This is a re-post of my original chapter. I have modified it slightly, hopefully for the best. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R Tolkien, Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema and their associates. I am making no money from this; it is just a wonderful way for me to write for an audience with room for me to improve upon my skills/technique through their comments and criticisms.

Cymbeline was written by William Shakespeare (c. 1609) and belongs to him, not me.

Rating: Most likely R, although some may argue it PG-13.

For my author's note please see the bottom of this post. Hannon le!

Fear No More the Heat O' Th' Sun

III. Thou Thy Worldly Task Hast Done

King Elessar paused with his hand on the lever to the door of the healing quarters. Fear kept him away when love should push him forward. Letting go of the handle, he sighed loudly. Squeezing his eyes tightly shut he leaned his kingly brow against the wall. How could it come to this? A tear snaked down his cheek and he finally released a long-denied sob of defeat.

He silently pounded his fist against the wall. Through gritted teeth he snarled, "Why?"

"That is not for you to answer."

Startled by the deep female voice he turned his eyes upon those of his wife. Aragorn's chest heaved as he fought for words to express his feelings of anger and loss. "I curse the day Men fell from grace."

The anguish and defeat in his voice melted the heart of the Evenstar. Her face fell in sympathy for her grieving husband. Stepping forward, she gently rested her hand upon his which now hung limply at his side. "We all fall."

Another sob caused his brow to furrow. His pleading, tear-filled blue eyes reflected the torchlight. He had the look of a child who did not comprehend death or loss. "But why him?" his voice was quieter now, "Why one so undeserving of this fate?"

Arwen felt a tear slide easily down her cheek as she reached out to smooth a plait of her husband's hair. "It is not for us to question fate. We must walk the paths laid before us."

Aragorn was no longer a king but a mortal man- so young upon this earth. "If it is not our place, then whose?" Anger was in his voice.

Undomiel did not answer right away. "Even the eldest of my race could not give you the answer you seek. It is something we all must find on our own."

Aragorn's face contorted as tears streamed into his beard. His words were spoken slowly, pain etched in every heaving breath it took to produce them. "He was my friend, Arwen. My brother. How could such harm come to him of all beings?"

The Evenstar knew he was not asking her this.

Aragorn's unseeing eyes searched the empty hallways. "I never thought I'd see the day when... I never imagined he could..." his face slightly snarled in inexpressible anger. "I love him so much." He looked back into the weeping eyes of his beloved. "I can't say goodbye. After all we've survived together- to have us part like this?" He couldn't keep the sharpness from his voice.

Arwen blinked, clearing her eyes of more tears. She smiled wisely at her lover, bringing her hand to rest upon his high cheekbone. "It is not to me that you should speak this."

After a moment, Aragorn's eyes cleared with understanding. Falling into his wife's arms Aragorn composed himself as much as he could, reveling in her embrace. After a long moment he let go, and with his thumb smoothed away one of her tears. He gave her a gentle kiss then turned to the chamber behind him.

Please Review!

Author's Note: I'll try to post again on St. Patrick's Day as a special treat to all! Love ya!

Review Responses:

Partheon: Suilaid mellon! How are you? Oh- I do hope you enjoy everything the second time around! LOL. OMG- I'm minoring in Creative Writing, too! How awesome is that?! ;o)

Aren't words so fun? I tend to write like Mary Shelley when my teacher tells me to be more modern. Modern is boring! :oP

I'm so glad that you liked that last line. I loved it, too (obviously!) and was VERY excited that you commented upon it! Hannon le! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :oD

Cheysuli: Thanks for your review, sweetie! Hmmm, I hope you liked this chapter, even though it's short like the others. As for them not being too revealing...well, that was evilly intentional. LOL. I hope it doesn't drive you too nuts! :oP

Silver Thorne: Mellon-nïn! It is always so WONDERFUL to hear from you, mellon. And thank you so much for that card! It really brightened my day! :oD Unfortunately, Aragorn does not feel much better in this chapter, does he? :os impersonates Jack Sparrow Sorry 'bout that!, mate! ;o) I love ya sweetie!

mIzXxXmALfoy: Whoa- if that wasn't ever a hard name to type! Where'd you come up with that one?! LOL. ;o) I'm so happy to hear that your enjoying this story. I hope you liked this chapter! Be sure to tell me what you think, sweetie! :oD

Tithen Min: Hugs back. LOL- I'm so sorry that you were not informed of this story! I sent those hobbits off to tell you a week ago... I guess they must've been distracted. ;o) I'm so glad that you're enjoying it (as I do your stories, mellon!) and I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! Was it worth waiting for? ;o)

Here's wishing you a lovely St. Patrick's Day my fellow Irish lass. Erin go braugh! (I hope I spelled that right!)