A/N None of these characters r mine. But they will be…someday…mwawhahaha!!

I woke to the light of the fiery sunrise over Imladris. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and stared lovingly at the figure that lay next to me. Her arm was wrapped around my bare torso and her ocean blue eyes were closed beneath pale eyelids and dark eyelashes. A shadow of a soft smile played on her full luscious lips as she slept.

I just sat on the bed and stared in awe and wonder at her, never wanting to leave her side. But it came to me that I would have to leave her today. The fellowship was leaving for Mordor this morning, and I knew not how long I would be gone.

I sighed and stroked her soft onyx hair, then kissed her lips. She stirred, but did not wake. I got up and dressed myself quietly, then went down to my mother’s grave. Dead leaves and twigs were on top of her coffin and I cleaned them off. They were dampened by the morning dew and her grave seemed to be neglected and forgotten. I knelt down by her grave and stared up at the stone figure that resembled my mother.

“Anirne hene beriad i chen lîn. Ned Imladris nauthant e le beriathar aen.” *She wanted to protect her child. She thought in Imladris that you would be safe.*

I automatically recognized the deep voice of Elrond and I didn’t tear my eyes away from my mother’s statue. I glided a hand over the cheek of her statue, feeling the cold smooth stone on the back of my hand. Elrond continued to speak to me, though I did not look at him.

“In her heart your mother knew that you would be hunted all your life. That you would never escape your fate. The skill of the elves can reforge the sword of kings. Only you have the power to wield it.”

I cast my eyes downward towards the ground and answered coldy, “I do not want that power, I have never wanted it.”

“You are the last of that bloodline there is no other!” Elrond replied.

I stood up and walked over to him. “My Lord Elrond, I do not wish to be King of the White City. You must understand that.”

Elrond nodded disappointingly. “That is your choice Aragorn. If you choose to live in exile from your kingdom, so be it.”

I kept my eyes on the ground, feeling Elrond’s stare upon me.

“I also wish to speak with you about my daughter, Aragorn.”

I looked up at my foster father and I could sense that this was not going to be a pleasant conversation. Elrond sighed and began to speak.

“Our time here is ending. Arwen’s time is ending. Let her go, let her take the ship into the West. Let her bear away her love for you to the Undying Lands. There, it will be evergreen.”

I was shocked at the words that came from him, but I sensed that they were coming. He did not want Arwen, his only daughter, to fall victim to mortality. I did not want her to die also, but she loved me more than anything and I felt the same way.

“But nevermore than a memory,” I murmured.

Elrond gave me an icy stare. “I will not leave my daughter here to die.”

I began to get angry, my insides filling with rage. “She stays because she still has hope!” I retorted, my voice slightly raised.

“She stays for you, she belongs with her people!” Elrond shot back. I stared at him for a moment, then walked away. I could not handle the thought of leaving her forever. She was my love, my Tinuviel, my evening star. But I did not want her to die for me. I wanted her to be immortal, to live in Valinor with eternal happiness.

I pondered the thought of her leaving me for a long time as the sun began to rise over Imladris. My mind was made up and I would tell Arwen to go to Valinor with her kin. It would not be an easy thing for me to tell her, but I wanted to save her from the pain the mortality I had would eventually bring upon her.

I walked down the stairs of the palace to join Frodo and the others. I hoisted my quiver of arrows onto my back and I heard a voice behind me.

Nach gwannatha sin? Ma nathach hi gwannathach or minuial archened? *Is this how you would take your leave? To slip away at first light unnoticed?*

I froze as I recognized Arwen’s silky voice. I turned around. This was it, I thought. I’m going to tell her that we cannot be. And as I thought this, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

A/N Well, what do u think?? I’m going to add some more chappies about when he tells her and what happens after. But I will only post them if I get enough REVIEWS!! *Hint hint*

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