After the War

A Tale of the Heroes After the War of the Ring

Summary: Going through a the lives of some of the characters of Lord of the Rings after the Return of the King.

Author's Note: I don't own the characters, the brilliant JRR Tolkien does. I'm plainly just trying to tell a little story based on imagination and inspiration. If you're going to have a problem with this story, then don't read it.

Chapter 1: A Wedding in Gondor

Arwen had waited lifetimes for this moment. She breathed a soft sigh as she thought of her love, Aragorn. She had always known he would take his place here, as the king of Gondor. The king of men. Even when her father doubted it, she stayed loyal to him.

The sun rose in the sky and soon it was time for her to make her way to the white tree. She put on her veil and was lead out of her chamber by Eowyn, the maiden of Rohan. After the coronation ceremony, they had grown close. A friendship blooming quickly between them.

The two women walked out of the throne room and in to the courtyard where people sat, awaiting her entrance. Many of the faces of peopled gathered were unfamiliar to her but there were many that she did recognize. The hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin sat near the front of the crowd. Gimili and Legolas stood near Gandalf, who would be marrying Aragorn and herself. Faramir sat in the very front of the group, awaiting Eowyn for the ceremony. Elrond stood next to Aragorn beneath the white tree and before she could finish searching the crowd, she was there, Aragorn taking her hand and kissing it gently.

Gandalf smiled at them before beginning.

"We gather here in a time of peace. In a time of prosperity for all of Middle-Earth. We are here to witness the beginning of a great and wise King. We are here to see him take his queen, the lady Arwen of Rivendell. Now, let us begin."

Arwen and Aragorn turned to face one another. He couldn't help but smile at her beauty. She wore a simple white gown that was fitted to her body to her hips. It then flowed out in the skirt. It sparkled like dew in the high sun. There were patterns of flowers embroidered in gold into the white silk of the dress. Her long, raven hair had lilies braided into it. Her face and head were covered in a thin veil that sparked slightly in the sun, like her dress.

Arwen couldn't help but smile back at Aragorn. He looked as handsome as he had the day they met over eighty years ago. Time had yet to catch up with him. His long brown hair was in its usual wavy mess. He wore a white tunic with an embroidered black vest. His black pants were slightly snug on him and held up by a belt which a sheathed dagger was held and slightly hidden, as he usually wore.

Time passed slowly as Gandalf spoke but the most important part came quickly for the two lovers.

"Aragorn, son of Arathorn, King of Gondor, do you take Arwen, lady of Rivendell, princess of the Elves, to be your lady, your queen and your love until death conquers you?" Gandalf asked, looking to him for the answer.

"With all of my heart, I do." He said softly. Gandalf and Arwen both smiled.

"Arwen, daughter of Elrond, lady of Rivendell, princess of the Elves, do you take Aragorn, son of Arathorn, King of Gondor, to be your lord, your king and your love until death conquers you?"

"With all of my heart, I do." She spoke as if only Aragorn stood near her.

"I pronounce you lord and lady. You may kiss your queen." Gandalf announced.

Aragorn and Arwen embraced one another and kissed with a smoldering passion that had been lying between them for nearly a century.

"I give you King Aragorn and Queen Arwen!" shouted Gandalf as the couple broke apart, resting their heads on the other's forehead.

"I love you." Aragorn whispered as the crowd erupted with applause.

That night, they climbed into bed as a married couple. Aragorn wrapped his arms around his queen and whispered to her:

"Till death conquers us means nothing."

Arwen looked at him, confused. He smiled and explained what he meant.

"Just listen." He said. "Let me die the moment my love dies. Let me not outlive my own capacity to love. Let me die still loving and so never die." He kissed her temple on the last word. She smiled.

"That was beautiful, love. What does it mean?"

"It means that I couldn't bear to stand over your grave." He told, flipping them so that she lay on top of him.

"Nor could I bear to stand a widow at yours." She stroked his face.

"It means that I do not what to die, out of love with your. I always want to be yours."

"You always will be mine, and I will always be yours." Arwen whispered, lightly kissing his lips.

"It means that if I die before you, I will not have stopped loving you and so, never die. My love will carry on my spirit and will always be there for you." He kissed her.

The flipped back over again and fell asleep, tangled in each others arms.

AN: So what do you think? Love it? Hate it? Write a review!

That last part that I had Aragorn tell Arwen, the "Let me die the moment my love dies…" is actually the final part to the play I'm in right now, Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman. I thought it would work there and it's my favorite part of the play so also, give me your opinion of it here!

Thanks!

~ThePoisonOwl