All for the Ones I Love

A/N: I should have mentioned this in the first chapter, but some of these ideas came from a book I found interesting ‘ The Origins of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth For Dummies’ so I don’t own anything found in that book. I recommend reading it, it hits topics most sort of don’t really think about.

Remember: [yadda yadda] means A/N in the story. Sometimes U just have to comment.

Chapter 4: A Mothers Concern

Glorfindel and Legolas watched as the twins and Elrond once again try to call Aragorn back from the oblivion of unconsciousness Glorfindel’s mind wondered back to the past trying to see what Legolas already knew. He didn’t notice when the Mirkwood elf left his side to try and help his dying friend.

-Two months past.-

Aragorn was enjoying the peaceful morning. At first he was happy that his brothers were busy for a while, but soon became bored. Elrond had called the twins to his study to get their opinion on some sort of treaty between Rivendell and a human settlement wishing for hunting and trading within elven territory, and Legolas had received a message that he was to return home to tend to his princely duties.

Having seen his friend off Aragorn decided on taking a walk through one of the many gardens. His mother was helping in the kitchens today, it was part of her agreement with Elrond. She would live here, but she refused to sit around and have nothing to do all day. So when she felt the need to do something, which was often (his mother never liked sitting still for long), she would go and help in the kitchens, or gardens, or travel into a nearby town.

Aragorn walked down the winding garden path taking in the beauty of the various trees, flowers, small trickling streams, and the way the morning sun hit everything in just the right way. Before he knew it he was humming a familiar tune, one he had loved since his childhood days. Lay of Luthien, was what it was called a love story where a man and elf fall in love and over come all odds and against everyone’s will and wishes to marry in the end. The ending however was a sad one. The elven lady in return for falling in love with a mortal had to give up her immortality if they were to be together. [hey a middle earth version of Romeo and Juliet] It has always been one of his favorite tales of old.

As he crossed one of the bridges that connected two gardens he saw her. Words could not describe her breath taking beauty. Long dark hair flowed down her back, delicate braids were tide into elven knots reveling her delicate pointed ears. Her clothes were silver and blue in color and accented every curve of her figure.

‘It is Luthien’ he thought. Aragorn didn’t dare blink for fear of this being a dream or a hallucination caused by the sun.

He stood staring in shock and awe of her for what seemed like hours. As she turned to walk away Aragorn saw his chance leaving, if he wanted to meet her he would have to make his move now.

“Tinuviel.” said Aragorn running towards the elven maiden. As she turned, the sight of her eyes (a beautiful mix of silver and blue) nearly took his breath away for the second time. “Tinuviel, many a year I have dreamed of meeting with you, but never did I think I would. Yet here you stand before me only moments after singing your tale.”

The maiden smiled and giggled slightly, “I thank you for the complement kind sir, but I fear you are mistaken.”

“Oh, how so?”

“I am not the fair Luthien Tinuviel. My name is Arwen.”

“Arwen.” her name and voice were like music to his ears. “I offer my apologies, but indeed you resemble her greatly if I may be permitted to say.”

“No apologies are necessary I am often compared to Luthien and it is said that my fate may yet be the same. You know my name now stranger, but I have yet to hear yours tell me, what is it?”

Aragorn gave a slight bow, “ I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn and Isildur’s heir.”

“Well then we are of distant relations for my father is Lord Elrond.” They both started walking down the path leading towards the kitchens.

“Really.” Aragorn was shocked, “I never knew he had a daughter. The only ones of his family I have met have been the twins. Where has he kept you all this time. Certainly he would not lock you away from the world to see?”

Arwen laughed at the thought, “No, I have been in the Lorien with my grandparents. I traveled their a long time ago when my mother sailed.” a brief look of sadness crossed her features before disappearing as quickly as it came.

They continued down the path talking to one another on different topics. They never knew they were being watched.

~~~~~~~~~~

With preparations for lunch complete, Gilraen walked outside to the gardens to escape the heat of the kitchen fires and the hurry up and wait of cooking. She was given a break by the other cooks who insisted that her help would not be necessary until after lunch when they would start on dinner. The elves had always been kind to her and her son and greatly enjoyed Gilraen’s help and company, but sometimes they felt bad for having one of Lord Elronds guest being put to work. Gilraen however insisted on being allowed to do so, if for nothing then for lack of something better to do.

She was sitting on a stone bench near one of the many vegetable gardens near the kitchen when she heard the voice of her son. 'Who’s he talking to?' she wondered as she stood to go and see him. She hadn’t seen much of her beloved baby boy since he had join the rangers not long ago.

Gilraen peaked around the trees to see who he was talking to only to see him waving good bye to an elven maiden. Had it not been for the look she saw in his eyes or his body language she would never had suspected something. However being both a women and a mother she knew those looks and signs anywhere.

Aragorn turned to see his mother standing arms crossed and looking at him with an expression he couldn’t read.

“Good day mother.” he said sheepishly not sure exactly how to proceed.

Gilraen uncrossed her arms and walked next to her son, “Aragorn who were you talking to. Surly not with yourself. That’s never a good sign.” she giggled as she took the arm of her son and proceeded down a different path.

Aragorn chuckled, “Mother, are you saying that I might be slipping into insanity?”

“Maybe. I will assume so if you don’t tell me about the girl you were talking to.” Gilraen looked at him slyly.

Aragorn’s face turned beet red as a wistful gaze clouded his eyes. Oh yes he was smitten with her. As any mother could tell with their sons. “Aragorn come tell your mother who is this girl who has clearly stolen your heart.”

Aragorn sighed, “Her name is Arwen.”

Gilraen’s face fell. Arwen was Elrond’s daughter. She had met her earlier that morning. She had woken up late in the morning and had come to the kitchens for anything that may have been left from breakfast. They had talked for a while before Arwen left for a walk in the gardens, before she was to meet with her brothers. 'This will not end well. I should stop it before it gets out of hand.'

“Aragorn, you do know who Arwen is correct?”

“Aye, she is Elronds daughter and younger sister of Elladan and Elrohir. Why do you ask?”

Gilraen stopped in her tracks, “Aragorn.. Strider.. my son, listen to me when I say do not pursue this love affiliation.”

Aragorn looked at his mother in shock, “Why? Mother I have never felt this strongly about any other girl I have met. I can’t just deny this.”

“You aim too high my son even for a decedent of great kings such as yourself.”

“It does not matter to me I will love who I wish.” Aragorn was both hurt and furious with his mother. How could she deny him this. It was not her decision to make, but his and even then it wasn’t really his fault who he fell in love with.

“ But why an elf? Aragorn it isn’t right for men and elves to mix in this method. They were meant to live together not marry each other.”

“It has happened before with Luthien and Beren.”

“And look at what happened to them.” Gilraen lowered her voice not realizing she had been close to yelling. This was not a conversation she wished for all of Rivendell to hear. “Besides that happened a long time ago. In a better, happier time before the race of men diminished.”

“As I said that does not matter to me.” Aragorn started to walk off.

“What of Elrond? He has been like a father to you. He was there when I could not be, he opened his home and heart to you. Will you return this by stealing his daughter in such a manner. What about the twins how do you think they will react? She is all they have left to remember their mother. Should you pursue this love then you will do them great harm by having her give away her immortality, forfeiting her chance to go over the seas with her family.”

At this Aragorn stiffened, but continued walking away. He didn’t know where he would go, but he needed to get away from her.

A/N: Wow that came out better then I thought it would.