The Strength of Your Love

Chapter 1

Aragorn POV :

When I first saw you, I thought I strayed into a dream. There you were ethereally beautiful and younger beyond your long years. Years of learning how to breathe came of no use to me when my lung stopped moving, giving way to my expanding heart. In that very moment my heart was filled with unimaginable love for you. It felt so good yet it hurt. It was like indulging on fiery spices, where it hurts your senses but your body craves for more.

You paid no heed to me. Who could have blamed you? I was younger in years with no future in front of me. I knew this and that was why I kept my love hidden even from myself. I told myself this cannot be for you are elf kind and I am human. The tale of Beren and Luthien came to mind. Had I the courage to love you like Beren did? Will our love survive and became eternal?

I longed for you, your smile and your touch. I watched you from afar. I worshipped the very ground you walked on. Your scent lingered in the gardens and I found myself not wanting to breathe for fear of inhaling all the sweet smell and be left wanting yet again. I do not even know your name and here I am pledging myself to you.

Days of watching you from behind trees and gazing at you from behind thick books were a great worth for at last I knew your name. Arwen... Arwen Undomiel they call you. The Evenstar was your namesake. It fitted you well for your skin glowed with the sparkles of the stars against your hair, dark as night. We were kin, I found out. Distant cousins from your father and his brother Elros Tar-Minyatur. You were also sister to Elladan and Elrohir whom I have considered family. If we were so closely bound why do I have not the courage to approach you?

Twenty years have I resided in Imladris. No one has caught my eyes like you have done so. I tried my best to hide my blossoming love for you but your father was wiser than I. He told me of your age and what you have seen in your life. He told me of your choice and what it meant if you were to choose me. I maybe young but I know my heart. My heart wants you and so I will go. I will prove my worth of your long years. I will charm you with my wisdom and experience. I will fascinate you with my knowledge of the world.

And so I left Imladris with the memory of your smile forever etched in my memories. I became a ranger, learning new things, making myself worthy in your father's eyes, as well as yours. My quest to gain knowledge took me almost thirty years. During those long nights your smile and your scent kept me alive. I counted the days until I will meet you again. Will I meet you again?