A simple ranger from the North, who was to become Ruler of Gondor, paced impatiently around his chambers. “Why am I here? Never did I want to take this role! I am no King!” This man, who was muttering incoherently to his companion Gimli, was none other than Aragorn waiting for his coronation.
“Gimli I am no King!”
“No King indeed! Aragorn why are you feeling so much dread for such a joyous day? The heir of Isildur has reclaimed his throne. You have proved being the King of all.”
“Where are Legolas, Frodo and the others?”
“I do not know friend.”
“My Lord, the people are waiting.” A guard said while pushing his head into the door.
Then Gimli placed his hand on Aragorn’s forearm as if he was guiding him. “You shall be King.”
To Aragorn, Gimli’s simple statement explained to him that he must do this, his people were counting on him to make things right. He had to live out his promise to Boromir, “I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.”
Gimli released Aragorn’s arm and entered the courtyard and walked to the left. Then Gandalf appeared carrying the crown of Gondor. It shined brightly in the morning light and showed within its crested wings the new promise of the future.
Aragorn looked out into the courtyard and saw the golden tree on the bright white banners that fluttered in the breeze. Remembering Arwen’s undying love and hope he walked out into the light.
Throughout the coronation he was unknowingly scanning the courtyard for any sight of her. “Don’t fool yourself Aragorn, she left. She is safe. She is no longer dying.” At this thought he felt tears welling in his eyes. “I was killing her! Because she loved me she denounced her immortality never to see it again. It was killing her. I was killing her!”
The tall and fair-haired Elf, named Legolas stood in the crowd watching his friend being crowned, but he sensed something was amiss. He could tell that Aragorn was distressed his eyes wandering around. “He is looking for her, and she has not come, for she will never walk this Earth again.” Legolas still had not made himself present to his friend, because when he did, he knew he couldn’t continue lying.
“Aragorn, son of Arathorn kneel before me!” raised the booming voice of the wizard.
As Aragorn kneeled and bowed his head and faced away from his people his shoulders shuddered in grief, but only Legolas, Frodo, Sam and the other surviving members of the Fellowship noticed. Gandalf gently placed the crown upon the man’s head and said, “Aragorn, son of Arathorn rise now as Elessar, Lord of Gondor.”
But Aragorn continued kneeling, he did not rise. The cheers subsided as they watched in amazement a graceful Elf with long flowing robes the colors of the autumn leaves walk up to the King and picked him up and placed him on his feet. Elrond looked deep into Aragorn’s eyes that had seemed to have lost the vibrancy they once held, “Mellon, they are waiting.”
Aragorn slowly turned around to face the shocked people. Then from the back a single cheer started over and thousands more soon followed. Then Aragorn made his way down the large marble stairs towards his friends, his companions; they were all he had left that connected him to his past. His hand went to his neck to take a chain within his fingers, but then realized he no longer had the Evenstar, for he had lost it in Mordor.
As Aragorn walked through the crowed the people parted allowing him to pass by. Legolas was about to walk away without being seen, but Aragorn saw him first. “Legolas were you planning on leaving without greeting me!”
The Elf’s body went rigid, but he continued walking. Aragorn ran towards him grabbed the Elf’s arm and spun him around. The first thing Aragorn noticed was Legolas’ eyes were brimming with tears and he would not embrace his friend. “Legolas what have I done to deserve such treatment from you?”
“Come with me Aragorn I will show you.” replied the Elf.
Legolas guided his King down into a gully in the outskirts of the city. Legolas had been staying there comfortably for the past days except for the fear that gnawed at his mind. “Legolas what is this all about? Why have you been staying here? Do I make you feel unwelcome?”
“Follow me you shall find out.”
The two passed through the gully into a small grassy area covered in blossoms. In the corner lying serenely on a large flat stone, was Arwen, and she was covered in the blossoms that covered the valley floor. “Arwen!” Aragorn yelled as he ran towards her.
“Please don’t be dead!” Aragorn thought. As he got to the stone he noticed the stillness in her body. “Why?” Without waiting for an answer Aragorn turned on Legolas, “What have you done to her! What did you do to her?” he screamed while unsheathing his sword. He came down on Legolas; and in turn Legolas tore the weapon from his friend’s hand and threw it to the ground. “Friend you can kill me now, or you can kill me later after you learn the truth. Choose.” Legolas said while kneeling over to get the sword. Then he gently handed it back to Aragorn.
Aragorn ignoring the sword walked over to the stone sat down upon it and picked up Arwen and put her in his lap and held her there, sobbing. “How did this happen?”
In a calm voice Legolas told what had happened. “Four days ago I was riding to Gondor to see you made King. As I got out of the wood and into the Field I saw an odd shape hunched near a lone tree. Then as I reached nearer I realized that it was a person, so I dismounted my horse and ran to see what had happened. There lying in the cool shade of the tree laid Arwen Undomiel half alive. Her pale skin was deathly white, her raven hair was filled with grass, and her eyes were dead. Without wasting a moment I placed Arwen on my horse to bring her to Gondor, but she intervened. Arwen said, ‘Don’t take me to…Aragorn! Please. I…tried to…make it…only I couldn’t…I was dying and…I wanted to see him one…last… time…do not bring me near him… do not let him see me die!’ she choked through her tears that were freely streaming down her face.
‘Why did you not come with your father? He is here!’
‘I have not been in…Rivendell for so long…Ada… thinks that I am in the Undying Lands…for I never returned home…from the journey…’
‘Then where have you been dear friend?’
‘I…have been staying alone…dying…when I…learned that…Aragorn…was to be crowned…I knew I…had to come…only I am too weak…to make it.’
Then with a violent shudder and sharp gasp…she passed on. As I closed her eyes a single tear rolled out. Aragorn that tear was for you! She was not alone when she died…she will be happy now…Arwen is away from everything dark that mortality has to offer.”
Then with a loud cry the King fell to the ground and crumpled underneath his grief. “I killed her. Now she will never walk the halls of Minis Tirith with me! I am alone!” Aragorn King then let out such a cry, one that sounded as if he himself was dying a painful death. Legolas approached his friend and sat on the ground next to him.
Legolas was silently meditating trying to get into the thoughts of his friend but he could not get passed the anger, confusion, and grief. A short while later Legolas got up and picked up the body of Arwen and said, “Come Aragorn, the others will want to know where you are. Lets get you home.” The now tired and weathered King got to his feet and walked silently behind the elf that was carrying his love.