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