I knew it was time to start writing when a good song ended and Relient K came on launchcast. I love that band. Anyways, I took a couple days off to plan how to write this, and um, that didn't help much, so what the hell. Thanks for all the kind reviews- I hope no one is disappointed. I could have wrote this so many different ways.
Am I the only LOTR freak that has a life sized cardboard standup of Aragorn? I do. It scares the crap out of all my friends. It also makes me feel extremely short.
Oh and THANK YOU to the person who finally told me what AU is. I kept thinking it was author something. Alternate Universe. That makes so much sense... good lord. I'll explain the 'relationship' thus far in this chapter, I guess. Oh. And forgive me if I screwed up the Gilraen+Aragorn come to Rivendell vs Arwen goes to Lorien timeline... I'm too ADD to actually look up stuff like that. Actually, I'm so ADD I'm going to go do just that... -runs off- Okay. I researched. Aragorn was 2 when he came to Rivendell, and... um like 20 when Arwen came back. Which totally screws up my "AU" timeframe, but TOO BAD. Just deal with it, and don't open appendice B...
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Aragorn stood up the moment he saw the silver pendant fall to the floor. Within seconds it was in his hands and he moved to the door, suddenly conscious of how suspicious he looked. Not that he didn't come off that way to start with, but now...
He went out the door of the inn, pausing after he shut the door to further examine the jewel. One could have no doubt that it was elven-wrought- even separated from its bearer, it continued to glow, so much like the Silmaril that the aforementioned bearer was named for. He traced the metallic vines briefly, then clasped it in his hand.
Aragorn had no doubt that his appearance would spook the lady. It was inevitable, even if she heard his approach. He sighed softly. Feelings of guilt already, and he had the purest intentions of just returning the jewel in his hand to Arwen.
Bending to a subconscious order, he stopped at the stable door and peered slowly in. She was kneeling, apparently oblivious to his presence there. A pang suddenly struck him.
It was not one of apprehension, nor was it relief, fear, worry, happiness, or anger. It was lust, and he was immediately ashamed for it.
There was mild consolation in the fact that he knew he was without a doubt the most restrained man here- acting on feelings wasn't an option for him. And those feelings weren't unreasonable- more like invited. What with the way her cloak had been cast off to the side and her white shift blatantly visible in the darkness.
He drew in a breath to compose his thoughts, and then stepped into the barn.
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She didn't stand to face him as soon as she felt his hand. But as soon as she did, she gasped. One hand still on her shoulder, Aragorn held up the hand that enclosed her jewel and raised his index finger, holding it towards her lips, hoping Arwen wouldn't scream.
She didn't. But her eyes enlarged, her pupils already dilated from the darkness. Slowly, her eyes narrowed instead as she searched for a name for this man... surely she knew him.
However, her frame did not relax until he released her. He held out her necklace, dangling it from a finger. But first, her hand went to the base of her neck, now aware that it wasn't there. She accepted it back with a murmur of thanks.
Aragorn glanced down as the jewel changed hands, and noticed her opposite hand discreetly move behind her and drop something... he didn't pursue it, but was wary.
"Do I know you?" were the next words to escape her. She met his gaze unblinkingly, searching him. Aragorn merely nodded. "You do, or you did." Which was true.
It would have been forever ago to her. He had been but ten or twelve, newly arrived in Imladris with his mother. And she was bidding her father goodbye, leaving to dwell in Lothlorien...
Arwen did not reply. Instead, Aragorn continued. "You could ask your father, he would tell you."
"Would he have anything positive to say"
He smiled slightly, considering it. "Hopefully..." He placed emphasis on the first syllable, and then fell silent.
Realization quickly dawned on the elf. "Estel," she spoke, shaking her head softly. It all made sense, and yet... "Why are you here?" As she spoke, she knelt to pick up her cloak and what was more, the small but fatally sharp dagger she had reached for before she stood initially. He hadn't noticed her holding it at navel level, and nor did he acknowledge her dropping it later...
"I travel," he responded simply, letting his gaze match hers. Seconds earlier, he had been staring up, still fighting that earlier pang.
Arwen raised an eyebrow slightly as she threw the cloak around her. She then strung the pendant around her neck. Striding swiftly towards the stable door, she paused on the threshold and turned. "Quel kaima, Estel," she whispered, and with that, left. Sleep well, Estel
Aragorn nodded in acknowledgement, but then sank to the floor when she took leave, letting his forehead rest on his knees. Draining, that had been...
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A/N: More interesting chapter later, promise. I wanted to keep going, but as it turns out, I have a horse show tomorrow and my brain isn't functioning right- doesn't help that I have TTT playing on dvd :) Quite the system... non-captivating moments without aragorn? switch to TNT where FOTR is playing! Viggo Mortensen rocks my socks. And my shoes.