Immortalitui // Faramir 🥀

Epilogue

Word Count: 1, 356 words. 

Warnings: None. 

Arathiel awoke in Rivendell. Her brother had taken her there to heal while the elves prepared to leave Middle Earth and return to the Undying Lands.

Years it had been since Sauron was vanquished and years all had worried that she would not wake, or that if she did, she would not be the same. Three years where Arathiel lay unmoving, stuck in her mind.

Gandalf was by her side when her eyes opened. "You are late," he told her.

With the turn of her head, weak beyond anything she had felt before, Arathiel smiled. "I am perfectly on time, Mithrandir."

He returned the gesture. "We thought we had lost you."

She took a deep breath. "I am stronger than I look."

"Sauron is gone," Gandalf informed her, "from Middle-Earth and from you. I am not sure how, but you won."

With what strength she could muster, Arathiel brought herself to a seated position. "I am not quite sure either."

The White Wizard stood. "I shall fetch your brother." He made to leave.

"Mithrandir," Arathiel called. She hesitated. "Frodo and Sam?"

"Alive," he replied. "They returned to the Shire with Pippin and Merry, but Frodo returns today."

"Returns? Why?"

"He is the go with the elves, with you if that is your choice."

"My choice," Arathiel breathed.

ᵜᵜᵜᵜᵜ

"Three years?" Arathiel questioned as she walked with her brother. Her strength had returned slowly, but it had returned. "It felt like... moments."

"You spent centuries with his darkness inside of you," Elrond explained. "It will take longer than a second to rid yourself of it."

Her thoughts were only of Faramir. Three years.

"He has visited," Elrond told her. He knew her thoughts. He had always known her thoughts. "Often, too often. There are months that he spends here, sitting by your side. I believe, however, that he has returned to Gondor for the time being."

Arathiel stopped him, looking down at the Elven ring on her hand. "When do you return to the Undying Lands?"

He nodded. "Today."

She took it from her finger, handing it over. "You shall need to bring this with you."

With a sad smile, Elrond took it. "You do not wish to keep it?"

"I am sorry," Arathiel apologised, rushing forward to pull her brother into a tight hug. "I have been torn for years. Choosing humanity would mean leaving you as Elros did and..."

Elrond pulled away, hand on her face. "Elros did not leave us."

"No, you are right. He did not."

"I hope, my dear sister," Elrond began, the tears in his eyes unfamiliar to Arathiel, "that you live your life well."

She wiped away her own tears. "As well as I can, I promise you."

ᵜᵜᵜᵜᵜ

"Well if it isn't the Baggins'," Arathiel muttered in greeting as she approached the trio.

Frodo smiled, rushing to hug her. "Arathiel!" he exclaimed. "We thought you dead."