Love's Ending
By Misha

Disclaimer- All places and persons mentioned, as well as the circumstances they are in, belong to Tolkien. I'm just a poor student with no money...

Author's Notes- This is a really, really depressing story that came into my mind after "The Two Towers" movie. What if Arwen did what Aragorn asked and went to the Havens? This is both of their thoughts as she makes her choice and writes him one last letter. I have her refer to him as Estel, 'cause she does in the books and I just can't write it any other way. Well, that's all for now, enjoy!

Summery- Arwen decides to go West after all and writes Aragorn one last letter.

Spoilers- The first and second movies, definitely.

Rating- PG

Arwen handed the letter to one of the elves going to Helm's Deep.

She had thought long and hard and decided to do what her father and Estel asked of her. She would go to the Havens and spend the rest of her days there.

Leaving Estel behind her forever.

But first she had written him one last letter, because she could not go without saying goodbye.

She might be leaving him behind to only be a memory, but he would be the sweetest memory she possessed.

She looked away. In the end, this was probably for the best.

Her father was right. It was unlikely that things would happen as she dreamed.

And perhaps Estel's words had been truth, that it had been a dream and nothing else.

A dream that had passed.

There were tears in her eyes as she stood there.

She would go West, but she would leave her heart here. For she knew that she would love only once, even if that love wasn't strong enough to bare up to the test of time.
***

After the battle of Helm's Deep was over, Aragorn stood alone, just thinking.

After a moment, he dug out a piece of parchment from his tunic.

He had stuffed it there during the battle. One of the elves had handed it to him, saying that it was from Lady Arwen.

Aragron paused, wondering what Arwen had to say.

Their last meeting had not been pleasant, but he still believed that he had done the right thing in telling her to go.

The only question was, would she listen?

He opened the letter and began to read.

Estel,

I write this with tears pouring down my face.

I have thought long and hard and have decided to listen to you and my father. I will go to the Havens, but I ask that you keep the Evenstar forever as a token of what might have been.

If you had but asked, I would have stayed. However, maybe in the end, you were right and I was meant to go.

I do not know.

You called what we shared a dream, but if it was, it was surely the sweetest dream I ever had.

What we shared will never be more than a memory to be as the years pass, but I shall treasure it above all other memories.

My mind lingers on thoughts of your future as I write this. I pray that you continue on your path and succeed as I know you can.

I also pray that you find love again. Your love was the most precious thing I ever had and as I can not share a lifetime with you, I wish you to give that gift to someone else.

Keep strong, beloved, and remember that no matter how much time and space separates us, I will always love you.

And may you keep the Evenstar to remember what once was and what could not be.

Forever,
Arwen

Aragorn finished reading the letter and tears welled in his eyes for a moment.

It was truly over.

He placed his hand on the jewel at his throat.

"I love you." He whispered to the air. "Forever and always."

Still he knew it was for the best. Arwen would be happy in the Havens and it was where she belonged.

However, he also knew that he would never be able to do what she asked of him. Never would he fall in love again.

For he had once had the love of the Evenstar, how could he ever love again?

The End