A New Beginning
Disclaimer: This is what happens if certain events are altered. I won't say too much here because I don't like to give stuff away. I don't anything...
Chapter One
~ I come here bearing a gift of sorts. ~
~ I also come bearing news that will tear you in two. You would've made a wonderful couple, but I do not have faith enough in your victory in this hopeless task. She is gone now, I saw her off myself, gone to Valinor, and those ships never return...~
"You send me to death," Aragorn said, standing in his anger.
"You alone have the power to raise the army," said Elrond.
Aragorn's pain lessened a bit. "You do have faith in me, then."
"Perhaps."
Aragorn paused. "Where is she?"
"Arwen, you mean?"
"Who else would I speak of?"
Elrond sighed. "She is gone. She wanted to stay, but I could not allow it. I am sorry."
Aragorn bit his lip. "I understand. I accept this task you give me, for maybe in death I can bring honor to Gondor...and to the memory of Arwen."
Elrond held out the blade Narsil, and gave it to Aragorn. "Become who you were born to be."
"I will die...becoming who I was born to be," said Aragorn. "I thank you for this. I shall use it to my best abilities."
Elrond nodded. "I give hope to Men."
Aragorn lowered his head. "I keep none for myself."
*
That day still shone clear in his mind. That day when his hope had failed, though he could not show it. He could not let his outward appearance falter, lest all hope die. He remembered directly afterwards...
"You're leaving? Why?" Eowyn asked, always the perfect picture of concern.
"I am needed elsewhere. Your uncle will take care of the troops."
"But our men need you!"
"They may...but they will need me more later, and then I shall come riding with an army of great magnitude to create the turning of the tide in this war."
Eowyn's eyes began to water. "I need you."
Aragorn stopped in readying his horse for travel. "It was a shadow that you loved. I cannot give you what you seek."
Eowyn stiffened a bit. "Return soon then. Our men will fight to the death for you...as shall I."
Aragorn nodded, and she left.
*
He had actually not even considered the possibility then. His pain was ever fresh - he could never love another. Arwen would be disappointed. She would find out...he did not know if information about Middle-Earth could make its way to Valinor in some magical transaction, but he was not going to risk it. His love for Arwen would continue to the end of his days, and that would be it.
But now, as King of Gondor...he had to wonder...
Did he love the shieldmaiden of Rohan?
Disclaimer: This is what happens if certain events are altered. I won't say too much here because I don't like to give stuff away. I don't anything...
Chapter One
~ I come here bearing a gift of sorts. ~
~ I also come bearing news that will tear you in two. You would've made a wonderful couple, but I do not have faith enough in your victory in this hopeless task. She is gone now, I saw her off myself, gone to Valinor, and those ships never return...~
"You send me to death," Aragorn said, standing in his anger.
"You alone have the power to raise the army," said Elrond.
Aragorn's pain lessened a bit. "You do have faith in me, then."
"Perhaps."
Aragorn paused. "Where is she?"
"Arwen, you mean?"
"Who else would I speak of?"
Elrond sighed. "She is gone. She wanted to stay, but I could not allow it. I am sorry."
Aragorn bit his lip. "I understand. I accept this task you give me, for maybe in death I can bring honor to Gondor...and to the memory of Arwen."
Elrond held out the blade Narsil, and gave it to Aragorn. "Become who you were born to be."
"I will die...becoming who I was born to be," said Aragorn. "I thank you for this. I shall use it to my best abilities."
Elrond nodded. "I give hope to Men."
Aragorn lowered his head. "I keep none for myself."
*
That day still shone clear in his mind. That day when his hope had failed, though he could not show it. He could not let his outward appearance falter, lest all hope die. He remembered directly afterwards...
"You're leaving? Why?" Eowyn asked, always the perfect picture of concern.
"I am needed elsewhere. Your uncle will take care of the troops."
"But our men need you!"
"They may...but they will need me more later, and then I shall come riding with an army of great magnitude to create the turning of the tide in this war."
Eowyn's eyes began to water. "I need you."
Aragorn stopped in readying his horse for travel. "It was a shadow that you loved. I cannot give you what you seek."
Eowyn stiffened a bit. "Return soon then. Our men will fight to the death for you...as shall I."
Aragorn nodded, and she left.
*
He had actually not even considered the possibility then. His pain was ever fresh - he could never love another. Arwen would be disappointed. She would find out...he did not know if information about Middle-Earth could make its way to Valinor in some magical transaction, but he was not going to risk it. His love for Arwen would continue to the end of his days, and that would be it.
But now, as King of Gondor...he had to wonder...
Did he love the shieldmaiden of Rohan?