Authors note: I apologize for the short length of the chapters! They will hopefully get longer as I go into the story further.
Two nights had passed since Arwens meeting with Aragorn, and the threat in her mind had not depleted. In fact, it had only grown, the darkness conquering her mind with each passing moment. It wasn't going to go away. Time was running out for Aragorn. Arwen felt it. It was this night that her people were making for the Gray Havens, crossing the seas; never to return again. Her father had meant for her to go with them. She herself had meant to go with them. Things were different now. Arwen knew it in her heart.
They were coming for him. For her Estel. They would probably never stop coming. She knew this. Somewhere in the back of her mind, this knowledge was always present. It never went away, but haunted her, like the bitter immortality of her people. She had always known this day would come; the day where she had to make her decision. Something was different now. This time was different. Her father, her people, her chance at a life without pain, without loss. She was about to give that all up, and she knew it. But she no longer cared. Not this time, and not ever again.
Elrond would be coming for her in an hour or so. This did not leave her much time. Arwen loved her father dearly, and it pained her to have to leave without saying goodbye. But he would not understand what she was doing, and for the life of Estel, she did not have the time to explain it to him. Leaving in such a hurry would also leave very little time for the packing of provisions. She could only take with her what was necessary for her own survival. The elven cloak her mother had given her, bearing the leaves of Lorian, fresh water and lembas, a change of clothing; a disguise of men's garments, a bow made by the wood-elves of Mirkwood, arrows, her sword; wrought by the elves of Rivendell and fit for a warrior, and a ring that Aragorn had given her long ago. After she was finished, she went to the stables and loaded up Asfaloth, and mounted him. There was no turning back now. She whispered to him, and together they flew off into the distance.
Aragorn was lost deep in his thoughts. It had been two days since he dreamed of Arwen and he ached for her. In that dream he had felt something, an unspoken fear from Arwen. He had known her for many years, and he knew when something bad was about to happen. He could sense it from her.
Next to him, Eowyn was inquiring about the Evenstar. It glowed from his neck, as if the light of Arwens life was right there with him. How could he explain such a thing to Eowyn, who had never known such purity, such love, such hope. When he looked into Eowyns eyes all he could see was pain, fear, and a longing for love. But such love he could not give. Not to Eowyn. Arwen would remain forever more his one true light, his love and life.
Noises broke his reverie. Aragorn heard shouting coming from just over the hills. Legolas was yelling something. For a moment, his heart stopped beating. Scouts had arrived.
Two nights had passed since Arwens meeting with Aragorn, and the threat in her mind had not depleted. In fact, it had only grown, the darkness conquering her mind with each passing moment. It wasn't going to go away. Time was running out for Aragorn. Arwen felt it. It was this night that her people were making for the Gray Havens, crossing the seas; never to return again. Her father had meant for her to go with them. She herself had meant to go with them. Things were different now. Arwen knew it in her heart.
They were coming for him. For her Estel. They would probably never stop coming. She knew this. Somewhere in the back of her mind, this knowledge was always present. It never went away, but haunted her, like the bitter immortality of her people. She had always known this day would come; the day where she had to make her decision. Something was different now. This time was different. Her father, her people, her chance at a life without pain, without loss. She was about to give that all up, and she knew it. But she no longer cared. Not this time, and not ever again.
Elrond would be coming for her in an hour or so. This did not leave her much time. Arwen loved her father dearly, and it pained her to have to leave without saying goodbye. But he would not understand what she was doing, and for the life of Estel, she did not have the time to explain it to him. Leaving in such a hurry would also leave very little time for the packing of provisions. She could only take with her what was necessary for her own survival. The elven cloak her mother had given her, bearing the leaves of Lorian, fresh water and lembas, a change of clothing; a disguise of men's garments, a bow made by the wood-elves of Mirkwood, arrows, her sword; wrought by the elves of Rivendell and fit for a warrior, and a ring that Aragorn had given her long ago. After she was finished, she went to the stables and loaded up Asfaloth, and mounted him. There was no turning back now. She whispered to him, and together they flew off into the distance.
Aragorn was lost deep in his thoughts. It had been two days since he dreamed of Arwen and he ached for her. In that dream he had felt something, an unspoken fear from Arwen. He had known her for many years, and he knew when something bad was about to happen. He could sense it from her.
Next to him, Eowyn was inquiring about the Evenstar. It glowed from his neck, as if the light of Arwens life was right there with him. How could he explain such a thing to Eowyn, who had never known such purity, such love, such hope. When he looked into Eowyns eyes all he could see was pain, fear, and a longing for love. But such love he could not give. Not to Eowyn. Arwen would remain forever more his one true light, his love and life.
Noises broke his reverie. Aragorn heard shouting coming from just over the hills. Legolas was yelling something. For a moment, his heart stopped beating. Scouts had arrived.
