There Is No Time For Fear (Aragorn x oc)

two

Aragorn POV

We move steadily towards the mountains. In the few weeks since we left Rivendell, it feels that  fellowship has become almost inseparable. It is good to have Legolas by my side and the hobbits, especially Merry and Pipin, to keep me laughing. 

"Have you passed over these mountains before?" I ask Iston as we walk across a rocky landscape. 

"Yes, many times. Mostly to cross to Lothlorian." He answers and I nod. "I am sure you have also crossed these mountains."

"Yes I used to explore the edges of Rohan."

"I did as well. Many years ago."

"The life of a ranger is not too different than yours it seems."

"That's very true."

"I find it hard to believe that in all the years I spent in Rivendell, I never saw you once."

"I spent most of my childhood in Lothlorien. When I was old enough, I travelled everywhere I could. Middle Earth is full of surprises and people in need of help. The time that I did spend in Rivendell was brief. It reminds me too much of my mother and I do not desire to be held down in one place."

I don't have a good response to that, so all I do is nod. 

"We can rest here for a few hours." Gandalf calls from the front of the group. The hobbits drop to the ground, exhausted. Some things never change it seems. 

Sam starts a fire so he can cook and Boromir teaches Merry and Pippin to fight as he has for many days. I sit on the rocks smoking my pipe and watching. Iston sits next to me. I'm almost always watching him and I've gotten to know more about him over the course of the many days we've walked together. He doesn't talk much, but when he does I always seem to remember it. 

 Sam walks to us and hands Iston a chunk of bread. He rips it in half and hands a piece to me. As I take the food, I notice a simple silver band around one of his fingers. Etched into the metal is a design that swirls around the ring. A tiny white jewel sits in the center of the ring.  

"It was a gift from my mother." He says softly, seeing my gaze. "There is magic in this world and through this, I hold very small piece of it." He twists the ring around his finger, admiring it. It is obvious that it holds great value to him. "Im tolth- cin." He says softly, holding his palm out. A small blue flame ignites in it.

Incredible." I say. And it is.

"The control I have over it is limited. As you saw at the council in Rivendell, sometimes it get's away from me in moments of high emotion or danger." He looks slightly embarrassed but I find this all interesting. 

"Elvion!" Gandalf shouts over to him. "Come, I am in need of your opinion."

I have never heard anyone refer to him by that name before and it's odd to see how quickly he responds.

"Excuse me." He says and stands. As he walks behind the fighting hobbits, a suspicious smile crosses his face. He lightly touches the back of Pipin's leg with his foot and the hobbit looks around, Boromir takes advantage of his distraction to move forward but accidentally cuts Pippin's hand.

"Sorry!" He says and moves to look more closely at Pippin's injury.

The hobbit lashes out, kicking Boromir's leg and he throws himself on top of the much taller man.

"Get him!" Merry joins in.

"For the shire!"

They wrestle Boromir to the ground. I can't help but laugh. Iston laughs as well and I look up. Elvish laughter is always beautiful, but his is somehow even more than normal.