AN: Still don't own Lord of the Rings, or anything from The Hobbit.
I'm so sorry for not updating much sooner; I could give a whole thing about life and whatever, but I won't.
Anyway: At last, Arwen and Aragorn meet!
One reviewer mentioned that the two met in Lothlorien in the books, but I felt it would make more sense for them to do so in Rivendell, for the sake of this story. I mean, this is fan fiction, after all, right?
Enjoy, and please don't forget to review!
Chapter 49: Family, Reunions and Fated Meetings:
For weeks, things were calm and blissful in Rivendell.
Arwen settled in with some difficulty -she had been gone for many years and more than a few things had changed in her absence. But she rose to the occasion, and soon took her rightful place as lady of the house again. This meant several duties were taken off of my shoulders and Gilraen's, but we didn't mind too much.
I was especially amused to see that both Arwen and Ranneth had taken a special interest in Gilraen's health. In fact, Arwen had pointedly asked Gilraen to explain everything new in the household to her, and the two often spent hours a day sitting and chatting together. Since it kept Gilraen from missing Aragorn too much, I didn't mind how she focused entirely on assisting Arwen in any way she could.
As for me, I had long returned to my studies in the library with Erestor, and to my fighting lessons with Glorfindel. My tutors refused to let my mind and body go to waste, and did their best to keep both in good shape.
Even though they were hard taskmasters, I was often given a day to rest, which I used to spend time with my sister, our handmaidens, and Gilraen. The five of us often went out on rides, picnics, swims, and even did embroidery, knitting, and stitching together -though more often than not, I ended up holding the yarn or sewing boxes while the others worked. My skills were nowhere near theirs, and I knew my limits.
Lord Elrond was beyond happy that we all got along together, and was relieved to see Gilraen's sadness fade, even just a little.
Then, one day, as the leaves began to change colors, Aragorn returned.
It was a bright, shining day, and Arwen had gone out with Ranneth, the Twins, and a few guards on a ride around the valley. Gilraen was busy tending to her duties, but I had mercifully been granted a day of rest, for Erestor was busy with Lord Elrond and Glorfindel had decided to accompany Arwen on her ride.
Thus, I was the only one free, and the very first to welcome my brother home.
Ethelwen was the one to bring me the message of his return, and I immediately rushed to the main entryway, where a tired-looking Aragorn stood, splattered up to his chest with mud. His shoulder-length dark hair hung in greasy clumps around his face, his boots left streaks on the clean floor, and he smelled as though he hadn't bathed since the day he left.
That did not stop me from wrapping him up in a tight hug, though.
"Ah, my dearest sister," he whispered into my ear as he embraced me. "I've missed you so."
"I've missed you, too," I whispered back, squeezing him tightly. "Your mother is working with the seamstresses today. I can have someone fetch her, if you like?"
Aragorn pulled away, unease shadowing his usually bright blue eyes. "I don't want to bother her," he softly replied, looking down at the floor. "I have caused her enough pain and suffering, I think."
Reaching out to place a hand under his chin, I forced him to look at me. "She knew that your family's past would cause great pain for both you and her," I gently reminded him. "I do not think she was quite prepared for how deeply she would feel it, but I believe she had been preparing for such a reaction from you for a very long time."
Instead of letting go, I gently caressed his cheek, his unshaved whiskers tickling my palm. "And I know she will be happy to see you. I think you've had many adventures that will have her eyes widening in alarm, or laughing at whatever foolishness you found yourself in. You can tell us all about it later."
I playfully rubbed the uneven, stubble beard that was growing on his chin. "Now, go to your room, young man, and clean yourself up while I have someone clean the floor. What will Lord Elrond say if he saw you like this, and the mess you've made?"
Aragorn gave a small laugh and hugged me again, getting more mud on me. Luckily, I was in one of my older outfits, and didn't care, but his playful act still made me squeal at the sight of my clothes after he released me.
I asked a passing servant to find someone to clean the floor, while I went to find Gilraen to tell her the news.
Somehow, I managed to convince Gilraen to wait until dinner to see her son. She had wanted to run to him immediately, but I persuaded her to wait.
"He needs to clean up; he is so covered in mud, I couldn't help but lecture him a little," I said, earning a smile from her. "And he will want to rest. Let him do so. There will be plenty of time to talk over the evening meal."
Ethelwen located me in Gilraen's rooms, and informed us that she had told Lord Elrond of Aragorn's arrival. "The Lady Arwen has just returned from her ride, and when she heard the news, she insisted that she dine in her quarters this evening, so that you may all enjoy a night alone with Aragorn. She will join you for the evening meal tomorrow night."
I could tell the waiting was torture for poor Gilraen, but she managed to hold herself together. I dressed for dinner her rooms, to keep her company, so I was there when Aragorn knocked on the door and slipped inside. He had trimmed his beard, and cleaned up before donning an outfit of olive green, trimmed with grey and black embroidery.
The small, strangled cry of joy that escaped Gilraen's mouth sent a bolt of sadness through my heart. Watching her embrace her son as he wrapped his arms around her waist almost had me in tears.
Not wanting to intrude, I quietly slipped outside onto the balcony. Trying not to listen, I still heard Aragorn softly speaking of how he had been angry when he left, and that he was still upset over his mother's secrecy.
"Nonetheless, I now realize that you were only trying to do your best to protect me," he gently told her, his voice full of love and warmth. "I came back so we could speak of it together."
I felt as though a great weight lifted off me. I had been tip-toeing on eggshells around Gilraen for weeks, trying to be an understanding friend, while hoping to distract her from thinking about her son. Now that he had returned, intending to talk things over, I felt great relief and joy, not only for myself, but for both mother and son.
"Allie," Aragorn called, "please come back inside."
Reentering the room, I was immediately pulled into a group hug. Aragorn was at least five inches taller than me, and I could feel the rough beard on his chin poking the top of my head.
"You've come in good time," Gilraen said, her voice cheerful for the first time in ages. "Lord Elrond's daughter, Lady Arwen, returned not long after you departed. She will not be at the evening meal, but the two of you will meet soon, no doubt."
My heart sank a little, as I realized what would happen. It was very likely that, within the next few days, the tragic romance of Aragorn and Arwen would start. Lord Elrond would, at best, disapprove of it; for certain, he would be extremely unhappy when he found out.
Even though I knew they would one day wed, it would be bittersweet; for Arwen would forsake the immortality of her people, to be forever parted from her father and brothers, as well as her mother and grandmother.
With the start of their romance, events for The War of the Ring would be set into motion. Darkness would rise, battles would be waged, and many lives would be cut short before evil was defeated. Good would triumph, but not without a great many losses and sacrifices along the way.
'How much pain and suffering will I be put through during the War?' I wondered, as Aragorn pulled back from our hug and asked to escort his mother to dinner. Would I make friends, only to lose them? How much pain would be inflicted upon my heart, body, mind and soul? Or would I miraculously emerge unscathed?
No, I doubted that last part. There would be pain, of that I was certain. But how much…well, only time would tell.
But right now, there was a meal to get through.
Dinner was blissfully uneventful, with Aragorn telling tales of his travels over the past few months. I don't think Gilraen took her eyes from his face the entire time he spoke.
Lord Elrond showed great interest in everything Aragorn had learned, and Lindir, who was attending to Lord Elrond, tried to look disinterested, though he was clearly the opposite.
Once the dishes were cleared, we sat sipping a cool after-dinner wine, while Lord Elrond peeled some fruit for all of us to nibble on. Gilraen, who hadn't spoken a word while her son had been talking, ate her way through her entire meal almost mechanically, clearly not tasting anything that touched her lips. Still, I could see she was happy, and that was all that mattered.
With a wave from Lord Elrond, the serving Elves departed, leaving us to finally have a private conversation. Aragorn seemed to want to ask something; however, he was clearly struggling to find the courage to speak. I gave him a reassuring smile, and he seemed to straighten up a little as he turned towards our adoptive father.
"My lord, I learned from my mother that there are certain objects in your possession that belong to my family," Aragorn said, eyes turning towards the empty spot on the table in front of him.
I watched as our father took a sip of his wine, then slowly set his cup down. "I do," Lord Elrond admitted. "The Ring of Barahir and the Shards of Narsil, as well as the Sceptre of Annúminas. Before you depart once more, I shall bestow the Ring upon you, that you may gaze upon it and remember into which family you were born. The Shards will remain here, as they are, for they are as of yet no use to you."
In my time in Middle Earth, I had seen many eyes, in the faces of different races. But the intensity of Elven eyes on a human is indescribable; one had to experience being under their full attention and focused emotions to truly understand how intimidating a single look from them could be. It was something no human could ever get used to, even after living with them for many years.
The air seemed to grow a few degrees colder as the Lord of Rivendell turned his full attention towards his foster son. "However, I think it best to withhold the Sceptre of Annúminas until you have fully come into the right to possess it."
Aragorn stiffened in his chair. "And when will that be?" he asked, his voice calm.
Lord Elrond's gaze grew even more intense. "When you have fulfilled your destiny, and become the Man you were born to be. It will be a long, difficult journey, Son of Arathorn. Only when you have reached the end of it will I bestow upon you that which is yours; not before."
I held my breath as the two stared at one another across the table. Even Gilraen stayed silent, not saying a word in favor of her son -for it was she who had placed these objects in Lord Elrond's keeping, and trusted in his wisdom when it came to passing them onto her son at the right moment.
In the end, it was Aragorn who looked away, and a moment after, we were dismissed from the table.
The moment we were alone in Gilraen's rooms, Aragorn began to pace.
"I do not understand, Mother," he said, clearly unhappy with Lord Elrond's words. "What did he mean about my destiny?"
Just looking at her face, the way she looked down and away from him, it was clear my friend did not wish to answer his question. To stave off his anger, I decided to try and help, while hoping I did not make things worse.
"Lord Elrond has the gift of foresight," I reminded him. "It is possible he saw your future, and believes you are meant to travel a long, difficult path, and perform great deeds during that journey. I believe he wants you to grow strong in mind, body and spirit, before you are worthy of receiving your family heirlooms."
"How can I be strong when the weakness of Isildur is inside me?" Aragorn demanded, his shoulders sagging in despair as he went to the balcony doors, eyes looking out into the valley below. "His lack of strength has cursed my family for millennia! What if I am like him, and everything I do or touch leads to the death or destruction of others?"
"You are not your ancestor," I said, almost snapping at him in my firmness. "You are your own self, and both your mother and I have great faith in you."
He did not move, so I went straight to his side, my hands gently turning his face towards me. "You will have our love and support, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Know that we are thinking of you, and our hearts go with you, always."
A tiny bit of his fear and doubt melted away as he wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair, just as he had when he was a child. Gilraen's face gleamed from the tears she was crying, and I could tell that Aragorn was on the verge of doing the same. Somehow, I managed to hold myself together while giving comfort to both mother and son, as Gilraen came to join us.
For a long while, the three of us stood there together, wrapped in a group hug. It was only when Ethelwen came searching for me to bring me to my room that we pulled apart, going our separate ways for the night but wordlessly knowing that we would be together in the morning.
The three of us ate breakfast privately in Gilraen's rooms, which had come as a suggestion from Lord Elrond via Ethelwen. The meal was comfortable, with Gilraen and I telling of what had happened during Aragorn's absence.
"So Lord Elrond's daughter has returned?" Aragorn asked, taking a sip of fruit juice. "I have heard tales of her charm and beauty, but I would truly be honored to meet her."
"I believe you will have that honor very soon," Gilraen said, smiling at him. "I received word this morning that she will be joining us for dinner this evening. It will be a private meal, consisting of the three of us, Lord Elrond, Lady Arwen, Elladan and Elrohir, and Lord Glorfindel."
I was happy that the Twins and Glorfindel would be there. The Twins might provide a nice distraction, for I had the strongest feeling that tonight, my beloved foster brother would lose his heart to an Elven Princess.
After breakfast, the three of us passed a pleasant, quiet morning and afternoon. Gilraen took her son's arm and led him through the gardens, showing him all the new plants that had been added.
Afterwards, we went through the kitchens, where Aragorn was given all sorts of tasty treats from the cooks, who had always loved spoiling him as a child. We spent a good hour there, as Aragorn took small tastes from a bit of everything -simmering pots of stews or pie fillings; jars of jams and jellies; a few small slices off of a roasting fowl.
When he finished, we went to our rooms to prepare for dinner, knowing we would need to look our best.
In my rooms, a steaming bath awaited, and when I finished, Ethelwen dressed me in one of my finer gowns for the night -a lovely, floating material of deep blue shot with silver thread. A silver circlet was set upon my head, and my pendant of pearls and silver hung delicately around my neck.
"Simple, but elegant," Ethelwen said, smiling at my reflection in my mirror.
It was a good idea, since with Arwen in attendance, any effort I put into my appearance would be nothing compared to her beauty. But I wasn't jealous; Arwen could not help being beautiful, and I did not resent her for it.
A knock sounded on my door, startling me. Ethelwen answered it, and let in a very handsomely dressed Glorfindel. He gave me an approving nod, and offered me a hand. "I thought I would escort you to dinner, dear one," he explained with a smile. "If you'll allow me, of course."
How could I refuse? I smiled and took his hand.
Lord Elrond's personal dining pavilion was not decorated in any way, but the table had been elegantly set. Fine china, glasses, and silverware were perfectly placed before each seat, and freshly cut flowers in shining vases were placed down the center of the table.
Lindir appeared, and indicated that I was to sit to Lord Elrond's left, while Arwen would be to the right. Everyone was already here and seated, except Lord Elrond and Arwen. I think that perhaps Lord Elrond wished to somewhat formally present his daughter to his foster son, but I couldn't say for sure.
Finally, just after I had taken my seat at the table, the Lord of Rivendell appeared, with Arwen on his arm.
I could tell the exact moment when Aragorn fell in love with her. His eyes seemed to widen and glaze over; his lips parted slightly, as though he were struggling to take a deep breath. The sight of Arwen's Elvish aura shining brightly in the flickering lights of the lit candles and lanterns, while her blue gown sparkled like the night sky, clearly captured his heart.
I wasn't sure if anyone else noticed, but I thought I saw Elrond's eyes narrow a little as Aragorn approached them. My brother gave a deep bow, and once introduced, raised Arwen's hand gently to his lips. Meanwhile, her own mouth sported a tiny shy smile and her cheeks blushed a charming pink.
As we took our seats, I discreetly scanned the faces around me. Elrond looked more than a little suspicious, while the Twins chatted happily with Glorfindel and Aragorn. However, I noticed that my little brother's eyes occasionally flicked towards Arwen, who was talking animatedly with Gilraen about rearranging the flower gardens.
To my right, a servant's arm came into view, placing a bowl of soup before me. I politely thanked my server, and reached for my napkin to place it on my lap. I dared to look up at my foster father's face, and noticed that he had slipped his 'polite face' on; an expressionless mask to hide what he truly felt.
My heart sank. This was going to be a long and difficult meal to maneuver through.
AN: Review?