6 October IV 1

It was exactly one week to the day after Arwen dreamed her vision that an Elven messenger came riding into the gates of the City of Minas Tirith and was escorted to the royal couple in their private gardens. Elhîr of Imladris came bearing a message from the new lords of the Elven refuge, a message that confirmed Arwen's vision of the Ringbearers' departure down to the minute detail.

'Hannon le, Elhîr,' Aragorn said, thinking he had taken the last message the Elf brought with him, 'Will you need rest with us a few days until my Queen and I have prepared a proper reply to the Lords of Imladris?'

The Elf reached into the pouch hanging from his belt and withdrew another sealed letter, extending it to Aragorn he said, 'Hîr-nîn, I bear you one last message from Lord Elrond of Imladris. He requested this be given to you after his departure into the West.'

Aragorn nodded his thanks, and taking the sealed document he turned from the Elf, and he walked deeper into the garden. Arwen watched her husband leave in silence, and then she turned to Elhîr, 'Have you not a message for me as well, Elhîr?'

Elhîr bowed, 'I am sorry, Rîn-nîn, but I do not.'

Arwen nodded, and turned to a guard issuing orders that Elhîr was to be made comfortable but she turned to follow in the direction her husband had went only moments before.

Aragorn walked until he came to another stone bench, and then he sat down, his eyes never leaving the wax seal he knew to belong to Elrond. What could the Elven Lord's last message to him say? Was it some last advice from one of the world's wisest beings? Perhaps it was Elrond's last curse of the Man he had called his son - or dare he hope - perhaps it was Elrond's last message of love to his foster son?

Unable to stand it any longer, Aragorn carefully broke the wax seal and opened the parchment where Elrond's flowing script greeted his eyes...

Estel-muinîn,

I have worked through many strong emotions to write you this letter but I would not depart this world without first in some form telling you these words...

For many years after you claimed the heart of Mîr-nîn Arwen, I resented you; yea, I even hated you for causing me to lose my daughter until the point of a mortal death. I no longer considered you to be my son...

But as I prepare to leave this world until its ending I find that I no longer feel this way, Estel-nîn. In my heart I am able to rejoice at last that my two precious children have find between them a love that will last to the breaking of this world and beyond. Someday you will both leave this world, as it is inevitable with all Mortals, but until that days comes I pray that your lives will be blessed with love, peace, and joy. I do not regret leaving my daughter behind now, for I know she will have a life more blessed than that found in Aman.

Be blessed, hen o ind-nîn, Im meleth le Estel-nîn...

Namarie, my children, Im meleth le...

Ada

When Arwen found Aragorn a short time later, his face was in his hands as he could no longer hold back the tears. Arwen picked up the letter and read her Father's last words to her husband. After moment, she placed the letter down beside her on the bench and taking her love into her arms, she wept with him...

***

Hannon le= Thank you

Hîr-nîn = My lord

Rîn-nîn = My lady

Estel- muinîn = My dear Estel

Mîr-nîn = My jewel

Estel-nîn = My Estel

Im meleth le = I love you [thee]

Hen o ind-nîn = Child of my heart

Namarie = Farewell

Ada = Daddy