"Arwen!" Aragorn exclaimed. He passed Eldarion to Anánia, and rushed over
to Arwen. He helped her off the table and then enveloped her in a tight
embrace. She smiled and returned his kisses and embraces tenfold. "I
thought I should never see you again." Aragorn gasped, holding her tighter
still, his hands entwined in her hair, his eyes taking their fill of her
face as he succumbed to a tear rolling down his face.
"I missed you, my love." Arwen said breathlessly. "You saved me, thank you." She brushed away his tear with her soft hand, leaving it on his cheek tenderly for a moment.
They finally broke away. Arwen surveyed those around her. Gandalf stood nearby, one hand on Gimli's shoulder. The hobbits stood all together, looking both excited and nervous at the same time. A strange person she had never seen stood with them too, with large white wings visible behind his back. Next to this strange being stood Legolas, who had one arm around an elf maiden Arwen did not know. And in the girl's arms lay a baby.
"Eldarion!" She cried out, rushing over and taking the child form Anánia. She hugged him tightly and let a tear fall onto his cheek. "My son!" Eldarion gurgled and cooed, finally reaching up and closing his little hand around the pendant around Arwen's neck. None of them were surprised to see that she was once again wearing her evenstar pendant, nothing could surprise them now. Arwen covered him with fond kisses.
Anánia bit her lip and held back a tear. She was glad to see Eldarion back with his mother, but now the loss of her adoptive son began to sink in. She leaned against Legolas for support, and he held her tightly, feeling her sorrow and not knowing how to comfort it.
"I do not know you." Arwen said to Anánia. "Yet I do. Thank you for looking after my son, Anánia of Lothlorien."
"How do you know who I am?" Anánia asked.
"I have been with you all this time. I journeyed with you from Godnor, in spsirit. I watch over you in Lothlorien, and saw the orcs attack you. I followed you to Mirkwood, and danced with you in the great halls. But none of you ever sensed my presence." Arwen explained. She turned to Aragorn and looked at him. "I always told you that I would always be with you." She said. "And I kept my promise. Did you not feel my presence, if only in your dreams?"
Aragorn blushed. He had never felt Arwen's presence; he had been so caught up in his own grief. His heart sank as he realised she had also seen him reject their son time and time again.
"I thank you all of the sacrifices you have made to bring me home." She said. "All of you, my friends, and those I do not know." She bowed her head to Astor. "Gondor and Rivendell are in your debt, Prince of Avion."
Aragorn put his arm around his wife lovingly. "There is much we must talk about." He said. "But let us not do so here. I vote that we journey immediately back to Mirkwood, where we are guaranteed a welcoming reception."
Arwen looked down sadly. "I am afraid we can journey nowhere." She said. "As I died I heard the riddle that helped bring me back to this world recited by a host of elves. But there is one final part to the folklore that you have not been told. Now that I have been revived we have perhaps a few minutes and it will be as if I never died."
"What do you mean, Lady Arwen?" Legolas asked.
"Very soon, time will turn back on itself." Arwen sighed. "It will return to the moment before I died, but I shall live. You will all go back to your old lives and it will be as if this never happened. None of you will remember the events of the past months. You will live the life you were supposed to live before I died and turned your lives upside down."
They all gasped and looked at each other. They would not remember this expedition at all!?
"This can't be true!" Anánia pleaded. "I have made so many new friends. I cannot forget them. I won't forget Eldarion, I can't, and I love him too much!" She cried. She looked at Legolas and whispered. "I don't want to have never have known you."
Gandalf nodded. "It would make sense. Otherwise we would go back and tell everyone about this place. Death would no longer be a true end. The entire balance of life would be put in jeopardy."
"Is there no way?" Legolas asked, holding Anánia tightly and looking over to Gandalf.
"There must be some way." Astor agreed. "You saved my life. Without you I might die. You saved me when I was at the brink of death. If you are not going to be on the road to Mirkwood when I am, then I may die. And I have made such good friends."
"Who can say?" Arwen answered miserably. "I am sorry I have caused you so much pain and strife." The circular table began to glow a dusky blue. She looked at all of them in despair. "It is time." She said sadly. "Thank you all for the gift you have given me." She huddled close to Aragorn and he wrapped his arms around her. The reunited family stood together, looking like a perfect picture, and yet the underlying sadness of their meeting was visible in their pale faces and shining tears.
Legolas turned to Anánia. "I will find you!" He said. "I will find a way! I can not lose you now." She only cried as he kissed her for what would be the last time.
"Come and visit the shire soon Gandalf." The hobbits said quickly. "We miss you, and your fireworks." Gandalf smiled and patted them all on the head.
"I will look for you Astor." Gimli promised. "I swear upon the halls of Moria, I shall not let you die."
"Thank you my friend." Astor smiled weakly. "It is a hollow promise, and I am doomed to die. But your thoughts are with me now. I am glad to have met you, even for such a short time. I can only dream of the underground halls you promised to show me. Hopefully in the next life I shall remember you."
As the light grew brighter they all shut their eyes. They felt as if they were flying through air, cold and harsh, painful. They all wanted to cry out in agony, it felt as if their very hearts were being wrenched from their chests. Then they felt themselves lose their grip on each other. Aragorn cried out in anguish as Arwen was torn from his embrace and whipped away ion the whirling winds. "Arwen!!!!!!" He cried.
Aragorn woke with a start. The realised that it wasn't just his scream that reverberated around the castle. Another scream of pain came from close by.
"Arwen!" He gasped, jumping out of bed and running down the hallway. All around him was a hive of activity. He rushed to the door of Arwen's room, where Faramir was standing.
"My Lord!" He said, stopping Aragorn's headlong dash and holding back. "Where were you? We searched everywhere for you to tell you. Arwen has gone into labour."
"I was in one of the guest rooms." He said quickly. "How is she? Let me in, I wish to see her."
"She has not long had contractions." Faramir said, opening the door. Arwen lay on the bed. Sweat dripped from her forehead and her face was contorted into a grimace as she endured another contraction. Aragorn was at he side in a moment.
"I'm here." He said, gripping her hand and kissing it. "I'm here."
Her contraction died away and she gasped for breath. "I knew you would come." She whispered. She laid her head back on the pillow and panted for lost breath.
Aragorn stayed by her side, lending her support as the contraction came harder and faster. After a while, he began to get in the way of the bustling midwives and doctors.
"Please my lord." One said. "Would you kindly move aside?"
"Come away Aragorn." Faramir pleaded. "Won't you heed the tradition that the king is not present for the birth of his child?"
"I want to be there for her." Aragorn said desperately.
"You shall be." Arwen said. "In spirit." She then screamed again as another contraction wracked her exhausted body.
"Come my Lord." Faramir said, leading a reluctant Aragorn away. "You have heard the myth that if the King is present at the birth, then the child shall be blighted in life. Would you risk the health and safety of your child?"
"It is mere superstition." Aragorn said.
"Then it may have some basis in truth." Faramir said kindly, shutting the door behind them and leading Aragorn into a room down the hallway. The room was decorated sparsely, and a round table and chairs sat in the middle. Faramir seated himself at one of these, but Aragorn went to the window and watched the rising sun, trying to ignore the commotion that was taking place a few rooms down.
He must have been quite successful in blocking out the noise, otherwise he would have noticed the urgent tones in which the doctors spoke, or the hurried and frenzied way the matrons and midwives carried out the requests of the head physician. Faramir noticed, but said nothing, not wishing to worry his king unnecessarily.
Meanwhile, the other members of the fellowship were up to their own business.
Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin laughed and jostled around a large dinning table laden with food. Pippin threw a bread roll and Merry, hitting him over the head. Merry hurled the hot soup at Pippin, but missed and hit Sam. Sam yelled in surprise and Frodo could not stop laughing.
Gimli sat in his chambers, looking forlornly at his axe, which hung in pride of place on the wall. It had been so long since they had had an adventure, and he was getting bored of the every day mundane life.
Legolas let another arrow whiz through the air and hit the target, dead on centre. The huddled of elf maidens of Mirkwood who had gathered to watch the prince practise clapped and cheered. Ignoring them, Legolas aimed another arrow.
Gandalf slowed his horse to a walk as they approached Minas Tirith. He knew that Arwen was due to give birth any day now, and knew that Aragorn would be trying to contact him. He was only two days ride from where he knew Aragorn to be staying, and thought he would surprise him by turning up on his doorstep. He urged Shadowfax into a gentle canter as they crossed the vast open plain, heading towards the city of Osgiliarth. He smiled knowingly, so their plan to save Arwen's life had worked. Somehow, he had remembered the events that had, or now had not, taken place. He wondered if anyone else would remember these too.
One of the midwives entered the room. Faramir jumped up to greet the news, and Aragorn walked quickly over to the doorway.
"Well?" He asked.
"Congratulations my Lord." The woman said, in an unreadable voice. "You are the proud father or a beautiful, healthy son."
"And my wife, how is she?" Aragorn asked.
The midwife smiled. "She is fine, she is resting now. It was a difficult delivery sir, and one point we nearly lost her. But you can go and see her now."
Aragorn swept down the corridor in a daze. When he came into the room he saw Arwen sitting up in bed, a beautiful baby wrapped up in cloth in her arms.
"He is beautiful." Aragorn gasped, sitting beside Arwen and kissing her on the cheek. "Well done, my love."
Arwen smiled knowingly. "Do you swear to love him Aragorn, no matter what?" She asked, looking at him. He only stared at the baby and put his arm around Arwen.
"I would never, ever abandon him." Aragorn said. "I could not. He is my son. Nothing would ever change that."
'You do not remember then.' Arwen thought, watching Aragorn hold Eldarion. 'I wonder why I do. And I wonder if anyone else remembers it too?'
"What is his name?" Aragorn asked quietly.
"Eldarion." Arwen replied. "Do you like it?"
"It is perfect." Aragorn replied as Faramir walked in.
"Congratulations my lady." Faramir said. "Should I announce the birth throughout Gondor?"
"Please do Faramir." Aragorn replied. "In fact, I will do it myself." He gave Eldarion back to Arwen and strode out of the room, almost walking on air.
"Faramir!" Arwen called as Aragorn left. "I have some unusual requests regarding Eldarion's christening. I would like you to invite some people for me, and don't tell Aragorn about them either. He will not understand. There is an elf in Lothlorien who must attend the christening. I also request that as soon as Gandalf arrives you ask him to sort out the situation with the winged man in the north." She smiled at Faramir's puzzled expression. "Please don't question it, just do it. Gandalf will understand, I am sure that he will remember..."
AN – did you like that, we went back to earlier chapters where she was about to die! Two more chapters to come, I couldn't leave you hanging there not knowing if they will all meet again! Read and review please, but you always do anyway!
Response to reviewers
Curlycurlz – like your fantasy about Legolas there, I could definitely enjoying being nursed back to health by him...
Lilwhitelighter – yep, Arwen is finally alive, and about time too!
Valia-elf – I think Eldarion would be the cutest baby ever. You would have to be gorgeous with Liv Tyler as your mother and Viggo Mortensen as your Dad!
Ciel-Undomiel – that was the ramble to end all rambles, you officially win the rambling crown. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Queen Arwen – I am afraid that the story has to end because I can not write this fanfiction for all eternity. On the bright side I can now write sequels (when I finish this one in another 2 chapters!)
Cerridwen – hope you liked this chapter, but I get the feeling that you will, cos Arwen is alive!
Viviana – a new reviewer? I commend you, I can never be bothered to read a fanfiction that is so long (24 chapters not including this one!) You go girl/guy!
Julia – they didn't really have time to enjoy Arwen being alive did they? Shame! Oh well, maybe they will all meet again...I'm not promising anything though!
Linda – I'm glad you like this story! But it's nearly over now...
Ringmarciel – just 2 more chapters now, not including this one!
Emily – I'm glad you liked I, thanks for the review!
Leggy/Orlando's Queen – yep, Arwen is back. When I was writing the resurrection scene I pictured it like it was in a movie, then it was easier to write about.
The True Evenstar – its nearly over now though! What am I going to do when I can't sit for hours reading and responding to reviews all the time???
Aragorn's – please don't hurt me, see, I updated, so you can't hurt me. Besides, if you did, you would be hunted down by a mob of mad reviewers who would never be able to find out the end of this story! LOL!
"I missed you, my love." Arwen said breathlessly. "You saved me, thank you." She brushed away his tear with her soft hand, leaving it on his cheek tenderly for a moment.
They finally broke away. Arwen surveyed those around her. Gandalf stood nearby, one hand on Gimli's shoulder. The hobbits stood all together, looking both excited and nervous at the same time. A strange person she had never seen stood with them too, with large white wings visible behind his back. Next to this strange being stood Legolas, who had one arm around an elf maiden Arwen did not know. And in the girl's arms lay a baby.
"Eldarion!" She cried out, rushing over and taking the child form Anánia. She hugged him tightly and let a tear fall onto his cheek. "My son!" Eldarion gurgled and cooed, finally reaching up and closing his little hand around the pendant around Arwen's neck. None of them were surprised to see that she was once again wearing her evenstar pendant, nothing could surprise them now. Arwen covered him with fond kisses.
Anánia bit her lip and held back a tear. She was glad to see Eldarion back with his mother, but now the loss of her adoptive son began to sink in. She leaned against Legolas for support, and he held her tightly, feeling her sorrow and not knowing how to comfort it.
"I do not know you." Arwen said to Anánia. "Yet I do. Thank you for looking after my son, Anánia of Lothlorien."
"How do you know who I am?" Anánia asked.
"I have been with you all this time. I journeyed with you from Godnor, in spsirit. I watch over you in Lothlorien, and saw the orcs attack you. I followed you to Mirkwood, and danced with you in the great halls. But none of you ever sensed my presence." Arwen explained. She turned to Aragorn and looked at him. "I always told you that I would always be with you." She said. "And I kept my promise. Did you not feel my presence, if only in your dreams?"
Aragorn blushed. He had never felt Arwen's presence; he had been so caught up in his own grief. His heart sank as he realised she had also seen him reject their son time and time again.
"I thank you all of the sacrifices you have made to bring me home." She said. "All of you, my friends, and those I do not know." She bowed her head to Astor. "Gondor and Rivendell are in your debt, Prince of Avion."
Aragorn put his arm around his wife lovingly. "There is much we must talk about." He said. "But let us not do so here. I vote that we journey immediately back to Mirkwood, where we are guaranteed a welcoming reception."
Arwen looked down sadly. "I am afraid we can journey nowhere." She said. "As I died I heard the riddle that helped bring me back to this world recited by a host of elves. But there is one final part to the folklore that you have not been told. Now that I have been revived we have perhaps a few minutes and it will be as if I never died."
"What do you mean, Lady Arwen?" Legolas asked.
"Very soon, time will turn back on itself." Arwen sighed. "It will return to the moment before I died, but I shall live. You will all go back to your old lives and it will be as if this never happened. None of you will remember the events of the past months. You will live the life you were supposed to live before I died and turned your lives upside down."
They all gasped and looked at each other. They would not remember this expedition at all!?
"This can't be true!" Anánia pleaded. "I have made so many new friends. I cannot forget them. I won't forget Eldarion, I can't, and I love him too much!" She cried. She looked at Legolas and whispered. "I don't want to have never have known you."
Gandalf nodded. "It would make sense. Otherwise we would go back and tell everyone about this place. Death would no longer be a true end. The entire balance of life would be put in jeopardy."
"Is there no way?" Legolas asked, holding Anánia tightly and looking over to Gandalf.
"There must be some way." Astor agreed. "You saved my life. Without you I might die. You saved me when I was at the brink of death. If you are not going to be on the road to Mirkwood when I am, then I may die. And I have made such good friends."
"Who can say?" Arwen answered miserably. "I am sorry I have caused you so much pain and strife." The circular table began to glow a dusky blue. She looked at all of them in despair. "It is time." She said sadly. "Thank you all for the gift you have given me." She huddled close to Aragorn and he wrapped his arms around her. The reunited family stood together, looking like a perfect picture, and yet the underlying sadness of their meeting was visible in their pale faces and shining tears.
Legolas turned to Anánia. "I will find you!" He said. "I will find a way! I can not lose you now." She only cried as he kissed her for what would be the last time.
"Come and visit the shire soon Gandalf." The hobbits said quickly. "We miss you, and your fireworks." Gandalf smiled and patted them all on the head.
"I will look for you Astor." Gimli promised. "I swear upon the halls of Moria, I shall not let you die."
"Thank you my friend." Astor smiled weakly. "It is a hollow promise, and I am doomed to die. But your thoughts are with me now. I am glad to have met you, even for such a short time. I can only dream of the underground halls you promised to show me. Hopefully in the next life I shall remember you."
As the light grew brighter they all shut their eyes. They felt as if they were flying through air, cold and harsh, painful. They all wanted to cry out in agony, it felt as if their very hearts were being wrenched from their chests. Then they felt themselves lose their grip on each other. Aragorn cried out in anguish as Arwen was torn from his embrace and whipped away ion the whirling winds. "Arwen!!!!!!" He cried.
Aragorn woke with a start. The realised that it wasn't just his scream that reverberated around the castle. Another scream of pain came from close by.
"Arwen!" He gasped, jumping out of bed and running down the hallway. All around him was a hive of activity. He rushed to the door of Arwen's room, where Faramir was standing.
"My Lord!" He said, stopping Aragorn's headlong dash and holding back. "Where were you? We searched everywhere for you to tell you. Arwen has gone into labour."
"I was in one of the guest rooms." He said quickly. "How is she? Let me in, I wish to see her."
"She has not long had contractions." Faramir said, opening the door. Arwen lay on the bed. Sweat dripped from her forehead and her face was contorted into a grimace as she endured another contraction. Aragorn was at he side in a moment.
"I'm here." He said, gripping her hand and kissing it. "I'm here."
Her contraction died away and she gasped for breath. "I knew you would come." She whispered. She laid her head back on the pillow and panted for lost breath.
Aragorn stayed by her side, lending her support as the contraction came harder and faster. After a while, he began to get in the way of the bustling midwives and doctors.
"Please my lord." One said. "Would you kindly move aside?"
"Come away Aragorn." Faramir pleaded. "Won't you heed the tradition that the king is not present for the birth of his child?"
"I want to be there for her." Aragorn said desperately.
"You shall be." Arwen said. "In spirit." She then screamed again as another contraction wracked her exhausted body.
"Come my Lord." Faramir said, leading a reluctant Aragorn away. "You have heard the myth that if the King is present at the birth, then the child shall be blighted in life. Would you risk the health and safety of your child?"
"It is mere superstition." Aragorn said.
"Then it may have some basis in truth." Faramir said kindly, shutting the door behind them and leading Aragorn into a room down the hallway. The room was decorated sparsely, and a round table and chairs sat in the middle. Faramir seated himself at one of these, but Aragorn went to the window and watched the rising sun, trying to ignore the commotion that was taking place a few rooms down.
He must have been quite successful in blocking out the noise, otherwise he would have noticed the urgent tones in which the doctors spoke, or the hurried and frenzied way the matrons and midwives carried out the requests of the head physician. Faramir noticed, but said nothing, not wishing to worry his king unnecessarily.
Meanwhile, the other members of the fellowship were up to their own business.
Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin laughed and jostled around a large dinning table laden with food. Pippin threw a bread roll and Merry, hitting him over the head. Merry hurled the hot soup at Pippin, but missed and hit Sam. Sam yelled in surprise and Frodo could not stop laughing.
Gimli sat in his chambers, looking forlornly at his axe, which hung in pride of place on the wall. It had been so long since they had had an adventure, and he was getting bored of the every day mundane life.
Legolas let another arrow whiz through the air and hit the target, dead on centre. The huddled of elf maidens of Mirkwood who had gathered to watch the prince practise clapped and cheered. Ignoring them, Legolas aimed another arrow.
Gandalf slowed his horse to a walk as they approached Minas Tirith. He knew that Arwen was due to give birth any day now, and knew that Aragorn would be trying to contact him. He was only two days ride from where he knew Aragorn to be staying, and thought he would surprise him by turning up on his doorstep. He urged Shadowfax into a gentle canter as they crossed the vast open plain, heading towards the city of Osgiliarth. He smiled knowingly, so their plan to save Arwen's life had worked. Somehow, he had remembered the events that had, or now had not, taken place. He wondered if anyone else would remember these too.
One of the midwives entered the room. Faramir jumped up to greet the news, and Aragorn walked quickly over to the doorway.
"Well?" He asked.
"Congratulations my Lord." The woman said, in an unreadable voice. "You are the proud father or a beautiful, healthy son."
"And my wife, how is she?" Aragorn asked.
The midwife smiled. "She is fine, she is resting now. It was a difficult delivery sir, and one point we nearly lost her. But you can go and see her now."
Aragorn swept down the corridor in a daze. When he came into the room he saw Arwen sitting up in bed, a beautiful baby wrapped up in cloth in her arms.
"He is beautiful." Aragorn gasped, sitting beside Arwen and kissing her on the cheek. "Well done, my love."
Arwen smiled knowingly. "Do you swear to love him Aragorn, no matter what?" She asked, looking at him. He only stared at the baby and put his arm around Arwen.
"I would never, ever abandon him." Aragorn said. "I could not. He is my son. Nothing would ever change that."
'You do not remember then.' Arwen thought, watching Aragorn hold Eldarion. 'I wonder why I do. And I wonder if anyone else remembers it too?'
"What is his name?" Aragorn asked quietly.
"Eldarion." Arwen replied. "Do you like it?"
"It is perfect." Aragorn replied as Faramir walked in.
"Congratulations my lady." Faramir said. "Should I announce the birth throughout Gondor?"
"Please do Faramir." Aragorn replied. "In fact, I will do it myself." He gave Eldarion back to Arwen and strode out of the room, almost walking on air.
"Faramir!" Arwen called as Aragorn left. "I have some unusual requests regarding Eldarion's christening. I would like you to invite some people for me, and don't tell Aragorn about them either. He will not understand. There is an elf in Lothlorien who must attend the christening. I also request that as soon as Gandalf arrives you ask him to sort out the situation with the winged man in the north." She smiled at Faramir's puzzled expression. "Please don't question it, just do it. Gandalf will understand, I am sure that he will remember..."
AN – did you like that, we went back to earlier chapters where she was about to die! Two more chapters to come, I couldn't leave you hanging there not knowing if they will all meet again! Read and review please, but you always do anyway!
Response to reviewers
Curlycurlz – like your fantasy about Legolas there, I could definitely enjoying being nursed back to health by him...
Lilwhitelighter – yep, Arwen is finally alive, and about time too!
Valia-elf – I think Eldarion would be the cutest baby ever. You would have to be gorgeous with Liv Tyler as your mother and Viggo Mortensen as your Dad!
Ciel-Undomiel – that was the ramble to end all rambles, you officially win the rambling crown. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Queen Arwen – I am afraid that the story has to end because I can not write this fanfiction for all eternity. On the bright side I can now write sequels (when I finish this one in another 2 chapters!)
Cerridwen – hope you liked this chapter, but I get the feeling that you will, cos Arwen is alive!
Viviana – a new reviewer? I commend you, I can never be bothered to read a fanfiction that is so long (24 chapters not including this one!) You go girl/guy!
Julia – they didn't really have time to enjoy Arwen being alive did they? Shame! Oh well, maybe they will all meet again...I'm not promising anything though!
Linda – I'm glad you like this story! But it's nearly over now...
Ringmarciel – just 2 more chapters now, not including this one!
Emily – I'm glad you liked I, thanks for the review!
Leggy/Orlando's Queen – yep, Arwen is back. When I was writing the resurrection scene I pictured it like it was in a movie, then it was easier to write about.
The True Evenstar – its nearly over now though! What am I going to do when I can't sit for hours reading and responding to reviews all the time???
Aragorn's – please don't hurt me, see, I updated, so you can't hurt me. Besides, if you did, you would be hunted down by a mob of mad reviewers who would never be able to find out the end of this story! LOL!