Author/Banshee Queen: "Thank you lindahoyland & lor(A ) for reviewing my little story so far. lindahoyland you said I had some typos that need fixing, maybe in your next review you could point them out to me? That would be greatly appreciated. :)
Continuing with the story, this chapter stars Eldarion! Yes Eldarion, Aragorn & Arwen's first & only son. Following his mother into the House of Kings, Eldarion has a conversation with Arwen. She tells him she will be leaving the White City & indeed in this chapter she does. They have a final goodbye together which is pretty teary if not fluffy. Anyway, on with the story:)
Disclaimer: "I do not own..." (falls asleep)
Chapter 3: The Departing of Arwen Evenstar
After the death of King Elessar, Eldarion was crowned King and young though as he was, made Lord of the Dúnedain. Life in Minas Tirith went back to normal, but the city now was seldom mirthful, people were not as joyous as they once were and still a year after Aragorn's death the people mourned.
And so it was said that Arwen became as a mortal and finally understood what her father Lord Elrond had told her those many long years ago. Over time the people of the City watched as their Queen slowly deteriorated. And with each day that passed they saw as their Queen fell deeper and deeper into sorrow. The light that once shone brightly in her eyes was now quenched. Her hair thin and dull. Her face pale and sorrowful. It was as if their Queen had no mind or will of her own.
And, along with the sorrow the people of Gondor were burdened with,it was said at dusk before the sunset the people of the City would oftensee their Queen silently weeping at their Lord's Tomb, laying but a single rose upon his stony bed, never speaking, garbed in black, her face shadowed by a veil.
It was a quiet night, a peaceful night. In a courtyard of white stone sat a young King. The King of Gondor, to be exact. And as he gazed up at the stars he sighed. Reminiscing the days he spent with his father saddened Eldarion, but to see his mother in such grief did not ease his sorrow any less. "My Lord?" The young King flinched in surprise. "Oh Bergil, it is only you. You startled me." "My Lord the council is present and awaiting at your command." The King nodded. "Good. I shall be right in."
Bergil stood there motionless, intensely trying to read his King's thoughts. "You miss him don't you?" Eldarion smiled weakly. "Yes. When I look up at the stars,' he paused, all the while faintly smiling, 'I can almost feel him staring down at me. I ask him whether he thinks I will make a noble king, to follow in his footsteps. Care for my people. Bring justice and outlaw all evil. I want to rule this land with all my heart and soul just as my father did. I love him dearly." A smile spread from ear to ear on Bergil's face. "You will be a mighty ruler my liege and live up to your father's expectations." Eldarion returned the gesture. "Yes Bergil, I thank thee for their kindness."
Bergil bowed his head and smiled, but frowned when he looked past Eldarion's shoulder. "What is it? Questioned Eldarion turning swiftly. "It is the Queen your mother." The servant replied, a look of worry streaked across his face. Exhaling deeply Eldarion ran a hand through his wavy brown hair. "Wait for me Bergil, I shan't be long." He said clapping the servant on the shoulder. "Yes my liege." After a moment Bergil sadly shook his head. "Once the rose of our kingdom so fair and beautiful…"
Eldarion looked up at the long doors of the House of Kings. Fear trembled within him, he knew one day he would be laid to rest here too; just as his father had been. A light shone within as Eldarion cautiously stepped in. Seeing his mother standing there, alone, and in despair made his heart sink lower than the depths of the ocean.
"Naneth." Arwen turned to him, her eyes red from crying, a curtain-like veil covering her forlorn features. "Why do you weep still? He sleeps now." The Queen drew a deep breath, her gaze steady on Aragorn's tomb before her. Looking as if there were something beyond the stone to his tomb; she spoke as if in a trance. "Winter comes my son. The light from my life is gone. The mornings nor evenings are neither joyous to me no more. They are all dark,' at those words her eyes burned a pure sapphire staring straight into Eldarion's, 'like shadow veiling over my inner fire. There is no reason now for me to go on, no reason to live." The Queen swayed uneasily.
A tear slowly trembled in the Prince's eye before making its way down his cheek. "Naneth,' said the King gently laying a hand on her shoulder, 'why do you speak so? Do not despair. His passing away was not for the worse, but neither was it for the good. Let him go, hmm?" Her son reassured, gathering her into his arms. Arwen looked into his eyes; hers alight with anger as she pulled away from him. "I will not let him go!" she shouted, her voice echoing within the walls.
The young King stepped back, surprised by his mother's actions. But Arwen looking upon her son then softened, seeing his distraught. Yet, her heart still told her what it yearned for. The Queen placed a warm hand on her son's.
"I love him. I love him still Eldarion. Even now I feel he is still alive, here in my heart." She pressed a hand to her breast but then paused as if in thought. "I, I cannot linger here…I must go…I must leave." "What?" The young King's face was struck with horror. "Eldarion, I cannot stay here any longer, there are too many memories, too much here to reminisce for. Every step I take, every corner I pass, there will always be something to burden my heart with."
A tear ran down her cheek. Her eyes wavered and met Eldarion's before beginning. "…And if I am to die, I wish to be in the land of my mother's kin." Eldarion stood silent for a while then nodded. For he knew this would be the last time he would speak with his mother.
It was an overcast day as Eldarion stood on the fields of Pelennor with his mother, the wind violently blowing his cloak. "Amin mela lle naneth." Eldarion said as Arwen checked her horse over once more. The Queen warmly smiled. A mirthful smile, something she had not done for many a day. Then she reached up and brushed a finger against his cheek. "Oh my son, amin mela lle a', uuma dela, hmm? Lle rangwa amin?" The young King nodded. "Yes."
Eldarion bowed his head to the ground, but as Arwen's horse turned to the road he sprang forth and grabbed the reins. "Let me come with you Naneth!" Eldarion pleaded, eyes on fire. The Queen sighed, deeply this time, tears once again creating a running river down her cheeks. Her son loved her dearly, oh she so easily saw that, but her choice was made and now her will strove on.
"No Eldarion,' she said shaking her head, 'I must go alone." Eldarion held his head high, trying desperately to hold his statue. "Manka lle merna." He ended in a small voice. Arwen dismounted, and cupping his face in her hands said to him: "It is not that I wish to leave or abandon you. I love you and your sisters with all my heart, you've always known that. But this was my choice, you must understand; my kin are afar into the West, your father passed away, I have no one. This is the path I chose; to forsake the immortality and grace of my people and now to have lost everything I've gained, it is not worth living."
The young King was in full sobs now, but Arwen kept on, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Whispering she started again, brushing her fingers against his face just as she used to when he was a small child.
"I shall be grieved not to see you betrothed or see my grand-children grow,' they both chuckled at the remark, 'but your people need you here. You are the sole ruler of both Gondor and Arnor. Your place is here. Always in your dreams I will fly to you, every time you weep, every time you stumble or fall, I will be there. If the darkness falls upon your vision, I will be your dove to guide you. I will be there…my son."
Eldarion openly wept, tears of both joy and sadness mingled together as one. She looked upon her beloved son for the last time. "Namaarie Eldarion. Tenna' ento lye omenta." With that Arwen kissed his brow and mounted her horse. "Lle vesta?" Eldarion asked, eyes bright and eagerly awaiting an answer. The Queen smiled. "Always…"
She turned her horse to the road, riding slowly until Eldarion watched her disappear into a speck on the horizon. Tears slowly slipped down his cheek. "Goodbye mother." Eldarion whispered, as the wind blew his cloak, fanning it out against the grey of the sky. The young King stood there swaying in the breeze, a lonely figure upon the endless fields of Pelennor. His people wondered at this, and the departure of their Queen, and why their King had now fallen silent and moved not as they came the walls of Gondor and gazed relentlessly at him like a dove that is cast into the air.
And so it was said that Arwen Undómiel went from the city of Minas Tirith and passed away into the land of Lothlórien where none now walk.
Naneth- Mother
Amin mela lle naneth- I love you mother
Amin mela lle a'- I love you too
Uuma dela- Don't worry
Lle rangwa amin- Do you understand me
Manka lle merna- If you wish
Namaarie- Farwell
Tenna' ento lye omenta- Until next we meet
Lle vesta- Do you promise
Author/Banshee Queen: "Ok I will admit that bit with Bergil was corny. Very corny. I will definetely admit that. Anyway next chapter is by far the BEST. Rest assured you will NOT be disappointed. Next chapter Arwen meets Aragorn's spirit..."