AUTHOR'S NOTE: I fear we are nearing the end! We are more than half-way through! It will be very difficult to write the last ch. and you all know why :'(. luv24Alias: do not worry!! Aragorn will come home safe and sound :). I decided that all they have been through was quite enough. lindahoyland: thank you for the correction :). I did not exactly edit the 1st half of that ch. since I was trying to get it up quickly. thanks always for your reviews! Everyone enjoy ch. 27!!
Arwen found Faramir standing at the base of the White Tree gazing upon its glimmering beauty. Pale blossoms had bloomed on its high branches and crystal droplets of the fountain glistened on the white bark. Faramir's eyes were brimming with reverence and joy.
"Lord Faramir..." she said approaching silently, "...it is well to see you again."
His bright eyes fell upon her in a different sort of reverence and he bowed low. "Lady Arwen, it is also well to see you." He again looked to the White Tree proud before him. "I never believed I would see this day. It was a wish that I never thought would be heard in all the reaches of the earth."
"But your plea was heard, Faramir," said Arwen, "along with the many others who were sore wrought by the darkness. Another age has begun and the people are merry."
"What of your people? They depart more quickly now that a new age has come though I have been blessed to have Elves of Eryn Lasgalen come to dwell in Ithilien where I am to rule."
"It is the Fourth Age and it is for Men to begin their sovereignty of Middle-earth as the Elves leave it in their hands; quite capable hands, I believe."
Faramir's raven hair stirred in the wind rushing through the mountains. "I grieve to see them depart so soon for they are a fair and wonderful people."
Arwen lowered her head and her grey eyes sparkled. "Indeed they are...and I shall miss them."
Arwen walked briskly through the halls, out into the open sun of morning, and stood at the great doors of the hall behind the Court of the Citadel. She had heard wondrous tidings that brought sudden relief and joy to her heart. Aragorn had returned.
Spears and helms glittered on the fields as the mighty company returned after two months of battling the enemy and travelling the hot lands of the far South. The Variags of Khand had been routed at last. There would be no trouble from them ever again.
The kings of both Gondor and Rohan entered unto the city through the gates of mithril, past the budding trees, and up unto the seventh level where they were eagerly awaited. Faramir had joined Arwen as the victorious lords passed through the gates and onto the Court of the Fountain in glorious splendour of battles won so far away. Arwen was glad to see her beloved well and rejoicing. She smiled and waited as he approached in long, smooth strides alongside his noble companion.
"Well met, my lords!" Faramir cried as he stepped down to meet them.
There was clasping of arms and warm greetings, yet Aragorn's eyes strayed past the Steward and the King of Rohan. He smiled slightly and climbed the steps himself to come to his Queen.
"Well met indeed," she smiled. She lifted a hand to gently touch his cheek. "Come and rest for you have made a long journey." She looked to Èomer and Faramir who now stood watching. "All of you."
They indeed were cleansed of the journey and battle and forsook their armour and swords which were left idle in their quarters. The word of their victory in the South spread throughout the lands of Gondor and there was to be a celebration in the coming days; although it would not surpass that which had occurred at the end of the Third Age.
Imrahil arrived in Minas Tirith soon after with his wife and daughter Lothíriel of Dol Amroth to join the celebration. They all gathered together the night of the rejoicing. None of them had yet met Lothíriel and were introduced. Her lovely blue eyes widened when she was greeted by Arwen Undómiel.
"I am indeed honoured to meet you at last," she said staring. "I have heard so many wondrous tales of you ever since you became Queen. Your beauty and wisdom is renowned throughout all the lands of Men."
Arwen smiled and thanked her, yet she realised someone else was staring but not at her. Èomer's eyes were intent upon the daughter of Imrahil like she had never seen before. Her smile was no longer only for the young woman.
Lothíriel smiled upon the others. Èowyn had also arrived after joining Imrahil's travelling company and stood with Faramir, her husband. Imrahil was beside his wife and King Elessar's arm was entwined with Arwen's. Èomer was the youngest and only man without a beloved. Lothíriel observed this immediately as she observed his handsome, noble face and proud bearing.
The feasting was about to begin and Aragorn led the way to the halls of Merethrond. Èomer offered an arm to Lothíriel with a slight smile.
"My lady, would you care to accompany me?"
"Of course," she murmured.
Arwen whispered near Aragorn's ear: "He shall no longer be alone in his kingship."
Aragorn nodded but did not glance over his shoulder at the two walking behind. "I am glad for it is another bond between the people of Gondor and of Rohan. Our kingdoms shall always be united whether by blood, oath, or friendship."
Lothíriel remained with Èomer the rest of the night laughing and smiling often with him. Imrahil saw this change in his daughter and was glad.
A month later on a night when the stars were shrouded by dark clouds threatening rain, Arwen had slipped into her nightclothes white like the skin of Nimloth and stood gazing out of the window in their bed chambers at the night sky. The land was shadowed and dark, yet Minas Tirith gleamed pale in the gloom. Down below flickering torches and lamps cast soft firelight upon the streets for those who still walked abroad though many were now in their homes and resting.
Her eyes went beyond the Rammas Echor and to the Sea so distant. She suddenly realised her sight had slowly changed for she had become as a mortal woman in some of her ways. She still saw further than most Men, yet not so far as the Elves. The thought of it brought to light the burden she had carried ever since she had made her choice many years ago in fair Lothlórien where her heart would ever dwell because of it. The weight of it was great and she lowered her gaze to the floor beneath her unshod feet. It was still not gone from her. What must I do?
Aragorn entered the bed chambers and paused when he saw Arwen so still and silent. He came to her at once.
"My love," he said gently laying a hand in her dark hair shimmering, "you are troubled by something."
The clouds parted then. She turned her head and the light reflected in her eyes sparkled with a shimmer like stars reflected in the pristine waters of Lórellin in Aman, the Blessed Land. Aragorn then shuddered when he saw the glistening tears that made them so bright.
"Estel...they are gone, yet my burden remains. Must I always carry it?" The tears broke loose and trickled down her porcelain cheeks.
Aragorn' eyes were full of compassion as he leaned down to kiss her cheek where the tears had fallen, clearing them away, then the other cheek. "My beloved, let it go tonight. There is no need to carry it so far. Let it go."
She looked into his eyes and felt the tears fall the more steadily when she saw his staggering love for her, not her beauty...just her. He stroked her cheek with his fingertips and again dispelled the crystal droplets with a gentle brush of his lips. The clouds began to dissipate as the night drew on and the rest of the night he kissed away the tears of bittersweet sorrow. Arwen's burden faded away as she was held in her beloved's arms, and its hold on her was released.
Fifteen years passed without worry or dissonance for King Elessar Telcontar had soon abolished all uprising among the men of Khand and Rhûn. They were defeated and utterly destroyed, and the orcs of Middle-earth eradicated. He and his Queen were overwhelmed with joy as their lives blossomed in love and peace. Minas Tirith had become more fair and mighty than even in its beginning when Elendil ruled. The lands of Men flourished and were blessed.
Aragorn had dealt with the Shire and his once companions who resided there but now wished to see them again with his own eyes and the lands of the North where he had once roamed as a Ranger. He mentioned it to Arwen who was elated by the idea of returning to the Northern lands for a time. They at once made ready to depart.
They planned to travel through the Gap of Rohan using the North-South Road that ran along the Enedwaith into Eriador and became the Andrath Greenway. Their company would then halt in Bree for a night and continue on to Fornost where they would turn to journey on to Lake Evendim.
And so the King of the West passed into Rohan with a fair company of knights of the city and Arwen Evenstar close at his side.
They moved swiftly over the green fields, past Edoras and Helm's Deep, and through the Gap where the Misty Mountains towered above them in snow-capped peaks to the sides. They had moved onto the North-South Road now as they journeyed over the silent lands of the Enedwaith. The men grew uneasy as they neared Dunland, yet Aragorn assured them that they would give no trouble after learning of the mercy and compassion of the people of Rohan and Gondor.
They halted in the plains of that land to rest from the long trek over Middle-earth. The stars were clear and bright and the moon cast a silvery light over the land, yet the wind did not stir. Tents were erected for the night's rest as men grew weary of waking; King Elessar and Queen Evenstar were given the largest tent with the White Tree glimmering on its ebony cloth surrounded by the Seven Stars. The Winged Crown shone in the starlight above the entrance.
Aragorn stood in the thick grass gazing out over the land with the fair Arwen at his side also silent.
"I know this land so well. I remember every path, every shortcut...everything; just as it is with all the other lands. I do not think I shall ever forget them."
Arwen looked out over the land as well. "No, you shall not. Just as you shall never forget your many journeys here and in so many other kingdoms."
"Yet I shall not dwell on them for they are of the past and it is no longer of great consequence to my life now even though they are the foundation of it." He looked now at his beloved. "We will soon come to the village of Bree. It will be truly pleasant to come there again after all these years."
"And I shall be glad to finally see it after hearing so much of it." She brushed a light kiss on his lips. "I must sleep now. You may remain here to watch the stars, if you wish." So Arwen went in unto the tent to rest.
Aragorn stood for a time longer watching the stars glitter so brightly as though they were laughing with joy as they looked down upon the King Elessar Telcontar no longer newly come unto his kingship. He was finally the Heir who had restored peace unto all Middle-earth and made the lands rich with green and fertility. He was the Heir to sway men's hearts to good, not wicked, and be admired and adored by all who looked upon his noble, proud face.
He at last returned to their tent. He pulled the flap back to enter silently and slipped his boots from his feet before going further. Arwen had left a single candle burning for him and he smiled at the thoughtful gesture even though his eyes were keen in the shadows. He blew it out and saw Arwen lying still upon the soft blankets given them to rest on with a serene countenance. Her chest hardly rose and fell as deep sleep took her into its grasp.
When he sat beside her, her dark lashes stirred against her smooth skin. Her dark tresses were spread on the plush pillow her head was upon, glistening as with starlight even in the dim interior of the tent. He reached out a hand to gently caress her pale cheek with a soft smile on his lips and then slipped her silken hair behind her delicately pointed ear away from her beautiful face where it had fallen.
"Sleep well, my love," he whispered as he bent to kiss her brow. She smelt of a fresh wind breathing through a field of flowers, a faint fragrance he had come to love after their years together.
He watched her for a brief moment longer before laying down beside her. He swiftly fell to sleep and together they walked hand-in-hand in their tranquil dreams in fair Lothlórien which had now been deserted.
And so the weeks drew on as they at last came to a place Aragorn cherished with memories that would never fade for much had happened in the village nestled in the lands of the North where the Dúnedain had roamed to protect them. They still did not know of the sacrifices made for them. Now they would look upon a man long absent who none now would recognise.
Bree rose up before them and all could see the western gate. They had arrived there at dawn when a faint blush of gold and rose grew in the East. The people of Bree were just rising and beginning their day not knowing the fair company approaching.
Aragorn rode at their head with a standard bearer close behind carrying the emblem of the White Tree, Seven Stars, and Winged Crown that fluttered in the wind as they rode to the village.
It seemed the man at the gates saw them and scrambled out of his watch building to dash into the streets. He cried out in utter amazement to the people outside of what he had seen. As the fair company of Gondorians neared Bree, people had begun to gather to see if what the gatekeeper had said was true, yet it was not difficult now to see the glittering armour, waving banner, and proud horses almost at the gates. The gatekeeper hurried back so he could greet them.
Aragorn had a presenter who rode forward with the man bearing the fair standard not seen in the Northern lands for thousands of years.
"The King Elessar Telcontar, King of Gondor and Arnor, Captain of the West, and bearer of the Sword of Elendil greets you, good man, and wishes to enter the noble village of Bree."
The man's knees were wavering and his voice trembled. "King of Gondor? Of...of course!" He stood aside to allow them to pass. "Please enter, my...my lords!"
Aragorn nodded to him but did not recognise him. He was young with wide brown eyes gaping in awe.
As they rode into the village, the people gasped and pointed. Never had they seen such fair apparel, high bearing, or gleaming armour. Many eyes were turned on the two who rode at the head: King Elessar and Queen Evenstar. Most had never even glimpsed an Elf, only heard of their beauty and extraordinary ways, yet now they looked upon Arwen Undómiel and saw all the splendour and wisdom of the Elves in her face. And when they looked upon Elessar Telcontar, they saw all the magnificence and glory of Númenor and the Men of the Ancient Days. No one recognised him as the wandering, rugged Ranger who had tread their streets and drank their ale cloaked and worn many years ago.
He halted his stallion beneath a weathered sign swaying in the light wind. It was the Prancing Pony.
"We shall stay here tonight," he said to Arwen who drew up beside him. She nodded. He dismounted and faced his men who knew his intentions. They also dismounted and waited as he lifted a hand to Arwen, who slipped hers into his, and stepped through the door.