Thank you PrincessofRain and Vanaluinihin! i always look forward to your comments!

The story of Elenion is based on the Lord of the Rings movies, directed by Peter Jackson. The characters, with the exception of Elenion, belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Elenion is a character all my own. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 14: Arwen's Broken Heart

Elenion woke up the next morning, finally having had a night without any dreams whatsoever. She sat up, threw back her covers and went about getting dressed for the day. She went to leave after she was dressed, and threw her door open, finding Gandalf standing there, prepared to knock. She smiled.

"Well, your timing is good…I was just coming to see you," she stated with a small laugh. He studied her for a second.

"Something about you seems different…," he observed. She looked at him and shrugged. "Nothing new, really….just finally got a night of sleep where I wasn't haunted by some dream I don't understand," she said, with a sigh of relief. Gandalf smiled at her.

"I thought you looked at ease today. That saddens me, with the news I have," he said, sparking her interest. "What has happened," she asked, concerned. He sighed.

"Our fellowship will be leaving sooner than expected," he said. She perked up. "How soon," she asked. He sighed heavily. "Tomorrow," he said, clearly having wanted more time, same as she. She nodded and looked at the floor. He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you prepared for this," he asked. She looked up into his pale blue eyes.

"Yes…sooner than I expected, but yes, I am ready," she said, actually almost relieved to be leaving Rivendell. It was comforting, but it wasn't home. To be honest, she had never felt at home anywhere. Gandalf turned to leave.

"Well, I have some things to do before we leave," he said, smiling at her as he pulled her door shut. A few moments later, she left her own room and found herself back down in the gardens. She took her time most of the day, just being alone, wondering about everything from Arwen to Frodo to Legolas and what he had said the night before. She couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't supposed to have heard what he said, but that didn't change the fact that he had said it. "Soon, melamin," he had said. The moment replayed in her head throughout most of the day. She eventually headed back up to her room and found Arwen there. She stopped dead in her tracks the moment she saw her face.

"Arwen….," she said softly, and she knew within her heart what had happened. She shut her door behind her and was soon at her friend's side. Her heart filled with grief and despair as her eyes locked with Arwen's. She wondered now if she should have found Arwen first instead of walk around in the night with Legolas, talking about the stars and herself, of all things. She put a hand on Arwen's shoulder.

"Please talk to me….," she said softly, trying to encourage Arwen to speak about what was on her mind. Arwen sighed and looked sadly over at Elenion, her normally radiant blue eyes darkened in sadness.

"I was wrong in coming up here…I need some time to think things over before I try to explain what I'm feeling….," she said softly as she rose to her feet. Elenion tried to protest but Arwen quickly put a hand up to stop her.

"Please, do not worry about me….I'll come and find you later….," she said, and with that stepped out of Elenion's room and pulled the door to a close. Elenion's heart sank with grief. She had hoped that when she and Legolas saw them together last night, it had been a happy union….not one where hearts were broken. She sighed and for a second considered chasing Arwen down, but she did not wish to talk with anyone and out of respect, Elenion didn't force her. Her room was growing smaller by the second and she had to escape. She also left her room and instead of going to the gardens, walked around more halls and corridors, leading to places she hadn't yet explored.

In the dusk of Rivendell, she stumbled upon a dark area in the woods, statues filling the area. She looked around and spotted someone she instantly recognized. It was Aragorn, and he was sitting before his mother's grave. She sighed and walked over to him, intentionally making noise so he would be aware of her. He turned to look at her, but didn't say anything. She walked up and stood by him for a second, then finally took a seat on the ground beside him.

"Talk to me, Aragorn," she said, hoping he would when Arwen hadn't. He had been her friend for many years, and she did not exactly cherish the thought of his suffering. His previous words from their last conversation ran through her head.

"And love her I do, but it is a dream. Elrond pleads with me to end it," he had said. Elenion closed her eyes as it if would help erase the words in her mind, briefly snuffing the glow her eyes created. Aragorn spoke and her eyes shot open again.

"You know, I suppose," he said, sounding just as grief stricken as Arwen had. Elenion nodded. In his mind, she discovered his reasoning. He had done it not because of Elrond's wishes, but because he was mortal, about to head off on a journey that could result in the end of his life. He did not want her waiting for someone who's future could be taken away at any time. Her concentration was cut off when he spoke again.

"I only want what is best for her," he said softly as he picked at the leaves that had fallen around the statue whose base he sat at. Elenion nodded, finally coming to understand him. She understood Arwen was well. She wished neither of them had to hurt, and knew also that there was nothing she could do to prevent that hurt. Elenion heard someone else approaching them, and turned to see Elrond walking up in the dusk. Aragorn turned to look at him as well, but only for a moment.

"Anirne hene beriad i chên în. (She wanted to protect her child) Ned Imladris nauthant e le beriathar aen. (She thought in Rivendell you would be safe.) In her heart your Mother knew you'd be hunted all your life. That you'd never escape your fate. The skill of the Elves can reforge the sword of kings but only you have the power to wield it," Elrond said. Elenion looked at Aragorn, and he stubbornly responded.

"I do not want that power…I have never wanted it," he said, looking straight ahead at the statue. Elrond spoke again.

"You are the last of that bloodline…there is no other," he said, as though he had stamped the final seal on the envelope of Aragorn's life. Elenion fiddled with her hands as the men continued to converse as though she had never been there.

After a short while, Elenion was able to venture away from Elrond and Aragorn and slipped back up to her room. She found Arwen had returned, and despite her hardest attempts to comfort her, she found her efforts were to no avail. She felt helpless as she watched Arwen's heart virtually shatter right before her eyes. If she could only express to Arwen what she had seen in Aragorn's heart and mind, but the words would not come to Elenion. She knew in her heart that Arwen understood his reasoning, and in time, she would be okay. She swore to herself that no matter what it took, she would let no harm come to Aragorn. He and Arwen would reunite before the end.