Main Characters: Aragorn, Éowyn
Rating: PG
Pairings: Aragorn/Éowyn
Genre: Drama/Romance
Length: Short story
Summary: Arwen does the right thing
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He had dreamed of this day.
He had dreamed of the day when he would be crowned King of Gondor and would then be married to Arwen.
He had dreamed of this - yet now that it was the eve of the day, all he could feel was a pang of loss, loss in which any joy and any triumph he felt over the final defeat of Sauron was submerged.
In the distance, he heard the sound of an elven horn and stiffened automatically. He knew what it meant.
Lord Elrond of Rivendell was here. And with him, of course, would be his daughter, Arwen.
She was here.
She was here to be his bride. And he hated himself for not feeling joy.
He walked out into the courtyard of the white tree to meet them.
She was here.
They crossed the courtyard slowly, with dignity as became them, a party of elves, lords and ladies of Rivendell and he was not unaware of the honor they did him in coming for his coronation. It was not usual for the highest of elves to attend the coronation of a king of men but they had come for him, to do him honor as the first king of men in many decades and also in token of the years he had spent among the elves. Now, when he was finally to take his rightful place on the throne of the Kings of Gondor, the elves who had once sheltered him had come to do him honor. And with them had come one who had promised to forsake the immortal life which was her birthright and her destiny, to live out her years here in Middle Earth, with him. It was a humbling thing.
And yet he felt no joy. He was not worthy of her sacrifice, had not been faithful to her as she deserved. Not in action, no, but in his heart, he had not been faithful to her... He did not deserve the sacrifice she would make for him.
"My lord, you are welcome here in Minas Tirith." He bowed low before Lord Elrond before finally looking at her. She was carrying a banner which shone with all the brightness of stars on which she had embroidered the white tree of Gondor and he knew she had put into the banner all her hopes for the future in a time when it must have seemed that all was lost. Again, he felt a pang of guilt and regret and loss. Loss for the love for Arwen he had once thought he felt but more than that, the loss which cut deep into his heart, loss for the real love which he should not feel and would never be able to speak of now.
She came forward, slowly, and their eyes met. Her eyes were shining with tears but there was an odd expression, of understanding and of acceptance, on her face.
"Arwen," he said softly.
"Estel," she said, equally softly.
He moved to kiss her, as she must be expecting him to do, but she stepped back slightly, her free hand coming up to touch his chest with a fleeting touch, stopping him. "Estel, we must talk," she said quietly.
He nodded, in some uncertainty. "Of course," he murmured.
She turned to look at Elrond. "Adda, I will speak with Estel alone and join you later."
Elrond nodded and with the other elves who had come with him, stepped away.
"We can speak privately in the hall," he said and she nodded, walking with him.
They were just at the foot of the steps leading into the hall when Éowyn stepped into the courtyard having come from around the Hall of Kings.
His heart clenched at the sight of her and he forced his gaze not to linger on the fairness of her hair or the quiet strength and beauty of her face. Ah, Éowyn...
Éowyn stopped short, paling, at this first sight of Aragorn and the woman whom she knew must be his elven love. She was beautiful with all the grace of her race, with hair on which strands of jewels shone all the brighter for their contrast with the dark richness of her hair. Truly a worthy queen for Aragorn and she stifled a pang of hurt. He deserved happiness and his happiness was with his love - and not with her. She would not- she should not- regret this, if it brought him happiness.
She sank into a deep bow. "My lady," she murmured.
But Arwen shook her head. "No. Do not bow to me." And stepping forward, she raised Éowyn from her bow. "Come," she said in a quiet and gentle command.
Aragorn frowned in confusion, steadfastly keeping his gaze from resting on Éowyn, following behind them, as he walked beside Arwen into the hall of Kings, quiet and deserted now.
"Arwen, what is this?" he asked quietly, noting that Éowyn had stopped just inside the hall and not come in further, looking, as he was sure she felt, uncertain.
Arwen turned to face him, their eyes meeting. "I said I would bind myself to you, Estel, forsaking the immortal life," she said softly. "And I meant it."
He flinched involuntarily at this reminder of what she was willing to give up for his sake and stepped closer to her. "Yes," he breathed quietly. "And I promised myself to you."
She looked at him for a moment and then smiled, slightly, gently. "But I will not hold you to a promise which you made before you truly knew your heart."
He stared. She could not know, could she? She could not be saying what he thought... "Arwen, what... I would marry you..." he began and then trailed off.
Arwen shook her head. "Yes, you would marry me but that is not your true desire, Estel. You know it is not. Do not deny what your heart is telling you."
"I'm sorry," he faltered. "I do care for you, Arwen..."
"And I for you. But it is the affection for one who is like a brother to me. Your heart belongs to another and it is with another that your destiny lies. I have seen this and I understand now."
"Arwen, are you saying..." he trailed off uncertainly, unable to believe what she was saying, doubting at the surge of joy he couldn't help but feel.
"I will leave with Adda, take the ship into the West as I am meant to do." She smiled. "Be happy, Estel. And do not regret. We were not meant to be and your heart recognized your true destiny. Be happy and I will be happy for you - and for your love," she added, her gaze moving behind him to Éowyn.
Éowyn...
He turned to look at her, his heart lifting on a wave of joy and relief and freedom.
She was pale, tears shimmering in her eyes as she looked from him to Arwen. They had been speaking too softly for her to hear most of what they said but there was no mistaking the expressions on their faces. Arwen knew and she had released Aragorn from his promise... Aragorn was free - and he did love her... Love, deep and honest and true, was clear to be seen in his eyes and his expression as his gaze met hers now.
Éowyn and Aragorn's gazes met and held for a long moment as the rest of the world faded away. Arwen looked at them and felt the last remnants of regret leave. This was the love she had seen in a vision, the love which was truly meant to be. She smiled and quietly left the hall, knowing neither of them was aware of her going. Which was as it should be.
Éowyn was not aware of who took the first step to cross the distance between them but suddenly she was moving toward him and he was moving toward her until finally there was less than a half-step between them.
"Éowyn," he breathed, his hand lifting to touch her cheek with a gesture so tender it could only be called a caress.
She managed a trembling smile. "You said it was only a shadow and a thought," she said half-reproachfully.
"I lied," he responded softly. At a moment less poignant, she might have smiled at the contrast between his words and his tone but right then, even those two words were touching. "Saying that to you was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm so sorry I hurt you."
She shook her head slightly. "I understand. It's in the past now; it doesn't matter. I know."
And she did. She knew him, his heart, his strength, his courage, his honor. She knew how much it must have tormented him, to love her when he was promised to another. And knowing that made her own pain on thinking he didn't love her seem so much less significant.
He drew her close and kissed her for the first time and his heart was glad, freed from its burden of guilt and sorrow.
There would be no more tears...
---
He was crowned King the next day.
Flags flew, hearts rejoiced, people from all around cheered for their King Elessar whom they knew and loved as a noble man. And the white tree of Gondor flourished.
He turned to make his way through his people, pausing to bow in his turn to Eomer, King of Rohan, and nod in acknowledgement of Faramir, Steward of Gondor, before stopping as Éowyn swept into a deep, graceful bow. She stood and he smiled into her eyes, a private dialogue taking place between them in the one exchange of glances.
I love you, Éowyn, my white lady and future Queen.
And I love you, my liege-lord and healer - and king.
He moved on with a last tender glance to smile at Gimli and clasp Legolas, most faithful of friends, on the shoulder.
Elrond nodded, smiling proudly and beside him, Arwen smiled and curtsied.
Their eyes met in a fleeting moment.
Thank you, Arwen, for understanding and for being here nevertheless on this day.
Be happy, Estel. No man deserves it more.
Then he came to the hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, who bowed.
He shook his head. "My friends. You bow to no one." And bent into a bow of his own to these four half-lings with more courage and more loyalty than many men and to whom they all owed their lives and their freedom. And as all the people bowed in their turn to the hobbits, he fancied he could feel Éowyn's approving and thankful gaze for she had more reason than most to appreciate the devotion and valor of hobbits.
It was a day of joy, of smiling faces and glad hearts.
But the best of all was that evening when all the people had gone away and he was alone with Éowyn, her hand in his, resting his cheek against her shining hair as she nestled her head on his shoulder.
"Are you happy now, Éowyn?" he asked quietly breaking the peaceful silence.
He sensed rather than saw her smile. "Very happy," she affirmed softly.
He smiled, brushing his lips against her hair. "Then I am content. It heals my heart to see you now in bliss, and all the more to know I have some part in your happiness."
And, standing there, Aragorn made a silent vow to himself, just as he had earlier that day when he promised to be a just and honest king of Gondor. He would do all in his power to keep her happy, as happy as she was on this day, for all the rest of her days...