The Same Woman

By Rose-Arwen-Padme

Suspicions, Doubts, & Plots

Aragorn's face moved into a crooked smile. "Oh, dear," he mused, his voice low and with deadly calm. "Should I be intimidated by the jealous elf who tells me he wants things taken care of once and for all?" Aragorn, a man who had defeated many foes with his awesome skill of the sword, a man whose bravery was as strong as his lineage, a man who believed he could easily defeat Glir in several minutes, was also a noble, wise man who knew not to spill blood on matters that can be settled with words. He was a man who did not misuse his talent with weapons to take advantage of the lesser endowed. This was what made him Aragorn Elessar.

"If a fight is what you came for, Glir," Aragorn continued, "then you can turn around right now." He rested his hands on his hips. "I will not fight you."

Glir struggled to keep his composure. His anger wanted to controls his actions so badly, actions that would consist of grabbing his bow and flying the sharpest arrow into arrogant Aragorn's noble chest with lightening speed. But his plan depended so much on his outward appearance and attitude.

"Aragorn, you have judged me unfairly." He pretended to be hurt. "I merely desired to offer my hand to your own in friendship, and to put this childish game behind us. Arwen is happy with you, and I could never even try to deny her happiness." He flinched inwardly, but more so when he categorized his feelings for Arwen in his next statement. "What I feel… felt, for Arwen, was nothing more than a foolish infatuation." His heart felt betrayed by himselffor putting such a low name on his mountain-moving emotions.

Aragorn hesitated.

"Surely, Lord Aragorn, you know an apology and an offering of peace when you see one."

"I thought I did."

Glir bowed his head, pretending to be considering his next words. "Y-you, sir, owe me nothing, and I owe you nothing. However, I have come to you offering peace between us. I see it was a waste of both our times. Forgive me." With that, Glir turned around, counting to himself in his head, "3…2…1…"

"Wait!"

Glir allowed himself one smile before he turned around, a solemn mask instantly falling over his face. "Yes?"

Aragorn still wasn't completely fooled, however, he could see by his face. So maybe this Aragorn wasn't as dimmed-witted as he had hoped. He was obviously far from it. His acting routine had been flawless though! Perfect!

"You say it was a childish infatuation," Aragorn started, ready to have his turn to talk now. "Yet before you knew who I was to Arwen you could not cease to talk about your undying love for her."

"Indeed, I mentioned it was an immortal love. But sometimes not everything that seems so very real and lasting lives forever, even to the elves."

Aragorn stepped forward. "I accept your offer of peace, Glir."

Glir pretended to sigh with relief, but stopped suddenly at Aragorn's next words.

He spoke in a low, threateningly growl. His eyes stared into Glir's. "But know this. I do not trust you. I do not wish to call you friend, so do not bother to call the name unto me. And…" he paused, letting the silence have its affect. "I will be watching you."

Glir was unsure whether or not his mask would hold up much longer. He had to get out of there before he lunged at the man. "Understood, Lord. Trust does not come immediately, and I knew this." He let himself have one remark of suspicious pleasure before he left. "But the future holds many things."

And with that he gripped Aragorn's hand, gave it a strong, firm shake, and walked briskly away. Aragorn watched after him for several moments, and then went back to Arwen.

She immediately noticed the tension in his shoulders and the weary look in his gray eyes. "My love? What is the matter?"

"Nothing, nothing at all."

"But... won't you speak to me of it?"

"No."

"It obviously distressed you, and so now it distresses me!"

"You misjudge your observations!"

She pleaded with him, begged him to tell her what he and Glir had talked of. "Please, Aragorn, I want you to tell me."

"Arwen—"

"Tell me now!"

"NO!" he shouted, his voice echoing harshly around the outdoor stone corridor.He mmediately regretted raising his voice to her. His suspicions of Glir and tiredness with that ordeal, along with the anger that hadn't yet disappeared over another person wanting Arwen, had combined together in one boiling second to cause him to lash out at the only person he cared about most in the world. "I'm sorry, love, I'm sorry." He gathered her in his arms, unable to witness the shocked expression on her face a moment longer. "I'm so sorry."

Arwen hugged him back, hesitantly at first, then suddenly changed to hold on to him as if her life depended on it. She gripped him so hard she worried she might leave little bruises. "It's alright, Estel, it's alright. Shhh. Just please, tell me what you just said to Glir."

Instantly she found herself being held at arms length away from Aragorn. He had pulled her away from him, now staring determinedly into her eyes. "No, Arwen."

"Please—"

"Forget it!" he interrupted, the edge back in his voice. "Maybe some other time, some other place, but not now. Not tomorrow, and not next week. Not any time soon, but someday, perhaps. I will tell you."

She stepped out of his loose grasp, her head bowed. Her voice was deep and quiet. "I shall see you at dinner, then?"

Aragorn sighed. She was upset with him, it was obvious. But in a way that was purely Arwen, she was not pressing it, she was not yelling and screaming at him, she was only timid and despondent. He would have preferred the shouting any other day. He felt so disappointed in himself when she was like this, so overcome with shame that he had hurt her.

He stepped forward, took her hand, and leaned in for a magical, soft kiss. Slowly he pulled back and whispered, "Yes, I'll see you at dinner."

She nodded and stepped away, heading for the door inside the room off the balcony. She turned when he called her name softly.

"Arwen." He searched her face. "I love you."

She only nodded again, and went back continued through the door, her head bowed sadly.

Aragorn watched her go, but was comforted by the fact that their love was strong enough to get past this little argument, and they would be cuddling and holding each other by tomorrow like nothing had happened. It had happened before. It would happen again, but they always worked through it effortlessly.

Yes. He would apologize tonight at dinner, and be kissing her goodnight in a tight embrace in a matter of hours.

But that didn't make his shame and guilt of disappointing her any less easier to bear.

As he marched away, back towards a deeper area of the trees, Glir clenched and unclenched his fists. Noble Aragorn! Wise Aragorn! Calm Aragorn! Honestly, who does the man think he is?! He didn't respond to the question in his mind with the answer of 'the heir to the throne of men', but trudged on through the ever more isolating forest. After several minutes, he entered the small cave he had discovered as a boy. It was dark, damp, and misty, but the shadows moved on their own accord. Their glowing eyes looked to Glir as he came. They had been waiting long in the uncomfortable space. His eyes flashed as he inspected the strong, dark elves around him.

"It is time."

A tall elf with chestnut hair stepped forward. "We are ready to do you bidding, my lord. Tell us where to find Aragorn, and we know what to do."

"Right," Glir answered. "Take him far, far away from here. Take him into Mordor, anywhere; I don't care, just far away. I don't want to see him ever again."

"Of course, my lord."

"And when you take him far away…"

"Yes, my lord. I know."

"Kill him."