Title: Hope Rating: G Set in the Movieverse Disclaimer: Let's see.New Line Studios, Wingnut, and Tolkien. Yup, I think that covers it. I don't own any of this.I just play. Notes: From Aragorn's POV, right before the Battle of Helm's Deep.

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It is the gentle touch of the breeze. It blows through my hair and against my cheek, my beloved, and it reminds me of your gentle touch. But even your touch of heaven cannot erase the glimmer of hell that I see before me, Arwen. Around me bustle men scared of life and boys afraid to die. I do not question the guidance that has brought me here, but I demand the knowledge of what lesson of life I must learn.

The keep is so cold, my love. I fear that that ice will invade my soul. Youth surrounds me and I see their dead, lifeless eyes watch the arc of the swords in their hands. I see men who should be seated with grandchildren on their knees, their aged hands shaking as they hold their bows. I am not afraid to die, but I see children here who I fear will die. It disturbs me, Arwen. It disturbs me to my soul and I pray that I can keep some spark, some flame of heat from you in me. I pray that it drives away the ice for just a little while longer.

Legolas and Gimli have both told me that this isn't my fight. They have told me that this keep, this Helm's Deep will be my tomb. I suspect that might be true. But what right do I have, love, to walk away from my own people? I have none. This is where I belong and I will die as one of them. A last line, a last etch of light drawn in the sand against the dark, I will join these good people as they fight simply for their lives. This is not a fight of land or of power or of crops, jewels or gold, Arwen; this is a fight of life. This is a struggle in which I can believe. I can believe it, love; I can feel the blood of my forefathers coursing through my veins filled with the need to protect these people.

And yet, why do I despair?

Why do I sit upon this step and let the last day of life unfold without at least trying to change its course? Is it my loss of you? Is it the pain I know I gave you?

I touch the Evenstar as it hangs against my chest, cool and ever-present. It is a present that I treasure, love, just as I treasure the memory of your lips, your hair, and your fingers in mine. These men around me fight for life. My life has left for the Gray Havens, and all I have left is the memory of you, Arwen.

I see a young boy standing near me, holding a sword as though it were a serpent set to strike him. He looks as I did the first day a sword was placed in my hand. He doesn't have the luxury of practice, though. I show him the stance, tell him it is a good blade and find myself saying words that I hear your voice whispering in my mind: "There is always hope."

Hope. It is a small word that carries the fate of nations. It is a word that defines a reliance on destiny to take the burden of life. It is a word that I have heard in my heart, but not in my head, my love. I hear it now. I see it in the eyes of the lad. And I feel it, pounding through my very body. There is hope. Hope that this battle can be won. And hope, definitely hope, my beloved, that I will see you again.