Hello again! this might be the last update I do for a while, I've got exams in a couple of weeks and need to start revising! But I promise I'll update as soon as I'm all done! And thanks again to everyone who reviewed!

Aragorn stood silently looking down at the young woman sat in a chair before him, lent forward, head in her hands. For several moments neither had spoke both unsure of what to say. The silence was broken when Elanor let out a sigh,

"What is to be done?" she asked, looking up at Aragorn, her face pale. Aragorn knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his,

"I do not know. Members of the free people of middle-earth are to gather tomorrow at midday."

"Will you be there?"

"I shall. Lord Elrond has asked I attend as will Gandalf. I believe messages have been sent to the men of the south, the dwarves and elves." Elanors eyebrows rose at this and she gave a weak smile,

"Elves and dwarves? This should prove to be an interesting event" Aragorn gave a laugh but stopped when he saw Elanors smile fade,

"What troubles you?" he asked softly. Elanor shook her head and willed the tears not to come,

"I am afraid." she said, her voice barely a whisper. Aragorn gave her hands a gentle squeeze,

"As am I. These are dark time Elanor, and I fear they will get much worse, but you must have faith."

"I am scared you will leave again. Promise me you will not leave."

Aragorn looked up to wavering grey eyes, his heart torn, "I cannot promise you that" he spoke sadly.

Elanor swallowed hard and stood up, Aragorn moving with her. She looked down to where his hands still held hers,

"You promised me you would return… You gave me your word."

"Elanor I am sorry. I would have but…"

"When would you have come back?" She said, anger rising in her voice, "How long we were supposed to wait Aragorn? Did you even intend to return?"

"Of course I did. I would not abandon you."

"Then return with us, Talin and I. Come back with us tomorrow."

"Elanor I can't. I am to sit at the council…"

"After the council then. Please Aragorn, we need you. I need you."

"Please Elanor, you must understand. I have important matters to attend to here."

"More important than the lives of your men? I don't understand Aragorn! What if those creatures return? Would you have us stay here, while our companions are slaughtered?"

Aragorn stared at her but she would not meet his eyes. Elanor pulled her hands away from his and turned away from him. The pair stood silently, Elanor stared blankly at a picture on the wall when she felt a hand on her shoulder gently turn her around,

"Elanor, look at me." He said gently placing a hand under her chin and lifting her face to his,

"I do not wish you leave you or the others but I must put other needs before my own."

"And what of my needs?" she asked faintly, locking her eyes with his. She held his gaze and hesitantly reached up and placed a hand on his face,

"I love you Aragorn." Aragorn stood, shocked by her revelation,

"Elanor…" he began,

"Do not push aside my love as a mere infatuation, for I have no doubt of my feelings for you." She said defiantly. Aragorn glanced sadly at her and reached up and took her hand in his, pulling it away from his face,

"Elanor, I do love you but not in the way that you would wish. I cannot return your love. My heart belongs to another." Elanors gaze dropped to the floor. She was foolish to expect him to say otherwise,

"The elven maid Talin spoke of." It was not a question. Aragorn nodded,

"She is Lord Elrond daughter and much loved among her people"

"And by you?" Elanor asked sadly, her heart crushed inside her chest,

"Yes."

"And yet you would leave her?"

Aragorn said nothing to this, for he did not know. Instead he looked to the ground as if it held the answers he needed. Elanor watched him, his brow furrowed and his face was visibly hurt. A sudden wave of guilt rushed over her,

"I have caused you pain," she said, "Forgive me Aragorn. I have no right to ask such things of you when there is so much more at stake." She moved away from him, embarrassed and ashamed of her behaviour,

"There is nothing to forgive," Aragorn said, "I only wish I could give you the answer you desired." Elanor looked up at him and forced a smile, despite the cold hand gripping her heart. Aragorn smiled back and walked toward the door, as he reached it, Elanor called out from behind him,

"If you truly love her Aragorn, then you must tell her, before it is too late."

'Like I was' she thought. Aragorn looked over his shoulder at her and nodded silently. Elanor gave another less forced smile which was quickly washed away by the stream of tears that fell once the door had closed behind him.

It was there that the elven maid found her, hunched the chair, her dark hair falling over her face. Elanor was so lost in her thoughts she did not hear the elf approach her and gave a startled jump when a hand touched her. Elanors head shot up and she was met by a pair of striking blue eyes. Elanor let out a small gasp at the beauty that stood before her. The maid was vision of dark flowing hair and pale ivory skin. Light seemed drawn to presence as if she commanded the stars themselves. She wore a silver dress that shimmered as she moved and a smile graced her face as she looked down at Elanor,

"Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you." She said, her voice was musical and floated on her air. Elanor stumbled with her words, lost for speech but managed to feebly shake her head,

"I was asked to show you to your room." The elven maid continued, "You must be weary and in need of rest." The elleth bent over and offered out her hand. Elanor, without reason or hesitation, took the delicate hand in hers and lifted herself to her feet, managing a few words,

"Thank you," she said, "I must admit I had not realised how tired I was. Not to mention how much I long for a bath."

The elven maid let out a tinkling laugh which reached right into Elanors heart and lifted her spirit,

"Then follow me. I show you where you can bathe and will send for fresh clothes." She said, letting go of Elanors hand,

"You have my thanks My Lady."

"Please, call me Arwen."

"Then you must call me Elanor"

Arwen smiled and surprisingly Elanor found herself unable to dislike her and smiled back.