Chapter 27
Daralis laid in her bed, aching at the argument she could hear Elladan and Elrohir having in the next room.
Damn the walls for being so thin.
It was like he didn't understand it. Couldn't he see that she wanted everything that he wanted just as badly, if not more?
Why couldn't he understand that some things are more important than the selfishness of true love?
They wanted each other, that much was obvious, but there were so many other people that needed their attention and affection. Her father, his twin, his parents.
She felt ashamed thinking about him giving up his family for her… especially his mother.
She turned over and tried to force herself to drift off.
Breakfast the next morning was a silent affair, and Imladris had never seen such interesting porridge. The only people who weren't staring directly at their food were Glorfindel and Elrohir.
Before long, however, a great noise could be heard from the entrance hall by all of the keen-eared occupants of the table.
"Hey there, you pointy-eared filth! Release me at once!" Legolas recognized the voice at once- with bright eyes he leapt up from the table, running to the hall with everyone else in tow.
It took Daralis a moment to realize the reason she couldn't see who was causing such a ruckus over the crowd was that he was just shoulder height.
Legolas forced his way through the elves beginning to crowd around.
"Gimli!"
"Wha- Legolas, I'd no idea you were here! This will give us all a lot more time. We might be able to get to him before it's too late." Everyone's face took on a solemn tone.
"Master Gimli," Elrond began, "perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere."
Later, in the library, Legolas, Daralis, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor all stood waiting with bated breath for Gimli's news.
"It seems that Aragorn has taken a turn for the worse. It's almost his time, you know, he'll be 200 in three weeks… he's gotten very old, and according to the reports, he's gotten quite weak lately. I thought that you would want to know, Lord Elrond"- Gimli nodded in Elrond and the twins' direction-" seeing as how he was like a son."
"Thank you, Gimli, Elf-friend. I am worried by this news. Elladan, Elrohir, we are going to Gondor tomorrow. If your brother is ailing, we must not only see him off, we must comfort Arwen."
"We will go as well, Lord Elrond. Daralis," he began, turning to her, "After we visit in Gondor we will continue straight to Ithilien. Pack all of your things."
"Yes, Atar." Elladan's face took on a pained expression.
All Daralis really took in from the traveling was the extreme awkwardness that came from riding side by side with Elladan. There would be times where he would look at her for who knows how long, and then there were the times when he looked like he was focused inward, hating himself for the effect that she was having on him.
Rarely did they speak.
When Gondor came into Daralis' view, she was breathless. They rode for the rest of that day, arriving at sundown.
Arwen met them at the entrance, looking strangely mournful.
Elrond dismounted immediately, rushing to his daughter and taking her in his arms.
"Is he alright, penneth?"
Daralis inwardly smiled at the use of this name and the show of affection.
"He's still here, Atar, but I can sense it coming. Thank you all for being here," she added, motioning to all of Elrond's accompanying party.
Daralis looked down awkwardly. She could now sympathize with the nurses in the hospital, trying to comfort her, when there was no comfort to be found. She looked up at her father, and found that he was looking directly at her.
She turned away before the tears came, following the group into the White City.
The guards surrounding Arwen took them to the citadel on horses, and Daralis went to the tip of the alcove to look at the amazing view. She stood on the apex, looking straight ahead. She'd never stood so high above ground in her life. Holding out her arms, it felt as if she were flying.
She sensed someone behind her, and turned, expecting her father. Elladan stood in front of her. He reached his hand out and touched her arm.
She jumped slightly, startled at the tingling his touch left her with, and before she could slip, Elladan's arms were around her, pulling her close to him, to safe ground.
"You shouldn't play, Dara. I nearly lost you."
His voice vibrated in her ears, forcing her to realize how long it had been since they were this close. The tone of his voice was so low, almost sensual, and yet when she looked into his eyes, she saw a pained soul.
"I want to say this to you, Dara. I am going to be waiting for you. Whenever you come to the Undying Lands, be it in a summer, or an eternity of summers. I will be waiting for you on the white shores." She threw her arms around his shoulders, feeling an amazing rush of emotion at his promise.
"Elladan. I don't want to lose you. I love you. It's just… there are some things that are bigger than you and I here. Think of your mother, think of your friends that you have lost in battle. They are waiting for you.I will be there someday. I swear I will, and then we will be together, for always. It's just not time yet."
Elrond watched them embrace and kiss before going to fetch them.
"Come. It is time."
When Daralis and Elladan walked into Aragorn's bedchambers, a somber sight met them. Arwen sat at Aragorn's side, clutching his hand. Their children stood beside her. There were tearstains on her bodice.
Elrohir stood behind her, and Elladan and Elrond moved to do the same. Daralis went to her father, who was standing at the foot of the bed with Gimli, waiting for their final goodbye with their friend. There was a Gondorian priest at the other side of the king, and an Elf that Daralis recognized from their trip. He also seemed to be a priest.
Aragorn's eyes opened, and they began to speak together.
"O man dôr túliel le?"
(From what land do you come?)
"Telin o Imladris. Nin estar Estel."
(I come from Rivendell. I am Estel.)
"Man lû vin achenitham?"
(When shall we see each other again?)
Aragorn turned to Arwen.
"Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo. Lû vin achenitham ni Valinor."
(A star shines on the hour of our meeting. We shall see each other again in Valinor.)
The Elvish cleric began a deep, slow song.
"A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
silivren penna míiriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, sí nef aearon."
(O Elbereth who lit the stars,
from glittering crystal slanting falls with light like jewels
from heaven on high the glory of the starry host.
To lands remote I have looked afar,
and now to thee, Fanuilos,
bright spirit clothed in ever-white,
I here will sing beyond the Sea,
beyond the wide and sundering Sea.)
As if she could not hold herself back any longer, Arwen moved to hold Aragorn. Their hands clutched each other's tightly, and then, in a moment felt by all, he was gone.
Just review, and I'll love you. I won't even bother with excuses. There aren't any for my absence.