/N: Whoa, that took a long time...WOOT! ANOTHER CHAPTER!
Disclaimer: Disclaimers...are like boxes of chocolates. You only get them on special occasions. Like when I update. WOOT! Yeah, yeah, it's not mine.

Chapter Twelve: Changes

"And after I spent a few months in Harad, I fell in with a spice caravan heading towards Rohan," Eldarion whispered in my ear. I smiled softly and put my arms around him, and he buried his face in my hair.
I moved my head to look up into his face. He shifted his gaze to my eyes for a moment, then leaned in for a sweet, slow kiss; it was hard to believe, for me, that only yesterday- was it yesterday? I had never been kissed…
I drew back and leaned against his chest, simply lying there, letting a wave of contentment wash over me. He shifted as though uncomfortable, disturbed. I sat up, feeling oddly slighted, and drew my cloak about me tightly. Eldarion sat up behind me and sighed, ruffling my hair with the force of his breath.
"Entling, I…I fear that I have corrupted you. You- you are so young, and beautiful, and I moved too fast. It was not respectful of you- to take you here, like this. I should have waited, but…" He reached out a hand, tentatively, and drew a hand over my cheek. "You- your kiss was as a flame to light my heart."
I sighed. "Eldarion…you were- are- the first man I have ever known. I know little of the customs of marriage and-" I blushed, looking down. "And love, of coupling as we did." I took his hand, feeling helpless against his doubt and utterly forlorn. "I love you, Eldarion. Is that not enough?"
"You say you love me, but-" he sighed explosively- "you are young, you are innocent. I am not the best man in the world, nor the kindest, nor the handsomest. I fear that you have fallen in love because you knew no better, and that is not true love."
I drew my cloak about me tighter, protectively.
"I am no common, foolish girl, Eldarion. Forget not that I am of the Valar, at least in part."
"I have not forgotten, Entling; indeed, it has much occupied my mind. I thought that the wisdom of the Valar would guide you, in your decisions. In choosing me." He took my hand. "I will not lie to you, Entling. I come to you as no virgin. But my heart…" he brought my hand, encased in his own, to his chest, where his heart lay. I could feel it beating. "Remained un-given, until I met you."
"Then- what troubles you? I gave you my-" I looked down. "My maidenhood, and with it, my heart. I assure you, neither were given lightly."
He sighed again. "You know so little of the world's ways, Entling. I only meant to be your guide. I did not intend for this to happen."
"No one can plan their heart's direction, Eldarion. Do not be saddened or worried on my behalf. My decision was swift, but it still stands- I worry not that I have chosen ill."
"You chose me to love, but…you are immortal, Entling. My mother-"
"Arwen Undomiel," I interrupted. "She gave her immortality to your father…"
"Would you make that choice for me, Entling? My mother lived many thousands of years in Middle-Earth before she made her choice. She knew the ways of the world, the ways of the Eldar, and yet still she chose him. You know so little…I fear that you would choose too hastily."
"I do not know so little as all that, Eldarion; you would treat me as a child, when I am a woman grown, as you acknowledged last night! Would you treat me as a common whore, beneath you in all but the matters of the bedroom?"
"I would never treat you as such, Entling- you have the first place in my heart now- all I ask is that you consider before you give over something that you cannot return! I would not wish for you to live with me in torment, wishing always that you had chosen differently!"
"I love you, Eldarion! I love you! Do you not return the affection?"
"It is- I- Entling…" He trailed off, looking upset.
I stood up abruptly, and, unthinking, ran- hard and fast, too fast for Eldarion to catch up to, too fast for my feet to touch the ground. I cried as I ran, the tears stinging harshly against my skin, salt in my wounded pride.
I had given him a declaration of my love, and all he had given in return was silence…
I ran blindly, not knowing where I went. Before I could react I had tripped over a rock and fallen headfirst into the ground; I lay on my back, my breath hard and labored, staring unseeing at the sky. My heart pounded faster than the beating of a thousand hooves, and I remembered the feeling of Eldarion's heart beating beneath my touch. I closed my eyes, the tears forcing their way out, and heard a distant rumble- thunder.
The rain began to fall, gently at first, resolving itself into a torrential downpour. I opened my eyes- it was twilight, and the rain fell mockingly, washing the tears away from my eyes. I cried more to replace them.
The ground turned to mud and I got to my feet. I began running again, lurching a little.
The ground betrayed me and I fell again into the mud, black dirt mingling with salty tears as I sobbed. An oak tree, nearby, shook sad drops from its leaves and hunkered down to face the storm; I beat my fists against the ground in helpless fury.
The world turned chaotically, and a peal of thunder sounded, heralding the streak of white light that seared from the sky, demolishing the poor oak. I screamed in agony, once, before the world went black against the backs of my eyelids.