Arwen's Choice
Summary: After Aragorn Elessar's passing, Arwen wanders among the silent trees of Lothlorien. As she walks, she remembers the moment when her own path was laid before her feet.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. I'm just borrowing the characters and will return them albeit gently used.
Arwen stood amongst the now silent trees of Lothlorien, her father’s words ringing in her ears. “Even if Aragorn is made king and all you hope for comes true, you will still be parted.” Her father’s voice echoed in her thoughts. She pressed her hand against the tree’s rough bark wishing she had Legolas’s ability to talk to the stately foliage. Her mind travelled back to a time that now seemed so long ago; the moment she had made up her mind that she would be bound to Aragorn for all eternity.
TA 2980
Aragorn wearily placed one foot in front of the other. His being ached for rest and his soul quaked with unease. His travels had been long and difficult rendering him weary in both body and mind. He paused at the edge of a beautiful wood, dropping to the ground in exhaustion. His eyes closed as his head fell back against the trunk of the tree behind him. His mind stubbornly whispered that he must continue on his way to Imladris, yet his flesh refused to obey. The gentle sound of a babbling brook invaded his thoughts and he forced his eyes open. Turning his head, he pushed himself to his feet in search of the flowing water. A few steps into the forest, a shallow brook of clear water trickled merrily over smooth stones. He knelt, cupping the cold liquid into his parched mouth. Suddenly he froze as a soft sound captured his attention. The ranger slowly pivoted to see a trio of elves arrayed behind him, arrows nocked to bent bows. Aragorn cautiously rose to his feet, keeping his hands well away from his sword.
“Mae govannen.” He murmured quietly, inclining his head towards the newcomers and placing his hand over his heart in the traditional elvish greeting.
The tallest of the three narrowed his eyes slightly at the man’s use of Sindarin. “Man eneth lin?” He replied in kind. (What is your name?)
“Aragorn eneth nin. Telin o Imladris.” (I am Aragorn. I am from Rivendell.)
“Mankoi naa lle sinome Edan?” (Why are you here, human?)
Aragorn groaned inwardly. He was far too weary to easily answer ancient elvish prejudices and so he chose to ignore the intended insult. “I am simply seeking a place in which to pass the night and I shall continue on in the morning.” He replied calmly, resisting the childish urge to mutter under his breath in the common tongue. “I mean you no harm.” He continued in flawless Sindarin.
“You have trespassed upon the Golden Wood. Your coming here brings great peril to those that reside within its boundaries.” The golden haired warrior replied his eyes and voice as hard as steel.
The ranger blinked at the elf’s words. “The Golden Wood, the home of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn.” He thought to himself. “I have heard Lord Elrond speak of them many times.” Aloud he said. “Forgive me, I did not know of your land. I will continue upon my path to Imladris on the marrow. I have no desire to bring any misfortune to you or your people.”
A haughty look crossed the elf’s face and he opened his mouth to speak. Just at that moment, a fourth elf dropped soundlessly from the trees and murmured in his ear. The arrogant cast turned to one of surprise as both elves turned their bright eyes to the man.
“It would seem that Lady Galadriel wishes to speak with you, Aragorn from Imladris. You will come with us.” The statement was a command with no room for argument. Aragorn nodded and fell into step with the quartet.
A few hours later the little group crested the hill allowing Aragorn to capture his first look at Caras Galadhon . The sheer beauty of the heart of the Elvin dwelling overwhelmed him. Even the beauty of the Last Homely House couldn’t compare to this. He was led up the steps that wound around an enormous tree to a large talan at the edge of which two beings awaited him.
“Welcome to Lothlorien, Aragorn son of Arathorn and foster son of Elrond.” Galadriel said with a regal smile.
Aragorn bowed before the great lady. “I am honored to meet you milady.” He replied quietly, awed by her presence. Her gentle laugh put him to ease.
“I have had a talan prepared for you. Rumil will direct you to it.” She indicated one of the three elves who had surprised him. “Take some rest and refreshment and I will speak with you at a later time.”
Aragorn bowed again. “I am most grateful, milady.” He turned to follow Rumil as the ellon beckoned to him. The sun had set by this time, allowing him to see the silver light that permeated the woods. He stared enthralled the sight.
Rumil chuckled, startling him in the process. “It is beautiful, is it not?”
“Indeed. I have never seen anything like it.” The ranger replied appreciatively.
“Please forgive my brother. Haldir does not trust the race of men and as Marchwarden, he is most protective of our realm.”
Aragorn smiled. “I can certainly understand. He had no reason to trust me.”
“You speak Sindarin extremely well for one of the second born.” Rumil observed.
“I was raised in Imladris for a time. It is there that I am returning after much travel in the south.”
“Hence the reason that the Lady referred to you as Lord Elrond’s foster son. You are fortunate indeed.” Rumil stopped before a door and opened it. “Here is your chamber. Refreshment and a bath are waiting for you. Rest well.”
Aragorn thanked him before closing the door. After a welcome bath, he dined on the fruit, bread and wine that had been provided. Once his appetite was satisfied, he climbed into the soft bed and fell into slumber as soon as his head hit the pillow.
The next morning he awoke feeling much refreshed. He sat up, stretching tired muscles as he did so. A pile of fabric piled upon the table suddenly caught his eye and he smiled as he realized that someone must have brought him clothing while he slept. He rose and retrieved a silver tunic from the stack, drawing the rich fabric through his fingers. The heady scent of mallorn leaves came to his nostril and he breathed in the welcome savor. Just as he finished pulling on his well worn boots there was a knock at the door. He opened it and was startled to see Haldir standing before the entrance. “Marchwarden Haldir.” He greeted the warrior.
“Aragorn. Lady Galadriel wishes you to break your fast with her. I am here to escort you to her.” The golden haired elf said stiffly. He didn’t wait for a response but turned on his heel, striding purposefully towards the large tree in the center of the city.
The next two hours passed quickly for the weary ranger and he found as he left the Lady’s company that he was beginning to feel better. He decided to wander amongst the trees for a time and simply do nothing.
Arwen hummed as she walked along the path winding through the golden woods. She closed her eyes, filled with the simple beauty around her. Suddenly her heart overflowed with joy and she found herself dancing, her arms opened wide to embrace the fullness of nature. A song of pure happiness sprang from her as she wove in and around the mallorn trees. Suddenly she stopped as she sensed someone coming towards her. She turned to see a tall lithe figure clad in silver striding through the trees. A bright gem glittered from his forehead in stark contrast to his raven hair. She caught her breath at the sight, wondering for a moment who the strange Elf-lord could be. He drew closer and amazement flooded her as she realized that he was a man and that she knew him. “Aragorn of the Dunadain, well met again.”
“Arwen Undomiel, well met indeed.” Aragorn replied bowing over her hand and then kissing her fingers. “May I walk with you milady?”
A brilliant smile crossed her fair visage. “Certainly milord.” She answered as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.
The days passed swiftly as Arwen and Aragorn wandered together throughout Lothlorien. Galadriel smiled as she watched her granddaughter and the man laugh at some small thing. It had been far too long since the Evenstar’s heart had been light and her mirth heard.
“He is a man and he will lead her to doom.” Haldir muttered softly in Sindarin as he came to his Lady’s side. His bright eyes were focused on the couple in the glade below them.
“You should not doubt him. His love for her is true.” Galadriel reproached her Marchwarden gently.
“It is because of the Race of men that evil remains. Is it not but for the folly of Isildur that the dark lord is once again gathering his strength?” Haldir sketched a brow, although he had the good sense to look abashed.
“Yes it is true. However, that is not your judgment to make. Aragorn is the son, not the sire. It is his destiny to reclaim his ancestor’s crown.”
Haldir glanced over to see the light of foresight in his lady’s eyes. He sighed as his gaze returned to the couple before him.
“Jealousy does not become you, Haldir.”
“I am not jealous milady. I simply do not wish to see her come to harm or to fade as the lady Luthien did. I promised her brothers that I would care for her while she dwelt here.” He murmured softly. “I shudder to face the twins if their sister comes to harm.”
Galadriel’s clear sweet laugh rang out like a bell in the evening dusk. “Aragorn will not harm her. I fear only what her father’s reaction will be.”
Aragorn and Arwen heard nothing of the exchange as they wandered barefoot among the soft grasses laden with elanor and niphredil. Soon they stood hand in hand upon Cerin Amroth. Aragorn felt his heart would burst from happiness as he beheld the image of loveliness beside him. He turned to her, taking both her hands in his. “Arwen Undomiel, I have loved you since I first saw you as a young man of but twenty. Your father told me that I would be trothplighted to no one until I had been found worthy. I have passed through many sore trials and have come into my own. Now that time is come and I would be bound to you.” He drew the ring of Barahir from his hand and placed it upon her finger. “Would you be bound to me?”
Arwen smiled. “I love you with all my heart Aragorn. Yes, I would be bound to you for the whole of your life forsaking the immortality of my people.” She pulled him forward until their lips met in a passionate kiss.
Elrond stood upon the balcony overlooking Imladris as Aragorn slowly rode into view. The Elvin lord narrowed his eyes at the unfamiliar mount his foster son was guiding. The man was flanked by both Glorfindel and Elladan while Elrohir brought up the rear. Weariness of travel was tempered by the light of joy upon his face. A sudden realization struck him and a dread of certain doom came upon him. “Arwen has made her choice.” He thought within himself closing his eyes as a familiar sadness filled him. “She has chosen a mortal life. I will lose her as certainly as I lost my Celebrian. Only this time it will be for eternity.” He turned from the rail and strode to the steps leading to the door of the Last Homely House. Aragorn bowed his head before him but the elf would have none of the formality and embraced him as his son. “Welcome home, ion nin.”
“It’s good to be home, Ada.” Aragorn replied in kind. A hint of emotion flashed in the ranger’s grey eyes as he stepped away from his foster father. He sensed that he would soon be called to the elf lord’s study. Elladan, knowing the direction of his brother’s thoughts, squeezed his shoulder in a gesture of solidarity before passing into the house.
That evening, Aragorn’s belief was proved by his summons to Elrond’s private library. He halted before the threshold as he beheld Elrond standing before the hearth, his hands clasped behind him. He beckoned the man closed before offering him a goblet of wine. Aragorn took a seat, knowing the elf would speak when he was ready.
“Aragorn, my son, I know what is in your mind. Long has your heart been turned towards my daughter. Yet I am uncertain of the future save only that there are dark times ahead. Perhaps, in the giving of her hand to you, hope shall be restored to the race of men. However, I shall give my blessing to no less than the one who will reunite the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. Once that is accomplished, despite the pain of losing Arwen, I shall gift to you the joy of my daughter.” He came near and kissed his foster son on the brow. “Fear not ion nin. I shall love you always even in my sorrow at losing my child to the doom of men.”
May 1st 3019
“You are resolved to stay this course then my daughter?” Elrond asked as morning light streaked the sky. Arwen turned from the balcony where she was watching the rising of Arnor.
“I am Ada. I have promised him my heart and I should never find peace in another path.”
“Is there naught I can say to sway you?” He replied softly, taking her hand in his. “I would not have you bear the sorrow that is to come, for though Aragorn Elessar has been granted the lifespan of three men, his passing shall surely come. Then you shall know such grief unlike that you have ever known.”
“Ada, I have made my choice. I am resolved to be wedded to Aragorn Elessar, who was once called Estel. Together we shall bring hope to the people of Gondor and Arnor.”
“…and Arwen Evenstar remained also, and she said farewell to her brethren. None saw her last meeting with Elrond her father, for they went up into the hills and there spoke long together, and bitter was their parting that should endure beyond the ends of the world.”
Return of the King: Many Partings.