A/N: I do not own anything, except my brain and my worn out Tolkien books. These characters and settings belong to the one and only J.R.R. Tolkien. I wish I did, but I don't! And the one song in here, it was written by the brilliant Howard Shore and Annie Lennox. Please R/R!! Thank you soooo much to "totally obsessed w/ LOTR" 4 reviewing both this and my poem! U made me feel so much more confident!! Keep reading! And can u give me your email or something? Some way to contact! Nice to know another LOTR fan out there! There is a bit more Elvish in this one.

Third Age, Rivendell

The inevitable has come. My father is leaving Middle Earth and with him, the rest of my people, and this journey, I shall not be making with him. I shall not see the white sandy beaches of Valinor. I shall not dwell in the Grey Havens where all is evergreen. I shall never see him again. My father never approved of my choice and of my relationship with Aragorn. Though I do not regret it, I shall miss my father. He has often, like many others, likened me to Luthien Tinuviel*. They have said I walk in her likeness. Now, to my father's sorrow, like to Thingol's* those many years before, my fate will not be unlike hers, both the sweet and the bitter.
This morning, my father entered my chambers quietly, his eyes mournful and weary.
"Arwen, tulin vanta oni*," he requested quietly. I rose quickly and followed him. We circled the gardens and to the axa*. There, with the water rushing behind us, he turned and looked at me.
"Arwen. Our time has come. My time has come. You know this. The Sea calls us home to Valinor. Now I ask you one last time, do you value your kin or Estel*."
"I have told you Atar*, I have made my choice."
"Will you give away your life's grace so easily?" he demanded, fire appearing in his eyes.
"I am happy with him, Father."
"That is what you say now. You do not understand the doom of Men. When the time comes, you will regret it. There is nothing for you here, only death. This is your last chance. Please Arwen, make the right choice."
"The right choice in who's eyes, Father? I know that if I do not stay with him now, after all that we have gone through, I will regret it. I will be unhappy in Valinor."
"Do not regret it Arwen. I cannot and will not protect you at the End."
"Whether by your will or not, no ship will bear me hence Atar*. The choice was long made. I have gone too far to go back now."
"Arwen. I will not leave you here to die."
"Atar, this is my choice and I have made it," I said resolutely. He opened his mouth to argue with me, but then apparently changed his mind. He bent his head in silence for a while, listening to the rushing of the waterfalls and the chirping of the birds. Then, as if lamenting, he began to sing a piece that I have only heard once, in the time of my mother*.
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
Dream-of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore.

The next few lines I sang.
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come
To carry you home

I did not know the next few lines, but my father began singing, so I did not find the need to.
And all will turn to silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time

He broke down at the last words, so I sang these.
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
What can you see?
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come
To carry you home
And all will turn to silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West.

"Inye melme elye, Atar*," I whispered as I flung myself into his embrace. With tears in his eyes, he returned my embrace and murmured, "Arwen, inye melme*- he could not finish his words for he choked on his tears.
"I love you Father, but I believe my fate lies here on Middle Earth with Aragorn. I shall miss you." He could not bear to hear my words any longer and quickly strode back to his quarters. I stayed by the waterfalls and listened to the birds singing happily, the wind rustling through the trees. This is my home. This was my home. But soon, we will all leave it-I to Gondor, my father, brothers, and the rest of my people, into the West. How can we bear to? How can I bear to? Alas, Imladris, fair Imladris, haven to all, I shall miss you. I shall miss these fair trees. I shall miss the lomelinde* and all the sweet melodies they have given us. I shall miss the gentle waterfalls and the fragrant gardens we have cultivated. I shall miss my brothers and hearing tales of their valiant triumphs. Yet most of all, I shall miss my father. I recall when I was but a child and he sat in the gardens with my mother. When I ran to him with mallorn leaves in my hair, he would pick me up and I sat perched upon his knee. My mother would smile and finger my hair and tell my father, "Elrond, you spoil her." My father would take no heed to her and would whisper in my ear, "Arwen, Arwen, mire au Imladris, Umdomial, tinya. Inye melme elye. *"
melme.* It is so bittersweet. I love Aragorn, but I love my father and people also. I know what I must do; yet I do not want to depart from Rivendell, and from my father. Fair Imladris. Ai, nwalme mande*.

* Luthien Tinuviel: The Elven princess of Doriath who gave her love to Beren, a mortal, and after his death chose to become mortal and share his fate. Her story is of great renown in many songs and stories.

* Thingol: Luthien's father.

* Arwen, tulin vanta oni: Arwen, come walk with me

* axa: waterfall

* Estel: Elvish word for "hope". It is the name Elrond bestowed on Aragorn when his mother brought him to Rivendell and his ancestry and heritage was concealed from him.

* Atar: Father

* Arwen's mother: Celebrian, daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. After being attacked and wounded by Orcs, she passed into the West, finding no delight in Middle Earth.

* "Inye melme elye, Atar": I love you, Father.

* "Arwen, inye melme-: Arwen, I love-.

* lomelinde: nightingales

* "Arwen, Arwen, mire au Imladris, Umdomial, tinya. Inye melme elye": "Arwen, Arwen, jewel of Imladris, Evenstar. My daughter. I love you."

* melme: love

* Ai, nwalme mande: Alas, cruel fate