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:: Aragorn II Elessar::

Aragorn II- Chieftain of the Dúnedain, King of the Reunited Kingdom

Aragorn was born in 2931, and is the son of Gilraen and Arathorn. He is chief of the northern Dunedain and is Isildur's heir. Isildur's descendants were called Rangers and they while living in the wild helped protect the inhabitants of Middle Earth. Aragorn's given name by his mother is Estel, which means 'hope'. He is known by many other names as well - among them 'Strider', 'Elessar', and 'Thorongil'.

In 2951 TA, Aragorn's heritage is revealed to him by Elrond, and he is given the heirlooms of the House of Isildur. It is in this same year that Aragorn meets Arwen, daughter of Elrond, and falls in love with her. Elrond, however, tells him that his daughter shall marry no less than the king of a Gondor and Arnor reunited. Aragorn then goes out into the world to ready himself for his future path. It is about 5 years later that he meets Gandalf.

Between 2957 and 2980 TA, in the guise of 'Thorongil' (which means 'eagle of the star') Aragorn served both Thengel of Rohan (father of Theoden) and Ecthelion II (the25th Steward of Gondor.)

In 2980 TA, Aragorn is reunited with Arwen in Lothlorien, and the two pledge themselves to each other on the hill of Cerin Amroth.

In 3017, Aragorn captures Gollum and hands him over to the Mirkwood elves.

Aragorn's first introduction to the hobbits is in the village of Bree. He becomes their guide to Rivendell. With him, he carries the shards of Narsil - the broken sword which his ancestor, Isildur, used to cut the Ruling Ring from Sauron during the battle of the Last Alliance. In Rivendell, Aragorn becomes part of the Company of the Ring. Before departing, the sword Narsil is reforged and renamed 'Anduril', which means Flame of the West.

After Gandalf falls in Moria, Aragorn becomes the leader of the Fellowship. When the Fellowship breaks at Parth Galen, Aragorn is separated from the others along with Legolas and Gimli. He decides to pursue the abducted hobbits, Merry and Pippin, whom orcs are taking to Saruman at Isengard.

In Rohan, after the great battle of Helm’s Deep and the recovery of the Orthanc palantir, Aragorn wrenches this palantir to his will. He has more than one reason for doing so. This act would put Sauron's attention on himself (as the possible bearer of the ring) as well as Gondor, therefore taking attention from Mordor ... so that Sam and Frodo can have a better chance of getting to Mt Doom unnoticed. While mastering the palantir, in it Aragorn sees an enemy fleet heading to Minas Tirith from Pelargir. He decides to take Paths of the Dead to intercept it.

With Aragorn, on Paths of the Dead, go Legolas and Gimli, as well as some others of the Dunedain and the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elohir. Long ago, an oath made to Isildur had been broken by the Men of the White Mountains. Isildur had cursed them, saying they would not rest until an heir of his summoned them and their oath was fulfilled. As rightful heir, Aragorn summons the Dead at the Stone of Erech and they accompany him to Pelargir. The enemy Corsairs are defeated, their ships taken, and the oath of the Dead is fulfilled.

Aragorn and co. finally arrive in Minas Tirith with a huge army, which turns the tide in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. He then leads the Captains of the West to the Morannon (The Black Gate), and challenges Sauron. While there, the ring is destroyed and Sauron is finally defeated.

After the War of the Ring , Aragorn weds Arwen (daughter of Elrond) and becomes the King of the Reunited Kingdom. He rules for six-score years, and has one son (Eldarion) and several daughters. Finally, when at last age wearies him, he uses the 'privilege' of the Dunedain and willingly lays down his life. His kingdom then passes to his son.

NOTES on Aragorn:

Through Elros, Aragorn has some measure of Elvish blood. Also, he and Arwen are very distant relatives.

Viggo Mortensen plays Aragorn in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.