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inzilbethGandalf suddenly fell silent, as if his attention was turned elsewhere and he appeared to be no longer aware of the presence of his companion or anything else about him. His thoughts had taken him deep into some other place and Aragorn could only wonder at what was passing through his mind. He sat and waited patiently for him to come back to him, all the while watching him closely. It was at moments like this that he was reminded that his friend was not the kindly, aged mortal man he so often seemed, but a Maia of great power, a power the magnitude of which Aragorn had only ever really guessed at, so rare and fleeting were the moments when Gandalf revealed anything of his true self.
At last Gandalf spoke. “As a child, did you ever hear the story of the hobbit and the thirteen dwarves?”
Aragorn laughed out loud and then shook his head in disbelief. Whatever he was expecting the wizard to say, it was not that. “Ever do you speak in riddles, my friend. But, yes, it was one of my favourite bedtime stories. I never tired of hearing it.”
“I wonder if the version Elrond told you included mention of the hobbit’s ring.”
“Why yes, of course,” said Aragorn. “It was a crucial part of the tale, as I recall; the whole venture to bring about the demise of the dragon would not have come about without it.”
“Umm, that is true,” said Gandalf. “Strange are the workings of Eä. But have you ever wondered about that ring, Aragorn; where it came from or how Gollum happened to have it in his possession?”
“No, I confess I have not, though now that you mention it, and in almost the same breath as you speak of Isildur at that, such questions seem obvious.”
Gandalf smiled at him. “Your mind has lost none of its sharpness, I see. I have spent many an hour in the last sixty years pondering such things. You may think I speak in riddles, but really, Aragorn, is that not a wonder as riddles are ever my lot. And this riddle has been much on my mind. I can’t help but wonder about this ring. It is so plain and simple in appearance and yet it confers invisibility upon its wearer. That is no small feat. The rings made by Celebrimbor were the greatest rings made by the elves and yet none of these had such an effect. Those given to the dwarves did little more than enhance their lust for gold. Of the Three, it is suffice to say that they do not render their keepers invisible, and the Nine only conferred invisibility upon those who wore them after many years as they were gradually drawn further into the Shadow World. Theirs was certainly not the immediate, instantaneous invisibility that occurs with Bilbo’s ring. No, Aragorn, I sense Sauron in this. This is my fear. This may not be any ordinary ring of power made by the elves, but THE ring of power, made by the Dark Lord himself.” Gandalf spoke those last words so quietly, Aragorn almost had to ask him to repeat them, so great was his shock that he could hardly believe what he was hearing.
“But if you are right, what would this mean for those of us who oppose him? The ring of Power is a terrible thing in the hand of its maker. Should he find it, what hope would there be?”
“None, Aragorn, there would be none.”
Aragorn’s heart was racing in time with his thoughts. He knew very little about the rings of power, even the Three. Elrond had once shown him Vilya and he had long ago guessed that Galadriel was the keeper of Nenya. He did not know who was the bearer of Narya, though he had his suspicions. He had seen for himself the force for good that could come of such rings when wielded by the hands of the Wise. And the Ring of Power would hold a power beyond any of them
“If this is so, would there be no hope of using the Dark Lord’s own weapon against him? If its power is so much greater than the Three, might not some good come out of this if we could use it to our own advantage?”
“No, Aragorn, I can think of nothing good that could possibly occur as a result of this, unless the ring could be destroyed, but that is a hope beyond hope. Although Isildur probably never attempted to master the ring, he was not able to wield it at need to defeat even an army of orcs from the
Aragorn nodded thoughtfully. Guarding the Shire was not generally considered the most demanding of postings. The problem was usually more one of boredom on the part of his men and the fact that it diverted them from other, more dangerous watches. Fulfilling this request of Gandalf’s would place an even greater strain upon them. They were stretched too thinly as it was. The simple fact was there were just not enough of them to effectively patrol Eriador and keep evil at bay indefinitely. And if this conversation was to remain private, he anticipated there might be difficulties in convincing the men of the importance of this sudden need. Yet somehow it would have to be done.
“It will not be easy, but it can be arranged,” he said at last.
“Good. And thank you, my friend. My heart is eased enormously just in sharing this burden with you. I just wish I knew for certain how Gollum came by the ring.”
“I suppose asking him is out of the question? What do you imagine became of him?”
“He is probably dead, but if he is not, I suppose it is possible he might still be hunting for it. Quite how the ring’s power works, I do not yet know. I desperately need to learn more about it. My fear is that, if it is the One ring, Sauron also will seek it. He must not find it, Aragorn. I can not stress that enough. You do understand, don’t you?”
“I do. I realise all hope would be gone forever if this came to pass. But, surely, he could not know it is in the Shire?” Aragorn paused to think about this. “If Bilbo has kept it hidden, Sauron’s spies are very unlikely to have learned of this, so how would he possibly know it is there?”
“He could not… unless…unless. Bilbo told Gollum his name! Aragorn, that creature knows who Bilbo is and where he lives.” Gandalf’s face coloured in alarm.
“If he tries to reach the Shire, the rangers will catch him, fear not.” Aragorn forced a reassurance he did not feel. Gandalf’s evident panic was frightening.
“But what if he himself is captured by the enemy? Imagine what he could reveal. He could bring the Dark Lord’s servants straight here, straight to the Shire.”
“Then we must find him. It is the only way. If he still lives, we must search for him and keep him secure from Sauron’s grasp. And I will help you in this, Gandalf. It is, after all, only through the folly of my ancestor that the ring survived when it should not. I am Isildur’s heir, it is only right that I should labour to repair the harm his choice may yet cause.”
“No, Aragorn, you have no need to blame yourself for that moment of weakness of Isildur’s and you will be needed here. I can not drag you off on such a possibly fruitless hunt. The creature could be anywhere in all Middle-earth.”
“Perhaps, but I would accompany you all the same. It would be safer if we do this together. My people can manage without me for a time. Please Gandalf, I feel I must insist on it.”
Gandalf sighed. “Very well, my good fellow, as you wish. I confess I would be glad of your companionship, to say nothing of your hunting and tracking skills which I happily concede surpass my own. If you are sure of this, we might as well make a start in the morning.”
“So be it, and I will speak with Halbarad at once as it will now fall to him to organise the additional patrols.”
Aragorn rose from his seat by the ford, his mind in turmoil at all he had heard. The implications could be terrible and yet Aragorn had a growing suspicion that this might just be the key that he had been searching for, his means of unlocking the door to that secret path that could lead him to his destiny, a path that had so eluded him for over twenty years. As his thoughts ran away with him, he felt a mounting excitement at what all this might ultimately mean and yet, along side his hope, there arose also a great dread, for, in a flash of foresight, he saw, with absolute certainty, that this was the very beginning of a journey that would change his life forever. But whether it would be for good or ill, he could not tell.
He walked back to the camp in a daze. He was not looking forward to breaking this news to his men. He found Halbarad deep in conversation with a group of men who had gathered near the fire in anticipation of their evening meal.
“Forgive me, gentlemen, but I would speak with you alone, Halbarad, for a moment, if I may,” he said. Halbarad grunted his compliance as Aragorn drew him to one side.
“Radhruin was right, Hal, Gandalf did not come with good tidings. I’m afraid he and I shall be leaving at first light tomorrow and we may be gone some time.”
“Why; whatever has happened?” Halbarad was dismayed at this news and immediately ashamed, bitterly regretting all his earlier niggling. “Aragorn, I am sorry. This has nothing to do with my being much a grouch the last few days, does it? All those names I called you, I did not mean any of them, well, not most of them; you do know that don’t you?”
Aragorn grinned at him. “I only wish it was that simple. No, Hal, this is no devious plot on my part to escape from your miserable company for a time.”
A look of relief crossed Halbarad’s face, quickly followed by one of resignation. The reasons for his chieftain’s travels were rarely explained; over the years he had come to accept his comings and goings without question.
“Might I know where I can find you, if needs must?” he asked.
“East at first, that is all I can say, for I know not myself,” replied Aragorn. “And I fear there is more I must ask of you. I can tell you nothing as to my reasons, but the guard on the Shire must be doubled with immediate effect.” Aragorn could see the incredulity written all too clearly on Halbarad’s face at this order. The Shire was the most peaceable part of their watch; its inhabitants of no interest to anyone but themselves. He almost smiled as he witnessed Halbarad visibly fighting the urge to question this command. But Halbarad resisted, knowing only too well that Aragorn would have his reasons and that he would tell him if he could.
“Doubling the guard will be difficult,” he said. “The men are pushed to their limits already.”
“I know, and, believe me, I would not ask this if it was not absolutely necessary, but there is no other way. It is imperative that no one suspicious crosses the borders. The spies must be kept out. I can not stress this too greatly; there is more at stake here than you realise. I’m afraid it will fall to you now to see this done, and done it must be.”
Halbarad nodded. “I will see to it; I can assure you of that.”
Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry to ask this of you, but in all our years wandering the wilds together, I have never needed your strength and wisdom as much as I do now. I know I could not leave Eriador in safer hands.” Halbarad, like any of his men, would gladly die for him, if he asked it. Their loyalty was never in doubt, but still he hated to have to keep asking for more and more from them. At that moment he felt the loneliness of leadership and he wanted nothing more than to reach out to his friend and embrace him, to feel the comfort and strength of another heart beating beside his own. He was already grieving at the thought of leaving the North, of leaving his men, but he could not allow Gandalf to undertake this venture to find Gollum on his own. It might seem an impossible task, but it was one he was certain they should at least attempt.
Halbarad must have sensed the turmoil within his chieftain for he reached up and pulled his head towards his and for a moment their foreheads touched.
“Don’t worry about us, we will manage, as we always have,” he said softly. “Just be sure to return to us when you can, that’s all we ask of you.”
“I will, I promise,” said Aragorn, not even attempting to keep the emotion out of his voice. “But will you promise me something too?”
“Of course, anything; you have only to ask”
“When you next visit Bree, stay away from the dice.”
‘And I,’ said Aragorn, ‘counselled that we should hunt for Gollum, too late though it may seem. And since it seemed fit that Isildur’s heir should labour to repair Isildur’s fault, I went with Gandalf on the long and hopeless search.’
The Council of Elrond The Fellowship of the Ring
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-19 08:08 pm (UTC)I always like reading your Aragorn, Halbarad, and Gandalf. :)
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Date: 2008-10-19 09:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-20 12:00 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-10-20 12:09 pm (UTC)