Aragorn

**Aragorn** (later known as **II Elassar**) is one of the main characters and protagonists in the *Lord of the Rings* series. He is the husband of Arwen, the son-in-law of Lord Elrond, the brother-in-law of Elladon and Elrohir and son of Gilraen and Arathorn II.

## History

### Background

Aragorn was three years old when his father was killed by Orcs. He and his mother retreated to Rivendell, where he was given the name Estel and raised by Lord Elrond. He met Arwen and the two instantly fell in love. Elrond, however, would not let Aragorn marry her until he was king.

As Strider, Aragorn went to live among the Rangers of the North. He befriended Legolas, prince of the Woodland Realm. The two became close friends and companions, so Aragorn revealed to Legolas who he truly was: the heir of the throne, Gondor. Later in his life, Aragorn met Gandalf, becoming very close friends.

One day, he was told by Gandalf to help hunt for Gollum. They did so, but Gollum escaped from the dungeons of Mirkwood. When the Ring was found again, Aragorn was told by Gandalf to go to the land known as Bree.

### The Two Towers

Aragorn accompanies Legolas and Gimli to rescue Merry and Pippin from the Orcs. The three companions realize that the Uruks are taking Merry and Pippin to Isengard, and as Aragorn notices, straight to Saruman. During their search, they come across Éomer, heir to Rohan's throne and those loyal to King Théoden, whose mind has been poisoned by Gríma Wormtongue. After a brief confusion, Aragorn makes it clear they are allies and not enemies, and they reveal they are searching for their friends, two Hobbits held captive. However, Éomer reveals that they killed all the Uruks and left no survivors, much to their sadness. He provides them with Horses who have lost their masters and wishes them luck in finding their friends before the Rohirrim left. When they approach where the slaughter happened, Aragorn realizes that the two hobbits may be alive because of finding their tracks on the floor. Their quest leads them into Fangorn Forest, where instead of Merry and Pippin, they find Gandalf, newly resurrected as the white wizard.

### *The Return of the King*

Accompanying Gandalf, Théoden, and Legolas and Gimli to Isengard, Aragorn and the others reunite with Merry and Pippin, and they all confront Saruman. During the siege of Gondor, Elrond visits Aragorn at the Rohan camp and informs him that Arwen is dying due to the One Ring's influence. He gives his foster son the reforged sword, Anduril. With this new information, Aragorn plans to go into the haunted mountain, and gently tells Éowyn that he does not love her. Legolas and Gimli accompany him, where they go to the King of the Dead and recruit his army. Aragorn has the King and his forces destroy the Corsairs. Afterwards, he heals Lady Éowyn and Merry, both poisoned when they killed Witch-king of Angmar. Aragorn leads an assault against Sauron in Mordor, confronting them at the Black Gate. After the battle, Aragorn is crowned king of Gondor by Gandalf and marries and reunites with Arwen after a long separation.

## Appearances

* *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring*
* *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers*
* *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*
* *The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies* (mentioned only)