Aragorn sat at his desk. To anyone looking in on him it would have seemed
as if he had not moved from that place since the death of his wife. In
truth, he barely had, only to get dressed and eat. He was going through
the motions of life, though not truly living it. Every second seemed like
an hour without Arwen at his side. From his window he watched the flags of
Gondor flying respectfully at half-mast, rippling in the warm spring winds
that came from the east, bring the scent of flowers and the idea of summer
into everyone's minds. All except the inhabitants of the castle, for them
it was eternally winter.
"It is time Aragorn." Gandalf said from the doorway. Aragorn did not even seem to notice that Gandalf was not clad in his traditional white robes. Instead he too donned clothing of unbroken black to show his mourning. Aragorn got up, his black robes not helping to lift his mood.
They went to the foot of the steps that led up to the castle. Standing there, Aragorn saw the people of Gondor had all flocked to bear witness to the final voyage of Arwen. Her coffin, the only bright thing in the area, gleamed in the sunshine. Elrond had instructed her body to be placed in a pure white coffin made of willow and oak. Now it stood in bleak contrast to everyone else, and they like one unit were dressed in the same colour. Black.
"Be brave now Aragorn." Gandalf whispered as the took their places in the procession.
Aragorn did not reply. As the black horses pulling the carriage on which the coffin lay moved off, the procession began walking also. Aragorn followed behind the coffin, his head raised and eyes fixed on the coffin. He did not look to either side, for he knew that if he saw so much as one person crying he too would break down. Beside him walked Elrond and Gandalf. Behind them followed distinguished guests, lords of Gondor, Faramir and the highest palace guards.
Aragorn thought back to what Elrond had said to him on that fateful day when he had first arrived.
"Arwen was an elf." He had said. "But she bound herself to Gondor. We have very different funeral rites. As she is to be laid to rest in your country, I would politely ask that you give her the funeral of an elf." Aragorn had been too caught up in his own grief to even think of what this would mean, but now he began regretting his decision.
An elf dressed in blue and grey stood every five metres along the path of the procession, and they all sang the same song over and over.
"Today my heart leaves my soul Today my tears shall grieve the loss Tomorrow my heart shall be glad of release Tomorrow shall be the better today."
Although it was sung in elvish, Aragorn understood every word. How could he be happy tomorrow? Tomorrow would be just another day without Arwen.
In reality the procession only took perhaps half an hour or slightly more. But as Aragorn walked over the thousands of pure white lilies thrown in the path of the hearse by well wishers, it felt like much longer. They finally began climbing a steep hill, heading towards the cliff that overlooked the sea.
Soon the carriage came to a halt, a group of people had gathered at the top of the cliff. These people Aragorn would have recognise, had he looked at them. Dressed in black stood six of his dearest friends. One stood taller than the others, his black elven garb looking as grand as ever. Prince Legolas Greenleaf watched his friend's suffering, and in an instant wished he could take the pain away. Gimli gulped back a tear, having been a true admirer of all elf maidens; he would miss this one greatly.
The hobbits let their tears flow freely, especially Frodo. Arwen had saved his life over a year ago, and Frodo had never truly been able to thank her for it. Now it was too late.
The carriage came to a stop by the cliff and the four black horses were untied by four elves wearing navy blue. The horses were led away as a score of elves formed a semi circle around the carriage, leaving the side facing the sheer cliff edge unguarded.
Elrond stepped forward and turned to face the crowd. He spoke in the common tongue, knowing that it was most just to do so, so that everyone there would understand his words.
"Here we say farewell to Arwen, beautiful daughter and true Wife." He said, delicately leaving out the part that should have said 'Loving Mother'. "As all life once came form the sea, now we return to where we come from. In life there is love, pain and life. In death there is peace and release. Today we shall mourn Arwen, tomorrow we celebrate her long and joyous life." As he said this, the elves around the carriage moved forwards and began to slowly push the carriage towards the cliff edge.
"Let the waters cleanse what sin we may hold." Elrond chanted. "Let Arwen fly to a place we are yet to see." The carriage reached the cliff edge. Slowly it toppled over the edge, bearing her coffin with it. Aragorn closed his eyes when he heard the resounding splash as the carriage hit the water. All was lost.
He turned away and began to make the long walk back to his castle. The others watched him go, wishing they could follow him. But now he had to make the journey back to the castle alone, as a final round off to the service.
"Come, let us take the waiting carriages and meet him back at the palace." Gandalf said to the waiting mourners and friends. Seven oak carriages pulled by bay horses awaited them. Gandalf climbed into the first one, and Elrond and Faramir joined him in it. Finally Legolas climbed in and sat down as the carriage began to move off. They did not speak until the carriage was out of sight of the hilltop where a small crowd looked over the edge, looking for any sign of the carriage.
"That was a beautiful service Elrond." Legolas said finally. "Very fitting."
"Thank you." Elrond said. "I believe it is what Arwen would have wanted."
"Arwen would have also wanted her son to be present." Gandalf said bitterly. "I can only apologise again for Aragorn's behaviour Elrond. He knows not what he does."
"Let us not talk on that now." Elrond said.
"If you please sir." Faramir interrupted. "I fear we must speak on it." He had not yet had chance to tell them what had become of the child. He explained about Anánia and how she would look after the child. "And I gave her your letter, as requested Elrond." He finished. Putting his hand in his pocket he pulled out the little box that Galadriel had given him. He handed it to Gandalf. "The Lady asked me to give you this. She said she hopes that it will help, but that it may not be of any use."
Gandalf frowned and opened the box. He pulled out a piece of parchment containing writing in Galadriel' s hand and read it. All in the carriage noted the look on his face. Quickly he out the box away and spoke to them urgently. "I must call a meeting of the fellowship tonight, after dark in the board room." He said. "Gimli, the hobbits, Legolas and Aragorn must attend. Elrond and Faramir, you are also welcome, but it is imperative that Aragorn comes. Force him to if you must, but he should be interested to hear what the lady has to say."
AN - Sad chapter, is she really gone though???? Read on to find out!
Response to reviewers
Maggie Black - I cant believe this story actually makes people cry! It isn't really that sad is it? (Hands over the Kleenex) Don't cry! Please! Or I'll feel really horrible! Things will get better soon, I promise!
ParaKeet007 - I love snow days! Glad you like it. I know Aragorn's attitude is a bit weird, but when people grieve they do it in weird ways. And he will have to see his child again soon, and then the fireworks will start!
LadyJadePerendhil - nice to see a new reviewer! That's a good idea, having the day in a life of a child of Lorien. I may take you up on that idea. Do people want to hear what Eldarion does during the day?
Treiden ARAGORN IS MINE - (nice name!) You aren't weird wanting Arwen to die. Well she is dead now..or is she????
Fay*Evenstar - I do love Gwen Stefani, she has such a cool style, I can't pull it off though! Do you live in America, cos people in UK don't seem to be as crazy about her as US people seem to be! (Strange) Anyway, thanks for the review again, your reviews always make me smile. What did you think of Anánia in the last chapter? Did you like her?
"It is time Aragorn." Gandalf said from the doorway. Aragorn did not even seem to notice that Gandalf was not clad in his traditional white robes. Instead he too donned clothing of unbroken black to show his mourning. Aragorn got up, his black robes not helping to lift his mood.
They went to the foot of the steps that led up to the castle. Standing there, Aragorn saw the people of Gondor had all flocked to bear witness to the final voyage of Arwen. Her coffin, the only bright thing in the area, gleamed in the sunshine. Elrond had instructed her body to be placed in a pure white coffin made of willow and oak. Now it stood in bleak contrast to everyone else, and they like one unit were dressed in the same colour. Black.
"Be brave now Aragorn." Gandalf whispered as the took their places in the procession.
Aragorn did not reply. As the black horses pulling the carriage on which the coffin lay moved off, the procession began walking also. Aragorn followed behind the coffin, his head raised and eyes fixed on the coffin. He did not look to either side, for he knew that if he saw so much as one person crying he too would break down. Beside him walked Elrond and Gandalf. Behind them followed distinguished guests, lords of Gondor, Faramir and the highest palace guards.
Aragorn thought back to what Elrond had said to him on that fateful day when he had first arrived.
"Arwen was an elf." He had said. "But she bound herself to Gondor. We have very different funeral rites. As she is to be laid to rest in your country, I would politely ask that you give her the funeral of an elf." Aragorn had been too caught up in his own grief to even think of what this would mean, but now he began regretting his decision.
An elf dressed in blue and grey stood every five metres along the path of the procession, and they all sang the same song over and over.
"Today my heart leaves my soul Today my tears shall grieve the loss Tomorrow my heart shall be glad of release Tomorrow shall be the better today."
Although it was sung in elvish, Aragorn understood every word. How could he be happy tomorrow? Tomorrow would be just another day without Arwen.
In reality the procession only took perhaps half an hour or slightly more. But as Aragorn walked over the thousands of pure white lilies thrown in the path of the hearse by well wishers, it felt like much longer. They finally began climbing a steep hill, heading towards the cliff that overlooked the sea.
Soon the carriage came to a halt, a group of people had gathered at the top of the cliff. These people Aragorn would have recognise, had he looked at them. Dressed in black stood six of his dearest friends. One stood taller than the others, his black elven garb looking as grand as ever. Prince Legolas Greenleaf watched his friend's suffering, and in an instant wished he could take the pain away. Gimli gulped back a tear, having been a true admirer of all elf maidens; he would miss this one greatly.
The hobbits let their tears flow freely, especially Frodo. Arwen had saved his life over a year ago, and Frodo had never truly been able to thank her for it. Now it was too late.
The carriage came to a stop by the cliff and the four black horses were untied by four elves wearing navy blue. The horses were led away as a score of elves formed a semi circle around the carriage, leaving the side facing the sheer cliff edge unguarded.
Elrond stepped forward and turned to face the crowd. He spoke in the common tongue, knowing that it was most just to do so, so that everyone there would understand his words.
"Here we say farewell to Arwen, beautiful daughter and true Wife." He said, delicately leaving out the part that should have said 'Loving Mother'. "As all life once came form the sea, now we return to where we come from. In life there is love, pain and life. In death there is peace and release. Today we shall mourn Arwen, tomorrow we celebrate her long and joyous life." As he said this, the elves around the carriage moved forwards and began to slowly push the carriage towards the cliff edge.
"Let the waters cleanse what sin we may hold." Elrond chanted. "Let Arwen fly to a place we are yet to see." The carriage reached the cliff edge. Slowly it toppled over the edge, bearing her coffin with it. Aragorn closed his eyes when he heard the resounding splash as the carriage hit the water. All was lost.
He turned away and began to make the long walk back to his castle. The others watched him go, wishing they could follow him. But now he had to make the journey back to the castle alone, as a final round off to the service.
"Come, let us take the waiting carriages and meet him back at the palace." Gandalf said to the waiting mourners and friends. Seven oak carriages pulled by bay horses awaited them. Gandalf climbed into the first one, and Elrond and Faramir joined him in it. Finally Legolas climbed in and sat down as the carriage began to move off. They did not speak until the carriage was out of sight of the hilltop where a small crowd looked over the edge, looking for any sign of the carriage.
"That was a beautiful service Elrond." Legolas said finally. "Very fitting."
"Thank you." Elrond said. "I believe it is what Arwen would have wanted."
"Arwen would have also wanted her son to be present." Gandalf said bitterly. "I can only apologise again for Aragorn's behaviour Elrond. He knows not what he does."
"Let us not talk on that now." Elrond said.
"If you please sir." Faramir interrupted. "I fear we must speak on it." He had not yet had chance to tell them what had become of the child. He explained about Anánia and how she would look after the child. "And I gave her your letter, as requested Elrond." He finished. Putting his hand in his pocket he pulled out the little box that Galadriel had given him. He handed it to Gandalf. "The Lady asked me to give you this. She said she hopes that it will help, but that it may not be of any use."
Gandalf frowned and opened the box. He pulled out a piece of parchment containing writing in Galadriel' s hand and read it. All in the carriage noted the look on his face. Quickly he out the box away and spoke to them urgently. "I must call a meeting of the fellowship tonight, after dark in the board room." He said. "Gimli, the hobbits, Legolas and Aragorn must attend. Elrond and Faramir, you are also welcome, but it is imperative that Aragorn comes. Force him to if you must, but he should be interested to hear what the lady has to say."
AN - Sad chapter, is she really gone though???? Read on to find out!
Response to reviewers
Maggie Black - I cant believe this story actually makes people cry! It isn't really that sad is it? (Hands over the Kleenex) Don't cry! Please! Or I'll feel really horrible! Things will get better soon, I promise!
ParaKeet007 - I love snow days! Glad you like it. I know Aragorn's attitude is a bit weird, but when people grieve they do it in weird ways. And he will have to see his child again soon, and then the fireworks will start!
LadyJadePerendhil - nice to see a new reviewer! That's a good idea, having the day in a life of a child of Lorien. I may take you up on that idea. Do people want to hear what Eldarion does during the day?
Treiden ARAGORN IS MINE - (nice name!) You aren't weird wanting Arwen to die. Well she is dead now..or is she????
Fay*Evenstar - I do love Gwen Stefani, she has such a cool style, I can't pull it off though! Do you live in America, cos people in UK don't seem to be as crazy about her as US people seem to be! (Strange) Anyway, thanks for the review again, your reviews always make me smile. What did you think of Anánia in the last chapter? Did you like her?