Bittersweet
folder
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
1
Views:
1,124
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
1
Views:
1,124
Reviews:
2
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Bittersweet
Title: Bittersweet
Author: Rainien
Email: Rainien@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/rainien1
Pairing: Aragorn/Arwen
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: None of it belongs to me. It all belongs to The Professor. I am simply giving part of the story the ending I would have preferred.
Summary: As the new King is crowned, one Elf awaits her destiny, while another realizes that history can repeat itself in more ways than just the obvious. Pure fluff.
~*~*~ denotes a change in POV
Sometimes it seemed she had waited her whole life for this one moment, and now it had arrived. For a while she watched as he made his way through the crowd – his subjects, and all seemed to want to greet him and wish him well.
She was so proud of him. He had done what she had always known he would and could do. He had fulfilled his destiny, reclaiming the throne of Gondor and reuniting the realms of Gondor and Anor. The Days of the King were now upon them, and she could, at the moment, only find that cause to rejoice. Later, when it was time to say good-bye to her family, she would feel the sorrow, but today she would only feel joy. Joy, because her destiny was bound to his. He had fulfilled his destiny, now she would fulfill hers.
“Arwen?” It was Legolas, speaking softly to her. He had a rather playful grin on his face which was so good to see after the solemnity of the time she had last seen him in Rivendell, before the Fellowship set out on their Quest.
“What is it, Legolas?” Arwen had seen that look before and knew he was up to something.
“Stand behind the banner, please.”
“Legolas! I have waited what seems ages for this day, and now you ask me to hide so that I cannot see what is happening?”
“Just for a moment, Arwen; just until he reaches us. I promise.” Pausing, Legolas used the one ploy he knew would work. “Wouldn’t you like to surprise him? Can you imagine the look on his face when he finally sees you here?”
~*~*~
Sometimes it seemed he had dreaded this moment his whole life – at least since she had been born and he had looked into her future. He stood slightly behind her, watching her as she watched him.
In spite of it all, he really was proud of the Man, Estel. Hope, they had named him well. There had been times when he had feared that the thin, clumsy child would never be strong enough to achieve his destiny.
Destiny…
He wondered how he could rejoice at one finally firmly set upon his life’s path, while he grieved to see another doing the same. Aren’t we all here for a purpose, he wondered? Even so, why did her purpose have to cause him so much pain?
Legolas was whispering to her about something. Oh, how he wished those two could have fallen in love. It would have made things so much simpler. At least then he would know that he would see her again some day. Of course, then he’d have Thranduil for a relative…no…best not think along those lines.
What had Legolas talked her into now? It seemed that he was up to some sort of mischief again. Apparently some things never changed; the indomitable cheer of the Prince of Mirkwood being one of them. She was looking at Legolas with suspicion in her eyes, but seemed to be doing as he had asked – hiding behind the banner she had made just for this day. He recalled that she had spent countless hours making sure every thread was perfectly placed before moving on to the next.
Legolas was now standing in front of Arwen, preparing to greet his long-time friend. That the two were such good friends had never surprised him. They had known each other since Estel was just a small boy. He had nearly driven Legolas to distraction more than once following him around Imladris. The young child had idolized the prince, and now, as a grown man, he saw the Elf as more than a friend – he was also the one he went to first for advice. He was glad the Elf would be nearby, in Ithilien, in the years to come. Estel would need him.
He saw them greet each other, as warriors. Anyone who believed either would allow “protocol” to stand between them was sadly mistaken. Neither would ever allow the other to do something as foolish as bow to the other, even in the presence of an entire city. Estel was thanking his friend. Legolas, ever up to something, only responded with a tilting of his head. He knew what Legolas seemed to be doing, but Estel seemed confused for a moment.
Then Estel looked past Legolas.
~*~*~
She would strangle Legolas.
She could almost feel her Estel moving closer and began to wish she had not agreed to hide. She wanted to see him! Looking at the ground a bit in front of her, she saw a pair of feet stop in front of Legolas. The two stood, facing each other for a moment.
She had to see.
Slowly moving the banner aside, she finally saw him. He looked so regal in his robes and crown. He also looked, to her eyes, somewhat overwhelmed by the day. He’d never really wanted this. He had always seen it as simply something he had to do. After all, who else was there? Who else could lead into this new Age? He was the last of his line, and Gondor would accept no other.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned slightly to hear her father whisper for her to go to him. Dear Ada…she wished she could have avoided hurting him so.
She walked slowly toward him, tightly holding onto the banner as if for support. If he had seemed overwhelmed a moment ago, he was in shock now. Had no one told him that she would be here?
Legolas…yes…she would strangle him.
As she stopped in front of him, he reached slowly for the banner, holding it away from her so that he might see her better. Suddenly, she did not know what to say. She had dreamt of this day, of what she would say to him. Now, it all seemed insignificant when compared to what was actually happening. Not knowing what to say to him, she bowed her head, hoping to show him and all of Gondor how much she felt for him. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see someone step forward to take the banner from his hand.
She felt his hand softly touch her skin, gently nudging her chin so that she would raise her eyes and look at him. He looked at her in confusion; wordlessly asking her why she would bow to him. Why would I not, she thought to herself. He is Lord of Gondor, Anor, and my heart.
Then he was kissing her.
Not a sweet, gentle kiss that one would expect in front of all these people, on such a grand occasion. No, her Estel never was one for half measures. It was the kiss of one who had almost given up; of one who finally was given all his heart had ever longed for; of one who wished to let her know that he would love her forever.
~*~*~
Apparently, someone had failed to tell the new King that Arwen would be there. This was probably the mischief that Legolas was up to. He always did love surprises.
He leaned forward, quietly urging her to go to him. It nearly broke his heart anew to send her to him, but it had to be done. She had made her choice and he would have to live with it…somehow.
Hers was the Choice of Luthien. It had been said, repeatedly and much to her chagrin, that she was the image of Luthien, that long-ago Elf maiden who gave her heart to Beren, a mortal Man. She had given up her place in the Undying Lands in order to be by his side.
The irony was not lost on Elrond; that the one said to be her image would also make the same choice. History had a horrible way of repeating itself sometimes.
Estel took the banner from her hand, moving it aside. Elrond was surprised when she bowed to him. He head heard her, earlier, quietly repeating to herself the things she would say to him. He smiled, realizing that Legolas would have a lot to answer for; he mad made her forget what she wanted to say.
Then Estel was kissing Arwen. Elrond felt his heart miss a beat. He had expected to feel heartbreak at their reunion, but not this; never this. What he felt instead was the dawning of understanding.
~*~*~
She heard his voice inside her head. Estel had finally ended the kiss and seemed content, for the moment, to simply look at her face, gently tracing his fingers from her cheek to her ear.
“Love him well, and with my blessing, my daughter; for he loves you more than his own life.”
“This I know, Ada,” she silently answered. “But what has made you finally see it?”
“History – it is repeating itself.”
“Ada…not Luthien and Beren again. Please?”
A slight chuckle echoed through her mind. “Not Luthien, Arwen.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know how he feels because I saw the way he kissed you just now. You see, I once kissed your mother in just the same way.”
“Ada, you kissed her many times before she went away.”
“Yes, but this one time was special. It was the day she came to me as my bride.” His voice paused for a moment. “Enjoy your day, daughter, there will never be another like it.”
“Ada? Tell her…tell her that I love her. Tell her how happy he makes me.”
“I will, my child. And I will tell her that sometimes it is not such a bad thing for history to repeat itself. Love him well. And be happy, for I am happy for you.”
~*~*~
Elrond withdrew from his daughter's mind, content to simply watch her as she was reunited with the Man she loved. He smiled as he saw her suddenly laugh and wrap her arms around Estel's shoulders.
He needed no gift of foresight to know that she would live a happy life.
*******
END
A/N: If I have one complaint about Tolkien’s work, it is the way he ended the story of Elrond and Arwen, calling their parting “bitter.” I never liked this word, as it seemed, to me, to imply that they parted in anger. I felt that perhaps “bittersweet” would be a better choice and set about to give them a somewhat happier ending. I hope you have enjoyed this. Please review.
A/N#2: A very dear friend has requested that I add one more chapter to this story, told from the POV of Aragorn and Legolas. Since this was meant to be a simple one-shot fic, I hadn't given this a great deal of thought. I do plan to honor my friend's request, but it could take a little while. Please keep an eye out for one more chapter. Oh...before I forget...The additional chapter will NOT be slash. I like slash just as much as the next person, but my friend does NOT.
Author: Rainien
Email: Rainien@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/rainien1
Pairing: Aragorn/Arwen
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: None of it belongs to me. It all belongs to The Professor. I am simply giving part of the story the ending I would have preferred.
Summary: As the new King is crowned, one Elf awaits her destiny, while another realizes that history can repeat itself in more ways than just the obvious. Pure fluff.
~*~*~ denotes a change in POV
Sometimes it seemed she had waited her whole life for this one moment, and now it had arrived. For a while she watched as he made his way through the crowd – his subjects, and all seemed to want to greet him and wish him well.
She was so proud of him. He had done what she had always known he would and could do. He had fulfilled his destiny, reclaiming the throne of Gondor and reuniting the realms of Gondor and Anor. The Days of the King were now upon them, and she could, at the moment, only find that cause to rejoice. Later, when it was time to say good-bye to her family, she would feel the sorrow, but today she would only feel joy. Joy, because her destiny was bound to his. He had fulfilled his destiny, now she would fulfill hers.
“Arwen?” It was Legolas, speaking softly to her. He had a rather playful grin on his face which was so good to see after the solemnity of the time she had last seen him in Rivendell, before the Fellowship set out on their Quest.
“What is it, Legolas?” Arwen had seen that look before and knew he was up to something.
“Stand behind the banner, please.”
“Legolas! I have waited what seems ages for this day, and now you ask me to hide so that I cannot see what is happening?”
“Just for a moment, Arwen; just until he reaches us. I promise.” Pausing, Legolas used the one ploy he knew would work. “Wouldn’t you like to surprise him? Can you imagine the look on his face when he finally sees you here?”
~*~*~
Sometimes it seemed he had dreaded this moment his whole life – at least since she had been born and he had looked into her future. He stood slightly behind her, watching her as she watched him.
In spite of it all, he really was proud of the Man, Estel. Hope, they had named him well. There had been times when he had feared that the thin, clumsy child would never be strong enough to achieve his destiny.
Destiny…
He wondered how he could rejoice at one finally firmly set upon his life’s path, while he grieved to see another doing the same. Aren’t we all here for a purpose, he wondered? Even so, why did her purpose have to cause him so much pain?
Legolas was whispering to her about something. Oh, how he wished those two could have fallen in love. It would have made things so much simpler. At least then he would know that he would see her again some day. Of course, then he’d have Thranduil for a relative…no…best not think along those lines.
What had Legolas talked her into now? It seemed that he was up to some sort of mischief again. Apparently some things never changed; the indomitable cheer of the Prince of Mirkwood being one of them. She was looking at Legolas with suspicion in her eyes, but seemed to be doing as he had asked – hiding behind the banner she had made just for this day. He recalled that she had spent countless hours making sure every thread was perfectly placed before moving on to the next.
Legolas was now standing in front of Arwen, preparing to greet his long-time friend. That the two were such good friends had never surprised him. They had known each other since Estel was just a small boy. He had nearly driven Legolas to distraction more than once following him around Imladris. The young child had idolized the prince, and now, as a grown man, he saw the Elf as more than a friend – he was also the one he went to first for advice. He was glad the Elf would be nearby, in Ithilien, in the years to come. Estel would need him.
He saw them greet each other, as warriors. Anyone who believed either would allow “protocol” to stand between them was sadly mistaken. Neither would ever allow the other to do something as foolish as bow to the other, even in the presence of an entire city. Estel was thanking his friend. Legolas, ever up to something, only responded with a tilting of his head. He knew what Legolas seemed to be doing, but Estel seemed confused for a moment.
Then Estel looked past Legolas.
~*~*~
She would strangle Legolas.
She could almost feel her Estel moving closer and began to wish she had not agreed to hide. She wanted to see him! Looking at the ground a bit in front of her, she saw a pair of feet stop in front of Legolas. The two stood, facing each other for a moment.
She had to see.
Slowly moving the banner aside, she finally saw him. He looked so regal in his robes and crown. He also looked, to her eyes, somewhat overwhelmed by the day. He’d never really wanted this. He had always seen it as simply something he had to do. After all, who else was there? Who else could lead into this new Age? He was the last of his line, and Gondor would accept no other.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned slightly to hear her father whisper for her to go to him. Dear Ada…she wished she could have avoided hurting him so.
She walked slowly toward him, tightly holding onto the banner as if for support. If he had seemed overwhelmed a moment ago, he was in shock now. Had no one told him that she would be here?
Legolas…yes…she would strangle him.
As she stopped in front of him, he reached slowly for the banner, holding it away from her so that he might see her better. Suddenly, she did not know what to say. She had dreamt of this day, of what she would say to him. Now, it all seemed insignificant when compared to what was actually happening. Not knowing what to say to him, she bowed her head, hoping to show him and all of Gondor how much she felt for him. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see someone step forward to take the banner from his hand.
She felt his hand softly touch her skin, gently nudging her chin so that she would raise her eyes and look at him. He looked at her in confusion; wordlessly asking her why she would bow to him. Why would I not, she thought to herself. He is Lord of Gondor, Anor, and my heart.
Then he was kissing her.
Not a sweet, gentle kiss that one would expect in front of all these people, on such a grand occasion. No, her Estel never was one for half measures. It was the kiss of one who had almost given up; of one who finally was given all his heart had ever longed for; of one who wished to let her know that he would love her forever.
~*~*~
Apparently, someone had failed to tell the new King that Arwen would be there. This was probably the mischief that Legolas was up to. He always did love surprises.
He leaned forward, quietly urging her to go to him. It nearly broke his heart anew to send her to him, but it had to be done. She had made her choice and he would have to live with it…somehow.
Hers was the Choice of Luthien. It had been said, repeatedly and much to her chagrin, that she was the image of Luthien, that long-ago Elf maiden who gave her heart to Beren, a mortal Man. She had given up her place in the Undying Lands in order to be by his side.
The irony was not lost on Elrond; that the one said to be her image would also make the same choice. History had a horrible way of repeating itself sometimes.
Estel took the banner from her hand, moving it aside. Elrond was surprised when she bowed to him. He head heard her, earlier, quietly repeating to herself the things she would say to him. He smiled, realizing that Legolas would have a lot to answer for; he mad made her forget what she wanted to say.
Then Estel was kissing Arwen. Elrond felt his heart miss a beat. He had expected to feel heartbreak at their reunion, but not this; never this. What he felt instead was the dawning of understanding.
~*~*~
She heard his voice inside her head. Estel had finally ended the kiss and seemed content, for the moment, to simply look at her face, gently tracing his fingers from her cheek to her ear.
“Love him well, and with my blessing, my daughter; for he loves you more than his own life.”
“This I know, Ada,” she silently answered. “But what has made you finally see it?”
“History – it is repeating itself.”
“Ada…not Luthien and Beren again. Please?”
A slight chuckle echoed through her mind. “Not Luthien, Arwen.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know how he feels because I saw the way he kissed you just now. You see, I once kissed your mother in just the same way.”
“Ada, you kissed her many times before she went away.”
“Yes, but this one time was special. It was the day she came to me as my bride.” His voice paused for a moment. “Enjoy your day, daughter, there will never be another like it.”
“Ada? Tell her…tell her that I love her. Tell her how happy he makes me.”
“I will, my child. And I will tell her that sometimes it is not such a bad thing for history to repeat itself. Love him well. And be happy, for I am happy for you.”
~*~*~
Elrond withdrew from his daughter's mind, content to simply watch her as she was reunited with the Man she loved. He smiled as he saw her suddenly laugh and wrap her arms around Estel's shoulders.
He needed no gift of foresight to know that she would live a happy life.
*******
END
A/N: If I have one complaint about Tolkien’s work, it is the way he ended the story of Elrond and Arwen, calling their parting “bitter.” I never liked this word, as it seemed, to me, to imply that they parted in anger. I felt that perhaps “bittersweet” would be a better choice and set about to give them a somewhat happier ending. I hope you have enjoyed this. Please review.
A/N#2: A very dear friend has requested that I add one more chapter to this story, told from the POV of Aragorn and Legolas. Since this was meant to be a simple one-shot fic, I hadn't given this a great deal of thought. I do plan to honor my friend's request, but it could take a little while. Please keep an eye out for one more chapter. Oh...before I forget...The additional chapter will NOT be slash. I like slash just as much as the next person, but my friend does NOT.