There Is No Time For Fear (Aragorn x oc)

ten

Aragorn POV

We camp for the night behind a group of secluded rocks. While Gimli, Legolas, and Iston sit by the fire, Gandalf and I stand, looking towards the east.

"The veiling shadow that glowers in the east takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-dur, his Eye watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. The rumor has reached him. The heir of Numenor still lives." The old man says, looking at me. "Sauron fears you, Aragorn. He fears what you may become. And so he'll strike hard and fast at the world of Men. He will use his puppet Saruman to destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself, and therein lies our first challenge, for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The king's mind is enslaved, it's an old device of Saruman's. His hold over King Theoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning, we have one advantage. The Ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a Hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest."

At the thought of Frodo, alone on his way to Mordor, a feeling of guilt washes over me.

"Do not regret your decision to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone."

"He's not alone." I correct, "Sam went with him."

A look of delight spreads over Gandalf's face.

"Did he? Did he, indeed? Good. Yes, very good."

I glance back to where the others sit. Iston catches my eye and smiles out of the corner of his mouth. I feel Gandalf watching me.

"He is a special one." The wizard says as I turn away from Iston and look back at Gandalf. "Although you seem to know that already." A knowing look appears in his eyes.

"Is there anything you do not know?" I ask, joking.

"Oh there are many many things I do not yet know. But your love for him is painfully obvious." He laughs.

"What is it that he's supposed to do? In Lorien, Galadriel kept on saying he had some kind of duty or destiny."

"That," Gandalf says "... is not for me to tell."

I nod and he walks back towards the fire. I continue to stare out at the land before me. I come to the sudden realization that by my right as Isildur's heir, this land would be under my rule and a weird feeling runs down my spine.

Footsteps come up behind me and a shoulder rests against mine. Iston stands next to me.

"What are you thinking?" He asks.

"Walk with me." Is my only response and step further away from the group. He follows me without question.

"You did not answer."

"Sometimes I remember just how much it will change when we reach Gondor and then again after Frodo destroys the ring. There is nothing I will be able to do to hide from this. Any solace I got in hiding behind the name Strider, will all be gone." I explain.

"Change is inevitable but that does not make it easy. Especially with a destiny as big as yours." He says, nodding. "You will be a good king, a great one. Even here, within our little fellowship, you've led us through so much."

"Are you sure? Boromir is gone. Frodo and Sam are walking towards an almost certain death, and Merry and Pippin were kidnapped and are somewhere... out there."