When Two Worlds Divide (On Hold)

Chapter 2 - Evening Stars

In this chapter, neither the song, nor some of the speech, was written by me. Most of it is based on, if not directly from, JRR Tolkien's appendices. But I have changed lots of it and all the descriptions I wrote. Also I just happened to write some of it similarly. So please enjoy...

"The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinúviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering..."

Aragorn's song trailed off in shock as he suddenly caught sight of a beautiful elf-maiden dancing in a clearing ahead of him. The silver moonlight reflected in her large, bright eyes and soft, pale skin. Her long, dark hair fell in gentle curls, perfectly framing her fair features and face.

Lúthien. He thought. Caught unawares, he stumbled forward towards her, but she caught sight of him and it seemed to Aragorn that she gracefully began to glide away from him, melting into he shadows. Convinced now that this elf was somehow the same being he had just been singing of, and both captivated and despairing that she was fleeing him, Aragorn ran after her.

"Tinúviel, Tinúviel!" He cried desperately, just as Beren of old, his ancestor, had done long ago. At this the maiden paused, and looked back upon the unfamiliar man standing before her, who was staring at her with amazement and wonder in his eyes.
Frowning, she met his silver eyes. "Who are you? And why do you call me by that name?" She asked, curious as to who this mortal man was.

"Because I believed you to be indeed Lúthien Tinúviel, of whom I was singing. But if you are not she, then you walk in her likeness." He turned an embarrassed gaze upon her at the admission, surprised that he had even managed to form a sentence, so awed was he by her presence.
"So many have said." The elf-maiden stated seriously. Yet her name is not mine. Though maybe my doom will be not unlike hers. But who are you?"

Aragorn's still shocked mind was struggling to find the correct words. "Estel I was called. But I am Aragorn, Arathorn's son, Isildur's Heir, Lord of the Dúnedain". But even as he said it, he felt that it was now of little importance or worth, and was nothing compared to her dignity and beauty.

"As I have said, I am not Lúthien Tinúviel. My name is Arwen Evenstar, daughter of Lord Elrond, and of Celebrían, Lady Galadriel's daughter, and I am called also Undómiel. And perhaps you are correct also that I walk in likeness of Lúthien, for I will admit I am a descendant of her." A hint of merriment shone in her eyes as she spoke, and her whole face seemed to come alive with beauty and light when she smiled at him.

But Aragorn frowned in spite of himself, wondering at the revelation of her identity. "How is it that I have never seen you before? That Lord Elrond and my broth- Elladan and Elrohir, have never spoken of you? Is it that they have kept you hidden from me in some way?" Estel supposed that he shouldn't call them his brothers, nor Elrond his father, as it may seem rude or offensive to her, as they were in truth her own father and brothers.

But Arwen laughed and shook her head. "Nay, it is not so. For I have dwelt over the mountains with my mother's kin in Lothlórien, and it has been long since I have walked in Imladris." Then Aragorn was embarrassed once more, for he had forgotten that she was an elf, and therefore immortal, for she looked no older than himself. But when he looked deep into her eyes, he saw indeed the light of the Eldar reflected there, and knew that she shared her father and brothers' long life.

And staring into the depths of her beautiful, dark eyes, Aragorn loved her. In that moment, he gave his heart to Arwen Evenstar, Elrond's daughter, and knew that he could never again give it to another, for as long as he lived.

Well, all the writing is mine from ' "As I have said..." ' onwards. But before that most of the conversation is from JRR Tolkien.