Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Lotr characters [though I wish I did]. They are property of Tolkien.
Note: this is from Appendix [A]: the tale of Aragorn and Arwen, but I changed some of it, and it does not include the dialogue.
-Passing-
-Aragorn's PoV-
I slowly hobbled my way down towards Silent Street, with Arwen by my side, helping me as we walked slowly down the empty streets. She too knew not of my intentions, knew not that I was to leave this world that I have tarried in for far too long. Neither did she know that I had already passed the sceptre to Eldarion and had already bidden farewell to our children. My heart ached at the thought of keeping her in the dark, and not telling her till I wanted to. But this had to be done. My time on this world was up, and the thread dictating my life had almost come to an end. All that was needed was for me to draw my last breath. If I told her, I fear that would be enough to make me hold back a while longer.
This day was supposed to be indeed a joyous occasion. The King of Gondor was celebrating his ten and two-hundredth birthday and almost all the people were celebrating my birthday, oblivious to what was to happen. But happiness and sorrow always come hand in hand. For today was the day the beloved Gondorian King was to leave the confines of this world. However, sad as it was, the people will only know of it on the morrow.
As our feet turned onto Silent Street, I heard Arwen draw a sharp breath and stiffen. In the next few moments, she guessed my intentions, but it was not a surprise to me, given her Elven intuition. She turned towards me, and gave me a questioning look, and the light in her eyes were dimmed. Little did she know that when she went to accompany me on this walk that it would be our last together. I could do naught but bow my head down in sadness. Although she had given up immortality more than six score years ago, she was still easily the most beautiful creature on earth. My queen, my wife and my love. I desperately wanted to stay, if not for a while, to ease her pain, to explain to her why I had to leave. Even though we had been blessed a long and peaceful life with each other, it still wasn't enough. Nothing was enough where she was concerned.
But I could not stay.
Soon, the House of Kings stood in front of us as we rounded the corner. A foreboding sight to anyone. Upon entering it, there, in plain view, was the long bed ready and prepared for my arrival. I walked slowly to the bed, accompanied by Arwen, who was trying to keep her feelings well hidden, but I knew that she was silently breaking inside. When she finally lifted her head, her beautiful grey eyes were filled with tears that were yet to be shed. She silently pleaded with me to stay, for she was not yet weary of the days. As difficult as it was, I had to refuse, my soul feeling as if I had let her down. The first time I had ever done such a thing to her.
I knew I was leaving her to a bitter fate; she had chosen to abide by the Doom of Men, and could no longer go to the Undying Lands, since no ship would bear her hence. I knew that she would sooner die of grief than of old age, for in spirit, she was still much Elven.
My life was slowly seeping away as I beheld her for the last time. The memories of our time together, so long yet so short, rushed through my mind, the endless wonderful days we had together in the past, taking simple joy in the fact that we were in love and together; everything had just faded away at that. Never again would I see her again as I am seeing her now. Never again would I see the White City in all its glory, with the banner she have wrought for me so long ago flying proudly from the Tower of Ecthelion, seeing the mithril-wrought stars glittering in the sunlight. Never seeing the morning rays of the sun shining over the endless plains. Neither would I be there to watch Eldarion rule, to give him counsel, and to help him through his troubles. No, I would not live to see these things again.
My vision was almost gone, blurry images were all I could see. Muffled sounds all I could discern. "Arwen vanimelda, namarie" I silently whispered to her with what strength I had left in my fragile body. A tear dropped into my palm. And another. She was crying, and I could do naught to ease her pain, to wipe away to tears. And I could only but hear, but only in a muffle, her heartbroken cries and the faint touch of her lips against my hand in a farewell kiss as I left the circles of the only world I had ever known...
The darkness slowly cleared, but the fog was pressing all around me. Unrelenting, thick fog. As if driven by some unknown force, my legs drove me forward, and in the distance, high and mighty stood the Gates. Gates to the Halls of Mandos, wrought in an ancient design no book had ever had in its depths.
The realisation that she would be here soon comforted me. For I would not be alone anymore, and we would be together, young and free. From all the troubles that had plagued us in our former lives.
Together, for all eternity.
With that, I started walking towards the Gates with renewed vigour.
Arwen vanimelda, namarie: Farewell beloved Arwen.
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