Hello, whoever may be reading this (and I really hope someone is)! This is my first fanfic so I'm not sure how it's going to go, but I promise I'll do my best :) Of course, it's not canon, but don't take it too seriously – it's just my own little twist on LotR… please read on!

Chapter 1 – The Vision

Arwen stroked the snow-silk neck of her horse. It calmed her, helped her to confront the thoughts that rapidly grew in her mind. Traitor. She willed the thought to leave her be but still it came back, louder every time. You chose a mortal life. You broke your promise. She stiffened. He wanted this. He wanted me to leave, she thought, but it sounded weak and piteous. At last she gave up and let the thoughts taunt her as they pleased. She felt tiredness wash over her, an unusual feeling for any elf. The thoughts slowly faded away, and she felt herself sink into sleep… well, at least of a sort. Elvish sleep was not like a mortals sleep, when you would be oblivious to everything unless waken.

When she let herself wake, she realised it was a lot colder than earlier. With that she jumped back into full consciousness – she had never felt this cold before, even in the lightest of clothing. Now here she was, wrapped in several layers of velvety material, and she felt cold.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Came a voice from just behind her. She turned to find Lindir looking at her with a worried expression etched onto his usually relaxed face. She always felt the young elf knew her far too well.

"Yes, thank you, Lindir", she replied, trying to sound emotionless and knowing even as she said the words she had failed. Lindir simply nodded and continued staring straight ahead of him, apparently deep in thought. A shiver ran through her spine, noticeable enough for several of the sharp-eyed elves around her to look at her with uneasy gazes. But no one spoke.

The voices came back, but no sleep came to relieve her now. She shivered again, icy chills numbing and stinging her skin. So, this is what it feels like to be mortal, she thought sadly. Then she saw it. The child. Running to a man… a man that had silvery grey hair but even in old age looked strong and healthy. As he turned around to embrace the child, Arwen let out a silent gasp. The man was Aragorn. Which must mean… it could not be anything other than… the child was her son. Undoubtedly. Even as Aragorn let out a delighted chuckle, the child turned his head. It seemed to be looking into her heart, her soul, her mind. And she realised that the child would never see the light of the world if she continued.

No, she told herself, even as she fought the urge to turn around and return to Rivendell, the mortal world, and eventually, Aragorn. She needed to talk with her father. That was what stopped her. If she returned, she would never seek the Elven-home again. Her father would lose her forever, and her brothers, too. They had sworn to follow her to whatever fate, even if it meant mortality and death. The three of them would never see their mother again, and would be truly alone in the world; save for the fading remains of their kin, slowly melting into the shadows even as the world changed around them. They would be grief-stricken, forgotten by the mortal world, to remain – perhaps forever – in darkness. The truth was, she had no idea of her fate if she remained. She would follow Aragorn, but what of Elladan and Elrohir? She could not leave them – nor her father, she realised. She must continue.

"Lady Arwen, we cannot delay", said Lindir, softly. She turned her grave eyes on him, trusting herself at last to look into another's at last. Then she nodded. It was only a small gesture, but it told Lindir everything that he needed to know. Arwen would not turn back. His face was everything from relieved to anxious… of course, everyone knew she loved Aragorn, so much it was painful, but she could not choose one man over her kin. It would be betrayal. Slowly, she nudged her horse forwards again. The chill that had spread over her body eased a little. Her eyes gained a shadow of their former sparkle. The decision was made. It could never be changed now, but it would not have been any different if she had decided to stay. Even as the party moved forwards, she knew in her heart that even if she loved Aragorn for all eternity, she had made the right choice.

So how did you like it? Very short, I know, but it's the first chapter so maybe I can be forgiven :P Anyways, please R&R, it would mean a lot to me! :)