The Heirs of Haeron

The Return of Aragorn

Grim and dark had grown the days for those who dwelt nigh the Misty Mountains in the waning years of the Third Age as the hand of the Dark Lord spread ever closer to the lands of the free peoples. In a region called the Angle, where most of the remaining Dúnedain families sought refuge from the growing threat, the man who led the Rangers of the North prepared to return to his watch-post nigh the Great East Road. "I must depart soon," said Halbarad to his wife, "for the evil of Mordor rests not, and my brothers are in need of me." After that he turned his gaze to the north and added, "Not since the days of Arassuil did those vile creatures dare to reach so far into our lands."

As he concluded his remark, he heard noises coming from the nearby woods and stepped out of his tent to have a look; and at that moment, out of the trees to the north, he saw four rangers come forth and walk with haste towards the encampment. As they came nigh the edge of the settlement, the man at the front stopped to give instructions to the rest and thereupon continued alone towards Halbarad. "I bring important tidings," he said as he came close.

"What is it Maegorn?" said Halbarad.

"I have learned," replied the ranger, "that our Lord Aragorn has returned from his long journey to the South."

"Aragorn!" cried out Halbarad, unable to hide his excitement. "Which way has he taken?"

"It appears," said Maegorn, "that he travelled north along the eastern edge of the Misty Mountains, then crossed into Eriador through the High Pass, whence he set course for Imladris. I was told further that he was preparing to leave the House of Elrond shortly and should be arriving here within a few days."

"A joyous message this is, indeed," said Halbarad. "I shall postpone my departure and await my kinsman."

A few days later, after nearly three and twenty years away, the Chieftain of the Dúnedain was come again amongst his people. Upon arriving he went to Halbarad's tent, and after greeting him warmly, turned to serious matters. "Tell me about our situation," he said.

"It is well that you have arrived in this hour," said Halbarad, "for the orcs are becoming bolder and there is talk of a sinister alliance between the Dark Lord and the Nameless Terror that the Dwarves awakened in Moria."

"Tell me not of the Enemy's designs, Halbarad," said Aragorn, "for I have not been idle and know them well."

"Forgive me; I forgot whence it is you come," said the ranger. "Much must you have learned of Sauron's plans in Imladris."

"Not only in Imladris," replied Aragorn, "but also in Lórien and in the White City far to the south. For his malice touches all of our allies, and he seeks to bring dread and despair upon each of them ere he unleashes his full might upon the strongholds of the West."

"Come," said Halbarad. "I will show you the distribution of our men." And with that they went inside a tent to have a look at the map.

Later on that evening, as Maegorn walked back towards his family's abode, he came upon a tall elf who had just stepped out of Aragorn's tent and stopped to have a word with him. At the end of their brief conversation, the ranger continued on his way and was soon joined by a boy who had been waiting for him a few feet away. "Who is that, father?" asked the boy.

"That is one of whom I have spoken to you on many occasions, Aldanur," said Maegorn. "He is the elf-lord Glorfindel, who journeyed with our Lord Aragorn hither from Imladris."

The boy at once turned his head and gazed in awe at the golden-haired elf, whose eyes seemed to shine from within with the light of a thousand stars. He had seen elves before, but none such as the one who stood a few paces from him, around whom so many great tales of might and valour were woven. But of all the accounts that told of Glorfindel, one had stood out ever in the boy's mind for the majesty and grandeur of its settings; and he found it hard to believe that he looked now upon an elf who had stood against the great horror that issued from Angband in long ages past to bring forth the ruin of Gondolin.