In the Red Book of Westmarch there is told a part of the tale of Aragorn son of Arathorn and Arwen Undomiel, yet many of the deeds of Aragorn Elessar are not counted in that book of lore. In later years the scribes of Gondor sought out tales of the King from any who knew of his journeys and toils against the Shadow, that the full Lay of Aragorn son of Arathorn, Dunedan and last high king of the Elder Days, might be kept for future generations.

"Elrond took the place of his father and came to love him as a son of his own. But he was called Estel, that is 'Hope', and his true name and lineage were kept secret at the bidding of Elrond."

"He went in many guises and won renown under many names....Thus he became at last the most hardy of living Men, skilled in their crafts and lore, and was yet more than they."

"I have crossed many mountains and many rivers, and trodden many plains, even into the far countries of Rhun and Harad where the stars are strange."

"Were I to go where my heart dwells, far in the North I would now be wandering in the fair valley of Rivendell."

"And then they knew him, changed as he was, so high and glad of face, kingly, lord of Men, dark-haired with eyes of grey."

"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory."