tanaquiljall

paranoidangel42 wondered would Aragorn have grown up the same if he hadn't been 'Estel'? I'm not sure this directly answers the prompt, but it was inspired by it.

Day 240

Hopeless

"Close." Halbarad, panting hard, peered out from the brake in which he and Aragorn lay hidden, their pursuers shaken at last.

"And no accident." Aragorn's voice was harsh. "Sauron must have informers in every hamlet west of the mountains, listening for whispers of Isildur's Heir."

"We did not use your true name." Halbarad rolled over and cocked an eyebrow at Aragorn.

"What need? Sauron has known I dwelt in Imladris since Elrond's sons carried me there. He had only to wait until I came forth, and then take any Ranger who walked the North. Alas! I have doomed our people...."

gwynnyd asked for the Rangers at Sarn Ford facing the Nazgul.

Day 15

Steadfast

They had known fear in the Wild. What Ranger did not feel his blood chill at the call of the warg and howl of the orc? Yet this was not fear that sharpens wits, strengthens the hand. This was dull, creeping hopelessness.

Halbarad knew it for what it was. Aragorn had spoken of it once, quietly and with pain. Halbarad knew it must be a power indeed for one so high of heart to falter before it.

Now that power pressed on him. But his Captain, his King had given him this charge; he would defend it while he could.


Night was waning on the twenty-second day of September when drawing together again [the Black Riders] came to Sarn Ford and the southernmost borders of the Shire. They found them guarded for the Rangers barred their way. But this was a task beyond the power of the Dúnedain; and maybe it would still have proved a even if their captain, Aragorn, had been with them. But he was away to the north, upon the East Road near Bree; and the hearts even of the Dúnedain misgave them. Some fled north­ward, hoping to bear news to Aragorn, but they were pursued and slain or driven away into the wild. Some still dared to bar the ford, and held it while day lasted, but at night the Lord of Morgul swept them away, and the Black Riders passed into the Shire.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 4, The Hunt for the Ring: Of the Journey of the Black Riders