Nine Companions, One Evenstar
By: Arythiel
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings, or any of Tolkien's creations.
Genre: Angst/Romance (AN: This story will actually have just about every genre in it.)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: AU- What if Frodo hadn't healed in time for the Fellowship to depart? Frodo must go with the fellowship, but along with him shall come an elf-nurse, Arwen Evenstar. What events shall change? What will Aragorn think?
Aryth's Note: I am soooooooo sorry that it took me so long to update. I have been on vacation and recovering from horrible sinus infection. Please don't hold it against me! ~*~**~***~**~*~ Chapter One Bitter Detachment ~*~**~***~**~*~
"Arwen, you cannot do this." Aragorn stated. After her bold announcement, the ranger had drawn her aside.
"That is not your decision to make for me." Arwen said simply.
"You cannot simply join the Fellowship! Sick or healed, Frodo will still have something to say about this. He will undoubtedly not let you take care of him."
"I have already spoken with Frodo. You need not worry about that."
"Well, how will you be able to defend yourself? You cannot rely on me to care for you." Aragorn said, coming from a different view.
"You know very well that I can care for myself."
Aragorn grew impatient; she was purposefully ignoring the point. He grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a good shake. "Arwen! You cannot do this! I shall not let you!" He yelled.
The elf winced, he was gripping her so hard that she was sure it was causing bruises. She tried to get from his grasp, but found it useless. "As I said before, that is not your decision. It was not my original intent, but there is no other way."
"I will not let you get hurt! By letting you come, not only will I be making the entire Fellowship prone to weakness, I will also be letting you become endangered." He tightened his grasp on her, forcing her to look him straight in the eyes.
"I am not weak! I have never been weak and I will hold my own! Now let go of me."
"No, not until you understand. Not until you back down." He snarled.
Arwen gasped, this was not the man she had fallen in love with. This man was a monster. She dug her nails deep into his skin, drawing blood. Aragorn loosened his grip in surprise, a big mistake. She took this opportunity to backhand him so hard that he was thrown back. She then pulled her elven sword from the sheath at her waist. "I warn you not to come near me, Aragorn."
He lifted his hands, showing defeat. She slowly backed out of the room, then turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. ~*~**~***~**~*~
Walking near the Ford a dark form moved stealthily, searching for something...
Aragorn sighed heavily, it was now nightfall and Arwen was still nowhere to be found. The last person that had seen her was himself. "How can it be so hard to find a simple elf?" He scoffed, kicking a pebble into the river. Aragorn was on the verge of self-loathing, he had hurt Arwen. Purposefully, he had hurt his one true love, he didn't know what had come over him, but it was not a good thing. He lifted his head; he had heard something...a melody! A soft voice was carried on the wind, singing a wordless song.
"Who can sound so ethereal?" The ranger followed the sound until he came to a glade. He hadn't been here since he was much younger. No one was to be seen, but a statue was situated in the center, covered in vines and grime he beheld the Memorial of Gilraen, his mother.
He removed some of the vines to reveal an inscription 'When darkness is great, light is small and can come in some of the most unlikely forms.' He smiled, 'Thank you, mother. I only hope your light can help me through what lies ahead.'
"Why do you fear what lies ahead?"
Aragorn turned to see the Evenstar behind him, clad in pure white and wearing an elvish crown. She truly looked as the light of people. Her expression was soft and worried; she was worried about him. Though, she held an unsheathed elvish sword at her side.
"There is so much hate, and darkness in this world. It consumes all, from the tallest and bravest to the smallest and most cowardly. I fear it will-"
"Take you. You fear that you will turn to the Dark Lord." Arwen answered simply.
"I feel weak, as though I can do nothing to stop it." He went on.
"Such are the hearts of men."
"Your words bring me no comfort."
"I am not here to comfort you, just as you are not here to be comforted. There is a reason to all of this."
"What would that be?"
Arwen smiled, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger and you are living proof to that. As much as I love you, I cannot bear to see in you in such turmoil. If it is what you wish, I will not go with the Fellowship."
"Do you not want to?"
"I never wanted to. I was merely doing what I thought was right, however my choice seems to be at fault. You must understand this Aragorn, Frodo needs someone. Not necessarily me, but he does need someone to care for him until he can make the Quest on his own. He cannot do this, no matter how many companions you have in the Fellowship; he will still be the lone Ringbearer. The burden will still weigh on him, even more so as you progress. He will not make it far until he has a chance to heal."
"But when he is cured, he will be able to make it."
"You know as well as I do that Frodo will carry that wound forever. No matter how much he is cared for, I can only do so much."
"So you are saying that it is pointless."
"No, not at all. I merely was saying that my services would aid him. They will help him make it physically, though there is nothing I can do to cure the amount of emotional and mental pain he suffers already."
"And what of the aftermath? If the One Ring is destroyed, how then will he make it?"
"I do not think he will. The Quest will claim his life, whether before or after, the Ring or lack thereof will kill him." Arwen admitted.
Aragorn looked to her with saddened eyes, "How can you foresee this?"
"I know because it is already happening."
"May there be mercy on his soul." Arargorn whispered. Arwen stepped forward, and placed her hand on his rough cheek. "I believe however, that your presence will aid him greatly."
He lowered his gaze, "I am sorry, Arwen. I am sorry that I will never be as good as you, I will never be worthy of you. No matter how many battles I win, I will still bear the blood of a tainted race; the evil will consume me."
Tears formed in Arwen's eyes. "Whether or not you deem yourself worthy, you will still forever bear my love. Whatever you have me do, I will wait."
Aragorn remembered Elrond's words, he was right. The exiled king sighed deeply, "You know, you have a chance for a life far away from all these worries. Away from grief, despair.... mortality."
"Why are you telling me this?"
'I must do this. I cannot be responsible for any more pain.' Aragorn slid the crystalline necklace from around his neck and placed it in her hand. "This belongs to you. It was a dream, Arwen. Nothing more."
She looked up to him with unbelieving eyes, then smiled weakly. She put it back in his hand, "It was a gift, keep it." She began to walk away.
"Arwen." The elf-maiden stopped, but didn't turn to face him. Aragorn continued, "Please do not join the Fellowship."
"I fear I now must, for I have lost all reason to remain safely locked away." She left without so much as a glance back.
~*~**~***~**~*~
As Arwen was returning to her room, she met her father. "Arwen, I wish to speak with you about this Fellowship business."
"I have made my decision."
"Why trouble yourself so horribly over a single man? Did he influence your decision to go?"
"No at all, in fact. He forbade me."
"Yet you still go because of him."
"I am not going because of Aragorn. I am going because it is my wish to."
"You want this?"
Arwen shook her head, "Until recently, no. But events that have come of late have changed my decision." She smiled, "Besides, it would be nice to have an adventure."
"Arwen, I cannot let you do this."
"You sound so much like Aragorn; you two should be married."
"Arwen, I am serious. I will not stop you leaving, but you must know that if you do. You leave immortality. You could die on this Quest. So many horrible things could happen that even now, in the safety of Rivendell I fear for you."
"Father, I am strong and I can care for myself. You obviously do not know me if you think otherwise. I am prepared to face death if it comes to that. Nothing matters anymore, except for this One Ring that controls the fate of the world."
Elrond sighed; it was something he had been doing a lot lately. "Very well, you must make me a promise."
"What would that be?"
"You must promise me that once Frodo is restored to health, you will return to safety. Either here, or Lothlorien."
"I promise father."
~*~**~***~**~*~ Frodo tossed sleeplessly in his bed. He felt very ill and weak, however it was too late to bother anyone about it. The door opened, "Frodo, are you alright?"
The little hobbit was very relieved to here Arwen's voice. "I feel very lonely and ill. Would you mind keeping me company?"
She walked in and sat on a chair near his bed. "That is what I am here for."
"So then have you made your decision? About the Quest?" He asked.
"Yes, I am going. Whether or not anyone wants me to."
"All this for me...are you this is what you want?"
"It is not as much a matter of wanting as it is a matter of needing. You need me to help you for a bit, and in a sense, I need this Quest as well. I need to...push myself to the limits, face the darkness. I have never been one to sit idly, and I do not wish to start."
"How did your father take it?"
"Much better than Aragorn, I can assure you that." She smiled in spite of herself.
"I am sorry."
"Do not be sorry. This may turn out to be a great adventure." Arwen said, not knowing of the many dangers that lay behind every corner...
~*~**~***~**~*~
Well, I finally go it up! I can assure you that the Fellowship will leave in the next chapter! Please review! If I can get 25 (hopefully 30) I will but TWO new chapters up! I promise!
By: Arythiel
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings, or any of Tolkien's creations.
Genre: Angst/Romance (AN: This story will actually have just about every genre in it.)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: AU- What if Frodo hadn't healed in time for the Fellowship to depart? Frodo must go with the fellowship, but along with him shall come an elf-nurse, Arwen Evenstar. What events shall change? What will Aragorn think?
Aryth's Note: I am soooooooo sorry that it took me so long to update. I have been on vacation and recovering from horrible sinus infection. Please don't hold it against me! ~*~**~***~**~*~ Chapter One Bitter Detachment ~*~**~***~**~*~
"Arwen, you cannot do this." Aragorn stated. After her bold announcement, the ranger had drawn her aside.
"That is not your decision to make for me." Arwen said simply.
"You cannot simply join the Fellowship! Sick or healed, Frodo will still have something to say about this. He will undoubtedly not let you take care of him."
"I have already spoken with Frodo. You need not worry about that."
"Well, how will you be able to defend yourself? You cannot rely on me to care for you." Aragorn said, coming from a different view.
"You know very well that I can care for myself."
Aragorn grew impatient; she was purposefully ignoring the point. He grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a good shake. "Arwen! You cannot do this! I shall not let you!" He yelled.
The elf winced, he was gripping her so hard that she was sure it was causing bruises. She tried to get from his grasp, but found it useless. "As I said before, that is not your decision. It was not my original intent, but there is no other way."
"I will not let you get hurt! By letting you come, not only will I be making the entire Fellowship prone to weakness, I will also be letting you become endangered." He tightened his grasp on her, forcing her to look him straight in the eyes.
"I am not weak! I have never been weak and I will hold my own! Now let go of me."
"No, not until you understand. Not until you back down." He snarled.
Arwen gasped, this was not the man she had fallen in love with. This man was a monster. She dug her nails deep into his skin, drawing blood. Aragorn loosened his grip in surprise, a big mistake. She took this opportunity to backhand him so hard that he was thrown back. She then pulled her elven sword from the sheath at her waist. "I warn you not to come near me, Aragorn."
He lifted his hands, showing defeat. She slowly backed out of the room, then turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. ~*~**~***~**~*~
Walking near the Ford a dark form moved stealthily, searching for something...
Aragorn sighed heavily, it was now nightfall and Arwen was still nowhere to be found. The last person that had seen her was himself. "How can it be so hard to find a simple elf?" He scoffed, kicking a pebble into the river. Aragorn was on the verge of self-loathing, he had hurt Arwen. Purposefully, he had hurt his one true love, he didn't know what had come over him, but it was not a good thing. He lifted his head; he had heard something...a melody! A soft voice was carried on the wind, singing a wordless song.
"Who can sound so ethereal?" The ranger followed the sound until he came to a glade. He hadn't been here since he was much younger. No one was to be seen, but a statue was situated in the center, covered in vines and grime he beheld the Memorial of Gilraen, his mother.
He removed some of the vines to reveal an inscription 'When darkness is great, light is small and can come in some of the most unlikely forms.' He smiled, 'Thank you, mother. I only hope your light can help me through what lies ahead.'
"Why do you fear what lies ahead?"
Aragorn turned to see the Evenstar behind him, clad in pure white and wearing an elvish crown. She truly looked as the light of people. Her expression was soft and worried; she was worried about him. Though, she held an unsheathed elvish sword at her side.
"There is so much hate, and darkness in this world. It consumes all, from the tallest and bravest to the smallest and most cowardly. I fear it will-"
"Take you. You fear that you will turn to the Dark Lord." Arwen answered simply.
"I feel weak, as though I can do nothing to stop it." He went on.
"Such are the hearts of men."
"Your words bring me no comfort."
"I am not here to comfort you, just as you are not here to be comforted. There is a reason to all of this."
"What would that be?"
Arwen smiled, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger and you are living proof to that. As much as I love you, I cannot bear to see in you in such turmoil. If it is what you wish, I will not go with the Fellowship."
"Do you not want to?"
"I never wanted to. I was merely doing what I thought was right, however my choice seems to be at fault. You must understand this Aragorn, Frodo needs someone. Not necessarily me, but he does need someone to care for him until he can make the Quest on his own. He cannot do this, no matter how many companions you have in the Fellowship; he will still be the lone Ringbearer. The burden will still weigh on him, even more so as you progress. He will not make it far until he has a chance to heal."
"But when he is cured, he will be able to make it."
"You know as well as I do that Frodo will carry that wound forever. No matter how much he is cared for, I can only do so much."
"So you are saying that it is pointless."
"No, not at all. I merely was saying that my services would aid him. They will help him make it physically, though there is nothing I can do to cure the amount of emotional and mental pain he suffers already."
"And what of the aftermath? If the One Ring is destroyed, how then will he make it?"
"I do not think he will. The Quest will claim his life, whether before or after, the Ring or lack thereof will kill him." Arwen admitted.
Aragorn looked to her with saddened eyes, "How can you foresee this?"
"I know because it is already happening."
"May there be mercy on his soul." Arargorn whispered. Arwen stepped forward, and placed her hand on his rough cheek. "I believe however, that your presence will aid him greatly."
He lowered his gaze, "I am sorry, Arwen. I am sorry that I will never be as good as you, I will never be worthy of you. No matter how many battles I win, I will still bear the blood of a tainted race; the evil will consume me."
Tears formed in Arwen's eyes. "Whether or not you deem yourself worthy, you will still forever bear my love. Whatever you have me do, I will wait."
Aragorn remembered Elrond's words, he was right. The exiled king sighed deeply, "You know, you have a chance for a life far away from all these worries. Away from grief, despair.... mortality."
"Why are you telling me this?"
'I must do this. I cannot be responsible for any more pain.' Aragorn slid the crystalline necklace from around his neck and placed it in her hand. "This belongs to you. It was a dream, Arwen. Nothing more."
She looked up to him with unbelieving eyes, then smiled weakly. She put it back in his hand, "It was a gift, keep it." She began to walk away.
"Arwen." The elf-maiden stopped, but didn't turn to face him. Aragorn continued, "Please do not join the Fellowship."
"I fear I now must, for I have lost all reason to remain safely locked away." She left without so much as a glance back.
~*~**~***~**~*~
As Arwen was returning to her room, she met her father. "Arwen, I wish to speak with you about this Fellowship business."
"I have made my decision."
"Why trouble yourself so horribly over a single man? Did he influence your decision to go?"
"No at all, in fact. He forbade me."
"Yet you still go because of him."
"I am not going because of Aragorn. I am going because it is my wish to."
"You want this?"
Arwen shook her head, "Until recently, no. But events that have come of late have changed my decision." She smiled, "Besides, it would be nice to have an adventure."
"Arwen, I cannot let you do this."
"You sound so much like Aragorn; you two should be married."
"Arwen, I am serious. I will not stop you leaving, but you must know that if you do. You leave immortality. You could die on this Quest. So many horrible things could happen that even now, in the safety of Rivendell I fear for you."
"Father, I am strong and I can care for myself. You obviously do not know me if you think otherwise. I am prepared to face death if it comes to that. Nothing matters anymore, except for this One Ring that controls the fate of the world."
Elrond sighed; it was something he had been doing a lot lately. "Very well, you must make me a promise."
"What would that be?"
"You must promise me that once Frodo is restored to health, you will return to safety. Either here, or Lothlorien."
"I promise father."
~*~**~***~**~*~ Frodo tossed sleeplessly in his bed. He felt very ill and weak, however it was too late to bother anyone about it. The door opened, "Frodo, are you alright?"
The little hobbit was very relieved to here Arwen's voice. "I feel very lonely and ill. Would you mind keeping me company?"
She walked in and sat on a chair near his bed. "That is what I am here for."
"So then have you made your decision? About the Quest?" He asked.
"Yes, I am going. Whether or not anyone wants me to."
"All this for me...are you this is what you want?"
"It is not as much a matter of wanting as it is a matter of needing. You need me to help you for a bit, and in a sense, I need this Quest as well. I need to...push myself to the limits, face the darkness. I have never been one to sit idly, and I do not wish to start."
"How did your father take it?"
"Much better than Aragorn, I can assure you that." She smiled in spite of herself.
"I am sorry."
"Do not be sorry. This may turn out to be a great adventure." Arwen said, not knowing of the many dangers that lay behind every corner...
~*~**~***~**~*~
Well, I finally go it up! I can assure you that the Fellowship will leave in the next chapter! Please review! If I can get 25 (hopefully 30) I will but TWO new chapters up! I promise!
