Part 4: The Heirs of Isildur
After the defeat of Sauron, Isildur determined to retake Eriador, once his father's kingdom. Leaving his wife and youngest son in Rivendell he marched westwards, but his party was overtaken and slain by orcs. Elrond cared for his wife and child, and from this time may of the heirs of Isildur were fostered in Rivendell, for they were Elrond's kin through his brother Elros, and he foresaw that through this line the kingship would one day be restored. Elrond also received the shards of Narsil, Elendil's sword, and other surviving treasures of the Northern Númenórean Kings were placed in Rivendell. Through Elrond, the memories of this heritage were kept alive after the Dúnedain dwindled and their past and purpose were largely forgotten.
In II.2931 Aragorn son of Arathorn was born, and was fostered by Elrond after the death of Arathorn in II.2933. To protect Aragorn, Elrond concealed his heritage and raised him under the name 'Estel', meaning 'hope'. When Aragorn was 20, Elrond saw that he was ready to learn his true identity, and gave him the heirlooms of his house, the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil. At this time, Aragorn fell in love with Elrond's daughter Arwen. Perceiving this, Elrond was grieved, because he knew that in marrying Aragorn, Arwen would give up the life of the elves and become mortal. Though Elrond loved Aragorn as his own son, he knew that a hard task lay before Aragorn. So he told Aragorn that he should not marry Arwen unless he should achieve victory in the struggle before him, and become King of Gondor and Arnor.
Part 1: The First Age | Part 2: The Second Age | Part 3: Elrond and Celebrían | Part 5: The Return of the Shadow and the End of the Third Age
