Light of the Evenstar

Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees, the weight of what they set out to accomplish resting heavily upon him. Of those present, only one knew of the full burden he carried. It was the one who was not there, however, that occupied his thoughts.

She had not come; he had known she would not. They had said all there was to say.

Rising, the Company made to depart in the darkness. Then did he see her, a slender figure in the shadows with the light of Eärendil shining down upon her.

The vision of her sustained him.