Past History

(Yeah, yeah. To all of you who actually care who I am, I did promise to retire. I still plan on it. Be it I now travel with a circus... Of sorts. Just had a little idea, probably add more if I get the time. Stay in Ohio is coming to an end soon. So if you read this-like honestly anyone would-bare with me.)

(PS of course I do not own Tolkien, and if you think I'm claiming to, there’s some meds you need to take.)

~~~~~

Lightly Arathorn rubbed the swollen belly of his wife. Eight long months finally neared the end.

However sadly Gilraen took his hands. She could feel the calluses, the old breaks, and the old scars. Slowly Arathorn bend to kiss her on the forehead.

"Twas just a nightmare love." Arathorn said softly.

Dark eyes looked up at him. "Promise to be more careful. It's going to be the three of us soon."

"With all my heart I promise."

"I don't know what I'd do if-" Gilraen's voice cracked.

Gently Arathorn took his wife’s chin in his hand, her hands still gripping his. Tears pooled in her eyes, fearful of things she saw in her sleep.

"Fret not, I shall not meet the fate of my father."

"We'll watch our son grow and watch our grandbabies play."

"Defiantly."

Comforted Gilraen hugged her husband tight. This would be a night she would never forget.

Even past the day that would come when she would pass from this world. Arathorn held her tighter, for once in his life he was content being with just her. Tomorrow they would travel to Rivendell where she would wait the birth of their child. Elrond had graciously offered to birth the heir to Gondor to insure the safe birth.

- -Three weeks, two days later. - -

"Elrohir, son of Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, I CAN

NOT believe you talked me into another adventure before the birth of my child!" Arathorn screamed as they rode hard back to Rivendell upon the news Gilraen was in labor.

"Yes, but dear friend it was motivation for you to escape." Elrohir replied.

"How am I going to hide the whip marks?" Arathorn asked.

"Fresh tunic, and a lot of praying to Valar." Elrohir handed Arathorn a fresh tunic, then accepted the reigns so Arathorn could change.

"

Funny."

Once in Rivendell Arathorn jumped from his horse even before it came to a stop. Servants stepped aside as Arathorn bound up the stairs. The cries of Gilraen could be herd through the halls. His child was not yet born. With out a check on his appearance Arathorn burst into Gilraen’s room.

Elrond knelt before her, the baby had already crowned. Horrified Arathorn froze at the door. Watching as the tiny form came into the world, Gilraen pushed her hardest to deliver it. After what seemed like forever Elrond finally held a tiny screaming baby. Black hair twirled around its head. It's fists curled in anger from being pulled from its safe place.

"Congratulations Arathorn it's a boy." Elrond said holding up the boy and finally looking at Arathorn.

Words tried to come forth, but instead unconsciousness came over Arathorn. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he fell unto the floor. Taking a side table with him.

In an instant Elrohir and Elladan where on the floor next to him. Fearing it was orc poison that bothered him, but upon checking him over they found no signs of it. Elrohir held Arathorn up into a sitting position and smiled. Elladan just shook his head at Arathorn.

"No need to worry Gilraen he just fainted."

"Arathorn... ARATHORN!"

Slowly Arathorn opened his eyes. Twin faces stared at him waiting for him to respond. Groaning Arathorn placed his hand over his eyes trying to close out the twins of Elrond. One of them grabbed his arm and pulled it down. By the twinkle of mischief Arathorn could tell it was Elladan.

"Don't faint when orcs torture you, but you faint when your son is born." Elladan teased.

"Did you see how big that little thing was coming out of THERE." Arathorn blurted. "I can't believe she did that."

"Miracle of birth," Elrohir stated. "And that little thing is your son."

Arathorn blinked a few times. "Is he alright, is she alright, what's his name?"

"Calm Arathorn," Elrohir laughed. "His names Aragorn, and they're both doing fine."

Arathorn smiled knowing Gilraen named him after one of his relatives. Fear stabbed his heart as he realized now he was a father. Fathers had more responsibilities then they were as husbands. Now two people depended on him coming home safe instead of one. Overwhelmed Arathorn placed a hand over his eyes.

"Means I have to settle down and me more a king then a hero does it not?" Arathorn asked.

"Maybe," Elladan looked at Elrohir unsure.

"Can I see him."

Elrohir stood up, showing a tiny white bundle in his arms. Carefully he transferred it to Arathorn. Sleepy baby blue eyes looked up at him, then closed again as he felt the warmth of his father. Carefully Arathorn traced the features of Aragorn's face.

"He's perfect."

"We'll leave you alone for some alone time with your new son." Elladan said pulling Elrohir with him.

Men of either human or elf never liked to show when they crying. Joy or sorrow it did not matter. Now Arathorn cried out of joy of the birth of his son. No longer troubled over the thought of having to settle down. The love he felt for his son answered the question.

Weeks passed as Gilraen recovered from the birth of her son. Except for feeding, and sleeping Arathorn was in constant possession of his son. Elrond tried to coax Arathorn to let Gilraen hold him more, but Gilraen just laughed. When it would come time for Arathorn to return to his duties she would get to hold her son finally.

On a particular sunny day an elf rode into Rivendell at a calm fast pace. He set his horse free before making his way up the stairs. Arathorn sat with

Elladan and Elrohir recalling tales of old, laughing at how stupid they were. Aragorn slept peacefully in his father’s arms.

"Lord Elladan, Lord Elrohir," The elf turned to Arathorn. "King of Gondor half your army is almost outside of Rivendell."

"Aye, at last it is time for me and Gilraen to part. Thank you kind elf, tell them wait, and we will be there in the morning for our trip back."

The elf bowed and left. Aragorn turned sad eyes on

Elrohir and Elladan. They to where looking at him, knowing also that the time was near. It would be while before they saw Arathorn and young Aragorn again.

Aragorn by then would be grown, but not a year would pass for the elves.

"I must go tell Gilraen, I trust you will tell your father for me."

"We shall."

The night ended with elven music and song. They ate and drank, and for once Gilraen got to hold her son. Arathorn’s arm protectively wrapped around them both. In the morning they were greeted by most of Rivendell bidding them good-bye and good luck on their journeys. Elrond hugged Arathorn tight.

"Good bye Arathorn-"

Arathorn hushed the elven lord. "Never say good bye

Lord Elrond, good byes are forever. And we shall meet again."

However for Arathorn and Elrond after this day they would never see each other again.

- -Two years later- -

Gilraen watched the troubled pacing of her husband.

Darkness began to descend more and more into the lands. Several villages remained under attack despite constant patrols by the army. Nothing seemed to work anymore. Finally Arathorn had enough and sent word to Elrond to borrow his sons Elladan and Elrohir.

Grabbing a blanket Gilraen walked over to Arathorn and lovingly placed it around his shoulders. Her heart ached knowing he was headed out again. She still remembered the dream she had shortly before her son was born. Despite it all she couldn't keep Arathorn from what he felt was right.

When a man loves a woman they just have to do what's right for them. Whether or not it hurts them in the end.

"It'll be alright, just like old times." Gilraen comforted. "You'll ride out tomorrow and meet Elladan, and Elrohir, and in a month you'll be back home with us."

"It is amazing how confident you sound saying that.

Yet, I know you’re scared."

"Arathorn, I'm always scared when you go out...

Don't think I hadn't noticed that it wasn't the table that made you sore for a few days after Aragorn's birth."

"You knew?"

"I knew."

Arathorn lowered his head leaning against a window, staring across Gondor. He didn't know what to say to Gilraen. She was always there, hiding how she felt when he ran off. Only after the birth of his son was he ever around. All the hours she spent wondering where he was. To be honest at times he never even told her he was leaving. Gilraen would find out later on her own.

Upon returning home she would greet him with a smile. The loneliness she hid deep inside pained her greatly. Yet her love for him made it bearable. A price to pay to be with him.

"Just remember to let Aragorn know your leaving." Gilraen whispered.

Shaking his head, Arathorn turned to Gilraen. "I wish I could be as calm as you about leaving."

There was no response from Gilraen, Arathorn walked past her and out the door. The blanket still pulled tightly around his shoulders. He walked down the dark corridors of the castle. Arathorn didn't need a candle to see where he was going. He remembered these halls almost by heart.

Torches were lit by Aragorn's room, guards stepped aside. There had been an attempt on his son's life, and he didn't take any more chances. Slowly he opened the door.

Aragorn hidden beneath layers of blankets in a crib. He was small for his age so they still feared putting him in his own bed. Smacking sounds came from where he sucked on his tongue. Gently Arathorn stroked Aragorn's cheek. A tear fell from his eye.

"How you have grown little one." Arathorn whispered.

"I'll never forget your first step, how your first word was no. You’re just like your mother Aragorn. When you grow up promise you will not be like me. Reckless, and to be honest I never really paid much attention to how your mother felt."

Little eyes opened up to look at Arathorn sleepily.

No longer baby blue but brown. A little squeak escaped

Aragorn as he stretched then reached up to his father.

Arathorn took him and held him tight.

"Little one if your mother is right, you'll never see me after tonight. Don't tell anyone I told you this, but good bye Aragorn." Arathorn sunk into a rocking chair holding Aragorn. Curly hair cascaded over his arm.

For the rest of the night Arathorn held Aragorn. His mind fought over the troubles. What would happen if he did end up leaving Gilraen and Aragorn alone? For their future he had no choice. For them he would go, hopefully he would return and for a while live without fear.

A week later Arathorn and a few men met up with Elladan and Elrohir. They embraced and talked over all that had passed. There was no hint of sorrow in their voices. Soon Arathorn forgot all about his troubles.

Elladan led them to a large orc horde just inside a small forest. They rode in hard and fierce. They fought valiantly, sharing their share of injuries.

Elladan received a grievous blow that nearly gutted him. He leaned heavily on Elrohir, which watched over him protectively. Both Arathorn's men had died, but the orcs paid the biggest price.

"We should ride to Rivendell and get Elladan some help. The orcs for now are defeated. It will take awhile for them to recover. Thanks again my friends."

Elladan held his stomach and groaned. "I think you just wanted to see us again dear friend."

"I did miss you greatly, but no one hunts orcs like you two."

Together Elrohir and Arathorn helped Elladan unto a horse. Weakly Elladan grabbed the reigns. Once he was settled Elladan and Arathorn mounted their horses and slowly made their way from the scene of the fight.

That's when it happened.

Elladan and Elrohir had barely any time to react when they herd a strum from a bow. They herd Arathorn fall from the horse but didn't have time to see how bad he was hurt. Orcs swarmed around them in another wave. The twins fought hard against the orcs, worried that they did not see Arathorn. Finally when the orcs fell they went to look for their friend.

Elrohir was the first to find Arathorn, in horror he cried out. Some how still remaining on his mount

Elladan trotted over. His heart caught in his throat as he noticed the arrow in Arathorn's eye. Barely any crimson flowed from the wound. Tenderly Elrohir crossed Arathorn's arms.

I know you hurt brother-but..."

I know Elrohir, we must get him back to Gilraen."

It was a slow and painful travel back to Gondor.

Arathorn father of Aragorn was dead. Elladan grew weaker, not just because of the wound from the orc. Arathorn was the second person they loved taken away by orcs. Occasionally they would look at the horse pulling a pyre. They could not just leave Arathorn's corpse hanging over the side of a horse.

Once in Gondor they left Arathorn to the grief stricken guards then made their way to Gilraen. An uneasy silence fell over the land. Everyone seemed to sense his or her king was gone. Elladan stumbled making his way to Gilraen, Elrohir held him up.

When Gilraen saw them she began to shake violently. "Please tell me he's just hurt."
Gilraen-"

Despite how she felt, she could not cry. Weakly she sunk into a chair near her. She tried to speak but the words just wouldn't come. For a while Gilraen knew this day would come. Still it was so hard to grasp that

Arathorn was gone. Pulling her hair back she stared at the floor.

"How do I tell Aragorn his father is gone?" Gilraen asked. "I can hardly believe it."

Gilraen I'm sorry." Elladan whispered.

Finally Gilraen looked at him. "Go see the healers before you to die."

Gilraen didn't register as they left. She knew she never feel her husbands hand against hers again. Never hear his voice. Never smell his smell. His presence was just now memory. Finally tears fell.