January came all too quickly. I had spent the last month completely alone in my quarters laying on my settee trying to decide what to do with my life. Lady Arwen's words from a few weeks ago still rang clearly in my mind as I sat up and stared outside into the courtyard. "There is always hope, Berythna. I do not doubt this. Even when times are at their worst, there is still hope. I have no doubt that it is possible that Frodo may survive this war." Times were certainly at their worst, at least for me. But then, I knew I was not alone. Lady Arwen was having the same feelings as I was at the moment. I knew she was not leaving Middle-Earth, but I couldn't help wondering if even she was making the right decision by staying here where maybe hope still existed, but it was faint and not likely to come through in the end.
Soon, I heard what I had dreaded to hear the most: a knock on my bedroom door. I didn't have to turn to identify who was now standing in my chambers. I knew it was Lord Elrond coming to say that the elves were preparing to leave and that I should make myself ready.
"Berythna," he whispered softly.
"I cannot leave, my lord. I'm sorry," I answered as I continued to stare out into the courtyard.
He sighed and sat on the edge of the settee.
"Berythna, I have always thought of you as a daughter. I have just spoken with Arwen and she refuses to listen to reason. It is not the same with you, my dear. You and Frodo will not be parted forever, even if he does not survive this war. At least you will be together in death and you may lay down your life willingly when you feel the time has come. Arwen and Aragorn will still be parted, even after Arwen is dead." He sighed heavily at this. "I thought you wanted to see the beauty of the Undying Lands. It is even more beautiful than Rivendell and you will live forever in peace. I cannot say the same for Middle-Earth. There will always be war upon this land, even if the Ring is destroyed. Come with us to the Havens and you will find peace."
"I will wait for the next ship, my lord," I replied as I finally turned to face him. "I cannot abandon Frodo now."
"It is likely that he is dead by now, Berythna. There is no hope of his return. There is not even hope that the Ring will be destroyed."
"I will not leave, my lord."
He sighed once more, bowed graciously and left without another word.
That evening, I watched with a mixture of sadness and longing as the elves left carrying their bright lanterns to the Grey Havens. They looked so fair and beautiful that I suddenly had a desire to leave with them, but then thought of my darling Frodo. I was breaking the promise I had made to him that afternoon by the beautiful waterfalls. I had promised that I would leave Middle Earth and settle in the Undying Lands away from this war, but I could not. Not now. I felt like if I left, I would betray him in some way. I had to believe he would come back and that we could live together in peace.
Lady Arwen entered my room shortly after the elves had left.
"You did not leave?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"I have broken a promise to Frodo, but I cannot leave. Not until I know the outcome of this war. Even then I will not. If Frodo has died, I will willingly lay down my life and die a mortal death. We will see each other in death if not in life."
"I wish it were that way with Aragorn. We will be parted even in death."
"I know," I answered. "I'm sorry, Arwen."
"Don't loose heart, my dear. There will always be hope."
I nodded and she left quietly as I stood at the window and watched the elves fade away.
On March Twenty-Fifth, the Ring was destroyed. During those last two agonizing months, I wandered listlessly around Rivendell trying to decide if I had made the right decision by staying here in Middle Earth. With each passing day I yearned more and more for the clear white shores of the Undying Lands and without any news of Frodo's progress or failure, I often wondered how he was fairing.
"We would know if He had the Ring," Lord Elrond said to me one evening. "We would know if the Quest had failed."
I was still far from comforted and wanted nothing more than to be back in Frodo's arms forever.
Finally, word was sent to Lord Elrond that the Ring had been destroyed and that if we desired, we should travel to Gondor to see what remained of the Fellowship. I asked if Frodo was still alive, but all Lord Elrond said was that he did not know himself. All that the messenger had said was that the Ring had been destroyed and the Fellowship was gathered at Gondor.
The next morning, everyone made ready to travel to Gondor. I was feeling a little apprehensive, for if Frodo was alive, would he be the same as he had been in Rivendell only last December, or would he be more withdrawn and scarred by what the Ring and Mordor had done to him.
The journey to Gondor was fairly easy. All the elves were joyful because the Ring had been destroyed and all the people of Middle Earth that had been sacrificed for this cause had not died in vain. I rode with Lady Arwen on her horse and she told me that Aragorn had been spared. She asked if I had any news of Frodo and I answered in the negative.
"That is good," she replied. "If Frodo would have died, I'm sure the messenger would have spoken about it."
I nodded, still not feeling very cheerful, but in the end, I thought Lady Arwen was probably right. When we finally arrived in Gondor, it was early morning and we were told that Lord Aragorn would be crowned king that afternoon. I asked after Frodo and was told that he was alive and was being tended to. I could not see him now because he was sleeping and I was to let him rest.
We were led into a great hall where food and drink was being served to us. After the meal, the elves began singing songs of life and love in light of this happy occasion. I was more relaxed at this point, but was still worried about Frodo's physical and mental health. I sat next to Lady Arwen and Glorfindel, another elf from Rivendell, and tried to enjoy the morning. Shortly after noon, I saw the elf that had been a part of the Fellowship stride into the arena and announce that the coronation was about ready to take place.
With that, we all gathered outside on the high landing and watched silently as the crown was placed on Lord Aragorn's head. He solemnly rose and turned as the people of Middle-Earth began to applaud. I glanced up at Lady Arwen, who was holding a silver flag, and saw tears of joy well in her eyes. She would now become King Aragorn's wife after years of being apart. As he began walking toward us, I heard Arwen's breath catch and when she removed the flag away from her face, I glanced up to see the two of them sharing a look of complete love and amazement of finally being able to be together. Then, they kissed. Everyone present applauded, including Lord Elrond, who had tears of both joy and sorrow in his eyes. He knew that this was the doom of Arwen, but loved her enough to let her go.
As King Aragorn and Lady Arwen walked away, I frantically began searching for Frodo with my eyes, but didn't spot him until everyone present, including myself, bowed graciously to the hobbits for their service done during the War of the Ring. Only then did I glance up to see Frodo standing there in the midst of all of this looking somewhat confused and amazed at the same time. I wanted to rush over and throw my arms around him, but did not as this was Lady Arwen and King Aragorn's moment. Frodo and I would reunite later.
As the ceremony came to a close and everyone began to disperse, I saw Frodo and the other three hobbits walk away. Sam, Merry, and Pippin had their heads held high as they walked into the banquet hall, but Frodo looked sad and despondent. Whether this was the affect of the Ring or because he thought that I had kept my promise and sailed to the Undying Lands, I did not know.
There was a banquet held in the Fellowship's honor, and when Frodo approached the throng of people, cheers went up and I could hear people shout, "Hurray for Frodo!" He smiled shyly and bowed politely, but then quickly walked away. I saw him sit with Sam and his arm went around Frodo's shoulders in a brotherly fashion.
After the meal, what was left of the Fellowship and their friends that had fought in the war, all gathered around Lord Aragorn and Lady Arwen, and everyone hushed as Lord Aragorn began to speak.
"I have an announcement," Aragorn stated. "Lady Arwen and I intend to be married tomorrow evening. I am more than honored to present the future Queen of Gondor."
Cheers rang out throughout the hall and I saw Lady Arwen's face beam with joy.
Lord Aragorn then looked at me and beckoned me to come forward. I did as he asked and heard a hush fall over the people as I made my way to stand in front of Lord Aragorn. I then saw him glance back at Frodo and he came forward as well. When he saw me, he gave out a cry and wrapped his arms around me.
"Berythna!" he exclaimed. "I thought you had left. You promised me you were going to leave for the Undying Lands."
"I'm sorry, my dear, but I broke my promise. It is the only promise I will ever break to you. I did it for a reason because I knew you would come back. I believed you would fulfill your task and I am here to stay with you for as long as you want me."
He then kissed me. It was the first time he had kissed me with such passion and everyone present began to cheer. After we broke apart Frodo stared into my eyes but whispered, "Aragorn, if you please, can we perhaps have two weddings tomorrow evening?"
I glanced up as I saw Lord Aragorn smile and announced to the people, "Very well. Tomorrow we shall have two weddings. One will be between Lady Arwen and myself, and the other between the Ringbearer and his future bride."
There were more cheers and then music started to play. Lord Aragorn and Lady Arwen began to dance on the floor as many other people joined them, but Frodo and I returned to his table. The other three hobbits greeted me as a member of the family, but then Frodo and I excused ourselves and made our way outside.
There were thousands of stars in the sky that evening. Frodo and I walked onto the landing that overlooked what little remained of Mordor. Mount Doom was still smoldering the last of its flames, but for the most part, it was a very peaceful night in early April.
"I have missed you," Frodo finally spoke as he looked at me.
"I have missed you too."
"How have you been?"
"Very worried about you," I answered as I held him.
"I am glad you broke your promise."
"So am I."
His lips found mine and he kissed me passionately. I was still trying to get used to his passionate kisses and I enjoyed it very much. Suddenly, I felt his mouth open and his tongue dance across my lips begging for entrance. I allowed it and opened my mouth graciously to his. He explored my hungry mouth with his soft tongue as I did the same with his. It shocked me a bit at first to find him being so bold, but then I thought of what the next night would hold for us. Tomorrow night, we would be exploring much more than a kiss.