Aragorn

[Bogwoppit]

The sound of the door opening caused Aragorn to start out of his reverie, but he did not turn, remaining standing slump-shouldered and world-weary gazing unseeingly out into the dark night. No matter how many times he recalled all of the circumstances which had led to him being here in this impossible situation, in his mind it still made no sense. Some higher force must be at work here, some greater purpose which as yet remained hidden must have meant for him to walk away from his destiny. There could be no other reason for his laying aside his responsibility and leaving, at least, none that he could ascertain.

Perhaps he had merely grown weary at last of all the meaning and purpose to his life. Perhaps his mind and soul had finally rebelled against being the one chosen to bring an end to all the war and confusion. Perhaps some god or higher being even now was guiding him on to another, greater fate.

Or perhaps he had just lost his way.

"Why must you carry the weight of the world, Aragorn? Why must it be you?"

He sighed at the light pressure of her hand on his shoulder, and turned slowly to face her, smiling an inhumorous smile.

"Do you think I do not ask myself that same question every single day Eowyn?" he asked softly, meeting her concerned gaze.

Not for the first time he saw the way her golden hair lay upon her fair shoulders, the determined set of her small chin and the fine dusting of freckles across her nose, and not for the first time he felt the stirring of something within him which he did not want to name nor acknowledge. Forcing a picture of the young lord Faramir into his head, he gently took her hand from his shoulder, holding it a fraction too long before releasing it and turning to the fire. He sank into one of two soft but lumpy chairs and stared into the flames, steepling strong fingers beneath his chin.

"Why did you follow me Eowyn?" he asked, voicing thoughts that until now he had left unspoken. "You say you did not wish for me to be alone in the wilderness, but..."

He lifted his head to look at her once more, and tempting though it was to allow his train of thought to drift away unsaid he forced himself to give voice to his fears.

"Do you truly no longer love Faramir? Did you ever love him? Or was he just a replacement for... for the one you could not have?"

He silently fought his own emotions, pushing down the anger which threatened to rise at the thought of his friend being fooled in this way, the thought of how he, Aragorn, would have felt if the same had happened to him. Eowyn could not help the way she felt, she was bound by the same bonds of society as he himself, never free to do as she wished, but used as a pawn to some higher purpose, some grand plan. She could not help whom she loved...

But he could help the way he responded to that love. And over time it was becoming harder to remain aloof from her obvious worship. He was but a man when all was said and done. A man with needs and desires, a man whose own love had left him alone.

Would it have been easier had she not followed him? Would he have been able to turn around and go back to Minas Tirith, as his conscience told him he must? Was he simply using her as an excuse to keep on going? Or did she make it harder to go on? Was it she who unknowingly dragged at his coat tails with duty and honour and purpose forcing him to look back? How could he tell?

[Pinkie]

It broke her heart to see such a strong and noble man so weighted with responsibilities. If he accepted his destiny he would be in a position to make the changes that he so desperately wanted, needed, to make. But his own demons and ghosts would not allow for such an easy out for a man like Aragorn. They herded him into a corner, backed him in until he was shadowed and could see nothing beyond the bleak present. Eowyn prayed that he would see the light, that he would see beauty and find peace once again. He had known it for a time, she knew that. And it pained her that the she-elf had been able to be that light and that she, the White Lady of Rohan, could not be. As Aragorn turned to face her the blonde gave him a tentative smile, meek and bordering on apologetic for interrupting his reverie.

Aragorn: "Do you think I do not ask myself that same question every single day Eowyn? Why did you follow me Eowyn? You say you did not wish for me to be alone in the wilderness, but... Do you truly no longer love Faramir? Did you ever love him? Or was he just a replacement for... for the one you could not have?"

Every now and then there was something there when he looked at her. His unfathomably deep eyes looked into her soul and only when he looked away did she dare release the breath she had been holding. His touch on her hand left her nerves tingling and she wondered if she had imagined him holding her hand a little longer than he strictly aught to have done. But before she could process the swirl of thoughts in her rushing mind he was turning away from her, sinking into the chair before the fire. Eowyn, feeling her knees weaken a little, took the other chair but perched herself on the very edge of the cushion, her small, rounded kneecaps turned towards Aragorn, not the fire, as if he was the thing that kept her warm not it. Her storm-colored eyes looked at the hard lines of his face, longing to be able to wipe away the worries that were so obvious to her. Her throat felt constricted but she parted her lips, about to enquire who the man downstairs had been, but instead he put voice to a silent query that had lingered between them these past weeks.

Eowyn's eyebrows lifted and her eyes dropped to her hands, twisting nervously in her lap. Her brows twithced inwards, frowning now, as she thought on the answer. Her heart gave a heavy shudder at the mention of Faramir. Oh she could never be truly certain of what it had been between the Gondorian noble and herself. She had been infatuated by his love for her. A spark of anger burned inside of Eowyn as she lifted her eyes to Aragorn's face, looking at the one that she had always loved, the one she had always wanted. If he had not shunned her love then none of them would have been hurt. Aragorn wuold not have been hurt by the she-elf leaving him, Faramir would not be hurt by Eowyn leaving him, and she would not be hurt having been rejected by Aragorn.
But such thoughts were petty and childish.
A moment later the anger dissipated and Eowyn's pretty lips curled in a small smile, blinking slowly as she rose from the chair and went to sit by Aragorn's leg instead. She leaned her slender side against his strong limb and looked down at the small booted foot that peeped out from under the dirty hemmed skirt she wore. Eowyn pulled at the material to cover her foot and then looked over hre shoulder proudly at Aragorn. She would not be shamed or embarrased because of her feelings for him.

"Or was he just a replacement for you?" she spoke the words that he had dared not to, though her tone was gentle, absolving him of any part in the way her heart worked. Sighing, Eowyn looked back into the fire, the flames sparking color in her blonde hair as they danced in the grate. "I adored Faramir for the man that he was, the man that he still is but I ... I cannot say that I ever loved him." the last words were painful and they came out in a rushed whisper, Eowyn dropping her sorrowful face from the fire, haunted eyes looked at Aragorn's booted foot beside her. "I followed you, Aragorn, because I will not fool myself or anyone else that I care for any longer. I could not live one more day deceiving myself and deceiving him. He is such a good man. But it is you that I love. You know this." the woman whispered, looking up at Aragorn once more, tears shimmering in her eyes as she laid her cheek against his knee softly.

[Bogwoppit]

He expected the anger - she was a shield-maiden after all, the best in all Rohan - and so he was surprised that she so readily held it at bay. Surprised, but not necessarily pleasantly so. He would not want her to quell her own natural personality because of him. That would only mean that her feelings for him were as strong, if not stronger, than ever.

One of the things he admired most about her was her strong spirit, her unwillingness to be kept behind closed doors like the rest of the women. His admiration had grown one hundredfold after the last great battle on the Pelennor Fields. He had been overwelmed by her bravery and loyalty when he heard what she had done there. But he also admired her dedication to duty. He had hoped that her marriage to Faramir was not one such duty, but perhaps he had been wrong.

As she rose to sit beside him he stiffened imperceptibly, and watched her with ageless, hooded eyes. He had great control... control learned from the Elves during his time in Rivendell, but although he possessed the long life of the Dunedain - the blessed ones - he was still a mortal man. He could only be strong for so long.

"Or was he just a replacement for you? I adored Faramir for the man that he was, the man that he still is but I ... I cannot say that I ever loved him. I followed you, Aragorn, because I will not fool myself or anyone else that I care for any longer. I could not live one more day deceiving myself and deceiving him. He is such a good man. But it is you that I love. You know this."

At her words his heart fell, for despite everything he had hoped that her feelings for him had passed, and that she had followed him merely on a whim, that she would soon realise it was her husband whom she truly loved. But he knew deep down that it was not so, and so her admission did not come as a surprise. That she so readily told him of her love did not surprise him either. She had never been one to parry words or hold back. Aragorn sighed.

"Yes, I know it," he replied quietly, refusing to meet her gaze. "But you know nothing can ever come of it. Faramir is my friend, the rift between Gondor and Rohan would become too great to ever bridge, and there are still deeds left undone, still dangers our two kingdoms must face together if we are ever to be free of evil."

Unwittingly he was using the very thing he was running from as an excuse, and when he realised this he winced.

Seeing Eskel again after all these years had brought the ever-present guilt he felt at deserting his people even closer to the surface. The younger man had always looked up to him, trusted him... believed in him. He had let down not only the people of Gondor and Rohan, but the memory of the Dunedain as well.

And this... this beautiful, strong, fierce woman beside him, pressing so beguilingly against his leg, the warmth of her body seeping through his moleskin breeches, only served to confuse his already befuddled mind. Shaking his head, his stood abruptly, away from the temptation he could never let her know he felt.

"We should get some sleep," he spoke more sharply than he felt, and strode to the wide bed to lift a blanket from it. "I have much to think about."

As was his way, no matter how he admired her, she was still a woman and as such Aragorn would not discuss his fears with her. He was an intensely private man in any case, keeping his thoughts to himself, still and calm while others raged around him. It did not occur to him to tell her who the young man was he had been speaking to downstairs, just as it wouldn't occur to him to ask her what he should do. It was not his way.

[Pinkie]

Eowyn was never giving up on Aragorn, never giving up on her love for him. She knew that and had known it for many, many months now. Even in her last weeks as Faramir's wife, even as the young Gondorian noble had kissed her, chastely put his hand to her smooth cheek and declared his love for her, Eowyn had known that he would never, ever possess her heart the way that Aragorn did. What was in her heart for Aragorn was not smoething that needed saying, that needed manifesting. Even being here now with him, leaning against his leg and heating herself by the fire that he built Eowyn was more happy than she ever could be with Faramir. Cruel? Oh but how cruel it would be pretend otherwise!

"Yes, I know it, But you know nothing can ever come of it. Faramir is my friend, the rift between Gondor and Rohan would become too great to ever bridge, and there are still deeds left undone, still dangers our two kingdoms must face together if we are ever to be free of evil."

The shield-maiden listened, tempering her reaction carefully as Aragorn claimed nothing could come of such a love, a love that would never die. Her shoulders stiffened and her fists balled up tight in her lap. The ranger spoke of duties and territorial rifts, deeds left undone and dangers facing their kingdoms. Eowyn's nostrils flared and she exhaled sharply at his rejection, finding it hard to temper her reaction as each moment passed. He spoke as if he could do nothing about these things when he could. All he had to do was step forward and claim what was rightfully his, what was inherently his! Didn't he see that?! The rifts between their lands could be healed with him taking her as his wife and claiming the crown that was by right and inheritance his to claim!

Before Eowyn could put voice to her thoughts he was on his feet and turned away from her. The room felt colder already as he took a blanket from the bed. Eowyn rose to her feet, hands folded meekly in front of her but there was nothing meek in the set of her jaw and the light in her eyes.

Aragorn: "We should get some sleep, I have much to think about."

"Aragorn...!" she spoke his name quietly but infused with an urgency that demanded attention. Silhouetted by the fire, Eowyn in the stirrings of her anger was a magnificent sight. Her blonde hair fell in gentle waves over her shoulders, brushing past her waist and flicking out at the ends. Her willowy frame on first glance looked weak, but there was an immense strength tehre that manifested as Aragorn once more dismissed her, as he once more took the world upon his shoulders and would not speak his mind, speak his worries to one who would listen and keep them in the strictest adn most sacred confidences...!

"Even stubborn, silent stones give way to the gentle strength of the sea eventually. You cannot continue like this - you cannot continue to deny ... !" she spoke in a rush, her voice not rising in anger but spots of color appeared high on her cheeks giving physical indications of her barely contained anger. Swallowing hard, Eowyn walked across the room and instead of falling on her knees before the true King of Gondor, she stood before him, strong and resilient, as gentle and as strong as the sea. Her hand, cold and slender, clutched his tightly and she brought it towards her, clasping her other hand around the balled tension of their joined hands. Licking her lips, the Lady of Rohan continued, eyes begging him to admit to his feelings, to claim all that was his - including her.

"Tell me outright that you care not a bit for me and I will be gone this night, this very night. Tell me it Aragorn!" a shuddering intake of breath and Eowyn closed her eyes, the anger burning out quickly in her tired body. The hand that she held so tightly in hers she lifted to her mouth, kissing the ring that rose stark and cold against his index finger. Her warm lips pressed to it and she tucked her chin to her chest, resting her forehead against the man's hand now, eyes shut and breathing gradually, slowly, levelling out. "I cannot help it that it is you and not he that I love. Just like you cannot deny the fate that lays before you no matter how many times you try to leave the path of it behind you. We are both trapped. Must we also be alone?" Eowyn asked quietly, inching forward in the hopes that he would but put his arms around her, that he would hold her and kiss her hair.

[Bogwoppit]

Perhaps she thought it easy for him to disregard her obvious love for him. Perhaps she thought he was less than a man for being able to turn her away. But it was not easy. These long nights past, when he had lain cold and silent on one side of the camp fire and she on the other, or when he had taken a blanket, much as he was about to tonight, and tried to get some sleep on a lumpy chair or hard wooden floor, he had wanted nothing more than to be able to touch her, to breathe in her scent, to run his fingers through that golden hair and feel the curves of her warm body close against his.

But he could not. He could never be with her, not just because of Faramir, not even because of the difficulties it would cause between Gondor and Rohan. No, he could never lay with her, because if he did it would prove to himself and to everyone else how weak he was. Bad enough that he didn't feel able to take his rightful place on the throne at Minis Tirith, bad enough that he had had to sneak away from his responsibilities like a thief in the night. But to give in to his base instincts would be to admit to failure, to know that he had no place as king if he could not even control his own body and mind.

"Aragorn...!"

The quiet strength evident in the lilt of her voice stopped him in his tracks as he walked towards the low settle where he was to spend the night. He closed his eyes, and slowly turned to face her. His groin tightened at the sight of her sillouetted against the firelight, and he grit his teeth to quell the perillous desires that surfaced in his mind.

"Even stubborn, silent stones give way to the gentle strength of the sea eventually. You cannot continue like this - you cannot continue to deny ... !"

Silent as any stone he stood against the inevitable flow of the tide as she moved towards him. He truly felt as though he was underwater as she reached for his hand, unable to prevent himself drowning beneath the waves of her love which engulfed him.

"Tell me outright that you care not a bit for me and I will be gone this night, this very night. Tell me it Aragorn! I cannot help it that it is you and not he that I love. Just like you cannot deny the fate that lays before you no matter how many times you try to leave the path of it behind you. We are both trapped. Must we also be alone?"

Blue eyes closed against her outburst, deep lines between his brows showing the struggle which he fought with himself. He wanted so much to take her in his arms, to kiss her, to touch her, to take her to the bed and make slow, gentle love to her... He could certainly never deny he had feelings for her.

He sighed, opening troubled eyes to gaze down at her undeniably beautiful face. For a moment he allowed himself to envisage the life they could have together - he as king of all Gondor, she as his queen - Together they could rule with kindness and strength, and unite all of Middle-Earth. Could it be that simple?

"You know I cannot tell you I have no feelings for you," he replied quietly, dropping his gaze to their joined hands and rubbing one darkly tanned thumb across her pale knuckles. "Do you not know how easy it would be for me to give in? To love you like you love me? I cannot, Eowyn!"

He took a deep, steadying breath as he felt his anger rising, anger directed at her and at himself, at Sauron, at Arwen, at the world in general. Lifting his free hand, he laid it gently against her flushed cheek, watching his own fingers as they stroked the soft downy flesh.

"Please, do not make this harder for me than it already is..." he went on, feeling his resolve slip away as he gazed deeper into her blue eyes. "Do you not see? If I give in to this thing I will lose myself. How can I ever be the conscience of the people if I cannot listen to my own conscience? If I am weak now how can I be strong enough to rule a kingdom? If I love you..."

He leaned closer to her, his head bent to hers, his lips a heartbeat from hers as his fingers slid back to wind into her thick hair.

"If I love you I can never go back," he murmured, and stepped regretfully back, letting her go.

In that one moment she had helped him, even if she would never know it. He did not yet see it himself, but she had planted a seed which would soon grow to show him the way back to his destiny.

[Bogwoppit]

((Ooc: Moving on with this to give Uni a chance to post and to let Pinkie get away with not having to post everyone!! ))

Aragorn awoke in the grey, cold dawn, and felt a new purpose awaken with him. He knew now that he had been wrong to run away from his responsibilities, that in running away he had not, as he had thought, saved Gondor from a weak king, but rather he had been selfish, arrogant... wrong. Gandalf had tried to tell him all those months ago, before the last war, and he had not really listened. His reasons for taking the crown then had been all the wrong reasons - he had hoped to win the blessing of Elrond, and to prevent Arwen from leaving Middle-Earth, but in the end the pull of her people had been so much stronger than the love of a mere mortal Man, and he had lost what he held most dear.

For such a long time he had lost himself too, lost his purpose, his sense of duty, and had failed to see the bigger picture. He had withdrawn into himself and could not bring himself to rule as Gondor should be ruled. But in her desire for love Eowyn had at last shown him where his true strengths lay, and now he was ready to return and take up his rightful place... if Gondor would have him.

Dressing as silently as only a ranger could, he paused for a moment to look down upon the sleeping figure of the shield-maiden, and smiled sadly. How differently things might have turned out if only he had not held on so pointlessly to a love he should have known could never be. Eowyn could have been his queen, a strong woman to sit beside a strong king, Rohan and Gondor united through blood ties at last in their children, Middle-Earth at peace perhaps. Aragorn knew she had only married Faramir on a whim, when the young captain had been so kind to her and her heart had still been hurting from Aragorn's rejection. If only he had known then what he knew now...

But it was no good dwelling on the past, on what might have been. If he had any hope of stemming this new flow of darkness that was arising he must move quickly. Leaving Eowyn asleep he slipped out of the room and along the hall to the room he knew Eskel had taken. He knocked softly on the thick Oak door, leaning his head close to listen to any sounds from the room beyond.

He had no intention of leaving Eowyn, he would return her to Minas Tirith where she would be safe, but first he must speak to the young ranger, to see if he had any thoughts as to what their next move should be... and if Aragorn was honest with himself, he was also thinking of asking Eskel to accompany the lady back to her city rather than go himself and face the people's wrath. He would face them in time, but for now he was not ready... not yet.

[unicorn]

((ooc: I could not help to write him... I missed writing with you! ))

Eskel

Dawn...
Eskel's dark eyes moved slowly towards the window on his right... his head followed to turn, his whole body after a second was softly pushed to lay on it's side. He had not slept at all this night. He had not closed his eyes for a longer moment... He was just laying there on his back, staring at the celling. His whole body feeling old... tired... and heavy. His mind thick from troubled thoughts. He could not rid of the image of Aragorn sitting before him and telling him that he had failed. He could not get over the feeling of falling into darkness. This night... was terrible. He was breathing very hard and felt the urge to do something... Whole night he was fighting with himself not to stand up from the bed, get dressed in his heavy dark cloak, put on a hood and just walk away... Or to go and knock on Aragorn's door and try to talk with him.
Whole night was a nightmare... of thinking why, and what if. He remained in his room... in bed almost motionless for whole night.
He was suppose to rest, but he could not.

Now looking at the window in the dim light of the morning Eskel felt the coldness of sheets around him. His whole body was giving up and finally realesing him from the tension he felt whole night. Only now he felt like he could just drift away... just fall quietly to sleep and forget what had happened... just for a short moment... Just to feel relaxed. He sighed to himself and closed his eyes, his hand coming to scratch his unshaved cheek.

But once he closed his eyes again random thoughts attacked him. This time about his past and the happiest moments when Aragorn thaught him some usefull things. The times when Eskel thought that maybe somehow he had a purposse in his life.
Eskel opened his eyes and breathed in heavly. Those days were way behind him. He was nobody. A man without destiny to play.. he should finally understand this... and give up.

Slowly he sat up on the edge of the bed and stared idlely at the window watching the morning to light up...
What should he do?
Leave? Talk to his friend? What?

Before he could decide a knock on the door pushed him away from his thoughts. He frowned slightly and only now looking down at himself Eskel noticed that he had not took off his clothes for the night... only his cloak, that was laying on a chair nearby. Other than that he was still in the same shirt and trousers that he was yesterday... his heavy pack with supplies laying somewhere in the corner of the room. His belt with sword laying on the floor beside him... a dagger under a pillow.
Once more he laid a hand upon his cheek and then massaged it's way to his chin. He was a mess... Unshaved... dirty... tired.

Slowly and reluctnatly he got up from the bed and moved towards the door. He was little surprised as he opened them to see Aragorn standing on the corridor.
Eskel did not smile at his friend, he just looked at him with slightly dazed look...

"Brother..." he greeted him in one word and moved away from the entrence to allow his friend to walk into the room if he wished to.

[Bogwoppit]

Now that he was here, Aragorn had doubts. What could he offer this war? How was it that the fate of all Middle-Earth had to rest on the shoulders of a Man such as he? A Man whose only wish was for peace, and solitude, and for the simple pleasures of this fair land...

But for how much longer was this land to remain fair? He had thought that he had done enough, worn the crown for long enough to fend off the threat from the East. He had thought that once his work was done he could once more fade and go back to the wild lands from whence he came. But it was not to be. So much had he lost, so much responsibility for those who had fallen lay at his feet. Could he have done more? Could he have done things differently? Could he make amends now, at this dark hour?

"Brother..."

That one, simple word of comradeship made the older man wince, even as his sharp gaze took in Eskel's dishevelled appearance. That the young ranger had not slept was obvious - dark shadows lay beneath his eyes as well as within them, and his unshaven chin only served to enhance the lines of tension etched either side of his mouth.

Aragorn stepped into the room, closing the door behind him and leaning back against it for a moment as he considered his next words. Speaking his thoughts aloud would be the catalyst. There would not be another chance to run. He took a deep breath and met the younger man's steady gaze.

"I must go back," he stated simply. "Gondor is still in need of a king it seems, and whether I wish it or not, that king is me. I wish it were not so..."

He glanced away then, and took two strides into the room, tipping his head to the left and then to the right in hopes off working out the ache in his neck. At least if he went back he would no longer have to sleep on lumpy couches...

"You are right when you talk of the darkness that sweeps across this land," he continued, gazing unseeingly out of the small window. "The shadow grows once again, and I think now I understand that to defeat it entirely the king of Gondor must remain on the throne... however hard it may be for him to do so."

This last came out in no more than a whisper as his thoughts drifted back to Arwen, who even now resided peacefully in Valinor. What of the son he knew she carried when she left? The boy in her vision which now seemed so long ago... he would be the rightful heir to the throne when Aragorn had at last lived out his interminable lifetime. Was he the reason she had left? Had she gone to try to protect the unborn child from the dangers of this mortal life? Aragorn would probably never know, nor would there be another heir to the throne of Gondor. But while the ranger lived he must protect his people, and live in hope of a miracle.

He turned to face the younger man once more, clasping his hands behind his back and drawing himself up to his full height.

"Will you travel to Minis Tirith Eskel?" he asked. "I have need of strong Men by my side. The gods know I can no longer look to the Elves."

Not for aid, nor for love...

[unicorn]

Eskel

Eskel noticed that wince upon Aragorn's face... but had said nothing nor reacted to it. It was obvious that his friend had something heavy upon his shoulders that he wanted to throw away. That there was something that lingered upon his mind and heart. Eskel could almost feel it himself.
He was watching as the man walked inside the room, closed the door and leaned over them for a second... as to get a breathe in before the plunge it would seem. Eskel remained silent, a slight frown forming. He felt squeeze upon his heart... Aragorn was about to make somekind of decision it was plainly visible.
Yesterday Eskel heard the worst words in his life... that his friend failed in his mission.. that he had left everything behind him... escaped from duty... broken and full of sorrow.
Whole night he thought about many things and was confused either he should talk with Aragorn about returning.. try to convince him or not.. He was about to open his mouth and ask a question but the older ranger was faster. Eskel closed his mouth in the moment Aragorn's eyes went towards him and met with his tired eyes.

Aragorn"I must go back,Gondor is still in need of a king it seems, and whether I wish it or not, that king is me. I wish it were not so..."

With first words Eskel should be happy... he should just smile and nodd his head.. but the darkness in Aragorn's voice.. the look upon his face... the heavyness still resting upon his shoulders were enough for Eskel to be held in the state without any reaction... only his heart beating faster and a rough swallow. Aragorn walked into the room... and in that moment Eskel allowed himself to bit his lower lip and look down at the floor. He honestly didn't know what he should do about the whole situation.

Aragorn: "You are right when you talk of the darkness that sweeps across this land," he continued, gazing unseeingly out of the small window. "The shadow grows once again, and I think now I understand that to defeat it entirely the king of Gondor must remain on the throne... however hard it may be for him to do so."

He really should feel happy about the decissions Aragorn was making. But he could not! The sorrowfull words and that regrett in Aragorn's voice were painfull to hear. Eskel did not look at his friend as the last words came in a whisper. Yes there was darkness slidding slowly all over the land. And the shadows were growing more stronger day after a day. It was a fact... something was stirring inside. But what sadened Eskel the most was that resigned tone from Aragorn. He knew that his friend never wished his fate... But Eskel himself would give anything to have some kind of purpose in his life. And yet.. he had nothing...
In the moment he realised that Aragorn was going to leave wave of regrett flouded his mind. He was going to be left behind once more. Aragorn will leave him here alone again and again Eskel will think what his friend was doing, if he was in need of help.. or why he has not sent him any message.
The younger man closed his eyes in pain at this thought. Ofcourse he was not a man of much significance and he was not important. Maybe he had no role to play... no role at all. He was just a mistake! He didn't know whose son he was and why had sometimes those strange feeling that he had seen somebody before,, that he knew something more, but just couldn't get to those informations inside his head. He was nobody... He understood this.
He lifted his head and raised his chin a little higher waiting for Aragorn to tell him that it would be better if he would stay behind - guarding those territories. His face was serious and regrett was written all over it.

Aragorn:"Will you travel to Minis Tirith Eskel?" he asked. "I have need of strong Men by my side. The gods know I can no longer look to the Elves."

Eskel frowned surpsied and totally unprepared at those word. Travel? To Minas Tirith? Him? By Aragorn's side?
He felt his blood rush harder into his veins as the meanign of Aragorn's words hit him hard. He was not going to leave him behind! He was going to help finally! He was waiting for this moment for whole life. He was asked for help! He swallowed roughly in shock.

"Me?" he said hoarsly and then cleared his throat nervously. He had not expected his friend to say that kind of words. His eyes were locked into Aragorn's face for a longer moment... and finally a smile broke onto his lips and breathed out nervously looking away... he licked his lower lip and shook his head in disbelief.

"You...You have no idea how long I was waiting for that kind of words..."
Eskel looked back at Aragorn this time smile fading away... Eskel was returning to his steady normal self. Full of resepct towards his older friend... and full of reserve. He came closer to the other man and looked very seriously into his eyes.

"I would walk into the depths of Mordor... only if you would ask this of me" his words were very serious... grave. He meant everything he said... and his eyes underlined this.

[Bogwoppit]

In truth Aragorn was a little nervous himself at asking for such loyalty, such sacrifice, from a man he had abandoned long ago, for one whom he had not seen nor heard word in many years. Who now could put their faith in a king who would not sit on the throne? How could he ask anything of someone to whom he should be a good example, but to whom instead he was nothing but a disappointment?

Or should be... Eskel seemed to look upon him still as the man he had been all those long ages past. The young ranger could not seem to see the years which lay heavily upon the shoulders of the king, nor the changes those years had wrought.

Eskel: "Me? You...You have no idea how long I was waiting for that kind of words... I would walk into the depths of Mordor... only if you would ask this of me"

Aragorn closed his eyes and expelled a long slow breath, shutting out the eager expression on the young man's hopeful face. Was it wrong of him to do this? Did he ask too much? Would he be leading this bright young star to his death... a death to which he had no doubt Eskel would willingly follow him?

Turning away, he found that his breath was caught in his throat, preventing him from speaking. Instead he walked to the door and tugged it open, stepping into the dim hallway before pivoting back. At the look of devotion in those dark eyes before him, Aragorn felt a little, but just a fraction, of the weight lift from his shoulders, and he knew then that he had done the right thing.

"Thank you," he replied simply, humbly, then became brisk with purpose. "We leave in one hour."

[Lin]

She was, perhaps, too young to be alone. After all, there were many men in the world that would seek to take advantage of a young, pretty lass like Lin.

There weren't many men that would get away with it, however.

Lin scorned men's charms, and despised any job of a woman's. She had promised herself that she would never cook, clean, or mind children for a man, and so far she looked like she was achieving that goal. If she could get through life without ever scrubbing a pan, then she had done something very, very, very right.

Those were the thoughts that had passed through LIn's head as she entered the inn. Too many men around. Too many women cooking and cleaning and serving. Too little adventure. Too little of the kinds of things that she wanted in life: no swordsmen, no wizards, no elves-no, that wasn't right, there weren't elves anywhere any more- no fierce beasts brandishing wickedly curved blades, no...

Lin's lips cracked up in a small smile, however, as her thoughts went to her life of adventure. She had run away from home a few years ago after being taught how to fence by her father. Her smile grew wider when she thought of the blades she carried, and all the good she would do with them. Had. Had done with them. Lin liked to think that she was already a great warrior and swordsman, despite the fact that she had never fought in a single battle. She liked to think that way, and she was thinking that way when the innkeeper gave her directions to her room.

Dragons! Ha, I shall fight dragons one day, just everyone wait an see! The innkeeper was completely unaware that the directions he was giving were being completely and utterly ignored. Instead, he kept on going as Lin's thoughts flashed to and fro.

This is such a nice little inn. It has everything it needs except for one little thing... She looked around, studying everything. Then, after a moment, Lin realized what it was. It is missing a villain! No good story can start without a villain. The innkeeper finished, and was waiting expectantly for her to say something. Shaken out of her reverie, she smiled at him and thanked him all the same: Lin was too proud to ask him to repeat them, and she hated to be dependent on any man.

That was how she had gotten to be wandering, completely lost, down the dark corridors. Not so dark in reality, but dark in her mind as her overactive imagination created monsters that lived around every corner, bats that hung from the ceiling, and shadows that moved whenever she wasn't looking.

She wasn't looking when she almost bumped into a man who seemed to be talking to someone through an open doorway. Her curiosity was immediately aroused.

Lin really had absolutely no clue that it was rude to pry into other people's businesses. It hadn't really been included in the list of things that she bothered to remember from her lessons on 'how to be a lady'. So, when the stranger mentioned something about leaving, her ears perked up. This was her chance for adventure, for a story to be finally sung about her, Lin Ordon! Her imagination wrapped about the man: was he a magician? A prince? A king? Had he come to this town seeking young maidens to accompany him?

Her father's words stopped her train of thought. "Heroes are never rude, Lin, nor are heroines. They are polite and cordial. Never insult someone without due cause, and be chivalrous and gentle."

That had been on her list of 'Things to Remember'. So, instead of practically grabbing the man by the throat and throttling him until he let her come with him wherever it was that he was going, Lin politely tapped him on the shoulder, struggling to contain her excitement and to suppress her urge to gag at the words she would have to speak to a man that she didn't even know.

"Sir, I'm rather lost." Lin hated to say those words, and the 'Sir' was begrudgingly gritted out from between her teeth, but she kept up her cool smile. "Do you know the way to the dining hall?" The words left her in a rush of air, and she was too foolish to try and remedy the awkward statement or to seize the opportunity to ask him where he was leaving for in an hour. She figured that she would have time to ask him later, not realizing that she could have saved herself much embarrassment if she just broke down and asked the question.

After all, she was, perhaps, far too young to be alone.

[unicorn]

Eskel

[/u][/center]

Eskel wasn't sure what to think or how to feel when Aragorn closed his eyes. Was Aragorn doubting his decisions? Was there a hint of doubt if he should ask Eskel for help?
There shouldn't be any! Ranger was willing to give his own strenght, his shoulder to lean on it... He would give him his own heart and soul only if it would help. For all those long years while being alone in the wild Eskel hoped Aragorn knew that and that one day he will remember that he had a friend here and send for him.
Something else ha happened. Something Eskel wouldn't think of even in his worst nightmares... Aragorn denied himself the title of a king and went into exile once more.
It was hurtful to see his friend in such pain and despair.. to see him broken.

He wasn't sure how should he react.
But he was happy... and excited that finally he will have some purpose to go on. That he won't be idle, sitting in one place without reason... Finally he will have some chance to do something! To prove himself that he isn't hopeless and useless.
He will travel with Aragorn - his friend, the man who should be the king of Gondor. Eskel will travel to Minas Tirith a place, which he remembers from earliest stages of his life.

He observed Aragorn with his heart bumping hard within him. He felt torn between happiness over what awaited him and bitterness of the situation, the darkness and problems within Aragorn.
Eskel awaited for his friend to do something, to say anything at all.

Instead Aragorn turned around and walked to the door, opened it and walked into the corridor and only then turned to look at Eskel.

Aragorn: "Thank you, "We leave in one hour."

Eskel didn't say anything at the thanks. He was only watching his friend still with determination and clear willingness. When the older man spoke of leaving in one hour Eskel lifted his chin once more and gave one firm nod at confirmation. His mind was already thinking about preparing. His things were ofcourse packed as always... prepared for his abrupt leaving. He had never been easy between people. And so he had always left that kind of places like this one early in the morning, without a word nor regrett. Just to breathe in more easly out in the open space.

He was about to turn around and get himself into shape... prepare for a long journey, but something caught his eye somewhere beyond Aragorn's posture. Somebody was there close by.. Eskel hadn't noticed her a moment ago but now she came closer and tapped his friend's shoulder.

Lin: "Sir, I'm rather lost. Do you know the way to the dining hall?"

Eskel grew suspicious in the matter of sceonds. Who was she? Was she standing there for long? Was she listening through the door?
He frowned as he looked at the woman and observed her in whole. Curly brown hair, brown eyes, slender form, but on her arms were defined msucles seen through her tunic.
Eskel looked into her eyes for a longer moment and then caught Aragorn's eyes curious if he also was suspicious about the woman. Then he returned to look upon the woman waiting for his friend to say something.


((ooc: sorry.. he is not a talkative type ))

[Bogwoppit]

As Aragorn turned from Eskel's doorway, he was surprised by a small figure whom, had he not been so quick to react, he may have knocked to the floor. Stepping back and lifting his hand instinctively to his sword hilt, he looked down at the young woman before him.

Lin: "Sir, I'm rather lost. Do you know the way to the dining hall?"

Young woman had been his first appraisal, but now he saw she was not much more than a girl... a slender girl at that, and quite a pretty one. What would such a girl be doing here alone, and apparently lost, at this hour of the morning?

Often servants of Sauron clothed themselves in fair apparel to gain trust and knowledge from Men. Elves were not so easily swayed by a pretty face, but Men... Men were weak (Ha! LotR moment ). He felt no threat from her however. She was no vassal of the enemy, but a mere child, far from home by the looks of her, though well able to take care of herself no doubt.

Sensing Eskel's tension he glanced at him, raising his hand towards him slightly in a calming motion. He turned back to the girl, and smiled.

"Indeed I do," he replied, his voice soft and inquisitive. "But are you not quite young to be in such a place as this all alone? There are... unsavory creatures abroad."

In Aragorn's experience, most things happened for a reason, and he wondered now what purpose this child might have in the events to come. Did she have a part to play? Or was she merely passing through? Either way, Aragorn knew that it did no harm to use every opportunity to gain knowledge, however seemingly useless.

"We... could do with some breakfast ourselves before we leave," he continued, glancing at Eskel once more with a slight nod. "Perhaps you would consider joining us?"

((Ooc: Sorry it's a bit short and crap, I'm still dying!))

[Lin]

Aragorn: "Indeed I do," he replied, his voice soft and inquisitive. "But are you not quite young to be in such a place as this all alone? There are... unsavory creatures abroad."

Lin's eyes flashed at the mention of her youth, and she looked warily from one man to another, hesitant about speaking any more. For a moment, she was silent. Then she forced herself to reply. "I would not say that." Lin looked back at the man in the doorway, watching him carefully. He looked wary of her- not to say that the man she had first addressed wasn't.

However, her tone was confident as she went on. "I'd rather look for 'unsavory' creatures than sit knitting by a fire. What I lack in age, I make up for in spirit." Proudly, Lin raised her chin up a little higher, attempting to make herself seem a little more intimidating, a little stronger than she really was.

For some reason, Lin felt uncomfortable around these two. She was still wary of them both: she had seen one, if not both, of them let their hands stray to their weapons. Suddenly feeling quite young, Lin flushed. Her eyes flickered from one to the other, trying to figure out who she should address.

She was young by any standards, even if she refused to see it herself, and she had had no experience with danger. All she had was her confidence and a bit of fencing training. Not much else was going for her.

But, of course, Lin Ordon did not see that. She saw herself as a fighter, an adventurer- She could and would do anything she liked! She straightened instinctively, and brushed a stray strand of her brown hair behind her ear.

Aragorn: "We... could do with some breakfast ourselves before we leave," he continued, glancing at Eskel once more with a slight nod. "Perhaps you would consider joining us?"

Lin jumped at the offer immediately. "Could I? Oh, um, I mean..." She blushed, and bowed her head. What was she thinking? These two could be the ones that could help her find adventure, and she had just embarrassed herself in front of them. On top of that, they were clearly wary of her, and disbelieving about her age. Her thin frame and pretty face did not do much for her image, and Lin reminded herself to curse her mother the next chance she got for giving her her good looks.

Lin ducked her head slightly. "Sorry. I don't get many invitations to have company." Her dark hair fell around her face, but beneath the curtain of curls her eyes sparkled madly with the thought of adventure. This was her chance! Her chance! She had to go with these people. Lin knew that she could never forgive herself if she let this chance pass through her hands. The one thing she wanted was to be a heroine, and this was her opportunity!

She smiled through the veil created by her curly brown locks, a smile half of expectation and half of pure, sheer joy. Lin could have leaped into the air for joy.

She kept herself grounded. She was in front of two grown men, men who she had to impress to ensure a spot among them during their journeys. So, with the greatest show of willpower she had ever displayed, Lin did not hug either one of them. She merely snuck a peak at the man closer to her: trying to take in his appearance, the reality of the situation, and determine if he had any other weapons on him; trying to accomplish all of the before listed tasks at once and failing horribly. She managed to get distracted by the other man before her search could be very effective.

[unicorn]

Eskel

Eskel wasn't so fast in reaching for his weapon simply because he had none on him... but even without a sword or knife the Ranger could be very formidable. When the unexpected arrival happened Eskel straightened in a doorway and breathed in heavly. He was ready if the woman before them wanted to attack or anything.
Eskel was always suspicious about people he didn't know... he didn't trust anybody. Years in the wild have changed him... Long years without company of others changed the way he reacted to others. And right now he felt uneasy with a unknown woman who stood before him. She was a pretty one, but seemingly younger than him. Normal person would never suspect that this kind of creature would ever wanted to do anybody any harm, but Eskel was a Ranger and he knew how Sauron and his servants could disguise themselfs in a pleasant form and do harm to those who opposed them.

When Aragorn rised his hand in calming motion Eskel glanced at him relaxing a little his tensed muscles and looked back at the woman. If she would try anything on them Eskel would react in the matter of seconds.

Aragorn: "Indeed I do, But are you not quite young to be in such a place as this all alone? There are... unsavory creatures abroad."

Eskel frowned at Aragorn calm words and a question. He knew that Rangers were for a reason in those lands... to protect those who could not from the evil, but he never learnt to be nice and polite to those people. Simply because none of them were nice and polite to him.

Lin: "I would not say that. I'd rather look for 'unsavory' creatures than sit knitting by a fire. What I lack in age, I make up for in spirit."

Ranger cocked and eyebrow at this proud answer. Firstly she looked at him observing him for a longer moment and he stood still straighten up, tall and strong. She seemed to be uncertain at firts then that sure answer came and the woman rised her chin in proud motion. Eskel looked at Aragorn not wanting to say anything on this. If he would be alone without Aragorn he would probably just leave without a word... but his friend was different.
Eskel corssed his arms on his chest and frowning was looking at the woman before him. In spirit? Well maybe. But who was she anyway to interupt them? Who was she to come here and listen to their talk? Was she spying on them?

Aragorn: "We... could do with some breakfast ourselves before we leave. Perhaps you would consider joining us?"

Eskel frowned a little more and looked surprised at his friend. Join them? What for? Breakfast? The younger man was not about to question Aragorn's decisions but he was not happy about it either.

Lin: "Could I? Oh, um, I mean..."Sorry. I don't get many invitations to have company."

Eskel rolled his eyes at this. She was a mere young woman without friends... why the hell Aragorn wanted to take her for a breakfast? They were about to leave this place. Was it not better to eat and leave? He fought with the urge to shake his head in disaprovement and gave Aragorn one thight simple nod of comfirmation. He didn't want to opose him in such trivial things like breakfast and their company for it.
In truth Eskel wasn't hungry, he barely ate in mornings... but he would not leave Aragorn in a company of a stranger.

"One second..." he said after clearing his throat.

He walked back into his room and quickly took his belt with a sword strapped to it, fastened it quickly and took his bag with his things... He was ofcourse packed already and wanted to take this with him if anything would happen. Eskel liked to be prepared always. When he finally gathered himself what lasted only for two minutes he walked to the door which he left open and walked out of the room. And while he he was in the room his eyes never left the unknown woman... now leaving the room his eyes were still upon her.

"I'm ready..." he announced silently and closed the door behind him.

He glanced at the other Ranger only once before once more looking at the woman. He didn't trust her a bit and he wanted to make sure that she understood this.