ever since Aragorn swore to protect you, knowing that you were embarking on this journey with him, he's had an excellent opportunity to brush up on his sword skills, because you resemble a walking disaster.

or maybe it’s just pure coincidence.

he was still irritated, though not with you, but with himself for his carelessness — not only did he put you in danger, but he almost got himself killed as well.

"I could have killed the orc on my own. you didn't have to step in," you said, knowing it wouldn’t help the situation at all.

"and could you kill ten orcs?" he asks, looking at you incredulously.

"I could."

"then what about twenty?"

"I haven't even tried, I didn't get the chance."

his gaze becomes more piercing. "no, that's not it, it's simply not your level."

you crossed your arms over your chest, though you didn't want to say it out loud, you knew twenty orcs were more than you could handle.

"If I say stay close, then stay close," he explains, his voice growing softer. "If I say run and don't look back, then run. understood?"

"I won't leave you to die," your voice trails off.

"and I will throw myself into the jaws of death for you," he replies, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.