(dusting off old muse.)

[elvenkind]

Ai, so great are the years that have cast us asunder. Lady, by any grace I have owned, allow it to pass favourably and guide your loving hand for both our sakes. Turn your eyes from doubt and account how we are, as yet, but a coming together of old companions. This bond of kith has not been broken.

Im gelir ceni ad lín. We shall weather this — I am come to your side, long forgotten. No less a friend.

Comments

[thelastking]

[ It once crossed his mind before that he would "maybe" find her here. Yet, such a thought was merely nothing more than wishful thinking before. ]

Arwen.

[ He says her name with great earnest, more grateful to see her well. ]

Nae saian luume'.

[elvenkind]

[ A pleasant surprise and no mistake to find him here. More a breath of relief than words take form: ]

Cormamin lindua ele lle. [ As tempered as a hurried pace can be, she approaches. ] Now it is I that feels the fetters of a dream must bind me.

[thelastking]

Oio naa elealla alasse'.

[ This is a pleasant surprise, one that he doesn't plan to squander for all his past worries regarding her fate has faded. ]

If this be a dream; then let us never awake.

[ He eagerly gathers her in his arms, holding her as if she was made of glass. ]

Are you well?

[elvenkind]

[ Gently does her touch slide along his jaw and down wavy locks as Arwen presses into his hold, her own on the front of his tunic tightening reflexively. It is he. ]

I am well. Tell me of your cares, for I would hear them.

[thelastking]

[ Her gentle caresses are quite welcomed by him. For too long he had to go without, and now he finds himself almost starved for her touch.

He almost feared he would never see her again. ]

My cares lied with you, melamin. I had feared that the light in your eyes had gone dim during my absence.

[elvenkind]

Let us not talk of such things. [ His absence has been with her for some time, ere he tried to leave her favour behind when venturing out with the Fellowship. She has since watched Rivendell's splendour age a thousand years in mere months as the Elves go to Mithlond, yet the loss of love by her side holds greater sadness.

A soft kiss buffs his lips to reassure. ]

You are ever with me, no matter the distance.

[thelastking]

[ As much as he knows that such absence was necessary, Aragorn certainly blames himself for causing her great distress. He had feared for the worst when Elrond sought him, brandishing Andúril's steel in hopes of offering the blade to him.

The light of the Evenstar was fading, he said. His immortal lover dying because of the wicked will of the Ring. Yet as he stands before her now, Aragorn could see that she's well. ]

And you with me, no matter where I may travel.

[ He answers her kiss with one of his own. ]

Let this be the last time we separate.

[elvenkind]

[ As much as she would like to fall in with that belief, her years and learning work against her. The profiles of noses brush as her gaze lowers, lingering in his embrace. ]

It will not be so. In earnestness you shall seek me out in realms unknown and in missing you I shall follow my heart until we meet again, yours to claim. Our time here is brief. [ To quiet any fears, her gaze rises to punctuate. ] But farewell is not forever.

Nor shall I speak it now.

[ A little longer, if the Valar will it. ]

[thelastking]

[ Just the thought of going without his beloved again saddens him. Must fate be so cruel towards them? If this is nothing more than a chance meeting between two star-crossed lovers, then Aragorn plans to enjoy every single minute as if it's his last. ]

We'll speak no more of this then.

[ He mutters softly against her lips. ]

I merely desire to be with you; even if it shall be brief.

[elvenkind]

Here I am, whole and content. I could be nothing less by your side.

[ A light, passing tweak is given to his hair as she smiles for him, seeking to unburden his woes. ]

What adventures has mine of the Dúnedain undertaken as of late? Tell me you have been idle and I give fair warning, I shall be hard-pressed to take you at your word.

[thelastking]

[ It's times like this that Aragorn can do nothing but stare at awe of her. Arwen's beauty transcends both heaven and earth, and it's not just her outwardly beauty that shines. There's no one in the world like her, and he knows that well. ]

It would not be like me to stand idle, would it?

[ He's grinning now since we all know "Strider" is a bit of a busybody. ]

In truth I've traveled beyond the shores of Arda, and beyond to lands far greater than those I've once visited in decades past. My journeys have lead me through many treacherous paths, but I look forward for the quest I embark upon now.

[elvenkind]

[ Similarly, Aragorn is worth all the world and its Ages in her estimation. That his smile prompts her own so easily will always be a novelty. ]

You are destined for great things. I am comforted in knowing you have your own adventures ahead, more so one that you yourself anticipate. [ Idly, her fingers weave through his own between them as she considers what kind of a quest it could be. ] How will it fare? Are you amongst friends?

[thelastking]

Destined, am I?

[ His smile becomes more of a smirk now. All of the worries of yesteryear seemed to be forgotten for now, all thanks to Arwen's presence. ]

You're most kind to believe in me, and I surely hope not to disappoint you. [ A rich chuckle escapes him as he entwines his calloused fingers around hers. ]

Aye, I'm amongst friends and companions alike. All of which herald my arrival to a strange realm known as "Somarium."

[elvenkind]

[ Narrowing her eyes at his tease, her hip nudges his own veeeery slightly. Barely even happened. ]

Somarium. [ Testing the name on her tongue, it lilts pleasingly. ] Who are your new companions? What manner of quest have you embarked upon? Aragorn.

[ Stop being coy, she knows he's doing it on purpose! Hmph. ]

[thelastking]

[ Of course he's doing this on purpose. It's fun! He wants to build the suspense a little, besides he likes to see her smile. ]

What manner of quest, you ask? [ His smirk widens even more as he gently caresses his hands down her clothed back. ] I may not be at liberty to say, but it does involve four very spirited individuals.

[ While he honestly isn't speaking of the four little hobbits; Aragorn wouldn't mind meeting with Frodo and his party again. ]

From what has been told to me from the words of another, the four are sons and daughters of a realm unbeknown to us.

[elvenkind]

Four? [ Quirking a brow, she clearly holds off asking whether it's who they would otherwise both assume it to be, watching him for clues. He's a tricky Strider like that, indeed. ] Mmm.

[ Sons and daughters softens her smile, it's a nice way of putting it. ]

Have you told them what they will be getting into, taking you on?

[ Is she being sassy? Hard to tell when her gaze lowers to watch the tracing of fingers around his collar. Ho-hum. ]

[thelastking]

[ Goodness, what has he started? It seems that his dearest love is having some fun at his expense, not that he minds. Just being near her is simply heavenly. ]

Nay, I regret to say I haven't.

[ Regret? The mirth in his smirk speaks nothing of regret. ]

Although, I'm quite certain that they'll enjoy the surprise.

[elvenkind]

[ Fun is something she loves in spades, understated thought it ordinarily is. She highly doubts he regrets anything of which he speaks right now, he's just as playful. ]

You know how easily you shall garner their trust.

[thelastking]

[ The two of them are quite mischievous in their own right, aren't they? A welcome change considering how trying the times have been. ]

That I do know, yet I would hope for a challenge.

[ Gently pressing his forehead against hers, Aragorn leans in close to steal another kiss. ]

Although, I would rather woo you to my side once more, melamin.

[elvenkind]

Perhaps you shall own the chance.

[ Entirely reserving the right to press a smiling kiss over the corner of his lips. ]

[thelastking]

[ His eyes widen once the news is told. Finally, at last, the two may be reunited once more. ]

A chance that I shan't squander so easily for you are my heart.

[elvenkind]

I have ever put my faith in you. Bask in this good fortune a little, that which you deserve.

[ Very likely, she'll spoil him rotten. ]

[thelastking]

Even this little morsel of happiness is more than enough to satisfy me.

[ He's really looking forward to this. Indeed, he is. Any doubt he once had of journeying this far from all he knows has faded. ]

I seek nothing else other than the Light of the Evenstar.

[elvenkind]

[ Arwen's laughter is soft and delighted as she combs her fingers through his hair, holding him close. ]

A blessing, then, that her Light finds such comeliness in Hope.