tanaquiljall | Entries tagged with arwen

( Day 25: Married Life )

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Written in response to discussion with

dkpalaska about Burdened down by the deceitfulness of riches.

Day 362

Woodcraft

Aragorn kept feeling as if he was being watched – but every time he turned around, he saw nothing. After a while, he put it down to being too used to making every move under the watchful eye of guards, servants and prying courtiers.

Reaching his favourite spot at last, he dropped his knapsack and sat down to enjoy the view and take a breather before gathering fuel for his campfire.

"So this is where you sneak off to!"

Starting up, his hand reaching for his dagger, his gaze met Arwen’s as she threw back the hood of her grey cloak.

dkpalaska said I've always wondered if Aragorn and Arwen, having been trained by Elrond, spent some of their time either in the Houses themselves or training others (although only Aragorn would have that "hands of the King" thing). Such knowledge they would have brought from Imladris! But also so many other duties to fulfill.

Day 361

Knowledge in her glance

The Warden felt no surprise at the intelligent remarks from the new Queen as they toured the Houses. Reaching the still-room, she fingered herbs, split seed-pods to sniff their contents, asked questions of the healers preparing simples. At one bench, she took a knife and showed a healer the best way to release essence from a root.

Wiping her fingers, she said shyly, "Master Warden, may I visit from time to time and keep sharp the skills I learned at my father’s side?"

The Warden bowed. "Daughter of Elrond, I would have asked, had I not feared to give offence."

For

gwynnyd, since I've been rather neglecting these two recently. Plus some ~~inspiration~~ shameless borrowing from Shakespeare. (Hey, if you're gonna steal, steal from the best!)

Day 324

In the glades of Lothlórien

Sighing leaves filtered sunlight into cool green flickers while his hand gentled her dark hair. "For which of my faults did you love me first?"

She arched an eyebrow. "I cannot say." She smiled. "But you are – what did father say? – so beneath me," here she gently prodded his stomach next to where her head rested, "that perhaps ‘twas your presumption. But for which of my virtues did you love me first?"

He laughed. "Why, all together, a vision of loveliness I must seize ere it slipped away." With lightning-quick movement, he demonstrated how he would take possession of her.

A diversion from the star-tales today - although I'm sure I'll get back to them - still several constellations to go!

I was (finally!) answering LJ comments and got sidetracked by a comment from AFriedman: "It seems to me that Arwen's role was either neglected in the histories, as perhaps were the roles of many of the women who quietly worked behind the scenes rather than taking the glory of battle for themselves, or else Arwen actually was very passive. What do you think? I'd be curious to read a drabble about this."

And so....

Day 259

The Judgement of History

Glancing across as the scop hymned the exploits of Lady Wraithbane, Arwen saw a slightly glazed look on Éowyn's face. Leaning sideways, she murmured. "Does the singer's tale displease you?"

Éowyn, graciously smiling and clapping and throwing a favour as the musician finished, answered wryly. "Nay. But 'tis tiresome after twenty years to be lauded always as the shieldmaiden."

"Be thankful." Arwen's tone turned acerbic. "In song, I am naught but Lúthien's shadow, a fair prize for the King Returned. All that I did to hold the North together in Estel's absence is as dust to the minstrels of Gondor."

AFriedman asked for a follow up to Dear Aragorn.

Day 238

Cold Feet

Aragorn fumbled with his cloak fastenings. Gently batting away his hands, Elrohir completed the task of dressing his brother for this special day.

Aragorn gave him an agonised look. "Is it time?"

"Another hour." Elladan, also standing attendance, smiled sympathetically.

Aragorn paced. The coming ceremony was part of the peace settlement, a necessary healing for Middle-earth, but still....

At last, brothers at his back, he strode towards the Tower Hall.

His bride awaited, cunning on her slant-eyed, swart face, wilting flowers crushed between her claws....

Aragorn woke, sweating, and reached out to reassure himself Arwen slept quietly at his side.

allie_meril wanted to know how Arwen adjusted to her role as Queen of Gondor.

Day 208

Adjustments

It was the same, and yet so very different.

She was still mistress of a valley, but this one stretched for hundreds of miles, from northern falls to southern delta.

She still played hostess, but to lords and ladies seeking advantage, not weary travellers seeking rest. And so many feasts and high days...

She still cared for her people's welfare – founding new orphanages and almshouses, schools and houses of healing – but greedy men or ill-chance or border wars meant the need for charity was never-ending.

Yet at her side, through all things, her husband – and that made all the difference.

gwynnyd asked for Arwen and Gilraen talking about Aragorn, before and after betrothal. This is "after".

Day 207

Mother to Daughter

"You spoke truly when you said your son was stubborn!"

Gilraen glanced sharply at Arwen. "I trust you do not take him for pity or weariness."

"Nay." Arwen's giggle was uncharacteristically girlish. "He is wise, valiant, kind, honourable...." Her lips twitched. "Stubborn. He is... perfection! I wonder you judge any woman fit to wed him."

Gilraen smiled at Arwen's giddiness, recalling her own betrothal. "But then I would have no grandchildren to gladden my heart."

Arwen's face fell. "Father sets conditions. Your arms may be empty awhile yet. Can you forgive me?"

"For giving hope to Estel?" Gilraen smiled. "Surely."

Seem to have a bee in my bonnet about Gilraen at the moment. *g*

gwynnyd asked for Arwen and Gilraen talking about Aragorn, before and after betrothal. This is "before".

Day 206

Woman to Woman

"Forgive me for speaking of it," Arwen dipped her head in apology, "but when your husband fostered here as a youth, he too declared undying love for me." She smiled. "Yet I believe he outgrew the infatuation."

"And you think Estel will do the same?" Gilraen noted how the passing years had left no mark upon the daughter of Elrond since last they met.

"When he has spent time with your people, I am sure he will find a fine wife – as Arathorn did."

Gilraen sighed. "Alas, I fear my son is far more stubborn than ever my husband was...."

After my drabble about Aragorn on the night after his coronation,

phyloxena asked How about an Arwen did sail West AU?

Day 180

Dear Aragorn

By the time this reaches you, I shall have taken ship with father and sailed West. I know this news will grieve you, not least that you endured much to achieve father's demands. Yet the long years of our engagement have convinced me I would make a poor Queen of Arnor and Gondor.

The fault lies in me, not you. Truly.

I return the Ring of Barahir – father assures it need not be melted, as is tradition – and trust you will find a suitable Gondorian noblewoman on which to bestow it.

Wishing you every happiness and success for the future.

gwynnyd asked for a follow up to yesterday's drabble: Arwen's thoughts as she approaches Minas Tirith.

Great Expectations

"We could still turn back."

"Grandfather could order Hirvegil to save you."

"Glorfindel here could sacrifice himself once more for Turgon's House."

My brothers' jests conceal approval: each has confided privately that the snot-nosed Man-child has become a lord worthy of the thrones of Arnor and Gondor – and their sister's hand.

Beside me, father manages a half-smile. I grieve my choice does not gain him a son – long ere I met Estel, father loved and honoured him so – but loses him a daughter. Yet my gaze is again and again drawn back to the white walls that loom ever closer.

Note: Borrowed from

elena_tiriel's wonderful Fell and Fair series: Hirvegil is Celeborn's second-in-command.

After yesterday's Family Reunion,

gwynnyd wanted to know Now how does Arwen take that? - nudge, nudge - Does she recognize his stiffness for what it is? Does she misunderstand? Is she exasperated? Amused? Annoyed? Does she even *notice*?

Day 154

Salt in the Wound

Arwen wondered at the coldness of the young man's response. She took pride in having learned over the years how to gently and tactfully rebuff the advances of the Heirs of Isildur.

Perhaps laughing when he announced his newly learned titles with such grandeur had been a mistake.

Had he spent the intervening months in the wild simmering with resentment? She must ask her brothers later whether the boy had said anything. Meanwhile, she would try to ease the strain between them.

"Come." She gestured inside. "May my father's house be a cure for aught that grieves or wearies you."

sgafan asked for something involving Aragorn and Arwen pre-LotR. This is set the first time Aragorn returns to Rivendell "from the wild" after meeting Arwen.

Day 153

Family Reunion

"Good to see Imladris again, eh, Estel?" Elrohir clapped Aragorn on the shoulder as he hurried forward after Elladan to greet their sister.

Aragorn hung back. The churning in his stomach had nothing to do with hunger. He had promised himself his conduct would befit one of the kings of men.

Released from Elrohir's fierce hug, Arwen turned to Aragorn.

"Welcome, kinsman."

Aragorn stiffly – churlishly, he feared – bowed his head in tongue-tied acknowledgment. He stifled his heart's desire to embrace her like her brothers – for he doubted he could remain brotherly long if once he took her in his arms.

This is a follow up to Hair of the Dog.

tianaluthien wondered was Faramir in any better shape? And what was Éowyn's reaction? She also earlier asked for Arwen and Éowyn sharing a laugh.

Day 123

Goodwives

"Was it very bad?" Reaching for another fruit tartlet from the plate, Éowyn hesitated for a moment before shrugging and selecting an apricot-filled pastry.

Arwen glanced over her shoulder to make sure the servants were out of earshot and lowered her voice. "Awful. Even I was regretting the visit after ten minutes."

Éowyn swallowed the end of the pastry. "You should have invited Faramir as well." She licked her fingers.

Arwen grinned. "Oh no. He was far too busy reviewing the terribly urgent papers about the new wing for the orphanage that I had sent over before I woke Estel."

lindahoyland wondered about Arwen's reaction to her husband spending the evening at the tavern with Faramir in After Work.

This bit of fluff suggests there may be more than one way to dissuade your husband from unseemly carousing than simply complaining about it....

Day 121

Hair of the dog

Aragorn stirred, and then froze, trying to stop the mûmakil stampede that had started up in his head. His mouth felt as if he had spent the last three weeks in the Southron interior. His stomach complained he seemed to have been reduced to eating live insects while he was there.

"Do not linger too long in bed, love." Arwen's sweet tones came from nearby. "I have just sent to the master of the orphanage to let him know we will be coming to hear the children's choir this morning. They will be so disappointed if you are not there."

phyloxena asked what dowry did Arwen bring?

as part of the A Little Knowledge Can Be A Dangerous Thing series.

Day 47

Treasure

Faramir bowed. He had been presented to the Queen, of course, and exchanged a few words in court, but never before had they held private discourse.

Arwen plaited her fingers in her lap. Faramir realised she was as nervous as he.

"I would have your advice on how best to bestow certain items in my dowry for the enrichment of Gondor." When Faramir nodded, Arwen gestured to several bundles carefully wrapped in oilskin. "I bring many volumes from my father's library...."

Faramir forced himself to attend to Arwen and not cross the room to open every parcel there and then.

rakshathedemon asked for AU! Faramir and Arwen have a hot affair. *shocked look* There was really only one way I could comfortably write this scenario.... (And I still feel I have trouble making it work.)

Day 27

Enchantment

A small voice deep inside Faramir sometimes wondered why. He had a beautiful wife and children; days filled with the joy of rebuilding Gondor; a King who was a friend as well as a lord worthy of service. Yet all was swept aside in Queen's intoxicating presence.

Stolen hours. Lips trailing across intimate skin. The bliss of consummation....

Faramir started up from the rumpled bed as the King flung open the door to the love nest.

"Peace, Faramir." Aragorn held up a phial. "If there was treason, 'twas not yours. It seems the Easterling ambassador bewitched you and the Queen."