Le Melin, Beloved Consort (Aragorn)

Chapter Four, Loved One Leaving

Chapter Four, Loved One Leaving

"You're leaving tomorrow?" Calén asked causing Aragorn yo jump in surprise. Aragorn looked up from where he was sitting by the same tree that stood as a reminder of the promise they'd made the night before. "I must return to my people," Aragorn said sadly and Calén let go of a heavy sigh. He looked away from the Ranger with sadness showing in the way he held himself, and the Dúnedain stood up to stand in front of Calén. With gentle hands Aragorn cupped Calén's cheeks on either side of his face and raised his head to meet those emerald depths. Caressing those pale cheeks with his thumbs, Aragorn watched Calén as though he wanted to engrave every line of the Elfling's face in his memory.

"The Shadow has grown stronger and larger than ever," Aragorn whispered, feeling Calén's small velvet soft hands take a hold of his forearms. "Many battles will lie ahead, many dangers and shifting of tides. A war is on the horizon and many years will pass before peace will reign over these lands. But I promise to you, Calénandir, that I shall fulfill my oath. When the Shadow is gone finally gone, when you need not hide here, I shall make you mine." A single tear trailed down Calén's cheek and he did nothing to stop its travel. "Then you must promise me that you will try your hardest to evade death until our next meeting, Aragorn, for I don't want to lose you and I will not be able to follow you there." Calén's voice wavered as sorrow pierced his heart, like an arrow piercing an apple, and Aragorn swallowed difficultly as he leaned forward to rest his forehead against Calén's.

"I promise," Aragorn breathed. "But you must also promise me something in return. You must promise to wait for me, for no matter where my road may lead me or how long I am gone, I swear I'll always return to you."
"I promise." Calén whispered as tears flowed down his cheeks like Anduin. "I'll wait for you as long as there is light and hope left in this world and even if there is none left I shall still wait for you." And in that meadow, which would later be called by the elves as the Meadow of Promises, Aragorn and Calén sealed their oath and their love with a loving kiss, with only the moon and the stars as their witness. But neither of them knew in that moment as they confessed their love for each other in the passionate kiss, that it would in actual fact be several years before they finally met again.

The next morning when the grass was still damp from the morning dew and the sky a light pink as the sun had only just started to rise, Aragorn on his faithful steed towards the gates of Caras Galadhon, making his way north, he turned to glance back once more to seal Calén's small form standing beside his mother Lady Galadriel into his memory, and with a heavy heart he passed through the gates and into the world beyond, that would lead him through many perils before he could be reunited with his One.