Title: To Love a Man
Disclaimer: All characters and ideas belong to the wonderful J.R.R Tolkien.
A/N: This is just a little story I decided to write at two o'clock in the morning. It seems like that's when I end up doing most of my writing. I'm not particularly proud of this fic but I decided to post it anyhow. The slash in this story is very mild. It doesn't have much of a happy ending. I hope you enjoy!
Warning: This story contains implied slash,meaning two male characters being in love with each other. Don't read if this kind of thing bothers you.
Pain is a simple yet deadly thing. When the ring was destroyed and my waning life returned I thought the problems were over. Middle earth would be ruled by men and my kin would sail away from me to the undying lands. Those elves including my father. Little did I know that my father was right in telling me Aragorn would never come back. Yes, he came back in the physical sense. He came back and was crowned as the new king of Gondor, the first king to take up the throne for many centuries.
His heart was what never returned to me. The day he left with the fellowship was the day he left his love for me behind. Somehow I had known it deep in my heart. It was all too clear when he attempted to leave me without saying goodbye. Aragorn is a noble person but his heart is still that of a man. A brave fighter yet he could not muster the courage to tell me he was leaving. Leaving everything that included a life with me.
I ignored it. My father had me convinced that I should take the boats that were leaving. Yet it had not felt right. I very well couldn't leave when I saw the image of my son. A son that is still to be born. It is now him that will dictate the remainder of my mortal life.
It was shortly after I arrived that I realized things would not be the same. During the crowning ceremony I had been convinced that my choice was the right one. Aragorn laid eyes on me and kissed me with a fervor passion. I would rule a long side of him as the queen of Gondor. We would marry and have children who would later take up the throne. Life would be simple.
My reassurance did not last long. We did indeed marry and I fell pregnant with our son. I was overjoyed upon learning the news although not surprised. Aragorn was also pleased. He seemed distant those days. One night I mustered the courage to ask him why.
His eyes looked resigned and I knew in that moment I would not like what I was about to hear. He rested a chiseled hand onto my shoulder and looked deep into my eyes.
"My wish was never to harm you Arwen."He did not continue.
"How do you intend to harm me?"
Anger was evident in my heart. I kept my patience as it was a gift all of the elves possessed.
"I feel love for another."
It is a wonder how such simple statements can shatter a beings heart into a thousand little pieces. I had once been haunted by a dream of the Evenstar falling to the ground and shattering. This was how it would be if my heart was made of glass.
Who was not the question. Who was clear to me from the minute the words fell from Aragorn's lips. Another elf. The one who had traveled with Aragorn through many journeys. They had been through everything together. Every battle. Every trial. Every conflict.
A life without love may be harsh but it is a blessing compared to having many lifetimes without love.
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