Aragorn: 20 years old 

The last person Aragorn said his farewells to was Elrond. It was going to be the hardest to say his goodbyes to him since he was the one who had taken him in, protected him, looked after him, and loved him with all his heart.

Aragorn moved to the side to stand in front of Elrond. They were both silent, both wondering who was going to break the silence. The stared into each other's watery, blue eyes focused upon only each other.

"It looks like this is it then," Aragorn murmured, "This is the last goodbye,"

"Certainly not the last, my child. We will see each other yet again in the near future,"

"Your right, father. I will come back as often as I can,"

"And do stay out of trouble, Estel. I don't fancy bringing your half dead body back to life," Elrond smiled.

Aragorn chuckled knowing the Elf Lord was hinting at all the times he had been rescued by his brothers or Lagorion, half dead or poisoned. Wounded or unconscious. All of those times, Elrond had always been there to heal him back to health. If it weren't for Elrond, Aragorn would surely not be living.

"Father, I just wanted to say that I appreciate everything you ever did for me. Every sickness, every wound, every sorrow... you were always there for me," Aragorn paused as he looked down holding back the tears that wanted to flow out from his eyes, "I love you father and I always will. To the end of my days. I will be safe. And I will come back soon,"

"I know you will," Elrond hugged Aragorn and held him lovingly for he knows was going to be the last time in a long while.

Elrond and Aragorn both savored every moment of the warm hug that carried so much love in it. When they let go of each other, both had tears in their eyes.

"I love you, my young, brave Estel," Elrond whispered.

"I love you too," Aragorn gave a hopeful smile and took a step back, not wanting to.

"A journey of a thousand miles has to begin with a single step, but many more had better follow," Elrond advised wisely, "Remember this, my son,"

"I will," Aragorn said and looked over every single sole that had come to say their farewells to him.

That was a lot of Elves, because nearly everyone came. Aragorn put up a hand and waved at all his family and friends. All the Elves faced him totally focused and waved back to their Ranger that was about to depart. Everyone loved the human and had a thrill raising him in Rivendell.

One Aragorn had stood watching them all for far too long, he turned towards the forest that awaited him. He stopped and stared around at all the beautiful trees. The wind caught his hair, making him close his eyes and listen to the gorgeous sound of the birds singing deep in the forest. It was a perfect day.

"Aragorn," Aragorn whispered to himself, "That's me... that is me,"

He encouraged himself as he stood silently looking through the forest bravely about to walk through and not turn back. But his heart thumped hard and his mind whirled as he forced himself to look back at Rivendell. There he saw Elrond and the rest of the Elves still waiting for their human to leave.

Aragorn glanced back at the forest and shook his head slowly. He knew he had a big decision to make. Either it was leaving and exploring idle Earth. All he had ever wanted was to know the world he lived in. Or he could turn back and stay in the protected territory of Rivendell his whole life with the ones he loved most.

He hesitated a moment thinking and then threw himself into a fast run back to the Elves. Murmurs filled the area, but Aragorn wasn't listening to their arguments. He dashed straight for Elrond.

Aragorn saw the patient, calm, and loving face on Elrond. The face he knew all too well. He jumped into Elrond's outstretched arms and gave him a final hug. Then he went to his tip toes and kissed his father's cheek.

Before any words could be exchanged, Aragorn pushed himself off from Elrond and ran full sprint into the forest that was awaiting him. He did not look back this time and he did not re think his decision. Aragorn simply took off running through Rivendell forest that he knew like the back of his hand.

Aragorn would remember all the memories that he made in Rivendell. The good, the bad, the ones who had survived, the ones who did not. He would remember his mother.

He would remember going on his first adventure to Lothlorien with his new friend Hokel, who was now dead because he had saved him as a child. The amazingly sweet and delicious pastries that the happy Elf had made for him for their little journey together.

He would remember all the hurt that Greakth had put into him. Almost dying after being hurled off a bridge, rude compliments about his ears and hair, the Trials, and so much more that could have killed him. But not everything about Greakth had been negative. There was still a light in him that Aragorn had triggered in the end.

He would remember meeting Lagorion the one morning with his sword ready to fight. Lagorion's strange fear of insects, but his incredible power when the clash of swords could be heard. Aragorn's best friend would never be forgotten as long as the young Ranger lived.

He would remember the sweet Arwen, who had been his first love. Though family, they acted as if they were something more than that. Aragorn would never forget the memories of trying to save Arwen, but getting stuck in Mirkwood and then the Woodland Realm. He hated that, but was so glad that Arwen had been saved. The kiss that had happened only ten minutes ago was still fresh on his mind as well.

He would remember all the memories he had gained from his amazingly courageous, yet silly brothers. As Aragorn thought about them, it brought a smile to his face and happy tears to his face as he remembered certain times of the craziness that would happen whenever he was around the twins. They had taught him everything he would need to know about using different weapons and being more like an Elf. The twins had always been there to protect him and he loved them for it.

As he broke through the forest a while later, he realized that he was far from home, but was totally free, like Elrond had wanted for him. He looked upon the field that stretched across in front of him taking in all its glory.

He was free. 

A/N: Yes, I cried while writing this! It is so happy, but sad at the same time as Aragorn looks back and remembers all the memories of his childhood in Rivendell. Tune in for the last chapter... coming soon! :D