Microficlet: In the House of Kings

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Author: liars_dance
Pairing/rating: Aragorn/Boromir/Arwen, PG
Notes: 400+ words of what I'm not sure. I've been reading the Appendices again... I like the idea that Arwen knew of Aragorn's love for Boromir and that at the last, they got to speak of it. Feedback, as always, would be lovely. And if anyone objects to me posting this here, please let me know; I may be the mod, but that doesn't preclude me from posting something inappropriately!

~ In the House of Kings ~

Arwen enters the chamber in the House of Kings. Aragorn is lying on his bed, his eyes cast to the window and to the west. Arwen stops by the door, watching him.

"You look far away, my lord - as if you have already left us," she says softly. "Of what or whom do you think?"

The King's face turns towards the voice. He smiles when he sees her - she is as beautiful as ever. "Arwen..."

Arwen smiles and approaches the bed. "Yes, it is I," Arwen murmurs. "Who else but your queen would be with you now - at the end?"

"No-one," Aragorn murmurs. "And I would not have it any other way."

"But there is one whom you would see if you could, is there not?" she asks, stepping closer. "The one of whom you were thinking when I entered your chamber."

Aragorn knows of whom his queen speaks. And she is right. "Lady - please," Aragorn whispers, but Arwen shakes her head and smiles sadly.

"You have been long without him, Estel. Long without talking of him. It must have been hard to endure."

Aragorn looks at her. "You have known all this time?" he asks, even though in his heart he knows the answer.

"Of course," she says softly. "How could I not know? The look in your eyes when Faramir mentioned him... So many things."

Aragorn can see the tears in Arwen's beautiful eyes despite her smile and he grasps her hand. "Listen to me, my beloved wife. It is true that I have missed Boromir these long years - but missing him - loving him - has not diminished my life with you. Had Boromir lived, nothing between us two would have changed. We would still have married because I loved you. I have loved you since the day we met in the woods of Rivendell. And I am still very much in love with you, Arwen."

Arwen smiles and kneels by his bed. Lifting his hand to her lips, she kisses his fingers. "I know - and I with you, my lord; so I beg you - do not go before your time - please - for only now do I understand..."

Aragorn puts a finger to her lips. "Hush, lady - this is the price we must pay, you and I - elfkind and mortal. But we have loved for six score years and more, seen peace in these lands and raised fine children. Eldarion is grown and ready for the throne. And it is better that I go when I choose than to falter and fail at the end. I do not go before my time - in your heart, you know this to be true." Aragorn pauses and smiles. "It is time for me to sleep, my beloved."

"Then sleep, Estel - my love, my lord," Arwen whispers and kisses the king's hand once more as his eyes close for the last time. "Boromir is waiting - as he has done all these years. He is waiting for you..."

Yes, she has had six score years and she is glad of it. But Boromir will have eternity.

~ END ~

Comments

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Sorry - again! And thank you.

[lisama.livejournal.com]

*sniffle*.....so beautiful....thank you!

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you - much appreciated!

[makamu]

That is breathtakingly beautiful in a very melancholic, sad way that reminds me so much of the Eldar and of Arwen as she should have been... she is no weeping girl that does not know what the price of her love is. She was not consciously aware of it for six score years, true, but deep down she knew what she was doing when she renounced the twilight under the mellyrn of Cerin Amroth in the autumn of her people. And no amount of blackmailing from her father, who would not have been described as "as kind as summer" and wise and gentle were he up to such a thing, could have changed that.

She is the granddaughter of Artanis Nerwende Galadriel and Celeborn the Wise of Doriath and descended from Lúthien Tinúviel and Melian the Maia and clearly had wisdom and might of her own and would clearly not have faded for no reason. Neither would she have been so petty as to begrudge Boromir his part in Aragorn's heart, I think.

The real gripe I have with the films is not that they put a sword in Arwen's hand (though I miss Glorfindel the Twice-born and Balrog slayer) but that they cheapened her love for Aragorn to a weepy romance.

You did a wonderful job at handling Arwen's voice (my first A/B was from her PoV, though in my AU she is with Legolas) and at giving her back her rightful dignity *bows and hugs*

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you - as always. I agree with you about how Arwen was handled in the movies. Over time I have become less satisfied with a lot of things about them and return to the books often.

[shegollum.livejournal.com]

wow...how sweetly sad and lovely. the love between them -- the mutual acknowledgement of boromir...beautiful.

this blows me away, sweets!

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed this!

[moldava.livejournal.com]

Sad, like you said, but in a peaceful, no-regrets way. Choices have been made, or made by life, and lived with, accepted. And I love it that he can choose to go and be with Boromir
*purrs*

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you, lovely. It is how I would see Arwen accepting it.

[mooms.livejournal.com]

Aah ! So sweet and sad *sniff*.

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[ribby.livejournal.com]

*sniffle* So gorgeous... and Arwen is a generous, kind soul. I do feel sorry for her here, just because she must linger while all she knows fades and dies around her. But Aragorn and Boromir will reunite, and be happy, and that's always wonderful!

*hugs you*

~Kris

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

I feel sorry for Arwen too - but after such a long life, she is wise - and I see her as accepting the reality.

*hugs you too*

And thanks so much for your card! I forgot to tell you it arrived!!

[seleneheart]

I love the idea of Boromir and Aragorn meeting and loving again beyond death, and I believe that a being who lived for three thousand years could understand the conflicts inherent in a person's heart . . . that Aragorn could truly and deeply love both her and Boromir.

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Absolutely she would understand - and accept it. Thanks - as always!

[redminerva17.livejournal.com]

This is lovely and heartbreaking indeed. Your Arwen is gracious and incredibly unselfish in her love for her husband. And Aragorn... oh my -- this is so terribly sad and hopeful, all at the same time. Thank you.

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad it struck a chord with you.

[lab-jazz.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful and sad story...sad for Arwen to have to let go of the one that she loves. Beautiful that Aragonr and Boromir will march through eternity together.

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

I always saw Arwen as a far stronger and wiser individual than she was portrayed in the films. The Arwen of the books is how I will always see her - and she would accept that Aragorn could love both her - and Boromir. But Aragorn and Boromir would have to be together in eternity; it is only right!

[halszka.livejournal.com]

Wonderful, heartbreaking story.
From the beginning -when I first time read the LOTR- I love story of Aragorn&Arwen. When I saw film I love story about Aragorn&Boromir. Now when the three of them are in the same story... I don't know, my filling is dividing, and that end for Arwen is much cruel then original one, bitter but with a hope of eternity.

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reading and commenting - it is much appreciated!

[magnifica7.livejournal.com]

Bitter and sweet. And beautifully written!

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[brigantine.livejournal.com]

I too tend to see Arwen as the sort who takes the long view, and in our happy world o' slash, as she knows Aragorn loves her, she doesn't mind too much sharing him with Boromir.

When I read that bit in the appendices about Arwen dying alone in Lorien I just sat there and cried like a big sap. Wicked Tolkien *pouts*. Anyway, I've always liked her, and this is beautifully done! :)

[liars-dance.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I'm pleased you enjoyed this.