A Son's Farewell

His foster father smiled warmly. “You are leaving, my son.”

Aragorn embraced him tightly, then stepped back, his hands clasping Elrond’s arms. “Atarinya, for your care of me, your love, I thank you. It may be that I will not return.”

“I pray that you will achieve the destiny for which you were born, and all that I have hoped for you,” said Elrond.

Aragorn bowed his head. “If I do not, do not let her grieve,” he murmured. “Take her across the Sea.”

With one last grip of Elrond’s hands, he went to join the rest of the Fellowship.

atarinya: Quenya, “my father”