Acoording to the line from the great Moulin Rouge, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return." Bearing that in mind, here we go.....

Chapter 4: The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn

When she opened her eyes, she saw him. He looked no older than ninety, the handsome king who had taken her for his wife. Yet he could have looked nine hundred for all she cared. He was stood watching, waiting. Waiting for her. She threw herself into his open arms, tears of joy streaming down her face. And he held her, and kissed her, and they fell in love all over again.

"Arwen, I've missed you so much, you cannot imagine."

She could have told him he was wrong, that she had missed him just as much, if not more, but she didn't want to speak. She just wanted to be held, kissed, loved.

And Aragorn did as she wanted and he loved her more in that moment than he ever had before, and vowed never to let her go again. Never was a long time, but compared to a second with his love, it was a mere breath.

And so they stood as close as physically possible, letting the silence heal all their hurts, the kisses dry their tears and the love bind them so tightly that never again would they break apart.

Arwen had not taken in her surroundings, nor did she care to; they could be in Valinor or the Shire, in body or in spirit for all she knew. All that mattered was that she was there, in his arms: she was home.

"I came back to you," she whispered, desperately kissing him for fear she might lose him again.

"I know," he replied, holding her ever closer, seeing, touching, breathing her. "I said I would find you." He pulled back as much as he could without missing her already, and looked into her beautiful face. She was perfect; she always had been and she always would be, but he felt it now more than ever. "And I did." He kissed her then, the full force of his love evident in his voice, his touch, his caress, and his heart.

His eyes drifted to the Evenstar pendant that hung around her neck, shining with the renewed light of both their souls. Arwen followed his gaze. With hands shaking from all the emotion in her heart, she tried to unclasp it. Gently Aragorn's strong hands took hers, and, laying them on his chest, took the Evenstar from around her neck.

"It is returned to you," she said softly, searching his eyes for any hint of mischief which would confirm that this was all a crazy dream, that they were really back in Gondor with their children and kingdom, one of his little jokes. She kissed him, closing her eyes against such strange possibilities. When she looked again, they showed what they had always shown, in such undeniable amount and strength. Love. "And so am I."

And then closing his hand around the pendant and holding it with her own, their lips met once again, and they were taken back to Imladris, where so many years ago they had made a promise, one that would stand, unchallenged, forever.

They loved each other with all their mind, body, heart and soul. And to love someone and be loved in return, so completely, was to live.

Being here with Estel may have cost Arwen her immortality, but she wouldn't change it for the world.

She didn't need to: it was already hers.

So I thought I'd let you read that before the disclaimers etc. put you off. btw it's all Tolkiens, apart from the song line, which I think is Baz Luhrman's..... not too sure, but I love it anyway!

And as ever this was dedicated to Sunshine, especially for helping out with my stalker.... and I'm not kidding! So thankies! :):):):):)

I went back to school today, straight into double chemistry! So you'll understand why I'm not all happy and trillions of exclamation marks etc.... lol! Ah well, its got to be done so what's the use complaining?! none!

Cerridwen: oh donkey, you old mule, you!!! lol! {big hug} there you go! rainstorms are good..... they seem to be a permanent weather feature wherever I go.....! have you seen Moulin Rouge? If you haven't YOU MUST! It's amazing!! Anyways..... thanks for all your lovely advice with the WSO... I just need to ask Chris to be my boyfriend now...... lol!

lindahoyland: thank you, I know this chapter is much shorter but I didn't want to drag it out too much or it wouldn't be as moving... is that the right word!? anyways, thanks!

viviana: I am continuing!! and there'll be plenty more to come, don't worry!

ME132: was it fluffy enough for you?? I don't think I want to been on the wrong side if its not!!! lol! thank you!

Strider's Girl: well hopefully this is much more happy!! thanx!

Dark Borg Drone: what's Saes?! I don't understand! But I will continue!!!

ArwenElfstone: Oh its far from over! Watch this space.......... thank you!!

Valia-Elf: I'm glad you're glad this will be continued.... though I'm unsure when, as I went back to school today....... :( lol! anyways, I'll try my very best! thank u!

Malethwen: wow another wonderful review!! thank you so much, sorry for making you cry so much!