Written By: Hal
For: Puredeadthingy
Something rustled behind him. It was too sudden to be the wind blowing the trees. He searched through the blackness, trying to see something in the vast emptiness.
"Who is it?"
"Me," said a soothing voice.
Aragorn grasped for some twigs to start a fire. The darkness was lifted by a pale glow of red firelight. He looked across the space and saw the lady who had spoken. Her raven black hair flowed down her back, and her ears turned towards the sky. Her skin was fair and young; she was an elf.
"You cannot be here," Aragorn said hesitantly. "Lord Elrond would not approve of you coming to find me."
"It does not matter. My feelings have left me in a tough place." She pressed her lips together to form a straight line across her face.
"Arwen, the Dark Lord, Sauron, is rising again. You are in
grave danger being here. I cannot risk you dying to be with…me."
Arwen walked over to Aragorn. "But I will risk it. I bound my heart to you, and that I cannot ignore."
He lifted his head up and gazed into her eyes. The deep, blue water rippling under his stare. His eyes silently urging her to leave him be. Leave. Go back to Imladris. Go back to your family and home. Be safe. But she stayed where she was, her lips trembling in fear.
"Aragorn, the Ringbearer has returned. The One Ring has been found. I came to find you as soon as I found out. The Fellowship has formed."
He sighed. "Undoubtedly, you do not wish for me to go, but understand the urgency of the quest. You know of my risk?"
She nodded. "Just…promise me you'll love no one else."
Aragorn closed his eyes and leaned into her. "I promise."
Arwen smiled, a single tear ran down her cheek. "I must go."
"Wait!" Aragorn stood up after Arwen and put his hands around her waist. "You forgot something…" He moved his head forward and put his lips on hers.
They kissed for a moment until she let go. "Namárië." And her body melted into the darkness.