gondor would deny such a claim, giving the same reasons as they had done his forefather, King Arvedui.

The wizard noticed his unease as he said, "Now isn't the time for you to lay such a huge claim, Aragorn. You still have time, such as Fate wills, before you take on the responsibilities of the crown. Be that as it may, as long as Denethor is Steward, your claims may not be so easily accepted. You'll have to prove yourself in many ways, and only when the Shadow is utterly defeated shall you be the rightful King of the lands of Numenor in exile. Until then, you have to perform the duties of the Chieftain of the Dunedain of Arnor."

"For long have I abandoned those duties!" he remarked.

"And they haven't forgotten you... when you declare yourselves to them, and the elves will help you in this, they shall accept you wholeheartedly, more than Denethor ever would."

Aragorn couldn't help but snicker at that. "The Dunedain are my kin, and I'd see them grow to glory once again. But I yearn also for the sight of my mother and to embrace her once again."

"She waits for you in Rivendell, dear friend," Gandalf said. "She awaits your return."

"Well, you must sleep now, Estel," Arwen said, brushing his hair. "Sleep now for we must reach Caras Galadhon on the morrow."

Aragorn nodded, yet in his heart, he wondered if he would ever be accepted once again in Caras Galadhon after what he had done.