Aragorn and Haldir rode into the boarders of Rivendell two days later. As soon as Haldir stopped Buzzling, Aragorn saw Elrond, and his two brothers already waiting for his arrival.

"Welcome back!" Elrond said brightly and reached up to take Aragorn down from Buzzling.

Before Elrond could touch Aragorn to the ground, Elladan and Elrohir had already tackled the boy to the ground. The three-started wrestling on the ground, playfully of course.

"How was the ride?" Elrond asked Haldir.

"Just fine, I sensed no danger," Haldir responded jumping off of Buzzling.

"Did Moonbeam get back okay?" Aragorn asked through his brothers fighting him.

"Yes, she found her way back and was in quite an uproar," Elrond responded.

Elrond looked away from Haldir and to all three of his sons on the ground.

"Elladan, Elrohir, let him up. For goodness sake, let him breath!" Elrond commanded.

The twins stood up laughing as they helped Aragorn to his feet. His hair was now coated in dirt and looking like a mess. Elrond crouched down and gave Aragorn a quick hug while he whispered in his ear,

"I'm glad you're safe, Mellonin,"

Aragorn hadn't learned that word yet, but he knew he would figure it out soon. So all he did was smile and hope the word wasn't a tremendous compliment.

"Come on, let's go get you washed up," Elladan said to Aragorn and lifted him to sit on his shoulders.

Aragorn sat on top of his brother's shoulders and went away with them as Elrond started escorting Haldir into Rivendell further.

"Elladan, Elrohir," Elrond called out to them.

All three brothers turned around to listen.

"Come to my room when you are finished. Estel too, we have a surprise," Elrond smiled.

Aragorn looked down to Elladan and he returned Elrond's friendly smile. It seemed as though his brothers already knew what the surprise was going to be.

Surprise?

-----

After Elladan and Elrohir were satisfied with how Aragorn was cleaned and feed, they made their way to Elrond's building as he had requested about two hours before.

"Do you know what the surprise is, Elrohir?" Aragorn asked and looked up to him.

"Indeed, I do," Elrohir responded trying to hide his excitement.

Aragorn wasn't sure what was going on, but he hoped the surprise would go by fast because he was tired. All he wanted was a bed and darkness to sleep in.

"This way, come on," Elrohir said and turned a corner to the back of Elrond's building.

Aragorn followed close behind waving and smiling at the occasional Elf that walked by. They all seemed glad to see him safely in Rivendell again.

Once they got to Elrond's back door, Elladan knocked and Elrond opened it a moment later. Aragorn walked in first with the twins behind him.

"Welcome, Estel," Elrond said warmly.

Aragorn looked at Elrond and then past him revealing Arwen and Haldir also in the room. He smiled at them both. Arwen hadn't seen him yet and as she looked up, a bright smile that went from ear to ear spread across her face. She got up from the chair she had been sitting in and ran over to Aragorn.

"You're alive!" she cried.

"I told you everything was going to be fine, Arwen," Elrond whispered to Arwen.

She didn't pay any attention to her father, but to her arms wrapped around her friend. Aragorn hugged her back, but not as tightly as she was to him. Arwen was practically constricting him.

"Hi, Arwen!' Aragorn said contentedly.

She backed up at Elrond's touch and let Aragorn have some room. Elrond was always telling the young Elf to back off a little. He could tell she had a heart for Aragorn.

"So, what's the surprise?" Aragorn asked and looked evenly to everybody in the room.

They all smiled at him, but didn't say a word.

"Estel," Elrond began, "today is a special day,"

Elrond stopped as he enjoyed watching the hope lighting up Aragorn's bright eyes.

"Today is your... birthday,"

Aragorn cocked his head with a sly look striking his face.

"March first?" Aragorn questioned.

Elrond nodded and smiled. Aragorn smiled back.

"I had hardly forgotten!" he proclaimed loudly, That means I'm nine!"

"Yes, it does," Elrond said and crouched down on the floor with his arms spread wide.

Aragorn jumped into arms with a little laugh and looked up to Elrond.

"Tonight, all Elves will be welcome to a large feast that will be held,"

"That sounds great!" Aragorn exclaimed.

"Do you know what Elves get on their ninth birthdays?" Elladan asked.

Aragorn shook his head. Elrond turned to Haldir and Haldir stood up from his chair and gave Elrond a box that was wrapped beautifully in long green leaves. Aragorn noticed the leaves to be from the only tree in Rivendell that still had green leaves. The very tree that had sprouted in Elrond's room.

Elrond handed the gift to Aragorn and said,

"This is for you,"

Aragorn dug away slowly at the leaf wrapping, feeling a little bad to rip such a nice leaf. Inside the box was something that brought curiosity and confusion to his face. It was a belt with something attached. A knife.

"A knife?" Aragorn questioned.

"Your brothers and I thought it necessary for you to have some sort of protection on you at all times," Elrond explained, "We've seen how interested you are in protecting yourself and how smart you were to get away from a pack of Orcs. No regular human would be able to do such a thing. You are special, Estel,"

"Thank you," Aragorn smiled and brought his eyes back to the knife.

He unsheathed the knife slowly from the belt and blinked at how bright and shiny it appeared to be.

"Now you can stab Greakth!" Arwen shouted happily.

"Arwen!" Elrond scolded, although let out an unintentional chuckle.

Aragorn showed a smile himself although he would never do what Arwen hoped he would. The knife was merely just for him to use for protection, only.

"I trust you know what to use if for," Elrond said although it wasn't a question.

"Of course," Aragorn said, "Thank you,"

"There is an Elf named Lagorion that seems very interested in you," Elrohir said, "He said he wants to help you train,"

"Train?" Aragorn asked and looked up to his brother.

Elrohir looked to his father for support.

"You'll find out soon enough," Elrond said.

That's what Galadriel had said.

Aragorn nodded and sheathed the knife back into its holder. Then he stood and tightened it around his waist.

"Happy birthday, Estel!" Arwen said and smiled.

Before Aragorn could respond, Haldir stood up and said the same thing,

"Happy birthday! I'm glad I got to spend this fine day with you,"

Haldir gave Aragorn a quick hug and then said,

"I'm afraid I have to go now, but it was a pleasure being with you the last couple days,"

"Yes, thank you for everything you did for me," Aragorn replied with a smile.

"Your welcome," Haldir said and made his way to the door.

"Will our paths cross again?" Aragorn asked not wanting Haldir to leave just yet.

"Indeed, they will. I'm sure of it," Haldir replied putting a reassuring hand on Aragorn's shoulder.

The both exchanged a smile and then Haldir was gone.

A/n: Nine year old Aragorn! Cute! :D