Chapter
1

Arwen lifted a brush to her dark hair, which flowed delicately down her
back.

“My Lady princess,” her best friend and servant began, “Allow me to
be of some use.” With that, Thayta took the brush from Arwen and
pulled it through her hair. Arwen didn’t protest, and leaned back
as Thayta began braiding her hair.

“Thayta?” Arwen asked, “When do you think Estel will return?”

“Estel?” Thayta gasped. “Arwen! What are you thinking? Estel is human, not
an elf… what everyone suspected is true, then…”

Arwen sighed. Why
did everyone say that? Estel… his grey blue eyes boring into hers.
His cheeks sunken in… just a little, perfectly. His dark hair
reached his shoulders… a hand reached out to help her when she had
tripped over a stone. So much for the grace of the most beautiful in
the world, she had thought. His grip, not like anything she had ever
felt before. His grip on her tender hand was strong and firm, and
yet, gentle and with respect. He seemed to blend in with the pine
trees, which had surrounded them. He was like an elven-oak tree. It
would stand majestically with all honor, and yet… humble and
graceful.

Estel pulled her up, and she saw his face for the first time. Their faces had been only inches apart as she took in his features. That was what she remembered. That was their first
meeting. She had learned who he was. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur’s heir. He was known as Estel by the elves, and Strider by Rangers. He had already known who she was. Arwen, Elrond’s only daughter, the princess of Rivendell and Lorien. As Estel had led her back to the part of the woods which she knew, she realized he had been in her household for 17 years, and was 19 then.

“Why have I never seen you?” she had asked, unable to lift her eyes from
him. Her emerald dress swept the forest floor and rustled the falling
autumn leaves. Heavy mist settled gently around them.

“Maybe you saw me not because you chose not to notice me. I was often in the gardens… but have been taught to blend in and not disturb the princess. I always ate meals with your brothers, the twins… and left several years ago to learn the ways of the Rangers-”

“The Rangers? Do you not want to live in Rivendell?” Arwen had questioned.

Aragorn had smiled the sweetest smile she had seen in a long time. He looked at her and shook his head.

“Lord Elrond sent me there,” Aragorn replied, “I could not refuse. He insisted that I go and learn as much about being the next king of Gondor as I could. I learned many things, being a Ranger. And though I’ve seen much beauty in Middle-Earth, none of those places can be compared to Rivendell. There’s beauty here that no man, dwarf, or any other living creature can replace…” Aragorn trailed off, gazing into her eyes intensely.

They had stopped under the canopy of trees, and Arwen could see the structures of Rivendell, not too far away. They were on a hill, and there, the line of trees stopped, and the sunlight shone down on them both. A gentle breeze swept through, and Aragorn took her hand in his, and lifted it to his lips. He had gently kissed her hand, and bowed ever so gracefully to her. Arwen smiled at him and reached for his other hand. There, they stood for a long time, taking in the other.

Aragorn glanced at Rivendell, then leaned down and leaned over and kissed her on her cheek.

“Lady Arwen, I take my leave.” Aragorn bowed once more, and disappeared into the trees…

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! 🙂

Print Friendly, PDF & Email