Lord Of The Rings Fan Fiction ❯ Thorongil, Eagle of the Star ❯ Thorongil, Eagle of the Star ( One-Shot )

Title: Thorongil, Eagle of the Star

Author: Calenlass Greenleaf

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien. All known characters belong to him.

Rating: PG

Spoilers: Contains spoilers for the appendixes of ROTK, and for two fics of mine. One is unfinished, and the other is still unwritten. (Don't expect that fic anytime soon, though. I still have some time to go.)

Summary: Concerning the name of Thorongil. Aragorn is celebrating his twenty-sixth birthday at home, and just before he leaves for Rohan, a friend gives him a gift. No slash, sax, smut, profanity, or romance.

A/N: Something I quickly wrote for March 1, which is Aragorn's birthday. Not much plot, though. Another reason I wrote it was to celebrate my first year of LOTR obsession. LOL. Oddly enough, this is my first real Aragorn and Legolas fic that I have written. Translations are at the bottom.

Thorongil, Eagle of the Star

 

The night air was cold for Echuir. Snow still clung to the bare branches of trees, though most of it had already melted. The buds were already there; in a few weeks, they would blossom. Anor was beginning to appear, her light slowly taking over Ithil's brilliance.

Legolas wandered through the garden, humming under his breath. His booted feet made no sound as they walked over the snow. His head was tipped up, as if he were drinking in the last essence of the stars. Ever since he was a child, he had enjoyed the sight of stars, and would refuse to go to bed until he could see Eärendil appear.

His eyes soon located a cloaked figure standing at the edge of the garden, facing away from him. The elf easily recognized who it was, for humans were not usually in Rivendell at this time of the year. He called out softly. “Estel?”

The man turned his head to acknowledge the wood-elf. “Legolas.”

The elf steeped closer until he was next to Aragorn. “Why are you still out? It is cold tonight.”

Aragorn shrugged, the wince testifying to some old injury. “I could not sleep, so I decided to come out.” His eyes reflected the brightness of Anor in the sky. “And I could not see the stars from my room.” He fell silent again.

Legolas prodded lightly him in the side. “I think you are nervous.”

“What make you think that?”

The prince smiled faintly. “First, you were distracted during supper. Second, you barely paid attention when I was asking you about your plans for tomorrow.”

The man snorted but did not deny the truth. “All right, so I am nervous.” He admitted, fingering the edge of his cloak. “This is all new to me.” He sighed as he pondered his situation.

Last year, Gandalf had asked him if he would accompany him to Rohan. Aragorn had delayed his decision, saying he wished to spend some more time with his family. Now, on the night of his birthday, he was twenty-six, mature in the eyes of men and young in the eyes of the elves. He had announced two days ago to his brothers and father that he would be going with Gandalf to Rohan. Elrond had given his consent and blessing to his foster son, knowing fully well how hard the decision had been. Elladan and Elrohir had not so readily agreed. Aragorn had to smile when he remembered how they had threatened to chain him to his room and to let Legolas keep guard.

“What are you thinking of?” Legolas asked him.

“Of my brothers.” Aragorn replied, pulling his cloak tighter about his shoulders. “For all my life, they have been my protectors, always following me and being an annoyance.” He paused. “And now, I will be thousands of miles away from them, among strangers.”

“They like to worry about their youngest sibling.” Legolas answered.

“Indeed. And while I sometimes do not enjoy it, sometimes it is a comfort.” He inhaled slowly. “I simply do not feel ready.”

“But you are ready. You have spent your life preparing for such.” The elf stated, eying the man.

“But this is different!” Aragorn ran his hand through his hair. “As a ranger, I was able to go wherever I wanted to. In a kingdom, it is different. People will be watching my every move, measuring me up to their standards. If I fail, everyone will see.”

“You think I do not know?” Legolas questioned. “As a prince, it is even harder because I am the son of king.”

“At least you are among your own people.” The human said. “They will not downgrade your status if you make a mistake.” He said more softly. “For I failed more times in my life than I have succeeded.” His companion narrowed his eyes.

“As that what you are afraid of? Failing?” He quietly asked.

Aragorn did not answer. Instead, he simply looked pointedly at his friend.

“You cannot please everyone, Estel.” Legolas gently said. “And no one is perfect.” He waited to see if the man was listening. Aragorn inclined his head, a silent request for him to go on.

The elf spoke slowly, as if he was carefully thinking over his words before he said them. “When I see you, Estel, I see not someone who is a failure, but someone who fails, and is ready to try again.” He reached out to tap the star-shaped brooch that was pinned to Aragorn's cloak. His fingers lingered to trace the pattern of an eagle engraved on it. “Do you remember when you received this?”

The man thought for a moment. “Nine years ago, when I first began riding with my kin.”

“Does it have any meaning?”

Aragorn shrugged. “All the Dúnedain wear it.”

The wood-elf smiled. “Ah, but today, it takes on a meeting.” He asked another question. “Do you remember when we first met?”

The human chuckled. “How could I forget?”

“And do you remember what I told you what my name was?”

“Thorongil.” Aragorn answered. “I have always wondered why you were called that.”

“Your brothers gave me that name when I was only a child.”

Aragorn stared at him. “They did? Why?”

“For many reasons. One of them was because at that time, I could not speak.” Legolas touched a scar that ran across his throat. “And they found out that I liked the stars, so they promptly named me `Eagle of the Star'.” He laughed softly. “That name stuck until I was finally able to speak.” He grew more serious. “Tell me, Aragorn, what do eagles symbolize?”

He thought for a moment. “Hope and courage?”

“They do.” Legolas touched the emblem again. “Estel, mellon nîn, let this be your token of hope and of courage.” He looked up at the stars. “Let it be a reminder that you can always go on, despite difficulties that you face.” He placed one arm around his friend's shoulder. “I give you my name.”

The man was silent, thoughtfully musing. At last, he looked at Legolas, his face breaking into a smile. “Le hannon.”

The elf smiled. “You are welcome, Thorongil.” He answered softly. “And happy birthday.”

Aragorn walked to the stairs and into the house. As he pulled the cloak off, his hand brushed against his brooch. Pulling it off, he stared at it for a moment, turning it over in his hand. A symbol of hope and courage, Legolas had said. He closed his hand over the pin.

Thorongil…it could be a good name.

He chuckled to himself. If that was so, he would have to add it to his collection of names. “Elladan and Elrohir would never hear the end of it.” He said softly. “They have already begun to call me, `the ranger of many names'. Hah!”

He felt something warm on his back. As Aragorn turned to face the large window, he could see the sun in her full radiance. He closed his eyes, and took let out his breath. “I am ready,” He said steadily. He tightly clenched the pin in his hand. “For whatever may come.”

 

The End

 

Translations (All are Sindarin):

Echuir - early spring

Dúnedain - Men of the West

Mellon nîn - my friend

Le hannon - thank you

 

A/N: What do you think? I would love to hear from you.

 

Calenlass Greenleaf, Keeper of Legolas' pronunciation of “Aragorn”and the brotherly bond between Aragorn and Legolas