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aearwen2 ([personal profile] aearwen2) wrote2011-01-22 02:13 pm

Aearwen's LIttle Bits - a double-drabble: The Final Farewell

I have tackled this moment in time before, and to be honest, I'm not certain which version came first. I suspect this one. However, it is a very pivotal moment in time for the two characters involved, a very potent field for some speculation, given that the Professor said very little about what actually transpired other than simply that it happened.



The day was young, the breezes warm, and the glade private. The horses grazed close by, enjoying the tall, summer-sweet grass.

All they could do was stare at each other.

All arguments were finished, no need remained to revisit that which could no longer be changed. The dreaded choice had been made, the terms he had laid forth had been met. The deed had been accomplished, already she was... diminished... and yet so much more than she had been before.

Time grew short. He left for Imladris the next day.

But how to tell her goodbye - a goodbye as final as the one he'd never given Elros?

He gazed at her, his beloved Undómiel, whom he had believed would travel with him across the sea in the end. She still loved him dearly - but she loved Estel more.

Estel made her happy - and would give her children. And even though constrained to mortality, through her, the life of the Eldar would never entirely vanish from the face of Arda.

Elrond opened his arms to his daughter, and held her tightly. These final moments together would have to last him into eternity.

No words would mar their farewell.

[identity profile] 2cbetter2.livejournal.com 2011-01-23 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
Elrond and Arwen's goodbye is one reason I find her choice so agonizing because both know once they've parted, that's it, they'll never see each other again. They don't even have the hope of reunion in the after life because now that she's counted among mortals Arwen will go somewhere Elves cannot go when she dies and indeed the only vague hope they have of ever seeing one another again is perhaps being reunited when Iluvatar renews the world and even that is uncertain.

I know in the movies Peter Jackson didn't have this kind of scene in them but he definitely honored the spirit of it with the moment Elrond gives Arwen over to Aragorn because the look on his face when he encourages her to go forward is utterly heartbreaking and I tear up EVERYtime I watch that scene.

Anyway this is a lovely piece and I think it too honors the spirit of the books:)

Final Farewell

(Anonymous) 2011-01-23 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
Oh I loved this! Just perfect and it sounds so real and true...

Well written as usual Mellon nin!

Hugs and Love,
Vanime

[identity profile] lindahoyland.livejournal.com 2011-01-24 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
Just heartrending.