The Love of Hope

Disclaimer: I do not own Aragorn or Arwen, or Elrond, from whose POV this takes place. I also would request that, as a special act of kindness to me, please do not chase me out of town with fiery torches. Fire bad.

Summary: A poem from Elrond's POV about Aragorn's life and his love of Arwen. Please heed disclaimer.

When first I saw you

Eyes so bright

You had not a clue

What was lost in the fight

I took you as my own

Gave you food and drink

And you became my son

More so than you think

How fast you grew

Into a noble young man

As humans often do

Grander than all your clan

But alas your world crumbled

When on that fateful day

Into a glade you stumbled

Your heart in disarray

A maiden stood there

Under the heavens

Both tall and fair

But she was elven

"Fair Lúthien!" you cried

Your soul on fire

Had she not died

Beyond the mire?

'Twas Arwen you saw

A daughter of mine

You were frozen in awe

For never had you seen one so divine

And your fates were sealed

From that moment on

Futures not yet revealed

With this dazzling swan

Shattered my heart, you did

Into my very soul

Though painful, I must forbid

This love on the whole

And so the years passed

And we spoke of it no more

Until you asked

For my beloved daughter

I could not consent

As you knew full-well

Thus to her you went

For a last farewell

You respected my decree

Like a good lad

And you made her see

The magic of what you had

Yet she must sail

This you knew

My word would prevail

She must leave you

She wept and she prayed

Please leave her not

For you were to die upon a blade

Of an evil lot

No words could restrain you

My faithful son

Your love was through

But another journey begun

You left as the Nine

And came upon you a thought

That this love so blind

Was for what you fought

But Arwen would not believe

Despite your words

That you would leave

Undeterred

She clung onto Hope

Thus you were named

Your fate her rope

A doom she claimed

You fought with all your skill

But the Enemy was strong

I had broken your will

For what you long

Yet Arwen began to Fade

And when this you discovered

You were afraid

But this jewel you must recover

When the battle was won

Such joy in your eyes

The deed was done

Arwen would not die

And you were crowned king

Your fate fulfilled

Yet you were missing something

Your heart felt chilled

So I brought her to you

My heart glad

Your love to renew

I could not feel sad

I soon came to understand

Through your happiness she brings

That this love, so grand

Could conquer all things

Now I set sail

For the Undying Lands

Sure that I did not fail

When I gave you her hand

It is all worth it now

To see such smiling faces

Remember, my son, to always allow

Your love access to all places.