"Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped it, and the bright blade of
Anduril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it out. “Elendil!” he cried. “I am Aragorn son of Arathorn,
and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken
and is reforged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!”
Aragorn: The Exiled, the Stranger, the King
Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir goes into self-exile to help the Rangers, (the Numenor) to
protect the northern territories of ancient Gondor. Gondor itself, however, is kept by the stewards of Gondor, awaiting the
prophesied return of their king. When we first meet Aragorn, it is not as Aragorn, but as Strider. The innkeeper of the Prancing
Pony, Mr. Butterbur, in Bree, describes Strider as "dangerous". Strider, for all his talents as guide, scout and natural leader,
would rather lead than follow. He fears, one would assume, the blood of Isildur, which runs through his veins, for it was
through Isildur's pride that the Ring of Power was not destroyed when he had the chance. Aragorn fears making the wrong decisions,
yet at the same time he is wiling to fight to the death to protect those under his charge.
When the sword that was broken, Narsil, is remade in Rivendell, Aragorn realizes that the quest of
the Ring is one that will lead him to his own destiny of becoming the true King of Gondor. In many ways, he reminds me of
David or Jonathan in the Bible. They were both royal in God's eyes, yet humble in their own. Jonathan, son of King Saul, was
more righteous than his father. Yet, because of his father's sins, the throne was given over to David. David was a shepherd,
not a king, and it took him a while to get used to the idea, just like Aragorn.
Go chooses us according to His desires and needs, then equips us with what we have need. In Aragorn's
case, it is the remade sword Narsil, symbol of his rightful heir to Gondor's throne, and guidance, in that he is directed
to pass through the Paths of the Dead, clearly a type of death and resurrection. The sword, of course, to the Christian, is
the Word of God. It is not only our weapon against the enemy, but the symbol of our rightful claim, in Christ, as heirs in
Him and in His kingship.
Once Aragorn passes through the Paths of the Dead, he arrives at Gondor at a time in which they are
in great need. So shall the returning of our Lord and King also be. The world shall be in such turmoil that we won't be able
to believe the valiant among us can take another onslaught. Then, just when we have decided that our only course is to die
gloriously upon the battlefield of faith, our Lord shall descend. He has already passed through the Paths of the Dead, and
there he has set the captives free.
Jesus came in humility, yet not denying his true divinity. Yet His following was great, in power, if
not in number. The Fellowship of the Twelve, like the Fellowship of the Nine, changes their world. By the power of God we
can still change the world, just as the Fellowship changed the course of Middle Earth, or the Twelve turned our around.
"And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the
lightning: and the LORD GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The LORD of hosts shall defend
them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they
shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock
of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. For how great is his goodness,
and how great is his beauty! Corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids." (Zech 9:14-17)