silvergift | IC CONTACT

Lady Celebrían, I would like to speak to you - in person if at all possible - if you have the time?

Aragorn?

[Normally, this might worry her but... she hasn't heard of anything serious happening lately.]

Of course, I have little to do today. Would you like to meet somewhere?

My lady, I admit I have not been fully honest with you and -

I need to rectify that.

{This is the cause of many nerves.}

The park should be safe during the day. Could you meet me there?

You have not? Well, I suppose this is a good time as any.

[A slow nod.] That would be fine, my walks take me by there.

I think it is long overdue.

Thank you. I will wait for you there.

Then I shall see you shortly.

{Aragorn arrives in the park and spreads out a comfortable blanket for the lady to sit upon. He chooses to stay standing, the nervous butterflies in his stomach making it hard for him to relax.}

[She doesn't rush to the park to meet him but neither does she take her time. It's hard not to be curious about what he needs to tell her though so she heads out just after their conversation ended, bringing along a bottle of wine to help ease him.]

Aragorn.

{He jumps a little at her arrival, noting the bottle of wine. It's a kind gesture and he very much hopes they can share it together ~~rather than her waste it by throwing it at his head~~. But he's not sure of anything except that she deserves the truth.}

Lady Celebrían, I told you that Lord Elrond fostered me. {His throat is dry.} I was two when I was taken to Rivendell. My father was killed by Orcs and they sought to kill me too. I am...

A descendant of King Elros.

[She has to give him credit, he wastes no time at all. Although that only makes her think that this has been weighing on him for some time. So she sets the bottle of wine down but doesn't sit herself.]

You are Elros' descendant? That is wonderful. [She takes a better look at Aragorn and- yes, she can see Elros hidden in there.]

{He has to speak; he has to get it out. Then Celebrían can take as much time as she needs.}

One of them... The last. {He adds the second part in a softer voice, meeting her gaze cautiously.} Lord Elrond prepared me to take the throne of Gondor and...I do.

{Now he approaches her, head bowed.}

Far before that, I met Arwen. I loved her and I was not quiet about my feelings. Lord Elrond feared she would make the choice the Lady Luthien had made.

{His brow creases and he bites the inside of his cheek.}

I told her to sail with her people... I wanted her safe during the war. Sauron's Darkness was slowly killing her and I wasn't certain of victory.

But she stayed...and we won. {There is a sweet smile that follows. He can't hold it back when he thinks of Arwen.} Lord Elrond gave us his blessing. She will live one mortal life with me as Queen.

{And now he steels himself for anger...pain... All of it would be understandable.}

If I were an Elf, I would urge her to follow her people and then I would meet her after I did what I could for Gondor.

{He shakily shows Celebrían the Elfstone he wears around his neck.}

She chose otherwise; she stood against it all and waited for me.

[The moment he mentions that he loved Arwen, her heart dropped into her stomach and a lump formed in her throat, a sudden chill filled her. She already knew exactly where this was going, he didn't need to finish but she let him.

And then she reached out to lightly touch the Elfstone. The jewel her mother had given her when she'd married Elrond and that she had returned to Galadriel when she had sailed. Her mothers words come back to her clearly despite having been spoken thousands of years before: "I trust you have considered what it means to involve yourself with one of his line."

Yes, she had said. Of course she had, but she'd told her mother that it would be worth it. Elrond's love was worth any eventual pain. Celebrían hadn't realized that it would feel white-hot.]

You...

[She's not even sure what she wants to say, what she could say.]

{He feels her pain though he could never share it. She has the heart of a mother and he has broken it. Bowing his head, he gazes at her hand on the Elfstone.}

The Lady Galadriel was given a prophecy from Gandalf concerning the stone... {For it was easier to discuss than Arwen's fate.} "...it is not for you to possess. You shall hand it on when the time comes. For before you grow weary, and at last forsake Middle-earth one shall come who is to receive it, and his name shall be that of the stone: Elessar he shall be called."

Elessar is one of my names. {He concludes quietly, cautiously covering her hand with his own.} I cannot right what has been said and done for that would be against Arwen's wishes, but I can promise you that she will live happily in Gondor. I shall give her all she desires and more.

Lord Elrond has promised me that I will be able to choose the time of my death. She and I will come to an agreement...

{Not that such an agreement makes matters better.}

I do not ask for your forgiveness. I do not deserve it. {He frowns sadly.} But I pray you give her your blessing. She will have need of it should she arrive.

[Her hands clench and then unclench. And for a moment, and another, she can't stand to look at him. In one fell swoop, her hopes of seeing her daughter again when she returns home are stolen away from her and all she wants to do is cry. Her eyes stay dry though.]

Do you love her? Truly love her? Would you lay down your life to protect her?

[If the answers were anything but 'yes'... well, she isn't sure what she'd do.]

{He lowers himself to his knees and forces himself to look at her squarely.}

I have never loved anyone more. {His eyes fill with tears and he places a hand over his heart.} I would not only protect her with my life, my soul and my heart, but I would also see to it that the one who harms her is put to death.

Good.

[She nods slowly, hands clenching and unclenching again before she reaches out to touch Aragorn's shoulders, lightly tugging so he'll stand up.] So long as you stand by that promise... I cannot find it in myself to think ill of you.

[Much, anyway. She's not sure how much love she can have for the man taking her daughter away but she can't hate someone her child loves.]

{Her selflessness is so reminiscent of Arwen and Elrond that his chest tightens. Aragorn isn't exactly steady under her hand and he turns his head to kiss the back of her hand.}

I would not blame you if you did, my lady. {Not in the least and yet...} I have lost my mother. Arwen has missed you dearly. I pray she comes here...

I pray you have so much time...

I will never interfere.

Edited 2015-10-06 01:37 (UTC)

[A part of her wants to tell him that he already has but she's not so cruel. And she can understand the bond that he and Arwen would share.]

I would not have her brought and trapped somewhere. [It's a lovely place to be trapped, she admits, and she's glad to have her loved ones with her and a comfortable place. That doesn't make them any less trapped though.]

{This is a guilt he must bear and he knows - without her saying - what he is taking from her. An eternity with her daughter.

He wishes dearly she could sail after his death, but she has already chosen a mortal life. The lands are barred to her.}

She would not see it that way. {He clasps her hands and his voice lowers:} Lord Glorfindel has promised to carry you and Lord Elrond tales. I will ensure he has many.

Good. [It's not exactly what she wanted but it's enough, it has to be enough. It likely never will truly be enough but stories, she can live with stories.

And perhaps, just maybe, they will have children who might sail.] I thank you for that.

{He takes a breath and draws her into a gentle embrace. She has seen too much pain and too much grief - and now he has added to it.}

Sauron is defeated, I am hunting down what is left of his forces and Arwen is ruling the Gondor people beautifully. We will have children. I care not if they are male, female or both. As long as she is safe, happy and healthy and they are the same, I will be the happiest King in Middle Earth.

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