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 17
All's well that ends well
Arwen had fused over Galadwen enough for one day and had insisted on watching over her as she slept through the night. Her child, her lovely child. How close she had come to being defiled, it made Arwen's blood turn cold. As she laid her hand on her daughter's brow she silently thanked the Valar for the friendship of Legolas.
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Aragorn had found Legolas alone in thought in the dark watches of the night. "I owe you all that I could ever give, my friend."
Legolas could not meet his friends eyes. He simply waved a hand. "I did not do anything, you yourself would not do for me."
Aragorn noticed the Legolas' sombre tone but choose not to dwell on it. "Still if there is ever anything that I can do, or give to you, it is yours."
Legolas looked up at the King, who was overflowed with gratitude. It was ironic really, Aragorn alone held the power to give him the one thing he truly wanted but he could not ask for it. He forced a smile and took the man's hand. "Like a brother you are to me Aragorn, I love you and your family as my own."
The two old friends shared a look and then sat in the silence of the woods. No more words were needed, a deep love and understanding lay between them.
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Legolas walked silently in to Galadwen's tent. She was finally alone and fast asleep. The morning was near and soon the others would wake. He sat beside her and gazed down at the loveliness that he could never have. She slowly stirred and smiled up at him. "Do you often sneak in to maiden's chambers in the middle of the night?"
He held her hand and spoke softly, trying to push the racing feelings away. The last thing either of them needed was to drudge up all that they had buried the night before. This was a new day and no more would they speak of this.
"I will stay in Minas Tirith no more then a day. I will inform your father that I am needed in my own home." He still held her hand. "Then I shall see you no more."
Though her heart broke and felt as though it may never mend, she knew it was for the best.
She smiled gratefully and nodded. "I guess some things are just not meant to be."
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With all said and done, the party began its long journey back. They had ridden now for days and Galadwen and Legolas had not spoken a word the entire time. Eldarion had been quite, more so then usual. Aragorn smiled to himself as he remembered his nerves at waiting for Arwen and her family to ride out from Rivendell on the eve of midsummer. He had taken her as his wife the very next day and had not looked back since. He prayed to Elbereth that his son would know such happiness.
And so it was upon reaching Sarn Gebir, just East of Edoras, that the party slowed. Aragorn turned to look at his son and smiled proudly.
"Go to her" He nodded. Eldarion smiled at his father, eager to see his love, his Ithiliwen. Arwen felt a wave of emotion flood over her as she gazed upon her first child, now a man.
He shared a last look with Galadwen, and rode with all haste to Edoras and the fair hall of Meduseld.
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Eomer had noted that he had not seen his daughter smile since their guests had left. His heart wept to see the sorrow on her fair face.
Alone, she now stood on the bridge over looking the river. Her thoughts had been of nought but Eldarion and the promise they had made before he took his leave. She wondered of the life they would share together. Her father's sister Eowyn had been very happy in her marriage and with her life in Gondor.
Ithiliwen could see herself being happy there, being happy with him. Her heart felt as though it had not stopped crying since his departure, she could not eat nor sleep. She longed for him, ached for him but how long would she have to know the torture of waiting for his return?
The stomping of hooves on the open plane drew her out of her thoughts. A gleam now in her eye. No skilled man of the Rohirrim would ride his stead so clumsily. Her head turned toward the dying sun and there she saw a tall figure making his way toward her. Her heart leapt. Could it be him? Could it be her Eldarion?
She walked with speed off of the bridge and stood in the middle of the plane, watching the man approach. His horse slowed and eventually stopped, still a distance from her.
Eldarion dismounted his horse and for the first time in what seemed an eternity gazed upon his love. She smiled at him, lighting up the shadows of his heart before braking in to a run. Eldarion came racing towards her.
At the same time they stopped, just feet away from one another.
"Your late." She treated him to a seductive gaze. He grinned at her as he took in her beauty.
"I should know better then to keep a shield maiden waiting."
He took her in his arms and kissed her with all the passion he had built up these past months. Instantly she flung her arms around his neck and clung on to him for dear life.
Her eyes closed and she pressed her whole body against his. When he pulled away to look in to her lustful eyes he felt a surge of heat run through his body.
She stroked the nape of his neck. "I have missed you so much." Her eye lids were drooped.
He chuckled at the hunger in his betrothed eyes before raising an eyebrow.
"I can tell."
She shook her head in disbelief. "You are really here! You came back for me."
Eldarion's face turned serious as he nuzzled her nose. "I would die for you."
Their lips meet again in a breathless kiss. Oh yes they would be very happy indeed.
