(no subject)

[avarielwings]

Arwen looked up from her seat by the fire, where she was embroidering a new tapestry to decorate the hall, when she heard the door close. Seeing who it was, she relaxed.

Faramir had come on one of his regular visits to attend to the mundane business of the realm, such matters as did not demand the King's personal attention. As was perfectly proper and usual, he had brought his wife and their retinue with him. During such visits, Eowyn usually attended Arwen, while her husband was occupied with his work.

Many years had passed since the end of the War of the Ring, and those concerned were not as young as they had been. Eowyn's pace as she entered the room was markedly slower than it had been just a year before. In deference to the advancing years of the Steward and his lady, as well as the King of Rohan and others, lush, soft chairs had now replaced the stone benches that had once filled the room, with rugs covering the floors. Nevertheless, Eowyn could not disguise her wince as she carefully sat down, taking out the cloth she was working, and Arwen smiled sadly, noticing it.

"You are pained, Eowyn. Shall I call for an extra cushion or two?"

"No, my Queen, it is merely the ache in my bones. No cushion could ease that pain, I fear."

Arwen nodded, and the two women returned to their embroidery. However, Arwen could not concentrate, as her mind continually returned to the matter of time. She knew that as one Elven-born, she would keep her youth for much longer than one born to the world of Men. However, even Aragorn would grow old and die long before she did, and she would be left alone until her own end came.

She could see her future sitting opposite her now. Eowyn seemed to grow more frail with each passing year, and Arwen had known when she made her choice that that was the Doom she would face. It had seemed so different, then, though… had seemed almost romantic, to give up all she had known for love.

She did not doubt that she had made the right choice. It was simply that… how not to reconsider, when one is shown what one will become, year by year, in the form of a dear friend? Lost in these thoughts, her mood grew darker, and she might have spoken her fears to Eowyn, had Elessar not entered the room at that moment.

His face lit up to see her, and he strode to where she sat and swept her into his arms for a kiss. With that one action, her faith was restored that had never truly wavered, in her deepest heart. Yes, she had made the right choice. For the love of this man, no sacrifice was too great.

Comments

[eiluned.livejournal.com]

Oh my. That was really beautiful, and it really feels true to character. She would give everything up for love, but you know she would have doubts sometimes. I liked the end, and especially the last line. I think that's why I like Aragorn/Arwen so much: because it's such a powerful love story. She gives up immortality for his love.

You know, I really like how PJ expanded their relationship in the movie, especially Aragorn's desire for her to go to Valinor. It makes their love deeper, because he's willing to make a sacrifice, too. He's willing to let her go.

[sniffle]

[linsul.livejournal.com]

That was wonderful, my dear. :)

[avariel-wings.livejournal.com]

I've got a sort of companion piece half-plotted in my head, to try and exorcise a certain image that's been haunting me since I read the appendices - Arwen after Aragorn's death, wandering through Lorien all alone, just waiting to die.

So that'll be up later today, probably.

[linsul.livejournal.com]

Mweeep. That's a sad image.

[cherubiel.livejournal.com]

Oh. That gave me goose-bumps to read. I'm a bit of a girl, sometimes.