Nearly fifty years after the War of the Ring, the great kingdoms of Middle Earth had slowly been rebuilt. Flags were raised high once again, buildings built tall, and kings reborn. Rohan's villages were restored to their former splendor. Lost loves were reforged. And in the faraway kingdom of Gondor, its white city stood as fiercely as ever.

Aragorn, king of the realm of Gondor, was growing older. He was a strong and stubborn man… he didn't want to admit it, but it was getting harder and harder for him to be the fearless, forceful king everyone knew him as.
He was of the Dunedain, and therefore had a loonger life expectancy than most men. During the great battle for Middle Earth, he had been in his eighties, though appeared more in his forties. However, the burden of rebuilding cities like Osgiliath and Minas Tirith was taking its toll on him. He knew his time would soon come.

"Gondor has a bright future, Estel," his wife Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond of Rivendell, reminded him. She always knew these days would come. Her father had warned her of what would happen if she, an Elven woman, married Aragorn, a mortal man. She looked out at the blue sky, all she could see, because they were on the very top of the city of Minas Tirith.

"That future no longer includes me," Aragorn said bitterly. He looked up at his beautiful wife. "Arwen… I can no longer handle it. It is time we thought of… choosing a new king of Gondor."

Arwen nodded. "But Mithrennon is not yet eighteen," she said, referring to their son. "Surely he is not ready to rule a kingdom…"

"No, he is not. But you… and I, while I am still alive… can act as his regents. We will help him to make smart decisions. Trust me, Arwen, I have been thinking about this for some time." Aragorn gave her a light kiss on the lips and smiled. "I would not make a hasty decision."

After a long discussion, the two weary parents called for their son, Mithrennon, to meet with them. He had grown into a strong, handsome young man, with blue eyes like his mother, and rugged features like his father. He also had his father's skill with a sword, but was nowhere near his peak yet.

"Mithrennon," Aragorn said gravely, "do you remember what I told you long ago, about how someday, you would rule Gondor in my place?"

Mithrennon nodded as he sat down in a chair opposite his parents. "I do, Father."

"That day is coming swiftly, more quickly than you may know. I am weaker than I once was. I no longer have the strength to lead our people to victory in battles or construction of parts of the city." He choked back tears. "I am dying."

Mithrennon had noticed this of his father, but he didn't know it would be so soon. "What are we to do?"

"You will become king," Aragorn announced. "Whenever we can arrange for it, it will be done. We will hold a ceremony and deem you the rightful ruler." He smiled at Arwen, who meekly returned it. "Your mother and I will help you, and you will have the Council on your side." He took a deep breath. "But ultimately, my son… decisions will be up to your judgement."

The soon-to-be king held his head high, but inside, he was churning with emotions. He knew he ought to be happy. He was… but he was also apprehensive. Ruler of an entire kingdom? The most leadership he'd before been entrusted with was leading a few of Gondor's young soldiers in basic training exercises. But the entire realm of Gondor? Thousands of men, women and children trusting his very word? He swallowed hard and tried to look his proud father in the eye. "I will try my very best, Father," he promised.

***

As time passed, news of Aragorn's weakened condition had reached even further than Gondor. Word spread to Rohan, where Aragorn's friends Faramir and Eowyn resided. Faramir took it upon himself to warn Legolas and Gimli, who were not far off in Fangorn Forest, exploring it like they had always wanted to do. When they heard, they raced as soon as they could to Minas Tirith, to join Arwen in celebrating Aragorn's final days.

"Legolas! Gimli!" Aragorn cried. He was lying in bed wearing a dark red shirt. His face was sallow, his hair grey. His smile, though, was bright at the sight of his friends.

Legolas and Gimli knealt at the side of his bed, and then stood again. "Aye, tis wonderful to see you again, Ari!" Gimli said warmly. Though Aragorn tried to resist, he managed to get a hug out of him. Gimli himself was just as old as Aragorn, but Dwarves had a higher life expectancy than men.

Aragorn laughed and then locked eyes with Legolas. "Melloamin (my friend)," he nodded.

Aragorn shook his hand gently. "You're looking… well," Legolas said tactfully. Truthfully, he had never seen Aragorn looking so weak, but he knew the pride his old friend had. "This news brings me great grief, that you should pass on, my friend."

Aragorn didn't seem offended by this. "It is my time," he said. He sat up slightly. "Arwen and Mithrennon are not taking it very well."

Legolas had sensed this when he entered the king's chambers, passing Arwen and her son in a tearful embrace. He knew Aragorn loved them both very much, and had even given his son an Elvish name, rather than one more appropriate for a man-king, because he wanted to please his wife.

"So the boy is to take over Gondor?" Gimli said conversationally. He looked out the window. "Oh, Faramir and Eowyn told us to tell you they're sorry they could not be here. There's business to be attendin' to in Rohan."

"That is fine." Aragorn sighed. "Yes, Mithrennon is to be king. We're having the ceremony very soon… if I can hold up." He gave a sad smile to his friends and then winced in pain. He had grown so weak, it was painful for him even to move. "This is partly the reason I wanted you two to be here."

"For the ceremony? We would not miss it," Legolas assured him.

"No, not just that," Aragorn interrupted. "Legolas… Gimli…" His tone caused his two friends to immediately turn back to him. "My friends, if it is not too much trouble… I would like you to stay here in my absence. Arwen is strong and capable, but I feel that Mithrennon will need experienced advisors to aid him, if need be. You have both seen many wars and much toil, and…" He dropped his voice to a whisper, as if he were afraid Arwen might hear. "…you are quite a bit more knowledgable in the ways of battle."

The three of them softly chuckled. Legolas and Gimli looked at each other.

"I s'pose we could be sparin' our time," Gimli announced.

"Indeed," Legolas. "It would be better to help a friend with our time, rather than wasting it exploring faraway lands."

"Thank you both," Aragorn said gratefully. "I do not mean for you to stay forever, but only to help Mithrennon in his first years as a ruler. He is but seventeen, and still very naïve."

***

Naliah, a young, middle-class Gondor resident, stood in the middle of the crowd at the king-switching ceremony. Only sixteen, she had only known Aragorn as her king. For so long he had ruled with a kind heart and an encouraging tongue, she could imagine nobody else ruling their kingdom.

She looked up at her mother and father, who were beside her, and clutched her little brother's hand.

"I can't hear," little Eothain complained.

"Shhh," her mother replied absently. "They're beginning."

Aragorn stood tall, but it was obvious he was only trying not to hunch over in pain. His wife Arwen held his arm proudly while he made the announcement that his son, Mithrennon, would be the new king. Naliah strained to see the boy. She knew he was only a little bit older than her, for she had seen him around. He was to be the king? This boy?!

"I have also appointed my friends, Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland Realm, to assist my wife as regents of Gondor," Aragorn was saying. Naliah could scarcely hear him over the strong winds that blew across the high mountains, chilling her. "Please do not hesistate to bring your problems to them as well as my son."

Naliah regarded the two assistants. One was very short, with a long red beard and hair. A dwarf? The other was a tall, lean figure with long blonde hair and green attire. The Woodland Realm… an elf? How ever had Aragorn made such alliances with Dwarves and Elves? Naliah had hardly ever been further than Osgiliath, and never out of Gondor, but she had heard stories of the numerous other beings that dwelled in Middle Earth.

"Please join me in welcoming Mithrennon to the the throne." Aragorn bowed his head and then looked up, shouting, "Hail to the king!"

"HAIL TO THE KING!" crowed from the throats of thousands of Gondorians.

It was official. Gondor had a new ruler.