The Citadel of Guard

[Saeros]

"Your going allone into the mines? Shouldn't you take at least one comrade with you for covering your neck? If it is like you expect and Garland is a traitor and Moria not the harmless mine as it pretends to be, you will walk straight into the web of a spider. Is Aragorn son of Arathorn still a man? Or is the heir of Isildur and Elendil undefeatable now and does not need any comrades anymore? I don't underestimate your strength. I saw your fight against Dindaedel and he was no easy foe. But I see you are taking risks for your life maybe a little bit to easy. You have no heir yet and a wonderfull wife. Do you want to make her a widow before time and abandone your people?"

[Envin]

Aragorn chuckled heartily at the words of Saeros. "Very well, good my friend. I had intended to ask for thy comradeship upon the journey, but thou hast forced my request sooner than I had intended. Wilt thou accompany me into the mines, then? I must needs tend to an important errand in the north of Middle-earth that will not wait, but if thou wouldst care to remain here in my City until I call for thee, then we can meet in Eregion and make our choices from there."

[Saeros]

Saeros grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Pretty well, than. I guess I can use some time in your fair city. Let me know when I have to come to Eregion and where you want to meet me and I'll be there in timel. I let you go than to your urgent business and take my leave for now. You know where to find me and we will meet again soon." With this words he bowed and went.

[Envin]

Aragorn looked to Arwen and smiled up at her. "Well, 'twould appear that I must needs take my leave of thee again, ere long. Do not fear, little vanimelda - such is our lot in life. I shall return ere long, though, and we shall be together once more."

[Legolas]

Legolas arrived late in the day, gaining entrance with little difficulty. As he approached the great throne, his eyes met with the form of the lord Envinyatar and Saeros of Rivendell. He would wait till their business was finished and then speak.

[vanya]

Arwen turned her eyes from Aragorn not to show him her concern, but he noticed her trouble and took her arm with a questioning glance. She looked at him. "You know, I have the gift of foresight like my father," she said quietly. Tears were glimmering in her eyes. "There might be no comming back for you once more, if you leave me this time." She shivered.

[Envin]

"Dear one," Aragorn answered, his face filled with concern, "Gifted in foresight art thou, and this I well know. But I shall take the utmost in caution in this venture, and return unharmed to thee, do not fear overmuch. Wouldst thou rather that I not go?" He saw that Arwen hesitated in her thoughts and would not press her, and so turned his glance toward Legolas, with a welcoming smile motioning for him to speak.

[vanya]

Arwen went silent for a moment and after Legolas didn't spoke she looked thankfull at him and turned her glance towards Aragorn again. "I know you have to go," she said and her voice broke. She lowered her head. "You will go, whatever I say. But a dark fear grasps surround my heart when you enter the doors of Moria again."

[Envin]

"Neither shall I enjoy the prospect of entering the Mines again, dearest, but if we are to garner information concerning Lord Garland, it must be done. Do not fear for me, but keep thy heart calmed, and look for my return ere many days are gone. I shall pass through Rohan on my road home, and ride into the City bearing simbelmyne for thy raven hair, and thou shalt smile upon me and be glad."

[Legolas]

Legolas saw the lord to be deep in speech with his beloved and so departed. After leaving word with the guard of where the lord might find him, he left for home to await the coming of Envinyatar.

[vanya]

She looked at Aragorn, but this time she said nothing. In her eyes he could still see her fear for him and that his words didn't easiered her heart. She turned her eyes from him and looked to the ground.

[Envin]

Aragorn took her hand and kissed it, and smiled at her with his soft eyes full of love for his wife.


{Some time later...}


It was the morning that Aragorn was to leave for the dangerous task of seeking out what Morsereg's final words meant to Middle-earth. His ways would lead him into the north of the world, but he was not deterred. He came first to the Citadel to set his affairs in order, and when all was prepared he turned to his wife to bid her farewell. He held out his arms to embrace her.

[vanya]

Arwen came to him and wraped her arms surround him as if never to let him go, but than she stepped one step back, took his hands and said:" Namarie melamin, may you find what you seek. Be safe wherever your feet lead you, even in the darknes of Khazad Dum. Never forget, my heart and my thoughts are with you."

[Envin]

"Be not afraid more than is needful, dear one," Aragorn said in a comforting tone. "I shall return ere many days are gone, having learned what all I am able and thou shalt see Roheryn bear me across the plains to greet thee. Kiss me now, for I must go, but we shall be together again soon. Arwen vanimelda, namarië!" And so saying he took her head in his hands gently, and kissed her once upon each eye with tenderness, and then full upon the lips. For a moment that lasted for eternity they stood thus, but then with a squeeze of her hand he turned and strode from the hall.