by Elelome
Daz and Arwen stood on the porch, watching the sun set in the West.
"Do you feel any desire for...that?" Arwen asked, running her fingers over the smooth stones of the railing.
"A little yet," Daz said. "But not nearly as much as I desire to stay here."
"What made you change your mind?" Arwen asked, turning to watch his face.
"The dark eyes of a princess and her gentle words to a stranger," Daz told her, quietly, glancing away as though shy to reveal his reasons. Arwen smiled softly.
"Your words are too gracious," she said, laying her hand over his on the railing, glancing up under veiled eyes.
"No, my lady, it is you who are too gracious," he said. "The likeness of Luthien, they told me, but not even Luthien could have been more generous to me."
Then he turned to her, taking her hand in his. "My heart leaps up when I see you, Lady Arwen."
"My name is Evenstar, please to call me that, friend of mine," Arwen said, drawing closer.
"Only your friend?" Daz said, looking down at her, the late sun shining in his hair. At that moment, he was the most beautiful being Arwen had ever seen.
"More, if you would have it so, Daz," she said in a whisper.
And then their arms went around each other, and Arwen lifted her face as he bent to kiss her. The kiss was gentle, sweet, romantic. Arwen caught her breath as it ended, hearing someone calling her and footsteps along the path to the porch.
They sprang apart, and Arwen and Daz were
standing, lit by the last light of the sun, looking guilty, when Elrond
made his appearance on the porch. He looked from one to the other, and
smiled sadly.
