All characters are John Ronald Reul Tolkein's, except the horse Raestafel
who will remain mine forever.
In flash back - Estel has just stolen Arwen's dress and run off.
***********
Estel ran between groves of trees, Arwen's chasing footsteps and frequent yells getting gradually quieter. In the end he felt such a huge rush of pity he stopped running and hid himself behind a large Emral tree, with a large grin on his face.
As chance would have it, Arwen halted to recover her breath just on the other side of the same tree. She cursed Estel aloud, to which he had to stifle his laughter. If her heart was any less in it she would be without one. What made it more amusing was that he could hear her and she didn't have a clue.
In the end her cries of "Estel, please come out, I'm tired and want to go back to The Place," changed into ones of, "If you come out now, I'll give you a kiss. Two kisses. Oh, come on!"
So finally he revealed himself. "Arwen," he whispered, and she turned, startled, as her love appeared from behind the large tree.
"Estel!" She flung her arms around his neck.
"I have only been gone for..... five minutes? Surely you did not miss me already?"
"Well," she blushed, "not really! And anyway, I have something for you for running off with my dress." She reached up and kissed him deeply, and when she tried to pull back to talk to him once more, he put his arm around her waist and held her body and lips close to his own.
Eventually he let her breathe and she looked up at him, love shining in her eyes. She ran a delicate finger down his nose and onto his lips where he kissed it gently.
"You," he said, tracing her figure with his strong hands, "are one truly gorgeous Elf. And in that wet, accentuating, see-through slip, you look even more....." He cut off, lost for words.
Arwen giggled and blushed. "This is the first time in all our years of friendship that I have known you speechless! But thank you, your words could charm the birds out of the trees!"
"Oh, there is only one 'bird' for me, and she has neither a beak nor feathers. But she does have wings."
"Wings?"
"Angel wings."
She laughed and blushed again. "Oh, Estel," she kissed him long and softly, then snuggled her head into his strong chest. He wrapped his arms around her, binding her to him, and not just literally.
Suddenly he said, "Undomiel, how is it that you are not berating me for stealing your dress? I had thought you would have done it already, but you desired to kiss me instead. I often wonder about the state of your sanity."
She smiled. "Well, you need not. You are right, I should be mad at you, but I am not. And," she added, as he was about to interrupt, "I do not for the life of me know why, so do not ask. Ok?"
"Ok," he agreed. Still slightly amused, he took her hand and led her back to the glade. They were silent for a while, before Arwen spoke.
"I wonder," she said softly, her voice like a cool breeze rustling leaves, "what it is my father wants to talk to you about." He had of course told her of this, as they had no secrets between them.
Estel thought for moment. "Maybe he saw us kiss yesterday."
"Impossible," was the Elf's reply. "We were all the way up in the north grove. The house lies far away from there, the windows even further."
"Maybe he heard about it then," he mused.
"Maybe. But I doubt it, as far as I am aware, we are the only ones who walk often in that grove. The trees no longer bear fruit, and so it is never harvested. No others have reason to go up there. And anyway, you said my father looked worried - he would not over a kiss." Estel looked skeptical but Arwen did not press the issue. Instead she changed the subject. "Elrohir returns tonight. I am looking forward to seeing him once more. It seems like forever, but it is only a few months since he left."
"It does seem so, doesn't it? Forever is too long for me to comprehend, but for you to describe Elrohir's return in such a way, you must really be missing him."
"I am," she sighed. "He is the only one, apart from you of course, who I can have a sensible conversation with. Father is wise but always busy, and when he does have a spare minute, he uses it to lecture me about politics and the state of the world. Elladan is also intelligent, but childish too. Though I love my father and brothers both the same, for they are my family, no matter what."
"They are," Estel replied, "and will always be there for their Evenstar." He smiled at her and she mirrored him.
**************
"Elrohir!" Elrond's cry swept across the courtyard to where his son was standing with his horse.
"Father!" Was the younger Elf's reply. He walked swiftly across to his father and hugged him. "How are things?"
"They are fine," Elrond said, "and trust you, always worried about the state of affairs before your own father." He smiled at his son's look of panic. No one went looking to get on the wrong side of Elrond's favour. "Relax, I was joking."
Elrohir grinned and hugged him again. "How are you Ada? How are Elladan, Arwen and Estel? How is everyone?"
"They - we - are all fine. But how are you, my child? How was your stay in Lothlorien? How is the Lady Galadriel?" Before Elrohir could launch into his tale in the middle of the garden, Elrond said, "Hold it, we shall go somewhere more private." And he summoned someone to look after Elrohir's horse and led him to his parlour.
"Now," Elrond commanded when they were sitting comfortably and the state of the Wood Elves' health and happiness had been dealt with, "did the lady have any... news?"
"News, father?" Elrohir asked, puzzled.
"Yes, any of her... predictions?"
"Oh, you mean did she experience the foretelling? As a matter of fact, she did on more than one occasion."
Elrond leaned closer. Rather guiltily he realised this was what he had been waiting for on the return of his son. "And what did she say? Did she mention what they were about?"
"Father, what is this-" he cut off at the look of offence on Elrond's face. No one insulted his intelligence and got away with it. "I mean, erm... she only told me of it once. You know how great her foresight is - she sees things only the very wise, such as yourself, can even contemplate." His compliment did the trick and Elrond's face relaxed and he leaned back in his chair.
"Go on," he said.
"Right, what she said was... Hang on, I can't remember now. Give me a second." He furrowed his brow in thought, desperately trying to recall the Lady's words. He could hear her voice, melodious, like music, and what she had said about "dark days" and "the passing", but nothing else.
Eventually it came though. He drew breath and mimicked in her chant, the words she had told him:
"Et Eärello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta."
Elrond was silent for quite a while. That he should hear this news from the Lady Galadriel, and today, did almost too much tempt fate.
Finally he said, "well, I know not what that means! Not matter. You must be tired, why don't you rest. We are laying on a small feast for your return for supper."
Elrohir smiled and obeyed his father. "Thank you, Ada," and he left quietly.
For quite a while Elrond didn't move. He was scared. No, petrified. Tonight was the night the world of Men changed forever. Even Galadriel had predicted it to be so, and Elrond could not believe that mere chance had brought her tidings to him at this hour.
He had lied to Elrohir. Lied, and it pained him but it had to be that way. The Lord of Imladris knew those words that his son, and Galadriel spoke. He had known them like the back of his hand for many years. The exact number of years that he had had Estel in his care actually. And this was no coincidence, for those words related to Estel like foals to their mothers. Estel - Aragorn - had to live up to them, for they were a short verse in an ancient language, spoken once by Elendil when he first came to Middle Earth after the destruction of Numenor. They read,
"Out of the Great Sea to Middle Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, Unto the ending of the world."
Elrond saw it then, just as he recited them quietly. He saw an image of Minas Tirith, but it looked different, brighter. Its entire people were gathered by the steps of the Main Hall, and on the top step stood a Man. Tall and handsome he was, his clothes fine, and on his brow rested a silver crown, the crown that had not been worn for hundreds of years. He was the king, newly coronated, and his name was Aragorn, Arathorn's son, blood of Isildur, Elessar, Elfstone, Chieftan of the Dunedain, King of the West.
**************
Estel and Arwen had once again reached the pools. The sun was high in the sky and their clothes had already dried out. Arwen had abandoned her blue dress and stayed cool in her underslip, much to the delight of Estel. Infact, having thought that she would be mortally embarrassed by being almost naked, she discovered she was not at all. Indeed, she found herself wishing that Estel would return the favour.
"Melorae," she said. Melorae was the nickname she had given him as a young child, as she still used it now, when she wanted something. It literally meant 'my slave'.
"What do you want, Ti'alane?" he replied. It was standard response when she used that title. As to her nickname, Ti'alane meant 'in control'.
She pursed her lips and he held his tight for fear of laughing. She always managed to get offended by that name, even though she thought nothing of calling him her slave. "Melorae," she said finally, all trace of haughtiness gone - it was too hot to be angry. "I was wondering if you could do something for me."
"Oh yes?" He called back over his shoulder from where he was by Raestafel, saying hi to the horse.
"Well," she started as he came back, "seeing as I am bearing the elements and standing here virtually unclothed, I wanted to ask you if you'd-"
"Bearing the elements?" He asked. "The only thing you're bearing is-" He cut off, breaking his incredulous stare from her breasts and looking at the floor, embarrassed. "I am sorry my Lady, that came out wrong."
She smiled and walked over to him. Bringing her lips dangerously close to his, she said, "and what if it did?"
"Sorry?" How he longed to be once more kissing her. His lips almost stung with hunger.
"If you apologise one more time Estel, I swear I will do it myself!"
"Do what? I'm sorry. Oh, sorry. Whoops, sorry!"
She eyed him mischievously and said, "do this!" She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it upwards and hard. He had just enough time to register what she was about to do and throw his arms up before he was half naked too.
And how Arwen craved him. Her eyes drank in his toned, tanned body, her hands hungrily running over the firm muscles of his chest. He seemed suddenly to have turned from the boy best friend into the male lover.
If Estel was slightly perplexed by her bold and sudden movements, he abandoned it immediately and revelled instead in her beauty. Perfect Elven complexion, fair skin, dark hair, pointy ears. Dazzling blue eyes and full red lips. Slender curvy figure, willowy pale legs and long delicate arms and fingers.
"Arwen," he whispered as she let her hands ascend to hold his face. He wrapped one arm around her waist and put his other hand around the back of her neck, his fingers playing with her silky hair. "I love you, Arwen," he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. "You must always remember that."
"I know," she replied softly. "I love you too, and will not forsake that love for anything. All that matters is that we love each other."
"We do," he said, before leaning down and kissing her like she had never been kissed before.
*************
ReViEw PlEaSe!
Merci beaucoup to all you guys who reviewed; Oueen Arwen (x2), Crystal Illusion, Prettiest in pink (x2), Bwitched83uk, Neviwyn, ME132 (x3), Roo Madness, The True Evenstar, Atril Narmolanya and anyone else who I've missed off! Thank you!
In flash back - Estel has just stolen Arwen's dress and run off.
***********
Estel ran between groves of trees, Arwen's chasing footsteps and frequent yells getting gradually quieter. In the end he felt such a huge rush of pity he stopped running and hid himself behind a large Emral tree, with a large grin on his face.
As chance would have it, Arwen halted to recover her breath just on the other side of the same tree. She cursed Estel aloud, to which he had to stifle his laughter. If her heart was any less in it she would be without one. What made it more amusing was that he could hear her and she didn't have a clue.
In the end her cries of "Estel, please come out, I'm tired and want to go back to The Place," changed into ones of, "If you come out now, I'll give you a kiss. Two kisses. Oh, come on!"
So finally he revealed himself. "Arwen," he whispered, and she turned, startled, as her love appeared from behind the large tree.
"Estel!" She flung her arms around his neck.
"I have only been gone for..... five minutes? Surely you did not miss me already?"
"Well," she blushed, "not really! And anyway, I have something for you for running off with my dress." She reached up and kissed him deeply, and when she tried to pull back to talk to him once more, he put his arm around her waist and held her body and lips close to his own.
Eventually he let her breathe and she looked up at him, love shining in her eyes. She ran a delicate finger down his nose and onto his lips where he kissed it gently.
"You," he said, tracing her figure with his strong hands, "are one truly gorgeous Elf. And in that wet, accentuating, see-through slip, you look even more....." He cut off, lost for words.
Arwen giggled and blushed. "This is the first time in all our years of friendship that I have known you speechless! But thank you, your words could charm the birds out of the trees!"
"Oh, there is only one 'bird' for me, and she has neither a beak nor feathers. But she does have wings."
"Wings?"
"Angel wings."
She laughed and blushed again. "Oh, Estel," she kissed him long and softly, then snuggled her head into his strong chest. He wrapped his arms around her, binding her to him, and not just literally.
Suddenly he said, "Undomiel, how is it that you are not berating me for stealing your dress? I had thought you would have done it already, but you desired to kiss me instead. I often wonder about the state of your sanity."
She smiled. "Well, you need not. You are right, I should be mad at you, but I am not. And," she added, as he was about to interrupt, "I do not for the life of me know why, so do not ask. Ok?"
"Ok," he agreed. Still slightly amused, he took her hand and led her back to the glade. They were silent for a while, before Arwen spoke.
"I wonder," she said softly, her voice like a cool breeze rustling leaves, "what it is my father wants to talk to you about." He had of course told her of this, as they had no secrets between them.
Estel thought for moment. "Maybe he saw us kiss yesterday."
"Impossible," was the Elf's reply. "We were all the way up in the north grove. The house lies far away from there, the windows even further."
"Maybe he heard about it then," he mused.
"Maybe. But I doubt it, as far as I am aware, we are the only ones who walk often in that grove. The trees no longer bear fruit, and so it is never harvested. No others have reason to go up there. And anyway, you said my father looked worried - he would not over a kiss." Estel looked skeptical but Arwen did not press the issue. Instead she changed the subject. "Elrohir returns tonight. I am looking forward to seeing him once more. It seems like forever, but it is only a few months since he left."
"It does seem so, doesn't it? Forever is too long for me to comprehend, but for you to describe Elrohir's return in such a way, you must really be missing him."
"I am," she sighed. "He is the only one, apart from you of course, who I can have a sensible conversation with. Father is wise but always busy, and when he does have a spare minute, he uses it to lecture me about politics and the state of the world. Elladan is also intelligent, but childish too. Though I love my father and brothers both the same, for they are my family, no matter what."
"They are," Estel replied, "and will always be there for their Evenstar." He smiled at her and she mirrored him.
**************
"Elrohir!" Elrond's cry swept across the courtyard to where his son was standing with his horse.
"Father!" Was the younger Elf's reply. He walked swiftly across to his father and hugged him. "How are things?"
"They are fine," Elrond said, "and trust you, always worried about the state of affairs before your own father." He smiled at his son's look of panic. No one went looking to get on the wrong side of Elrond's favour. "Relax, I was joking."
Elrohir grinned and hugged him again. "How are you Ada? How are Elladan, Arwen and Estel? How is everyone?"
"They - we - are all fine. But how are you, my child? How was your stay in Lothlorien? How is the Lady Galadriel?" Before Elrohir could launch into his tale in the middle of the garden, Elrond said, "Hold it, we shall go somewhere more private." And he summoned someone to look after Elrohir's horse and led him to his parlour.
"Now," Elrond commanded when they were sitting comfortably and the state of the Wood Elves' health and happiness had been dealt with, "did the lady have any... news?"
"News, father?" Elrohir asked, puzzled.
"Yes, any of her... predictions?"
"Oh, you mean did she experience the foretelling? As a matter of fact, she did on more than one occasion."
Elrond leaned closer. Rather guiltily he realised this was what he had been waiting for on the return of his son. "And what did she say? Did she mention what they were about?"
"Father, what is this-" he cut off at the look of offence on Elrond's face. No one insulted his intelligence and got away with it. "I mean, erm... she only told me of it once. You know how great her foresight is - she sees things only the very wise, such as yourself, can even contemplate." His compliment did the trick and Elrond's face relaxed and he leaned back in his chair.
"Go on," he said.
"Right, what she said was... Hang on, I can't remember now. Give me a second." He furrowed his brow in thought, desperately trying to recall the Lady's words. He could hear her voice, melodious, like music, and what she had said about "dark days" and "the passing", but nothing else.
Eventually it came though. He drew breath and mimicked in her chant, the words she had told him:
"Et Eärello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta."
Elrond was silent for quite a while. That he should hear this news from the Lady Galadriel, and today, did almost too much tempt fate.
Finally he said, "well, I know not what that means! Not matter. You must be tired, why don't you rest. We are laying on a small feast for your return for supper."
Elrohir smiled and obeyed his father. "Thank you, Ada," and he left quietly.
For quite a while Elrond didn't move. He was scared. No, petrified. Tonight was the night the world of Men changed forever. Even Galadriel had predicted it to be so, and Elrond could not believe that mere chance had brought her tidings to him at this hour.
He had lied to Elrohir. Lied, and it pained him but it had to be that way. The Lord of Imladris knew those words that his son, and Galadriel spoke. He had known them like the back of his hand for many years. The exact number of years that he had had Estel in his care actually. And this was no coincidence, for those words related to Estel like foals to their mothers. Estel - Aragorn - had to live up to them, for they were a short verse in an ancient language, spoken once by Elendil when he first came to Middle Earth after the destruction of Numenor. They read,
"Out of the Great Sea to Middle Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, Unto the ending of the world."
Elrond saw it then, just as he recited them quietly. He saw an image of Minas Tirith, but it looked different, brighter. Its entire people were gathered by the steps of the Main Hall, and on the top step stood a Man. Tall and handsome he was, his clothes fine, and on his brow rested a silver crown, the crown that had not been worn for hundreds of years. He was the king, newly coronated, and his name was Aragorn, Arathorn's son, blood of Isildur, Elessar, Elfstone, Chieftan of the Dunedain, King of the West.
**************
Estel and Arwen had once again reached the pools. The sun was high in the sky and their clothes had already dried out. Arwen had abandoned her blue dress and stayed cool in her underslip, much to the delight of Estel. Infact, having thought that she would be mortally embarrassed by being almost naked, she discovered she was not at all. Indeed, she found herself wishing that Estel would return the favour.
"Melorae," she said. Melorae was the nickname she had given him as a young child, as she still used it now, when she wanted something. It literally meant 'my slave'.
"What do you want, Ti'alane?" he replied. It was standard response when she used that title. As to her nickname, Ti'alane meant 'in control'.
She pursed her lips and he held his tight for fear of laughing. She always managed to get offended by that name, even though she thought nothing of calling him her slave. "Melorae," she said finally, all trace of haughtiness gone - it was too hot to be angry. "I was wondering if you could do something for me."
"Oh yes?" He called back over his shoulder from where he was by Raestafel, saying hi to the horse.
"Well," she started as he came back, "seeing as I am bearing the elements and standing here virtually unclothed, I wanted to ask you if you'd-"
"Bearing the elements?" He asked. "The only thing you're bearing is-" He cut off, breaking his incredulous stare from her breasts and looking at the floor, embarrassed. "I am sorry my Lady, that came out wrong."
She smiled and walked over to him. Bringing her lips dangerously close to his, she said, "and what if it did?"
"Sorry?" How he longed to be once more kissing her. His lips almost stung with hunger.
"If you apologise one more time Estel, I swear I will do it myself!"
"Do what? I'm sorry. Oh, sorry. Whoops, sorry!"
She eyed him mischievously and said, "do this!" She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it upwards and hard. He had just enough time to register what she was about to do and throw his arms up before he was half naked too.
And how Arwen craved him. Her eyes drank in his toned, tanned body, her hands hungrily running over the firm muscles of his chest. He seemed suddenly to have turned from the boy best friend into the male lover.
If Estel was slightly perplexed by her bold and sudden movements, he abandoned it immediately and revelled instead in her beauty. Perfect Elven complexion, fair skin, dark hair, pointy ears. Dazzling blue eyes and full red lips. Slender curvy figure, willowy pale legs and long delicate arms and fingers.
"Arwen," he whispered as she let her hands ascend to hold his face. He wrapped one arm around her waist and put his other hand around the back of her neck, his fingers playing with her silky hair. "I love you, Arwen," he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. "You must always remember that."
"I know," she replied softly. "I love you too, and will not forsake that love for anything. All that matters is that we love each other."
"We do," he said, before leaning down and kissing her like she had never been kissed before.
*************
ReViEw PlEaSe!
Merci beaucoup to all you guys who reviewed; Oueen Arwen (x2), Crystal Illusion, Prettiest in pink (x2), Bwitched83uk, Neviwyn, ME132 (x3), Roo Madness, The True Evenstar, Atril Narmolanya and anyone else who I've missed off! Thank you!