The Days of Old (LOTR- Book One)

Chapter 1: The Long Defeat

Chapter 1: The Long Defeat

"Anairë?" A soft voice echoed through my head, I shot out of bed.

"What?" I murmered sleepily as I rubbed my eyes. Arwen was staring at me, smiling warmly as she leaned against the frame on the door. Her black hair waved as cool wind fluttered through the room. I groaned as I stretched my arms in the air and stepped off the bed.

"He comes back today," Arwen said, gliding over to me, her flowing dark brown hair billowing around her face as she moved swiftly. I immediatly knew who she was talking about by the way she grinned when she said those words.

"He is?" I asked quickly, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I looked past her at the beautiful scenery that surrounded my home. I had been living in Rivendell for the past sixty years with Arwen and Lord Elrond.

I was young - well young in elven terms - only three hundred years old. I hadn't quite honed the ability to repress my feelings like the older elves, like Arwen and her father. I felt strongly about certain subjects and couldn't just sit there regally while they were discussed or acted out. 

I walked past Arwen and out onto the deck of my room, into the cool fall breeze that blew through the dying trees causing leaves to fall like snow. Horses flooded over the narrow bridge that connected the city to the mountains.

"Aragorn," I said to myself and spun around grabbing my light green robe and pulling it on as I ran out of my room.

Arwen and I walked out of the down the stairs and into the open meeting area that was the entrance into Rivendell, Aragorn jumped off his horse smiling warmly at Arwen as she ran to embrace him. I could seen his smile had a sadness to it, something was happening. He was going to leave again.

"How have you been, Anairë?" His soft voice asked when his gaze settled on me.

I jolted slightly as I was trying to figure out what he was upset about but shrugged and smiled at him, being an elf I was about the same height as him.

"I have been well." I said as I adjusted my robe and looked around the valley, taking in the morning environment. Lord Elrond had now made his way onto the stone walkway and a frown lined his forehead.

"Good to see you back," Elrond spoke smoothly as he finally neared the group, staring at Arwen who took a step away from Aragorn. Aragorn nodded as he walked over to Elrond and whispered something before trotting up the stairs.

Arwen stared back at her father and walked away, I arched her eyebrows and walked up the stairs following Aragorn.

"Are you actually going to stay this time?" I spoke as I rounded the corner to Aragorn's room, he frowned when he saw me standing in the threshold.

"Anairë.." Aragorn began, but was quickly interrupted.

I held my hand in the air to stop him from speaking, "You are breaking her heart." I spat, glaring at him darkly. He understood who I was reffering to and sighed as he plopped in a chair, rubbing his eyes.

"Lord Elrond has made it quite clear that he does not want me here." He spoke finally, puffing out air mid-sentence. I sighed loudly and plopped down in a wicker chair beside him.

"Where will you go?" I asked softly, looking at him sadly.

"I'm going to head to Bree," He spoke, furrowing his brow as if he really didn't have a clue what to do. "Gandalf has sent word that he wants me to look out for some friends of his.." His voice trailed off as he stared out the window and into the valley.

I grimaced, "She loves you Aragorn, and you know that as well as I do." I whispered and stood up out of the chair, "She's going to wait for you." I said as I looked out the window as well, Aragorn's burning eyes stared at me. 

"She has to leave. She has to pass on." He whispered as if he was in pain, I shook my head. There was no way she would leave, not now, not when Aragorn was out there.

"You need to tell her. I know that isn't what you really want though." I turned my gaze back to Aragorn who had his palms pressed against his eyes, he nodded slowly after some time. 

"I will return... probably." He sighed as I began to head out the door, "This isn't goodbye, Anairë." 

I tightened my lips at the expression on his face, sadness was plastered all over it. I nodded quickly and trotted down the stairs.

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"Why must you leave?" Arwen sighed, looking down sadly, Aragorn lifted her head with his fingers so their eyes met. She nodded, understanding even without a word being spoken. Aragorn sighed and cupped her face in his hands.

"I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I will return." He breathed, looking at her with pained eyes. She had to know how hard this was for him.

"Go." Arwen said quickly as she gestured toward his horse that was waiting for him. He puffed out air and jumped on his horse, looking at her one last time before cantering off on his horse into the distance. 

I narrowed my eyes as I watched a dark figure gallop off and out of sight. Arwen puffed out air loudly and began to walk away.

"He'll be back," I smiled weakly and placed my hand on Arwen's shoulder, she stared off in the direction Aragorn rode off in.

"I know he will," She croaked before walking back into the main hall.

I grimaced and walked back to my room, throwing myself onto the bed and breathing in a deep breathe of air and shutting my eyes tight. I was going out the next day with scouts tomorrow, rumors of orcs nearing the Valley have been spreading and we needed to know if there was truth to the whispers.. This year held a sadness, darkness was spreading across the land. Orcs were showing up almost on our doorstep, a malicious force was moving in the shadows.

I sighed and rolled over, willing this day to end quickly so I could fall into a dream about the years of peace before the world seemed to darken. I felt stuck, as if nothing I ever did would have any difference in the world.

As if I didn't belong here and as if I was meant for a greater purpose.

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Well? I know it was short.. but it's in the experimental stages, let me know what you think! Please post in the comments(: