Rest at last by Flora-lass
Fanwork Notes
My friend who plays LOTRO tells me that Arvedui haunts the Ice Bay. I have little doubt that he really did, after such a tragic end, so I thought he needed a visit from his loved ones.
Written with a nod to Halloween, but also to All Souls Day. I used some prompts from the AO3 Shutdown Writing Challenge on Tumblr: 'graveyard' as a location, and the words 'restless, hollow, whisper'.
- Fanwork Information
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Summary:
Firiel and Aranarth lay Arvedui's ghost to rest.
Major Characters: Arvedui, Fíriel (Gondor)
Major Relationships: Arvedui/Fíriel
Genre: Family, Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort
Challenges:
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Character Death
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 409 Posted on Updated on This fanwork is complete.
Rest at last
Read Rest at last
Arvedui watched, restlessly, as Firiel gazed at the place where he had perished. When the wind was not blowing her hair across her face, he thought he could see tears in her eyes, and he wished he could weep, too.
They had never had enough time just to be together, with their arranged marriage and all the trials which followed - but somehow their bond had grown stronger with each passing year. When they had parted for what turned out to be the last time, it had been with great reluctance. But Firiel had encouraged him to believe that they would see each other again, and the memory of their final kiss had stayed with him, through all his subsequent struggles and feelings of failure, until the ice closed in.
He felt hollow inside, and yet he ached, in a way he could never have imagined while still alive. But perhaps this was simply how it was to be a ghost.
Cautiously he moved closer, longing to touch her but knowing he could not. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her, but surely she would understand. Firiel had always been brave.
‘I am here,’ he whispered. ‘Thank you for coming to this place.’
She shivered, and pulled her cloak more tightly around her. He sighed, sadly; he had been able to warm her, once. But she seemed to be looking directly at him, as Aranarth stepped up beside her and laid a hand on her arm; a hand which bore the newly-ransomed Ring of Barahir. The ache eased just a little, as he saw the two of them there, reunited with the ancient heirloom which meant so much to them all.
‘He is still here,‘ Firiel murmured. ‘And he knows we have come to honour his memory.’
Aranarth nodded, and then bowed. ‘Farewell, Last-king,’ he said. ‘You have a grandson now. Our line will endure, and you will not be forgotten.’
You would have been a good king, my son.
Firiel held out her hands; and Arvedui slipped silently into her embrace, seeking the comfort she had always been so willing to offer.
I tried to do what was right. I am sorry…
‘It is over, dear one,’ she whispered. ‘Rest now. Until we meet again.’
After a while, they turned and walked slowly away. Arvedui watched them disappear into the distance, and then returned to his icy tomb.
At last, the last king could sleep.
