Untold Love – Chapter 13
Aranel stood looking out of the doorway with slumped shoulders. Her tears had ceased to fall but she could feel her skin tightening where the salty pearls had fallen. She let her head slump down towards her chest her golden hair cascading around her. She turned around and walked towards her wardrobe. She pulled out a gown that seemed to be made from the blackest ebony. It fell from the shelf as water would from a silver pitcher. Aranel gracefully bent over and took it within her hands. She stood up to see Lady Galadriel in her doorway smiling mournfully.
The Lady walked effortlessly over to the distraught Elf and said, "My dearest Princess, do not weep." She took the dress from Aranel and hung it on a hook. Indicating to Aranel to turn around she unbuttoned her gown. Galadriel then placed the satiny gown over Aranel's head letting the material flow to the ground.
Galadriel smiled as Aranel pulled her hair free from the back of the dress. "The last journey of the elves."
Aranel silently nodded as she headed to her gilded mirror and sat down to arrange her hair. Running a silver brush through her hair her tears began anew. "I feel as if I am going to a funeral."
Lady Galadriel's melodious laughter filled the room, "We must do something about that then dear child." Walking over to Aranel's open wardrobe she pulled out a gown the color of the newest spring buds. "I think that this shall do finely. The colors of your kingdom."
In the end Aranel was dressed in all her finery. Her golden hair was entwined into elaborate style wound round her crown. As she walked out of her chambers with the Lady for the last time she, like always, picked up her ancient necklace and clasped it onto her neck.
Aranel's gentle footsteps were heard as she entered the Great Hall. Legolas turned around to see his sister enter. They exchanged wary smiles. Legolas held out his arm for her and she placed her delicate hand upon his arm.
Legolas was saddened by the mournful look on his sister's face. He could still see the traces of tears on her porcelain face, her eyes reddened. The small company of Elves walked out into the sunlight where the stable boys had there horses ready. Elven guards were standing in the courtyard to accompany them to their destination. A slight breeze sent a chill up Aranel's spine. She then placed her dark forest green cape over her shoulders.
Aranel was hoisted up upon her horse with the help of her brother. He then mounted the horse along side of hers. When all of the Elves were settled on their steeds they headed single file down the road of the city. Aranel looked up from where they had come expecting to see Aragorn running after them begging them to stop, but he never came.
The people of Minis Tirith watched in silence as the small procession made their way down towards the gates. All stopped and made way for the Elven lords and ladies. "I don't know why...but it makes me sad." Was all that Legolas could think about. Sam had told him that once during their journey. Looking over at his sister he realized how much Aranel loved the king. She was saddened when he did not see her off, even though he had come to see the others. Legolas knew that they had parted with harsh words, and he also knew that they were both to stubborn to recognize their mistakes.
Aragorn sullenly paced around in circles in his chambers. He was resisting all of his inner desires to run out of the palace and bring Aranel safe into his arms once again. Sighing with exasperation he pushed open the door and walked towards the courtyard. He rushed to the very end of the precipice looking down to the valley. He saw them; a very small procession almost impossible to see be he still watched them leave. A breeze blew his cloak round his body, his hair obstructing his view when blown round his face. Aragorn sat there until the sun fell behind the mountains and all was dark.
Aranel's body swayed with the gentle plodding of the horses footsteps. She kept her gaze straight ahead, never wanting to look behind her. Soon the sun started to set. Blood red hues, mixed with lavenders and oranges. The guards requested that the company stop for the night. Soon a fire was set and tents were placed. Aranel did not want to be around the prying eyes of the Elves, so she left the encampment.
She wandered carelessly into the darkness with no light to guide her. She tried to find the stars but they were shrouded by the hazy night time clouds. Not fearing the dark Aranel continued on. Gradually it began to rain. Soon her clothes were soaked through and she could not see through the sheets of rain. But she did not care.
Aranel began to turn in a makeshift sort of dance. Her dressed turned slightly then stuck to her dripping wet body. Laughing she fell to the muddy ground. Then she began to cry piteously, "Oh, Aragorn...why did I say those hateful things to you? I did not mean them...I promise...come and find me...bring me home...Please!"
With a racking sob she curled her body up resting her weary head upon the watery ground. "So passes Aranel Nimwen...in her watery grave." Aranel quietly said as she closed her eyes.
She did not know when the rain stopped, for all she knew was the warm rays of sun caressing her body. Prying open her eyes she squinted against the harsh light. Covering her eyes with her hand she opened her eyes again to find the Lady Galadriel peering at her.
"We wondered where you had gone." Smiling the Lady extended her hand.
Aranel took it and shakily stood up. "I don't know what came over me."
Galadriel smiled then said, "We are nearing the Harbor." Paused then continued, "You love him, don't you?"
"Yes, I love him very much. Very much."
"Then here. Take this and go back." Into Aranel's hand Galadriel placed reins to her horse.
"But why?"
"Once you see the Sea my dear girl you will not want to go back. Leave now before you can no longer change your mind."
Aranel looked into Galadriel's face and smiled. Grasping the Lady in a tight embrace she said, "What will you tell the others when you return without me?"
"They will need no explanation, for they will know."
Aranel nodded and mounted Galadriel's horse. Galadriel reached up and cupped Aranel's face in her hands. "Take care Aranel Nimwen, Lady of Mirkwood. May the Valar protect you."
Aranel bent over and kissed the great Lady upon her cheek. "I will never forget this, or you. Take care of my brother."
The Lady Galadriel smiled her secretive little smile and nodded, "Go." She whispered to the girl and horse.
Aranel turned the horse abruptly and sped into the early dawn. Her hair came free from the confines of her crown. Aranel's dress flowed and whipped in the wind, drying from the overnight rain. She felt life return to her at every passing moment. Her face became pink with the wind.
Seeing the city she sped her horse faster. Upon reaching the gates she heard the watchman yell, "Open the gates! Open the gates!"
The dull clanking could be heard as the mechanics of the door were being worked open. As the door opened Aranel sped up the seven levels not bothering to avoid people. All stopped in their tracks when they realized who the crazed woman was. Excited whispers and cries rippled through the crowds. Abandoning her horse at the sixth level Aranel bounded up the stairs two at a time. She ran past the white tree of Gondor. Running up the small flight of stairs she pushed open the doors. "Aragorn! Aragorn!" she yelled.
Looking up from his folded hands Aragorn stood up and moved down the thrones stairs. Aranel ran into his arms, tears freely pouring down her face. "I couldn't do it Aragorn. No matter the hateful things I said to you... I couldn't do it!"
He pulled her away from him at an arms length. He brought his hands to her face and caressed her soft skin. Smiling her kissed her gently on the lips. Then he brought her close to his body, his hands running through her hair. Aranel looked up into Aragorn's face and soon she began to cry with joy.
Aragorn looked Aranel up and down. She was quite disheveled. Her hair was windblown and in tangles, her gown covered in mud, and her face dirtied with clean lines where tears had fallen. With his thumb he wiped her tears away. "Do not cry Aranel Nimwen, Lady of Gondor."
Aranel stood looking out of the doorway with slumped shoulders. Her tears had ceased to fall but she could feel her skin tightening where the salty pearls had fallen. She let her head slump down towards her chest her golden hair cascading around her. She turned around and walked towards her wardrobe. She pulled out a gown that seemed to be made from the blackest ebony. It fell from the shelf as water would from a silver pitcher. Aranel gracefully bent over and took it within her hands. She stood up to see Lady Galadriel in her doorway smiling mournfully.
The Lady walked effortlessly over to the distraught Elf and said, "My dearest Princess, do not weep." She took the dress from Aranel and hung it on a hook. Indicating to Aranel to turn around she unbuttoned her gown. Galadriel then placed the satiny gown over Aranel's head letting the material flow to the ground.
Galadriel smiled as Aranel pulled her hair free from the back of the dress. "The last journey of the elves."
Aranel silently nodded as she headed to her gilded mirror and sat down to arrange her hair. Running a silver brush through her hair her tears began anew. "I feel as if I am going to a funeral."
Lady Galadriel's melodious laughter filled the room, "We must do something about that then dear child." Walking over to Aranel's open wardrobe she pulled out a gown the color of the newest spring buds. "I think that this shall do finely. The colors of your kingdom."
In the end Aranel was dressed in all her finery. Her golden hair was entwined into elaborate style wound round her crown. As she walked out of her chambers with the Lady for the last time she, like always, picked up her ancient necklace and clasped it onto her neck.
Aranel's gentle footsteps were heard as she entered the Great Hall. Legolas turned around to see his sister enter. They exchanged wary smiles. Legolas held out his arm for her and she placed her delicate hand upon his arm.
Legolas was saddened by the mournful look on his sister's face. He could still see the traces of tears on her porcelain face, her eyes reddened. The small company of Elves walked out into the sunlight where the stable boys had there horses ready. Elven guards were standing in the courtyard to accompany them to their destination. A slight breeze sent a chill up Aranel's spine. She then placed her dark forest green cape over her shoulders.
Aranel was hoisted up upon her horse with the help of her brother. He then mounted the horse along side of hers. When all of the Elves were settled on their steeds they headed single file down the road of the city. Aranel looked up from where they had come expecting to see Aragorn running after them begging them to stop, but he never came.
The people of Minis Tirith watched in silence as the small procession made their way down towards the gates. All stopped and made way for the Elven lords and ladies. "I don't know why...but it makes me sad." Was all that Legolas could think about. Sam had told him that once during their journey. Looking over at his sister he realized how much Aranel loved the king. She was saddened when he did not see her off, even though he had come to see the others. Legolas knew that they had parted with harsh words, and he also knew that they were both to stubborn to recognize their mistakes.
Aragorn sullenly paced around in circles in his chambers. He was resisting all of his inner desires to run out of the palace and bring Aranel safe into his arms once again. Sighing with exasperation he pushed open the door and walked towards the courtyard. He rushed to the very end of the precipice looking down to the valley. He saw them; a very small procession almost impossible to see be he still watched them leave. A breeze blew his cloak round his body, his hair obstructing his view when blown round his face. Aragorn sat there until the sun fell behind the mountains and all was dark.
Aranel's body swayed with the gentle plodding of the horses footsteps. She kept her gaze straight ahead, never wanting to look behind her. Soon the sun started to set. Blood red hues, mixed with lavenders and oranges. The guards requested that the company stop for the night. Soon a fire was set and tents were placed. Aranel did not want to be around the prying eyes of the Elves, so she left the encampment.
She wandered carelessly into the darkness with no light to guide her. She tried to find the stars but they were shrouded by the hazy night time clouds. Not fearing the dark Aranel continued on. Gradually it began to rain. Soon her clothes were soaked through and she could not see through the sheets of rain. But she did not care.
Aranel began to turn in a makeshift sort of dance. Her dressed turned slightly then stuck to her dripping wet body. Laughing she fell to the muddy ground. Then she began to cry piteously, "Oh, Aragorn...why did I say those hateful things to you? I did not mean them...I promise...come and find me...bring me home...Please!"
With a racking sob she curled her body up resting her weary head upon the watery ground. "So passes Aranel Nimwen...in her watery grave." Aranel quietly said as she closed her eyes.
She did not know when the rain stopped, for all she knew was the warm rays of sun caressing her body. Prying open her eyes she squinted against the harsh light. Covering her eyes with her hand she opened her eyes again to find the Lady Galadriel peering at her.
"We wondered where you had gone." Smiling the Lady extended her hand.
Aranel took it and shakily stood up. "I don't know what came over me."
Galadriel smiled then said, "We are nearing the Harbor." Paused then continued, "You love him, don't you?"
"Yes, I love him very much. Very much."
"Then here. Take this and go back." Into Aranel's hand Galadriel placed reins to her horse.
"But why?"
"Once you see the Sea my dear girl you will not want to go back. Leave now before you can no longer change your mind."
Aranel looked into Galadriel's face and smiled. Grasping the Lady in a tight embrace she said, "What will you tell the others when you return without me?"
"They will need no explanation, for they will know."
Aranel nodded and mounted Galadriel's horse. Galadriel reached up and cupped Aranel's face in her hands. "Take care Aranel Nimwen, Lady of Mirkwood. May the Valar protect you."
Aranel bent over and kissed the great Lady upon her cheek. "I will never forget this, or you. Take care of my brother."
The Lady Galadriel smiled her secretive little smile and nodded, "Go." She whispered to the girl and horse.
Aranel turned the horse abruptly and sped into the early dawn. Her hair came free from the confines of her crown. Aranel's dress flowed and whipped in the wind, drying from the overnight rain. She felt life return to her at every passing moment. Her face became pink with the wind.
Seeing the city she sped her horse faster. Upon reaching the gates she heard the watchman yell, "Open the gates! Open the gates!"
The dull clanking could be heard as the mechanics of the door were being worked open. As the door opened Aranel sped up the seven levels not bothering to avoid people. All stopped in their tracks when they realized who the crazed woman was. Excited whispers and cries rippled through the crowds. Abandoning her horse at the sixth level Aranel bounded up the stairs two at a time. She ran past the white tree of Gondor. Running up the small flight of stairs she pushed open the doors. "Aragorn! Aragorn!" she yelled.
Looking up from his folded hands Aragorn stood up and moved down the thrones stairs. Aranel ran into his arms, tears freely pouring down her face. "I couldn't do it Aragorn. No matter the hateful things I said to you... I couldn't do it!"
He pulled her away from him at an arms length. He brought his hands to her face and caressed her soft skin. Smiling her kissed her gently on the lips. Then he brought her close to his body, his hands running through her hair. Aranel looked up into Aragorn's face and soon she began to cry with joy.
Aragorn looked Aranel up and down. She was quite disheveled. Her hair was windblown and in tangles, her gown covered in mud, and her face dirtied with clean lines where tears had fallen. With his thumb he wiped her tears away. "Do not cry Aranel Nimwen, Lady of Gondor."