Farewell Forever
Farewell Forever
by Elelome
Website: Arwen Evenstar

Arwen stood on the pier, watching as the ship drew up to the dock. Elrond and Celebrian were speaking softly behind her, sharing last words and promises. For the moment she was not listening to them. Beside her, Elrohir and Elladan stood, gazing at the mass of people on the shore, many of whom were leaving Middle-earth, leaving all they loved behind.

"Like mother will be," she whispered, turning. Celebrian lay on a soft couch; she was well enough to walk, but weak yet. Arwen knelt beside her.

"Mother, I can't believe it," she said. "It seems so strange, how can you bear to go and leave us behind?"

"There is healing in Valinor for me, none in Middle-earth," Celebrian said.

Silent in the shouting crowd, the small family gathered around Celebrian's couch, and said their farewells. Elrond kissed his wife gently, tears in his eyes.

And at last, attendants carried her couch up the landing ramp into the ship. Several moments went by, the shouts of farewells, weeping, some smiles, washed over Arwen and her family. Arwen looked out over the sea, trying not to look at the ship that was bearing her mother away.

And the ship slipped away at sunset, sliding gracefully down the firth as the light grew grey. Arwen watched it until it faded into the distance, a small speck on the sea.

"Father," she spoke into the silence, the ship gone, "can we go home?"

"You can," Elrond said, "but I will never be truly home until I am with her again."