A Heart Divided

A Heart Divided Chapter 2

By: Seriiyah

Rating: R

Pairing: Arwen/Aragorn? You be the judge

Feedback: If there isn't enough interest then I won't continue. I am
new to this so please do not slay me.

Summary:

After the ring is destroyed all is peaceful and all is well. Gondor
awaits it's king and Aragorn awaits his queen. Unfortunately Arwen
has longed to explore he friend she has always known in Legolas. Her
heart went to the man and the elf. All the while Aragorn's old
feelings for Eowyn surfaced and conflicting his heart and mind.



Aragorn walked slowly through the beautiful gardens of Imladris but
his thoughts were far away. What broke him from his reverie was
merely the other elves. Running and with an urgency that was a silent
message.

His own feet began to patter after the others as he realized
something was wrong. Running with elves was not easy for men but
Aragorn's worry for them caused him to pick up his step. He nearly
ran into his foster brother and with a scrutinizing stare at his face
he realized that it was Elrohir.

A brief smile and hug were passed between them until Elrohir's arm
was tugged by his mirror image, Elladan.

"Rohan... they call for aide..." Elladan said quickly until he
noticed the man. "ESTEL!" He exclaimed pulling him into a tight
embrace but he noticed the shadow upon Aragorn's face.

"Rohan?" His brow knitted gently as he waited to hear of this cause.

"Lady Eowyn has asked us for aide. They have suffered much and are
still gathering their force again," Elladan explained quietly to them
but Elrohir nodded as if he were simply reading his twin's
thoughts. "on the heels of the death of their king and prince they
find many of their own taken by plague. They need aid, for
protection, water, food and I do not wish to think of what has
happened with the animals or vegetation."

Aragorn was aghast, "Rohan? A wasteland? How has it come about so
quickly?"

Elrohir had to smile because his foster brother was a man but being
raised as an elf made him seem more elf than man. "How long have you
been here, Estel? The moon has been full three times..."

Aragorn turned his head trying to hide the pain but what he saw was
the path to lead to his mother's grave. A sign? He realized he had
not seen Eowyn in three to four months. Time passed slowly for the
elves and fleeting for men and Aragorn was seemed to be stuck in
between them.

Thud!

He turned his head to the noise. Then it was heard again but the
others seemed to know what the cause of this noise was. Hooves of
horses as they drew closer and some elves took to the trees to see
the newcomers.

Elladan or Elrohir's voice was heard, "Mirkwood has come......"

Aragorn looked to the voice to see not the younger face of Elrohir or
Elladan but Elrond, His mouth a tight line with a serious stare to
his wintry gaze. He moved to see the seneschal that had come.

The Prince Legolas sat on his horse as he pulled Arod to a lingering
trot to let the beauty of Rivendell capture him for a moment. One
thing floated through his mind, Arwen. The first face to greet him
was not searing stare of Arwen but the genuine smile of a true
friend. Guilt began to knot his stomach as Aragorn locked hands with
him to help him from his mount.

He pulled him to a tight embrace but soon the twins bound behind him
with a small look of mirth, as it was when the males were all in the
same place.


A tap on the shoulder from Lord Elrond was to remind them of they
were not celebrating one another but in preparation to help another
realm.

Legolas nodded to each as their faces became grave with wonder and
worry but all eyes were upon Lord Elrond as he rose above all to
welcome all.

"Travelers... from afar we bid you welcome to Imladris and offer you
our comfort and shelter until we ride for Rohan," He began in a quiet
tone. No other noise was made and his voice bounced off of the
structures seemingly hither and fro, giving it an ominous feel.

Lord Elrond stared into the hopeful yet confused faces of his kin.
Aide to men was something Rivendell would see but Lord Elrond hoped
that Estel would be counted among the riders and there may be the
spark between the ranger and the Lady of Rohan. Drawing a deep breath
he continued, "we do not only bring them, hope and protection but we
bring them food, water and clothing until Rohan may heal itself."

Erestor joined his side with parchment and quill to begin to register
those who had arrived and who would depart. He marveled at the Lord
Elrond as he listened to him and then he tried to do him justice as
he began the same serious nature. He stared to the crowd and met each
eye but kept a no nonsense expression with only his eyes moving back
and forth as he watched the other elves.

All agreed silently as they began to come to the young scribe with
their names on their tongue for him, to be accounted for. He was
pleased to note that both of the Lord's sons both gave their name and
would go in Elrond's stead but surprised to hear Aragorn's name
called quickly to him. The King Thranduil sent Legolas from Mirkwood,
Elrond's sons were going for the Lord of Imladris but the king of
Gondor was going and not sending a seneschal? He heaved a breath as
he realized there was more than met the eye.

Arwen found herself caught among the others and drowned out until one
pulled her from the overflowing voices and bodies, Legolas. She hid a
smile and looked away for a moment then met his eye once again.

"Thank you, my friend," she was speaking in what seemed to be a
whisper among the noise of the others but he heard her. She did not
realize she was still in his arms until he began to release her
gently.

He bowed his head, "I was sent to aide but to be of aide to you was
a........... pleasant surprise." He noted the fading blush with a
slight turn of his own lips into a smile. His fingers lingered as
they touched hers but she bolted from him as a face came to view. He
nearly lost his smile but Aragorn was as close and pulled him into a
strong hug as one would a brother.

They were all ushered to the great dining hall to show their guests a
good time. Arwen tried to ignore the other females that lavished
attention on the Mirkwood elves, especially Legolas. Although she
could not blame them for vying for the attention of the exotic elves
with the searing eyes and the hair the color of wheat, but she could
also not control her ire.

She nearly jumped from her skin when Aragorn touched her hand but she
did spill the wine in the goblet, both uncommon for the practiced
princess. She began to dab at the spill and back to Aragorn, "I am
afraid I did not hear all that you have said, Estel."

He nodded, "I asked if you noticed how the ladies seem to flock to
the others." He knew it was a simple observation and not one that was
new. At the time of the ring they had seen this happen with the few
that had traveled to partake of her father's counsel, she had not
been privy to it.


Arwen managed a tiny smile, "I think other things are far more
important than lusts for the Sindarian." She said spoke in a simple
yet far away tone as if she was watching her fate from a waking dream.

He noticed her tone and squeezed her hand, "what bothers you this
night?"

She met his eye still in love with the ranger before her and unsure
how to tell him of her heart or what vexed her. Instead, she told him
of it's path, "I cannot let my beloved or my brothers travel without
me." She spoke so softly that almost hoped that he didn't hear
her, "I gave Master Erestor my name so that I will be riding with
those to aide Rohan."

Aragorn's mouth dropped open and before he could say another word,
she left. He watched her graceful movements as she left the great
dining hall and left him to his thoughts. Having Arwen go would mean
he would feel he had to watch over her but it also meant it would
conflict his time between the females. He noticed that Lord Elrond's
eye was on them the entire time and once she had disappeared he had
gestured for a few of the others to go after her.

Arwen held to the rail that sat high above. Below was the water and
the waterfall's mighty drop. Countless times she had seen her
brothers jump the rail and race to the bottom's water, but not many
had their skill.

She grasped the rail now wondering if she took such risks if others
would treat her with as much respect as the twins were. She looked to
the rising moon and closed her eyes in prayer. She folded her hands
together as she tipped her head up, as if she bathed in the moon's
light. Feeling it's light on her face she moved lips to the hymns
sung by the others to bid the travelers farewell and a good journey.
Usually they did not include females but it was a female that had
changed all that, Eowyn of Rohan.

She admired the woman and how she had been the only to take on the
darkness others had failed against, other men had failed against. She
thought of how things might have been different had she been allowed
to go with the fellowship or to Helm's Deep, but looking in
retrospect was simply useless to an elf.

Soft footsteps behind her caught her attention and she began to quiet
her song. She heard many and wondered if she had angered her father.


Legolas watched her as she stood beneath a single moonbeam, The
Evenstar. Her name could not do her justice as her ethereal glow
seemed to radiate until the light of the stars and moon for it seemed
to focus on lighting her face. He heard the others and bowed his head
respectfully for them to let him speak with her alone but it was not
until they were gone that he approached her.

Before he could touch her shoulder she turned her head to let her
glassy gaze fall upon him. Tears, she had been close to crying and he
had interrupted. In his chest he felt his heart constrict at the
thought of such. She turned away and looked to the water below until
his gaze followed to the water and his feet found their place beside
her.

"You gave Erestor your name. You do realize they will need healers
but this will be... difficult." He said simply but he wished she
would remain home, safe at home. He stole glances at her profile and
silently bade her to look at him.

She finally met his eye, and their stare was locked, "I am more than
a lady in waiting and Estel will understand." She was truthful in her
words but she noticed at the mention of Aragorn that he seemed to...
flinch.

"Any would be proud that you rode by their side," he spoke softly and
wanted to give her hope but he felt worried he would take her to his
arms and forget she was intended. Reaching to her cheek, he touched
the corner of her eye with his thumb to ease away a tear, "I see
tears Arwen and I know they say more than you wish to tell." She put
her own hand over his and leaned her face to his palm.

"We have grown together, have we not?" She asked with her eyes still
glistening with tears but with her mirthful stare now, they seemed to
twinkle as the stars.

His heart began to pound in his chest as a drum and he could feel the
pulse thumping in time, "I hope we have grown close but I still feel
a stranger to the lady..." He whispered with a step closer so she
could hear him.

She broke eye contact and looked to her other hand on the rail, "I
know you well, Legolas."

"Know me well? I believe I may still hold a surprise for you and
since we have a long range of time between visits then much can
happen, Arwen," He never put his hand away from her face and he felt
he needed to keep the contact. He stepped closer to her until she
looked up again.

"Arwen.... long..." His words were stopped by her finger to his lips
and her twinkling eyes became as serious as her father's were known
to be.

He shook his head, "do you deny it?"

She shook her head as he realized it all too well, the Mirkwood
prince felt the same. He pulled her body against his and they melted
into one mind and soul when their eyes locked, both wanting the same
thing.

It was Arwen who wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him
tighter than any simple embrace. To any, it would seem as if to
friends as been too long between visits and now they shared a hug but
had they came closer they would smell the want between the two or the
look of desire they shared.

Arwen finally lowered her head until it was against his shoulder in
attempt to regain control before they did something before all of
Rivendell, that would change them forever. She raised her head with a
small gasp feeling something pushed against her hip. A virgin but
still wise, she realized he had desire for her as well. If they did
not part they would become one on that bridge and she knew what had
to be done.

"Estel.... Aragorn... We cannot do this to him," She touched his face
and let eyes search his in agreement.

Reluctantly, he let her go, "I cannot go back to the others in such a
state...." He took her hand to his lips and kissed the fingertips as
he murmured the words. He swallowed hard and try to compose himself.

Patiently he would wait for her and he would ask for her when she was
ready. Until then, he would abide by her wishes and love her from
afar. "Then, I wait for you." He looked to the water below and gave
her a sad smile, "I would wait for until the end of time for you..."

She could hear no more and reached for him but she ended grasping air
as the young prince used agility and speed he was known for, to jump
off the bridge and to the waterfall. She gasped watching him fall but
he seemed to know it as he began to twist and turn with the air until
he let those waters take him away. Soon she watched him swim to shore
and begin to disrobe. With large eyes she watched him strip to his
leggings then lay upon the grass with a sad smile and she noticed
that with the distance between them his leggings no longer strained.

She moved away until she was not able to be seen gazing at him but
did not get far before Aragorn blocked her step.

"It matters not if you wish to go, Arwen. I did not mean to let you
think that I would deny you....I just ask that you are safe." The
ranger could not be more surprised when she threw her arms around his
neck and kissed him fully. Not just any kiss but one of hunger,
passion and desire that seemed untold. A lingering kiss in which she
breached his mouth gently with her tongue as it begged entrance.

He pulled her to him and kissed her back as his own need became
apparent. Meeting her eyes he looked to her curiously, "I thought you
wished to wait.... we had agreed."

She shook her head as she whispered, "take me and mark me as yours.
Take away any barrier between us."

Hardly believing his ears he leaned to kiss her again but they both
jumped apart at one sound, Lord Elrond clearing his throat.