Aragorn: 20 years old

The next day, Elrond warned Aragorn with great caution before telling him a story of the past. They walked through the halls of the building in the center of Rivendell. It was the building that contained the shards of Narsil from the battle in Mordor long ago.

Elrond told Aragorn the whole story over again about Isildur and how Sauron broke the sword. He didn't have to go much farther before Aragorn stopped in his tracks. He thought he had figured out what Elrond was trying to say.

"Father..." Aragorn asked slowly, "Are you saying that the sword, that the shards of Narsil, Andruil... is mine?"

Elrond turned to him and bowed his head. Aragorn let out a sigh and closed his eyes. He reached out to steady himself on one of the nearby columns. He had often come into this very room to read or practice his Elvish writing. He had never known that the sword within was his.

"This is all I wish to tell you because that is everything there ever was that was kept a secret," Elrond finished and put a hand on Aragorn's weak shoulder, "I know this was a lot to take in,"

Aragorn looked up to Elrond and said,

"I can no longer stay here and you know this,"

Elrond closed his eyes and nodded slowly.

"This is why you have given me all these clues over the years. The map of Middle Earth, sword lessons, talking to Galadriel, the history book on Middle Earth, and the very many other things you have shown me,"

"Yes, my child," Elrond admitted sadly.

Aragorn nodded and said,

"But where do I go? What do I do? What if I get caught?"

"You must stay away from Mordor and Dul Guldor. Go be crowned king of Gondor. Fight this evil back and don't give into fear,"

"King?" Aragorn murmured, "No, I can't be king. I won't ever be king of Gondor,"

"Estel, you must be. You are the heir to throne of Gondor. Without you, the kingdom will fall. They have a steward as of now,"

"I choose exile," Aragorn said simply.

"Estel..." Elrond started warningly.

"I will go to the Shire, Lothlorien, Rohan. I will explore this world and see how I can help in any way, but not to be king. I will not go to Gondor,"

"That is your path, Estel. To be a king,"

"I will not. I'm sorry," Aragorn looked to the ground, "My path is hidden,"

"Your path is laid before you. You cannot turn back now. Gondor is in desperate need to have a king. A good one at that,"

"I am sorry I have disappointed you," Aragorn bowed and turned away.

Elrond grabbed Aragorn's arm and pulled him back gently.

"You think you have disappointed me?"

Aragorn looked away.

"Your life has brought so much happiness into my life, Estel. You know this. I have expressed it many times. You have never disappointed me, but I hope you make the right choices after you are out of my aid,"

Aragorn thought about that message for a moment and then said quietly,

"Let's all have some hope for my choices. After all, I am only human,"

He smiled and Elrond patted him on the shoulder before they went their own ways.