Warnings:
Violence, torture and angst (what were you expecting? fluffy pink bunnies?)…and a little sappiness…but not too much…really!
Disclaimer:
We do not own anything from the Lord of the Rings. We did not make any money from this. I took two sections directly from The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen. In the book, it says that Aragorn's mom doesn't die he's 20, but she didn't fit in with the story, so she has died with Arathorn. Also, I made it so that they died when he was a little older (six instead of two).
And I didn't invent Quenya or Sindarin and do not own them.
I also took the songs from various artists.
Trelan and Raniean belong to Cassia and Siobhan. We're just borrowing them…
Spoilers:
Appendixes from LotR and maybe the books and movies.
Notes:
Flashbacks are in // and in italics. //Like This.// Parts were written by both of us, so the writing style may change midway through. Elvish is in italics with translations at the end of the section. All Elvish is Sindarin unless otherwise noted. Contact us with suggestions to king. or essex. Be specific. This is still a WIP, meaning its not done, so do not tell me that it's not done; I know that.
Oh, and my knowledge of both Sindarin and Quenya is far from perfect, so if you see any errors, please notify me. Some spellings (accents) are probably a little inconsistent.
Perhaps love is like an ocean,
Full of conflict, full of pain.
Like a fire when it's cold outside,
Or thunder when it rains
If I should live forever;
All my dreams come true,
My memories of love
Will be of you.
And some say love is holding on,
Some say letting go.
Some say love is everything,
Some say they don't know.
--John Denver
Estel crept silently through the forest with his two brothers, Elladan and Elrohir. They were tracking a lone doe, with rich brown fur and a white muzzle. She had deep liquid-amber eyes that almost made Estel feel guilty about having to kill the beautiful creature.
The doe slowly walked into a shady glade and bent her head down to graze on the soft green grass.
Estel motioned to his brothers on the other side of the clearing and caught their eyes. They all knocked arrows in their bows. On a silent count to three, Elladan and Elrohir loosed their arrows. Both the projectiles missed, but caused the doe to bolt…
Straight at Estel.
The young human shot his arrow into the deer's heart at point-blank range, instantly killing her.
"Nice shot!" Elrohir called out, running over to the slain animal.
"Yeah, but I wouldnot have to shoot so often if you two just aimed a little better," Estel replied, smiling faintly.
"Well, remember that time at the archery competition when you almost hit Ada?" Elladan joined in, handing an arrow back to his twin.
"But you two put dog rose in my tunic and bent the arrow!" Estel retorted, flushing slightly.
The twins, unable to contain their mirth, burst out laughing, "That was quite a sight: you trying to explain that it was just an 'accident'," Elrohir gasped between the most un-elflike guffaws.
"That stuff itches!" Estel muttered indignantly. Then, he too began laughing.
"Let's get to work," Elladan suggested, after everyone had caught their breath.
"I'll get the horses!" shouted Estel over his shoulder, already heading out of the glade and toward their camp. The camp was about half a kilometer away. Once there, he lifted two fingers to his mouth and gave a piercing whistle. After a few seconds, three horses trotted into the camp. A brown mare came up to Estel and whinnied. Estel produced a small piece of apple from his pocket and smiled, as the mare nibbled the treat from his hand.
Estel loaded his brothers' packs onto their horses. He hefted his own pack onto his back and mounted his horse. "Hilya," he commanded. He started riding toward the glade in which the deer was slain, and the other two horses obediently followed.
As Estel and the twins dragged the doe toward the gates of Rivendell, their father, Elrond, came out to greet them. "Greetings. Have you driven the orcs out of the Trollshaws?"
"Yes Adar, it was no problem; there was only a small band of around a dozen orcs," answered Estel. "We even hunted a deer afterwards."
"Mae carnen.Elladan and Elrohir, take it to the kitchens, please," Elrond ordered.
"But what of Estel?" Elladan asked.
"I have something of importance to tell him." Elrond turned to his youngest son. "Come."
Estel and his brothers dismounted nimbly. Elladan and Elrohir carried the deer toward the kitchens. Estel followed Elrond. With a sinking feeling, Estel realized where they were going: Elrond's study. He usually only went there when he was in big trouble.
"Havo dad, Estel," Elrond ordered, shutting the door and sitting down across the table from the young man.
Estel slowly complied, seating himself on the large wooden chair.
Elrond began without preamble, "Estel, I feel you are ready for your true lineage. When your father was slain, your mother, fearing for your safety, brought you to my house. You are Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur of Gondor."
Estel was glad he had been sitting in a chair. He had always known that Elrond was his adopted father and that his father had been a brave warrior, but the heir of Isildur? That was … impossible. "No, you must be mistaken," he murmured, but deep down, Estel knew it to be the truth.
Elrond smiled slightly, before continuing, "Here is the ring of Barahir," he said, handing Isildur's heir a small silver ring set with a green stone, "the token of our kinship from afar; and here also are the shards of Narsil. With these you may yet do great deeds; for I foretell that the span of your life shall be greater than the measure of Men, unless evil befalls you or you fail the test. But the test will be hard and long. The Scepter of Annuminas I withhold, for you have yet to earn it."
Aragorn slipped the ring over his the second finger of his left hand. It fit perfectly. "Thank you..." the human trailed off. He was no longer sure who his family was.
Elrond saw the young man's confusion. "Estel, remember, what you know now doesnot affect our relationship. I love you, as do your brothers. We will always be your family."
Elrond's insight never ceased to amaze Aragorn. It seemed Elrond could always read him.
Elrond glanced out the window. "The day grows old. You had better go wash up. Someone special is coming for your birthday celebration tomorrow."
"Yes, Ada," Aragorn said. He got up and blushed slightly; his clothes were a mess and he had dirt on just about every bit of exposed skin. He left, pondering what he had learned about himself. By the time he was out the door, he had already forgotten about the surprise guest.
Aragorn sat down at the end of the long table. He still couldnot believe that he was Isildur's heir. The feast was grand, with the dear they had caught as the centerpiece.
After the meal, Aragorn went into the woods for a walk and to watch the sunset, for his heart was high within him. He sang the Lay of Luthien, which told of the meeting of Beren, and Luthien in the forest of Neldoreth. Suddenly, it seemed that Luthien walked before him. She was clothed in silver and blue and upon her brow was a circlet of silver and gems.
For a while, Aragorn just gazed on in silence, afraid she would vanish like mists in the wind. Then, he cried as Beren had, "Tinuviel! Tinuviel!"
The maiden turned to him and smiled, and she said, "Who are you? And why do you call me by that name?"
He answered, "Because I believed you to be indeed Luthien Tinuviel, of whom I was singing. But if you are not she, then you walk in her likeness."
"So many have said, " she answered gravely. "Yet her name is not mine. Though maybe my doom will be not unlike hers. But who are you?"
"Estel I was called," he said; "but I am Aragorn, Arathorn's son, Isildur's Heir, Lord of the Dunedain." He had felt proud of his heritage, but as these words left his mouth, they seemed nothing compare to the fair maiden's beauty and dignity.
But she laughed merrily and said: "Then we are akin from afar. For I am Arwen Elrond's daughter, and am named also Undomiel."
"Often it is seen," said Aragorn, "that in dangerous days men hide their chief treasure. Yet I marvel at Elrond and … your brothers." He had been about to say 'my brothers', but Elladan and Elrohir were more her brothers than his. "For though I have dwelt in this house from childhood, I have heard no word of you. How comes it that we have never met before? Surely your father has not kept you locked in his hoard?"
"No," she said, and looked up at the Mountains that rose in the east. "I have dwelt for a time in the land of my mother's kin, in far Lothlórien. I have but lately returned to visit my father again. It has been many years since I walked in Imladris."
Then Aragorn wondered, for she had seemed of no greater age than he, who had lived yet no more than a score of years in Middle-earth. But Arwen looked in his eyes and said: "Do not wonder! For the children of Elrond have the life of the Eldar."
Aragorn was abashed, for he saw the elven-light in her eyes and the wisdom of many days, but he knew that from then on, he would love her forever.
Aragorn and Arwen walked through the forest step in step. Aragorn was content to just listen to the sound of her voice, like the murmur of wind through the trees, or the singing of birds in the springtime. They recounted stories of their childhood and reveled each other's company.
After a while, Aragorn notice that the moon was high. "We should be returning," he murmured, not sounding very worried.
"Indeed," Arwen agreed, equally nonchalant.
As they journeyed home, Aragorn realized he was in love with an elf.
"My sister, where did you learn to ride?" Elrohir asked, after losing to Arwen for the third time. "I doubt Lady Galadriel rides that way."
Arwen smiled enigmatically. Then she said, "I wish Trin were here. He actually gives something of a challenge."
"Trin still hasnot gotten over the fact that you didnot marry him," Elrohir joked. Actually, Trinnyn had gotten over it years ago, but it was still a running joke between Arwen and her brothers.
"Trin fell in love with you?" Aragorn asked incredulously, not being able to stop himself.
"Well, you know little children are all the same. You be nice to them when everyone else is teasing them, and they think you're in love," Arwen explained, matter-of-factly.
"He followed her around like a puppy dog for years before he finally realized she wasnot going to marry him," Elrohir added.
"Plus, how can anyone not fall in love with you?" Elladan asked his sister with a wry grin. He turned to Aragorn. "Right, Estel?"
"Well, I…um…er…right," Aragorn muttered, blushing. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
For a few moments, an awkward silence hung over the four.
"Did I say something wrong?" Elladan asked, looking very confused.
"Race you back to the house!" Arwen shouted, galloping back toward Imladris, effectively changing the topic.
"Hey! That's not fair! You got a head start!" Elrohir exclaimed, racing after his sister.
The matter was dropped … for the moment.
Aragorn approached Arwen hesitantly. The elf was packing the last of her bags onto her horse. Although Aragorn stepped lightly, the elf's sharp ears still picked up the faint sound.
Arwen turned around slowly to face the man. "Is there anything you wanted to tell me?"
"I cannot help it. I simply must know, do you love me?" Aragorn asked, before he could stop himself.
"Estel, my father loves you, my brothers love you, how could I not …" Arwen trailed off when she realized what she was saying.
"So you do love me," the man murmured.
"Estel, I … need time to think about it."
Aragorn leaned over and kissed Arwen. He was relieved to find she didnot resist. In fact, she kissed him back, for what seemed like an eternity. Then, she pulled away from him, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"We really shouldnot have…" she murmured.
Aragorn shrugged slightly.
"Farewell," Arwen called, and walked her horse down toward Rivendell's main gates, leaving.
Aragorn stared after her longingly. Suddenly, his reveries were interrupted by Elrohir and Elladan. "What were you two doing?" the elder twin inquired.
"I … um… well you kiss Arwen, too," Aragorn stammered defensively.
"Not like that. Estel, what is going on between you two?" Elladan demanded.
"I love Arwen," Aragorn confessed.
"Well, of course, we all love Arwen," Elrohir agreed, clearly not understanding.
"No, you donot understand. I'm in love with Arwen," Aragorn explained, he couldnot think of any other way of saying it.
"You have been for a long time, haveyounot?" Elladan accused.
"Yes, ever since I met her," Aragorn admitted.
"But, she is your sister!" Elladan exclaimed.
Aragorn had thought about that before, but they hadnot really been raised together, and hadnot even met before a few days ago. And he definitely didnot think of her only as a sister. "She is not truly my sister."
"Oh. As in we're not truly your brothers anymore?" Elladan asked, hurt making his voice a bit sharper than he intended.
"I am sorry! I did not mean for this to happen. I did not ask to fall in love with Arwen," Aragorn retorted. How could this have all gone so wrong? He turned and strode toward the woods. He needed time to think, too. Alone.
Elladan and Elrohir glanced at each other.
"El, I still understand not. Did our little brother just say that has fallen in love with our sister?" Elrohir couldnot believe this had happened. How could they have been so blind?
"I cannot believe Estel didnot tell us! He has always told us everything. Are we no longer hisbrothers?" Elladan wondered.
"Arwen didnot tell us either," Elrohir remarked. "Why didour little sister not tell us? Plus, we could both tell they were hiding something. Why did we not ask?"
"Well, I for one never expected their secret to be something like this."
Arwen packed her few possessions onto Asfaloth, and nimbly mounted her steed. Asfaloth was actually Glorfindel's mare, but he had allowed her to borrow her for her trip back to Lothlórien. Arwen really liked the horse, and thought that Asfaloth probably secretly liked her better than Glorfindel, for Glorfindel was always off doing some heroic deed and somehow always managed to injure his mount. A small half-smile flitted across Arwen's lips as she remembered their most recent escapade. Asfaloth had come galloping through the gate and had halted abruptly as she saw Arwen and had even managed to throw Glorfindel. Glorfindel had of course been furious. Arwen wrenched her mind back to the present and murmured to her horse and they galloped off toward the Golden Wood.
Arwen thought about the recent happenings, seeing her brothers and father again, but mostly meeting her foster brother, Estel. Their situation was nowhere near as simple as Trinnyn's; she had funny a feeling inside, and there was no shaking it off. She wondered what was happening to her and why she had let him kiss her like that.
She already knew that Elrond would be displeased. Now, she could only hope that after staying in the fair forest of Lothlórien for a hundred years or so, she could finally find peace in her heart.
Elrond waited. He had requested that the twins tell Estel to come to his study if they saw him. Knowing his son, Elrond knew Estel would eventually show up. He hadnot bothered to send anyone to look for the young man for ever since he turned sixteen, Estel had been nigh impossible to find if he did not with to be.
Elrond stared out the window, watching the leaves fall. Was always destined to love and lose? His wife had passed into the Undying Lands. His brother, his twin, had chosen a mortal life. Was he to lose Arwen to the same fate?
Elrond also knew that ever since he had been a very small child, Estel had been afraid that he wasnot strong enough. It had been hard for him as a human to fit in among the elves. Estel had always been self-doubting.
Elrond turned toward the door as he sensed a familiar presence. Elrond took a deep breath. This was going to be one of the hardest talks he would ever have. He wished he did not always have to make such difficult, no impossible decisions.
The door opened slowly revealing Estel.
Aragorn sat down, waiting for the elf-lord to say something.
"Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Lord of the Dúnadain, listen to me!" Elrond started, his voice serious.
Aragorn tensed. Elrond did not normally use his full name and title.
Elrond seemed to sense the human's apprehension and softened his tone somewhat. "Estel ... you know I love you. You are a man in your own right now by the standards of your race, and I cannot tell you what to do and what not to do. But I would that you hear me on this. A great doom awaits you, either to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin. Many years of trial lie before you. You shall neither have a wife, nor bind any woman to you in troth, until your time comes and you are found worthy of it."
Aragorn felt he could not breathe.
Elrond knew.
Aragorn had always known this would come. He had always wanted his father's love and approval, but he knew that Elrond would eventually have to choose between his adopted child and the children of his blood. He would never regret meeting Arwen, or even falling in love with her, but he hated himself for being human. All that he knew and loved was Elven, and he could never truly be able to be a part of it.
"My brothers have spoken to you?"
Elrond sighed, but favored the young man across from him with a small, sad smile. "No indeed, although I suspected they knew something. They have been all together too quiet since their sister's departure. Aragorn, your own eyes have betrayed you. For I see many things and sometimes can read the hearts of men. But I do not speak of my daughter alone. You shall be betrothed to no man's child as yet. But as for Arwen the Fair, Lady of Imladris and of Lórien, Evenstar of her people, she is of a lineage greater than yours, and she has lived in the world already so long that to her you are but a yearling shoot beside a young birch of many summers." Elrond shook his head slowly.
He continued on relentlessly, as if he thought that if he stopped, he would not be able to start again. "I mean you no shame my son when I say that she is too far above you. And so, I think, it may seem to her as well."
Aragorn noticed that Elrond had looked away slightly and felt as if a part of his heart was getting torn out. Elrond did not even wish to look upon him anymore.
Elrond turned back toward his son. "Even if it were not so, and her heart turned towards you, and she loved you in the same way you, her, I should still be grieved because of the doom that is laid on us."
"What doom is that?" Aragorn asked quietly, willing his voice not to break.
"That so long as I abide here, she shall live with the youth of the Eldar," answered Elrond, "and when I depart, she may go with me, if she so chooses."
Aragorn looked down at his hands. "I see that I have turned my eyes to a treasure no less dear than the treasure of Thingol that Beren once desired," he said quietly, his heart tearing further. Then, suddenly the foresight of his kindred came to him, and he said, "The years of your abiding run short at last, and the choice must soon be laid on your children, to part either with you or Middle-earth. Bitter are the choices that come to us in such times."
"Truly," Elrond's voice was quiet, yet seemed like cold steel, slicing through Aragorn's heart. "Soon as we account it, though many years of men must still pass. But there will be no choice before my beloved Arwen, unless you, Aragorn Arathorn's son, come between us and bring one of us, you or me, to a bitter parting beyond the end of the world. You do not know yet what you desire of me." Elrond sighed and gazed into the distance. After a while, looking gravely back at Aragorn, he said, "The years will bring what they will. We will speak no more of this until many have passed. The days darken, and much evil is to come."
Aragorn blinked. He could feel tears begin to gather in his eyes. Why did everything always have to turn out so wrong? Why did he always ruin everything?
"I am sorry, A–, Master Elrond." Aragorn doubted he still had the right to call Elrond his father. "May I leave now?"
Elrond turned toward the window and nodded slowly.
Aragorn left and closed the door behind him. The sound was hollow, like how he felt inside. He felt so hollow he did not notice the single tear that slid down Elrond's cheek.
Elladan and Elrohir walked quickly down the path toward Estel who was readying the last of his supplies. "Estel wait for us!" Elrohir shouted.
"Not this time, Ro," Aragorn replied. He needed some time alone to sort out his feelings. He hoped his brothers, no, not his brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, would understand.
"Estel, just stay a little longer," Elladan pleaded.
"Elladan, I'm growing up. I cannot have you two constantly looking after me!" Frustration was making him harsher than he meant. "Look, I did not mean it that way. I know you only want me to be safe, but … I just want to be alone this time, okay?" He turned and left down the road without a further word. He was afraid that if he stayed longer, he would just make the situation worse. He always did.
Elladan watched his little brother's receding back, watched until he could see Estel no longer. He wished he could do something, but Estel was not a little child anymore. Elrohir and he could not just bring Estel back and hug him and tell him that they loved him. Finally, he turned to Elrohir. "What can we do? We certainly cannot follow Estel."
"El, I guess all we can do is wait."
Elladan and Elrohir headed back to the house. They walked up the stairs, and Elladan found himself in Estel's room. He noticed something glittering on the pillow. He picked it up and examined in. He felt a lump gather in throat and swallowed hard; it was the ring of Barahir. "I cannot believe he left this," Elladan murmured. "Estel has not taken that off since he learned whom he was. You know, sometimes I wish we had not stumbled upon Estel and Arwen kissing. Then none of this would have happened."
Elvish Translations
Ada – dad
Hilya – follow
Adar – father
Mae carnen – well done
Havo dad – sit down