Well, the story is taking a bit of a twist here.I don't know what made me think of it.but there you go. This is also going to be rated PG-13 for a bit of heavy petting.which I am hoping I interpret correctly and still keeps out of NC-17 land. Oh those crazy kids!!





As he pondered his confusion, he lay back down again. Then a brief knock was heard, and Arwen stuck her head in. "Ah, awake at last! How are you feeling?"

"Arwen!" Aragorn sat up quickly, frowning at his headache. "I-I feel as well as can be expected."

She came into the room and ran a hand lightly on his bandaged leg. "Ada didn't make you suffer, did he? He seemed a little on edge last night and I just wondered if he suspected something had happened between us and that's why he said in the pavilion, ""I'm afraid this will be unpleasant."" She mimicked the melodious cadences of Elrond's voice.

"Suffer? Ah no, no," He blinked, trying to recall. "Ada has never been spiteful, that I can think of. I do not remember much about last night, except it was last night when I kissed you, right?"

Arwen leaned over, staring into his eyes and then kissed him. "Yes, last night." She brought a hand to his face. " And now this morning. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Aragorn sat up straighter and brought up a hand to stroke her cheek. "Well, you can kiss me again..."

Smiling, she leaned forward and their lips met and their kiss quickly deepened. Sinking into the kiss, Arwen was about to sit next to him, when another quick knock was heard. With admirable Elvish speed, Arwen stood and said in a normal voice. "Well your condition has improved immeasurably from last night, Aragorn."

"Yes, Estel, you look much better," his father said as he strolled into the room. Arwen slipped to the side, to let her father approach, and as Elrond examined the wounded leg, Arwen blew Aragorn a kiss and waved as she left.

Elrond looked at Aragorn when he was done, his head slightly cocked in puzzlement. "Is everything all right between you and Arwen? I know it must be a little awkward for you both, since you have not met as adults. I felt some awkwardness last night when I came upon you in the glade."

Aragorn smiled and sighed deeply. "Oh no, everything is fine between us father. We just have a lot of catching up to do."

Elond put a fond hand on his foster son's shoulders. "Well I am glad to hear that. A few days bed rest Estel, and then you can be up and about. And your news about the orcs, saves me worry about Arwen. I am sending archers out today."

He poured Aragorn a cordial from a stoppered bottle on his bedside and silently handed it to him. Aragorn made a face and drank it quickly. Handing it back to his father he said, "Ada, you would think after all this time, these distillations would taste better!"

"Estel! Don't be such a child!!" He laughed as he left.

Two days later, Aragorn was getting about with the help of a walking stick. And Arwen, waiting to see the outcome of the Elvish archers skirmish with the orcs, was happy to keep him company.

It was almost a game for the two to snatch kisses, looks and time alone within the populated confines of their Home.

One afternoon, the two decided to go on a picnic by horseback, to a place, far from the House and Elvish foot traffic.

As Aragorn adjusted the rucksack on the pommel of his saddle, he saw Elrond stroll through the stable courtyard in his comfortable leather riding gear. Oh no! He didn't mean to join he and Arwen did he??

"Ada." He bowed slightly. "Where are you bound?" He asked casually as he needlessly adjusted his horse's girth.

"There is a storm coming in Estel and one of the patrolling scouts, Calador, mentions that the main fishing weir upriver has pulled loose on one side. So I am going to inspect the damage and make a decision whether to repair it or let it go."

"Do you want me to come with, Ada?"

Elrond cocked an eyebrow. "With you just now walking without a stick? No son, go entertain Arwen. A picnic for the two of you is just the thing. Just keep an eye on the weather!"

"Yes Ada." He bowed slightly as his father gracefully mounted his stallion and cantered out of the stables.

Arwen joined Aragorn holding an old blanket for their picnic, just as Elrond left. Glancing at her father's retreating form she asked frowning slightly, "Where is father off to?"

"To inspect the main fishing weir. A storm is coming in he says."

"Well, then, we'd better be off then!"

Aragorn, smiling, kissed her quickly and helped her mount.



It was a glorious day for a ride, the sky swept clean by a high wind that blew wisps of clouds before it like full-masted schooners.

Arwen knew exactly where they need to go and Aragorn was delighted by the lovely isolation of it. A narrow stream fell down the high cliff side into a small pool and bubbled and ran out of the dell where they dismounted. A few oaks and maples grew against the west wall.

"Tis a lovely spot for a picnic Arwen." He smiled at her as he swung off his horse. "A perfect place to be alone with you."

"Exactly my thinking Estel. Mother and father used to come here all the time before I was born. Father brought the twins and I here once and now I come here whenever I can. It is lovely and one of my favorite spots in Imladris." She hopped down from her mare Amalabeth (now recovered) and striding over to the cool shade beneath a spreading maple, flung the blanket out, straightening the corners and brushing off leaves. Aragorn brought the rucksack and set it down. The moment he did, he swept Arwen into an embrace, his mouth seeking hers. She returned his ardor.

Many minutes later, they pulled apart, a bit breathlessly. "I have wanted to do that for many days Arwen."

Eyes shining, she replied, "And I have wanted you to! It just seems, everywhere we go, well, elves show up!"

"Or worse yet, Ada!"

"Do you think he suspects?"

"I hope not! I think we have been very circumspect."

"Well, except last night, after dinner. I thought for sure Glorfindel saw us behind the pillar. Your dress had that long train..."

"Well, I had to wear something appropriate for the gathering." She clasped her hands in front of her and turned to look out into the sunlit dell. "I hate the going away feast for those leaving for the Grey Havens. It's morbid. No one is happy, really."

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "It reminds you of your mother, doesn't it? I wished I had met her."

Silent for a moment, Arwen then turned into his embrace and lay her head on his chest. "Mother was too ill for a feast. We all had dinner in her solarium." Arwen felt tears prick her eyes and she turned her face into Aragorn's shirt. "I miss her so much," she whispered to his warm tunic. "That's why I visit Grandmother so much. I just, well, need to be around a...mother. Someone who understands." He hugged her tighter and laid his head atop hers. They remained that way for several minutes.

"Well, why don't we have lunch?"

Arwen nodded and the two made themselves comfortable on the blanket. Aragorn brought out all the goodies from the rucksack and Arwen fixed them so they could nibble off what had been supplied: cold chicken, fruit, fresh rolls, cheese and an icy cold bottle of white wine.

When lunch was finished, Aragorn lay back and closed his eyes, as happy and contented as he had ever been. Arwen, replete, lay on his chest and the two, relaxing, slept.

The sun, sliding to the west, cast long shadows in the dell. The waterfall rushed over the cliff side and swallows dipped in and out of the shinning spray. The horses had their heads lowered, back hooves cocked, drowsing in the sun.

A shadow crossed Aragorn's face as he slowly woke up. Arwen still lay across his chest, eyes half open, sound asleep.

It was cloudy and the wind had come up.

Reluctantly, he shook Arwen. As she lifted her head, He thought again how much he loved her. So beautiful and sleepy-eyed, he bent and kissed her slowly and she responded.

He ran his arm down her back and then pulled her closer by the back of the neck. They both sat up, still kissing. When Aragorn pulled away, he was breathing hard and Arwen's eyes glowed at him, a deep luminous blue. She gazed at him, steady and intense and finally in a whisper, said, "Aragorn, I love you."

He pulled her to him again his heart full. This time, his hand brushed the shoulder of her gown off. She gasped against his mouth as he hand slipped down further to cup her breast and run his thumb across her nipple. She arched into his hand, her breath coming faster.

Laying her down, he was just about to bring his mouth to her again, when with a sudden gust of wind, the rain came. In a minute, the two lovers were soaked.

Aragorn sat up, his hair dripping into Arwen's face: her lips bruised and rosy from kissing, her eyes sparkling. How could he resist? He kissed her again and stood up, pulling her with him. "I'm afraid we will have to wait for another time, my love!"

Arwen threw back her hair and laughed. Aragorn gently adjusted her dress, placing on last kiss on her breast before covering it again. They then rushed about pulling together their picnic things and running, got mounted in record time. Soon the glade was behind them, hidden by a spur of rock. But both of them would not forget this day.

And for more than one reason.

Because of the runoff and small mudslides the storm flung across their path, it took them longer than expected to get back.

But they were young and love and the rain was a mere inconvenience.

It was deep twilight when they rode into the stables, and though Aragorn was slightly numb from the cold spring rain, his heart was light. He dismounted stiffly and helped a smiling Arwen down with a swift kiss. As they led their horses into the warm stables, Cerwal the Horsemaster looked at the two of them worried and said, taking their reins, "Have either of you seen Lord Elrond?"

"He went to check the main weir just as we were leaving for our picnic."

"Calador returned over an hour ago, saying Elrond was right behind him, coming---"

Aragorn, swiftly remounted, all tiredness and cold forgotten. "Throw me that rope Cerwal!" Cerwal unhooked a coil of rope nearby and threw it to Aragorn.

"Arwen, go find Glorfindel! We need a search party mounted right away!"

Thin-lipped, Arwen nodded and ran across the courtyard to the House. Aragorn yanked on his horse's reins, and galloped out of the stables.

The rain, though still falling, had let up some and Aragorn was able to make out the turning for the riverside path that would lead to the main weir.

Slowing the horse down, he took it in a smart trot as he peered into the foaming Bruinen and along the banks looking for Elrond's stallion Rhean or any sign of the elf lord.

Walking the horse, he finally dismounted and leaving the reins dangling, he peered in the lowering gloom looking for anything that might show him where Elrond was.

There!!! By the Valar!! Elrond was in the river, up against the weir, which had pulled half way off into the Bruinen.

"ADA!" Aragorn bellowed over the sound the river noise. "ADA! I'm coming! Hang on!!!"

Tying a one end of the rope to a willow leaning far over the water, Aragorn tied the other end around his waist and taking a deep breath, dove into the raging waters of the Bruinen.