Breaking The Barriers 12

Breaking The Barriers

Part 12

Posted: February 15, 2008
Title: Breaking the Barriers
Author: Balrog

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Elrond was getting ready for Estel's coming of age. It was going to be of great importance to everyone who lived in Middle Earth.

Glorfindel and Haldir noticed that as the coming of age grew closer, they could not see a change in Estel. He showed his love for Legolas in public and Legolas returned it. Everyone in Imladris was watching the love between the Prince of Mirkwood and the future King grow.

The day before Estel's coming of age, he got a message to meet Lord Elrond in his private office. After entering, he had seen Glorfindel and Erestor, Elrond's chief councilor. He took a seat in front of his desk and looked at everyone in the room.

"Well, I'm here. What can I do for you, Adar?" he asked. He noticed sword shards on the desk and a ring. He had seen these before. They were the Shards of Narsil, the sword that cut the One Ring from Sauron. He had read about it many times and had seen it in the library. The ring sat on a piece of velvet on Adar's office desk.

"Estel, we've gather here today to talk to you of your coming of age. It is time that you knew of your heritage." Elrond looked at him with love in his eyes. "What I'm about to say to you is going to be very hard for you to take. I don't know how much of you family history your mother told you about but here goes." He took a long breath and started. "You family history goes back to my brother, Elros." Elrond told him of the line of descendants from Elros to the young man before him.

Estel knew about the line but somehow he didn't remember seeing the names of the Chieftains in any history books. He listened intently as his Adar told him he was the next King of Gondor.

After Elrond had finished his story, he looked up at Estel. Estel could not believe his ears! He shook his head to see if he heard it right. He was to become King of Gondor! He looked to Glorfindel and Erestor.

"You can't be serious! No, no, no!" Estel was shaking his head. "I can't be King of Gondor. I was not born of royal blood." He got up from the chair and went to the window.

"Yes, you are born of royal blood." Adar said. "You see, you're the son of Arathorn. He in turn is Isildur's heir. Therefore, you have royal blood. You see, my son, you are the direct descendant of Elros, my twin brother. He was the first King of Gondor. When Aranarth died, I raised each generation. I was to keep each of you safe until you were old enough to rule Gondor. Many years of trial lie before you. You shall neither have wife, nor bind any woman to you in troth, until your time comes and you are found worthy.*" Elrond came around the desk and joined his son. Turning Estel so that he could look at him, he continued. "The sword that lies on that desk is part of that heritage, as is the ring." Elrond stopped talking to let Estel take in this information. "It is your destiny to become King of Gondor. It will be many years before you take the throne. During this time, I would like you to go out into this world and get to know the people of these lands. Know their customs and their lives. You can read all about them in books but to live their lives would be a great experience."

Elrond told him the whole story about the Ring of Barahir. He even found out his real name was Aragorn, not Estel. They named him Estel to protect his real identity from evil. Elrond went to his desk to retrieve the ring. Coming back to Estel, he placed it in his hand.

"What if I don't want to become King?" He yelled getting nervous. "I have only become a man in the eyes of the Valar. I have found love for the first time in my life and I want to take advantage of that. I can't do this. What am I going to do? I need to be alone." He took the ring from his Adar. He could not listen to this anymore. This was too much to take in. He turned about and looked at Erestor. He learned a lot from this elf, he was his tutor. The look on his face confirmed every word that Adar was saying was true. Tears started rolling down his face. He could not take it anymore and wanted to be alone. He opened the door and ran out with the ring clutched in his hand.

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*Appendix: A LOTR I used this quote to show that Aragorn is not to marry a woman before he sits on the throne in Gondor.

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