Aragorn son of Arathorn, King Elessar of Gondor had passed and it was not by the fate of a sword but by the will of time. Arwen Undómiel had travelled to Lothlórien to perish and be with her love once more. Eldarion was now to be King. And here so lies the tale of his crowning, the finding of Arwen Evenstar upon Cerin Amroth and stray Orcs in the land.

~*~

The day was dark but not so in light. Aragorn was laid to rest in eternal slumber and his family left to mourn. Arwen was beside him tears of diamond like dust upon her checks yet love and fondness also dwelt there. The Evenstar shone upon the breast of Eldarion and with him in the likeness of their mother stood his sister, fair Evwen.

Autumn leaves fell about them and as all who had gathered departed. Age now lined the face of their mother. It was, to her, but a small price she had paid to be with Aragorn and to bring life to her children in the new age. With the care of a lover’s caress Arwen’s fingertips brushed over the face of her beloved husband before allowing her final tear to fall. There she was left to mourn alone as her children departed. Her dark veil was taken in the autumn air, a golden crown set queenly upon her brow as Arwen struggled to hold onto to the last of her hope that she had battled hard to keep.

The hall was empty and yet all whom remained were clad in black with their eyes cast towards the ground. A meal was set before them but neither Eldarion nor Evwen had the will to eat. Memories wandered paths in the minds of Aragorn’s Heir and daughter. Though they both welcomed them the grief was far too near to smile upon their remembering.

Arwen’s gaze was set firmly on the seat that had once held Aragorn then slowly with eyes glazed her vision travelled to his throne. Elrond’s words wrought pain streaked trails through her mind as they did when spoken in those… so many years before. He had foretold of the pain that would dwell upon her now, for death had come to the one whom she had loved most. Would she ask it that she be taken in the likeness of a mortal or would Arwen lay herself down to sleep and travel evergreen roads with Aragorn?

Evwen daughter of the King of Men and Elven maid dared to speak, ‘Fear not mother. For your grief will not blind your choice and nor shall it be one made in foolishness.’ The words were spoken and there was a feeling that Elrond had come to heal his daughter yet the face was of Evwen and her wisdom was in young hope. A smile flickered between mother and daughter before each departed to sleep.

It came to none… Lights flickered in the chill night breeze, stray leaves and buds of old white flowers danced upon the air attempting to make one’s heart sing. And it was then with no star in the sky and the night but a dull grey gathering of clouds that Arwen passed on faithful steed without uttering a farewell to those she knew. It was to Cerin Amroth that the Evenstar travelled to wander the woods where those of her kin once dwelt and autumn now lingered without hope of spring.

Memories kindled in Arwen’s mind of the day when Aragorn had beheld her. In the likeness to a dream was his feeling and at this she smiled gravely whilst she passed the quiet streets of the City. Those whom slept not beheld their Queen in sorrow as she rode into the night. Moonbeams caught in her raven hair and the last of the elves departed. The world of Men was never again to see Arwen Undómiel.

Evwen felt troubled in her sleep a feeling of cold fear was upon her. With haste she rose from her bed and made from her chambers. The eyes of the Men of Gondor were cast to the ground in her respect, as she passed but Evwen care not. Hastily she searched her mother’s chambers. Empty was how she found the room the bed unslept in and the crown of Arwen abandoned on the pillows.

‘Eldarion! Eldarion!’ she cried in alarm, soldiers of Gondor came to her cry but it was her brother whom she sought. When he came Evwen embraced him in fear, ‘She has fled, Eldarion, when I spoke I meant not for her to leave us in lingering doubt! Shall we ride in haste Eldarion? Will you not have her found?’

To this Eldarion replied, ‘Speak not in fear sister for I will have it in this hour that I will ride to find her.’

‘Then ride,’ Evwen said, ‘ for the distance grows wider as the moments pass.’ And so it was as Eldarion promised he set forth with as many men that would muster themselves to have their Queen found, Evwen knew the skill of riding yet she was bided to stay. Eldarion would not have it risked that his sister would be lost to him also. Enough grief had been suffered.