A Mother's Love by Pippin's Sunshine

A Mother's Love

by Pippin's Sunshine

Chapter 7. First Impressions

The next morning, Gilrean woke her son up earlier than normal. "Good morning my little one. Time to get up! We'll reach Rivendell this afternoon." When he heard that, Aragorn jumped up immediately.

"Slow down Aragorn! You want to be AWAKE when we get there right?" she asked him with a smile. With that, he slowed down a little.

"Momma, I miss Daddy."

"I know. I miss him too. But today is going to be a happy day. Let's go for a walk." Aragorn took his mother's hand and off they went. "Aragorn, I want you to be on your best behavior when we reach Rivendell. OK?"

"OK."

"Well, I happen to know Reneal and the others are already on their way there to let Lord Elrond know we're coming."

"Why?"

Gilrean laughed. "I wanted to spend some extra time with you. And to tell you happy birthday!" And with that, she scooped him up and showered him with hugs and kisses. What ensued was a small-scale tickle fight.

When he had calmed down Aragorn told Gilrean, "I love you momma."
"And I love you too, my little hunter."

"Momma, what sound that?" Aragorn asked suddenly.

"I believe that's the River Bruinen. We're almost to Rivendell."

--------Later that afternoon-------

"Aragorn, this is Lord Elrond.”

Aragorn bowed as his mother had told him to, but he stayed close to his mother. Lord Elrond was a bit scary to one so small.

"I hope you enjoy your time here in Rivendell. And I hear that you would like to learn Elvish, well my sons and I will teach you that and so much more, if you like."

Aragorn's eyes grew wide, "REALLY?” Turning around Aragorn told Gilrean, “Momma I going to learn Elvish! Thank you Lord Elwond."

"Elladan and Elrohir will show you to your room and give you a tour Aragorn. I need to have a talk with your momma."

Aragorn gave his mom a hug and she whispered in his ear, "Be good and don't get into too much trouble. We have a surprise for you later tonight."

After thanking Elrond and promising his mother he would be good, he and the twins ran off.

"Gilrean it's good to see you again. I'm so sorry to hear about Arathorn. But I hope you can be comfortable here. We will give your son every opportunity and then some. But I'm afraid we MUST conceal his true identity till his time comes. I have already given this much thought, all you have to do is agree. Here in Imladris, he will be known as Estel, which means, "Hope." I pray to Eru that he will be your people's hope so many seem to believe already.”

"Oh, Lord Elrond I don't know what to say. But thank you for letting us stay with you and your family. I hate to do it, but I agree it would probably be best to not let it be known to many who he really is. I love the name. Is everything ready for tonight?" she asked with a sly smile.

"Yes it is. I am so glad to have you here. This will be a wonderful party.”
Gilrean noticed a blonde-haired elf standing a ways behind Elrond.

“This is my assistant, Glorfindel. Sometimes, he is left in charge if I must be away. He also assists in some aspects of training. He will now show you to your rooms.”

"Thank you again, I need to find my son soon so he doesn't get into too much trouble."

Chapter 8.

When Glorfindel had brought Gilrean to her room, she told him thank you and she started to look around. Apparently, Elladan and Elrohir had tired Aragorn out in a short while because they had laid him down in the bed in his room.

Gilrean sighed; she would finally have some time by herself to gather her thoughts.

"Arathorn, I wish you were here. Rivendell is gorgeous and Elrond and his family are very courteous. But I miss you! I can't help but wonder if Aragorn will like it here or if he will be the one to restore the North. I am sorry, but the Lord Elrond thinks it best if we conceal his identity. The thought scares me. Can he see something in Aragorn's future that would harm him? I hope not."

During this, Gilrean was going about their suite and unpacking what few things they had brought with them.

A soft knock at the door startled her from her thoughts, it was Elladan and Elrohir. "Your son is amazing!" Elladan said breathlessly.

"You mean you're not mad you're going to have a new 'brother'?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh no, we're gonna love it. Father told us to come check on you and to tell you that dinner will be ready in an hour," Elrohir said.
"Thank you. I'll go see if I can wake Ara- I mean- Estel up." And with that she shooed them out of the room.

After Gilrean woke up Aragorn, she had a talk with him.

“Aragorn, I need to tell you something important. You may not understand right now, but you will one day. The elves and I will be calling you ‘Estel’ while we are here in Rivendell. I know it may be hard to remember, but you will in time, my little hunter.”

“Why?”

“Well, it’s easier for the elves to say for one thing,” Gilrean lied. “We have had to leave everything behind. Sometimes it is better if we hide from the outside world who we truly are. And Estel means "Hope", you're my hope and the hope of our people. And, Lord Elrond picked it out especially for you.”

“Oooohhhh. I like the elves. Ok I try.”

“Thank you. Let’s go see what is for dinner, shall we?” Gilrean took Aragorn by the hand and led him to the dinner hall.

Tonight was just going to be them, Glorfindel, the twins and Lord Elrond. Gilrean only wanted a small gathering since it was only their first day in Rivendell. Their conversations that night were very light-hearted.

"So, I hear you want to become a very skilled hunter one day."

"No, I want to be the best hunter ever!" he said with conviction.

"Then I think you will really enjoy your stay here! And I think you may give these two over here some competition one day." Elrond replied.

Elladan and Elrohir pretended to be hurt. “But Ada, it will be many years before Estel shall be able to compete with us.”

Aragorn’s eyes got wide. “YEARS!?!? I want to learn ‘morrow!”

At this, everyone laughed and continued to enjoy the fine meal and conversations.

After dinner, a cake was brought out along with a few presents from Elrond's household for the young Dùnedain.

His mother had given him a small wooden sword and bow set. The gifts from the Elves filled Aragorn with delight. They had given him a whole assortment of new toys-- but not just any toys-- these were like what young Elves played with when they were little. They would take you to far off places and back again.