Title: Luthien's flute
Author: B-witched83uk (bwitched83uk@aol.com)
Rating: PG
Summary: Aragorn, Arwen and the family travel to Lothlorien after receiving a mysterious letter from Celeborn.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. The whole of Middle Earth belongs to Tolkien.
Chapter 8
Ghost of memories past
*Prologue*
Arwen held on to her husband as though he may vanish before her very eyes. A shadow and a threat had been growing in her mind now for the last three nights. The family had welcomed their newest member openly and were all pleased by how quickly he had recovered. Astald had more then found his way in to their hearts. Such a small boy, so weak and frail from long years of torture and fear.
Asleep Aragorn lay, held on to by the vision that was his wife. His chest rose and fell as he took deep breaths of the cold night air. So at peace, so content. A ghost of a smile rested on his lips as Arwen stroked the hair from his face. She could not sleep and had not for days. Her Grandmother Galadriel was now long gone. Gone to Valinor, with Arwen's mother and father. She wished she could speak with them, just once so that she might seek their council. Galadriel had been a great sorceress and Elrond had the gift of foresight. Now more then ever Arwen longed for the power of the Elves.
Her Elven senses were still sharp and although she knew not what was coming, she knew it was coming fast and hard.
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*24 days later*
"Lothlorien!" Arwen's heart fluttered at seeing the gates to the place she had known all too well. The party had reached the Elven city with great speed. All were eager to reach their destination yet all were apprehensive about what they would find. Celeborn's letter had been brief and riddled and Arwen knew not what her Grandmother had intended for her. Astald rode with Eldarion on the back of Litsondo, a beautiful stallion, the colour of sand stone.
The two had become close, Eldarion thrived at the idea of having a brother. Perhaps now that the odds had shifted he would one in a while get his own way. Astald had been eating like a Hobbit and had pleased them all by putting on weight. He, to Aragorn, had even grown and inch or two, or perhaps that was because he no longer cowered but stood proud beside his family. He made Aragorn think of his father. Not Arathorn, a man he had never known, but Elrond, the man who had raised and taught him all he knew.
Aragorn was fond of the boy and hoped that Elrond would be proud of his son. Out of all the family there was no doubt who held favour in Astald's heart. Luthien had become a constant companion. Arwen thought she had never seen her daughter get so close to a person, she was usually so shy and reserved.
The party rode in to the city. Most of the men were taken back by the beauty that surrounded them. For Arwen, however, she could only see the wreckage that laid before her. The home she had known possessed not half the beauty it once did. A ghost of the world she once lived in. A tall Elf, with long flaxen hair, greeted them. Recognising the Queen at once. "Welcome Arwen Undomiel. Daughter of Celebrien."
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Celeborn's silver eyes danced when they rested on the face of his granddaughter. It had been far too long since last they met. "Arwen, you look well"
Arwen's smile was warm as she lifted her right hand to rest upon her heart before touching it to Celeborn's cheek. A traditional Elven greeting. However Arwen had been surrounded by humans these past years and had developed some of their more emotional traits. Celeborn was clearly surprised, but welcoming none the less, as she flung her arms around him, bringing him in to a tight embrace.
Celeborn held her close before pulling away to look in to the face of the man he knew well. He held out his hand for Aragorn to take "King Elesser. You are most welcome-" Celeborn's words were cut short when Aragorn too hugged him tightly. What had happened to them? Had they been away from the Elves so long they had become as emotional as the race of men?
Aragorn let him go, still beaming at him. Arwen stepped back towards her family and placed an arm around Celebriel's shoulder. The men in their party had been taken to eat and rest so the long separated family were completely alone.
"Adara, it has been long since you looked upon the faces of our children." She looked at them with such pride she feared she may burst. Celeborn's eyes twinkled as he looked at their faces one by one.
"How high you have grown. Eldarion you are most certainly a man" Eldarion stood higher and mightier at his Great Grandfather's words.
He touched Galadwen's cheek softly. "Galadwen, if not I knew better I would swear that you were the Lady Arwen."
Galadwen giggled as Celeborn never imagined a half Elf would. Celebriel smiled up in to his face as he bent slightly to meet her gaze. "Celebriel, my silver child. How like the lady of Lorien you are." His eyes temporarily glazed over as he thought of his departed wife.
Luthien hid slightly behind Astald, not remembering the tall man before her. This did not escape his attention and he laughed as she moved further still.
"Luthien, you need not be shy with me. Come and let me see your beautiful face" Luthien walked slowly towards Celeborn and curtsied, making everyone present laugh out loud. Her cheeks instantly flushed and she smiled coyly.
Celeborn now looked upon a face he had never before seen, except for in Galadriel's mirror.
"Mae govannen"
*Well met*
Luthien had spent the previous night teaching him the correct greeting. Celeborn smiled at the boy's attempt to impress his new Grandfather.
"Suilad Astald. I trust you are enjoying your new family"
*Welcome*
Celeborn bent down so that only Astald could hear him. "You deserve it." He walked off, leading his family up the stairs that wound round and old, trusty tree. Astald was left looking after him in wonderment.
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Aragorn found Arwen standing on the fair hill of Cerin Amroth. She was silent as she listened to the wind's song.
"I thought I might find you here." His arms slipped around her waist, pulling her tightly against his body.
"So many memories, so many ghosts!" Her hands came to rest over his, her soft thumbs gently stroking over the roughness of his. Aragorn placed a kiss upon her head and nuzzled in to her neck.
"It all seems so long ago now, the night I bound myself to you on this very spot." She stiffened slightly and Aragorn sensed it.
"Have you been happy these last years with me?" He continued to hold her tightly. Arwen turned in his arms, a look of hurt upon her flawless face. "How could you ever think otherwise? I have known such happiness with you Melar nin, that at times I felt unworthy. Upon this very hill I bound myself to you and to that I hold. I would not trade my life with you for all the stars in the sky."
Aragorn smiled, relived at his wife's honest admission. "I have felt you pull away from me these past few weeks. Will not you tell me what is happening in there?" He placed his hand to her head lovingly. Arwen simply looked back at her husband, unsure wherever to share her fears or keep them to herself. If he knew then he would worry. Arwen knew there was nothing she could do to stop whatever was coming, so what was the point in troubling Aragorn with it. She smiled as her hand traced the line of his whiskered jaw.
"I think this long journey has tired me. The abduction of Galadwen, the arrival of Astald. I think perhaps it has all gotten on top of me. My mind has been racing over all that has happened since we left Minas Tirith." She could see Aragorn's eyes soften with relief, and her heart melted for him. Her hand moved down to his chest and dipped under his tunic.
"Perhaps you could aid me there, since you alone hold the power to stop my mind completely."
Aragorn's eyebrows rose to his hairline and he pointed to the ground. "Here?"
Arwen took both of his hands in her own and pulled him down to the cool grass. She leant forward and affectionately licked her tongue over his lips. She smiled at him with seduction and wanting as she replied "here!"
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Later that day Arwen walked with Celeborn in silence. She wasn't sure whether or not to mention how she had been feeling of late. The shadow grew stronger. She knew something was coming but how could she fight it if she knew not what it was. As if hearing her thoughts aloud, Celeborn took her hand and led her down some steps that led to a spectacularly carved basin of pure spring water.
"Galadriel's mirror!" Arwen gasped at the seeing pool before her. Celeborn started to walk away from her, to leave her with her decision, but Arwen stopped him.
"Whether I look or not is my choice, a choice I know I must make alone." Her eyes pleaded with his as she came close to him. "But first I must know why you sent for me. What is it that Galadriel wished me to have?" Arwen had been both curious and nervous at what she would find on her arrival. Celeborn's smile was that of satisfaction and mystery as he pulled something out of his long, silver robes. Whatever it was seemed quite small. It was wrapped in a silken cloth and bound with green ribbons.
Celeborn held it out in his hands for Arwen to take. Her hands shook a little as she reached for the parcel, her curiosity peeked. The material covering it was thin and delicate. The ribbons proved no challenge as she pulled it from whatever lay inside.
'Such impatience' Celeborn thought to himself that she had been around men for far too long. Arwen's slim fingers found their way and her breath hitched as she looked upon the beauty in her hands.
"Simpina Tinuvielen" Celeborn informed Arwen of what it was she held. Her eyes snapped up to meet his as her mouth fell open.
"The flute of Tinuviel." Her soft voice echoed. "Are you telling me that this flute belonged to Luthien Tinuviel?" The small flute, made from the purest mithril, sparkled in her hands like starlight in the river. Along it were engravings of vines and stars. "Then it truly exists! I believed it to be no more then myth or that it was lost long ago." She studied it closely, holding on to it tightly.
"It is said that she played it for her mortal lover Beren, to call him to her where ever he may be." Celeborn watched Arwen, so like Luthien Tinuviel. Arwen's life had closely mirrored that of Tinuviel, but perhaps Tinuviel's fate would not be Arwen's. "It is no ordinary flute child. It has properties of magic and truest love within its very soul. It is said that if you play it with love in your heart, then those around you will too be filled with love. If you play it with anger, then those around you will too become enraged." Arwen listened intently to his words, her eyes never leaving the peace of history she held in her grasp.
"When you play, you bare your soul. Your emotions fill it and the sweet sound carries them in to the hearts of all that hear it." Celeborn walked away from her then, leaving her to ponder this new information. "Use it well my child. May it help you on your path." Arwen was alone, the instrument cold against her skin. Her eyes wondered to the mirror beside her and temptation to know the future burned her. What was it that threatened her happiness? She knew not. She did know that she could not stop it, so what was the point in knowing? With one last look at the basin she walked slowly away, the flute clasped tightly in her hands.
