fiction I've forgotten to post here (2)

[keiliss]

Title: The Other
Characters: Arwen, OC.
Rating: PG
Summary: A gate guard’s thoughts as he watches the Queen leave Minas Tirith.
Note: possible mini prequel to Star’s End
Word Count: 394 according to MS Word (a notorious liar)


She never truly belonged here, Elessar‘s queen. Heart-wrenchingly lovely she was, but distant and solitary, with star-bright eyes that pierced through words to pin men’s souls. Now our Elessar has performed the Mystery, after the manner of the Sea Kings of legend, and left us - he was raised by the Fair Folk and although beloved, his ways were his own - and she slips away like morning mist, leaving Gondor once more to the will and governance of men.

She is Other, not fostered by the Fair Folk as he was, but a princess born of their most high lineage. To Gondor those strange, bright people brought her after the War, not unlike a victor’s trophy for our king. My Nan once waited on their queen and said she was kind enough, spoke our tongue cleanly and had a laugh like water falling into silver. Queen Arwen though - always grave, she seemed, strange and far-seeing, her laughter only for the King and her children, or so it is said.

The children all have that hint of Other about them. Not just a ‘something behind the eyes’ as is common in the old families of Dol Amroth, but the pale skin, silvered voices and grace that are marks of the Kindly Ones. It will breed out in time, my Nan says. Eldarion’s wife comes from one of our noble Houses and their children’s children will slowly shed that strangeness. Though in truth, the youngest daughter wed the King’s steward in Annúminas and went singing and dancing north, eager for lands where her elven kin are said still to linger.

After the King’s passing, we thought Queen Arwen would retire to some quiet corner of the palace, close to her children, her grandchildren, but in the end she too must have seen there is no place here for her kind. I was on early watch this morning when she rode through the lower city with neither attendant nor escort, which was how I alone came to see her leave. She glanced my way as she passed through the great gate, her eyes inscrutable, her horse’s hooves sharp on the still air, then she turned her face to the north. It is a tale to share with my unborn children, a sight stored up in my memory, never to be forgotten: Elessar’s Evenstar, going home.

Comments

[engarian.livejournal.com]

This might have been small and short, but it brought tears to my eyes. Simply lovely.

- Erulisse (one L)

[minuial_nuwing]

This made me shiver. Beautifully poignant, darling.

[scarlet1061.livejournal.com]

This is so sad.
I love it.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I love this.

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

Lovely ficlet. I expect Arwen wouldn't have much in common with the people who lived there.

[mithrial.livejournal.com]

A short but beautiful vision that you've added to their story.
Loved. xxx

[lisse-c.livejournal.com]

This is so moving, so tragic, in light of what is to come. I think Arwen would be a somber figure, and her laughter would only be for her husband and children. I especially liked that thought. To me Arwen's story is one of the saddest in middle earth and no one has ever written her passing better than you.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Erulisse. Rereading it made my heart sad, too. I think many things were not quite what she'd expected when she made her choice.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie. Hers was such a bittersweet story.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Scarlet.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Thank you again, Linda :)

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

I think she had no idea how alone she was likely to be, and I'm sure any elven attendants she had with her would have long since sailed. Nowhere to go but home.

Thanks, Binky.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Tia. I've always found the end of the story so sad.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

Thank you, darling. I hope the time they had together made it all worthwhile to her. She must often have felt very alone, and in the end there was nowhere for her to go but home.

Hope you're well and life is being kind *hugs*

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

This is so beautiful and bittersweet. Between this and Star's End, definitely my two favorite Arwen works. It's just so damn well written too - some of the turns of phrases remind me of the kind of poetry I love.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

That's a very special compliment. Thank you, dear. This was another of those one line snippets that waited till it found its right time and place. I love when that happens.