Title: A Vision of Light Author: Alce Laurelin (alce_laurelino@hotmail.com) Pairing: Éowyn/Arwen Rating: R Summary: What could have happened if Éowyn and Arwen had met long before the War of the Rings began? Even before Arwen betrothed herself to Aragorn and while Éowyn was a teenaged Tomboy? This is a reworking of The Lord of the Rings to fulfill my own fantasies about Éowyn. *^^* Disclaimer: All characters that appear in this story and the plot lines concerning the Fellowship and the War of the Ring belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Author's note: I tried to stay as close to the original plot of The Lord of the Rings, but I didn't know how to work Faramir into the picture so I didn't include him at all. Let's pretend that he doesn't exist, shall we? ;) --.--.--.--.--.-- Arwen brought her horse to a trot as she approached the edge of Fangorn. She hesitated before the dense canopy of age-old trees, for she had heard tales of Elven- folk who had entered it and was never again seen. She recalled Elrond, her father's caution to arrive at Lothlorien by sunset and not to deter from the known paths. But an alluring curiosity urged her and her reluctant horse into the wood of dark-green and grey. Once she entered it, she found it to be surprisingly peaceful (for at this time, Orc axe had not yet touched the trees at Saruman's command). A fresh scent and sweet music of birds unbeknown to her filled the air. No creature was in sight, however, but she did not feel afraid. The royal blood of her father, Elrond, and the Elven sword at her side kept her safe from all fear. So she thought. Suddenly she froze on her spot. Her horse, too, kept still as death. A faint sound of breathing caught Arwen's sensitive ears. Her hand slowly moved toward the hilt of her sword as her keen Elven eyes scanned the foliage for the source of the sound. A soft rustle. Light as a feather and lithe as a cat, in one swift movement Arwen flew off her horse, drew her sword, and approached the bush where the sound originated. What awaited her behind the bush was no Orc, no Goblin, or even an animal. It was a young Man sleeping ever so peacefully on soft moss. A crude helmet covered most of his head but a few strands of golden hair protruded into view. His lips were crimson and cheeks flushed. He was dressed in mock battle clothes, and Arwen realized that he was but a child taking a nap from play. She judged from his appearance that he was in his teen age in human life years. Smiling at her discovery, she put away her sword and knelt beside the sleeping boy, so lovely in the dim light of Fangorn. A man child in Fangorn? What brings him here, I wonder? The same adventurous curiosity that brought me hither, I suppose. In the possible danger of Fangorn, she found his peaceful face more beautiful than any Elf-Man or Elf-Maiden she had ever laid eyes on in either Rivendell or Lothlorien. The boy's lips, slightly parted and flushed, captivated Arwen and before she could stop herself, he brought her lips to those kissing cherries, soft and fragrant. She had been so delicate in her touch but the boy opened his eyes and jumped up in fright as he backed himself toward the bush. As he did so, his helmet fell behind him and to Arwen's astonishment waves of long golden hair fell about his shoulders. A girl child? In these woods? The Girl gazed in marvel at the vision of light before her with wide curious eyes. She thought that she had chanced up on a Valar for the Maiden's beauty was beyond all imagination and the Girl had never before seen an Elf. The Maiden's eyes sparkled with the wisdom of stars of many ages and yet her skin was supple like a newly blossomed lily. Arwen saw how bits of moss clung to the Girl's hair and her blue eyes widened at the sight of her. The Girl's boyish attire, her dirtied and gruff appearance, and the ever soft features of her face took Arwen's breath away. She had not heard of such beauty in the blood of Mankind, though Arwen herself was half-Elven and half-Man. Both Arwen and the Girl sat gazing at each other's beauty in silent awe, wondering whom each other were and how she came to arrive in these Forbidden Woods. "Who are you?" The Girl was first to break the silence between them. Before Arwen could begin to answer, the Girl approached her, cupped her cheeks with dirtied hands and sealed Arwen's lips with her own. Gently and clumsily at first, and then the Girl's kiss became deeper and more confident. Arwen brought her hand to the Girl's shoulders and found them surprisingly firm and toned. Beneath the battle play clothes the Girl's arms, too, were slender and yet tight with muscle that trembled beneath Arwen's touch. The two visions of beauty plunged into a deep kiss as if to devour one another's sweetness. "Éowyn! Where are you, Éowyn?!" Distant voices of adolescent boys broke their passion and caught them off-guard. The Girl looked toward the voices then at Arwen with a look of desperation. Arwen, sensing the internal struggle in the Girl's expression, smiled at her and caressed her soft and dirt-covered cheek. The Girl seemed to understand Arwen's smile and giving her a soft kiss on her lips once more, darted off toward the direction of the voices, yelling, "I am here!" Éowyn… Arwen sang to herself as she touched her mouth where the Girl's crimson lips had caressed her. The hot touch of skin lingered sweetly in her memory as Arwen made her way to Lothlorien where Galadriel eagerly awaited her arrival. --.--.--.-- Years had passed since the day Éowyn met the mysterious maiden in Fangorn, clad in light and music and sweetness. She recalled the happy days when she mingled with her brother and his friends, playing battle games and learning how to use the sword. Many things have changed since then, with Theoden, her beloved uncle and King, dwindling in courage and leadership at the deceitful words of Grima. Éowyn was a maiden now, forbidden to ride into battle beside Éomer, the Captain. But she did not lose the passion for her sword, treasuring it deep in her trunk and occasionally retrieving it when life in captivity was too much for her. For she was indeed a prisoner in the walls of Meduseld that kept her maiden body from riding freely in the fields. Gríma's lustful gaze forever haunted her, terrorizing her in her own home while Theoden and Éomer remained blind to her silent torment. But in these moments, the vision of Tinúviel ("Daughter of Twilight": the name Beren gave to Lúthien when he first beheld her; so was the name Éowyn gave to Arwen in her thoughts) at Fangorn broke through her sorrow with a brilliant light, giving her hope in the days of darkness. The memory of their soft kiss lingered on her lips. She dreamed of some day seeing Tinúviel again, who will rescue her from her prison. --.--.--.--.--.-- Whispers of shadow swept the lands of Middle-earth and reached the ears of Éowyn. In wonder she witnessed Éomer and his childhood friends ride out of the gates of Edoras to return after weeks with news of a growing evil. "These are strange times, My Liege," Éomer reported to Theoden who sat with Gríma's dark shadow looming over him. "I have seen a company of an Elf, a Dwarf and a strange Man travelling together in search of companions lost to Orcs. These Orcs travel by day…" Éowyn's heart darkened like a cloud heavy with rain moments before a storm. Days later, the strange company that Éomer spoke of arrived in Edoras. In the city, there were rumours that these strange folk bring war with them. Others claimed that the White Wizard who accompanied them will bring victory and peace. Éowyn watched the group from afar as they sat in conference with Theoden, arousing him from his inactive sleep and he rose from his throne, sword in hand. As she watched, her eyes fell upon Aragorn, Ranger from the North, face hidden in shadow. Despite the cloud of mystery, Éowyn sensed something familiar about him. It was as though he carried with him a memory of light, faint yet certain, a memory that she, too, shared in her younger days. When by chance Aragorn's eyes met hers, while she hid behind a pillar in the Hall of Meduseld, Éowyn realized that he, too, knew her Tinúviel. Excitement grew in her heart and she longed to speak to him. Like a shadow she daily traced his path, hoping for a moment alone with him. The day came one chill morning in the Hall of Meduseld when she found Aragorn alone and in deep thought. "I beg your pardon…" She approached him hesitantly, fearing his outlandish appearance. To her surprise, he turned toward her with a softness in his eyes. Éowyn continued with greater confidence. "Have you per chance been in the company of Elves, apart from the Elf-Man who travels with you?" "I have, My Lady. I have been raised in Rivendell by its lord Elrond and his kin." Aragorn saw excitement grow in the maiden's eyes, melting away the cold composure of her exterior. "For what reason would a Lady of Rohan take interest in Elves of Rivendell?" "In my days as a young girl, I chanced upon an Elf-Maiden in Fangorn where I played with my brother, Éomer, and several companions. The memory of the light of her eyes and the music of her beauty still remains in my heart." Éowyn approached Aragorn, and he saw that she trembled as she smiled. "I sense the same light and warmth in you. You must know her as well." At once Aragorn understood. A strange sadness filled his heart as he, too, recalled the beautiful and cold light of Arwen Evenstar, the love of his life who set up walls of ice about her, preventing him from entering. He had pursued her, the stone statue who would not open her heart to him. And yet, one day she agreed to wed him but still would not love him as he loved her. Aragorn longed for the end of the Darkness when he would be crowned King of Gondor. Perhaps then Arwen would see him with eyes of affection and wed him for love, not for duty. Now the Lady of Rohan who stood before him, cold as ice and determined as a delicate flower swaying in winter winds, so alike in spirit to Arwen, was speaking lovingly of his Beloved, awakening in him bittersweet memories. "I know her. Her name is Arwen Evenstar, the light of her people. She is the daughter of Elrond, my guardian in my youth. I, too, have been blessed with her company as you have, and I hope to return to her embrace when the Dark days are over." Éowyn felt her heart stop and a numb silence enveloped her. Return to her embrace… his words echoed through her mind while Aragorn continued to speak but she could not hear his voice. Nor could she recall how she had left him in the Hall and returned to her chambers. The walls seemed to surround her tighter now and her mind grew dark. The light in her memory was fading. She envisioned Tinúviel – no, Arwen – in the arms of the Ranger, lost to her forever. Tears streamed down Éowyn's pale cheeks. All was lost now. Even the recovery of Theoden to his courage could not soothe her grief. --.--.--.--.--.-- At the command of the King, the people of Edoras marched to Helm's Deep and prepared for battle. Éowyn recalled very little of the long and strenuous journey across the plains. The hardships of travel faded against her loss of Arwen. She would look toward Aragorn, envying the love of Arwen that was bestowed on him. Still, she sought out his face in the travelling crowd and in the walls of Helm's Deep. She desired to see the light of Arwen that was forever in him. She longed to glimpse warm presence of her Beloved in another who was betrothed to her, who was blessed with her love. When she retreated into the caves behind the Deep with other women and the children while Aragorn fought with her people against Saruman's army, Éowyn prayed to the Valar that his life be spared. She could not bear to see Arwen's sadness at the loss of Aragorn. For Arwen's happiness she rejoiced to see him alive and victorious. Her smile toward him was bittersweet. The walls of ice that surrounded Éowyn began to spread to her heart, which had before been warmed by the light of Arwen, by her love for her Tinúviel. When the remaining men regrouped to join Gondor, Éowyn's heart had become a block of ice, unable to hope, unable to love. She could not even love the King, whom she had adored as a father, or her own brother. She felt the ice of her sorrow painfully consuming her and she knew what she must do. Aragorn refused her company to the Paths of the Dead, but that did not deter Éowyn from fulfilling her end. Disguising herself as a soldier, and joining Merry in their shared deception, Éowyn rode out with the men of Rohan to aid their kin in Gondor. Even during her journey to Minas Tirith, to her death, Éowyn prayed for Aragorn's safety. Deprived of Arwen's light due to Aragorn's absence, Éowyn plunged further into a sorrowful darkness. Indeed, she abandoned all hope in life, save one. She wished beyond all hope to see Arwen's beauty one last time before her death. Her Halfling companion seemed to sense her grief and watched her in a silent unease. --.--.--.--.--.-- Terror beyond imagination awaited Éowyn in the plains of Pelennor. A terrible silence filled the air when Theoden fell under the blow of the Witch King. Éowyn saw the bodies of noble men strewn about the beast, hewn and made unclean by its stench. Some were her friends of old, all her own kin. Tears streamed her face as she revealed her golden hair to the Nazgûl. It filled her mind with nightmares she had not known before. It read her sorrow and it laughed at her. The laughter pierced her like a spear through her heart, paralyzing her in her misery. Arwen… Where are you Arwen? She whispered quietly in futile attempt to call upon her beloved Tinúviel. The dark figure loomed over her with arm arched readying itself for the blow that will end her. But, her Halfling companion risked his own life to save her, and she broke out of her trance. "Tinúviel!" With a roaring call to her Beloved, Éowyn plunged her sword into its dark form. The screeching nightmares overwhelmed her and she fell into a dark and fitful sleep. --.--.--.--.--.-- Éowyn… Éowyn… Come back to the light… I have searched for you… hoping beyond all hope to find the vision… The few years of my searching were a flicker in my immortal life but seemed to me like many ages of agony… You have called to me and I have found you at last… Do not leave me again… Come back to your Tinúviel… --.--.--.--.--.-- "Tinúviel… Tinúviel…" "I am here, Éowyn. My sweet Éowyn…" Éowyn opened her eyes to a vision of light, a light she had yearned for with such earnestness and pain. Two globes of stars fixed her gaze and she saw Arwen's teary smile looking down upon her. "Is this a dream? Another cruel dream to melt away so soon?" A tear streamed down Éowyn's face. Arwen was quick to kiss the drop before it fell upon the pillow. "I will never leave you, my love. I would have spent an eternity searching for you, scouring every bit of this world to find you. I would have followed you to the Halls of the Dead." Lowering her face, her lips fell upon those of Éowyn, uniting them in a long overdue kiss. The taste of Arwen's skin unlocked the suppressed emotions in Éowyn's heart. Arwen kissed her lips then each of the tears that fell. "Oh my sweet Éowyn. If only I could drink your well of grief dry…" As she kissed, Arwen caressed the weakened arms of Éowyn beneath the torn battle garments that she still wore from her encounter with the Nazgûl. With her touch, strength slowly returned to Éowyn and Arwen felt the familiar firmness in the Maiden's body as she pushed up from her pillows, hot with longing. Arwen lay beneath her, gazing up at the lovely woman with tender eyes. Éowyn drank in the vision before her, clad in a soft shimmering robe that clung to her bodice like delicate silks of a spider. Arwen's cheeks were faintly flushed, the rosiness spreading to her lips, parted and wet, and down to her ivory neck. Éowyn kissed her neck, feeling Arwen's hair on her face like thousands of soft fingers while her own fingers traced the Elf's body. "Oh, Tinúviel… I have yearned for you so…" Éowyn's low whisper, coarse with passion, sent shocks of pleasure through Arwen's body. She wrapped her arms around Éowyn, pulling her down tight so their bodies touched every inch of one another. Arwen tugged roughly at her love's tattered clothes, revealing her smooth skin undulating with firmness as a result of years of exercise and secret training. Éowyn's bosom lay bare, their brown tips tickling Arwen's breasts as they locked their lips together in another kiss. In one swift movement, Arwen flew into the air and placed her body on top of Éowyn tearing at her leggings while her torso lay bare. The scent of Éowyn's skin put Arwen into a feverish dizziness while her lover lay wide-eyed at the Elf-Maiden's passion. "Arwen… But you are betrothed to another. Aragorn…" Éowyn faltered, unable to complete her thought. Arwen looked up and her eyes shone in a multitude of colours that danced in her pupils. The strap of her robe had fallen and uncovered a globe of soft white tipped with rosy pink. Éowyn saw how beautiful she was and held the breast, feeling the hardness of Arwen's arousal in her hand. "It is you I love." With that, Arwen kissed Éowyn, trailing her lips down to her pulsing neck, to the sweet skin of her breasts. Her skin tasted like dew upon the petals of a rose in May. Éowyn moaned under Arwen's touch and felt the room turning when Evenstar's hand began to trail down her body. Éowyn gasped at the sudden surge of pleasure that waved through her entire being. Over and over, she writhed under the magic of Arwen's slender fingers. "You're so beautiful…" A singing whisper caressed Éowyn's ear. The moment caught Éowyn in midair. The ice of her exterior broke like a dam and her sorrow poured out in thousands of rivers. Light surrounded her and Arwen's words came to her as songs of love and joy. The song continued in soft chorus as Éowyn returned to Earth, into the arms of her beloved Evenstar. "My marriage to Elessar is only to fulfill a vow I had made with Galadriel, my grandmother," Arwen spoke after a long silent embrace. "I am to remain here in Middle-earth while my kin leave for the West. I am to rejoin the allegiance between Elves and Men with my union with Elessar. I will lose everything: my family, my kin, my kingdom… and yet," Arwen stroke Éowyn's face as she smiled gently, "there is still hope. I do not begrudge my duty, for I would throw away an eternity in Paradise to spend a moment with you. My beautiful Éowyn…" "Do not leave me in the darkness. Not again. Not ever." "I will not leave you." They rejoined in their embrace and kisses long into the night. A veil of peaceful mist fell on the House of Healing while a storm of war raged in the outside world. Blood and death seemed so far away to the lovers who found Paradise in each other's arms. Stars shone smilingly down upon them, the only witnesses to their union.