Is he going to be all right, I asked ada urgently. I had managed to get Frodo to Rivendell before he became corrupted, but he may well be past even elvish aide.
He looks like he is coming back to the light. But very slowly.
At least he is coming back at all! I said, exasperated. He was acting like they had no way of helping him. Then, Gandalf entered the room.
Aragorn and the hobbits have arrived, he said. I jumped up and ran to the door, but ada held me back.
Let him rest, he said. I sighed heavily, and nodded. Then, I turned to Gandalf.
Why did you not meet them in Bree? I was looking for you.
I was..... held captive. It seems that we do not have as many allies as we thought. Saruman is working side by side with the dark lord. Much hope that once the people of middle earth had is now lost.
So you say Saruman is no longer serving the light? said ada. Things are looking very grim now, my friend. Then, he walked over to where I was seated. Arwen, you know the thick elixir I have sitting in the room three doors down?
I replied. Isn't it sort of a milky brown?
Yes, it is. Would you mind getting that for me?
I said. Anything to get me out of here.
I walked as swiftly as possible, in case it was urgent. Once I had found it, I made my way back to the room where Frodo rested. But something else caught my eye before I made it back. It was Aragorn. He was walking with Samwise Gamgee along the river.
I decided since there was no urgency in ada's voice when he asked me to get the thick drink, that I may not have needed to deliver it with as much urgency as I thought. I walked over to Aragorn.
Hello, Thorongil, I joked. He turned around with a very stern face, but it softened to a smile when he saw me.
he said softly. It's great to see you, especially since we are no longer in desperate circumstances.
I nodded. Then Sam looked up at me. Is my master all right? he asked.
He's going to be fine. Then I looked at the elixir in my hands. In fact, how about you go see him yourself. My father, lord Elrond, will let you in if you deliver this to him. I handed him the elixir.
Really? Well, thank you, lady Arwen! I have been wanting to see him ever since we arrived!
Well, now you can. Run along now. My ada needs that elixir.
Of course, he said, and ran off.
Aragorn said, once he was out of sight. What have you been up to?
Counting the days 'til your return, I whispered. You kept your promise.
And so did you. He wrapped his arm around me. I was hoping he would kiss me, but I suppose even that would be a little uncomfortable during our first meeting in such a long time. Tomorrow we decide what will happen to the ring. I may have to go again.
I held my breath. Then sighed longingly. I know. But if you have to, I shall simply count the days once more.
We walked in silence for quite a while. It didn't feel awkward, though. As long as he was here, nothing would ever feel awkward.
What does my future hold, Aragorn said, suddenly to himself. Then he pulled his hand away from mine, and walked faster. I followed him silently, not knowing where he was going or what he was thinking. When I finally found him, I saw him watching another man. Boromir, son of Denethor. He was talking to himself, while looking at the sharded Narsil, the sword that cut off the finger of Sauron.
It is no more then a broken blade, Boromir said. He dropped it, and exited the room. Then, Aragorn took it, and laid it back into position. I approached him.
It was Isildur, not you that failed. Why do you fear the past?
He is my ancestor. His blood is my blood as well. We share the same weaknesses.
But you also share the same strengths. You are Isildur's heir. You are not Isildur himself. You may be the hope that Gondor needs.
They will never take me back. I carry the burden of the mistakes made by my ancestors. They will not trust.....
Then you must trust them.
Aragorn looked straight into my eyes. It seemed like the first time in ages. He gently stroked the evenstar jewel that hung around my neck. I took his hand in mine.
The light of the evenstar does not wax and wane: it is constant, even in the greatest of darkness. He laid his hand on my right cheek. It was a lot warmer then when he did this last. I smiled. His eyes stared right through me, showing me I had no reason to hide. Come with me, I said.
******************************************************************************
I took him to the bridge where we spent our last peaceful moments together.
I have been coming here almost every day, I told him. Just to remember. I pause for a moment. He moved his fingers loving over the palms of my hands. Do you remember the first time our eyes met?
I do. I thought I had strayed into a dream.
You did not have the cares you do now. He sighed and looked down at the rippling water. You know we can't stay forever like this. Do you know what I speak of?
The thought crossed my mind once or twice, he whispered quietly.
Aragorn, you are mortal, and I am not. I can't stand seeing you die and myself, having to live on without you. It's even hard to go a single day without..... Suddenly, I felt myself go weak, even thinking about it. His strong arms held me up, though.
I cannot let you give up everything you know to be with me, he said.
You don't mean that.
Yes, I do. It's best, you know. For both of us.
Aragorn, this is my decision to make, I said to him gently. He opened his mouth to protest, but I put a finger to his lips. I chose, mortal life.
Shhh... just don't speak. I grasped his hand tightly, gently sneaking in my evenstar necklace. I let him open his hand. He stared at the evenstar in his opened palm.
You cannot give me this.... He argued, handing me the necklace. I put my hand in front of his to stop him.
It is mine to give to whom I wish. I closed his hand around the necklace. Like my heart.
He stared into my eyes. They were full of concern and love. He embraced my body, and let his lips slide onto mine for the first time. We were finally in our own private world,' I thought. I felt his tongue find mine, and we stood there in our silent embrace for as long as it took the sun to set. We finally pulled away, and he whispered that me loved me into my ear. I pulled myself as close as I could get to his body. I just wanted the moment to last forever.
