Newest "muse" to my already long list

[arwenamin]

It was by accidental chance alone that we met and now I find myself wondering what fate has in mind for us.

[ Simply staring at her "mun" in mild wonder, the fair Lady of Rivendell speaks ever so softly out of mutual respect and awe. Never before had she expected to be whisked away to lands so foreign, but she's grateful nonetheless. ]

You've plucked me out from such a somber dream, my lady. Sparing me from sailing towards the Undying Lands and forced to face the Ages without him at my side.

[ Her gaze lowers briefly. ]

While the thought of me being separated from my kin certainly saddens me, this sacrifice I must give is welcomed by me. I wish to return to Arda once our journey together ends, for my heart belongs there with another.

[ Folding her hands neatly upon her lap, Arwen smiles pleasantly as she glances up at her mun again. ]

When this day come, will you respect my wish?

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

If she loves you, she will respect your choice, whatever it might be. [Of course, she's not just talking about Arwen's mun.]

[arwenamin]

[ A look of surprise lingers within Arwen's gaze once the Lady of Light appears. Knowing full well how the gravity of her decision affects those closest to her, Arwen cannot help but be somewhat somber now. ]

This is true and I know she'll honor it.

[inafadingcrown]

As will we all. [She'll move to take her granddaughter's hands] I wish only for your happiness.

[She will miss her, of course, when she sails. But she would not have Arwen's heart forever torn in two, wondering what might have been. But now she has something else on her mind. Something in Arwen's statement that concerned her.]

What has she told you of this journey?

[arwenamin]

[ A certain shyness overwhelms her once her grandmother takes her hand within hers. Almost unable to look her in the eyes, Arwen glances away and shakes her head. ]

You are too kind to me. The happiness you wish of me also wrought great sadness between us but I am overjoyed to have your blessing.

[ Now finally meeting Galadriel's gaze, a look of uncertainty passes through her eyes. ]

She has told me nothing yet. I believe she's looking for somewhere to send me.

[inafadingcrown]

It is as it must be. We will take the bitter with the sweet and be comforted in the knowledge of the life you have chosen.

[Uncertainty is met with caution. As much as she would love to see her granddaughter, the place in which she has found herself is hardly safe and she doesn't want to say anything that might be considered an endorsement. Too late, because her mun does want to endorse the place.]

She has treated you kindly thus far?

[arwenamin]

[ A small smile graces her lips as she stares at Galadriel adoringly. Her grandmother was always so wise and she always knew just what to say. Though she feels a little guilty for choosing love over family, Arwen knows deep in her soul that she chosen right. The future she dreams lies with Aragorn and not within the Undying Lands.

However, this simple truth leads to her next dilemma... ]

I do believe she means me well but I know she cannot keep her promises.

[ Endorse away! I've been stalking that game for so long anyway. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[She frowns, her brow furrowing ever so slightly] You worry me, dear one. I would not have you placed in harm's way.

[WELL, THEN. We'd love to have you. Especially me. Because grandbabby. /sob]

[arwenamin]

[ Arwen clutched her grandmother's hand a little tighter now, obviously quite worried as well. There's worry in her gaze but that worry is being stifled with courage.]

I shan't be in harms way, I promise. I will do everything in my power protect myself if need be.

[ Sounds good! Besides, I've been wanting to rp with your Galadriel for months now. ]

[inafadingcrown]

I know. I do not doubt your valor. There is too much of your father in you for that. [With her other hand, she reaches up and brushes Arwen's hair back from her face.] And of me too, perhaps, though you have your mother's gentle heart.

I would protect you, if it is within my power.

[Oh, my. I'm blushing over here.]

[arwenamin]

I could only hope that I possess such good traits.

[ A small smile graced the edges of Arwen's lips now, clearly humored at the thought of being compared to her father. Sometimes she honestly felt as if she was the day to her father's night, the complete opposite of him. While the memories of her mother lay dormant within a childhood nearly forgotten, Arwen always thought of herself more likened to mother than her father. ]

I want to be with you. You shouldn't be alone.

[inafadingcrown]

[Not the complete opposite. It was subtle, but she could see the similarities- the stubbornness, the determination, the courage.]

I could not ask it of you.

[aglarebthelion]

[Aragorn doesn't say anything right away. He just watches her, an odd expression on his face. It's a mixture of several different emotions, and it takes him a moment before he can speak. And when he does, it's only her name.]

Arwen.

[arwenamin]

[ Once her name was called, all of Arwen's thoughts came to an abrupt halt. She stood there, silent, her bright eyes wide with a mixture of awe and wonder. While she claimed to believe in the words of her mun, Arwen didn't expect them to ring true.

Uncertain what to say or even do, Arwen stands there in mild shock before the faintest curve of a smile appears upon her sweet lips. ]

Aragorn.

[ Gods be good! Don't let this be nothing but a dream for her. ]

[aglarebthelion]

[Seeing her smile is like seeing the sun rise after a long night. He closes the distance between them and reaches for her, taking her hands in his, still not convinced that this is not a dream.]

I did not expect to see you here. [A small smile lights his face, but there is concern there also.] Are you well?

[arwenamin]

As did I, melamin. I didn't think I would ever find you.

[ His concern doesn't go unnoticed by her, and hopefully the love within her gaze won't go ignored by him. Arwen clutches his hand in return, giving him a gentle squeeze to let him know that she is indeed real. ]

I'm quite well now. [ Her smile grows a little more. ] Much better than ever before.

[aglarebthelion]

[He looks down at their intertwined hands, and his brow furrows.] I have always come back to you. I would not have left you alone.

[He can plainly see the love in her eyes, and it is like a healing balm to him.]

Your writer is treating you well, I hope.

[arwenamin]

I know but I wanted to be the one to come back to you.

[ Arwen's grip around his hand tightens just a little as she watches at him with such earnest affection. ]

That she is. My writer is more kind than I had ever thought her to be.

[ Pausing for a brief moment as she stares into those flawless blue-gray eyes, Arwen suddenly finds herself a tad curious about Aragorn now. ]

And what of yours? Are you just as well?

[aglarebthelion]

It is enough that you are here. It is an immense relief to learn that you are being treated well.

[His expression turns sober as the conversation turns to himself.]

I am well, although I have been sent to a city where it is always night and the enemy is concealed from us.

[He does not wish to trouble her, and so he will try not to tell too many details.]

Legolas is there, as is Frodo of the Shire, and other friends from Rohan and from Gondor.

[arwenamin]

[ Arwen takes note of his expression but nothing more. Of course she'll ask more questions later about this realm plagued by night but until then, she'll simply enjoy being in his arms again. ]

A hidden foe cannot hide for long under watchful eyes. With the aid your allies, such foes won't be able to cloak themselves within darkness for long.

[ She holds nothing but faith in Aragorn and his skills, believing there's nothing he cannot accomplish. ]

[aglarebthelion]

We know nothing about this enemy, if it is one person or many. All that is known is that it is treacherous and wishes only for our destruction.

[Strong words, perhaps, but Aragorn is not certain what else there is to conclude given recent events. And what has driven this home more than anything else is that the city attempted to lure Legolas to his doom.

No, he is convinced that whatever foe lurks in the city, it is not interested in their survival.]

[arwenamin]

[ It's then that a look of fear filters her gaze. If this foe is as strong and capable as Aragorn claims, then this doesn't bode well for them. Had it been Saruman and his horde, her beloved would surely know what to expect. However, it seems that they're facing something or someone far more sinister than the White Wizard.

Gazing at up at him with such worry, Arwen finally finds her voice once more. ]

Destruction it may seek but destruction it won't find. You must overcome this.

[ She brings his hand up to her cheek and fondly nuzzles it. ]

Please. Overcome it.

[aglarebthelion]

[How can you overcome someone who cannot be seen? Despite Aragorn's best efforts, his gaze becomes a troubled one. But, troubled expression or not, Aragorn's words are anything but.]

I have not lost hope, nor shall I. You may have my word on that, Arwen.

[arwenamin]

[ Quite the vexing situation, no? Then again, one doesn't always need eyes in order to see or so the quote goes. Maybe there's something or rather someone who could solve the mystery regarding this invisible entity.

There must be a clue somewhere to be had. ]

Then I'm certain your victory will come swift, melamin.

[ She leans in and offers a chaste kiss to his brow. ]

Tell me, are your companions well?

[ Her thoughts now lie with Frodo and the others who fought so valiantly against Sauron and his horde. ]

[updownunderhill]

[Even Tom Bombadil is capable of being sombre, or at least reflective, and so he is now.]

So do all travellers on the Road meet, if chance you call it, lady. The world's a-darkening, but not all yet's at it's ending.

[arwenamin]

[ Blinking her eyes once then twice, Arwen glances around in pure wonderment as she searches for the origin of that voice. ]

The world won't be at its end until Eru himself deems it so. Until then, I shall cling to hope and wish for another tomorrow.

[updownunderhill]

[Over here, Arwen, the funny, jolly-looking little man dressed in cheery blues and yellows with a feather in his cap. The eyes are the only hint at something deeper, and now, they've shifted from sombre back to bright and twinkling.]

And rightly said! [He actually does a little caper, and the sing-song quality of his voice almost becomes a melody for a moment.] The new morn comes, though we are old, and the sun is shining! Merry dol, fair one, ring-a-ding-dillo! Tom's heard of your kingly love, and knows of him of old. That's a man who knows the shadows, and how to send them on their way. As, I think do you, Undómiel.

[arwenamin]

[ At first glance, Arwen thought this man to be a hobbit or a dwarf considering his small stature. However, there's something about this amiable fellow that doesn't quite seem "hobbit-ish" to her. While everything from his rustic attire to his robust smile made her think of Frodo and his Shire friends, Arwen could sense he wasn't a hobbit at all. ]

You know of Aragorn? [ A small smile settled on her lips now. ] Ah, I see. It seems you know of him as well as you know of me.

[ Tom is such a sprightly fellow, one who easily effects others with his cheerful tone. ]

[updownunderhill]

[The beard's a dead giveaway, for a start; no hobbit ever had such a luxuriant brown beard as Tom has. He could give wizards a run for their money. But Tom Bombadil's in no hurry to be one thing or another, nor fit himself into the old lists; Arwen will have to ask, if she's curious.]

My country's near the Bree-land, and Elfstone Strider used to keep a weather eye on those lands, though none there know him by so fine a name as his true one. [A chuckle, and he executes a bow which, although entirely sincere, still seems to have something slightly ironic behind it.] You, I only know by reputation.

[arwenamin]

[ Such a luxuriant brown beard it was! Such a beard like that would surely make Gimli frown with jealously had the dwarf been present now. However, Tom would find no jealously here but rather timid fascination in the form of a young elven maiden. ]

If you hail east of the Shire, then it would seem that both of us share a common origin in Eriador.

[ A fact that she couldn't help but state. Now that her curiosity has been sparked by tenfold, Arwen couldn't help but inquire what he has heard of her. ]

Tell me, what kind of reputation do I have beyond my home of Rivendell?

[ She's most curious to know. ]

[updownunderhill]

Hail? [Another laugh.] Nay, my lady, Tom's from everywhere, you might say, but it's been long years since he's gone a-wandering out beyond his borders. Deep in the forest I dwell, down by Withywindle, all yellowed with old willow leaves, and black willow spirits for to rein, and water lilies for my pretty lady.

[He cocks one of those twinkling eyes at her in a faintly crooked expression.] The lady of Rivendell is the very image of her great-great-great-grandmother, so they say, with hair like twilight and eyes like shadow under stars. [So they say. Not that he was around when Lúthien Tinúviel was dancing her dances in the woods of the ancient world and sees the resemblance himself.] With the wisdom of her father and the grace of her people.

[arwenamin]

Down by Withywindle?

[ Flowing down from the low-hills east of the Shire through the murky queer woods of the Old Forest, was none other than the Withywindle river. Elves avoid this strange woodland with fervor because of the old tales revolving around less than fortunate wayfarers who've managed to survive their encounters within this forest. Idly wondering why he would choose to live within such a realm, Arwen's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by praise. ]

Oh how they honor me so. [ She replied with a bashful smile. ] Forgive me but I'm nowhere as magnificent as "The Enchanting Twilight-maiden" despite being her descendant by blood. I'm merely myself, a daughter of mixed origins.

[ Feeling quite humbled now, Arwen eagerly shifts the conversation away from herself. ]

Now what of you, I ask? What reputation precedes you?

[updownunderhill]

Ho, now! That is the question. Tom is-- as you see him. [With a little bow, as if presenting himself for inspection, and again, those glittering blue eyes.]

Iarwain Ben-Adar I was called of old, by the Elves. Has that name been forgotten?

[arwenamin]

[ It was once he uttered his Sindarin name that Arwen finally acknowledged the secret that lied behind those glittering blue eyes. A sharp gasp escaped her followed by the soundless mouthing of his name in her native tongue. ]

Iarwain Ben-Adar...?

[ She blinks her eyes a few times. ]

You are...the one who came before us all? The one who exists beyond time itself.

[updownunderhill]

[Bashfulness is a very mortal emotion-- and even Elves are mortal, by Tom's standards-- so he doesn't bother with it. His little smile, though, has the effect of dismissing her awe; there's no need for it, really.]

If that's the tale you've been told. I've as many names as I have stories. [And a nod.] But eldest, I am. Tom was there before the lights, and there before the dark, and saw the naked Elf-children when they first taught themselves to speak.

[arwenamin]

[ Bashfulness is a very mortal emotion after all. Arwen certainly feels quite humbled before Tom right now, almost embarrassed. While he could easily dismiss such awe easily, she could not. For awhile, Arwen is honestly at a loss for words. ]

You saw the world shape into the realm we live upon now. It was you who watched as the mountains form their peaks and the hills gathered their wheat. The legends that speak of you are quite grand but true.