standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter Three: The Guests from Minas Tirith
That evening started off tense as Aragorn had no idea of what or who he would find at dinner. He wasn't even sure of what time in history he had found himself wrapped in; whether it be the future, the past, or the present time from when he had left the world of men.
They would be dining outside that evening under the beauty of the trees of Imladris. That time of year always produced the most gorgeous of shades in the foliage. Torchlights lit the parameter of the area that had been reserved for the feast, their flames burned brightly in the fading light of the evening.
The tables in the clearing were set in a U shape with the fifty or so chairs on the outside so everyone was allowed to face each other. A large chair sat in the middle of the table that conjoined the other two. This was Elrond's seat for dinner, although it was empty now. Aragorn and Arwen sat to the left of Elrond's chair in quiet conversation.
"What troubles you, Estel?" Arwen asked worriedly.
"Trouble? Nothing troubles me. I am simply awaiting the guests in anticipation," he said calmly.
"Then why do you incessantly tap your foot upon the ground as if you are worried?" Arwen said as she placed her hand on his thigh. He immediately stopped tapping.
Aragorn opened his mouth and was about to reply to her when several elves walked into the clearing followed by many men clad in the garb of Gondor. All the elves seated at the tables stood in respect as the guests made their way to the tables and to the empty seats.
Aragorn scanned the group of men for a familiar face. Any familiar face. Although he was not sure what he would do should he find one. He was still torn on whether or not he was glad to be in this elvish world.
As the group neared its end Aragorn felt his body relax. Maybe he wouldn't have to deal with any unwanted emotions that night. He could go about his new life in peace.
Then Elrond came into the clearing followed by what one could only presume to be the leaders of the group of men. Aragorn felt the blood drain from his face and his vision waiver as Elrond introduced these few men to the crowd of elves.
"I present to you Faramir, the Captain of Gondor and his wife Éowyn of Rohan," Elrond proclaimed.
Aragorn's heart beat in his chest loudly as he watched Faramir and Éowyn walk over to take their seats on the other side of Elrond at the table. Aragorn could feel the eyes of Faramir upon him and he looked up to stare back.
"Allow me to introduce my daughter, Arwen, and her husband Estel," Elrond said as the food was brought to the tables. "Estel is a master swordsman; a quality not often found in the realm of the elves."
Aragorn's eyes must have shown his surprise for Arwen gave him a strange look. At least there was one less question that needed answering.
"I am aware that Rivendell and Minas Tirith are far apart in distance, but it seems as if I have known you from somewhere else," Faramir said as he studied Aragorn's face.
Aragorn looked to Elrond for direction.
"From somewhere else?" Elrond asked. "Estle has not ventured abroad for more than three days from the company of Imladris. It is doubtful that you have known him."
"Yes, perhaps I am mistaken," Faramir said, not completely convinced.
After several odd moments of silence, Elrond spoke again to Faramir. "Tell me, Faramir, how is your brother? Is he in good health?"
Aragorn's face paled at the mention of Boromir. Alive. What else was different in this world?
Faramir nodded. "When we left him last he was in poor health. It does not do to go riding in the rain and cold at all hours of the night. He wanted to come with us, but I would not let him."
"His wife, my cousin, practically had to tie him down to the bed," Éowyn said in good humor.
"Perhaps next time we might meet him in person?" Aragorn asked.
"I will see it done," Faramir said.
Dinner passed more quickly than Aragorn would have thought, and he was looking forward to a good night's sleep and perhaps some personal time with his wife. Yes, that did seem nice. A smile crossed his features at the thought.
Arwen noticed his dreamlike state and cocked her head at him in curiosity.
"Why do you smile?" Arwen asked.
"Is it a bad thing that I smile?"
"No, it is not, but you were not happy a few moment ago."
Aragorn leaned in toward Arwen and whispered in her ear, "You should smile too considering what I plan on doing to you later."
A shiver went up Arwen's spine and she did smile.
Not long after that everyone had begun to leave the dining area in search of other forms of entertainment. Aragorn knew what kind of entertainment he was looking for, so he grabbed Arwen around the waist and pulled her against him as everyone had begun to leave the clearing. He whispered something into her ear and she nodded in response with a smile lighting up her features.
Together they walked back arm in arm among the other guests that walked and talked in the twilight. The time after sunset was always quiet and peaceful in Imladris. Aragorn remembered the city in his days as a child to be as things were now. At least there was no ring in this world to destroy everything. He could live in peace with Arwen. At least he thought. The Ring had never occured to him in this life. Perhaps it still survived.
"Estel?"
Aragorn shook himself out of his trance to see that they had already reached their destination. There were no more thoughts of rings or torment that night as Aragorn set his eyes on the most beautiful elf in Middle Earth.
Arwen ran a finger down Aragorn's jaw, tracing back up to his lips where she lifted herself up to kiss. She ran her kisses across his cheek and nipped lightly at his earlobe. There was an instant reaction as Aragorn felt for the first time what it was like to have the sensitive elven ears used in foreplay. It was one of the most pleasing feelings he had ever known.
"Come," Arwen said softly as she took ahold of his hands and pulled him back with her to the bed. They sat down on the end and gazed at each other lustfully. Aragorn reached out and ran his hands through her silky smooth hair. He had always loved that about her. Her pale skin was almost silver in the moonlight that streamed through the window.
"Kiss me, Estel," Arwen moaned as Aragorn's fingers brushed across her lips.
"As the lady asks," Aragorn said as he scooted closer, bringing his lips down to touch hers.
There was nothing but blind passion after that moment. Both reacted to the other in perfect harmony as if they had been together as such for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. For all Aragorn knew they had been. But not knowing everything about this new life was beginning to tire his mind.
Arwen called out his name loudly and Aragorn silenced it with a kiss so as no one else would hear her yells of pleasure. He had to silence his own cries into her neck as together they were both spent in the night.
"That was refreshing," Aragorn said casually as he rolled onto his back, pulling her against his chest.
"You are good at it," Arwen commented.
"It takes two."
There was silence afterwards as they lay in the comfort of each other's arms. It seemed like hours that Aragorn had been laying there before Arwen took notice and said anything.
"Why have you not yet fallen asleep?" Arwen asked.
"Why haven't you?"
"I do not sleep when you do not," she said matter of factly.
"My mind is elsewhere."
"What do you think of?" Arwen asked curiously.
"Small things. Nothing of any bother to anyone but myself."
"You should get some sleep before council tomorrow," Arwen commented as she yawned. "They will not want you asleep."
"Council?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes, the Men are here seeking elven council. Where has your mind gone, Melamin?" Arwen asked playfully.
"My mind and my heart are one, and I gave them both to you a long time ago."
a/n: thanks to my betas. many many thanks a thousand times over, all four of you!!!! i am very sorry it took me this long o get this chapter out. it was being such a pain. i had to rewrite it at least six times. and i finally got this chapter. by now the fic should have been mostly over, but i just prolonged it a few chapters. and thanks for all of you who reviewed. your comments menat a lot, as this chapter wouldn't have even been here had your reviews not been given. and i need major help with the next chapter, so message me on AIM. and if you have me on your buddy list, my screen name just changed, so it's now LLsiLindroLL. don't froget to review!!
Chapter Three: The Guests from Minas Tirith
That evening started off tense as Aragorn had no idea of what or who he would find at dinner. He wasn't even sure of what time in history he had found himself wrapped in; whether it be the future, the past, or the present time from when he had left the world of men.
They would be dining outside that evening under the beauty of the trees of Imladris. That time of year always produced the most gorgeous of shades in the foliage. Torchlights lit the parameter of the area that had been reserved for the feast, their flames burned brightly in the fading light of the evening.
The tables in the clearing were set in a U shape with the fifty or so chairs on the outside so everyone was allowed to face each other. A large chair sat in the middle of the table that conjoined the other two. This was Elrond's seat for dinner, although it was empty now. Aragorn and Arwen sat to the left of Elrond's chair in quiet conversation.
"What troubles you, Estel?" Arwen asked worriedly.
"Trouble? Nothing troubles me. I am simply awaiting the guests in anticipation," he said calmly.
"Then why do you incessantly tap your foot upon the ground as if you are worried?" Arwen said as she placed her hand on his thigh. He immediately stopped tapping.
Aragorn opened his mouth and was about to reply to her when several elves walked into the clearing followed by many men clad in the garb of Gondor. All the elves seated at the tables stood in respect as the guests made their way to the tables and to the empty seats.
Aragorn scanned the group of men for a familiar face. Any familiar face. Although he was not sure what he would do should he find one. He was still torn on whether or not he was glad to be in this elvish world.
As the group neared its end Aragorn felt his body relax. Maybe he wouldn't have to deal with any unwanted emotions that night. He could go about his new life in peace.
Then Elrond came into the clearing followed by what one could only presume to be the leaders of the group of men. Aragorn felt the blood drain from his face and his vision waiver as Elrond introduced these few men to the crowd of elves.
"I present to you Faramir, the Captain of Gondor and his wife Éowyn of Rohan," Elrond proclaimed.
Aragorn's heart beat in his chest loudly as he watched Faramir and Éowyn walk over to take their seats on the other side of Elrond at the table. Aragorn could feel the eyes of Faramir upon him and he looked up to stare back.
"Allow me to introduce my daughter, Arwen, and her husband Estel," Elrond said as the food was brought to the tables. "Estel is a master swordsman; a quality not often found in the realm of the elves."
Aragorn's eyes must have shown his surprise for Arwen gave him a strange look. At least there was one less question that needed answering.
"I am aware that Rivendell and Minas Tirith are far apart in distance, but it seems as if I have known you from somewhere else," Faramir said as he studied Aragorn's face.
Aragorn looked to Elrond for direction.
"From somewhere else?" Elrond asked. "Estle has not ventured abroad for more than three days from the company of Imladris. It is doubtful that you have known him."
"Yes, perhaps I am mistaken," Faramir said, not completely convinced.
After several odd moments of silence, Elrond spoke again to Faramir. "Tell me, Faramir, how is your brother? Is he in good health?"
Aragorn's face paled at the mention of Boromir. Alive. What else was different in this world?
Faramir nodded. "When we left him last he was in poor health. It does not do to go riding in the rain and cold at all hours of the night. He wanted to come with us, but I would not let him."
"His wife, my cousin, practically had to tie him down to the bed," Éowyn said in good humor.
"Perhaps next time we might meet him in person?" Aragorn asked.
"I will see it done," Faramir said.
Dinner passed more quickly than Aragorn would have thought, and he was looking forward to a good night's sleep and perhaps some personal time with his wife. Yes, that did seem nice. A smile crossed his features at the thought.
Arwen noticed his dreamlike state and cocked her head at him in curiosity.
"Why do you smile?" Arwen asked.
"Is it a bad thing that I smile?"
"No, it is not, but you were not happy a few moment ago."
Aragorn leaned in toward Arwen and whispered in her ear, "You should smile too considering what I plan on doing to you later."
A shiver went up Arwen's spine and she did smile.
Not long after that everyone had begun to leave the dining area in search of other forms of entertainment. Aragorn knew what kind of entertainment he was looking for, so he grabbed Arwen around the waist and pulled her against him as everyone had begun to leave the clearing. He whispered something into her ear and she nodded in response with a smile lighting up her features.
Together they walked back arm in arm among the other guests that walked and talked in the twilight. The time after sunset was always quiet and peaceful in Imladris. Aragorn remembered the city in his days as a child to be as things were now. At least there was no ring in this world to destroy everything. He could live in peace with Arwen. At least he thought. The Ring had never occured to him in this life. Perhaps it still survived.
"Estel?"
Aragorn shook himself out of his trance to see that they had already reached their destination. There were no more thoughts of rings or torment that night as Aragorn set his eyes on the most beautiful elf in Middle Earth.
Arwen ran a finger down Aragorn's jaw, tracing back up to his lips where she lifted herself up to kiss. She ran her kisses across his cheek and nipped lightly at his earlobe. There was an instant reaction as Aragorn felt for the first time what it was like to have the sensitive elven ears used in foreplay. It was one of the most pleasing feelings he had ever known.
"Come," Arwen said softly as she took ahold of his hands and pulled him back with her to the bed. They sat down on the end and gazed at each other lustfully. Aragorn reached out and ran his hands through her silky smooth hair. He had always loved that about her. Her pale skin was almost silver in the moonlight that streamed through the window.
"Kiss me, Estel," Arwen moaned as Aragorn's fingers brushed across her lips.
"As the lady asks," Aragorn said as he scooted closer, bringing his lips down to touch hers.
There was nothing but blind passion after that moment. Both reacted to the other in perfect harmony as if they had been together as such for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. For all Aragorn knew they had been. But not knowing everything about this new life was beginning to tire his mind.
Arwen called out his name loudly and Aragorn silenced it with a kiss so as no one else would hear her yells of pleasure. He had to silence his own cries into her neck as together they were both spent in the night.
"That was refreshing," Aragorn said casually as he rolled onto his back, pulling her against his chest.
"You are good at it," Arwen commented.
"It takes two."
There was silence afterwards as they lay in the comfort of each other's arms. It seemed like hours that Aragorn had been laying there before Arwen took notice and said anything.
"Why have you not yet fallen asleep?" Arwen asked.
"Why haven't you?"
"I do not sleep when you do not," she said matter of factly.
"My mind is elsewhere."
"What do you think of?" Arwen asked curiously.
"Small things. Nothing of any bother to anyone but myself."
"You should get some sleep before council tomorrow," Arwen commented as she yawned. "They will not want you asleep."
"Council?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes, the Men are here seeking elven council. Where has your mind gone, Melamin?" Arwen asked playfully.
"My mind and my heart are one, and I gave them both to you a long time ago."
a/n: thanks to my betas. many many thanks a thousand times over, all four of you!!!! i am very sorry it took me this long o get this chapter out. it was being such a pain. i had to rewrite it at least six times. and i finally got this chapter. by now the fic should have been mostly over, but i just prolonged it a few chapters. and thanks for all of you who reviewed. your comments menat a lot, as this chapter wouldn't have even been here had your reviews not been given. and i need major help with the next chapter, so message me on AIM. and if you have me on your buddy list, my screen name just changed, so it's now LLsiLindroLL. don't froget to review!!