by Cuthalion
“… when I woke up.”
I opened my eyes. The King and the Queen were sitting on the other side of the pavilion, and suddenly Arwen’s hand rose, as if trying to touch something that wasn’t there. I saw her lips moving without a word, then she spoke louder and I finally understood what she was saying.
“Iorhael…”
Aragorn’s body was suddenly tense, and he frowned; I could see his hands, closing so hard around the edge of the bench that his knuckles went white. But when he spoke, his voice was soft and calm.
“Are you sure, love?”
Arwen smiled, and I saw sorrow in her eyes… old eyes with the knowledge and experience of ages… eyes that suddenly reminded me of the wondrous woman in my dream.
“I gave him the jewel of my mother,” she said. “ It was my gift for the Ringbearer, should he not be able to endure his old pains and bitter memories. I know my father has left Middle Earth; I received a last letter a few days ago. Bilbo was to travel with him, and father expected Frodo to come, too… he wasn’t certain, but now I understand that the Ringbearers have crossed the sea.”
She rose from her seat and gave me a smile, so sad and so heavy with tears that my heart hurt.
“I will retire.” she said softly.
I bowed to her.
“It troubles me that I caused you such pain.” I said, full of concern.
„You didn’t,” she quietly replied, „this was something I’ve long expected. And I’m glad that among all our friends you were the messenger to give me the last certitude, Faramir.”
*****
It was nearly dark when I left the gardens of the Queen. On the horizon I saw the remnants of a colorful autumn sunset, and at the same time I saw another one in front of my inner eye: I saw the woman, the blazing sky and the bird with the white wings.