Thranduil and Arwen
I was going to post this separately, but unfortunately I am missing two chapters. This is actually the last chapter, of the story I am working on in honor of Uncle and Aunt Day back in July.
The gardens of Imladris, is always one of my favorite places to go when I visit. With its peaceful waterfalls, and lush green pastures with blooming bright flowers, it is indeed a beautiful place.
I have only arrived a few minutes ago, and told Erestor whenever Elrond was done hiding, that I would be in the gardens. After being showed where I would sleep, I changed out of my traveling clothes, to something light and comfortable.
The slight breeze and tingling scents of the flowers have found a way to release the tension in my body, as I continue to walk about. I look to my left, as a bright baby blue flower stands out to me. I reach my hands toward the precious bloom and cup its soft petals. I am immediately reminded of the one person who gifted such a flower to me that has long since sailed. I fill my lips curl in a sad smile in thought.
I withdrew my hand, no sense in thinking about the past I tell myself as I continue walking. I have so many wonderful memories of this place that I cannot let something from the past disturb this wonderful peace.
As I leisurely walk on the stone pavement, my sight catches the faintest glimpse of red caught by the wind. I see on a bench lays a prone figure dressed in regal robes flowing down to the ground. As I step closer I see hair as black as midnight, and smooth as silk as it cushions the head of Arwen. I smile as I slowly approach her.
I step closer to her and I see that her eyes are off somewhere in a different place, and when she senses my presence her eyes shift the slightest in my direction. The world seems to fall silent as we stare at one another, then in swift motion she smiles and sits up.
"My lord Thranduil," I see her eyes shine as she stands and greets me.
"Lady Arwen," I dip my head.
"It is such a pleasure for you to grace us with your presence."
"Thank you." With slight mirth touching my voice I continue. "Although this may not be the friendly visit you may think." I see her eyes shine in amusement "You have received the letter from my father, and your son?"
"Indeed I have," I see her bow her head as I hear tiny giggles escape her mouth.
"After we said our farewells and watch the Fellowship leave, I believe that is when my father felt regret."
"Yes, Lord Elrond and I will have words, when he is finished doing whatever it was Erestor told me." I sighed contently and offered my arm to her. "Until then my Lady, would you join me on my walk?"
"I would love to," She laced her arm with my and we continued on in comfortable silence, and occasionally shared a few words.
"Oh, over there," Arwen pointed slightly to the right, and I followed her finger. At a quick glance I saw a grey haired man, sitting down at a table and fussing over some papers. As I took a closer look, I noticed that it was not a man at all, as I noticed the sharp point of the ears. Even with old age this hobbit, looked rather familiar.
"Mister Baggins," Arwen called and waved at him when he glanced her way. A bright smile lit his face as he hobbled over to us, his smile never fading.
"Lady Arwen," he bowed before her. "It is so, so good to see you my Lady."
I watched them silently as they held a short conversation, the hobbit was complimenting Arwen, and discussing his recent poems. After a while the hobbit stopped and looked toward me. His face scrunched trying to place it from memory, but I already knew who he was.
"Forgive me, my Lord I am-"
"Is this the halfling that stole the keys under the nose of my guards?" He stopped in mid bow and froze. As he came to his senses, he slowly raised his back then lifted his head. I offered I hope was my most friendly face, and after staring at me for some time he smiled as well.
"Is it really the Elvenking? King Thranduil, it is such an honor to meet you again. You haven't changed a bit."
I felt a chuckled bubbling in the back of my throat, as Arwen hid her smile behind her hand. "Of course you haven't changed, you are an elf. I on the other hand." He looked down at himself. "I am very old," a frown found its way to his face. "At first I didn't feel my age, but now I am starting to notice the little things, that were once easy are starting to become difficult."
"Anyway enough of that," he threw his hands in the air. "I have had plenty of time with the dwarves as you know. I wanted to meet them again. To go to all the places, I even wanted to stop by your kingdom."
"Is that so?"
"I quite like it here in Imladris, and my old age has made it difficult to travel. Despite that, I have been reliving my adventures, I am writing a book you see. With everyone, Thorin Oakenshield, Beron, Lord Elrond, and even you my Lord. When it is finished I would gladly give a copy to you if you wish," he added the last part sheepishly glancing upwards.
"I would be honored to receive a copy." His face instantly brightened and with a slight jump, he chuckled. "Well then, if you would excuse me, I would very much like to get back to my work."
He bowed, and Arwen and I did as well, and when we looked up he already turned around and going back to his spot and we continued our walk.
"Funny little fellow isn't he?" I looked at Arwen.
"Yes he is a great delight, in the Hall of Fire."
"Its surprising how time can go by, after 60 years he has changed greatly. The world around us is changing."
"The time for the elves has come to an end," Arwen dropped her voice and turned to me as if she was scowling. I bit my lip to keep the chuckle rumbling inside me, I knew exactly who she was trying to imitate.
"Arwen, we are not long for this world," she continued. I felt my shoulders shaking as I looked at Arwen with a twinkle of mirth in her eyes.
"That is certainly your father." Arwen laughed out loud, her sweet voice echoing around us.
"Has he been persistent with you my Lord?"
"Not really, but I do have a few letters with something along those lines."
"When do you plan on sailing?" She asked almost shyly, which is not like her at her. I could feel our walking pace slowing down, and I glanced at her again, her features seemed a little downcast.
"My people do not long for the sea, as others may." I explain to her slowly. "I do think I will sail, I cannot leave them." I felt my heart jolt, when I say this. If I do not sail, then I would miss my friends, and family members that have already crossed, or plan to. I do not want to be separated from them, but who will take care of my kingdom. I didn't think of Legolas, if- no when he returns what fate would become of him. He may not take the throne. There would be no one else but me.
I shake head, I don't want to think about trivial matters at the moment, there will be more time to discuss the future of my kingdom.
"What about you Arwen. "Has your father been persistent with you?"
"Yes, but…" We stop and I see her bite her lower lip which is trembling slightly. I squeeze her hand to reassure her.
"I want to stay," her voice was barely above a whisper. After she stated this, I could not think of any reasons why she would want to stay.
"What keeps you here?" My voice was gentle.
She looked up at me with determination, and conflicting emotions played on her face and was that fear, that I saw flickering in the back of her eyes.
"Hope," she simply replied. I couldn't believe such a reply. Hope… there had to be something more.
"Hope" I repeat her words, as I think about what she could mean. Then I felt my eyes widen in realization. "Estel, you mean Aragron." She looked down, a slight flush on her cheeks.
'I want to stay,' I replay the words in my mind. She didn't plan on sailing in the first place. I could see Elrond pushing his daughter to sail more than others, he has lost too much, and losing his daughter maybe too much for him.
"Uncle," her voice brought me out of my thoughts. Unlike her brothers it is rare that I hear her call me by such a name. The only times she has was when she was in distress, and needed comfort. I looked at her questioning gaze.
"What should I do?" I think of the only thing I can, and it may not be my place, but I will not see Elrond hurt again.
"He is mortal," I say in disgust. "He is weak, and undeserving of you." With each word I could see the hurt in her eyes, but she wouldn't back down.
"I love him," she declared fiercely. I had to stop myself to not scoff at her remark, thinking it would be to much.
"You think it is love, it isn't real. If you love him so much are you prepared of what you will lose? My eyes narrow as my glare grows stronger.
"You will never see your grandparents, your brothers, your father, and even your mother. How do you think your mother will feel when she learns that you picked a meek human, and to live a life as a mortal, over her?" At the mention of her mother I could see stubborn tears behind her eyes.
"Are you prepared to lose the rest of your family here, and those you have long since dreamed of seeing?"
"Think about your father, he has lost so much, and you would hurt him again with this selfish decision. He has lost his parents, his two guardians, his brother, his king and mentor and his wife." Arwens eyes widen as I see hurt written all over her face and dear child, I am sorry, but what can I do to make you understand. Understand what you will lose, and hopefully turn him away; you belong with her people, with your family.
"What you feel isn't real, and it would be best to slide your feelings and forget about him. Perhaps you will feel some pain, but it is only temporary and you will find someone else. It would be better to feel that pain than watch him grow weak and die. There would be no comfort for you, losing the one person who have devoted your life to, is a pain that is unimaginable. The emptiness you feel when they are no longer there in beyond any feeling." I know from experience, and so does Elrond, I briefly reflect on all the losses I had in my life.
"Let him go Arwen, turn him away for if you refuse to, you should know the pain you go through will be unbearable. This world is not for you. Go and sail see your mother again, and the rest of your relatives. Once you do, he will be nothing more than a mere memory." Arwen takes a step away from me, and drops down to the bench directly behind her. She sits with her head bowed, as I stand over her, and all is silent.
After a while she looks up at me, silent tears rolling down her beautiful face as she cries.
After a while she finds her voice, "even though I will be separated from my grandparents, my brothers, you, father, and my mother." Her voice cracks, and more tears spill from her eyes, as she mentions her mother.
"This is the life I want, I want to be with him, and I would regret it forever, if I did not." She continues to cry, and after looking at her for so long I cannot stand the sight and walk over and sit down next to her. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, and she allows me to pull her into my embrace as I lean my head on her hair.
I know now that what she feels is genuine, and it pains me to admit, as I am sure it will be for all of us. Arwen has already chosen her fate, and she will live and die, never to be seen by our eyes again. I gently squeeze her, feeling a slight sting in corner my eyes, at the thought of not seeing her.
I remember long ago when she was young; she came to me one day when I was visiting. She complained that she was Arwen, and not Lúthien, and she wanted others to see that she was Arwen as well. She told me that she did not want Lúthien's fate, to fall in love with a mortal and choose to die than be with her family.
Then another time when she was older and soon after Celebrían sailed I found her in the gardens. She cried to me about the same thing, that she didn't want the fate of Lúthien, but couldn't understand why she felt she would never see her mother again. I held her, and softly comforted her that of course she would see her mother again.
Now here we are, the tale of Lúthien and Beren has come to into play once again. Even though she could not have foreseen who she would fall in love with, this is what his happening now. It is time that I let her go, that her father, lets her go as well.
"Your happiness is everything to us." I mummer." I pull away from her, and tilt her chin to look at me. "You have to stay strong and not falter in your decision. You need to show your father that this is what you want. It will take him some time, but he will understand in the end," my voice was gentle but firm, and I could tell she took
The rest of the walk was in peaceful silence, as we made it back to the entrance, just in time to see Elrond coming toward us. He smiled at us as he approached, and I could tell that when he came closer he was looking at Arwen, as he frowned. No doubt he could tell that she was crying earlier, and he briefly looked between the two of us.
He reached out his hand and stroked her cheek, "Arwen, are you alright."
"Yes, ada I am fine." Her smiled was bright and beautiful as ever, as she reassured him, but he looked as if it wasn't enough. He glanced my way curiously before looking back and smiling at her.
"I will leave you two, if you will excuse me." She was about to leave until she turned to me, and leaned on the toes to reach up to me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. "Thank you uncle," she spoke in my ear, as I beamed at her. She walked around us and went back inside.
Elrond watched Arwen until he couldn't see her anymore, then he turned to me curiously. "What were you two talking about?"
"I don't know Elrond, what were you and my son talking about?" He looked pale, as he opened his mouth and no words came. "I can explain," he said after a while.
"Yes you will, and you tell me every detail."
My company and I rested in Imladris for a few days, I knew I had to get back to my kingdom as soon as possible. Everything was packed and we were all outside to say our farewells, much to Elronds relief. From a safe distance he was what Erestor told me watching and making sure that we weren't leaving anything behind.
"Farewell, lord Thranduil," Elrond said. "And to you as well Lord Elrond."
"Travel safe," he said again, and I dipped my head. "You have been most gracious to keep us here, thank you."
"Its my pleasure," I wanted to laugh at our over friendliness, but I kept it in. We had an interesting conversation, but in the end we will always remain friends.
After speaking to Elrond I turned to Arwen who was walking toward me, she was dressed in a royal blue robes with a silver tie in the middle, her hair loose as the slight breeze caught it. "Goodbye uncle," I softly smiled at her and reached my hand up to caress her cheek. "I do not know when the next time I will see you." I admitted.
Her smile faltered, and I wrapped my arms around her, for possibley the last time. "Goodbye my sweet one," I could feel a familiar tingle at the corner of my eyes, I squeezed them tight, to hold the tears. I kissed her cheek and step back and looked at her again, putting every small detail in memory. It will be difficult, especially for Elrond, but I know she will be alright, I know I don't have to worry about her.
Authors Note: I have to admit, I was a little nervous posting this, so reviews would be great. I would love to know if you liked it or any advice to give.
I will continue the original story of Noss, but I really wanted to post this first. I am going to school, and I have a job now so updating will be slow. Trust me I would rather write then work on biology, and chemistry lab reports.
Anyway thanks for reading hoped you enjoyed it.