Disclaimer: None of these characters or concepts are mine. They belong to Tolkien.
I got the idea for this after reading Larner's story 'An Enemy Made.'
This is part of the 'Ringbearer' series.
Other stories in this series are in order:
Ringbearer
Farewell
The Valar
I would wish you well
Loose End
Dark Soul
October 24th
The Gardens of Imladris
As the Hobbit approached the glen he heard Arwen's soft voice, "Renech i lu i erui govannen?"
"Nauthannem i ned ol reniannen." Aragorn's voice.
Ahead he could see the two standing together. He stopped and watched from the shadows.
"Gwenwin in enninath"…Arwen reached out and gently touched the Ranger's brow. U-arnech in naeth i si celich."
"Renech i beth i pennen?" she asked.
"You said you'd bind yourself to me. Forsaking the immortal life of your people," Aragorn replied.
"And to that I hold," Arwen whispered. "I would rather share one lifetime with you than face
all the ages of this world alone."
She gave him something and whispered, "I choose a mortal life."
The Ranger stared at what she gave him, "You cannot give me this!"
"It is mine to give to whom I will…." Arwen replied, "like my heart."
They kissed.
Unnoticed by them the Hobbit turned away and silently made his way back toward the house.
"I would wish you both well," he said softly into the air, "but I wish for nothing, as I hope for nothing.
The hobbit I once was knew the beginnings of a love not unlike what you share. But he is dead
and what he hoped for will never be.
"It is in his memory that I say- if you are fortunate you will not face all the ages of this world alone,
Daughter of Elrond. If you are fortunate you will be spared my fate.
In the glen, Arwen thought she heard a cold whisper. "Hold on to what happiness you can,
Daughter of Elrond. For it is something that I will never know."
Language Notes
Renech i lu i erui govannen?
Do you remember when we first met?
Nauthannem i ned ol reniannen.
I thought I had strayed into a dream.
Gwenwin in enninath…
Long years have passed.
U-arnech in naeth i si celich.
You did not have the cares you carry now.
Renech i beth i pennen?
Do you remember what I told you?