Hebo Estel

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters found in this story nor are they my creation.

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The rain was falling so heavily Aragorn thought he might drown on land. The wind was so was so strong the rain was almost horizontal. But the weather was the least of Aragorn's problems. He was on his way home from scouting with other rangers when he ran into a large company of irritated orcs. Not to say Aragorn was poor at fighting, no, quite the opposite. But when you've been living in the forests for days on end and the only thing that's keeping you going is the thought of your family waiting for you as well as the real bed you get to sleep in, you aren't exactly in peak fighting form.

Aragorn quickly shifted his weight to the left as he dodged the sharp blade of another orc. His usual lightning quick reflexes were slow due to his tired and overworked body and the horizontal rain horribly cut down on his ability to see the monstrous orcs swinging at him. His body was slowing down and he could feel it. But he kept thrusting his own sword at them, and slowly but surely the number of his attackers began to diminish.

And then it was just two against one. Surely Aragorn had seen worse odds…and beaten them. So he drew up the last of his strength and fought the two orcs. He had one on the ground ready to strike one last time when he felt a searing pain on shoot across his right side.

"Ai!" he yelped.

Thought within moments the pain was forgotten as Aragorn had to concentrate on fighting off the other attacker. And then in what seemed like minutes, the action stopped. Aragorn looked around wildly for any leftover orcs but there was no movement. Aragorn sank to the ground, exhausted. He felt the cold mud seeping into boots and through his shirt, but he didn't care. Every muscle was shaking with strain and fatigue. He sat there, catching his breath, sheathing his sword. He briefly closed his eyes and imagined his father welcoming him home with wide arms and a blazing fire.

And then a burning pain brought Aragorn back to the bitter, drenched world of reality. Unfortunately he wasn't home yet, he was sitting against a tree in mud and figured it would be best to get on his way before another company of angry orcs decided to delay his return home any further.

Ah, home. As Aragorn collected his scattered belongs (the very few he had with him) he couldn't help letting his mind wander to what he remembered home to be. Brief images of his loving Ada flashed before his eyes, followed by memories of his troublesome yet dearly missed twin brothers.

"Just a little longer," he thought to himself.

"Just a little further until I'm home."

A rumbling stomach accompanied that thought and Aragorn laughed. He had to admit; he was looking forward to a home cooked meal, though that was definitely not the first thing to do on his list.

Finally having gathered his belongings Aragorn set off through the rest of the forest towards Rivendell. The rain had managed to lighten up but the air was still bitter and sharp. Aragorn trudged through the mud, pushing himself to move faster as to quicken his arrival at Rivendell. Finally after two long hours of dragging his tired body through the dense murky woods, the thickness he spent hours pushing through opened to a clearing…home.

Reflexively and unconsciously Aragorn quickened his pace not minding the extra mud he seemed to kick up. He could just feel the warmth, imaginary or not, emanating from his home. In what seemed like just mere moments later Aragorn found himself at the front entrance and he quickly ushered himself inside. Eager to find his family Aragorn hastily made his way to his room to drop off his wet belongings and haphazardly put on clothing that was at least relatively dry. More relaxed and feeling less like a fish on ice Aragorn made his way to his father's room where Elrond would presumably be. Before he even had a chance to knock on his father's doors they swung open to reveal a joyful Elrond, arms wide to greet his wandering son.

"Cormamin lindua ele lle," spoke Elrond as he embraced Aragorn.

"Nae saian luume' Ada," breathed Aragorn.

He felt all the tension in his muscles melt away as he inhaled his father's familiar scent. Unfortunately the reprieve lasted mere seconds as two energetic twin elves bounded into the room and ultimately into Aragorn and Elrond.

"Estel, you're home! Welcome! We have missed you brother." Elrohir and Elladan each grasped their brother in turn.

"I have missed you both as well," chuckled Aragorn. He stifled a yawn, "but I'm afraid my journey has taken its toll and I'm weary with exhaustion. I'll see you tomorrow morning brothers, Ada."

As Aragorn turned from the room a slight pain rippled through his side and he struggled to keep the wave of pain that crossed his face hidden from his family. He paused in his father's doorway for a moment before continuing on down the corridor and to his own room. He wouldn't worry about that tonight. After all, knowing his luck it was probably just an overused and now protesting pulled muscle. He'd be fine in a few days.

Having made it back to his room Aragorn sat down on his bed, the heaviness of his exhaustion fully setting in. Trying to not aggravate his tender side anymore than was minimally possible, Aragorn maneuvered himself into his warm bed. He sighed contentedly, though he wasn't a man for frills, he definitely appreciated a comfortable bed; especially after those nights on the floor of a cold forest.

He gingerly lifted his shirt to have a quick look over his right side and was surprised to see an angry red wound still bleeding somewhat. Though it was deep, Aragorn wasn't worried, at this moment nothing felt more important then sleep. He pressed a cloth to it to soak the extra blood, and disregarding anything the healer in his mind was shouting Aragorn got comfortable in bed and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Elvish:

1. My heart sings to see you

2. It has been too long

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