Song of the Sea
Summary: Can Arwen resist the song of the sea?
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings belongs to Tolkien, and I do not own it in any way. I do own Nelira, though. Go me!
A/N: This is sort of AU. If you're going to read this, you'll have to accept that in this version Arwen is still able to go to Valinor, although she is mortal and married.
This is dedicated to Sadie (b-witched83uk), the High Queen of the Noldor, for founding the SJC group. All bow down to her! Read her fics!
By the way, Sadie, I'm punishing myself for snatching the precious back by locking myself in a cage and setting him free. I threw the key into the Anduin. Am I forgiven? bows and bangs head against bars of cage while trying not to think of Aragorn
And so it begins…
Sunlight glints off the three Elven ships resting on the water. The sea holds the ships solemnly, waiting for them to depart with all their passengers, leaving Middle Earth to mourn their loss.
Hundreds of Elves fill the harbor, quietly making their way to the ships. Elves from all three realms join together to go to Valinor.
I lean back against Aragorn. He was raised among Elves, and he feels the pain of their departure as deeply as I do. He sighs as his gray eyes roam over the passengers. We have come to see them off, as these ships will be among the last to leave Middle Earth.
I feel an insistent tugging on my right hand and look down into the bright face of Eldarion, our son. "Naneth," he says. "Where are they going?"
"They are going to Valinor, the havens beyond the sea," I reply, bending down to scoop up his four-year-old frame.
"Why are they going there?" he asks, seeking an answer he can understand.
"All Elves can go there. It's a special place for them," I answer, searching for a better response.
"It's a beautiful place where everyone is happy," Aragorn tells Eldarion.
"Even prettier than Minas Tiwith?" Eldarion asks, stumbling slightly over the city's name. I smile at him, my gaze falling on the Elves marching to the ships.
"Even prettier than Minas Tirith," Aragorn says reluctantly, burying his Gondorian pride.
Eldarion bounces excitedly in my arms. "Let's go there!" he cries. "I want to see it!"
Aragorn laughs and pulls his hair up, revealing his ear. "Only pointy eared folk can go to Valinor," he explains.
Eldarion looks in dismay at his father's round ear, then feels his own, noting the tiny tip. "Mine's a little pointy," he murmurs. He reaches a pudgy hand up to my ear. "Naneth, you have pointy ears!" he informs me happily. "Let's go to Valinor!"
"We cannot go to Valinor," I explain.
"But your ears…" Eldarion says, confused.
"When I married your Ada I gave up my chance to go there," I say apologetically.
"Why?"
"Because I love your Ada, and I would rather live in Gondor than in Valinor," I say patiently. Aragorn smiles at me.
"You shouldn't have married him, then," Eldarion says sadly. "I want to go to Valinor."
I burst out laughing, and Aragorn grins. "You would rather go to Valinor than have me as your Ada?" he asks, tickling our son.
"No-no! I want- you as my Ada!" Eldarion shrieks, squirming away from his father's hands.
"That's good. Because you really don't have much choice," Aragorn says, taking Eldarion from my arms.
In the crowd of Elven faces, I spot one I remember well. "Nelira!"
A pretty, golden haired Elf maiden raises her clear blue eyes to see who has called her. "Nelira!" I shout again, waving. Smiling confidently, she weaves through the throng of departing Elves.
"Arwen! What are you doing here?" Nelira asks, giving me the playful grin I know so well from my younger years. She eyes Aragorn and Eldarion. "Surely you are not leaving?"
I stare in disbelief at my friend. We were playmates when I still lived in Rivendell, but I have not seen her for a least five centuries. It's amazing that even she knows of my marriage and my son.
'No, I'm not leaving. I'm only here to see everyone off," I explain. "But you are?"
Nelira nods her head proudly. "I'm finally going," she says softly, avoiding my eyes.
As young Elves, all the games we played together revolved around Valinor. We were to wed Elf lords, then go to the Undying Lands. Men were never part of our games, and neither were children. We were going to live in bliss, away from the world's troubles. Those games were disguises for actual plans to live in Valinor, and we both knew it.
Nelira smiles at Eldarion, who has become quite shy all of a sudden. He wraps his arms around Aragorn's neck and whispers quite loudly to him, "There are no ladies as pretty as that in Gondor."
Aragorn catches my eye and whispers back, "I can think of one."
Nelira and I hide our giggles, glad Eldarion has broken the tense moment. Our childhood games were plans that we had made without any thought of what could change them. Nelira must complete our games alone.
"I hope your journey is safe," I tell her. Before I can continue I hear a strange wisp of song in my ears. It stops as quickly as it came. "And I hope you find Valinor as beautiful as it is said to be!" I say.
She laughs, and I hear the strange music again, this time growing louder. I hear a single horn, blaring out a song that makes me think of an exotic dance. It is joined by another horn, and the song manipulates itself into the sound of the ocean.
And with every new note I feel desire burning in me, and my eyes are held by the sea.
So, what did you think? I haven't written the second chapter yet, but I will as soon as I consult with someone. Thanks for reading!