Aragorn: 16 years old

When Aragorn arrived at Elrond's house there were still Elves pouring over the sign in sheet for the Trials. He would have to wait in line in order to be able to get inside Elrond's house.

"Surely you can't do it," Aragorn heard from in front of him.

It was Kenath who was in front of him whispering.

"Oh, I have to ask Elrond a question. I'm not signing up," Aragorn explained.

"Good, you don't want to do the Trials," Kenath whispered looking scared.

"Why are you then?" Aragorn asked.

"I didn't want to do it, but my brother wanted me to try. Last time I did the Trial, I went against Greakth and got beat bad,"

"I'm sorry. I'm sure you will do better this time," Aragorn smiled.

"Thank you, Estel. Thank you for your kindness and hope," then Kenath turned back around and looked ahead worried.

Aragorn waited for a good ten minutes before he saw the twins exit through the back of Elrond's house. He wondered why he hadn't just gone through the back way of Elrond's house, so he stepped out of line and walked to the back.

As Elladan and Elrohir walked away from their fathers building, they looked to Aragorn, but said nothing. They normally always smiled with their bright white teeth, but they only smiled through their lips.

What is going on?

Once Aragorn got to the back door or Elrond's house, he knocked. He waited a moment and heard nothing and saw nothing through the windows. Then he saw Elrond coming his way to the back door.

"What is it?" Elrond asked sounding rather annoyed as he opened the door.

"I have a question," Aragorn said innocently.

Elrond sighed and said,

"Is it about the Trials?"

"How did you know?"

"Come inside," Elrond said sounding very flustered.

Aragorn walked into Elrond's house and Elrond closed and locked the door behind him.

"Are you okay?" Aragorn asked Elrond.

"Don't worry about me, Estel," Elrond said a little more calmly, "What is your question about the Trials?" Elrond asked.

"I want to join the Trials," Aragorn stated proudly with his head held high.

Elrond smirked and shook his head saying,

"That's absurd. You are not joining the Trials. That is a game just for the Elves,"

"I know, but Lag taught me how to fight. I'm sure I can hold up against the Elves. I have for the past ten or twelve years!" Aragorn exclaimed not wanting to give up hope so soon.

"Lagorion didn't teach you how to fight because of that reason, Estel," Elrond finally said after a moment paused.

"Then why did he teach me?" Aragorn asked.

Elrond put his head down and simply said,

"You will learn that at a different time,"

Aragorn shook his head and decided to tell him his actual feelings,

"I have been told that all my life... You can't hold me back forever,"

"I know," Elrond said now looking ashamed, "I just don't want to lose you either,"

There was a minute of complete silence before Aragorn figured out something.

"Before I came in, I saw the twins," Aragorn explained, "You were talking about the Trials... weren't you?"

"Yes," Elrond merely whispered.

"And what did they say about them?"

"They are worried about you and they don't want you to do the Trials. I don't blame them because I don't want you doing them either. It's too dangerous for..." he paused realizing he shouldn't have said the last sentence.

"A human?" Aragorn finished.

Elrond sighed again knowing Aragorn had reached the age of outsmarting him.

"I have heard that multiple times here and I want to prove it wrong. And here's the way to do that," Aragorn said bravely, "The Trials,"

Elrond sat down in his chair and Aragorn sat down next to him in another chair neighboring his and continued the argument,

"What would happen if I won?" Aragorn asked.

"You wouldn't," Elrond said bluntly.

Aragorn jumped back not believing what he had heard. Elrond had never doubted him before. He stood up and said quietly,

"If that's the way you see it, so be it. I can do it. I will win. I will prove all of you wrong, because this is my chance to prove myself to everybody here who underestimates me," he paused before saying, "I don't doubt myself,"

With that, Aragorn stood up and walked to the back door.

"Estel," Elrond said from behind Aragorn.

He stopped, but didn't turn around.

"One thing I've always admired of you is your stubbornness,"

"What?" Aragorn asked turning around slowly.

"I like how you stand up for yourself and try to see the good and hope in all. I admire the way you won't back down, but don't let that be your weakness,"

Aragorn turned back towards the door, but didn't move. He looked up and thought about what Elrond had just told him.

"Thank you," he finally said looking back to Elrond.

Elrond smiled and nodded.

"Good luck," he whispered.

Aragorn smiled knowing that Elrond had just given him permission to do the Trials whether he liked it or not.

A/N: New twist! :D