Forever
by Arwen Istalindir ([email protected])

Date finished: 22 May 2002
Archive: Yes, but let me know where, please. Email me if you’d like an HTML copy.
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings belongs to the estate of J. R. R. Tolkien, not me. No money is being made. These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Arwen sits in solemn contemplation of the West, and Aragorn helps his wife live in the present.
Notes: Set some time after Aragorn’s coronation, but before they start having babies. 🙂 Thanks to Tammy for answering my rapid-fire questions and the late-night beta read, and Panth for chatting with me, which spawned this little plot bunny.

All Elvish is from www.grey-company.org. Blame them for mistakes, not me. 😉 Translations at the end.

—–

Sometimes, late in the night, she sits at the window and gazes out toward the West. She did not realize that her husband would wake as well and watch her, watch the sadness in her eyes that was hidden during the light of day.

She gazed out at the starry night, eyes straining for a glimpse of the Sea, wishing to hear the waves pounding against the shore. Such sadness filled her face that his heart ached for her. Unable to help himself, he rose from their bed and padded silently to her side, resting his hands on the back of her chair. “What troubles you, my love?” he asked softly.

Her hand came up to touch the windowsill, a gentle, unconscious movement. “Late at night,” she replied, “I wonder what my life would be like if I had gone to the Grey Havens with my father. I wonder what it would be like to see my mother again, and see the Havens themselves. My heart yearns for it.”

He took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs. “I understand.”

She turned to look at him over her shoulder, deep blue eyes wide in the dimness. “But I do not regret the choice I made. What I said then still holds true now. My heart is yours, Estel, melamin. If given the choice again, I would stay with you.”

She turned back to the window, and the moonlight reflected off of her pale skin. “The Sea still calls to me. I cannot deny that. But for you, I would resist its song for a thousand years.”

He shivered at the soft touch of her words. “Mela en’ coiamin,” he whispered, leaning down and pressing his cheek to hers, his hands coming to rest on her arms.

His hair brushed over her naked shoulder, and she sighed softly, covering his hands with hers. “Amin mela lle,” she breathed. “I love you with all of my heart.”

“And I love you,” he whispered in her ear, his lips playing at her earlobe. “Come back to bed, my wife, and let me help you forget the call of the West for tonight.”

She rose from her chair and followed him back to their bed, lying on her back amidst the sea of fine linens, waiting for his touch. He knelt above her, gazing down at her, still astounded by her beauty after so many years. “Arwen,” he sighed, “Amin naa lle nai.”

She smiled and reached for him. “Hold me tonight,” she said, touching his bare chest, “and every night until we leave this world.”

He lowered himself onto her and touched his lips to hers lightly, and again when she closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure. Night clothes melted away under his hands, and bodies met and coupled feverishly. “My love,” he gasped, finding release with her, inside of her, holding her to his body and pressing his lips to her graceful neck.

“Forever,” she whispered.

—–
End
—–

melamin – my beloved
Mela en’ coiamin – love of my life
Amin mela lle- I love you
Amin naa lle nai – I am yours to command