Disclaimer: Only Tolkien owns these characters, and I'm not Tolkien.

A/N: This is my favorite chapter, you have to read it to know why.

Chapter 10: Confessions

Arwen watched as Aragorn left Rivendell, her face was sad, with glassy eyes and a pale face. Her room often filled her with gladness uplifting any misery, but now it offered no warmth. Elrond entered the room, while Arwen still stood by her window playing with a strand of her dark brown hair. Still gazing at the place where she saw her last glimpse of Aragorn.
She turned around sharply the second she felt her father's presence.

"Ada, you can not do this." She pleaded to him.

"Arwen I am protecting our people by sending him away ."

"But why banish him from here? For years you have searched for the heir of Elendil and now when you find him you turn him away?" She begged from him, although she knew what the answer would be.

"He lied to us, you know this, when I asked who he was he told me nothing. We do not know what else he hides."

"You don't know him." Arwen threw back at him.

"Neither do you!" Elrond's face had grown cross, he was getting very upset about how this conversation had turned out. "He could be in league with Sauron. You know that the dark power is growing."

Arwen knew this, she still remembered her race against the Orcs. But Aragorn had saved her, he wouldn't have done that if he was evil. "No he's not! He's not!" She cried out to him. Arwen sank to her bed, tears burst from her eyes, and she let them flow. Sobs ran through her body as she buried her face in her hands. She did not believe a word Elrond said about Aragorn, but it hurt like knives in her heart to hear him say those cruel words.

When Elrond saw his daughter weep this way his heart softened. He didn't want his only daughter to have a miserable spirit, he only wished to protect her. He sat down beside her and put a comforting arm on her shoulders. "Arwen," He said in a soothing voice, "I know of your feelings for him. In time they will pass."

Arwen leapt to her feet when she heard him say that. "No Ada they won't." She told him in a stern voice. She left him alone to think about her words.

After Arwen left her bedroom, she stayed in Aragorn's room, lying on his empty bed, burying her face in his pillow, so she could feel as if he was still with her. She thought about what her father did, knowing that it wasn't a just thing to do. One thought penetrated her mind the most, she had to tell him, she had to tell Aragorn that she loved him. He deserved to know, but how could she accomplish this? She pondered over this for a while, when the answer came, she had to act quickly.
Arwen raced up to her room, it was empty now, her father had thought it best to leave her alone. She changed into a plain, simple, gray riding outfit. She was going to find Aragorn, going to find answers that she needed. She only brought with her Hadhafang, Arwen needed to travel lightly.
She crept through dark corridors, not wanting to disturb anyone's sleep and be found out. She neared her father's room, it was quiet. She moved quickly yet silently, She entered the room which held the Shards of Narsil. Arwen glanced at the statue remembering the day Aragorn found it. "That was a sign. A sign I overlooked." Arwen thought to herself. She glanced at it briefly, knowing that there was no time to spare.
Arwen moved to the wall that surrounded Rivendell. She could not bring Asfaloth with her, the stables were guarded and a horse would not be able leave the city the way she was going. A small door was hidden into the wall. Elrond had this door built in case an emergency aroused. She open the door slowly so no sound could be heard. It creaked slightly, she turned and looked to see if any one was coming, but if the sound was noticed, no one bothered to look into it.
She moved swiftly through the door and ran silently across the small bridge.

Arwen entered the dark forest of the Trollshaws on her guard. She pushed branches out of her way and plowed through bushes, her heart bent on finding one person. Arwen called out Aragorn's name ever so often, in hopes that he should hear.
The stars glittered over head, as Arwen reached the Ford. She had been in the forest for hours, she was now leaving the boundaries of Rivendell. She waded into the shallow river and raced to the bank. Water splashed around her ankles, soaking her gown, but she cared not. Arwen moved through the trees again, calling out his name. She heard the flutter of swift wings, her eyes turned to the sky. An owl flew through the shining night on silver wings. She ran further into the forest, ready to take on any foe.
Arwen tripped suddenly on a tree root and fell to the ground hard. She got back on her feet and went on her way. Soon she was to tired to keep moving, she had to stop to rest. Tears stung her eyes, for fear had entered her thoughts. She despaired of ever finding Aragorn. This small quest she was on might be in vain.
The bushes rustled behind her, her hand reached down to her sword, ready to use her skills.

"Arwen," a voice said in surprise.

Her heart leapt when she heard that voice. "Aragorn !" She cried when she turned and saw him. She raced straight into his arms, so glad was she to see him.

"What are you doing here?" Aragorn whispered as he held her close.

"I must tell you something." She said looking at his face.

"You should not be out here it is dangerous. I have to take you back." He said ignoring her.

"Wait," Arwen said making Aragorn stop trying to lead her home, "Why did you lie Aragorn? Why did you not say who you are?" She needed to know this, needed to understand.

Aragorn looked down at the ground, not wanting to tell her why. He knew that she had to know though, he cared for her so much that he hated to see her distressed. She had searched so hard to find him, that he had to answer her request.

"I just want to be forgotten." He said.

"What?" She inquired not understanding what he said.

"When I was thirteen, my mother, Gilrean, told me of who I am." He began, "She said that my father, Arathorn, was the heir of Isildur, and that I was the last of the line. She then gave me this."
He then held up his left hand. On it was a silver ring, two serpents with emerald eyes, One upheld a crown of golden flowers while the other devoured it. The silver snakes surrounded a large emerald in the middle.

"It is the Ring of Barahir," Aragorn continued.

"The ring of the king," Arwen whispered taking his hand closer to examine this ring that she knew all to well about.

Aragorn nodded at her statement, "I didn't know what to feel at first, I was shocked about who I was. Then it dawned on me, I was the heir of Isildur, the weak king. I knew then that I couldn't be king, that I would be as Isildur and be frail to the forces of evil. When I turned fifteen I was of age to be a Ranger. I left my mother and wandered the wild to abandon the past. Two years later, my mother was discovered to be Arathorn's wife, fearing my safety and her own, she decided to move to Rivendell. She sent word for me to join her, but I refused. I found out later that Mordor Orcs came upon her journey and killed her."

"I remember that day." Arwen told him sadly, Gilrean was discovered by the Elves and was brought to Rivendell for healing, but died not long after coming into the city.

"In the wild I remained ever since. Knowing that it is best for Gondor to be without a fragile king."

Arwen knew that he was wrong about being weak, but also understood that his reason was noble. "Can you not see? If you tell my father this he is sure to understand."

"Arwen I can't go back," He said to her.

"Why!" She questioned him sharply and pleadingly.

"Your father is right, I have been a burden far to long. The Elves will be glad that I have gone."

"Except for one."

Aragorn turned back towards her, not believing what he heard. "Arwen," he said taking her hands into his, "Why have you come? What is it you wished to tell me."

She gazed up into his eyes, finding the strength to tell him, "I love you Aragorn."

Aragorn was shocked, for so long he had wanted to hear those words, wanted to tell her how he felt. He lifted her chin up so her eyes could meet his once again. "And I love you." he said in return.

Arwen smiled up at him. Aragorn bent his head slowly until their lips met into a passionate kiss. One that lingered for so long, that said all that their was to say. When their lips parted they remained in their warm embrace, gazing into the others eyes.

Yeah! They finally did it! Reveiw, I want to know about what you thought of this chapter.