Aragorn
Aragorn is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy universe of Middle-earth.
Aragorn was born in the year 2931 of the Third Age, as the son of Arathorn II and his wife Gilraen. Aragorn was a direct descendant of Elendil and Isildur, who founded the lines of Kings of Gondor and Arnor. He was named for his ancestor, Aragorn I.
While Aragorn was still an infant, his father was slain hunting Orcs. As was the tradition of his people, he was fostered in Rivendell by Elrond. At the request of his mother his identity was kept secret, as she feared he would be slain like his father and grandfather otherwise. Aragorn was named Estel (Sindarin for "hope") instead, and was not told about his heritage until he came of age in 2951.
Elrond revealed to "Estel" his true name and ancestry, and delivered to him the shards of Narsil. In the woods of Imladris, Aragorn met and fell in love with Arwen daughter of Elrond, who had newly returned from Lórien.
Aragorn took up his proper name as Aragorn II, sixteenth of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain of the North, and went into the Wild.
In 2953 he was not present in Rivendell for the last meeting of the White Council. Aragorn met Gandalf the Grey in 2956, and they became great friends. At Gandalf's advise he began to get interested in the Shire, and became known around the area as Strider.
From 2957–2980 Aragorn took great journies, serving in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Echtelion II of Gondor. Many of his tasks weakened Sauron and his allies, which during the War of the Ring helped the West survive. His name in Gondor and Rohan was Thorongil (Eagle of the Star), and with a Gondorian attack force he led an assault on Umbar in 2980, taking the city and slaying its lord. Later in 2980 he was in Lórien, and there once again met Arwen. He gave her the heirloom of his House, the Ring of Barahir, and Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage.
In 3009 Aragorn went into Rhovanion in search of Gollum at Gandalf's request, and he finally caught the wretched creature in the Dead Marshes in sight of Mordor, and brought him as a captive to King Thranduil's halls in Mirkwood, where he questioned him.
On September 30, 3018, Aragorn was waiting in the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree, where he met up with Frodo Baggins, and began his rôle in the War of the ring. Aragorn was aged 88 at that time, but because he was of Númenórean blood he appeared to be only in his fourties.
The restoration of the line of Elendil to the throne of Gondor is a major subplot of The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's adventures not only aid Frodo in his Quest, but also bring him closer to the kingship. Upon Sauron's defeat, in late 3019 T.A., Aragorn is crowned as King Elessar (Quenya for Elfstone). He marries Arwen Undómiel shortly afterwards, and rules the reunited kingdom of Gondor and Arnor until year 120 of the Fourth Age (TA 3141). He died after 210 years of life and 122 years of reign.
He founded the House of Telcontar, and was succeeded by his son Eldarion. He also had a number of daughters, whose names are not mentioned.
In The Lord of the Rings movies (2001-2003) by Peter Jackson, Aragorn is played by Viggo Mortensen.
Aragorn is also known as the Dúnadan ("Man of the West"), Strider, Elessar Telcontar ("elfstone strider"), Longshanks and Estel ("hope").
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Preceded by: |
Followed by: None (the line of Kings was restored) |
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Preceded by: |
Followed by: Eldarion |