Forever

*~*~*

“We shall be together always.” The words were meant to
reassure… and at the time, they did. But now they only cause me pain. Pain
because you have lied to me. Your death was too soon. It should not have
happened… it would not have had I heeded your words and stayed in the walls of
Minas Tirith… if I had stayed safe.

You never wished to break your word. I shall see that you do
not have to. As I stand here, on the banks of the sea, I am reminded of you:
the dark waves, surrounding a blue-grey shore, echoes your features. How I miss
your raven locks, how I long to wake and drown in the depths of your eyes once more.

The water calls to me, a soft whisper in the passing wind,
just as your voice once carried over my ears. Should I step to the sea, my
love? Should I return to your arms? The waves pound against the shore with
renewed vigor, calling me to join them. So I step, and the swirling water pulls
me into a warm embrace, so like your own. My lungs burn but I do not struggle
for breath… the tang of salt and fish water fills my mouth but I do not pull
away in disgust, for I see your face in the distance, a smile lighting up your
eyes. “Arwen,” you call to me. “Arwen, you have come at last.”

I reach you arms, crystal tears falling from my eyes. “I
never wished to lie to you, fair one,” you whisper remorsefully. The sound of
your voice once more, no longer in dreams and memories, but in reality… I relish
in it.

“I have come to you,” I answer. “No promise was broken.” You
smile once more and kiss my lips. Valar, how I have missed this!

“We shall be together always,” you remind me, and now the
dream of forever seems real as we dance with the stars of eternity.

*~*~*