Excerpt: Quest of the Nine

Silence fell, broken only in the following ten minutes by the noon bell signalling meal time. Aragorn ignored it, thinking as deeply as ever he had done. It seemed clear to him who should carry the Ring further, but the thought saddened him. It came as another shock to the weather worn and far travelled Ranger that he had grown fond of the one whom he was now considering. He knew, though, that none would be chosen who did not volunteer; no good could come of sending those who did not feel they possessed the strength and power to complete the journey.
The Ranger, certain now of his own heart in the matter, did not put himself forwards as a candidate. His sword and heritage would be of more use, Aragorn knew, in open battle against the armies of Mordor than kept hidden from him. It was time, the tormented Man finally understood, to accept his destiny and fight as the Heir of Elendil and Isildur, King of Gondor. Still his way to Minas Tirith lay, he knew, for many miles alongside that of the Company of the Ring; he hoped to join the Ringbearer for this part of his Quest, turning aside only when necessary.