~Chapter 5~
I ran swiftly down the silver inlayed stairs, my heart beating wildly. Something was wrong. My sharp elven senses could feel it. As I arrived at the stables, about 5 maids stood silent around a large heap. No, that was no heap; it was my faithful mare, Asfaloth. She lay there, her large chest heaved up and down, so I knew she still lingered to life, but I could feel her slipping away, ever so slowly. "I came to feed her today Arwen, and found her lying here. I do not know what happened, fore there are no bruises, no Injuries atall." A young woman spoke..Linal, I recognized her now. We had gone to our schooling together. She knew me well. I could not speak. I loved Asfaloth. Now I knew she was leaving me, and at a young age also. I did not question. I knew it was fate. Enough had happened to me that I knew not to cry, in fact, I couldn't cry. She was slipping farther now, to far for anyone to do anything to help. The maids that had been tending to her, let her head drop gently to the dirty floor. Suddenly I heard a voice speak to me
'Arwen, I must leave you now. Do not worry, and do not cry. Your mother shall look after me now. I can even see her; she is smiling, and nodding for me to follow. I feel I have to follow her. You have been good to me mistress, thank you. Thank you for the long rides, and for that man, Aragorn. He was very kind to me. I shall miss Middle-earth, but I can see the beauty of the Gray Havens ahead now. Its heavenly Arwen! I wish you could see it! Farewell! We shall not meet again..'
I watched intently as the still being of my horse lifted herself to her feet, though her body remained, her spirit and immortality left and headed to the west to join the place of ever flowing life. "Did any of you hear that?" I asked the maids around me. After many puzzled looks, Linal spoke. "We heard nothing, madam. Just the silence, and the breathing." Asfaloth took one last look in my direction, her sparkling eyes glinted in the sunlight. She turned as galloped away.majestically fading into the westward distance. "Then it must have been my thoughts..." "Pardon? What was in your thoughts?" "Never mind. Asfaloth is gone now. Though, she is safe. I am fine. I know you all have heard of my many sorrows, but I am all right now. Forgive me for the work you all have had to do in the past months, because of my..depression." "We do not mind it dear. We are pleased to serve you. May the gods be with you dear, so your heart may heal. I myself knew Estel, I took care of him as a child, watched his sweet young face turn rugged and handsome. You are lucky to have the love of that man. You have all our blessings. Now, go back to the house sweet. We will take care of your lovely horse. Don't you worry" An older looking elf spoke. Despite her obvious age, she glowed with beauty, and kindness. I knew not her name, but loved her for her caring.
I walked through Elrond's house much the following day, past peering eyes, curious as to why I was not saddened by Asfaloth's passing. I myself couldn't believe my activity. Going on with life so regularly after such tragedy was not of my kind. Still, I felt my mother's presence about me. Maybe that is what caused my calmness, but I was not sure. I even forgot somewhat, of not having Aragorn there to comfort me, which was even stranger. I decided to go and inform my father of the letter from Aragorn. I went to the North wing office of Elrond, and peered in. "Father? Are you there Father?" A voice came lightly from a distance, somewhere in a back room. It echoed in the tall halls of soap stone and ivory. "Arwen dear! You have come! I am sorry, your father is out on confidential business, not even the princess shall know of." The voice obviously was not my father's but a raspier more strained one. An older looking male elf stepped out from behind a distant bookcase. He had a broad smile, and I could tell that he was handsome in his younger years. "I am Solarn. Your fathers' bookkeeper, and trusted friend. I have heard much about you in my long life. You are so much more beautiful that I imagined." Solarn strolled over to me and gently kissed my brow, which I accepted. I felt as if I had known this man my whole life, like a grandfather. "So he is gone. That disappoints me sir. I wished to speak to my father about a letter I have received, an important one." "From Aragorn." "Yes...Do you know him?" "I only took care to teach the boy his whole childhood. He is dear to me also. I am close to your father, and I have authority in this place also. I apologize for Elrond's absence. I do hope he returns soon so that you may deliver the news to him personally. While you're here, are there any books you would mind reading or looking through? I have many at my hand." I thought about this for a moment. "I suppose I could take one book with me. Do you have any of the poems and songs of Beren and Luthien?" "A wise choice, such a lovely and sad tale. You will be sure to enjoy it." Solarn walked over and disappeared behind a book case. After a few moments, he came into view again. "We have luck! I found one of our best copies, one of my favorite tales, you will be sure to enjoy it!" He handed me the worn book. Its leather binding rubbed against my skin softly, truly a comfort. "Thank you, I shall return it to you when I am finished." "Oh, no need. You keep it, I insist." I knew not to refuse a gift of the elves, for that would be like an insult. "My.well, okay. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you kind sir. Fare well!" "Stay safe lady, remember, there is always hope." A glint of wisdom shone in his eyes then.he seemed to know of something no one could ever desipher. "Namarie." * * * That night in my sleep, I had yet another dream. This one though scared me, to the point of shear terror.
I was back in a memory, of when Aragorn was with me. We were together, in an intimate scene. It felt my face and heart warmed with the joy of seeing us together. I heard my heart skip a beat as I felt his lips touch mine; it was as if it were real. Then suddenly, we were ripped apart, by some unimaginable force! In a slow motion way I watched Aragorn drift further out of my reach, I heard him calling, I tried to speak, but I could not. Then, I saw another woman's face. Fair, and homely, she was of the race of men, and she was beautiful. Her long golden hair told me she was that of Rohan. Suddenly Aragorn stood next to her, and she spoke softly to him into his ear. He smiled, with that devilish grin I know so well, and then the two of them began to fade, forever leaving me, never to see him again.
I awoke in a cold sweat and tears in my eyes. What was this?! It was a vision I suddenly realized. But, what of the promise of my mother! What of my trust of Aragorn! Could this be the 'competition' my mother spoke of? I didn't take time to consider this. It was early morning by now, the dawns first light crept over the hills. My father had returned, I felt his presence. Only he could answer to this vision.
I ran swiftly down the silver inlayed stairs, my heart beating wildly. Something was wrong. My sharp elven senses could feel it. As I arrived at the stables, about 5 maids stood silent around a large heap. No, that was no heap; it was my faithful mare, Asfaloth. She lay there, her large chest heaved up and down, so I knew she still lingered to life, but I could feel her slipping away, ever so slowly. "I came to feed her today Arwen, and found her lying here. I do not know what happened, fore there are no bruises, no Injuries atall." A young woman spoke..Linal, I recognized her now. We had gone to our schooling together. She knew me well. I could not speak. I loved Asfaloth. Now I knew she was leaving me, and at a young age also. I did not question. I knew it was fate. Enough had happened to me that I knew not to cry, in fact, I couldn't cry. She was slipping farther now, to far for anyone to do anything to help. The maids that had been tending to her, let her head drop gently to the dirty floor. Suddenly I heard a voice speak to me
'Arwen, I must leave you now. Do not worry, and do not cry. Your mother shall look after me now. I can even see her; she is smiling, and nodding for me to follow. I feel I have to follow her. You have been good to me mistress, thank you. Thank you for the long rides, and for that man, Aragorn. He was very kind to me. I shall miss Middle-earth, but I can see the beauty of the Gray Havens ahead now. Its heavenly Arwen! I wish you could see it! Farewell! We shall not meet again..'
I watched intently as the still being of my horse lifted herself to her feet, though her body remained, her spirit and immortality left and headed to the west to join the place of ever flowing life. "Did any of you hear that?" I asked the maids around me. After many puzzled looks, Linal spoke. "We heard nothing, madam. Just the silence, and the breathing." Asfaloth took one last look in my direction, her sparkling eyes glinted in the sunlight. She turned as galloped away.majestically fading into the westward distance. "Then it must have been my thoughts..." "Pardon? What was in your thoughts?" "Never mind. Asfaloth is gone now. Though, she is safe. I am fine. I know you all have heard of my many sorrows, but I am all right now. Forgive me for the work you all have had to do in the past months, because of my..depression." "We do not mind it dear. We are pleased to serve you. May the gods be with you dear, so your heart may heal. I myself knew Estel, I took care of him as a child, watched his sweet young face turn rugged and handsome. You are lucky to have the love of that man. You have all our blessings. Now, go back to the house sweet. We will take care of your lovely horse. Don't you worry" An older looking elf spoke. Despite her obvious age, she glowed with beauty, and kindness. I knew not her name, but loved her for her caring.
I walked through Elrond's house much the following day, past peering eyes, curious as to why I was not saddened by Asfaloth's passing. I myself couldn't believe my activity. Going on with life so regularly after such tragedy was not of my kind. Still, I felt my mother's presence about me. Maybe that is what caused my calmness, but I was not sure. I even forgot somewhat, of not having Aragorn there to comfort me, which was even stranger. I decided to go and inform my father of the letter from Aragorn. I went to the North wing office of Elrond, and peered in. "Father? Are you there Father?" A voice came lightly from a distance, somewhere in a back room. It echoed in the tall halls of soap stone and ivory. "Arwen dear! You have come! I am sorry, your father is out on confidential business, not even the princess shall know of." The voice obviously was not my father's but a raspier more strained one. An older looking male elf stepped out from behind a distant bookcase. He had a broad smile, and I could tell that he was handsome in his younger years. "I am Solarn. Your fathers' bookkeeper, and trusted friend. I have heard much about you in my long life. You are so much more beautiful that I imagined." Solarn strolled over to me and gently kissed my brow, which I accepted. I felt as if I had known this man my whole life, like a grandfather. "So he is gone. That disappoints me sir. I wished to speak to my father about a letter I have received, an important one." "From Aragorn." "Yes...Do you know him?" "I only took care to teach the boy his whole childhood. He is dear to me also. I am close to your father, and I have authority in this place also. I apologize for Elrond's absence. I do hope he returns soon so that you may deliver the news to him personally. While you're here, are there any books you would mind reading or looking through? I have many at my hand." I thought about this for a moment. "I suppose I could take one book with me. Do you have any of the poems and songs of Beren and Luthien?" "A wise choice, such a lovely and sad tale. You will be sure to enjoy it." Solarn walked over and disappeared behind a book case. After a few moments, he came into view again. "We have luck! I found one of our best copies, one of my favorite tales, you will be sure to enjoy it!" He handed me the worn book. Its leather binding rubbed against my skin softly, truly a comfort. "Thank you, I shall return it to you when I am finished." "Oh, no need. You keep it, I insist." I knew not to refuse a gift of the elves, for that would be like an insult. "My.well, okay. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you kind sir. Fare well!" "Stay safe lady, remember, there is always hope." A glint of wisdom shone in his eyes then.he seemed to know of something no one could ever desipher. "Namarie." * * * That night in my sleep, I had yet another dream. This one though scared me, to the point of shear terror.
I was back in a memory, of when Aragorn was with me. We were together, in an intimate scene. It felt my face and heart warmed with the joy of seeing us together. I heard my heart skip a beat as I felt his lips touch mine; it was as if it were real. Then suddenly, we were ripped apart, by some unimaginable force! In a slow motion way I watched Aragorn drift further out of my reach, I heard him calling, I tried to speak, but I could not. Then, I saw another woman's face. Fair, and homely, she was of the race of men, and she was beautiful. Her long golden hair told me she was that of Rohan. Suddenly Aragorn stood next to her, and she spoke softly to him into his ear. He smiled, with that devilish grin I know so well, and then the two of them began to fade, forever leaving me, never to see him again.
I awoke in a cold sweat and tears in my eyes. What was this?! It was a vision I suddenly realized. But, what of the promise of my mother! What of my trust of Aragorn! Could this be the 'competition' my mother spoke of? I didn't take time to consider this. It was early morning by now, the dawns first light crept over the hills. My father had returned, I felt his presence. Only he could answer to this vision.