Three weeks before in the city of Minas Tirath

It had been a month since the Royal wedding and the Fellowship members were again debating whether they should take their leave. Nearly all had decided to leave a week ago but they were now filled with unease and worry for their former companion Aragorn now King Elessar. Indeed the Lady Arwen was also showing concern. Neither looked as a newly married couple should look, instead of the usual joy and playfulness, their eyes were shadowed and neither appeared as though their slumbers were always pleasant. Indeed a strange malady seemed to have taken the king into its grasp.

It started the night that Aragorn did not show up for dinner with his friends especially surprising the occasion was that of Lord FaramirÂ’s birthday. At first nothing seemed amiss until Danir, the KingÂ’s squire, approached Lord Faramir. There were whispered words and Lord Faramir left the room. When he returned some time later, he was escorting the Queen and they both seemed concerned.

“My friends I apologize for my dear Aragorn but a personal matter has detained him and he has bid us begin dinner without him,” the Queen greeted them.

Arwen had been the gracious hostess as usual, indeed making a point to reassure everyone present that it was merely a personal matter that kept the King from the table and not some new evil to worry about. But as the meal continued, she more than once had to reply to questions of AragornÂ’s health, and again reassured them that he was well. Despite all her graciousness she was clearly on edge as the evening wore on and the King had not put in an appearance. Lord Faramir also glanced at the doors to the dining room quite often as though willing the King to walk through them. AragornÂ’s absence seemed all the more noteworthy, when everyone knew how much esteem Aragorn held Faramir in.

The next day all seemed as normal and Aragorn had apologized to everyone in person but did not elaborate any further as to the reason for his absence. Although the king appeared to be tired and worried, he seemed to improve over the next three days, however on the next day he again seemed weary. This pattern of sudden weariness then slow recovery seemed to repeat every few days for almost the last three weeks. The last time had seemed to weaken him the most and his eyes showed both frustration and anger.

———————

In the royal bedchamber the night before, Aragorn was once again wandering within a dream that he knew could turn into a nightmare. But this was not a nightmare of the wars he had fought, or the companions he had lost. All he could see was a room, a bedchamber although it was more like a storeroom. Unfortunately very little seemed to have changed from the first few times he had been there. His eyes fell upon the desk and noticed it was littered with pieces of parchment, some of which were half written on, the rest blank To one side of the desk, there appeared to be even more unopened letters addressed to

Mr. Harry Potter

The Smallest Bedroom

No. 4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey.

He was immediately hit by the sound of a teenaged boy screaming and as he rushed towards the bed the moonlight lit a heartbreaking sight, for the boy was clawing at something on his forehead. He could just make out blood seeping through the boysÂ’ fingers. The boy began to convulse and AragornÂ’s healer instinct kicked in as he pulled the boy into his arms to restrain him. He knew that the child could hurt himself otherwise. He was knocked back off his feet as the pain the child was experiencing hit him, it stopped when the contact was broken but he was still shaking and weak as was the boy who had fallen back on the bed. He stared at the Harry that the letters were addressed to and anger began to fill him, who would willingly subject a child to such torture. A moan came from the bed and for now it seemed that the incident was over. The boy had not even acknowledged his presence.

Quiet muttering came from the bed “ Well Harry, it is no more than you deserve for getting Sirius, Cedric and your parents killed. You’re no hero, you draw death to you and hurt those who try and help you. You are hopeless, how can you save your world when you can’t even save your friends?”

There was a pause then a shaky sigh “Just great, now it looks like that’s another night without sleep and another day of captivity. If Voldemort doesn’t get me then I’ll probably end up insane with my loving relatives and other assorted adults doing all they can to help me along.” It worried Aragorn that the boy could believe these words. But he knew that Harry did not dispute them for he had heard him ranting them before.

Aragorn could see a damp cloth sitting on a chair next to the bed and automatically reached over, took it and attempted to wipe the blood from Harry’s forehead. He tried to sooth the youth with gentle reassuring words. “Rest now tithen-pen . I am not your enemy and will not harm you since it was you that sought me out and I come willingly to try and ease your suffering. Remember me and your dreams will not trouble you.” He started to hum the tune that he had sung at their first meeting and watched in relief as the young man relaxed and seemed to fall a more peaceful sleep.

Aragorn reached forward to embrace him and protect him, but before he could he felt someone gently shaking him from behind and calling his name. “Aragorn, lasto beth nin, tolo dan please wake Meleth-nin ” the beautiful voice of Arwen was pleading next to him. He awoke wearily and noticed that for the first time since the haunting dreams had begun many nights ago, he felt stiff and sore and ill. Indeed he realized that he was still shaking a little. He, in his turn now felt a cool damp cloth placed on his brow. As the coolness gradually sunk into his mind, he tried to still his thoughts.

He removed the cloth and opened his eyes to gaze into those of his beloved Undomiel and finally found some comfort. “ Something was different this time wasn’t it?” she said quietly.

As Aragorn quietly told her of this nightmare, she nodded and when she heard the words the boy had spoken she cried. “If this continues he may well fall ill, and I fear for you my love if he does. You have grown attached to him and blame yourself that you cannot be there for him all the time, but I know that you must allow yourself this contact. Beloved, people are starting to notice that something ails you, especially your companions of the Fellowship. When they arrived they had already set the date for their departure and that has passed by as many days as the visions have been visiting you.”

Aragorn sighed “The Valar knows that I have tried to be a good king and to serve my people well, but that boy’s fate weighs heavily on my heart. I swore an oath to love and protect him and don’t seem to be able to do much for him. Yet my heart tells me that I was right in taking this course of action no matter what it does to me. Please my beloved, would you have me do anything less?”

“Oh Aragorn, you would not be the man I fell in love with, if you did not do this. Do not worry you have my full support in this endeavour. I will help you in anyway I can. I too would see Harry safe and well and with us.” Arwen leaned over and kissed his forehead gently.

“ Fear not sweetest Arwen, I will seek out Mithrandir and take council with him. In the meantime I will try some herbs that may ease my sleep and yours.” He pulled her towards him and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips as he wrapped his arms around her slender form. So they were to be found a short time later watching the sunrise with Aragorn embraced from behind by Arwen’s loving arms.

—————–
HarryÂ’s bedroom the same night

Harry Potter felt the cool facecloth against his scar but he didnÂ’t notice his hand reach out for it. Perhaps he was already going mad, because he was sure he could hear a soothing male voice speaking to him like a father would. It was not a voice he recognized except that it sounded like the man from a couple of nights ago. If only he could remember his name. But it was a kind voice and somehow he just knew that he could trust what this man said. He vaguely wondered if the fates had taken pity on him or were they just playing their usual games. All he knew was that he desperately wanted to hear that voice again.