Aragorn's Sorrow
By EmptyWord

Author's Notes: Bear with the long, overwhelming descriptions, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is the property of John Ronald Reuel Tolkein, Christopher Tolkein, Allen & Unwin, Ballantine Books, Houghton-Mifflin, and innumerable others. My name does not appear anywhere on the list. No monetary profit is intended in the writing of this story.

Chapter One: Away For Too Long

The red haze of a new dawn spread gradually over the lightening sky. The moon was now barely visible, a faint outline of last night's beauty. Purple clouds streaked the sky, blending with the early morning. Warm currents of air swept through the trees and the leaves rustled, a couple dancing to the ground.

Arwen Undomiel stood at the edge of her home, at the brink between forest and meadow. Rivendell, with its tall, slender trees and mystical beauty lay behind her, while foreign land, with its wild, uncombed brambles and raw strength stretched on before her. Her gaze traveled from the earth she knew so well to the pale reaches of the horizon. Her whole life she had spent within the confines of her father's kingdom, Rivendell, an Elf city of peace and wonder. Yet, despite the beauty and peace of Rivendell, she had longed for years, for decades, for centuries, to leave the safety and perfection of her home. She had been curious about the outside world, about its troubles, its grief, its joys, its life. Always she wondered.

Then, that fateful day two decades or so ago, her life was suddenly connected to that outside world. For from it had come Estel. Estel, the mortal man who had fascinated her from the start. She had been so curious, so eager to learn of the outside world. How could she not be attracted by this man from the object of all her wondering? From then on, she had gotten closer to him. And beneath that mask of strength, staidness, and unruliness, she had found a torrent of strong, raw emotions. She fell for him that instant. That knowledge that he was human. Likewise, he loved her back. It was so perfect. However, her father refused to marry his daughter off to anyone so inexperienced in the ways of the world. Though the Lord Elrond was a wise, kind, generous Elf-lord, he was set in different standards when it came to his beloved daughter.

So it was that Aragorn son of Arathorn, known as "Estel" to the Elves, and the descendent of Elendil, the old king of Gondor, set off to become a Ranger, and eventually take up his rightful kingship, in order to gain Elrond's approval. Patiently, Arwen had waited, waited for so many years. She trusted in their love and waited for the day to come when "the crownless again shall be king".

Two years ago, he had returned, for the last of his quests. Nine were chosen to take the One Ring to the realm of Mordor, he included among them. It had been such a brief visit, after so long a time. She was grieved when he left again; for this time, the peril was greater than any other journey he had ever made. She believed in him, but she could not believe with certainty that he could escape death. Many tears had fallen from her sad, quiet eyes each night. Often, she stood where she was now, gazing across the land, so dark then, straining her Elf eyes for a glimpse of him, tall and triumphant. And he did not fail her even then. He came back one day, tall and triumphant, crowned the king of Gondor. She could not have been more proud of him that day.

Arwen sighed wistfully. He had been away for so long. She had been desperate to be by his side once again. And for a while, she was. What happy days those had been! Each night, they walked together, side by side, the moonlight glistening in her black hair. All those days of absence were made up for and she could finally think of him without worrying for his safety. But he was the new king of Gondor and already, heavy matters pressed him to return to his kingdom. He had left again.

A forlorn smile graced her lips, the only indication of her inward turmoil. She was left to wait again. To get up before the sunrise and rush to the edge of Rivendell, hoping with all she had to see him returning. Arwen didn't think even she was that strong. Though she was an Elf with incredible inner strength, she didn't think that even she would be strong enough to endure such heartbreak. Why had not Aragorn taken a single day off to come visit her? Why had he not even sent a messenger to keep her informed of his activities? Arwen dreaded to think of the answers. She dared not believe that he had abandoned her and maybe even...turned to another woman; yet, day and night, she suffered these thoughts, drowning in misery. If it hadn't been for Heled, she didn't know what would have become of her all this time.

Heled. Now there was an Elf she could rely on. He was tall and slender, charming and bold, graceful and swift, the fairy-tale prince that would sweep away the breath of every maiden. Every time she saw him, he had that cheerful smile on his face, words of comfort to give to her weary soul. It was he who had held her through those days of despair, when Aragorn had left with the Ring for Mordor. It was his shoulder that she would cry on. It was only he who would see her true emotions pour out from her heart. Countless times she had looked for him and he had always been there. It seemed he was waiting for her almost, just as she would wait for Aragorn. Never once had he caused her any pain, only brought solace and joy.

Arwen felt a tear slip from her eyes. Estel, Estel... She called silently. You come too late...if you come at all. Forgive me, Estel...I am so sorry, my love... It is time for us to say good-bye. I cannot bear the pain you bring. I seek for the joy he gives.

King Elessar Telcontar, otherwise known as Aragorn, rubbed his eyes wearily. He frowned down at the page, which stared back up at him, offering no consolation.

It was already dawn and he had not yet slept a wink, burdened as he was by his work. Many letters needed to be read and replies to be sent. The Rohirrim horsemen were waiting for his decision on some land issue. Gandalf was currently at Rohan, helping to settle the matter, but he could not stay there for long. A new watchtower was being built on Weathertop and Gandalf was needed there to supervise the project. Much of the farmlands all around Gondor had been ravaged during the war and Aragorn was the one expected to provide enough for the people of Gondor. Not to mention all the dead who needed to be buried. The Great Funeral was to be held in a day's time and he had yet to get all the deceased into their rightful coffins. Then, there was the cost of everything. The aftermath of war was such a busy time!

Aragorn sighed. He knew quite well that despite all the complications, he was not expected to work through the night and into the morning. Yes, the kingdom of Gondor meant very much to him, but he was not stupid. He knew that he needed rest in order to continue on. But it wasn't for his people that he worked so hard. It was for Arwen. He knew that he owed her quite a bit. She had waited so long for him. And now he was away again. Aragorn straightened himself. No, he would not make her wait anymore. He would finish all his business here as quickly as he could, even if it meant more sleepless nights. Then, he would take the freshest horse and ride for Rivendell. They could get married there, and if she approved, he would bring her back to Gondor, where they could live until the end of his days.

A slight smile curved his lips at the pleasant thought, but he did not allow himself more than a second to dwell on the matter. He would spend time with her later. For now, he could not bear to make her wait on him like this.

His stormy eyes fell upon the papers again. Though he was sleepy, he began working with a new fervor.

A pair of green eyes peered at the king through a crack in the doorway. Legolas Greenleaf smiled compassionately. He had been instructed to stay at Gondor for a while with his father, who was there to issue an alliance with King Elessar. Unlike most, Legolas knew the king well enough to understand the main reason for his hard working. Aragorn's devotion to Arwen truly touched the Elf prince. However, Legolas knew that one could not live on love alone and he worried for his friend.

Coming to a decision, Legolas gently pushed the door open and glided into the room on his soundless Elven feet. He smiled again as he realized the king was too engrossed in his work to notice. It was not often that one could take a Ranger by surprise, even if that one should be an Elf.

"You are too occupied, King Elessar," Legolas said softly. "I wish you would remember the dangers."

Aragorn's head jerked up and he leapt to his feet in an instant, his hand already upon the hilt of his sword, Anduril. When he saw Legolas standing with a half-smile, he immediately relaxed, saying, "I'm afraid you took me by surprise, Legolas."

Legolas bowed ever so slightly. "You are out of practice then, my king. I hope this kingly life will not cushion your years as a Ranger."

Aragorn smiled, his haggard expression lightening. "Oh Legolas, my name is Aragorn. Why must you seek to annoy me by consistently calling me by my title. What has happened to those years of friendship? And I will agree to being out of practice, my friend, but may I warn you to watch your tongue in speaking that I live a kingly life." His eyes twinkled. "Or do sleepless nights and stacks of paperwork "cushion" my years as a Ranger, as you say?"

"Ah, but you do live the life of a king now, do you not?" Legolas challenged good-naturally. "The life of a king is not so very pleasant all the time, as you are realizing, Aragorn."

"Indeed, it is not," was the other's tired answer. "But I never expected it to be. Small love have I ever born for kingship and the efforts it requires to rule. But for Arwen I have agreed to be king, so king I am."

Legolas grinned at the way his friend's eyes would sparkle when he mentioned the beautiful Elf lady's name. "You love her more than anything, Aragorn. Why do you meddle in Gondor's affairs when you can be by her side?" His eyes were soft as he gazed at the king.

Aragorn shook his head. "I cannot forsake Gondor, or Arnor for that matter. They are the kingdoms of my forefathers. Is it not my duty to look after them with care? Gondor has lost much of its glory through the ages, Legolas. It is my duty to have that glory returned to it during my reign. I have hated responsibility for far too long. Now that I have promised to take on this task, I must keep it."

The Elf was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, it was with a teasing lilt. "Only you could be so noble and selfless, Aragorn. It is doubtless you are the true king of Gondor and Arnor."

The king made a murmur of protest and waved the statement aside with his hand. "I have much to learn yet though."

"And much to do," Legolas commented, eyeing the papers scattered across the counter. His eyes returned to his friend, brimming with concern. "Nevertheless, Aragorn, I suggest you get a full night's rest once in a while. You will work yourself to death like this. And how can you expect Arwen to be happy with a dead king?"

He seemed about to object, but then thought better of it. "Perhaps you are right, my friend," said Aragorn. "Despite how strongly my love burns, I need to return to my senses." He looked to the heap of papers again.

Legolas reached out a pale, slim hand and took the king's darker, callused hand within his own. "No, Aragorn," he said firmly. "That can wait. Breakfast first."

Aragorn's sigh was long and drained. He followed his friend out of his private chambers and headed down the halls, a thought ringing thunderously in his mind: What about Arwen? I've been away for so long...

Finally, the end! Of this chapter anyway. Reviews would be appreciated!!