17. Arwen and Aragorn as One
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Arwen opened her eyes blearily in the bright light of the late dawn which had filled up the tent. She saw the weak shadows as people moved slowly by, and heard the distant sounds of the Rangers moving around. But it was Aragorn her gaze immediately fell upon.
His hand snaked up her body as he rested his head next to hers, and smoothly pressed their foreheads together. A huge wave of happiness surged through her body, sending her heart pumping quicker and with fresh elation. Aragorn smiled, something which was so wonderful it made her sigh in pleasure from the beautiful sight, and she edged closer while his hand rose up her back, his fingertips pressing down avidly on her skin.
Suddenly she remembered what had happened last night, and she felt the flame which had slumbered within her relight powerfully again, and her eyes showed the strong desire to get that close to him once more. Aragorn must have picked up on this, for he leant in towards her, his lips twitching amusingly. For a little while he just watched her, taking in all her soft features to which he was so much addicted. And that fire in her eyes was extremely tantalising.
"What are you thinking of, Arwen?" he suddenly asked, a grin lighting up his face and matching his flirtatious voice. She laughed softly, playfully running a finger down his bare neck, but knowing how deeply it would touch him.
"Oh, I think you know," Arwen said dangerously. Her eyes showed the passion which had been made and once again she felt that gorgeous desire to make love to her wonderful Aragorn.
"Remind me again," he replied, his very bold daring shooting throughout his low voice.
Arwen flared her eyes, showing her consent. Immediately she felt her heart beating quickly in her chest, the yearning to kiss him unbelievable. Leisurely, painfully slowly, she began to lick her lips, washing over every single pink part of her supple skin until it was the deep magenta shade which she had recently learnt turned Aragorn on. He moaned and tried to bring her closer already.
"This is only the beginning," she whispered warningly, making Aragorn whimper pitifully. Pushing out her shining red lips she leant forward, her eyes instinctively falling shut. Arwen pressed a hot kiss to him, tenderly rubbing to his lips, lovingly drawing in his breath; and then she was in his mouth, her tongue massaging unbelievably passionately, her lips bearing down with more and more addiction. Her heat filled their kiss, her sweet scent covered his face, and her love struck his heart. For the last move she slid her tongue over his lower lip, and nibbled at it teasingly, before drawing away gently.
She flashed her eyes open, ecstatic with her kiss, and even happier with its effect. With a dazed expression on his flushed face Aragorn opened his eyes, staring at her dreamily. Arwen collapsed into fits of giggles, her body tickled with hysterics and her face smiling brightly. She cuddled up to his chest, still trembling as he wrapped his arms round her little body.
"It is far too early in the morning for that, meleth nín," Aragorn accused her, but her laughter was starting to wear down on him too.
"You were asking for it," she replied airily, stroking her fingernail down his throat. He inhaled profoundly to restrain himself from shivering. Arwen gave him a light kiss on his forehead, and then rested her head in the hollow of his arm with a little sigh. There was a warm moment as they both snuggled up together, just content to curl up in the gentle hold of each other. A calm sense of peace fell upon the couple.
After a few minutes Aragorn quietly spoke out of the silence. "Arwen?"
She buried her face further into his chest, a murmur of recognition vibrating through his body. Smiling, he pulled her lovingly closer, his fingers brushing fondly over her prominent chest.
"Arwen, I, I - err…" She looked up, puzzled, drawing his hands subconsciously back up to her chest. Aragorn stuttered. "I… have something to give to you." His grey eyes fell back to hers, and Arwen felt her soul give a passionate leap, stirred with a rushing wave of love for him. She breathed out shakily, her hands weakly sneaking up his chest.
"Is it more of your… love, Estel?" she whispered, holding his eyes temptingly. He pressed his forehead to hers, smiling softly all the while.
"I give you my life full of love for you, Arwen," he replied, rubbing noses with her. "But I do have a something else." Brushing his eyelashes over her cheek he felt behind him for his jacket, discarded by Arwen long ago at the beginning of last night. She watched him curiously, aroused by this present he was going to give to her. Delving inside one of the pockets, she saw him take out a small object, hiding it in his fingers. He shoved the jacket back where it belonged and wriggled back into their cocoon of warmth under the blankets. Arwen slid her fingers around his waist, bringing him closer.
"Arwen," Aragorn breathed, his face only an inch from hers. "You are so beautiful, and so gentle, and loving; nothing could ever match the light on your face, the softness of your skin, the warmth of your touch, the stars in your eyes. No kiss could be more perfect than the ones you give me, no gaze from under your long eyelashes could be more intense than those you flash at me. No heart could burst full of more love than mine, not when I have you here, lying in my arms." He sighed quietly. "Arwen, you have given me everything you have. But I still love you even more every minute I spend with you." He pressed something firmly into her hand. Arwen paused inquiringly, and then looked down at what was resting in her palm.
"Arwen, I love you…" Those three words made Arwen tremble as she brought her fingers up from the contact of their hot bodies, bathed in each others' warmth. It was smooth, wonderfully smooth, a gentle curve of something with faint heat, and with a strange undecipherable object on the back. She glanced once more at Aragorn for a clue, but he was focusing down at her hand. She looked down again, slowly unfolding her fingers.
Arwen gasped silently, her eyes falling down on the object - it was the most beautiful hairclip she had ever seen. But moreover it was the one she herself had spied on Aragorn making. It was even prettier than she remembered it being, the colours brighter and yet subtler than they had been before. The sweet green of the wings was the colour of fresh vibrant leaves, in their first summer's day, glowing in the sun. These two wings lovingly held the feathers of the silky blue, shimmering like a cool pool of water reflecting a perfect sky, a magical depth hiding below the surface. There were little gems floating in the lake, silvery stones which created their own tiny rainbows as they caught the light. They went brilliantly with the generous ring of smooth pink, the shade which Arwen loved more than all the other tones of pink there could ever be. It was so bright, such a warm and tender colour, seeming to be living out of love itself, a fervent power behind which matched the pink moat.
But there in the centre was the circle of azure, drawing in Arwen's eyes further and further. It was sweet and gentle, mesmerising and dreamlike, so beautiful and soft. There was some enchantment behind the cool appearance, something special which drew here onwards, and it moved Arwen's heart the most. The colour somehow seemed to remind her of herself, a mirror of her; yet not her as she was seen. It was her love, her heart and her soul there, the gorgeous form in which Aragorn felt her when they were touched with each other's love, the way he could express his fondness. And she suddenly felt Aragorn's love reach out to her as she gazed downwards, his endless affection for her, the care with which he thought of her, the adoring voice with which he spoke to her, the sensitive touch in how he held her, the passionate way in which he loved her…
"Estel…" she murmured, bringing her eyes up to his. He found tears welling in her sapphire eyes, making them sparkle and shine, like baskets full of stars. Gently he slid his arms round her, delicately holding her close to him. Just how she gazed at him showed her love, the emotion which had been created by his little gift. She shivered, but continued to hold his eyes, letting her passion flow into him like an invisible river running through the air. "Estel, it's… it's…"
"Shhh," Aragorn soothed her, smiling softly. "You don't need to tell me in words." He lifted Arwen's dark hair out of her eyes, letting her tumbling waves fall down over her shoulders. Then he progressed to fondle her hands, stroking her hot palms lovingly; and all the while keeping their eye-contact. As soon as Arwen began to edge nearer, he felt their aura turn instantly more concentrated. Carefully she took her fingers out of his grasp, placing them lightly on his neck as she pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. The compassion warmed his heart, swaying his love for her as a swing in a summer-eve's breeze, her kiss glowing throughout his body and finding all the affectionate ways to show her love for him. She didn't need to say thank you out loud. She had said more than enough in her kiss.
They quietly broke away, each running their eyes all over the other's face. Arwen smiled, wiping away the beads of happiness trickling down from her eyelashes over her flushed cheeks. Without any sound Aragorn took his wooden comb and crawled around Arwen's body as she sat amidst the blankets, kneeling behind her. He gently pulled the teeth through her thick shining hair, laying the smooth silky locks down her back, going down to just above her slender waist. He could sense Arwen's contentment and pleasure as he continued to brush for longer, putting down the comb and sweeping stray strands off her face. From both sides he made small plaits, perfectly shaped, entwining flawlessly together at the back of her head, and then fastening his clip there to hold her beautiful ebony hair in that simple and yet enticing manner.
Arwen pulled out of the embrace of his hands and gingerly turned round, wary of the wound in her stomach. Seeing this Aragorn laid one hand there, causing Arwen to look up with joy in her blue eyes.
"I love you, Estel. I love you so much. I have so much love that my heart is overflowing for you." He merely smiled, resting his other hand on her waist. He silently placed a warm kiss on her bare neck, receiving a deep intake of breath from Arwen. He ran a trail of kisses down, rippling over her collar bone and along her bare chest. She moaned lowly, pulling him closer and closer as his touch became more intense. As he slipped his lips down even more, she ran her fingers over the top of her white slip, tugging the neckline lower and lower with much lusting, exposing an irresistible cleavage to him. Just as his amorous kisses sprinkled upon the sensitive part of her body, there was an interrupting shout.
"My lord?"
Aragorn paused, reluctantly looking up. Unsure he focused on the doorway to the tent, wondering if what he had heard had been correct. Sure enough a voice called him again.
"My lord? Are you, um, there?" The man spoke timidly, and he shifted his feet uncomfortably as he stood close to their tent. Aragorn sighed heavily and made to draw out of Arwen's close hold, but she locked his wrists firmly in her long fingers.
"Arwen, I have to go," he whispered, immediately regretting it as he let himself fall into her forlorn eyes, melting rapidly under her spell. She parted her lips, making a slinky move towards him again.
"No, Arwen, please." She stopped her seducing actions and glanced down unhappily, her wet cloud of disappointment falling heavily upon him. "Meleth, I'm sorry." She refused to look up into his eyes. "Arwen, please, Arwen…" He tilted up her chin and forced her to raise her eyes to him. She looked so forlorn, making Aragorn feel very mean and bad about himself.
"I'm really sorry," he muttered again, stroking a finger down the side of her face. Immediately Arwen's complexion slid away into nothingness, and instead she watched him with love, for she could never be annoyed with him for long. "I'll be back soon. Promise."
He crawled out of the tangle of blankets, heading with a rustle towards his pile of trousers, which he tugged hurriedly on, and then rammed his boots quickly onto his feet. Smiling lovingly at Arwen, he tore himself away from the longing to stay with her, and he untied the door-flap and wobbly stepped outside.
Aragorn stood up, blinking in the bright light. It was clearly much later than he had assumed, and even though the Rangers (who had arrived a few hours after him and Arwen in the night) were still just about finishing breakfast, he knew that he had been 'reclining' far longer than his men were accustomed to.
"Aah." He turned and saw Emathar, sighing in relief, wringing his hands nervously a few metres away. He was happier now that Aragorn had showed up, and Aragorn began to wonder whether he and Arwen had been heard last night and this morning, or if what they had been doing was guessed at by his friends. It definitely seemed as if Emathar had been extremely unwilling to disturb him.
"What's wrong, Emathar?" Aragorn asked, noticing he had left the tent-flap still open. He knelt down to close it up.
"We have a visitor, Aragorn," came the reply. In midway of closing the door Aragorn stopped. "What do you mean, a visitor?" he asked suspiciously. Standing he moved over to his friend, starting to walk along through the equally white snow and tents. Now that Aragorn was there, Emathar looked fairly relaxed. But Aragorn was rather concerned. He had a sudden fear it was Elrond.
"Two, actually," Emathar said. He would not tell any more. "Come and see."
Suddenly Aragorn caught sight of a tall slim figure standing by two horses, and then another one came into view. As he approached there was no question of who it was; well, one anyway. The person turned as Aragorn came out into the snowy clearing.
"Kelmeleth!" Aragorn ran forward and clasped his friend's hand. "How are you?"
The elf grinned, patting Aragorn on the back. "I'm well, good, thank you. Here; let me introduce you to Lirë." The other elf came and shook hands, smiling politely. After a few words Lirë wandered off again to talk to some Rangers he had just been with.
Aragorn turned back to Kelmeleth. "So, how did the battle go?" the elf questioned. "I see you won." He brushed some snow off his dark green cloak, flicking off to the side.
"Oh, it went fine," Aragorn replied breezily. "I suppose it was easy enough to win."
"Something else to win to though…" Kelmeleth replied, making Aragorn look at him in shock, eyes wide in amazement. The elf smiled but quickly changed the subject. "I'll make sure Lady Galadriel hears of your skill, and lets Lord Elrond know. I'm sure you will appreciate that." Aragorn inclined his head in gratitude, making sure to not say anything.
Suddenly he felt something very odd shiver through his body, like a cold touch trickling down his back, as if there were some kind of urgent need falling over him; and as he spun round in confusion his eyes fell on Arwen. Her weak form was stumbling across the snow towards him, tripping up and wobbling with difficulty as she took every step. Crying out he leapt over to her, immediately taking her into his arms with great concern, just before her poor legs gave way.
There was a little pain in Arwen's eyes, but she smiled reassuringly anyway, a tiny sparkle still left inside her where they left off. Sighing happily, she rested her head against his chest, while he brought her back over to where he had been, and then put her down on her feet. Still clinging on to him tightly, Arwen turned to see who had arrived in the camp.
"Kelmeleth!" She smiled and sighed with relief as the young elf walked closer to her.
"Arwen, are you okay?" He came up and straight away looked at her anxiously, especially down at her stomach. "You look hurt."
She beamed despite the strain of standing like this and snuggled closer to Aragorn's body. "I'm healed, Kelmeleth," she replied in a lazy-sounding voice, gazing lovingly at Aragorn.
"Healed in more ways than one I see," he said, a huge grin on his face. Arwen blushed and glanced away, avoiding his eyes. "Well, at least you're here now."
Arwen felt Aragorn shift uncomfortably as he held her against his body. As she turned round in his arms his body was all tense and rigid.
He looked down at her, a big frown on his face. "Arwen, do you know Kelmeleth?" he asked her quietly. She met his eyes, uncertain, and not quite sure of what she was expected to say. "Um, yes, we're friends. Why?" He glanced away, not saying what was wrong. "Estel?"
Aragorn sighed uneasily. "Kelmeleth's my friend too." There was a thick silence. In shock Arwen looked back at her friend, who was airily observing the happenings in the camp. This wasn't right. How could he be friends with her Estel, and yet never tell her that he was? He hadn't mentioned anything about this.
"Kelmeleth?" she asked. He turned to meet her eyes, his elven complexion hiding what was behind. "Kelmeleth, are you friends with Aragorn?"
He said nothing for a moment, and then answered her. "Yes. For four years."
"And you never told me."
He paused again. "…No."
"Why?" she whispered, her eyes expressing her deep unhappiness. "You knew I love Estel." She felt Aragorn stir behind her, hearing her meaningful words. His hands closed around hers.
"Arwen, I haven't known Aragorn for that long. We met only four years ago, and you know that's not long. We only became closer about six months ago, and we've just talked a few times when he has passed through Lórien." Kelmeleth fell silent and watched her carefully, hoping she was not going to cry or do something that would make him feel awful.
She looked slowly back at Aragorn. "Did you never know?" she whispered, laying a hand on his arm. His eyes flicked back at Kelmeleth, and then to her. He shook his head and strung his arms around her waist, holding her closer to his body. She shivered at his intimate touch, leaning nearer to him. His eyes filled with affection for her again, and his gaze fell down to her lips. He was a little puzzled as he saw her lips were blue and trembling, and when he looked down at her body, after a few seconds his eyes flicked worriedly back up.
"Arwen, aren't you cold!" He exclaimed and threw his arms more tightly round her slim body. Arwen shook her head, lying so that she might stay out there with him for longer, but he took no heed of her answer and ran his hands down her back, trying to keep her warm even though she was standing in the snow, practically naked.
There was a coughing noise from over in Kelmeleth's direction. Arwen glanced at him, seeing him avert his eyes. "Err, Arwen, umm…" He trailed off.
"What? What? Tell me!"
"Arwen, you err, you're not wearing… … very much." She looked down at herself, and gave a muffled exclamation. All she had on her body was her underwear and her white slip, but that was not at all any more concealing than it had been last night, and the neckline was far too low from where she had just tugged it down for Aragorn's lips. Her face reddening, she huddled against him, noticing for the first time many Rangers watching her. Finding where their centre of attention was, she hurriedly pulled up her slip. Her cleavage was not a place where many eyes should go… unless they were Aragorn's, of course.
Arwen hid her face against him, wishing she could just disappear from the embarrassment of being seen like that. How could she have been so stupid? But Aragorn however began to hush her, whispering affectionately in her pointed ear, while soothingly fondling her hair and leaning his head against hers. Immediately her fear ran away, for how could she be so worried when her own Ranger was here to protect her?
Aragorn began to talk to Kelmeleth, Arwen not bothering to listen for a while, only wanting to feel Aragorn's gentle touch around her body. But from time to time she heard her name being spoken of, and then she strained to hear what they were saying about her. It was just typical that when she tried to listen she was not mentioned. Kelmeleth was talking in a quieter voice now, standing just a couple of feet away from Arwen.
"…I see it worked well. You followed my instructions perfectly, it really looks beautiful." Aragorn laughed softly as he heard this. "No, seriously, it does! I personally would have said an elf had made it." Arwen began to feel a bit suspicious. What did they have in mind?
"Thanks… I did think it was pretty myself, but you know, I was slightly worried-"
"What for? It's amazing; even if I had made an attempt on it, then it would not have been that good. But, apart from what I gave you, what was the metal you used? I have an idea, but… isn't it tremendously expensive?" Arwen opened her eyes, blinking slowly in thought. Were they talking about what Aragorn had given her? The beautiful hairclip? Just picturing it in her mind made her smile, making her feel exceptionally special.
Aragorn sighed and rubbed his hands warmly up and down Arwen's arm, unaware that she was listening to him. "Yes, I know just how much it costs. It's almost priceless now there is not much left to mine, but, yes… I was paid with that for my work down in Gondor. That meant doing things for the Steward for near on a year, which basically consisted of fighting in the constant battles with Mordor orcs. It wasn't too bad I suppose; I've come off unscathed, and with more knowledge of the Gondorian Army and the witless orcs. And of course with this…"
Arwen sensed him run his fingers over her hair, touching her glimmering hairclip. She lifted her head away from his chest, looking into his eyes and his smiling face. Immediately she returned the smile, sliding her hands around his neck affectionately. She gazed at his beautiful face for a minute, but from time to time noticing Aragorn flash his eyes quickly over to Kelmeleth behind her, who was probably mouthing something ridiculous like usual. She had half a mind to turn round and catch him in the act, but then she decided that maybe it was so embarrassing she did not want to know what he was saying.
"Well…" Kelmeleth said, trying to not seem too interrupting. Arwen took one hand down from around Aragorn's neck, turning to face him without too much of her body showing through the thin slip. She saw Aragorn smile peacefully as she moved in his arms.
"So, where are you going now?" the elf asked. "You could both come back to Lothlórien."
Arwen pondered over this. The idea of Aragorn staying in the wood of her home had never even entered her head, though it seemed like heaven and very idealistic. She had always been too busy thinking about finding Aragorn, and had never thought about what would happen afterwards. Perhaps he could come back with her. But suddenly a leaden feeling weighed down in her stomach. He may have to move on somewhere else, and not be able to get out of it. She sighed out unhappily.
"Mmm, that would be great!" Aragorn said, grinning happily. Arwen twisted her neck up to meet his eyes, finding the information difficult to settle in. "I'm sure I could arrange something," he added, leaning forward and brushing noses with Arwen. She smiled lovingly and edged nearer to him again.
"That's good," Kelmeleth said joyfully. "Well Arwen, you certainly have got what you came for, and more!" He laughed bouncily.
"What!" Aragorn exclaimed, looking back at Arwen. "What – what does he mean?" Arwen paused, suddenly feeling a little afraid. He might not be happy if she told him why she came, he might think she was silly to have risked her life just for it. She really did not want that. "Arwen?"
She bit her bottom lip. What would he say if she told him? "Arwen? Are you okay?"
Aragorn wound his arms tighter round her body. She nodded, her throat icing up uncomfortably. "Meleth, tell me." He smiled gently. "Why were you travelling over the mountain?"
Arwen breathed out heavily, creeping closer to his hot body while hers shivered. "I wasn't travelling over the mountain, Estel," she whispered, taking her eyes away from his guiltily.
"What?" Aragorn asked in confusion. "Why? I- I don't understand…"
"Estel, I tricked everyone into thinking I was going to Rivendell, everyone except Kelmeleth. But I never meant to reach my father's land. I always planned to leave before." She stared downwards where their chests pressed against each other. Aragorn sighed, urging her to continue.
"I came- Estel, I came…" she trailed off, not daring herself enough to say it.
"Arwen?" he whispered.
"Estel, I came- I came because of… I came because of… you…"
Arwen breathed the last word so quietly she wondered whether Aragorn had even heard it. But there was such an impregnable silence, that clearly he had. She wanted so much to look into his soft grey eyes, but she feared he wouldn't be happy, feared… what?
"Arwen…" he murmured, his gaze burning on her face. She felt herself blush, her cheeks get redder as the rest of her body got colder.
"You – you came because of… me?" Arwen nodded slowly, trying to force her eyes away from him; but his fingers came to lie on her neck, making her tremble unbearably. He ran his fingers up to her chin, firmly tipping her head his way so that she would face him. Totally unwillingly Arwen found herself looking into his eyes, holding contact before she could even stop herself.
"Arwen…" he breathed; and she saw a warm light glowing in his eyes. He watched her so lovingly, his face so tender and his eyes so sad-looking but full of admiration and… love…
And it was then that she realised: he was not angry, he was not ashamed that she would do something like that, he was not saddened that she would risk so much; he was not overjoyed that she could do this all by herself, nor was he stunned that she would try to reach him.
He was filled with beautiful love, the deepest care for his Evenstar; he loved her so much… she had done all this; she had suffered the cold, struggled through the snow, fallen off a cliff, hidden her face so that he would not be distracted, been hurt fiercely in the stomach, taken prisoner by the orcs, teased and taunted horribly, been knocked out hard on the floor; come so near death… and all for him…
Aragorn sensed himself shiver, his eyes now filling with hot tears. Leaning in closer, he saw Arwen smile faintly, trying to show her understanding with difficulty. But she did not need to do any more… she had already done so much, so much pain in order to reach him. How she must love him, how her heart must have ached for his, how she must have yearned for his familiar loving in the long cold nights she had had to bear alone…
Aragorn felt his eyelids close shut as if just lulled there by his romantic thoughts… he immediately found Arwen's cold lips, her soft full lips; and then he was kissing her, kissing her so passionately and with so much fire he thought he would burst he loved her so greatly. Aragorn pressed harder and harder with need, need to express his utmost love for her. His heart beat matched with hers, her hand fitted with his, their souls mingled together…
No one could ever feel love as he felt it for Arwen then, he felt it so strongly, so powerfully and wonderfully, he just could not have enough of her. He simply loved his Evenstar with everything he had, everything and more. She meant the world to him, the trees and the rivers and the seas and the flowers and the animals; more than that, the moon, the sun, the stars, the heavens; yet still more: she was more beautiful than the stirring sunset, she was more delicate than the fluttering butterfly, she had more love than anyone else possible… save him.
And he kissed Arwen again and again, holding her lips to his as if the world would then fall away and melt into a perfect bliss. And it was; they were, she was… tender, warm, loving, he would always kiss her, always, and always give her his deepest, most beautiful love, just like now, always and forever, exactly like today… and a peaceful white world lay around them, and love was the only thing in Aragorn's heart as he kissed his Undómiel.
