Obligatory Disclaimer----yes, yes, I know and you know and everyone knows
who owns what. None of the characters are mine, as this is simply a fill-
in scene Tolkien hinted at but did not write. The inspiration for this
story is quoted and attributed properly.
A/N----I know squat about Elvish. I've got memorized maybe three things, including the "star shines" line everyone knows. Thus, I will not dishonor the language by attempting to write in it. No "ada" for "daddy", no other Sindarin pet names. Simply assume Arwen, the twins and Elrond are speaking their native language. If anyone is interested in translating the dialog to Elvish, feel free. Just email me the results, as I am in awe of anyone who actually speaks, reads and writes properly in the language.
Bitter Parting
"....and Arwen Evenstar remained also, and she said farewell to her brethren. None saw her last meeting with Elrond her father, for they went up into the hills and spoke long together, and bitter was their parting that should endure beyond the ends of the world." ----Return of the King, pg 955-56
Elrohir and Elladan are in good spirits. Some would find this surprising, given the circumstances, but I know my brothers well. Their hearts hold infinite acceptance, even for choices they do not approve. I know they would not be parted from me in this manner, had they their way. But they also know my love for Estel is true. As they would not be parted from each other, so I will not be parted from my love. And so brothers and sister must be sundered for all time. It is a melancholy parting, but not a bitter one. The twins know I am happy, thus, they are happy for me.
Elrohir grins impishly at me. I suspect he has a tickle in mind. Sure enough, my brother abruptly grabs me around the waist and tickles mercilessly. I laugh and bat feebly at his hands, not truly wanting him to stop. Elrohir has tickled me since I was tiny. He adores it, more so because he knows how much I loathe it. This time, however, knowing that it is the last time, I do not want him to stop. But he does. He does not let me go, though. Rather, he pulls me into a rough hug.
"So, Little Glimmer, this is goodbye," Elrohir murmurs into my hair. Though I bore the name Undomiel from birth, as a child my brothers did not think I was big enough for such a grand nomenclature. The nickname brings tears to my eyes. I pull away from Elrohir before I lose my composure altogether.
Elladan stands stiffly next to him, stoic as always. How very like Estel he is! Though I should properly say Estel is like Elladan, for I know my love patterned his stern demeanor on that of my brother. I was not there when Aragorn was a child, a fact I never know whether to regret or rejoice, but I have heard many stories. Elrohir delights in making both his brothers blush with tales of imitation and irritation. Oh, I will miss those!
I will have none of Elladan's stern elf-lord routine. I launch myself at him, grabbing him in as rough a hug as Elrohir gave me. I care not for dignity, or appearances. I want to hold my elder brother one last time.
Elladan wraps his arms around me. I can feel him trembling with suppressed emotion. He has never been one to voice his feelings, or show them in any way if he can avoid it, but I have always been able to tell what he hiding. Now, he is hiding a terrible grief, and I am the cause. Elladan's silence, even more then Elrohir's endearment, breaks through my fragile self-control. I weep.
"Shh, Arwen, please, do not cry," Elladan whispers into my hair. Elrohir strokes my back, adding his comfort to his twin's.
How can I leave them? These are my brothers, blood of my blood. I have loved them longer than Rohan has existed as a country. Never in all those long years did I expect to be parted from them this way. Now I will never see them again. Never endure Elrohir's pranks. Never tease Elladan for his stoicism. Never know their support when I have done something to displease Father. Never share memories of Mother. They have given me so much, and in return, I abandon them. Even for my beloved Estel, I cannot do this. But it is too late to change my mind. So I weep for what I have done.
My brothers let me cry for a few minutes. Then Elladan holds me at arms length. Elrohir stands shoulder-to-shoulder with him, and I am struck by how alike they look. They regard me with identical expressions. I do not tell the twins that I regret, but they know my mood anyway. I sniffle as the silence lengthens.
Finally, Elladan speaks. "You have made the right choice, Little Glimmer," he reassures me. "You and Estel are meant for each other. All can see it, even at a single glance. You glowed with happiness at your wedding, Sister."
"We know you will miss us, even as we will miss you," Elrohir continues when Elladan falls silent. "But think on this, and tell me truly: Would you not wither and die without Estel, even in the Undying Lands?"
I have no answer for that. I know he speaks the truth. Elrohir has always been adept at getting to the heart of my hurts. Now, as ever, he says exactly what I need to hear to heal. I nod, and force a smile. "But I will miss you so!"
"We know, Arwen. We know. But you will be happier this way. And I know you will not forget us," Elrohir replies. Elladan nods his agreement.
"No one could forget you!" I cry, pulling them both into another hug. "Be well, my brothers. Take care of yourselves, and our parents."
"And you, Little Glimmer, take care of Estel. You know he is useless without an elf around to help him," Elrohir teases.
"Since we must leave, you will have to bear this burden alone, Arwen. I wish you luck. You will need it," Elladan adds, his rare humor shining through.
"That I will, my brother! You have no idea what a handful that man is!" I laugh. The melancholy mood is broken. My brothers and I will part on a happy note.
I kiss them both farewell. They smile, and kiss me back. "I love you both, and always will."
"As we love you, and always will. Be well, Arwen, and never regret your choice. You have made the right one," Elrohir speaks for both twins. Elladan ruffles my hair, then my dear brothers take their leave. I sigh. I will miss them.
A/N----I know squat about Elvish. I've got memorized maybe three things, including the "star shines" line everyone knows. Thus, I will not dishonor the language by attempting to write in it. No "ada" for "daddy", no other Sindarin pet names. Simply assume Arwen, the twins and Elrond are speaking their native language. If anyone is interested in translating the dialog to Elvish, feel free. Just email me the results, as I am in awe of anyone who actually speaks, reads and writes properly in the language.
Bitter Parting
"....and Arwen Evenstar remained also, and she said farewell to her brethren. None saw her last meeting with Elrond her father, for they went up into the hills and spoke long together, and bitter was their parting that should endure beyond the ends of the world." ----Return of the King, pg 955-56
Elrohir and Elladan are in good spirits. Some would find this surprising, given the circumstances, but I know my brothers well. Their hearts hold infinite acceptance, even for choices they do not approve. I know they would not be parted from me in this manner, had they their way. But they also know my love for Estel is true. As they would not be parted from each other, so I will not be parted from my love. And so brothers and sister must be sundered for all time. It is a melancholy parting, but not a bitter one. The twins know I am happy, thus, they are happy for me.
Elrohir grins impishly at me. I suspect he has a tickle in mind. Sure enough, my brother abruptly grabs me around the waist and tickles mercilessly. I laugh and bat feebly at his hands, not truly wanting him to stop. Elrohir has tickled me since I was tiny. He adores it, more so because he knows how much I loathe it. This time, however, knowing that it is the last time, I do not want him to stop. But he does. He does not let me go, though. Rather, he pulls me into a rough hug.
"So, Little Glimmer, this is goodbye," Elrohir murmurs into my hair. Though I bore the name Undomiel from birth, as a child my brothers did not think I was big enough for such a grand nomenclature. The nickname brings tears to my eyes. I pull away from Elrohir before I lose my composure altogether.
Elladan stands stiffly next to him, stoic as always. How very like Estel he is! Though I should properly say Estel is like Elladan, for I know my love patterned his stern demeanor on that of my brother. I was not there when Aragorn was a child, a fact I never know whether to regret or rejoice, but I have heard many stories. Elrohir delights in making both his brothers blush with tales of imitation and irritation. Oh, I will miss those!
I will have none of Elladan's stern elf-lord routine. I launch myself at him, grabbing him in as rough a hug as Elrohir gave me. I care not for dignity, or appearances. I want to hold my elder brother one last time.
Elladan wraps his arms around me. I can feel him trembling with suppressed emotion. He has never been one to voice his feelings, or show them in any way if he can avoid it, but I have always been able to tell what he hiding. Now, he is hiding a terrible grief, and I am the cause. Elladan's silence, even more then Elrohir's endearment, breaks through my fragile self-control. I weep.
"Shh, Arwen, please, do not cry," Elladan whispers into my hair. Elrohir strokes my back, adding his comfort to his twin's.
How can I leave them? These are my brothers, blood of my blood. I have loved them longer than Rohan has existed as a country. Never in all those long years did I expect to be parted from them this way. Now I will never see them again. Never endure Elrohir's pranks. Never tease Elladan for his stoicism. Never know their support when I have done something to displease Father. Never share memories of Mother. They have given me so much, and in return, I abandon them. Even for my beloved Estel, I cannot do this. But it is too late to change my mind. So I weep for what I have done.
My brothers let me cry for a few minutes. Then Elladan holds me at arms length. Elrohir stands shoulder-to-shoulder with him, and I am struck by how alike they look. They regard me with identical expressions. I do not tell the twins that I regret, but they know my mood anyway. I sniffle as the silence lengthens.
Finally, Elladan speaks. "You have made the right choice, Little Glimmer," he reassures me. "You and Estel are meant for each other. All can see it, even at a single glance. You glowed with happiness at your wedding, Sister."
"We know you will miss us, even as we will miss you," Elrohir continues when Elladan falls silent. "But think on this, and tell me truly: Would you not wither and die without Estel, even in the Undying Lands?"
I have no answer for that. I know he speaks the truth. Elrohir has always been adept at getting to the heart of my hurts. Now, as ever, he says exactly what I need to hear to heal. I nod, and force a smile. "But I will miss you so!"
"We know, Arwen. We know. But you will be happier this way. And I know you will not forget us," Elrohir replies. Elladan nods his agreement.
"No one could forget you!" I cry, pulling them both into another hug. "Be well, my brothers. Take care of yourselves, and our parents."
"And you, Little Glimmer, take care of Estel. You know he is useless without an elf around to help him," Elrohir teases.
"Since we must leave, you will have to bear this burden alone, Arwen. I wish you luck. You will need it," Elladan adds, his rare humor shining through.
"That I will, my brother! You have no idea what a handful that man is!" I laugh. The melancholy mood is broken. My brothers and I will part on a happy note.
I kiss them both farewell. They smile, and kiss me back. "I love you both, and always will."
"As we love you, and always will. Be well, Arwen, and never regret your choice. You have made the right one," Elrohir speaks for both twins. Elladan ruffles my hair, then my dear brothers take their leave. I sigh. I will miss them.