Arwen choked back tears as she walked in the gardens of Imladris. She knew she was meant to be at the farewell but how could she go now after what had just happened?
In a perfect world
One we've never known
How could he say those things? After all they'd said, after all they'd sworn, he had said they were nothing. He had told her it was a dream. They were a dream.
We would never need to face the world alone
How could she carry on? Even the grove of Nienna would not wash away this grief.
She looked up as she reached a small pool and saw a sculpture she had never looked at before. To her shock, it was Beren and Luthien. How had she not seen this?
The sculptor had captured them in a quiet moment together, each wrapped up in the other to the exclusion of all other things. It looked to be later in their relationship as both were less than pristinely dressed, possibly after the escape from Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Beren was cradling Luthien's face in his hands with an unbelieving look of love. It felt almost too private to look at.
Arwen's eyes were drawn to Beren's hand closest to her where the Ring of Barahir was set on the hero's finger. Her hand went to her pocket and drew out that selfsame ring on a chain. She sighed as she looked at it; she had been intending to wear it in place of the Evenstar as a sign of her love continuing. She supposed she should return it now.
She looked up at the statue again, furiously blinking back tears threatening to spill over again, this time focusing on Luthien, her great-great grandmother on her father's side.
She whose love had bought new life against all the odds. She who had overpowered Sauron and Morgoth. She who had defied her father and never given up.
They can have the world
We'll create our own
It suddenly hit Arwen like a physical force: she must not fall to despair. Her love had endured thus far, she was not worthy of his love if she let it fail now.
I may not be brave or strong or smart
She could not walk with him through the shadow as Luthien had done with Beren.
But somewhere in my secret heart
But she would not leave him now.
She pulled the ring from the chain and slipped it on her left ring finger. Casting the chain into the pool like an offering, she offered up a silent prayer of thanks and hope to all the Valar and Illúvatar.
I know
With a last glance at the stone lovers, she turned and ran.
Love will find a way
She ran as she had never run before, back the way she'd come.
Anywhere I go
She had to reach him. He had to know.
I'm home
If you are there beside me
She was not giving up.
Like dark turning into day
The pale dawn broke as Arwen slipped into the courtyard, weaving her way through the assembled elves to her customary spot to the left of her father.
Somehow we'll come through
She looked for him and met his gaze.
Now that I've found you
She used her left hand to neaten her hair and the dawn light glinted off the emeralds set in the silver.
Love will find a way
Aragorn had been trying to convince himself it was for the better. He could live without her, even if it would be not much of a life. She belonged with her people. Why then, did he feel like he could not breathe?
Elrond stepped forward and began to speak. Aragorn tried to pay attention but couldn't help looking at Arwen as she slipped in late.
I was so afraid
The Lord Elrond was right. She had to go. She could not remain without her father's blessing.
Then he saw the ring on her finger. Many years had passed since he had given it to her but he still knew it well.
Now I realize
His eyes locked with hers.
Love is never wrong
I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.
And so it never dies
He took what felt like his first breath since they had parted as he realised the truth never dropping his gaze from her eyes. A life without each other, immortal or not, would be empty. This was where they belonged.
There's a perfect world
Shining in your eyes
He knew she could see the realisation hit him as her entire being seemed to light up.
And if only they could feel it too
He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to swear his love again. But this was not the time or place.
The happiness I feel with you
Screw it.
Oblivious to the looks of the Fellowship, Elrond and the assembled elves Aragorn pushed forward to the middle ground between them and Arwen ran to meet him, throwing herself into his arms.
They'd know
He kissed her.
Love will find a way
And there was nothing but her. No world, no imminent evil, no extremely unimpressed father; just her.
Anywhere we go
"Le melin, goheno nin, le melin"
We're home
"Le melin"
If we are there together
She kissed him again, holding him like she'd never let go.
Like dark turning into day
Somehow we'll come through
Arwen broke the kiss and spoke in a voice that carried easily on the morning air.
"The next time I see you I will embrace you as my husband"
Realising what she was doing, Aragorn equalled her in his reply
"And I swear Gondor shall have no Queen but you"
Now that I've found you
Love will find a way
From the shadows nearby, Elladan smiled at his little sister's joy. She deserved happiness after so long alone and so long in love. If his father, who was now fighting a scowl in face of these unwanted declarations, ever knew he had been the one to carve the statue that had sealed her fate, he would prefer to be some way off.
I know love will find a way
Sometimes love just had to be helped along.
