#blackarrcw :: aragorn

[rangers-arecool]

For: Aragorn | @blackarrcw Muse (s): Hal + Theo Verse (au): Laughter of a child

Hal had never intended to have children. Not because she didn't want them - she had. Once. But because she didn't want to turn into her mother and destroy their childhood. It was merely a dream though, one that had been destroyed by words and injury. Destroyed by L I F E.

Or so she had thought.

"Mama! Mama!"

Nesthir, known as Theo to protect him, was a surprise. Unexpected but not unwanted. A source of hope for a former Ranger with no path to lead her back home again. Not that she knew where home was anymore. A mission gone wrong had sent her into hiding and cutting contact with everyone who cared, fearing their reactions. Only four people knew the truth but they wouldn't say a word to anyone.

"Having fun with Kai, kiddo?"

"Yes..? But he's growling at someone by the gate." The quiet 4 year old gave a half questioning answer as he wandered into her arms, looking partly confused and partly tired. Worn out by playing with his wolf companion, it didn't take long for Theo to fall asleep.

Dark grey eyes went cold the minute her son fell asleep and she took him inside, where another wolf was watching them. She carefully put him in his room, quickly followed by the other wolf who curled up by his bed. A faint smile formed briefly at the familiar sight, before she left the room. Being a mother didn't mean she had become slack in her Ranger training, in fact she had got better.

"Kai, go inside please." She murmured quietly, running a gentle hand through the wolf's fur. It licked her hand and disappeared inside the house with one last warning snarl at the stranger, trusting her. The weapons, cool gaze and neutral expression hadn't changed much from her days of being a Ranger. But upon seeing who it was, the coldness cracked slightly.

"Strider..."

[sonxofxgondor]

@blackarrcw asked: “lean on me.”

Hard-to-Find Hurt/Comfort Sentence Starters. \\ Aragorn Elessar

Dull pain to the side of the head, a shallow discomfort that had only intensified as time grew longer, as the steps of the Fellowship toward Mordor became more. Goblins and a cave troll, enemy that had crawled from the depths to make an appearance, the battle in the Mines had taken more than just peace. Flame and smoke; born of devil-intentions, the loss of Gandalf was heavy upon their shoulders, Boromir's own shaking as he tried to walk onward without fault, the ground below his feet blurred and unclear. Clouded - an unnoticed tree root able to catch none other than Boromir's boot - pace stumbled, whole body almost sent to the dirt in a careless throw, face mere seconds from having met an unkind end. About to become covered in scratch and mark, the affections from an elder tree, roughened bark and tougher branches, an arm had wrapped around his middle. Secured him until he stood upright, mimicked Boromir and his movement.

Hand dressed with silver ring upon his finger, the hand that kept Boromir steady was a familiar one. Warm and generous, quiet but a proven protector: Aragorn. Command gentle in tone, Boromir did as was told to him. Offered his weight and then some, eyes closed shut as a wave of trouble washed over. Across the temple and down the cheek; nausea that lingered beneath the surface, colored his face pink and pale. A marriage between distress from a cave troll and embarrassment from an earlier council - the cruel side of a naked fist and steel sword - Boromir sheltered his mistake by the fall of his hair, locks that hung slightly near his eyes, remorseful green. Own arm slung over Aragorn's shoulders, his fingertips pressed into the fabric of his gear, the black of his tunic. Never too deep to hurt; hopeful that unspoken apology could be felt, nevertheless.

Boromir had not meant to be so cold. But pride and anxieties had rendered him ice; the horrors, the shadows, the loss that felt never-to-end.

"Aragorn, you needn't do this. I will be fine."

Boromir persisted, trying to gain better control of his legs, the wobble and the uncertain motion, ever still clung to Aragorn.

"It's nothing that I can't heal from. I have fought with worse! Please, do not burden yourself for my sake. Go on ahead. You are the leader to our Fellowship, we follow you. I'll fare just fine, my friend... I only need... I only need to find my footing, then I will be back to my old self. I promise! Please, Aragorn. I insist."

[rangers-arecool]

Aragorn shouldn't be stood here worrying about her, not when he had far more greater things to be worried about. Like the current fight to defend Minas Tirith and Gondor, which was being fought on the Pelennor Fields behind them. Injuries and death tended to be an occupational hazard when taking part in a battle or war. She was merely collateral damage.

Yet Hal knew he didn't think of it like that; knew that he didn't think of her like that. It was just the way her mind worked while detached from her emotions. She leaned into his touch slightly, her instincts easing momentarily. "I will." Ignoring his words wasn't something that she liked doing, especially not when he used that tone.

But then the dark eyed Ranger stepped back, breaking the contact and features closed off more than usual. "You're needed back out there, Aragorn. Before they lose what's left of their hope." I'll see what I can do to help in the city."

@rangers-arecool asked: [ 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 ] : sender has gotten injured protecting the receiver. // Aragorn - Hal

He hated when Hal had done this. Though he understood why it was done, because she was protecting him it still didn't sit well with Aragorn that she would step in the line of fire when the attack was meant for him.

Checking the other over quickly, the concern upon his features turned to a softer expression for but a brief moment. Carefully, the brunette pulled her out of the battlefield making sure to hide her so that she could not be seen as he tended to the wound. With each, gentle touch his movement had been swift to remove whatever would be blocking him from the wound.

And once his eyes laid up on the red covering her, a grimace appeared upon his features as he took in the wound fully. It was deep but could be mended with time and rest - knowing how the other was, it remained to be seen if she would comply with such things. "I'm going to tend to your wound. Relax, rest - sleep if you need to."

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: [ trace ] sender traces one of receiver’s scars / Aragorn to Hal

For the first time in months, she wasn't waking to the screams of prisoners, the taunts of the guards or constant pain. Instead it was more of a slow wakefulness, her body registering that she was safe before her mind did. Even when half asleep, Hal recognised the rough callused fingertips that were tracing one of her newer scars.

"Aragorn..."

Her voice was hoarse from lack of use but there was a familiar steadiness in dark grey eyes. One that had remained unfaltering across the years as both a Ranger and his second in command.

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: “ hurry! take my hand! “ - Legolas to Aragorn

He didn't stop to think, taking Legolas' hand and letting himself be pulled to safety. Away from the edge of the crumbling cliff, moments before the ground gave way all together. That had been far too close for comfort. For all of them, including Gandalf.

"Thanks."

Aragorn took a breath, before letting go of his hand and straightening. Storm blue eyes scanned the others in the Fellowship, sparing only a passing glance at the cliff that he'd nearly fallen from and tilted his head silently, listening.

"We can't stay here. Not in the open."

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: “ when i said i’d kill for you, i meant it. ” - Aragorn to Hal

She hadn't fully believed him at first, not because he wasn't capable of it or had the weapons available. It was Aragorn. He was more than capable of killing, although he usually tried more peaceful ways before resorting to deadlier, more permanent routes. But because she wasn't used to anyone actually protecting her. Not since Raidon and Lord Arathorn had protected her from the townsfolk of Bree at 9 years old.

Hal wasn't someone who tended to let her true emotions be seen in public. But there was a detached sort of shock beginning to take over as she stumbled back into him, shaking. Dark eyes stared at the body of the Angmarim Priestess, who had once been called her mother, before turning and pressing her forehead against his shoulder. Trying to stop her head from hurting.

"I.. didn't believe you when you first said that. Most would rather I just didn't exist because I'm too much of a liability and a danger."

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: ☀ - Aragorn to Hal.

They had always orbited each other.

Even from the very start, when Aragorn took his place as Chieftain and refused to let her sink back into the shadows. She was better at listening, dealing with the Dwarves and looking at situations from an unemotional, outsider's point of view. Whereas he was more verbal, better at talking to the Elves and could deal with the emotions side of issues.

Fire and Ice. Sun and Moon. Light and Dark.

Emotional disconnect could only take one so far. Unless said person wanted to be permanently detached from their emotions, which she didn't. Most of the time. It was Aragorn who often pulled her back from the knife edge she walked, stopping her from going emotionally dead. Who stopped her thoughts from moving too fast for her to keep up with.

Her attraction to him had been growing for years, kept hidden under lock and key. The gender-fluid daughter of a disgraced former Ranger and an Angmarim Priestess wasn't a good prospect for anyone, especially not for the Heir of Isildur. Yet it was well known by the people of Eriador that Hal was off-limits to everyone, except Strider.

However the free flowing alcohol had caused some of the men in the inn to forget that fact, given that she was wearing a dress and not her usual uniform for this mission. She went across to the bar with the used glasses and paid for the drinks, before making her way to the room she was sharing with the other Ranger.

Dark eyes took a moment to adjust to the half light as she closed the door behind her, shutting out the noise from the rest of the inn. She crossed the room quietly, coming to stand before him while wanting to sort out the odd tension between them both. A tension that had been growing stronger during each passing hour.

"I'm yours, Aragorn. I'm always going to be yours, be it just as one of your Rangers or something more."

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: ❛ our friendship will never be like it was before. ❜ - Aragorn to Hal

"We never did have a normal friendship."

It was a reflex at first, spoken by someone who was focusing more on what supplies Esteldin had. Then his words sank in and she went still, before straightening to watch him. Hope was an odd feeling to someone who had lost much of hers on her sixth birthday, even if it was mixed with caution. She had never intended for him to find out but he'd caught the end of a conversation between her and Saeradan as they went to leave Bree a week earlier.

"Aragorn? I didn't tell you because I didn't think I was good enough." She admitted softly with a bit of hesitance.

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: ❛ patch . help my muse patch up a wound . - Aragorn to Hal

It took a few more minutes of silence, even with the surprise assistance, to patch the wound on his side. Hal flicked his gaze up momentarily to meet the crystal blue orbs of his leader. Dark eyes dropped and caught sight of the travel worn and blood soaked uniform that he had taken off just minutes before Aragorn had come in.

The Bree raised Ranger rarely went anywhere without a sleeveless shirt and shorts under his uniform, just in case a situation like this happened. He trusted the other man though and didn't pull away from his touch after their hands had stilled.

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: this shatters me more than you think. - Aragorn to Hal.

Candaith turned to look at him, studying the younger man silently for a few minutes. He had already clocked the presences of Hal and Saeradan coming back into Imladris, sharp eyes picking them out. "So go fix it already. I don't know what the fuck happened when she was captured but Hal's thinking about stepping down. Because she doesn't feel like she's good enough anymore and that she failed you."

[rangers-arecool]

@blackarrcw asked: [ SLUMBER ]: sender picks up and carries the receiver because they're so sound asleep that they won't easily wake up. - Aragorn to Hal

"Haven't seen her sleep that deeply since she went 'missing' in the Southern Barrow-downs when she was 5. Lord Arathorn thought she was dead when he first found her."

One of the older Rangers mused quietly, watching them with one open eye. Few people could enter the Barrow-downs outside of Bree and return the same, if they returned at all. Many of the Sentinels and Guides who lived or visited Bree preferred to stay away from there, for it played tricks on their senses and empathy. Hal had long been the only exception to that, as the 'downs never seemed to affect the powerful Guide.

"There's a spare bedroll set up in your tent and dry clothes for when she does stir, Aragorn. Raidon and Lothrandir are working on getting her gear and pack dried, since it's all completely soaked."

[sonxofxgondor]

Mirrored in their step, together did Boromir and Aragorn walk, moved as one across and over the distance of the forest. Stretched their legs and bent their knees; the coterie that was their Fellowship close, always together and never parted despite the obstacles, trunks of fallen down trees or tapestry of woven spiderweb. Lothlorien beyond the green and gold, the road that was traveled appeared endless beneath Boromir's boots. Purgatory that held no true name; the horrors that Gimli told brought to life in the shape of flashes and blur, curses from the hand of a sorceress made real. Craft counseled - born from the tongue of an unseen witch - an enchantress who beckoned but never released those she transfixed. Called for through haze and promised power, the influence of an Elven maiden, the misfortune of having caught sight of her, Boromir tried to remain unafflicted. Listened neither to Gimli and his tales nor the storm within his head, the thunderous pain that burst against the skull, the sweat that drew upon the face.

Pale and lost for color, grateful was he that, eventually, Aragorn found rest for them all. A place for camp to be set, a field of grass that had been used by the hands of time. Plush and soft underneath tired feet, bare skin for some, leather bound for the others. Unscathed from the reach of the Dark Lord - flower buds poked from the soil, woodlark nests home to ivory eggs, impressions upon the ground created by the hooves of deer, not from Orc shoe. Sanctuary for a little while, when he was directed to sit upon a larger boulder, chipped and battered but able to carry the weight, Boromir did not resist the instruction. Welcomed the order from Aragorn, established himself as was asked, grimace that battled with biliousness, the rise of stomach contents.

Hand gone to grasp, Boromir did all he could to oppose, fingers tight around the base of Aragorn's forearm. Glance of jade roved from one to another - the Hobbits, the Dwarf, the Elf - packs unloaded, bedrolls and cookware assembled around the foundation of a fire. Eyes returned to the Man; trusted completely, grip loosened some, trailed down the arm until rested on the stone, supported Boromir as he swayed and tried to keep balance.

"You are right." Boromir said, teeth clenched and his heart raced. "What good I am if burdened by this... terrible pain. It would compromise our Fellowship - only breathe chance for the enemy to strike us harder, to leave our friends vulnerable. I cannot have that. I won't have that! Do as you must, Aragorn. But promise, use only what can be spared. The little ones, they would need our stock far more than I. Most of all Pippin. Poor lad, too curious for his own good, bound to scrape himself again. I have managed feeling unwell before, I could do so one more time."

"Aragorn, I do not know how I didn't feel it." Boromir added, head tilted down so that his wound could be more easily seen, the back of the head and almost to the middle. "It must have happened after that blasted cave troll threw me. Smashed the back of my head against the stones, sent me into a daze. I... never did thank you. You saved my life, then. I could've seen myself on the end of a Goblin's sword, had you not been there. Thank you, Aragorn. For that, for everything, for this. I promise you, your kindness will be repaid. Perhaps, when our journey has finished, you will allow me to spoil you at the taverns. The drinks are divine and the company is grand - no better place for two Lords of Gondor!"

@sonxofxgondor continued from this.

When they first had set out upon this journey Aragorn had his doubts about Boromir. Their interactions in Rivendell had only solidified that before coming together at the Council of Elrond. Their primary focus had been to assist Frodo in taking the ring to Mordor - to destroy the very ring that had caused so much chaos and heartache, pain and death. When the two men could agree that getting the little Hobbit safely to the mountain was first and foremost, that doubt had faltered somewhat.

They had things in common, it seemed. Aragorn had come to accept Boromir as a friend over time, their bond having started out of the most simplest of ways.

Finding the other man injured had set the ranger on edge. Doing the one thing he could do the brunette moved to help his friend up from the ground and get him to safety - regardless of what the man wanted him to do. Initially, he should have left the man behind because they would have been slowed down. But the ranger couldn't find it within himself to do so - he was never like that to begin with.

His arm going around Boromi's waist while bringing the man's arm around his shoulders, Aragorn had began to guide his friend out of the open and somewhere safe.

Hearing the words that were spoken the brunette simply shook his head, "I will not leave you here to be captured, or worse." The words left him in hushed tones, his gaze looking to the man he was helping for a moment before looking away. Aware of what his friend was capable of the warrior also knew that the other had not been capable of standing nor moving on his own.

Eventually he would reach safety, bringing Boromir to sit comfortably so that Aragorn could look his wounds over, "And would you rather risk the chance of being found and killed because you cannot find for yourself with such wounds?"

[rangers-arecool]

CONNECTIONS

AN: If you want to ship with Hal, I'm always happy to discuss.

Muse: Hal

MAINS @blackarrcw @lordsxfgondor @lordofthegoldenflower @menelvagor

SHIPPING | Romantic @blackarrcw | Aragorn @sonxofxgondor | Boromir @lordofthegoldenflower | Glorfindel

Platonic/friendship/family -

Platonic | In other verses @menelvagor | Halbarad | Hal's Sentinel | v: Sentinel & Guide crossover

Romantic | In other verses @menelvagor | Éomer | Guardian of Theo, her son | v: Hal is a mother

[rangers-arecool]

It wasn't completely unheard of for the Commander of Esteldin to disappear for a couple of hours, depending on how bad the mission was. But there was no mission and all she had planned was a visit to drop off some information that Aragorn had requested. Which obviously hadn't happened. And that was unusual as Hal never missed her meetings with him. "She was meant to bring you the information you asked for."

Information that was to do with some of their kin going missing. A situation that had become even more dangerous with her disappearance.

Taladir tended to leave the more physically demanding stuff to the younger Rangers now, due to his age and gradually failing sight. But it didn't prevent him from helping his kin in other ways, like teaching the weapon training for new trainee Rangers. He nodded at the quiet command, having been planning to stay in town anyway. "Yes sir. You'll find Saeradan searching near the entrance to the Northern Barrow-downs." He added just before Aragorn left.

"Captain." The gruff voice wasn't usually heard in Bree, not unless the old Evendim born Ranger came to visit his friend and Hal's grandfather, Maechedir. But this time, Taladir wasn't on a social call. "Have you seen or heard from Hal in the last two weeks?" // Tossing a sort of guest muse Aragorn's way | Taladir

Hearing the gruff voice had the Ranger slowly turning to face the other. That question had brought about Aragorn's concern, "I've not heard from Hal - nor have I seen her." The soft tone the brunette had was loud enough to carry out. His hand gripped at the hilt to his weapon, crystal blues swimming in emotion at the mere fact he'd not heard a peep from his second in command.

He needed to find her. And he needed to do so now.

Completely turning from the window the sound of boots tapping against the ground with each step he took was indication he was moving towards the door of the room "Keep an eye out," Aragorn spoke, turning so his attention was fixed upon the other "If she shows up at random, take care of her. Until then she is considered missing and I will be going out to find Hal. Do not leave from this spot, and do not let our business get out to anyone."

And with that, Aragorn had turned leaving the room while shutting the door behind him.

[rangers-arecool]

'I shouldn't be here.'

The sudden thought didn't bother her as much as it should have done; because it was true. She didn't belong in Minas Tirith or even in Gondor, not when her own mother had helped to attack the White City and its people. Although she had done nearly every possible thing to avoid following that same dark path, it still haunted her every footstep.

Aragorn was the only reason she had remained this far South for so long. Even if it had taken both Éowyn and Faramir a month to persuade her to stop hiding from the new King. The time was coming when she wouldn't be needed by his side and she would return to the North Downs. But that wasn't just yet.

"I remember." Hal returned quietly, shifting slightly so that her hand brushed against his without making the touch seem deliberate. She had never really been a tactile person but made an allowance for those she cared about, which included the man standing next to her. It had become almost second nature to know his various ticks, just like he had learned hers over the years of working with each other.

Grey eyes watched the dancing for a few minutes, although she was still listening. "Does that mean I have permission to use your actual name in public, Aragorn?" The corner of her lips twitched into a half smile, since she had always called him Strider or Captain when not in private. It had been safer back then but now, it was more habit.

The gender-fluid Ranger tilted her head slightly, hidden curiosity in her gaze at his words. Not that she would ask, since it was Aragorn's decision if he told. "I'm glad. You deserve to be happy after everything." She replied softly, leaning back against the wall.

@rangers-arecool asked: "For someone who has been given the chance of choosing his Queen and partner from among the unmarried ladies at the Ball, you don't seem that interested, King Elessar." The words were neutral but to anyone who knew Rangers, the hidden warmth could be heard easily. Except this wasn't just any Ranger but one who hadn't been seen since the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, after saving him. Hal was staying firmly in the shadows, shy because she was wearing a sleeveless, ankle-length silvery black dress, her long hair was down and wavy from her usual braid and her only jewellery was a old silver necklace with the Ranger star attached. Simpler than the others but she had never liked dressing up. // For Aragorn | Hal (sorry for the run on sentence - my brain quit)

The words caused the corners of his lips to quirk in response, crystal blue hues looked to his second in command - the one person he could truly trust out of all those around him. Hal knew how to easily open him up at times, to get him to respond in ways he normally wouldn't.

King..

Aragorn wasn't sure how he liked that title. While he knew it was his birthright, the title of 'King' had been quite the heavy one - perhaps more so than any of his previous ones. The former ranger remains silent for a few moments before his head tilts, crystal blue hues looking to the other "You know what I've told you in regards to that." He said softly, looking away to watch others dancing and having a grand time.

He didn't want to hear that at all, tonight. Not least of all from Hal. "You do not need to call me 'king'." But her words had not been wrong; he had all choice to choose from the unmarried ladies here at the ball, and yet he chose not to for one simple fact.

His heart was already taken. "Someone already has my interest." The brunette answered.

[rangers-arecool]

Dark eyes dropped to their hands for a long moment, an unreadable emotion flickering over worn features. It had taken the first two years of his leadership, before she had been able to stop flinching at the lightest of his touches. So she had come a very long way since then.

Hal squeezed his hand back lightly, own gaze moving to meet those much loved blue orbs. Although unsure as to why he was hesitant about answering, her grip tightened slightly while she listened to him speak. She recognised that expression and knew he wouldn't settle until she was somewhere less open.

It took her a moment to carefully stand, before holding a hand out to Aragorn. "You got me out to safety but that look says you won't be happy until I'm somewhere less open. Like your tent."

@blackarrcw asked: [ trace ] sender traces one of receiver’s scars / Aragorn to Hal

For the first time in months, she wasn't waking to the screams of prisoners, the taunts of the guards or constant pain. Instead it was more of a slow wakefulness, her body registering that she was safe before her mind did. Even when half asleep, Hal recognised the rough callused fingertips that were tracing one of her newer scars.

"Aragorn..."

Her voice was hoarse from lack of use but there was a familiar steadiness in dark grey eyes. One that had remained unfaltering across the years as both a Ranger and his second in command.