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Beginnings and Endings
"Aralyn! Aralyn, awaken!" The woman jerked up. She was sitting in the greenest field she had ever laid eyes on. Vegetation in a nearby forest rustled in the cool breeze, a crystal clear creek could be heard not far away, and a familiar log cabin was standing near the trees about a half mile off. The most prominent thing, however, was the Man standing in front of her. Like herself, he was wearing perfectly clean ranger-type clothes, although he had no weapons…aside from a sword. He also looked familiar.
"Am I…"
"Dead? No. Almost dead, yes," the Man replied.
"Then how can I be seeing you? You died in my arms years ago."
"Let's take a walk," Arathorn stated, helping his daughter stand and leading her towards the cabin.
"Is this…"
"In a sense, it is our old home."
"So that's why it looks so…familiar."
"Yes."
Aralyn stopped in her tracks.
"Tell me what is going on, Father! Am I dead or not?"
"I told you that you are not dead and I will explain the rest when we reach the cabin," Arathorn coaxed, taking the girl's arm and continuing his walk towards the building. She wasn't sure whether it took minutes or hours to reach the humble abode. When they did, her father instantly began setting the pot over the fire to boil and bringing cups out. Aralyn wasn't sure why she didn't growl with impatience as she waited for the other ranger to finish making the tea and sit down. "Well, it seems that your training for patience did not completely leave you."
"About that…where is 'here'?"
Arathorn leaned backed in his chair in exactly the same he used to do when his daughter asked a question that he wasn't in the mood to answer. Meanwhile, the girl scanned the house with her eyes. The four wood carved chairs, two for the rough-in-contrast table in the middle of the room she was sitting at and two for the brick fireplace, were exactly where she remembered them being, along with everything else. Exactly opposite of the entrance door was placed the back door, which led to the training area and stables. On the left side of that were the sink, water pump, and cupboard which held the dishes and utensils. To the right of the back door and left of the fireplace against another wall sat Arathorn's bed, small wardrobe, and weapons' stand. Right of the fireplace stood Aralyn's bed, and again, a small wardrobe, and weapons' stand. Behind the girl, after the entrance, in the corner, was the cellar door and escape route. To her left was placed the laundry area, simply a large tub with other necessary odds and ends beside it. The only other noticeable thing in the one-room house was the brown grass rug in front of the fireplace that Aralyn had made herself. She had to push aside her emotions upon seeing the two, not four, beds. Her brother and mother had left when she was twelve, leaving her and Arathorn to tend to themselves. As she hesitantly sipped her tea, her father finally leaned on the table.
"This is the threshold of death. Gandalf the Gr...White went to such a place after killing the Balrog. They care for you much…your friends."
"Yes, I think they're trying to heal me. I feel different, like something is trying to pull me from here. But, Father, I'm not sure if I want to go back."
"Why not? You have much to leave behind: friends, followers, family…lovers."
"You left me, Arathorn! Doesn't that matter to you at all?"
"Alright, I'll leave that subject alone for a while. How are you fairing other than this little near-death experience?"
Aralyn didn't instantly answer.
"…I miss you even more with Aragorn around. He is so much like you, yet not."
"Is he not going to be crowned, soon?"
"He is probably preparing right now. I hope he is. Oh, Father, did I fulfill my promise? Was I faithful to my word? Obey your last request?"
"Aralyn, you did better than I could have ever hoped for. Now, do me one more favor."
The girl cocked her head. Another request? All that she had gone through, and her father was making more requests? Biting back a retort, she innocently said,
"I am ready to serve, my lord."
"Give Éomer a chance. I'm not saying now, necessarily, but give him a chance. You both deserve it. You're perfect for each other. You lost everyone you loved but your brother and he lost all but his sister. Both of you are nobility. There would be no saying, 'you don't understand', because both of you have gone through similar suffering. Aralyn, you know in your heart that this is true. You are released from the burden I placed upon you so long ago. Enjoy life and its simple pleasures."
Relief and peace swept through the woman like a flood. It felt as if a life-long curse had been lifted, like heavy chains had been removed from her wrists after years of servitude.
"I am ready, now. Thank you…Father." She savored calling Arathorn by that title. Closing her eyes contentedly to let the new-found calm seep into her, Aralyn could tell that she was leaving the humble ranger home, though the change was very subtle.
--
The ranger cracked her eyes open just enough to look around the small room, but not enough for anyone to see that she was awake. To her relief, the area was clear and the door was shut.
"You're right, Father, I do know it," she whispered before moving her arms to push herself into a sitting position. Her torso was stiff with tight bandaging. Clearly, whoever had taken care of that was not taking any chances. Sliding out of bed, she discovered that she was dressed in a simple, long, sweeping, deep blue gown. The name 'Josephine' instantly popped into her head. Looking out the nearby window, she caught sight of servants bustling back and forth, cleaning, and preparing for the coronation in every imaginable way. After slipping into the pair of light shoes nearby, Aralyn snuck out the door, down the hall, and to a secluded garden which she had used years before during her last stay there. Josephine had shown it to her as a way to hide from everyone else.
"Aralyn?" Éomer suddenly queried, coming around the corner. The girl was surprised by how handsome he was, although she thought most Men looked even more handsome dirty.
"Hmm, and here I thought I would be able to find some privacy here."
"Sorry, the maid…Josephine…told me that I would find you here."
"Another person I thought I could trust."
"I can leave, if you want."
"No! No, Éomer, don't leave. I'm sorry…I just am not used to being social anymore. The truth is that…I really do enjoy your company."
The Man grinned like a boy with his first sword. Definitely not something the woman had expected from a warrior.
--
A day had passed since Aralyn had awakened. She had encountered no one familiar other than Éomer and Josephine because everyone else was busy preparing. As she walked through the halls of the House of Healing, the girl heard joyous laughter coming from inside a room around the corner. She stopped short and peeked past the wall. One by one, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli walked through the doorway.
"Drifter?" someone behind the girl addressed her.
"Sam? You made it!" Aralyn exclaimed, embracing the hobbit.
"Drifter, are you alright? You look different."
"In a good or bad way?"
"Both."
"Well, I should be the one asking if you're alright. You are the one who helped the Ring-bearer carry the Ring straight to the heart of evil."
Shaking his head doubtfully, Sam walked towards the room, leaving Aralyn to consider his words. Somehow, a part of her was gone, dead with those she loved, yet she felt more alive than ever. Going to stand just behind Sam, she saw in the room Gandalf, her brother, her former fiancé, Gimli, Merry, Pippin, and Frodo.
"Aralyn!" the freed Ring-bearer cried from the bed, causing the others to look at her as if they had seen a ghost.
"Aralyn, child!" Gandalf stated. "I didn't think that you would be up."
"Why wouldn't she be?" Frodo asked, suddenly looking worried.
"She almost died protecting her king."
"I'm fine," the woman countered, although no one seemed to believe her. "Really, I'm fine! It's Frodo you should be worried about." They still stared.
"Drifter," the young hobbit began, "what happened since last I saw you?"
"Much happened, small one. Now rest, for we have coronation to attend tomorrow."
--
(Aragorn)
Another day went by. Before he knew it, Aragorn was standing on the stairs with Gandalf, the crown suspended over his head. As the wizard placed it upon his brow, the Man realized why his sister had been so willing to give it away. The feeling of responsibility flooded him.
"Now come the days of the King," Gandalf announcing happily. "May they be blessed."
At that, Aragorn smiled and turned to the crowd of people in the courtyard, who overwhelmed him with clapping and cheering. While he addressed the people, he looked for Aralyn, the reason he was alive and king.
"This day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace."
As he began the ancient song of the kings of Gondor, Aragorn finally saw his sister peeking from behind a nearby pillar.
"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta! (Out if the great sea to Middle Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the end of the world!)"
There she was, his sister, a tear running down her cheek. It suddenly dawned on him that, if things had been different, she would be the one walking down the stairs with hundreds of eyes upon her. That was how she had known the song at the Falls of Rauros. Upon approaching Aralyn, the Man was shocked by her appearance. Like himself, she did not look like a ranger. Her light yellow gown practically sparkled in the light as did her long, immaculate golden hair. He was taken aback by her uncovered, petite pointed ears.
"Stop staring, brother," she casually demanded. "We don't want your people thinking that they're going to led by an idiot now, do we."
With a slight push from the woman, Aragorn continued on to Legolas.
(Aralyn)
Her song. She had given away the chance to sing it, rule, be a queen, yet she had done it willingly and gladly. Aragorn and Arwen were united. Faramir and Éowyn were standing side by side, holding hands. Yet…there the ranger/princess was: alone.
At that, she walked towards the stables, unnoticed as the King and his people knelt before the hobbits. She could feel Frodo's gaze on her back as she ran down the stairs. Astaldo nickered a greeting to her as she entered and began saddling him.
"Taer ti eir si shas kari, Astaldo (Meet me at the back gate, Astaldo)," she requested of the great steed prior to opening the gate for him and racing to her room. After changing into the newly mended battle dress, which was perfectly comfortable enough for travel, Aralyn packed her bag, collected her weapons, and wrote notes to Josephine and Aragorn. As she reached the back gate and saw Astaldo, prepared for the lonely journey, the woman paused. She needed reinforcement.
-Drifter, you'll see some of them again. Just go. Wander a while and meet Gandalf at the Grey Havens. Yes, that's what I'll do-
It worked, at least physically. She leaped onto her horse and urged him on toward the horizon, not looking back, although she could imagine a few people who were probably watching from the courtyard above. Again, she was content. Again, she was a ranger. Again, she was Drifter.
--
(Two years later)
(Sam)
Finally, the small party arrived at the Grey Havens to say goodbye to a few friends. Frodo and Sam were helping the fragile, elderly Bilbo in walking towards the dock along with Merry, Pippin, and Gandalf.
"Oh!" Bilbo exclaimed. "Well, here is a sight I have never seen before."
"The power of the three rings is ended," Galadriel stated. A ship was docked nearby, with a ramp leading to it. "The time has come for the dominion of Men."
"I Aear cân ven na mar (The sea calls us home)," Elrond added.
"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure," the old hobbit noted, boarding the ship on his wobbly legs. As the three elves, Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn turned to go, they paused upon hearing the sound of heavy, resounding footfalls on the cobblestones at the Havens' entrance. A cloaked and hooded woman, wearing a black and silver dress, gracefully dismounted from the huge, black horse. All present smiled as Aralyn removed the hood. She once again looked like a rough, experienced ranger, but her ears were uncovered still.
"Aralyn!" they all cried, receiving a kind smile in return.
"I'm glad to see that none of you have forgotten me."
"And why would we do such an atrocious thing?" Pippin queried.
"Aralyn!" Gandalf interrupted. "You left so suddenly from the coronation all that time ago; I was worried that something was wrong."
"No, old friend," the girl replied. "I just knew that you would try stopping me if I did not slip away unnoticed."
"Very true."
"I will miss you, Gandalf."
At that, the wizard turned to the teary-eyes halflings as the elves went onto the ship.
"Farewell, my brave hobbits. My work is now finished. Here, at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil." Halfway to the ship, he looked at one hobbit in particular. "It is time, Frodo."
"What does he mean?" Sam asked his friend in shock.
"We set out to save the Shire, Sam…and it has been saved, but not for me," Frodo replied.
"You don't mean that. You can't leave!"
Frodo ignored his companion's retort. Instead, he handed over a leather-bound book.
"The last pages are for you, Sam."
While the hobbit was hugging his friends goodbye, Gandalf addressed Aralyn.
"You can still come and leave all your suffering behind, Falathiel."
"I already have, Gandalf. After you leave, I'm going to find my Man. But, perhaps I may go someday."
"Oh, by the way, Bilbo made this for you," the wizard said, giving the girl a thick book with a soft, green cover before turning to go.
Beaming with a smile, Frodo boarded the ship, closely followed by the beloved wizard. As the vessel shrunk with distance into the sparkling sunset, Aralyn knelt down to embrace all three remaining hobbits.
"The Fellowship is never gone as long as we hold true to each other," she said, surprising emotion in her voice. Sam noted that the cloak she was wearing was somehow the same enveloping, maroon one he had met her in. She seemed to be studying ever curve of each hobbit's face with one glance. "The sun is sinking low. If you like, we can have a little reunion camp in the forest nearby. You will be well-protected with me here."
"Nothing would please us more, my lady," Merry answered graciously.
They were soon crowded around a cheerful, crackling fire as the sun sank beyond the horizon.
"So," Sam began while bringing his pan and pot out, "I have the cookery, but nothing to cook. Any suggestions, my lady?"
With a twinkle in her eye, the rugged woman took from her bag three decently sized rabbits. While bringing out a dagger to skin the animals, she stated,
"I thought you might bring those weights. That's why I picked up some potatoes in the last town in the Shire, along with a few spices."
"You had this all planned?"
"Pretty much."
"So," Merry interrupted, "my lady, what have you been up to for the past two years?"
Aralyn seemed to be taking advantage of just being done gutting the rabbits. At last, after handing them and the extras to Sam, she paused, seemingly trying to decide what to say. Just as she seemed ready to speak, the girl picked up the leftovers from cleaning their food and walked into the forest to dump them before finally settling down.
"Much has happened during the past two years. Merry and Pippin, you remember Treebeard?"
"How could we forget?" the youngest hobbit cutely asked in turn, receiving rolled eyes from the other two.
"Well, years ago, I stumbled upon Fangorn, whether it was before or after my stay in Rohan I do not remember. In exchange for Treebeard's hospitality, I promised that I would find the Entwives. Almost right after leaving Minas Tirith during the coronation, I journeyed to one of the few places I was not sure of. I skirted the Dead Marshes along the borders of Mordor, crossed the Plains of Dagorlad, along with the eastern end of the Brown Lands, and picked my way through the unnamed mountains, although, if it was up to me, I'd dub them the Maze Mountains. All in all, with the threat of the Easterlings constantly, it took me three months to reach the Sea of Rhun. Since the locals were less than willing to part with any of their water without me stealing it all the time, I decided to go north, past the river, and then turn east to reach the forest. Another month of avoiding the Easterlings went by before I reached the forest. Another week and I found the Entwives convinced them to return to Fangorn. You should have seen the faces of those locals when I came parading out of there with a bunch of trees following me. Anyway, I've been wandering ever since. I even ran into and traveled with Legolas, Miluiel, and Gimli for a while during their tour of all forests and caves of Middle-Earth. What about you?"
The hobbits were taken aback. All her constant adventure and the sister of the Gondorian king was asking them how they had spent the past two years.
"Well," Sam said, "…pretty much exactly what we did before the Ring came along: gardening, more pranks done by Merry and Pip, cooking, oh, and did you hear that I got married?"
"No I did not. Congratulations, Sam!"
"Even Pippin here has a lady on his heals, now," Merry put in.
"Is that so? And what about you, Merry?"
"Oh, I have a few on my trail that I can name."
"You do not!" Pippin countered loudly, causing his companions to burst out laughing, the hobbits more than the woman, of course.
The friends ate, told stories, and laughed for almost the rest of the night.
--
By midday the next day, Merry and Pippin had already left the main road for their homes, leaving Sam and Aralyn with her glossy steed continuing along the way to Hobbiton. They soon found themselves in front of Sam's humble abode.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for a while? Rosie makes the best tea in all the Shire," the hobbit offered as a small halfling girl raced to them, yelling,
"Daddy! Daddy!"
"I have one last promise to fulfill, Sam. It is one that will not wait."
"Are you sure?" he queried again while his daughter in his arms put her head on his shoulder and a pretty hobbit woman emerged from the doorway, carrying an infant.
"I am sure," Aralyn finalized prior to addressing Sam's wife. "You have a brave one, here, Mrs. Gamgee. Take care of him."
(Aralyn)
As she mounted Astaldo, the girl heard Sam state from behind her,
"Well, I'm back."
At that, she whispered a short phrase of elvish to her great stallion, who bolted off towards Rohan.
Thanks for reading! I'm going to go ahead and close my poll so that I have a chance to collect my thoughts for the next story. One more chapter left! Please review!