Silver Tears
Chapter One
By: Aragorn's Evenstar
She sat there. her eyes transfixed on the little silver wrought pendant that was resting in the palm of her slender, white hand. He would soon be returning to her. she felt it. His feelings were wound through her heart and made them as one.
He had left to fight evil, wild men that had been entering from the southern borders of Gondor. But soon he would return. Her heart was light. she could almost see him racing home to greet her. Her heart soared over the land that had seen so much over the ages. birth.life.bloodshed. O! so much bloodshed. It was so ugly, and it marred her thoughts. She returned them to her beloved Aragorn, son of Arathorn. She could feel the soft, caressing touch of his hands in a sweet embrace.
He always left the Evenstar with her when he departed. the silver pendent that was a symbol that he would always return. It had been her gift to him several years before, when she chose between him and leaving with her father to go into the West with the rest of her people. When she gave him the Evenstar she gave up her immortal life.
When her mind thought of him, and her heart soared with him, and her soul longed for him, the pain eased; she could not bear for him to be gone a moments time.
As she sat on the edge of her bed all of a sudden, something changed. A shadow fell across her heart and she despaired. With a cry of anguish, she fell across her bed. Something was terribly wrong.
*******************************
Arwen was aroused by hollering voices. She had been keeping watch on her terrace all night when weariness overcame her. Her hands still clutched the Evenstar tightly. She felt a pang of guilt. She had not meant to drift off.
It was Legolas who stepped onto the terrace. His normally blissful face was now shrouded with anguish. His clear, sea grey eyes were now covered in a thick mist. His hair was unkempt, and he looked as one who traveled a long distance expeditiously.
'My lady,' he barely whispered, 'you must come at once.'
Arwen caught hold of a nearby stone pillar to keep from falling. A wave of dizziness, or perhaps despair (most likely despair) washed over her and nearly knocked her over. But it soon passed and she followed the fair- haired elf, almost at a run.
He led her from her quarters in the great hall of Minas Tirith, past two of the many gates that went in a spiral down around the hill the great city rested on, to the houses of healing. She stood for only a moment in the doorway before she sprang forward, her silver gown and raven hair billowing behind her, and rushed to Aragorn's side.
The King lay writhing in agony as a healer desperately tried to remove an arrow from his side. He cried out several times, and his hands groped for something to grip tightly. Arwen was there. She winced slightly as his hand squeezed her's, but said nothing. It was almost nothing to bear compared to the pain he must feel.
'What has happened to him?' She choked.
'We were ambushed by the wild men in the Aran Pass, my lady,' Legolas said, his grey eyes transfixed on Aragorn. They glittered with unshed tears.
'He MUST live,' Arwen muttered mostly to herself, 'it is only in his side, is it not? He would surely have died if it had been in his head or neck. but this pierced no vital organs!' Her voice had stared out soft but ended in a loud whimper.
'Undomiel.' Aragorn whispered in a shaky voice, 'Arwen!'
She wrapped his hand in hers and sang out softly in a misty voice:
'Ai! Laurie lantar lassi surinen, yeni unotime ve ramar aldaron! Yeni ve linte yuldar avanier Mi oromardi lisse-minuvoriva Andune pella, Vardo tellumar Nu luini yassen tintilar I eleni Omaryo airentari-lirinen.'
Her voice trailed off as she looked at him. He had lost consciousness.
****************************
The next few days crawled slowly by. Arwen never left her dear husband's side. She sat by day watching fearfully as his fever grew, and lay by night, resting her head on his chest. fully aware of everything that went on, for elves did not sleep as men do. they just rest their minds.
He was hardly ever conscious; he usually drifted in and out. and when he was conscious he would stammer inaudible words to unseen friends such as Gandalf or Frodo.
Arwen was disoriented. She had never seen the King so helpless. Never had she felt so helpless. Her fair face grew thin and pale from lack of food and rest, yet she was ever faithful.
Aragorn lay in his bed, unaware of the turmoil that was caused of his suffering. His people were in an uproar because their beloved king was not awake to rule them.
Faramir, the captain of the guard, had doubled the guards at all the gates because the thieves and villains were taking over the city, which made it vulnerable for attacks from the wild men.
The best healers in Gondor (indeed the best in Middle Earth) had been called to aid the noble King. Everyone in turn looked at Arwen with sad eyes. It was always the same. Could no one do anything for him? Arwen thought desperately. Father! Why can you not be here when I need you the most? Arwen thought about the time when Elrond of Rivendell, her father, had cured Frodo when he had been nipped by the frost of the Nazgul's blade. He could have helped her precious Estel now. if he was not many miles away in the Grey Havens.
But, alas! Perhaps the distance in miles did not matter. She could feel her father's strength. for it ran through her very veins. She shivered a little. But then she remembered Emlyn, the healer in Edoras, Rohan who had rushed to her aid when her son, Oren was being born. How she overlooked him she could not know. but she believed that even though her father was many miles away, he could feel her pain, and he was trying to help in any way possible.
Legolas, who was desperate for an occupation since he could do nothing but watch as his best friend wasted away, raced to Edoras as soon as Arwen had voiced her suggestion.
Meanwhile, Arwen sat, faithfully watching, as Aragorn lay there. his face aflame with fever. sweat dripping down his face and collecting at his black beard.
She flung herself gently and clung to his neck and sobbed silvery tears that had gone unshed for a long time. What a relief to let her grief pour out! To let the tears rush down and soak his garments. He took no heed. Not even when the Evenstar slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor.
************************
Emlyn needed no persuasion. He rushed off to his hoard of herbs and medicines as soon as Legolas had spilled out the recent events. He then returned with some herbs and other special ingredients for a potion that he would brew when he reached Minas Tirith. Putting these in a small leather pouch, he followed Legolas out of the hall where they found Eomer, Lord of Rohan, waiting with three horses.
When Eomer, Aragorn's old friend had perceived the news about the King of Gondor's condition he too insisted on returning to Gondor with Legolas.
The Rohan horses carried them to Gondor swiftly. But not swiftly enough for Legolas. He despaired as they raced along, for the road was long, and he had left Gondor almost a week ago already. He dared not think of what misery awaited them there.
****************************
A tiny knock rattled the heavy door of the houses of healing. Arwen lifted her weary head as a diminutive boy of four years scampered to her side.
'Muver! Daddy will be alright, O please tell me daddy will be alright!' He climbed into her lap and looked tearfully into Arwen's face.
'Oren, do not despair,' she said to her tiny son, 'your father is very ill, but it will pass.' She had trouble hiding the anxiety in her voice and Oren sensed it. He began to sob quietly in her arms, and rocked back and forth in agony.
'I love you daddy. I love you,' he whispered. Arwen's heart quailed. Her tears flowed as freely as the young lad's did, although she knew it would not do her son good to hear her being weak. She held back the oncoming sobs. She must be strong for her son at least.
******************************
Death took Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Estel, King Elessar that night. He had just muttered: 'Arwen. please help me. I shall see you again soon. I love you.'
Tiny tears clung to his eyelashes and one rolled down his tanned cheek. Then she knew. It was her heart that told her. not the lack of his heartbeat. not the roll of his head before it came to rest with one ear on the bed. She pulled her hair until her scalp burned with pain. 'Ai! Ai!' She cried out in utter agony to her fallen king. Life had suddenly become dark, and no light shone in the elf queen's heart. Little Oren was asleep, thank Valar.
'ESTEL!' She cried out tearfully, then whispered, 'I shall see you again soon. I love you Estel.' Then she kissed her son goodbye, and then the shadow that engulfed her husband swallowed her likewise.
Chapter One
By: Aragorn's Evenstar
She sat there. her eyes transfixed on the little silver wrought pendant that was resting in the palm of her slender, white hand. He would soon be returning to her. she felt it. His feelings were wound through her heart and made them as one.
He had left to fight evil, wild men that had been entering from the southern borders of Gondor. But soon he would return. Her heart was light. she could almost see him racing home to greet her. Her heart soared over the land that had seen so much over the ages. birth.life.bloodshed. O! so much bloodshed. It was so ugly, and it marred her thoughts. She returned them to her beloved Aragorn, son of Arathorn. She could feel the soft, caressing touch of his hands in a sweet embrace.
He always left the Evenstar with her when he departed. the silver pendent that was a symbol that he would always return. It had been her gift to him several years before, when she chose between him and leaving with her father to go into the West with the rest of her people. When she gave him the Evenstar she gave up her immortal life.
When her mind thought of him, and her heart soared with him, and her soul longed for him, the pain eased; she could not bear for him to be gone a moments time.
As she sat on the edge of her bed all of a sudden, something changed. A shadow fell across her heart and she despaired. With a cry of anguish, she fell across her bed. Something was terribly wrong.
*******************************
Arwen was aroused by hollering voices. She had been keeping watch on her terrace all night when weariness overcame her. Her hands still clutched the Evenstar tightly. She felt a pang of guilt. She had not meant to drift off.
It was Legolas who stepped onto the terrace. His normally blissful face was now shrouded with anguish. His clear, sea grey eyes were now covered in a thick mist. His hair was unkempt, and he looked as one who traveled a long distance expeditiously.
'My lady,' he barely whispered, 'you must come at once.'
Arwen caught hold of a nearby stone pillar to keep from falling. A wave of dizziness, or perhaps despair (most likely despair) washed over her and nearly knocked her over. But it soon passed and she followed the fair- haired elf, almost at a run.
He led her from her quarters in the great hall of Minas Tirith, past two of the many gates that went in a spiral down around the hill the great city rested on, to the houses of healing. She stood for only a moment in the doorway before she sprang forward, her silver gown and raven hair billowing behind her, and rushed to Aragorn's side.
The King lay writhing in agony as a healer desperately tried to remove an arrow from his side. He cried out several times, and his hands groped for something to grip tightly. Arwen was there. She winced slightly as his hand squeezed her's, but said nothing. It was almost nothing to bear compared to the pain he must feel.
'What has happened to him?' She choked.
'We were ambushed by the wild men in the Aran Pass, my lady,' Legolas said, his grey eyes transfixed on Aragorn. They glittered with unshed tears.
'He MUST live,' Arwen muttered mostly to herself, 'it is only in his side, is it not? He would surely have died if it had been in his head or neck. but this pierced no vital organs!' Her voice had stared out soft but ended in a loud whimper.
'Undomiel.' Aragorn whispered in a shaky voice, 'Arwen!'
She wrapped his hand in hers and sang out softly in a misty voice:
'Ai! Laurie lantar lassi surinen, yeni unotime ve ramar aldaron! Yeni ve linte yuldar avanier Mi oromardi lisse-minuvoriva Andune pella, Vardo tellumar Nu luini yassen tintilar I eleni Omaryo airentari-lirinen.'
Her voice trailed off as she looked at him. He had lost consciousness.
****************************
The next few days crawled slowly by. Arwen never left her dear husband's side. She sat by day watching fearfully as his fever grew, and lay by night, resting her head on his chest. fully aware of everything that went on, for elves did not sleep as men do. they just rest their minds.
He was hardly ever conscious; he usually drifted in and out. and when he was conscious he would stammer inaudible words to unseen friends such as Gandalf or Frodo.
Arwen was disoriented. She had never seen the King so helpless. Never had she felt so helpless. Her fair face grew thin and pale from lack of food and rest, yet she was ever faithful.
Aragorn lay in his bed, unaware of the turmoil that was caused of his suffering. His people were in an uproar because their beloved king was not awake to rule them.
Faramir, the captain of the guard, had doubled the guards at all the gates because the thieves and villains were taking over the city, which made it vulnerable for attacks from the wild men.
The best healers in Gondor (indeed the best in Middle Earth) had been called to aid the noble King. Everyone in turn looked at Arwen with sad eyes. It was always the same. Could no one do anything for him? Arwen thought desperately. Father! Why can you not be here when I need you the most? Arwen thought about the time when Elrond of Rivendell, her father, had cured Frodo when he had been nipped by the frost of the Nazgul's blade. He could have helped her precious Estel now. if he was not many miles away in the Grey Havens.
But, alas! Perhaps the distance in miles did not matter. She could feel her father's strength. for it ran through her very veins. She shivered a little. But then she remembered Emlyn, the healer in Edoras, Rohan who had rushed to her aid when her son, Oren was being born. How she overlooked him she could not know. but she believed that even though her father was many miles away, he could feel her pain, and he was trying to help in any way possible.
Legolas, who was desperate for an occupation since he could do nothing but watch as his best friend wasted away, raced to Edoras as soon as Arwen had voiced her suggestion.
Meanwhile, Arwen sat, faithfully watching, as Aragorn lay there. his face aflame with fever. sweat dripping down his face and collecting at his black beard.
She flung herself gently and clung to his neck and sobbed silvery tears that had gone unshed for a long time. What a relief to let her grief pour out! To let the tears rush down and soak his garments. He took no heed. Not even when the Evenstar slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor.
************************
Emlyn needed no persuasion. He rushed off to his hoard of herbs and medicines as soon as Legolas had spilled out the recent events. He then returned with some herbs and other special ingredients for a potion that he would brew when he reached Minas Tirith. Putting these in a small leather pouch, he followed Legolas out of the hall where they found Eomer, Lord of Rohan, waiting with three horses.
When Eomer, Aragorn's old friend had perceived the news about the King of Gondor's condition he too insisted on returning to Gondor with Legolas.
The Rohan horses carried them to Gondor swiftly. But not swiftly enough for Legolas. He despaired as they raced along, for the road was long, and he had left Gondor almost a week ago already. He dared not think of what misery awaited them there.
****************************
A tiny knock rattled the heavy door of the houses of healing. Arwen lifted her weary head as a diminutive boy of four years scampered to her side.
'Muver! Daddy will be alright, O please tell me daddy will be alright!' He climbed into her lap and looked tearfully into Arwen's face.
'Oren, do not despair,' she said to her tiny son, 'your father is very ill, but it will pass.' She had trouble hiding the anxiety in her voice and Oren sensed it. He began to sob quietly in her arms, and rocked back and forth in agony.
'I love you daddy. I love you,' he whispered. Arwen's heart quailed. Her tears flowed as freely as the young lad's did, although she knew it would not do her son good to hear her being weak. She held back the oncoming sobs. She must be strong for her son at least.
******************************
Death took Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Estel, King Elessar that night. He had just muttered: 'Arwen. please help me. I shall see you again soon. I love you.'
Tiny tears clung to his eyelashes and one rolled down his tanned cheek. Then she knew. It was her heart that told her. not the lack of his heartbeat. not the roll of his head before it came to rest with one ear on the bed. She pulled her hair until her scalp burned with pain. 'Ai! Ai!' She cried out in utter agony to her fallen king. Life had suddenly become dark, and no light shone in the elf queen's heart. Little Oren was asleep, thank Valar.
'ESTEL!' She cried out tearfully, then whispered, 'I shall see you again soon. I love you Estel.' Then she kissed her son goodbye, and then the shadow that engulfed her husband swallowed her likewise.