To The End Of Her Days - A Fanfiction Sequel to The Lord of the Rings

Chapter 16 - The End of One Thing

"What?" Her mouth opened but no further words came. She did not know what to say.

"Did you hear that?" Ashtakh called out, "The Prince has fallen in love with the halfling!"

Bill and the orcs burst into laughter and the Company broke out into panic on the balcony, but neither of them noticed. They were both compelled to confess the feelings that had long been suppressed, and nothing would distract them now.

"You...really...love me?" Arwen struggled to say it aloud, afraid it was too good to be true.

"Yes, Arwen, I love you! You're the one that holds my heart. You mean everything to me and I would not be whole without you. Please tell me your heart is the same as mine!"

"It is!" she declared, shocked she was so quick to speak her heart, but relieved she did. They held each other by the arms, dazed that they returned the other's affections.

"I thought about you every day we were apart," Eldarion continued, "As each day passed, it only made me realize part of me was missing. When I finally saw you again, I felt complete for the first time in many years, and now I know why. Knowing you has made me the man I am today. I now know that I love you with all I am, and with a love that will endure all time."

"But Eldarion," Arwen hesitated, "such love is forbidden to us! Love between a man and a halfling is unheard of!"

"Does that matter? I believe we both have the courage and the strength for our love to endure all we must face." He paused, and then asked, "Arwen, you...love me too?"

"Oh Eldarion, of course I do! I love you with all I am. I also finally felt complete when we were reunited, but I could not explain it until now. I would not be who I am today without you. I love you enough that I will face death for your sake. Even though I will now never meet my Ada, the love you have given me will endure all the Ages of this world." She paused, then asked, "Do you really think I'm strong and brave?"

"Yes, you are strong and courageous! Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa. [1] No one else could endure everything you have for a people that do not understand you. Your heart makes your even more beautiful to me, even when the rest of the world has not been able to see it."

"You honestly think I'm...beautiful?"

"Oh, Arwen, Lle naa vanima! [2] You are the most beautiful person I have ever known! You are of pure heart and gentle spirit. You have the grace of a thousand Elven princesses, the wisdom of a thousand Elven lords, and the heart of a thousand steadfast soldiers."

"How can you say I'm beautiful when I look like this?"

"Because I know you, Arwen, better than anyone else. I know that your hair is short and you have many scars from all you have endured, but that does not matter to me." Eldarion brushed her hair back with his hand and said firmly, "I think you are beautiful just the way you are. Vanimle slia tiri." [3]

"What? How can you say that, Eldarion?" she said in tears of angry denial, "You can't really mean that, can you? Why would you, the prince and heir of Gondor, think I'm beautiful? I'm a worthless halfling who walks with a limp, looks like a boy, and is doomed to never marry! I am not beautiful! I'm not worthy of the love you have for me." Arwen looked down and shook her head. "The world might as well just be rid of me!"

Tears filled Eldarion's eyes as he listened to the way she described herself. She could not see her own value because of all the bitterness and animosity that had been dealt her all these years. Eldarion searched his heart to find the words to make Arwen understand how precious she was to him. In that moment, he could think of only one way to make her understand.