Steph-h: Oh, I'm glad. It's always good to feel better.
Gionareth: Yes, the long awaited reunion. Updated now. *g*
Taraisilwen: Not that bad in my opinion. *g* But that's my opinion. Why, thank you. Yes, definitely a good thing to avoid soap-operas, not that I've really ever watched them. What happens next? This. *g*
Daisy: Oh, well, they get together soon. Your welcome.
Grumpy: lol. Oh, good, I liked that, too. And you can put the tissues away. It's always good to look forward to more.
Heathethanoshkosh: Such language. But I appreciate the sentiment, though I can, apparently. *g* lol. Okay, but you gain nothing by killing me.
*looks at the reviewers* Uh, I'll just be going now. *edges away toward shelter* Just, um, just read and review. Be nice, now. And, we'll see what happens. Yes? *smiles nervously* Right.
*runs for her life*
Tell Him
The impromptu camp where the elves had decided to wait was quiet, each anxious to see what happened with their Evenstar and just as happy to finally be at the sea. A couple walked around in groups, disappearing towards the sea, then returning with wide smiles on their faces to stand around and wait, occasionally joking lightly between themselves, though their voices rarely carried very far.
He had been left alone by the tree after Elladan and Elrohir had succeeded in getting him to eat, and he had been glad when they left to search for their still absent family for it meant they could not longer pester him to get some sleep. And despite their efforts, he was well aware the twins had asked their kin to keep an eye on him. He caught their glances in his direction every five minutes, like clockwork, and he had made a game of trying to predict who would look next. Had he not been too tired, and the effort not worth it, he might have been annoyed. As it was, he could only manage vague amusement.
He was so tired. If he had been asleep, he would have sworn Elladan and Elrohir had drugged him, so heavy were his eyelids. Of course, if he were asleep he would not be able to ponder such matters. That would likely not be a bad idea, admittedly, but he could not sleep, on principle, and could not seem to manage the task even had he wanted to, so he was stuck.
Dull eyes flickered up as the distance that had remained between him and the elves was breached. A willowy figure in sparkling white stood before him, piercing blue eyes and long golden hair serving to help him establish identity. "Lady Galadriel," he said, and began attempting to stand.
"Stay where you are, Elessar," she bid. "You should be sleeping."
"What did Elladan and Elrohir do to get everyone to watch me?" he asked instead, relaxing back against the tree. It really took to much effort to make sense of what was going on. Why had Galadriel come to speak to him? Surely not to bid him sleep?
A slight smile curved her lips. "Something truly creative, though I cannot imagine what."
"I can imagine," he murmured, his mind doing just that as it wandered just outside the realm of sleep. Then he remembered she had not left. "Was there something you wanted, my lady?"
She moved closer, then seemed to shrink before him eyes, her gown bunching on the ground around her, and it took him a moment to realize she had knelt beside him. "You have a gift, Aragorn, the gift of your station, for gaining the faith of your subjects. It is a rare being who is not caught by your charms." She watched him as he blinked at her, unable to puzzle out her words and not sure he wanted to. "Not in many centuries has a Man been so readily accepted by every race, nor counted so true a friend among the Eldar. Use your skills well, Elessar, and maintain your kingdom's peace. You will prosper, and your kingdom with flourish. But this is not what I would speak of. What I desired was to give you this."
A small token was revealed on her palm, and he sat up to gain a better look at it. The size of a large coin, it fit easily on her hand, wrought in the colors of the North Kingdom from precious stones bound and held in a plate of mithril which sparkled even in the light that filtered through the trees. It showed a white tree juxtaposed over the symbol of the House of Elrond, and the detailed beauty surpassed that of any work he had seen.
He pried his eyes away from it to look up at Galadriel. "Why?" he breathed. "Elrond. . . ."
"This was not Elrond's. It was his twin's, and your ancestor's. Before Elros journeyed to Mandos' Halls, he delivered it into my keeping and bid me keep it for his heir."
"Then why are you giving it to me? Why not--"
"An earlier descendent? Because he asked it to be delivered into the hands of the one who would treasure it for what it represented, not for its monetary value. One for who its worth lay in the heart and not in the coin. It is yours. By name and by right."
He stared down at it, watching the light play over the perfectly cut jewels, then looked back up. "Thank you."
She smiled, then gently placed the piece in his hand and turned to stare into the south. Aragorn followed her gaze, idly gripping the jewel in his fist, and could just make out two figures in the distance, approaching quickly. "Elladan and Elrohir return," she offered idly, though nothing was ever truly idle with the Lady of the Golden Woods, one just could not always see her purpose. "I wonder what news they bear."
The human looked over to see her walking away in the opposite direction , leaving him to surmise she already knew and was trying to pique his interest. She need not have troubled herself; it likely involved Arwen, he was already interested.
Watching their approach carefully, he waited until he could make out their expressions, then stood. It was vaguely amusing to him to see their expressions change from placid excitement to anxious frustration. He braced his weight against the tree behind him to help gain and maintain his feet, and waited for the twins to approach him. He did not have to wait long.
"Estel! Why are you up?" Elladan demanded, grabbing the human by his arms, and doing more to upset his balance than help him keep it. He grabbed his brother's arm to steady himself, ignoring his questions; he had a more important one.
"How is Arwen? Is she all right?"
"Sit down, Estel."
"She's fine," Elrohir answered while his brother tried to get the human to sit back down. "She and Father will be back soon."
"Now sit down."
Aragorn looked past them, staring back in the directions the twins had come from, unconsciously resisting his brother's attempts to seat him. Arwen was coming back. What did it mean? Would she want to see him? Could be bear to see her? Could he not? His heart thrummed in his chest and anticipation flowed through him. He needed to see her again, even if it was the last time, even if it hurt.
Elladan frowned at Aragorn, then turned to his brother. "He's not listening to us."
"Mayhap we should just let him be," Elrohir suggested cautiously.
"He is not well," the elder protested. "He has pushed himself too far."
"I know that," the younger allowed. "You know that. Everyone here knows that. On some level, even Aragorn knows that, but you will never get him to cooperate until he is ready."
"Listen to your brother, Elladan," Aragorn murmured, his eyes still focused on the horizon and his attention obviously just as far away.
Elladan frowned, then sighed and followed the human's line of sight. He could easily make out the approaching forms of his sister and father, but they must be nearly indecipherable to the man by his side. He looked at Elrohir, then glanced past Aragorn to the gathered elves. He nodded and received a small smile from Lindlin, who began quietly sending elves away, slowly wheedling the gathered group to just a few as the two figures approached and minutes slid away until the elf lord and his daughter stood before them.
Elrond smiled at Estel as he stepped in front of his daughter ever so slightly then addressed the twins, his tone vaguely disappointed. "Come, my sons. We must talk."
Surprise stiffened their spines, but neither protested, recognizing their father's expression. They followed silently, leaving Aragorn and Arwen alone. The two watched them go and noticed for the first time they were quite alone, the rest of the elves melting away with the elven lord. The human watched them go with mixed feelings, anxiety suddenly loosing butterflies in his stomach, then turned to face Arwen.
"It looks like they planned this," Arwen observed, watching them disappear among the trees.
"So it appears," Aragorn answered, wincing internally at the statement. "You can go with them" he offered, gesturing awkwardly over his should, "if you like."
"Do you want me to?" Her large eyes studied him closely.
He swallowed hard and licked dry lips. He could not remember a time when he had been so nervous around Arwen, and it tied his tongue. "No. That is, unless you want to."
Her eyes darted to his then strayed past him and she shifted uncomfortably. "I would stay," she answered softly, his hands tangling before her.
Silence fell, neither quite sure what to say, and Aragorn resisted the urge to shuffle his feet, to bite his nails, to run his hands through his hair, all those myriad gestures that betrayed nervousness, and steadfastly clasped his hands behind him. He looked at her, and she looked back, her blue eyes wide. He opened his mouth to speak, but his mind was not keeping up with his body and nothing came out. He closed it.
Arwen smiled self-consciously and tucked a stray bit of hair behind her elegant ears. Her eyes darted around as she searched for something to say and found the item clutched in Aragorn's hand. "What's that?" she asked, anxious to break the silence, not sure how to ask what she really wanted to know.
"Huh?" Aragorn blinked, then followed her gaze and started. "Oh, that." He presented it for her inspection and kept his eyes glued to the sparkling jewel as he spoke. "Lady Galadriel gave it to me, an heirloom of Lord Elros that she claims belongs to me."
"It's beautiful," she murmured, extending her hand without thought to run her fingers over the jewels.
"Not so beautiful as you," Aragorn replied softly without thought. Arwen froze in surprise. "I'm sorry," he said.
"No," Arwen said, looking up into his eyes, meeting his gaze. "Don't be."
Aragorn smiled slightly. "Are you to pass over the sea?"
"I have no reason to stay," Arwen answered, watching the man through her lashes, hoping he would ask her again.
He swallowed and stared down at the hand that still rested in his. He traced his thumb over the back of her hand, recognizing the answer for what it was, an invitation, but not quite able to voice the question. He did not know what had happened while she was with her father. He could not take the risk that her answers would be according to her own will. "Have you reason to leave?"
"My father once wished it."
Aragorn braced himself. "And now?"
"Now he wishes me to be happy," Arwen answered. Her stomach fluttered nervously as she waited for his response.
Silver eyes searched hers and she found she could not look away, even had she wanted to. He whispered, "What would make you happy?"
Her eyes drifted closed, then revealed themselves to him once more. "I was happy once, under the boughs of trees with golden leaves while laughter mingled in the warm air. When quiet held sway and the stars shone down their beauty upon the love expressed beneath their light with quiet words and tender actions." She licked her lips and gazed up into the eyes that watched her intently. "I was happy with you."
Aragorn looked down at their hands, and a frown briefly touched his face as he fought within himself to believe her. "You said this was not then," he reminded her quietly. "Are you not of same mind?"
"Fear changes many minds," she answered. "I would speak with true feeling."
"And how do I judge thee true?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it. How could she possibly answer that question? How could she know what would prove truth to him? She looked up into silver eyes. "By my heart." His hand grazed her cheek and she closed her eyes, fighting back tears before looking into his eyes again. "What more could show?"
He shook his head fractionally. "You do not need to prove yourself. But I would not hold you to a fate you do not want."
"Then ask again."
He searched her eyes a moment, drinking in the light that had returned as they spoke, then took her other hand in his and, with a small smile, dropped slowly back down to his knees. He kissed the back of her hand, then looked back into her eyes and asked his question once more, word for word as he had the first time, his heart just as full.
"Arwen Undomiel, Evenstar, fairest of all the lands, will you grant me, Aragorn Elessar, the gift of your hand in marriage, and join me in life and in death?"
A moment stretched between them, anticipation and joy building and she smiled, the pain of the past all but disappeared. "I will."
*~*~*~*~*
*~*~*~*~*
The End.
Please don't kill me.