Now, I feel like this romantic scene is very much like a fairytale: moonlight and starry skies. But hey, it's LOTR!
Elrond had decided to postpone his return to Rivendell for a couple days, so that Thranduil could get his daughter ready to leave.
It was the night after Alasse's alarming night terror. She'd had a quiet day, spent with Legolas and Gimli strolling through the city and visiting the people, who were so relieved that another large battle had been victorious and now they could back to their normal lives.
Aragorn had been busy all day tending to his rather sometimes monotonous duties as king. He decided a breath of fresh night air would be delightful. He stepped out onto the terrace and found Alasse there. He stopped short. Her long auburn hair was brushed around wistfully in the breeze, with the full moon's beams illuminating her hair tone. And she wore a royal blue dress that shimmered in the moonlight. Aragorn's breath hitched. He'd always thought she was beautiful, but he'd often seen her in her warrior gear and wasn't used to seeing her wear clothes fit for a princess very often. His heart thudded and his knees buckled.
"Are you alright?" Alasse asked with her back to him.
"Y-yes." Aragorn said, though he was struggling to stay steady on his feet. He shuffled his way over to stand beside her. "It is a beautiful night, isn't it?"
"You can't see this many stars back home in the Woodland Realm, at least not from a balcony. You have to climb the right hills and then you have a vast view. But you're lucky." Alasse sighed. "You can see them right outside your window."
Aragorn barely resisted the overwhelming temptation to reach his hand out and stroke her shiny hair. His fingers nearly brushed it but then he refrained. "You, uh...you look beautiful tonight. I mean, more than I'm accustomed to." Aragorn bit his lip. "The moonlight on you, you look...enchanting." Alasse finally faced him and smiled warmly.
"You're sweet." She said. Aragorn shrugged. He was a ranger, a tough guy! He wasn't sure if sweet was legally permitted in the book of describing wild rangers!
"You flatter me." Aragorn grinned. Alasse shook her head. Did he think she was merely putting him on? "I wish I could've met your mother, the Queen of the Greenwood." Aragorn said. Alasse stared at him. She hadn't expected that.
"I barely remember her at all." Alasse hung her head. "Father does not speak of it. Well, almost never. Legolas remembers some things, but that was a very long time ago and we were only children when she died. I was still an infant. Legolas was a child. But all our people say that I have her bearing, while Legolas favors Ada. It makes me proud when people say I look like my mother. It makes me feel like there are parts of her still alive. Though she is so much more beautiful than I." Alasse said to herself.
"What was that?" Aragorn asked.
"Mmm." Alasse shrugged. She still hadn't told anybody about her death experience before reaching the Halls of Mandos. She was so anxious to tell someone!
"I'm glad you came back." Aragorn said solemnly, taking her hand.
"So am I." Alasse bit her lip but small tears filled her eyes. "I almost didn't." She hung her head. Aragorn brushed her cheek with his hand. "Your race has known pestilence, and ailments. Mine are not keen to such things. But these wounds...it was pain like I'd never known before. And it never stopped. It always hurt. I didn't want to go through that again! But...I was told that my purpose here was not done. But I was still afraid."
"Why did you come back, Alasse?" Aragorn asked seriously.
"My family...no, it was more than that, more than them. You." Alasse looked at him lovingly.
"Me?" Aragorn stared.
"You called me back."
"But you didn't have to answer."
"I chose to." Alasse said seriously, massaging his hand. "Do you remember, the night that we met?" Alasse giggled.
"How could I forget?" Aragorn smirked. "At first, I had thought it was only another task that I was accustomed to performing as a ranger. Little did I know that I would be wielding a rescue of a fair damsel in distress, just like the tales of old! And a princess at that!" He laughed.
"I didn't want you to think I was entirely inefficient in defending myself." Alasse grinned. "But, I was relieved for the assist."
"Assist? Is that what you call it? The most epic moment of my life, and you merely think of it as just another assist?" Aragorn frowned playfully. Alasse giggled.
"No, of course not! Never!" She gripped his hand. "If it hadn't been for you, I'd have never made it to Rivendell, and found Lord Elrond, and he would not have known to come save Legolas. So, you saved me...twice."
"I remember!" Aragorn nodded. "I...rather enjoyed it. That had almost never happened before in my times as a ranger."
"I was a stranger to you, and yet you were so caring and protective."
"I was a stranger to you too! Well, not really." Aragorn stated. "We'd known each other when I was a child, but you didn't come to Rivendell as often during my growing up years and then I chose exile."
"I did not recognize you that night. But I knew that there was something about you that made you different." Alasse smiled warmly. "Mirima went right up to you and licked you. I knew without any doubts at that moment that I could trust you."
"I try to treat every lady with chivalry." Aragorn blushed. "Though some are make it feel more like manual labor!" Alasse grabbed his other hand and intertwined it with hers.
"Estel, do you know why I left Mirkwood in the first place?" She asked, looking straight into his eyes.
"Because you wanted to be with your brother, and you didn't agree with your father on priorities."
"Well, yes. But it was because I wanted to be like you!" Alasse exclaimed. Aragorn blinked.
"You...wanted...to be like me?" He sputtered. "But you were a princess and could have anything you wanted! You're a lady elf. What could ever make you want to try to be like me? I was an outcast, Alasse!"
"Yes, but instead of turning your back on the world, you used your lowly life to make others' better! Aragorn," Alasse softly stroked his hair, "you're such a good king, and a wonderful, loving man." She smoothly ran her hand under his chin. "You're kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and so humble. You identify yourself with the lowliest peasant! And I've seen how you show love to the most humble folk, hobbits with the utmost care!
'When I was a stranger, and in desperate need of aid, you were there, watching over me. And making sure all my needs were met. You instantly became my friend. I couldn't get that out of my mind. I began to feel a pulling at my heart and mind, to do more! More than just walk around in my father's palace and try to find a prince. I wanted to feel useful! After meeting you, I wanted it more than anything. It was not until the Battle of the Five Armies that I finally told my father and chose to take that road. And it's all because of you!'"
"It might be wise not to say that in front of your father!" Aragorn half joked.
"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" Alasse frowned.
"Of course I did. Sorry."
"Aragorn, you inspired me to be a better person. And the best parts of me are because of you. I want to thank you. With my heart!" Alasse stepped closer toward him. Aragorn was speechless, but he clung to her hands.
"Alasse, this-" He began.
"It can be." Alasse said confidently. "If you will accept it, my heart is already bound to yours." Aragorn smiled sadly with tears and slowly placed his hand behind the back of her head.
"I couldn't bear the emptiness of this life, one lifetime or more...without you by my side." He whispered. "I was used to doing things on my own. But during the Quest for the Ring, I was beginning to loathe being alone. And you were there every step of the way, fighting with me, and always telling me not to lose hope."
"I recall you often having to do the same for me."
"Alasse, when you died, I fought! I didn't want you to leave...me. When Ada told us you were gone, it was as if a troll had crushed my heart! And if I didn't get you back, I would've suffocated! And I wouldn't have regretted it, because without you, all of my wealth, my rank, all of my privileges as king...while noble, are not worth anything if you wouldn't be there to share it with me!"
"Aragorn! You...are you saying..." Alasse cried. Aragorn brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes.
"You and I, our hearts are bound together forever...no matter what comes our way!" Aragorn told her.
They had known each other for so long. They'd clearly seen each other at their greatest moments of strength and also at their darkest, or most dismal moments of weakness. They'd worked together through toil, danger, fun, and dark times. Each was able to pull the other from their pits, and in different ways. There had been frantic moments of lashing at each other in a dire circumstance, but a sincere apology always followed. Where Alasse was impatient and a worried, Aragorn was collected and direct. Where Aragorn was uptight and gloomy at times, Alasse looked at the bright side and held to the care of the Valar to see them though.
Even if she did not choose a mortal life, he would always love her, even if he couldn't have her. They leaned forward and closed the gap between them, sealing it with an unearthly kiss. Nothing but warmth, passion, and eternal love flowed into both of them. Alasse finally broke away, but she leaned her head against his chin and he kissed her hair. She looked up and their eyes met.
"No matter what comes our way, you are and will ever be my one and only, eternal true love, Aragorn/Estel, the man among men." Alasse said passionately.
"I love you, Alasse of Mirkwood, fair lady and warrior princess, elf maiden of the Woodland Realm." Aragorn purred. He pulled her into a tight embrace. Alasse had never felt this loved before. It was beyond anything close to her family or friends had ever poured into her! All Aragorn needed was to hear her voice, see her face, and he was home. "I pray our mothers are looking down on us with their blessing tonight!" He breathed.
"Do not fret, my love." Alasse murmured. How many times she had wanted to call him that! And now, it...it felt so right, so good, and so beautiful. "They are." She smiled radiantly.
"Look, Alasse. The stars are dancing." Aragorn pointed up at the sky.
"Pardon me!" Thranduil's deep voice startled them from behind.
"Oh! Hello, Father." Alasse smiled, her face heating up. Aragorn froze.
"I see you to are having a lovely evening." Thranduil chided, but the smile did not reach his ears. "If you are willing to release her, I wish to speak with my daughter. Alone." Thranduil narrowed his eyes.
