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?

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[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.