AUTHOR'S NOTE: I love reading everyone's feedback!! It just makes the rest of the day so lovely :). Valia-Elf: yeah, I am glad Arwen and Cemendur worked everything out. It makes things so much easier :). lindahoyland: I totally agree!! I feel so sorry for her with all the anxiety she must feel for Aragorn always being in some sort of danger. Enjoy ch. 19 everyone!!!
Frodo Baggins was healed. The piece of blade in his shoulder had finally been found and removed. He at last awoke to find he was in Rivendell with Gandalf at his side. As soon as it was known Frodo was no longer sleeping in his bed, preparations had begun for the feasting.
Arwen caught her father's arm as she approached him. The circlet of silver upon his brow caught the light as he turned.
"Father, where art your sons and the Lord Aragorn? They both have not been seen."
"They are on errantry, all three. I am sorry they could not be here in time for the feast. They shall be missed this night."
"Indeed they shall. What of Frodo? Is he truly healed?" asked Arwen.
Master Elrond nodded his head and told her of his state. The hobbit was fully restored at last although hungry after days of being abed. Arwen smiled at that. There were going to be many guests at the table that night for it seemed a gathering was taking place in Imladris.
"Almost all are here that will be," said Elrond in low tones to Arwen. He had leaned closer to her. "There shall be a council tomorrow."
"A council. Yes. Strange how all have come at the same span of time to Rivendell to seek counsel with its lord. There is nothing left but to have merrymaking and feasting tonight and speak of the dark times we are in tomorrow. It shall be long in the talking once you begin, my father."
He nodded with grim determination set in his ageless features. "We will meet again tonight when all is joyous. Farewell for now, beloved daughter of mine. Do not be late." Elrond parted from Arwen Evenstar with a gracious smile and his eyes glinting with starlight.
"Farewell," Arwen whispered to his back. She sighed and wandered the halls waiting for the bells to chime to signal the starting of the feast. That day she had seen two Dwarves also walking the halls, an Elf of the Grey Havens called Galdor, and Elves of Rivendell whispering together excitedly like they had not in years. The coming of a Perian bearing the fate of Middle-earth after being chased by Ringwraiths caused much talk in the valley. Now there were few around for most were preparing for the long night donning fine attire. Arwen herself wore garments of soft grey, plain only with a girdle of silver leaves set on her waist. Her dark hair gleamed in braids like the twilight with a cap of silver lace upon her shadowed head netted with glittering white gems. They were like stars flickering in the night sky of her hair. Her face seemed set among unsullied light and her eyes were aflame with the light of the stars. There was none fairer that walked the earth even in the lands of Aman.
At last the bells rang with a sweet sound across the elven-city signalling the start of the feasting and merriment. Arwen made her way quickly to the hall so she might see those who were attending. She peered into the great hall where a long table was set in the middle with a grand chair at its head where Elrond always sat at meat.
There were those who already arrived and Arwen did not enter for she remembered Elrond telling her to meet with him so they could enter unto the hall together. She found him not long after waiting for her.
"Arwen, there has been made a special place for you in the middle of the table where there is a canopy. You might have seen it already," he said quietly.
Arwen nodded setting her hand on his arm. When all had come Elrond and she set foot in the room with an air about them that spoke of their kinship and brilliance. Elrond led her past the row of attendants who were staring with wonderment at the fair maiden untouched by the many years of her life. Her soft grey skirts brushed the floor as she was placed by a chair beneath a canopy. She raised her eyes from the table to look to Elrond who was just coming to his place at the table's head. All whispering and quiet conversation halted. The Lord of Rivendell motioned with his hands for all to sit as he seated himself.
Some cast bewildered glances her way once the feasting began between conversations. There at the sides of Elrond sat Glorfindel and Gandalf.
Glorfindel's golden hair glimmered and his sharp eyes were lustrous sea-coloured gems set in a face of eternal youth and fairness glowing with joy. He sat straight and tall as a lord. When he laughed the sound was like a peal of bells ringing in the clear night air. His eyes shown also with wisdom alongside nobility.
Gandalf's long white hair and long silver beard were combed to perfection unlike at other times when they seemed unkempt and wild like his bushy eyebrows. His dark eyes darted around like birds flitting from branch to branch watching their surroundings with merriment from deep within.
Arwen's eyes scanned the length of the table in vain for sign of the Ranger she wished to see. He was not there. Neither were the dark-haired sons of Elrond. She did spot Frodo Baggins sitting not far away beside a dwarf of Erebor called Glóin who was clothed in white harmonising with his forked white beard; but Frodo drew her attention. He had donned garments of good green cloth. His dark, curling hair hung over his ears, yet she could still see their pointed tips poking out of the curls. He had bright blue eyes that stared with wide-wonder at all the noble people at the feast. He was fair of face with ruddy cheeks that made cheerful his appearance.
His three other companions sat nearer the dais where Elrond was. They all had curling hair and bright eyes that danced with laughter. Their voices were high-pitched compared to those of the Elves and others there that night.
All sorts of foods, delicacies or plain, covered the lengthy dining table providing anything that was wanted. Some things the Elves favoured, others Dwarves, and hobbits ate more of certain varieties. Wine of different sorts were passed around and poured into goblets of shining silver for each person present.
Arwen sipped dark wine, looking over the rim to where Elrond was seated. His face was jovial. She listened to the many discussions on the two sides; none of them interested her in particular for all were avoiding the talk of the Shadow falling upon Middle-earth.
It was the end at long length. Elrond passed a glance to Arwen and she nodded her head to him in consent. They stood as one to leave the hall. Arwen walked to him setting her arm in his once more as they went into the corridor on their way to the Hall of Fire where a fire burned at all times. At its end there was a grand hearth between two mighty columns. There was a place previously made ready for Elrond, and Arwen found a chair for herself at his side.
Everyone else had followed in pairs behind them also entering the Hall of Fire. They gathered around the room in their places. The elven minstrels soon began. The sweet sound of their voices singing of brilliant stars, radiant light, and all things beautiful lifted in the room like a sweet mist of glimmering gold.
Before Elrond was seated he went to the side of a small, shrouded figure sitting alone with a cup of cool water and plain bread (if you could call the bread of the Elves plain) at his feet. He spoke to him to awaken while Frodo was standing close by watching carefully. The small figure removed the piece of cloak from his head and Arwen smiled to see Frodo's profound delight of reuniting with his older cousin Bilbo Baggins. The old hobbit smiled warmly when he greeted his beloved fellow Baggins who immediately sat near him to speak of things of their home, the Shire.
It was not until then Elrond came to his place by the Evenstar close to the hearth where the firelight flickered in her grey eyes. He said nothing, but listened to the lays sung and the tales told.
A long time later, she looked up when another came into the hall. Her eyes shone with sudden mirth, the dancing light making them seem alive. She watched the exceedingly tall man beckoned by Bilbo with a wrinkled hand who still sat trading tales with Frodo away from others. He went to them and listened to what Bilbo has asked of him. Apparently the hobbit wished a favour for Aragorn nodded his head and they went alone into a corner to speak with one another in low tones that Arwen could not hear.
Soon after they came to an agreement and Bilbo returned to his place calling the attention of some of the Elves, Lindir included. They came near him for he asked them to listen to his lay and tell him which lines were the Dúnadan's or his. Bilbo cleared his throat before he began his song.
Arwen had lowered her eyes at the first few lines for the song spoke of her forefather. It was strange to hear another singing of his glory. A shudder ran down her spine after the clear sound had ended. When she raised her eyes again Aragorn stood near her listening as well. He appeared to come out of his reverie at the same time and he turned his eyes upon her. Aragorn stepped forward.
"Lady Undómiel," he said softly meeting her gaze, his grey eyes shining with light. "I told him if he had the cheek to sing of Eärendil in the house of Elrond it was his own affair. I do hope he did not stir too much inside of you."
Arwen felt his piercing gaze glaze over with deep love from within his heart. "Nay, it did not; although, if it did, it was in a good way, Lord Aragorn." He was clad in elven-mail with a shimmering star upon his breast. He also wore a dark cloak that he had thrown back.
A song to Elbereth was lifted up suddenly above all other noise like a clear beacon.
A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
silivren penna míriel
a menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, sí nef aearon!
Arwen listened in one ear, yet spoke with Aragorn using the other. The song was a common one among the Elves and sung at evening. The Elf who sang had a clear, harmonious voice that wove visions before the eyes of those who listened.
"You missed the feast, Aragorn," said Arwen looking up at him with fondness. "What kept you?"
His face darkened. "There are duties I must tend to and put off mirth for a while. I would have been there if I was permitted to put off responsibility."
"Yes, yet I would not have you do that. You must do what you must."
A faint smile appeared on his worn but handsome face. "Of course," he said. His voice lowered even more. "It has been long, Undómiel. The years lay heavily on my shoulders from being away for all this time."
"As they do on mine," she murmured then turned her head to look in the direction of the hobbits. Frodo and Bilbo were leaving the room, but Frodo had turned round when the song to Elbereth reached his ears. Now he was gazing at Aragorn and Arwen. She met his gaze and the hobbit felt the light and wisdom shining from afar. Frodo finally turned away guided by Bilbo into the halls so they could talk in peace. They left Sam sleeping.
Arwen returned her eyes to Aragorn once more. He was still watching her. A smile graced her more than beautiful features as she intertwined her gaze with his.
Aragorn and Arwen had left the company of those in the Hall of Fire to walk beneath the shining stars and in the cool air of night. Arwen smiled when she felt his gentle hand slip into hers as they stepped out under the dark heavens and clasped it warmly in return.
"I have heard of your toilsome journey, 1. meldanya," she said softly. "It is a most extraordinary tale. It would make a wonderful account in the Hall of Fire before the great hearth."
"Indeed it would, yet it would be best told by Frodo or his companions for they have endured strange journeys before I came to them." He held her hand to his chest placing his other over their entwined fingers. "It will be most intriguing to hear of it tomorrow."
"Elrond said there was to be a council, so I deem you know of it."
Aragorn nodded and gazed up into the heavens.
"Will you impart to me your part of the tale from Bree to here?" asked Arwen looking up into his eyes. "Little was truly said of it."
He smiled softly. "Of course, meldanya, for you shall not be at the council tomorrow, I deem."
"Nay, Estel, it is not a woman's place to do so."
So Aragorn recounted all he could recall of the curious and unexpected occurrences in the journey from the village of Bree to the valley of Imladris. Arwen shuddered to hear of the Nine loose upon Middle-earth—and in the Northern lands no less—and the attack upon Amon Sûl where Frodo had received his terrible injury. When he spoke of the great rushing torrent of the Bruinen coming upon the Black Riders, she suddenly remembered the Ring of Sapphire in her father's keeping.
Aragorn fell silent when he came to Rivendell. "You know of the rest, I suppose. Frodo is healed and the Nine are, for now, unhorsed and unshaped."
"That is well," said Arwen. "We will face this darkness...and we will not fall back before it. You have never faltered in your step, so I pray you still keep on steady feet where the ground may worsen."
He held her face in his hand. "Your heart is strong, my love. There are still places, or people, where his arm cannot reach. We all will remain strong while this trouble lasts until we finally destroy it.
Arwen leaned her head against his shoulder. "I know, Estel. I truly know."
In the grey of the morning Arwen watched the land closely for her far-seeing grey eyes had spotted a figure on a horse heading towards Rivendell. His garments were not those of the Elves or of the Dúnedain so she patiently waited for the man who had broad shoulders and chest along with powerful arms. It was surely a Man, not one of another Free Folk.
He finally rode through the ivy-covered arch that was an entrance to Rivendell. His dark hair shorn at the shoulders ruffled in the morning breeze. He had eyes of grey and a fair and noble face that was stern. Pride was in his glance as was the seriousness of his affair. Rich garments were stained with travel. The cloak he wore about his shoulders was lined with fur and his collar was set with a white gem that sparkled even in the dim morning. Arwen's eye was drawn to a horn tipped with silver that he carried with him as he dismounted.
A dark-haired Elf came out to greet him and had his horse taken care of. Arwen watched until the man could be seen no more since he had entered with the Elf. She knew he was to be at the council that was fast-approaching.
The sun was, at last, beginning to rise above the mountains sending its golden rays out across the lands covering them in soft light. Feathery clouds were outlined in gold where they sat in the grey heavens near the East as were the mountains. Sunlight was laced in and out of the many trees in the forest when it approached the dwellings of Imladris. A light, silver mist transformed into shimmering, golden mist along the forest floor furling about the mighty boles of the trees as if it were given life.
Arwen beheld this display with admiration shining in her grey eyes. Beauty still lingered in some lands and was unsullied by shadow.
1. my beloved