I just wanted to do my version of how these two star-crossed cookies met. It's a little silly and slightly out of canon, And I know theirs is the GRANDE AFFAIRE D'AMOR, but though I'd tweak it a bit to fit. I wanted it to be a bit less, well....overwhelming...But here you go...
"Glorfindel, we must halt. Amalabeth's limping. It's her left rear leg."
Lord Glorfindel, on his stallion Asfaloth, raised his gloved hand and Lady Arwen's escort came to a halt.
He dismounted quickly, and pulling aside the flowing green cape that Arwen wore, he lifted her mare's left hind hoof.
"Indeed my lady, she's got a thorn or stick deep in her frog. Luckily," he said straightening and moving to her side, "We are close enough to return her to Imladris and get you another horse. Do you wish to go back with her, or stay here?"
"Oh 'tis a lovely day, we can have lunch, my ladies and I, and the escort of course."
"As you wish." Bowing slightly, he gently grabbed her around the waist and slipped her off her mare. Arwen went to Amalabeth's head and rubbed her nose. "My poor girl! You just need a rest my dear! You can't carry me all the way to Lothlorien with a bad hoof. Go now with Glorfindel!" She put a quick kiss on the soft silver skin and stepped away. Glorfindel took the mare by the reins and remounting, pulled her along behind Asfaloth in a slow walk.
"Well," Arwen turned to her escort and ladies smiling, "I suspect we will be here until evening. I hope father does not get vexed!"
Arwen's handmaiden Edenil, smiled as she dismounted. "No, you are well protected and just beyond the borders of Imladris. We are perfectly safe here." She eyed the six escorts with a smile. Their next in command, Valmarian grinned and with a wave of his hand, indicated the other elves were to dismount.
The company, surrounded by maples, sycamores and some pines, found themselves in a pleasant grassy glade, perfect for a stop. It was a cool day, with a high wind sending clouds across the sky.
In a short while, the horses were tethered, a pavilion, tables and chairs arranged and a luncheon laid out.
Restless after her meal, Arwen stood stretching, "Edenil, I shall go for a walk. I won't be long."
"I shall come with."
"No my dear, I am perfectly fine here, as you pointed out earlier. I just want a little excersize."
"All right then, just don't go beyond calling reach."
Arwen sighed, slightly exasperated. Then smiled. Of course, for an elf, calling range was quite far!
She stepped into the dappled shadows and pulled her cloak about her tighter to keep it from snagging on the underbrush. The sun spilled around her in puddles of gold, wavering with the movement of the leaves. Looking forward to a long visit with her grandparents, the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, she was glad for the time to herself. On a long trip like this, she was constantly surrounded. And the further from her Home in Imladris, the more the company stuck together. And though Arwen enjoyed their companionship, there were times when being alone was a blessing.
Arwen liked to spend time in Lothlorien. She missed her mother's quiet sensibilities and good advice. In Caras Galadhon, she had the comfort of another woman's view on things. And as much as she loved her father and her brothers, it was much easier to discuss things with Galadriel.
Twenty minutes later, Arwen found herself at the side of a small stream, flowing rapidly over and around moss-covered rocks and chuckling in its hurry. She bent among a cluster of deep purple irises to take a drink.
When she sat up, she knew suddenly with a shiver, she was no longer alone.
Looking around quickly, she pulled out the long deadly dagger at her side and held it close. Could there be danger this close to home?
A slight rustle, and then a young man's voice called out in Elvish, "Lady, who are you and why are you out here all alone?"
"Who I am is none of your business, stranger."
She looked over her shoulder, and turned, the stream at her back. She could just see the tall slender shape of a man in a stand of maple saplings across from her. "Come out and show yourself." She brandished her dagger and prepared to defend herself.
Almost dropping the blade in surprised, she found herself staring at a tall human, dressed in Ranger browns and blacks. He was young, unshaven and his hair hung below his shoulders in a tangle that spoke of long disinterest. He had intense blue-grey eyes though and he was smiling slightly. And unusual for a human, his Elvish had been perfect.
As he stepped out before her, rapidly brushing his hair out of his face, he stumbled slightly, and Arwen could see blood on his lower left leg.
"You are a Ranger? What brings you here, and injured?"
"My business is my own," his smile broadened. He stepped forward and his limp became more pronounced.
Exasperated, Arwen sheathed her dagger and pointed to a small boulder between them. "Oh please sit sir Ranger and let me look at that."
Taking a deep breath, the stranger nodded and sat awkwardly on the rock.
Arwen, touching the damp spot looked up and said, "I'm afraid I will have to cut the cloth away."
He just nodded. She took out her dagger and bent to carefully saw the ragged cloth open and away from a deep gash beneath his knee.
The Ranger looked at her river of deep dark hair as she bent to her task. He long to run his hands through it, and blushed at his thought. She was one of the most beautiful elf maidens he had ever seen. And he had seen many in his day. But she, he had not seen her like, ever. Seeing her standing there at the waterside, surrounded by the purple irises, well, she could have been Luthien returned.
It took him a moment to realize she was speaking again.
"How did you come by this? It is not a knife or sword wound." She touched it softly. "And it is not only a few days old, but infected." Her glance settled into a frown, "Have you no healing skills young Ranger?"
"Well, yes, but I lost my supplies (actually, they had fallen in a stream, as he had scrambled up a tree). My news could not wait and I was just in a hurry to reach-" He snapped his mouth shut and smiled again.
Arwen just shook her head at him: Men! He was just like one of her brothers! "You did not say how you came by this?"
The Ranger actually blushed! "I fell out of a tree..."
She held up her hand. "Tell me no more." But she couldn't help grinning, "It is not like a Ranger to 'fall out of a tree'!"
"I was attacking an orc." He said leaning forward. "And I got him too. I just hit a branch coming down. I need to tell my father---"
Again, he closed his mouth and she shook her head again, puzzled at his sudden stops and starts.
But she realized his news would impact her travels severely if he was right. "Where was this orc, sir Rang-"
"I am Aragorn, my lady."
"I see Sir Aragorn-"
"Just...Aragorn."
Arwen put her hands on her hips. "All right! Where did you cross this orc and were there others?"
"Just beyond the Gol Araphin Hills, two days journey from here. There were others, but I did not get a head count as I was defending myself." He smiled down at her. "Now, if you are done staring at my wound, I do need to press on." He stood up with a wobble and tried to bow.
Arwen smiled. "Come, before you do, I have salve and bandages where I am camped. And you can clean up as well. You'll look less like a wild man when you see your father."
Aragorn, realizing a little help would allow him a quicker return to Elrond with his news, acquiesced, though wincing at her description.
As they walked, Aragorn kept stealing glances Arwen's way. Her thoughtful face was soft and rosy in the wind, her hair, much the same color as his fathers, sparkled with highlights. Her lips were soft and just made for kissing. But her eyes! Stormy and dark, then benign, mercurial, just as Elrond's eyes changed when he listened to Aragorn describe some mishap. He smiled ruefully at the ground. His father's eyes were going to change many shades when he heard about this day's work!
Aragorn wondered where the beauty came from and where she was going to?
As they entered the glade where her pavilion was situated, Aragorn stopped appalled, the blood draining from his face. He recognized several of the male elves, who looked up at his arrival.
They were all from Imladris, his home.
Who then, was this lady? He had never seen her, and he knew he would certainly have remembered her.
"Estel! Well met!" Called out Valmarian as he strode up with a grin. "What brings you here?"
Arwen stopped, and her face mirrored Aragorn's shock. Estel? Her illusive foster brother with whom she had never met, except as a baby? He was either about with Elladan and Elrohir, or in Mirkwood, or on a hunt with the Rangers when she had made her infrequent visits home these last 20 years or so. And here she was, again on her way to Lothlorien...and she might have never met him, save her horse had gone lame.
"This kind lady has brought me here for a little bandaging..."
"Ah, Estel! In another scrape again! Well, Lady Arwen's hands are almost as talented as her fathers, so---"
"Lady Arwen!" Aragorn turned to look at the woman next to him, mouth open. He bowed again, deeper this time and would have fallen, had she not grasped him by the arm. "Yes, yes...Estel. I am Arwen and it is high time we met!" She straightened him up and helped him sit on the wheel of the cart carrying their supplies.
In moments, she had out her box of medicines and bandages and set to work cleaning and wrapping Aragorn's leg.
When she finished, she looked at the young Ranger whose eyes seemed to glow at her. "I-I...it is just as well you are headed back to father. I
can do stitches in a pinch, but he is much more the expert than I."
"I am sure you have done quite enough, my lady." He smiled and stood. He really felt he needed to be on his way to tell Elrond about the closeness of the orcs infiltration, but maybe if he stayed just a little while longer...Imladris was less than half a day's journey from here.
He sat quickly, as if weak.
"Here Aragorn, come to the pavilion. I suspect you are hungry and weary after your...fall."
He glanced sharply at her, but she had moved ahead, to move some chairs. Edenil, who had missed Arwen's return, hurried up as she came out of the woods with the other ladies in tow, her eyebrows raised at the rag-tag appearance of Aragorn.
"And who is that my lady?"
"Tis my foster brother, Aragorn."
Edenil looked even more surprised and then silently helped arrange things so Aragorn could sit with his leg propped up.
Both ladies brought him to a chair and fussed over him, Edenil brought him some warm water, soap and a towel to clean up. Arwen went so far as to place her green cloak over him.
"I am not cold!"
"It is just for comfort's sake Aragorn! Edenil and I will go get you some lunch." The other ladies, smiling slightly at the Ranger, joined Edenil and Arwen at the food hampers.
About to protest again, Aragorn realized the cloak was full of her faint flowery scent, like roses after a rain. He pulled it closer to him and closed his eyes. How wonderful!
A cool hand lay on his brow and Aragorn opened his eyes quickly. "You do feel a little warm Aragorn." She called out to Edenil who was pouring some wine. "Would you make a strong cup of willow bark tea? I think he's coming down with a fever."
Edenil nodded and went over to the fire.
"Nay, Lady, do not worry, I am not feverish." He smiled up into her beautiful, slightly almond-shaped eyes content to stare. "Merely warm from my run today."
He sighed in happiness when she lay her hand again on his forehead and then his cheek. "No Aragorn. You definitely have a fever."
But Aragorn knew what the fever arose from, and it was not his wound.
Feeling less guilty as the day moved on into dusk, Aragorn relaxed and enjoyed being cosseted by the Elvish ladies, but most especially Arwen.
Arwen and Aragorn had wandered from the pavilion and gone off under the trees. (There was only so far he was going to play the invalid. He didn't want Arwen to think he was a complete weakling!)
As for the others: Edenil was calmly embroidering and Arwen's other ladies were tidying up, and two were playing a game of chance.
Arwen's escort were sitting around the fire, and Valmarian's lute had appeared and was being tuned.
The two stopped in a small glade and sat on a big rock next to each other.
Aragorn quietly asked, "My lady, now that we are known to each other, might I know why you have stopped here, so close to Imladris?"
"My horse went lame this morning and Glorfindel has taken her back and will bring me a new horse."
"And when you have a new mount, what is your direction then?
"I am for Caras Galadhon."
"Ah, The Lord and Lady of the Wood."
"My grandparents, as well you know."
"Of course. It is quite a long trip."
"And it is the reason you and I have never met! I am either there, or you are out with my brothers or in Mirkwood, or---"
"Unlucky me."
Arwen looked at him with a smile. "Unlucky for both of us."
She rose from where she sat and walked a few steps away to stare thoughtfully at the few faint stars twinkling. What was it about this young Ranger? He had been an attentive listener all the afternoon, asking intelligent questions and even laughing at her sallies. For a human, he was very comfortable to be with! She threw a glance back at him: His eyes glowed in the light of the rising quarter moon. He was actually quite attractive, what one could make out now that he had cleaned off several days dirt.
"Look, there through the leaves, my father's star!"
"Father's star....? Ah, you mean Earendil. Of course."
Aragorn stood with that and went to stand behind Arwen. He took a deep breath and laid a hand on her left shoulder. She quivered under his hand, but did not move or say anything.
He looked up at the deepening night sky and sighed. What was it about Arwen? It was not just her sheer beauty, it was her intelligence and humor. Some of the stories she told about Elladan and Elrohir would give him many chances to needle them, especially when they poked fun at some...human mistake of his. He glanced down at his leg. Not that he didn't make it easy for them sometimes!
Taking his heart into his hands, Aragorn leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her collarbone. Again, Arwen said nothing.
She then turned, and looked up him, moonlight sparkling in her eyes. He bent and kissed her on the mouth, softly, reverently, afraid she might disappear like a sprite.
And his fate was sealed.
Arwen returned his kiss, surprised at her reaction. Her arms slowly went around his neck and the kiss deepened.
But the spell was broken, by the sound of greetings coming from the encampment.
"Glorfindel must be back," she whispered to Aragorn, as she pulled reluctantly away.
"Yes," he sighed, softly running a hand down her neck and shoulder, "too soon."
The two of them turned, Aragorn's arm around her waist. About to return, they paused as an elf came towards them dressed in dark riding leathers.
He stepped out into the moonlight, his gloves in his hands, an eyebrow cocked in question, his serious eyes glittering.
Aragorn's arm slipped off of Arwen's waist quickly and he bowed slightly.
"Well met by moonlight my children." Elrond said, slapping his gloves in his hands idly. "Arwen, I see you have met our wandering Estel."
Arwen jumped forward with that and then ran to her father to hide her embarrassment. "Yes Ada, at last." She hugged him and then looked at Aragorn, who swallowed nervously.
"I-I was just about to leave Ada. I just didn't realize the time----"
"He is hurt, and I made him stay to rest. He needs stitches I think."
Aragorn winced at that, smiling crookedly. "Oh no, she exaggerates. It is not that bad. I just was in such a hurry to return that I..."
"...stopped to pay Arwen a call?"
"No father." Arwen could sense a bit of edge to her father's comment.
"You know Amalabeth went lame. He came upon us here and it was sheer coincidence. I am surprised to see you here, though."
"I decided a ride would be a welcome diversion from tallying the livestock." He waved Aragorn forward with the gloves. "Come, let me see this injury."
Hanging back, Arwen caught the brief glance her father threw her as the two went to the pavilion. Of all things, the glance looked uncertain.
Aragorn, feeling embarrassed, sat where his father indicated in the pavilion. He looked up at Arwen as she entered and she smiled at him, her eyes glowing from the nearby torch. Elrond, only pausing long enough to remove his leather jerkin, inspected Arwen's box of medicines. While the elf lord's back was to the couple, Arwen, feeling impulsive, bent and kissed Aragorn quickly, one eyebrow going up with a grin. She sat next to him demurely as Elrond turn with a handful of supplies.
Unwrapping the bandage, he looked at the ragged gash. "Nasty Estel. How did you acquire this?" He put a hand on it briefly, feeling the infection. He shook his head. "And could you do nothing to stave off infection? I am going to have to clean this thoroughly and stitch it." He stood. "And I am afraid, it won't be pleasant."
Aragorn still thinking of Arwen's kiss just nodded and said "All right, Ada."
Elrond frowned at his foster son and then quickly brought a hand to his forehead. "Estel! You are running a fever as well."
Arwen glanced at Aragorn with concern and he smiled back at her. "Yes father."
Arwen stood and sighed. "I told Aragorn he was sick, but he wouldn't listen to me."
Elrond shook his head again. And then looked at Arwen's supplies. "Come Estel, I can deal with this easier at Home. You were headed that way originally, were you not?"
Aragorn stood and Arwen pushed him back into the chair. "I will re-wrap this father, and then the two of you can go."
Nodding, Elrond went off to get a horse from one of the other elves.
Arwen, bending to bandage Aragorn's leg, took her time, allowing Aragorn to enjoy the graceful movement of her hands and her intermittent smiles. He reached down and gently put a strand of her hair behind one of her delicately pointed ears. "Oh, Arwen, I am---"
"Hush Aragorn! Not now! Not with Ada here-"
"Arwen, are you done? I have a horse for Aragorn. And you may as well come back Home. There is no need for you to sleep out here, with Home so close. Amalabeth's foot should be well enough to ride on by tomorrow afternoon. The escort can come or go as they decide."
Elrond paused to look at the two of them, Arwen smiling and Aragorn bending awkwardly to readjust a boot.
"Father," Aragorn said looking up, "You should know that a company of orcs have gotten as far as the Dol Araphin Hills. I killed several but I did not get all of them. This is what I was rushing to tell you."
Elrond nodded. "All right. The whole escort will return to Imladris and we set up another route for Lothlorien."
Working hard not to grin outright, Arwen smiled, saying, "As you will, father."
Aragorn, overjoyed that he would see Arwen a little longer, mounted the horse given to him by one of the escorts (who rode double with another) and followed behind Elrond contentedly as they rode back to Imladris.
His whole world had changed! He glanced at Arwen riding at his side, the rising moon casting glitter in her eyes and off the gold threads in her deep blue gown. He felt his heart swell as he looked at her. And he was hopeful that she had similar feelings for him. It was hard to believe he was falling in love with his foster-sister!
Once they reached Imladris, Aragorn admitted to himself he was feeling a bit tired and woozy. It had been a long day. He sat on his borrowed steed in the courtyard of the stables while everyone bustled about dismounting and tending to the horses. Aragorn yawned and slowly swung his leg off to dismount. Almost crumpling to the ground, he felt strong arms lift him and set him on his feet. The un-amused glance of his father swam into his sight. "Can you walk Estel, or must I carry you like a sleepy five-year-old?"
"I-I can walk Ada." Aragorn covered another yawn as he straightened. "I am just more tired than I thought." He blinked sleepily. And then went rigid with a sudden thought. "Where is Arwen?" He looked around quickly.
"She has gone to her rooms, I imagine. Aragorn," Elrond lay a hand on his forehead and cheek. "You are quite flush. Come, lean on me."
Aragorn, disdaining his father's offer, brushed aside his arm and went firmly towards the stairs that led to the main House. He was no mere boy.
He didn't get two steps when the ground tilted funny. "Oh Elbereth!" Aragorn thought, as he spiraled into darkness, "I think I shall just take a little nap after all."
His wounded leg lay wrapped from knee to ankle and outside the quilt, supported by a green silk pillow. Aragorn wanted to sit up, but his head tried to whirl him off into unconsciousness again, so he lay back down with a sigh and assessed his situation. He was clean, in his bed, in his Home. Now. Just how had he gotten here? He rubbed his forehead tiredly and stared at the inlaid wooden ceiling.
Whirling head or no, he sat up quickly wincing as he slightly pulled the stitches he could feel now in his leg: Arwen!! Where was she? Oh, had she said anything to Elrond?? Would she regret their kiss last night, at least he hoped it had only been last night...
13
"Glorfindel, we must halt. Amalabeth's limping. It's her left rear leg."
Lord Glorfindel, on his stallion Asfaloth, raised his gloved hand and Lady Arwen's escort came to a halt.
He dismounted quickly, and pulling aside the flowing green cape that Arwen wore, he lifted her mare's left hind hoof.
"Indeed my lady, she's got a thorn or stick deep in her frog. Luckily," he said straightening and moving to her side, "We are close enough to return her to Imladris and get you another horse. Do you wish to go back with her, or stay here?"
"Oh 'tis a lovely day, we can have lunch, my ladies and I, and the escort of course."
"As you wish." Bowing slightly, he gently grabbed her around the waist and slipped her off her mare. Arwen went to Amalabeth's head and rubbed her nose. "My poor girl! You just need a rest my dear! You can't carry me all the way to Lothlorien with a bad hoof. Go now with Glorfindel!" She put a quick kiss on the soft silver skin and stepped away. Glorfindel took the mare by the reins and remounting, pulled her along behind Asfaloth in a slow walk.
"Well," Arwen turned to her escort and ladies smiling, "I suspect we will be here until evening. I hope father does not get vexed!"
Arwen's handmaiden Edenil, smiled as she dismounted. "No, you are well protected and just beyond the borders of Imladris. We are perfectly safe here." She eyed the six escorts with a smile. Their next in command, Valmarian grinned and with a wave of his hand, indicated the other elves were to dismount.
The company, surrounded by maples, sycamores and some pines, found themselves in a pleasant grassy glade, perfect for a stop. It was a cool day, with a high wind sending clouds across the sky.
In a short while, the horses were tethered, a pavilion, tables and chairs arranged and a luncheon laid out.
Restless after her meal, Arwen stood stretching, "Edenil, I shall go for a walk. I won't be long."
"I shall come with."
"No my dear, I am perfectly fine here, as you pointed out earlier. I just want a little excersize."
"All right then, just don't go beyond calling reach."
Arwen sighed, slightly exasperated. Then smiled. Of course, for an elf, calling range was quite far!
She stepped into the dappled shadows and pulled her cloak about her tighter to keep it from snagging on the underbrush. The sun spilled around her in puddles of gold, wavering with the movement of the leaves. Looking forward to a long visit with her grandparents, the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, she was glad for the time to herself. On a long trip like this, she was constantly surrounded. And the further from her Home in Imladris, the more the company stuck together. And though Arwen enjoyed their companionship, there were times when being alone was a blessing.
Arwen liked to spend time in Lothlorien. She missed her mother's quiet sensibilities and good advice. In Caras Galadhon, she had the comfort of another woman's view on things. And as much as she loved her father and her brothers, it was much easier to discuss things with Galadriel.
Twenty minutes later, Arwen found herself at the side of a small stream, flowing rapidly over and around moss-covered rocks and chuckling in its hurry. She bent among a cluster of deep purple irises to take a drink.
When she sat up, she knew suddenly with a shiver, she was no longer alone.
Looking around quickly, she pulled out the long deadly dagger at her side and held it close. Could there be danger this close to home?
A slight rustle, and then a young man's voice called out in Elvish, "Lady, who are you and why are you out here all alone?"
"Who I am is none of your business, stranger."
She looked over her shoulder, and turned, the stream at her back. She could just see the tall slender shape of a man in a stand of maple saplings across from her. "Come out and show yourself." She brandished her dagger and prepared to defend herself.
Almost dropping the blade in surprised, she found herself staring at a tall human, dressed in Ranger browns and blacks. He was young, unshaven and his hair hung below his shoulders in a tangle that spoke of long disinterest. He had intense blue-grey eyes though and he was smiling slightly. And unusual for a human, his Elvish had been perfect.
As he stepped out before her, rapidly brushing his hair out of his face, he stumbled slightly, and Arwen could see blood on his lower left leg.
"You are a Ranger? What brings you here, and injured?"
"My business is my own," his smile broadened. He stepped forward and his limp became more pronounced.
Exasperated, Arwen sheathed her dagger and pointed to a small boulder between them. "Oh please sit sir Ranger and let me look at that."
Taking a deep breath, the stranger nodded and sat awkwardly on the rock.
Arwen, touching the damp spot looked up and said, "I'm afraid I will have to cut the cloth away."
He just nodded. She took out her dagger and bent to carefully saw the ragged cloth open and away from a deep gash beneath his knee.
The Ranger looked at her river of deep dark hair as she bent to her task. He long to run his hands through it, and blushed at his thought. She was one of the most beautiful elf maidens he had ever seen. And he had seen many in his day. But she, he had not seen her like, ever. Seeing her standing there at the waterside, surrounded by the purple irises, well, she could have been Luthien returned.
It took him a moment to realize she was speaking again.
"How did you come by this? It is not a knife or sword wound." She touched it softly. "And it is not only a few days old, but infected." Her glance settled into a frown, "Have you no healing skills young Ranger?"
"Well, yes, but I lost my supplies (actually, they had fallen in a stream, as he had scrambled up a tree). My news could not wait and I was just in a hurry to reach-" He snapped his mouth shut and smiled again.
Arwen just shook her head at him: Men! He was just like one of her brothers! "You did not say how you came by this?"
The Ranger actually blushed! "I fell out of a tree..."
She held up her hand. "Tell me no more." But she couldn't help grinning, "It is not like a Ranger to 'fall out of a tree'!"
"I was attacking an orc." He said leaning forward. "And I got him too. I just hit a branch coming down. I need to tell my father---"
Again, he closed his mouth and she shook her head again, puzzled at his sudden stops and starts.
But she realized his news would impact her travels severely if he was right. "Where was this orc, sir Rang-"
"I am Aragorn, my lady."
"I see Sir Aragorn-"
"Just...Aragorn."
Arwen put her hands on her hips. "All right! Where did you cross this orc and were there others?"
"Just beyond the Gol Araphin Hills, two days journey from here. There were others, but I did not get a head count as I was defending myself." He smiled down at her. "Now, if you are done staring at my wound, I do need to press on." He stood up with a wobble and tried to bow.
Arwen smiled. "Come, before you do, I have salve and bandages where I am camped. And you can clean up as well. You'll look less like a wild man when you see your father."
Aragorn, realizing a little help would allow him a quicker return to Elrond with his news, acquiesced, though wincing at her description.
As they walked, Aragorn kept stealing glances Arwen's way. Her thoughtful face was soft and rosy in the wind, her hair, much the same color as his fathers, sparkled with highlights. Her lips were soft and just made for kissing. But her eyes! Stormy and dark, then benign, mercurial, just as Elrond's eyes changed when he listened to Aragorn describe some mishap. He smiled ruefully at the ground. His father's eyes were going to change many shades when he heard about this day's work!
Aragorn wondered where the beauty came from and where she was going to?
As they entered the glade where her pavilion was situated, Aragorn stopped appalled, the blood draining from his face. He recognized several of the male elves, who looked up at his arrival.
They were all from Imladris, his home.
Who then, was this lady? He had never seen her, and he knew he would certainly have remembered her.
"Estel! Well met!" Called out Valmarian as he strode up with a grin. "What brings you here?"
Arwen stopped, and her face mirrored Aragorn's shock. Estel? Her illusive foster brother with whom she had never met, except as a baby? He was either about with Elladan and Elrohir, or in Mirkwood, or on a hunt with the Rangers when she had made her infrequent visits home these last 20 years or so. And here she was, again on her way to Lothlorien...and she might have never met him, save her horse had gone lame.
"This kind lady has brought me here for a little bandaging..."
"Ah, Estel! In another scrape again! Well, Lady Arwen's hands are almost as talented as her fathers, so---"
"Lady Arwen!" Aragorn turned to look at the woman next to him, mouth open. He bowed again, deeper this time and would have fallen, had she not grasped him by the arm. "Yes, yes...Estel. I am Arwen and it is high time we met!" She straightened him up and helped him sit on the wheel of the cart carrying their supplies.
In moments, she had out her box of medicines and bandages and set to work cleaning and wrapping Aragorn's leg.
When she finished, she looked at the young Ranger whose eyes seemed to glow at her. "I-I...it is just as well you are headed back to father. I
can do stitches in a pinch, but he is much more the expert than I."
"I am sure you have done quite enough, my lady." He smiled and stood. He really felt he needed to be on his way to tell Elrond about the closeness of the orcs infiltration, but maybe if he stayed just a little while longer...Imladris was less than half a day's journey from here.
He sat quickly, as if weak.
"Here Aragorn, come to the pavilion. I suspect you are hungry and weary after your...fall."
He glanced sharply at her, but she had moved ahead, to move some chairs. Edenil, who had missed Arwen's return, hurried up as she came out of the woods with the other ladies in tow, her eyebrows raised at the rag-tag appearance of Aragorn.
"And who is that my lady?"
"Tis my foster brother, Aragorn."
Edenil looked even more surprised and then silently helped arrange things so Aragorn could sit with his leg propped up.
Both ladies brought him to a chair and fussed over him, Edenil brought him some warm water, soap and a towel to clean up. Arwen went so far as to place her green cloak over him.
"I am not cold!"
"It is just for comfort's sake Aragorn! Edenil and I will go get you some lunch." The other ladies, smiling slightly at the Ranger, joined Edenil and Arwen at the food hampers.
About to protest again, Aragorn realized the cloak was full of her faint flowery scent, like roses after a rain. He pulled it closer to him and closed his eyes. How wonderful!
A cool hand lay on his brow and Aragorn opened his eyes quickly. "You do feel a little warm Aragorn." She called out to Edenil who was pouring some wine. "Would you make a strong cup of willow bark tea? I think he's coming down with a fever."
Edenil nodded and went over to the fire.
"Nay, Lady, do not worry, I am not feverish." He smiled up into her beautiful, slightly almond-shaped eyes content to stare. "Merely warm from my run today."
He sighed in happiness when she lay her hand again on his forehead and then his cheek. "No Aragorn. You definitely have a fever."
But Aragorn knew what the fever arose from, and it was not his wound.
Feeling less guilty as the day moved on into dusk, Aragorn relaxed and enjoyed being cosseted by the Elvish ladies, but most especially Arwen.
Arwen and Aragorn had wandered from the pavilion and gone off under the trees. (There was only so far he was going to play the invalid. He didn't want Arwen to think he was a complete weakling!)
As for the others: Edenil was calmly embroidering and Arwen's other ladies were tidying up, and two were playing a game of chance.
Arwen's escort were sitting around the fire, and Valmarian's lute had appeared and was being tuned.
The two stopped in a small glade and sat on a big rock next to each other.
Aragorn quietly asked, "My lady, now that we are known to each other, might I know why you have stopped here, so close to Imladris?"
"My horse went lame this morning and Glorfindel has taken her back and will bring me a new horse."
"And when you have a new mount, what is your direction then?
"I am for Caras Galadhon."
"Ah, The Lord and Lady of the Wood."
"My grandparents, as well you know."
"Of course. It is quite a long trip."
"And it is the reason you and I have never met! I am either there, or you are out with my brothers or in Mirkwood, or---"
"Unlucky me."
Arwen looked at him with a smile. "Unlucky for both of us."
She rose from where she sat and walked a few steps away to stare thoughtfully at the few faint stars twinkling. What was it about this young Ranger? He had been an attentive listener all the afternoon, asking intelligent questions and even laughing at her sallies. For a human, he was very comfortable to be with! She threw a glance back at him: His eyes glowed in the light of the rising quarter moon. He was actually quite attractive, what one could make out now that he had cleaned off several days dirt.
"Look, there through the leaves, my father's star!"
"Father's star....? Ah, you mean Earendil. Of course."
Aragorn stood with that and went to stand behind Arwen. He took a deep breath and laid a hand on her left shoulder. She quivered under his hand, but did not move or say anything.
He looked up at the deepening night sky and sighed. What was it about Arwen? It was not just her sheer beauty, it was her intelligence and humor. Some of the stories she told about Elladan and Elrohir would give him many chances to needle them, especially when they poked fun at some...human mistake of his. He glanced down at his leg. Not that he didn't make it easy for them sometimes!
Taking his heart into his hands, Aragorn leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her collarbone. Again, Arwen said nothing.
She then turned, and looked up him, moonlight sparkling in her eyes. He bent and kissed her on the mouth, softly, reverently, afraid she might disappear like a sprite.
And his fate was sealed.
Arwen returned his kiss, surprised at her reaction. Her arms slowly went around his neck and the kiss deepened.
But the spell was broken, by the sound of greetings coming from the encampment.
"Glorfindel must be back," she whispered to Aragorn, as she pulled reluctantly away.
"Yes," he sighed, softly running a hand down her neck and shoulder, "too soon."
The two of them turned, Aragorn's arm around her waist. About to return, they paused as an elf came towards them dressed in dark riding leathers.
He stepped out into the moonlight, his gloves in his hands, an eyebrow cocked in question, his serious eyes glittering.
Aragorn's arm slipped off of Arwen's waist quickly and he bowed slightly.
"Well met by moonlight my children." Elrond said, slapping his gloves in his hands idly. "Arwen, I see you have met our wandering Estel."
Arwen jumped forward with that and then ran to her father to hide her embarrassment. "Yes Ada, at last." She hugged him and then looked at Aragorn, who swallowed nervously.
"I-I was just about to leave Ada. I just didn't realize the time----"
"He is hurt, and I made him stay to rest. He needs stitches I think."
Aragorn winced at that, smiling crookedly. "Oh no, she exaggerates. It is not that bad. I just was in such a hurry to return that I..."
"...stopped to pay Arwen a call?"
"No father." Arwen could sense a bit of edge to her father's comment.
"You know Amalabeth went lame. He came upon us here and it was sheer coincidence. I am surprised to see you here, though."
"I decided a ride would be a welcome diversion from tallying the livestock." He waved Aragorn forward with the gloves. "Come, let me see this injury."
Hanging back, Arwen caught the brief glance her father threw her as the two went to the pavilion. Of all things, the glance looked uncertain.
Aragorn, feeling embarrassed, sat where his father indicated in the pavilion. He looked up at Arwen as she entered and she smiled at him, her eyes glowing from the nearby torch. Elrond, only pausing long enough to remove his leather jerkin, inspected Arwen's box of medicines. While the elf lord's back was to the couple, Arwen, feeling impulsive, bent and kissed Aragorn quickly, one eyebrow going up with a grin. She sat next to him demurely as Elrond turn with a handful of supplies.
Unwrapping the bandage, he looked at the ragged gash. "Nasty Estel. How did you acquire this?" He put a hand on it briefly, feeling the infection. He shook his head. "And could you do nothing to stave off infection? I am going to have to clean this thoroughly and stitch it." He stood. "And I am afraid, it won't be pleasant."
Aragorn still thinking of Arwen's kiss just nodded and said "All right, Ada."
Elrond frowned at his foster son and then quickly brought a hand to his forehead. "Estel! You are running a fever as well."
Arwen glanced at Aragorn with concern and he smiled back at her. "Yes father."
Arwen stood and sighed. "I told Aragorn he was sick, but he wouldn't listen to me."
Elrond shook his head again. And then looked at Arwen's supplies. "Come Estel, I can deal with this easier at Home. You were headed that way originally, were you not?"
Aragorn stood and Arwen pushed him back into the chair. "I will re-wrap this father, and then the two of you can go."
Nodding, Elrond went off to get a horse from one of the other elves.
Arwen, bending to bandage Aragorn's leg, took her time, allowing Aragorn to enjoy the graceful movement of her hands and her intermittent smiles. He reached down and gently put a strand of her hair behind one of her delicately pointed ears. "Oh, Arwen, I am---"
"Hush Aragorn! Not now! Not with Ada here-"
"Arwen, are you done? I have a horse for Aragorn. And you may as well come back Home. There is no need for you to sleep out here, with Home so close. Amalabeth's foot should be well enough to ride on by tomorrow afternoon. The escort can come or go as they decide."
Elrond paused to look at the two of them, Arwen smiling and Aragorn bending awkwardly to readjust a boot.
"Father," Aragorn said looking up, "You should know that a company of orcs have gotten as far as the Dol Araphin Hills. I killed several but I did not get all of them. This is what I was rushing to tell you."
Elrond nodded. "All right. The whole escort will return to Imladris and we set up another route for Lothlorien."
Working hard not to grin outright, Arwen smiled, saying, "As you will, father."
Aragorn, overjoyed that he would see Arwen a little longer, mounted the horse given to him by one of the escorts (who rode double with another) and followed behind Elrond contentedly as they rode back to Imladris.
His whole world had changed! He glanced at Arwen riding at his side, the rising moon casting glitter in her eyes and off the gold threads in her deep blue gown. He felt his heart swell as he looked at her. And he was hopeful that she had similar feelings for him. It was hard to believe he was falling in love with his foster-sister!
Once they reached Imladris, Aragorn admitted to himself he was feeling a bit tired and woozy. It had been a long day. He sat on his borrowed steed in the courtyard of the stables while everyone bustled about dismounting and tending to the horses. Aragorn yawned and slowly swung his leg off to dismount. Almost crumpling to the ground, he felt strong arms lift him and set him on his feet. The un-amused glance of his father swam into his sight. "Can you walk Estel, or must I carry you like a sleepy five-year-old?"
"I-I can walk Ada." Aragorn covered another yawn as he straightened. "I am just more tired than I thought." He blinked sleepily. And then went rigid with a sudden thought. "Where is Arwen?" He looked around quickly.
"She has gone to her rooms, I imagine. Aragorn," Elrond lay a hand on his forehead and cheek. "You are quite flush. Come, lean on me."
Aragorn, disdaining his father's offer, brushed aside his arm and went firmly towards the stairs that led to the main House. He was no mere boy.
He didn't get two steps when the ground tilted funny. "Oh Elbereth!" Aragorn thought, as he spiraled into darkness, "I think I shall just take a little nap after all."
His wounded leg lay wrapped from knee to ankle and outside the quilt, supported by a green silk pillow. Aragorn wanted to sit up, but his head tried to whirl him off into unconsciousness again, so he lay back down with a sigh and assessed his situation. He was clean, in his bed, in his Home. Now. Just how had he gotten here? He rubbed his forehead tiredly and stared at the inlaid wooden ceiling.
Whirling head or no, he sat up quickly wincing as he slightly pulled the stitches he could feel now in his leg: Arwen!! Where was she? Oh, had she said anything to Elrond?? Would she regret their kiss last night, at least he hoped it had only been last night...
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