Arwen sighed as she looked out upon The White City. Though it was only summer she drew her cloak tight around her and closed her eyes. The war had been won, she thought. Aragorn survived and is king of Gondor and all that I've prayed for has become reality. But yet the choice still stands before me. Will I still give my immortality for him? She opened her eyes and looked across the plains. Of course I will! Arwen thought. I have made the decision a long time ago! The elf-maid leaned against the wall and sighed again.
"Arwen?" a voice said from behind her.
"Yes?" she slowly asked.
"My daughter, the hour grows late, and I wish speak with you."
Arwen didn't need to ask what about. She already knew. Her father, Lord Elrond, would be wanting to speak to her one final time before she married Aragorn. One last time before he would depart over the sea and she would never see him again. He touched her shoulder.
"Arwen?" He gently called again.
She didn't answer. Lost in thought she turned away and looked up towards the moon. Finally she answered.
"What is it father?" she softly responded.
"My daughter, are you sure this is what you want?"
"As I have told you before, I am sure. I love Aragorn more than anyone. " Arwen explained.
"More than me?" Elrond said as he faintly smiled.
"But you are my father!" she protested grinning.
"I know child." Elrond murmured as he hugged Arwen. "I know."
"Aragorn has fulfilled his destiny. He may be worthy of you but..." The elf paused and in spite of himself shed a tear. "It's just that I can't let you go."
Elrond began to toy with his ring which had once been one of the elven rings of power but now had been reduced to a dim blue stone set upon a gold band.
"Nothing gold can last forever..." Elrond mused.
"What?' Arwen questioned.
"Nothing child." Elrond whispered.
Elrond thought long and hard about Aragorn marring his daughter. Many sleepless nights and countless days he spent thinking about this. Never before would he have thought his daughter would marry a mortal and yet it was happening.
Elrond thought back to when Galadriel had given him council in Lorien.
"My son, you cannot stop this from happening. Your daughter loves Aragorn. You do not want to part true love do you?" she said.
"No..." Elrond said.
"Then let her go, let her love him, let it be!"
"She stays with him but she belongs with her people!" Elrond said standing up.
"Do not question the power of my mirror! Do not question your own gift of foresight! You have foreseen it. We have both seen it, and we cannot stop it from happening! All you must do is accept it."
Long had he thought about this. Long had he been tortured with dreams of his daughter dying, as he stood there helpless. And often times he found himself waking up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat remembering these evil dreams. Sometimes it was Arwen killing herself beside Aragorn's death bed, or lying hopelessly on the ground soaked in her own tears of grief and sorrow. He could not bear to have this happen to her. I tried... he thought. Galadriel is right... he sighed. I must accept it. Elrond looked up and muttered under his breath "By the sea and the stars I might regret this."
"Arwen?"
"Yes?" she answered.
"My daughter, you have my permission to marry Aragorn."
"Really?" Arwen exclaimed in astonishment. "Are you serious?"
"Yes Arwen, it is true. After talking to your grandmother, I have decided this shall be your fate." Elrond said.
"Oh thank you father! Thank you!"
"You have my blessing. Now child, run and tell your love the good news."
"I will!" Arwen said as she ran inside.
Elrond was left alone to out on the balcony staring out into the west and wondered it what he had done was the right thing.