Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.
Chapter 43 – Parting Words
Third Age 3019
Eruanna strolled through the palace gardens, passing numerous courtiers along the way. When she first arrived in Minas Tirith the stares she received from its many inhabitants made her uncomfortable. Now, after several days of such attention, she'd found herself more able to ignore them. They were not her concern. Right now she sought one she'd barely had chance to see since her arrival. She'd wanted to speak with him once more before departing and time was running out.
The sun had nearly reached the horizon when she finally heard the low rumbling of a familiar voice and followed the sound to its owner. The voice led her deeper into the garden. She found three men sitting together in a secluded corner, cordoned off by large walls of shrubbery. The space overlooked the many levels of the city and seemed a perfect hideaway from the palace court. The three men looked up at the sudden and silent appearance of the intruder. There was a moment of alarm in their eyes at having allowed themselves to be snuck up upon. The tenseness of battle had yet to wear off.
Eruanna placed her hand upon her heart and bowed her head in respectful acknowledgement. "Forgive the interruption, my Lords. I was told King Aragorn was enjoying the gardens. I did not realize he had company."
Aragorn bowed his head slightly to the new arrival. He'd felt very uncomfortable having his elven family bowing and speaking to him as though they were strangers. It was Elladan who reminded the new King that not to do so would offend the people of Gondor. It was Arwen who brokered the compromise. When in public, she and Aragorn would be addressed by their Gondorian titles and greeted with a formal 'elven' bow.
"There is no interruption, Lady Eruanna." He placed a hand on the shoulder of the large blond man at his side. "We were merely helping Éomer escape the many court ladies who've taken an interest in the new King of Rohan."
"Ahh, yes," Eruanna's eyes filled with humor. She'd observed the ridiculous behavior of the young courtiers whenever the King of Rohan appeared. Their twittering reminded her much of Marilla.
The King of Rohan was not the only male to receive an inordinate amount of female attention. Elladan and Elrohir mentioned the same when Arwen's company arrived in the city.
She laughed lightly, addressing Aragorn, "Your brothers have found themselves similarly pursued."
"So I've heard," the King chuckled at a recent memory of Elrohir. He wished to have his quarters moved after discovering one of the more forward Ladies hiding in his bedchamber.
Eruanna's gaze shifted then to the third man, the one she'd seen in the company of the Lady of Rohan, "And what of you, my Lord? Has the same ill fate befallen the Steward of Gondor?"
The man blushed slightly before answering, "I'm afraid I've already been ensnared."
Eruanna's eyes smiled, "Lady Éowyn is quite a remarkable woman."
Eruanna learned much of Éowyn's tale of bravery from Arwen, and sat slightly in awe of the golden haired child. Eruanna had been so timid at that tender age. Even after centuries of training she could scarcely imagine donning a suit of armor and marching off to war. The tale of this young woman was fast becoming legend. Her deeds would live long in the memory of Men, and Eruanna was determined that those in the West should hear of her courage as well.
"That she is," the King of Rohan agreed, though his eyes lingered on the Steward when he said this.
Aragorn saw in Eruanna's eyes her desire to speak with him. It seemed each member of Elrond's house had sought him out for a private word these last few weeks. Now that he was King, it was not so easy to find a free moment to speak with friends. He looked to the two men in his company, "Will you excuse us?"
The two men nodded immediately, their eyes moving from the elf to the King.
"Of course, my King," the Steward bowed to Aragorn as did the new King of Rohan.
"My Lady," the two men nodded in acknowledgement before departing.
Eruanna followed them with her eyes. The two Lords hid their curiosity better than the courtiers and common men of Gondor. Eruanna moved to the wall overlooking the lower levels of the city. She could see the tiny people below, so many men working and living and dying together in this great city.
"They look at me strangely," Eruanna said offhandedly.
Aragorn was not certain if Eruanna referred to the people below or the men who'd recently departed. He moved to stand beside her and looked out over the city. "Whom do you refer to?"
"The people of Gondor," Eruanna shifted her gaze to their King wondering what his reaction to her words might be.
Aragorn could not suppress a burst of laughter at his companion's expense. Of course they do. "They have rarely glimpsed such beauty," he told her with all honesty.
An undignified bark of disbelief escaped Eruanna, "Men must have poorer eyesight than I imagined."
Aragorn shook his head kindly, "Our eyes work just fine," he assured her. "They see an elf, immortal and fair, when they look upon you."
"I am only half-elven," Eruanna reminded him.
Aragorn looked out at the darkening sky and the specks of light beginning to appear. "The stars in the sky may shine at different intensities, but they are all captivating…and untouchable."
"Not for some," Eruanna said sharply, her eyes moving from the dim lights in the sky to the King.
"No," she had him there.
Eruanna's eyes fell once more on the lower levels. Lamplight shimmered in the countless windows giving the city a hauntingly beautiful glow. "The city is breathtaking."
"It is," Aragorn agreed.
"I did not know men were capable of creating works of such skill and beauty," Eruanna admitted after a time.
"I thought you were a great master of lore," Aragorn said in jest, but in truth, he found his childhood teacher's ignorance on any subject something of a surprise.
"I never cared much for tales of men. Erestor handled that part of your education," she reminded him.
Aragorn looked thoughtful for a moment. Nearly every member of Elrond's house had a hand in his early education. Eruanna never once avoided his questions about Men, but now that he thought about it, she was never his primary source for information about them. He learned more about his people from Erestor than from Eruanna. Aragorn understood, of course. How could he not?
"I understand your distrust of Men," Aragorn admitted quietly. "It was not too long ago that I thought little of my people. After growing up among elves, I could see only our weaknesses."
Eruanna turned her back on the great city, resting slightly against the stone wall. "Elves have weaknesses too," she said with all seriousness.
"That they do."
It had, of course, taken Aragorn many years to identify even one single characteristic of the elves that could be construed as such.
Eruanna studied Aragorn's face. His eyes held much wisdom, perhaps more than one raised as an elf or man alone could possess. It seemed to Eruanna that he aged decades these last few months and in a few short years, he would be gone. She shuddered at the thought.
Aragorn was lost in his own thoughts as well. He was grateful to the elleth that stood beside him and not only for her care and attention during his early years. "Arwen told me of your words. I thank you for them."
"I always believed in you, Aragorn, and I have only ever wished for Arwen's happiness. She has been a sister to me, a friend," Eruanna averted her eyes, unable to face the child when she added, "though I did do all I could to change her mind."
Had Eruanna been courageous enough to look at the mortal King she would have seen nothing but understanding in his eyes.
"I would have done the same in your place," Aragorn told her.
"It frightens me, this fate Arwen has chosen. And yet, when she is with you the light that shines in her eyes is brighter than the sun."
Eruanna turned to Aragorn and lifted her hand to the King's cheek. She tried to remember his lined and graying face as it looked in his youth. Sweet Estel, "I pray both your days will be filled with joy."
"Thank you," Aragorn's voice was thick with emotion.
Eruanna withdrew her hand as tears threatened to overwhelm her, "I will miss you both, dearly."
"You are always welcome in Gondor, should you wish to remain in Middle Earth awhile longer," he assured her.
Aragorn's thoughtfulness and generosity warmed her hear, but Eruanna had other plans. "I thank you for your offer, but I think I have kept Rumil waiting long enough."
The elves accompanied the funeral escort of King Théoden to Edoras. There was the last parting of Arwen Undomiel and her kin; one final chance to say goodbye. Elrond and Arwen disappeared into the hills the day before their departure. Eruanna kept a close eye on him after their return. He seemed sad but resigned to the fate his daughter had chosen. He spent much of that night looking West from Meduseld toward the sea. Eruanna watched over him in silence as the others celebrated within the hall. She promised Arwen she would watch over him, and she did, just as she promised.
When the remaining company was ready to depart Eruanna stood before Arwen with a gift in her hand. She'd waited until their final parting to deliver it. "This is for you," Eruanna passed Arwen a small hand bound leather volume.
Arwen opened the front cover and flipped through its pages. The book was filled with images of Imladris and Lórien, of family members and friends, elves at work and play. One image in particular brought her to tears. It was of four figures sitting together in the Hall of Fire. Arwen recognized Elrohir's animated gestures, Elladan's incorrigible smile, her father's laughing eyes, and at his side, her own face glaring disapprovingly at the others.
"It is…I don't…," Arwen was so choked by emotion she found herself unable to speak.
Eruanna blinked back her own tears. She'd spent months working on those illustrations. She began the very day Arwen returned to Imladris and announced she would not be sailing.
Eruanna threw her arms around her sister and held her close. "When you feel homesick for us you have merely to turn the pages."
"There are no words…," was all Arwen managed to say.
"None are needed," Eruanna whispered. She released the Lady but held her gaze. "I will never forget you."
Arwen took a steadying breath. "I know I've asked much of you already," she glanced briefly in the direction of her father and brothers, "but will you do me one more favor?"
Eruanna nodded.
Arwen smiled but the expression did not reach her eyes. "I shall never see my mother again," she whispered. "When last we said our goodbyes, I had no idea it would be for the last time."
Arwen's gaze flew once more to her father, now bidding the King farewell. "My mother waited an age for my father. She told me once, long ago, that she would have waited forever."
Arwen's expression grew distant for a moment, watching her father and Aragorn together. "My mother was willing to wait forever for love, and I have sacrificed forever for it." She turned back to Eruanna then, hoping the elleth would understand what words could scarcely convey. "Will you tell her this? I want her to understand."
Eruanna took hold of her sister's hands, "It is love, Arwen. She will understand."