AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far! Thank you so much for reading my story and giving such lovely reviews. Enjoy ch. 12!! (even though its a sort of in-between chap. that can be a tad boring)
One evening while Gandalf the Grey was in Rivendell, Arwen came unto him where he stood gazing over the land in the library. He did not have his pipe this time, but appeared a noble lord troubled by age, yet with sparkling eyes that knew much more than was spoken. He wore a soft smile when she stood beside him.
"Undómiel, it's delightful to see you again. Elrond has spoken only praise of his noble daughter since I've come here. How have you fared in all this time we have not seen each other?"
"Very well," she said, "though my greatest wish has not yet appeared to near its fulfilment."
"And what is that wish?"
"That the Dark Lord and all his destruction would pass from Middle-earth so that all Free Folk would no longer bear the burden of his wickedness and war. Only then will my heart be glad indeed."
Gandalf was accounted of the wisest in Endorenna not without foundation for he perceived many things. In Arwen Evenstar's eyes there was a faint light not shrouded by the gloom of that Age when she spoke of Sauron's end. "Yet it is not only for all Free Folk you would be glad, but for yourself as well. Is there something Elrond has not spoken of?"
Arwen looked into his fiery eyes beneath dark brows of great length. "Only then shall I come to the one I love to be with him till death itself parts us."
"This one...he is of mortals?"
"Yes, and I see that you are much more aware than I recall. You know his name as well, I deem." She waited as he was silent for a long moment tapping his fingers on the ledge he leaned against. He knew the answer, yet did not speak the man's name aloud.
"Elrond does not approve of your decision, and most assuredly has tried to persuade you against it."
"Truly, yes, for he does not wish to lose yet another of his blood. He has born many losses already in life. Only Eru himself can sway my choice for nothing now may sever the bond of Aragorn Arathorn's son and I. In these dreadful years we must be apart, yet if the end comes at last of the dark reign...never again will we be separated as we are now." She lowered her head. "It is a dream I often have when the day has been dreary and worn. If only it would be fulfilled..."
Gandalf paused in his words of comfort when Arwen smiled sadly as a single crystal tear trickled down her flawless cheek. Her voice had become faint like the murmuring of a brook as her words trailed off. He laid a creased hand over hers that lightly rested on the ledge in fatherly consolation. She still stared down at nothing that he could see and said no more, yet a grateful smile flickered across her flushed lips.
Gandalf and Arwen spoke only twice more with one another when either was not occupied with others or with their own thoughts. One of these times was in the midst of winter when the leaves had fallen and the morning dew turned to frost upon the grass. The streams and rivers had become chilled with the winter air, yet the cold wind disturbed the Elves little for harsh weather does not touch them as easily as mortals; although they do not walk about in the snow or rain without cloak or mantle.
Arwen's radiant face was shrouded by the hood of her cerulean velvet cloak draping about her slender form to keep away the slight chill of the winter air that stirred in great gusts through Imladris. The ground she walked upon was hard and barren, and no longer did she wander upon the earth unshod while the cold season lasted. She halted before a high tree whose branches were now bare but still stood tall and regal with its grey bark glistening in the dim sunlight. She looked up upon it and slowly reached out a hand to lay against its dark skin.
Gandalf had also wandered into the region without knowing who else had come to that quiet place. He did not lean upon his staff—or even have it with him—as he did in his long travels, yet he had never really stood straight and tall for many long years as his appearance became that of an aged man. His long, grey robes merged with the pale and muted colours about him. He stroked his long, grey beard as he continued forward until he looked ahead only to find the Evenstar gazing upon a bare tree. He also noted her pale hand gleaming upon it: a light shining in the dreary world of winter.
She lowered her head and gradually lifted her hand away from the bole of the tree. "Mithrandir," she said, "you have been quiet of late. I deem that is not a common thing to be had from you." She turned to face him, standing some yards away under the cover of only the grey-blue heavens, with eyes glimmering.
"No indeed," he said stepping forward. "There are many things of this Age that trouble me, and I'm trying to figure them out one by one...yet, I fear, it is not working well. So many things..." He nodded his head for a moment as he stared at the ground beneath his feet. "Ah! But such things are too troublesome to lay upon others. That is why I am called the Grey Pilgrim...always travelling and meddling in the affairs of Middle-earth whether it be Men, Elves, or Dwarves."
"And so you have many names, Mithrandir. It must be grand to journey across the far reaches of Endorenna; to see many cities and kingdoms that many have only seen on a map or heard the name in accounts of others."
His face became grave. "And to see the Shadow reach out its fingers to all these places and glimpse the darkness that falls upon many hearts. On the surface it is indeed engaging and one does see many kindreds and dwellings of all people, yet once you wade further in...many dark and hopeless things appear before your very eyes. I may aid several rulers and kingdoms, but with a price of knowledge."
"Then I am glad my place is not as you for my heart is too tender to the suffering or loss of hope of people. I could not bear to stand by as they fell."
"That is why I was given this task."
They had made their way towards the entrance of the dwelling of the Lord Elrond where a high arch of engraved stone marked the way, and now a rider came swiftly through on a horse of noble bearing and a flowing white mane. It was an Elf with a mantle of elven-grey upon his shoulders and long, shimmering hair of pale gold. He dismounted as he drew up near them.
"1. Aiya, arquen quende," said Arwen.
He turned his grey eyes upon her and bowed low with a hand on his breast. A long bow was slung over his shoulder beside a quiver of keen-tipped arrows. "Lady Evenstar, I am honoured to once again enjoy your fair presence."
"Thank you," she said softly. "You bring word from Lórien?"
"I do...for the Lord Elrond." He glanced over his shoulder. "Is he unoccupied at the time being?"
"I do not know, yet he will accept you anyway if you bring word from Lady Galadriel or Lord Celeborn. He will wish to hear what they have to say in these times."
The slender Elf nodded and bowed once again. "Thank you, my lady." His eyes found Gandalf's. "Ai! Mithrandir! It is well to see you here."
"As it is you, fair Elf. Is news from the Golden Wood of good...or ill?"
His eyes darkened. "Not of good, yet perhaps not wholly of ill either. Master Elrond shall speak of it in time, I am sure. Fare you well, 2. meldor. You are missed in Lothlórien, fair Evenstar, for you are ever a hope to our people."
"Thank you again," she said with a slight smile. "I am most fond of my kindred in the South."
He also smiled and turned to lead his horse away and deliver his message to the Lord of Rivendell. Arwen watched with a distant glaze upon her bright eyes, yet she looked then to Gandalf who also seemed occupied in his thoughts. He was near to speaking aloud as was his wont.
"More things to divert you attention," she murmured. "Let us hasten inside so that we may hear the new word as soon as my father has heard it."
"Of course," he mumbled still not quite present. "Of course."
As Arwen and Gandalf were making their way towards Elrond's study, another Elf they met in that fair hall. He had caught sight of them as they entered from the chill outside and was approaching them swiftly.
Arwen saw who it was and felt pity arise in her heart once again. "Cemendur," she murmured. Gandalf heard but said nothing. His eyes were, as usual, glittering with unspoken thought that few could know without his explanation.
Cemendur greeted them warmly. "Of all the pairs, you have been the most unlikely today. It is a pleasant thing to see you both for there are none others I would have wished to meet."
Gandalf nodded his head to him. "Greetings, Cemendur. Your speech is fair in such a bleak day."
Cemendur smiled. "As I had hoped." His eyes fell upon Arwen. "You saw the rider from Lórien, did you not?"
"Yes, and spoke briefly with him. Elrond is speaking with him now."
"I should very much like to also speak with him and hear of the Golden Wood. They were little troubled last I knew, yet...the days are uncertain in this dark age. Orcs may be pressing upon the borders or even stepping foot inside the protected realm. If they are, they will learn quickly that it will never prevail."
"Indeed," said Gandalf. "Lady Galadriel has never been truly troubled with them, nor will she be ever for that land is of the most vigilant and well- guarded in all of Middle-earth." His bushy brows drew down in thought and Arwen caught the murmur of "as the Shire is, I hope."
Cemendur nodded but looked again to Arwen with shining eyes. She met his gaze unwillingly and did not turn away until Gandalf spoke again. "The Lady Arwen and I must go now to Master Elrond and speak with him in close quarters, my friend. I'm pleased to have met you, Cemendur, yet we must move on in haste."
Cemendur bowed low and stood aside for them. Arwen glanced over her shoulder as they passed him by seeing that he was gazing upon her with a radiant light overflowing from his fair face.
"I owe you my thanks," she murmured when they were well away. "He is a dear, noble Elf, yet...he has taken too closely to me and does not miss any opportunity to be at my side."
"Many Elves would feel the same way," said Gandalf. "Does he know of Aragorn?"
"No, he does not, Mithrandir. That is why I fear for him. I will not return his love, and so I fear his heart would be broken if he has become too besotted, as I have seen. If I tell him, he may be dispirited with such dark tidings for which I do not wish. Yet it is the only way now."
"If you do not tell him," said Gandalf in his guttural, rich voice, "then he will eventually know. Especially if Aragorn himself comes to Rivendell seeking for you and Cemendur discovers this. Take care, dear Evenstar. Take care."
After hearing tidings from Lothlórien, Arwen felt in her heart a pull to return among her kin there in that fair forest. Gandalf had need to depart Imladris as well, and so he soon was gone. She then went unto her father and spoke with him of the matter for she knew he despaired to see her take leave.
"Then I shall have an escort for you as before," he murmured, gently placing a comforting hand over hers. "It has been long since you have gone."
"This shall be the last instance of my journeying to Lórien unless there is a greater end I do not see. If I travel there again, it will not be without many in my company, you included."
Elrond wondered which end it would be, yet he said nothing of his thoughts to his beloved daughter. "Be careful, 3. yendenya, for more perils emerge each day and each month that we cannot hold back in the lands that the Elves do not rule, and the Rangers' protecting hand only reaches so far."
"No harm shall reach my escort, 4. atar. We have had little trouble on our journeys to Lórien." So Arwen Undómiel departed once more for the land of her mother's kin where she was accepted with great joy and glad hearts; especially by Galadriel who had become a mentor and friend in the absence of Celebrían.
Aragorn came again to the Elven-city of Imladris to rest from his laborious journeys and with a heart filled with longing to again see his beloved's shining face. Yet she was not there. She was again with her kin in Lothlórien. He was dispirited by the word of her absence, yet he took rest nonetheless.
He had been searching for the creature Gollum after Gandalf had asked him to aid him in the hunt for he had possessed the One Ring of Power long years ago before the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf and he had tracked Gollum for a few years now, yet had found no fresh trails to tread in all their journeys. Aragorn was the greatest in pursuit and hunting, yet it had prevailed them little in the hunt. They had now both abandoned the fruitless chase.
An Elf almost at his exact height was hastening down the corridor where Aragorn was strolling. He had golden hair like that of Glorfindel—if not quite as golden—and was a very fair Elf. He did not even glance at Aragorn when they passed each other in the hall. Aragorn glanced behind him as surprise halted him for a moment. Whenever an Elf spotted him in Rivendell they would immediately greet him warmly in their own tongue for he was known among them all. The Elf must have had something very important on his mind.
The worry slipped from his shoulders like water when he caught sight of someone he knew. Someone he knew very well. A wide grin broke across his hard features as Elladan approached him also wearing a shining smile. They clasped each other's arms in a brotherly tryst.
Elladan laughed. "You are getting too tall these days, 5. toron. You have finally over passed me."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "I became as tall as you long ago, Elladan. You knew I would be higher when I began shooting up as a tree sapling in spring." He laughed at Elladan's own raised eyebrow.
"I never thought you would get quite so tall, taller than and as tall as many Elves. In any case, I still can best you at everything else." The grin returned even brighter than before. Aragorn knew what words were to follow as he glimpsed the glint in his grey eyes. "Are you still attempting to use that bow of yours?"
"Of course."
"All right then, it is settled," said Elladan. "We shall have a match of our skills once again to see if you have improved any." He laughed lightly. "Although I doubt the fact..."
Aragorn almost sighed with exasperation. Elladan enjoyed taunting him, always trying to arouse his sense of competition so he could challenge him properly. It never worked even when Aragorn was old enough to be challenged by his adopted, older brother.
"First I must have my own bow, 6. toronnya, so I will come and meet you wherever it is you wish. Where shall we take our match of skills?"
Elladan turned to look to the side. "The usual place. I shall have Elrohir come as well." Elladan made a flourishing bow with a laugh as he bent back straight again.
Aragorn made a derisive bow of his own, the grin returning to his face as well. "Till then," he said. Elladan was still chuckling quietly as he glided down the hall once more.
1. Greetings, noble Elf
2. friends
3. my daughter
4. father
5. brother
6. my brother