Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to LOTR… or LOTR itself…
A/N: please r/r… and don't flame if it's bad… I put a lot of effort into writing this… =)
Thanks to baby-bubblz and Kristy for being my beta-readers… - you two are awesome!!!…and thanks to Angel 1 for reviewing… =D
By the way: this story's theme is kind of like that of "my immortal" by evanescence… so if you play that song while reading this story… maybe it'll make a bit more sense…
~*~~*~~*~ stands for a flashback… and most of the text that is written within the flashback has been lifted from the story of Aragorn and Arwen in the appendices… sorry J.R.R. Tolkien…
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You Would Die
It seemed like just yesterday they had set out from Rivendell, and now they had reached Lothlorien. Memories ran through all of the members of Fellowship's minds. Each had their own memories of times spent with Gandalf, but where was he now? Gandalf was erased from their lives, having fallen into shadow. Aragorn was still in shock, and he realized that even the most powerful of people were vulnerable, but there was still hope. The fellowship made their way to the Lord and the Lady, and presented their selves to her.
Aragorn's mind was swimming with thoughts. Damn it, Gandalf! Why did you have to fall into Shadow and leave me here with them? I'm a fool who blindly wields a sword; I'm no leader and I'm afraid I'll lead them all to their deaths. What hope do we have now that you are gone?
She smiled at all of them, and silently welcomed each and every one of them with a message she passed on to each one of them in their minds. She lingered the longest on Boromir, Legolas and Aragorn, or so it seemed like it.
Boromir, even now there is still hope, but why do you hope for her? Her heart belongs to another already, and there is nothing you can do to interfere. Unless something comes to pass that tears them apart, but you would not be the cause of that would you Boromir? Boromir, son of Denethor, you know that you cannot stray far from your path. I bid you walk on the road that has been laid out for you. There is always hope, even now in the darkness. The sun will rise once more; never lose hope.
Aragorn Elessar, son of Arathorn, you hope for a better world, one of happiness and peace. You cannot be beaten by the things that await you in the future Aragorn. Stand up to them, and accept them, as it is your fate. Mithrandir is no longer here to guide you down the right path Aragorn. It's time for you to take charge and follow your heart. You possess great wisdom and knowledge. You will know what to do. The hour draws near where you will be at the end of your days. Then what will she do? Where will she turn now once you are gone? Wise has been the choice of both of you, blinded by love. Yet I do not blame you, for I would have done the same. I will trouble you no more, for what has passed is now the past. It is behind us. Live in the present, and live for the future Aragorn. There will be a tomorrow.
Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, my kin from afar: it has been long since any elves from Mirkwood have entered Lothlorien. The more you sacrifice, the more you shall receive. When the time comes where you have to decide your fate, keep this in mind. You are strong Legolas; do not let your strength whither. You have strength in body Legolas; find your strength in mind. You are more than just a mighty fighting machine Legolas. You are a living being who has a heart. What do you live for, Legolas? And why do people wish to live? One day you will understand.
Welcome Frodo Baggins of the Shire. You bring great evil here, something that easily corrupts the minds of all. It is starting Frodo. One by one they will turn from you, and you will be alone. You know of whom I speak of, but do not fear, for that time has not come yet.
Young Peregrin Took. You are no fool of a Took, but you are a great friend, and you are unsure of your purpose. You shall find your rightful place in the world soon. Do not worry, for one day you shall find courage in yourself.
Meriadoc Brandybuck, little hobbit. Do not despair, and one day you as well shall find courage in yourself.
Gimli. It has been long a time since any dwarf has set foot into these woods. You come today, and I welcome you. Live no longer in the shadow of the past, for it is not your fault that what has happened, has happened.
Samwise Gamgee. You have accomplished many things, and above all you have come to understand friendship and love, the most powerful things of all. You still have many things to do, do not falter now.
She smiled at each and every one of them, apparently amused by each of their reactions to her words. The ring-bearer eyes were unfocused, still processing her words through his mind. The silence was broken by Boromir's sobs, and he could not bring himself to look up at her. Gimli looked down at the ground, in awe of the sight of the Lady of the Galadrhimm. Legolas was staring into the distance, confused; his face was emotionless, but his eyes were full of grief and despair. The young hobbits smiled and felt a bit better, knowing that their presence wasn't as loathed as much as they had thought. Aragorn was deep in thought, and the usual flame seen burning in his eyes was obscured by an unknown shadow.
Now she spoke audible words to all of them, "Go
now and rest. Leave all your troubles behind, for you are in the Realm of
Galadriel, and no evil can come here to disturb the peace. A long and hard
journey awaits you ahead, and you will need all the strength you can muster."
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Aragorn made his way up onto the hill of Cerin Amroth. He smiled when he looked down at his feet. There among them grew the elanor and the niphredil. He stooped low, picked one of the golden elanors off the ground and brought the flower close to his face, inhaling the familiar smell. He closed his eyes and the familiarity of the place brought him back to that day 89 years ago when Arwen had declared that she would give up her immortality for him, and he had given her the ring of Barahir, an heirloom passed down throughout the years.
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38 years ago upon the hill of Cerin Amroth
The two walked up the hill, where the elanor and niphredil bloomed at their unshod feet. Arwen was the first to speak.
"Dark is the Shadow, and yet my heart rejoices, for you, Estel, shall be among the great whose valour will destroy it."
"Alas! I cannot foresee it, and how it may come to pass. Yet with your hope I will hope. And the shadow I utterly reject. But neither, lady, is the Twilight for me; for I am mortal, and if you cleave to me, Evenstar, then the Twilight you must renounce." He stood and waited for her answer; afraid that she would not feel the same way he did for her. She did not show much hesitation in her answer, but before she answered she turned to the West and in her mind bade farewell to whatever lay there, a place she would never be, a place she departed from, but would never return to evermore.
And she answered. "I will cleave to you, Dunadan, and turn from the Twilight. Yet there lies the land of my people and the long home of all my kin." And she turned to kiss him, and he did the same, and that seemed to complete their ritual of exchanging vows.
"Arwen, vanimelda. Namarie!"
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And he whispered as well, "Arwen, vanimelda.
Namarie!" While deep in thought and wrapped in a memory, Aragorn did not hear the
footsteps of a hobbit making his way up the hill.
"Aragorn, the hour is la-" Frodo abruptly
stopped when he observed what was happening in front of him. Everything seemed
to be changed, and Aragorn looked as many years of his life were erased from
him. Aragorn smiled again as he looked up and saw Frodo. Frodo's words had
broken his level of concentration and had brought him back to reality. Aragorn
stood up and absentmindedly let go of the flower enclosed in his hand as Frodo
watched it twirl gracefully to the ground. Frodo was a bit surprised, as he
rarely ever saw Aragorn smile or show some sign of happiness.
"There lies my heart forever, and forever shall that memory be embedded in my
mind, unto the ending of the world," and the two silently walked down the hill.
Aragorn never set foot upon the hill of Cerin Amroth ever again as a living
man. In the background between the trees, covered by a canopy of leaves, no one
heard the sobs of a man hidden in the shadows. He had heard the words, he had
heard the vow, and hope seemed to have forsaken him. All he awaited was for
tomorrow to come.
