Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien

Sacrifices

I watched from my usual post, gazing down into the gardens as the two lovers strolled down the frosted path. I smiled at them. Not too long ago, each day he would look upon the woman I was to marry. Each day, I would see her return his smiles and the warmth in his eyes. But nothing more. He would never betray his best friend. And that was why I did it...

Our wedding had been planned for quite some time now. It was the perfect vision and match up of our people. By marrying each other, we were uniting two clans.

I had grown to care for her over the years. I could never bear to see her in pain. I loved seeing that smile, ever since I met her in the forests. But I didn't love her. Not the way he did. She brought life to his eyes. Warmed his heart when it was cold. I was just in the way of a great romance.

I took him aside one twilight. The sun was ending its descent, its rays of pink and orange diminishing as the night cast its shadows and the brilliant disk of moonlight shone. It was a time like this when he met her. When he inhaled the first sweet fragrance of her skin. I knew he was thinking the same exact thing.

"You love her." I had no doubt in my mind about this, so I stated it.

He was quick to deny it, but surrendered at last when he sighed, "Yes, I do."

"Then I can't go through with this marriage. I have no part in this love story."

"But your wedding is not but a fortnight away. You will be king and she your queen. It's a perfect match!"

"Perhaps. But there is one problem- she loves you."

He looked at me skeptically. "You are sure?"

"Have I ever been wrong?"

He laughed lightly at this and I cracked a smile. It felt good to let it out.

Just then, she emerged from behind a column, her eyes pooled with tears. In an unsteady voice she whispered to me, "Is this what you want?"

"I have the liberty to see joy in the eyes of the two people I care for most. What more could I want?"

She rushed into my arms, giving me a heartfelt hug, all the while murmuring thanks.

A moment later, I gently pushed her away, towards him. "You two were meant to be."

He turned to me, deep gratitude in his eyes. "How can I repay you?"

"Aragorn, my dear friend, you can take Arwen to Gondor, and wed her there instead of here in Mirkwood."

"Legolas, not a day will go by when I do not thank you for this gift."