The Invasion Of Aragorn
Chapter One: A Ringbearer's Journey
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The
four hobbits huddled around the campfire, each feeling very lost and far
from home. None of them spoke, as if by common consent, leaving Frodo
alone with his thoughts. Nervously, he reached into his pocket as if to
finger the smooth gold band that lay there, but then withdrew his hand
quickly when he realized what he was doing. Just then, Strider strode from the bushes, his dark cloak flapping elegantly in the breeze. He carried a freshly slain deer across his strong shoulders, and set the kill in front of the hobbits. "I have brought you a feast's worth of meat here, my hobbit friends," he announced boldly, his dark hair shining in the moonlight. "Now, why the long faces? Frodo?" "I--er--I was just wondering about Gandalf," Frodo said hurriedly. "Gandalf can handle himself, I imagine," Strider mused, sitting upon a rock a few feet from the hobbits. "But you four are lucky to have me along, of that I assure you." Pippin now piped up boldly. "And how much further is it to Rivendell now?" "You have been asking since we left, Master Pippin," Strider said with a rather irritated sigh. "It's a long way. But never fear--I shall lead you there safely." He paused to pull out and fill his long clay pipe. "After all, I long to see Rivendell myself." Aragorn's piercing grey eyes took on a far-off, wistful character as he cleared his throat and began to sing. His voice, a rich, throaty baritone, mesmerized the hobbits completely. The Elvish words sounded particularly elegant and regal coming from his lips. Frodo sat, entranced, all thoughts of the Ring forgotten. ******* StewardsRule: Aragorn's taking over again. AragornsBabe491: No, he's just singing. That's what he's supposed to do. StewardsRule: *sigh* Look, every time Aragorn's in a scene, the scene ends up being about him somehow. How about if we skip to a part that he's*not* in? AragornsBabe491: What fun is that? I mean, he's just making an appearance. It isn't like it's *about* him or anything. StewardsRule: Okay, be honest...you don't like doing hobbits, right? AragornsBabe491: Sexually? No offense, but they're kinda not my types. StewardsRule: Let's try something different then. Think of it as a writing exercise--a scene with no Aragorn! ;-) StewardsRule: Like the Lothlórien scene, maybe? From Galadriel's point of view? AragornsBabe491: Whatever floats your boat. Sure. I can't guarantee my muse, however. ******* The Lady of the Golden Wood slowly filled the basin of her Mirror. Its shimmering surface was unnaturally still. *I must first see whether there is any threat to Lorien,* she thought. *And the Ringbearer...perhaps he too should look into the Mirror. He will have great need of guidance in the time ahead.* Galadriel leaned gracefully over, focusing on a point of reflected starlight in the mirror's center, and let her mind spin into the visions it presented. As she stared into the crystal depths, the eyes she saw staring back at hers surprised her greatly in their pristine, grey clarity. It was the face of her granddaughter's betrothed, Estel, that she beheld, his handsome features outlined clearly be the silver light of the mirror, which emphasized his chiseled cheekbones and the hint of beard upon his face. Her heart leaped at the sight of such magnificence, and she marvelled that she had ever found the grace to consent to the union of this beautiful Man with Arwen, when she desired him so for herself. *Oh!* she thought, *If only I had known Estel before Celeborn!* Then the image faded completely away and was replaced with a view of the Golden Wood from high above, as if seen by an eagle soaring over the realm. All seemed peaceful at its borders. Though her external world was at peace, Galadriel felt the turmoil of her heart inside. She could not release the image of Estel--his eyes, his face, his gentle but noble nature--from her mind. She envied her granddaughter, for Arwen had his love, when she herself could only dream of it. And now there was the new uncertainty caused by the finding of the Ring, which threatened not just Lothlórien or Gondor, but all of Middle-Earth. The valiant halfling who had taken the burden upon himself had earned the honor and love of all, and she knew it was her duty to help him on his way. And yet, some small voice in the corner of her mind whispered that the Ring need not be destroyed, that she might have it and so preserve her land...and Estel...safe from Sauron's grasp. She shook her head in alarm. Why was she having such thoughts? Best to find the halfling now and let the mirror speak for her. But Galadriel was certain that Estel would ensure they would all prevail, that he would win the battles ahead and guarantee their victory. He was truly noble, and could not fail in this or any task. Her mind lingered on the Man--on the sharpness of his chin, and the way his coat fell along his shoulders just so... She thought then of the beautiful promises that lay beneath that coat. The Man was accomplished with a sword--she had Seen that much in him already. She closed her eyes, envisioning the play of his muscles as he wielded his powerful weapon.... ******* StewardsRule: This is getting ridiculous. AragornsBabe491: Why? He's not in the story. StewardsRule: He's taking over even more than when he IS in the story! AragornsBabe491: Does not! :-( StewardsRule: C'mon, Galadriel???? Fantasizing about Aragorn?? AragornsBabe491: You so know she wants him. Who wouldn't? AragornsBabe491: He's the king, you know. StewardsRule: Sheesh, you might as well have him shag Rosie Cotton while you're at it! AragornsBabe491: Gods, no! The Future King of Men does not have sex with Hobbits! StewardsRule: Why not, if he's so irresistible? AragornsBabe491: Don't get me wrong--she'd *want* him, of course. But he'd be gracious and let her down gently. StewardsRule: *sigh* I give up. Tell you what, I'll meet you at the coffeeshop on Tuesday, and we can start something new? AragornsBabe491: Okay, Tuesday's fine. But I'm not making any guarantees. ******* On the other side of Lothlórien, Aragorn awoke out of a sound sleep and sat up with a start. "What is it, Estel?" Legolas hissed in the darkness. Aragorn shuddered at the dream he'd had just moments before. His grandmother-in-law-to-be had been getting awfully friendly, thinking things about his person that he hardly imagined Arwen had ventured to think about him yet. He cleared his throat and responded to the elf, "Er...nothing, Legolas." ******* ******* ******* AUTHOR'S NOTE: We don't actually use these handles on any IM system. But if we did, you can probably guess from our profile which of us would be which! GO TO Chapter Two BACK to Chapter Index BACK to GypsieRose Index BACK to Fanfic Index BACK to Main Page |