Hidden Secrets

Disclaimer: I only own the unrecognized characters and the plot!

Epilogue

T.A. 3020

A lone figure in black stood at Beran's grave. Many months had passed since Beran's death, yet every day without fail, she came.

She knelt beside the simple stone and whispered to it, telling him stories about Agarwaen and Nienor, who were rapidly approaching their first birthday and the anniversary of their father's death. Aragorn and Arwen had claimed Agarwaen and Nienor as their children, and named as heirs to throne along with Aranwen, who was counted as their sister, rather than their mother.

Aranwen was preparing to leave Gondor for a journey. She knew not where her road would lead, but she knew she had to get away.

"Namarie, Beran," she said, getting up and leaving the grave. It was time for her to disappear.

In the distance, a blonde Elf watched her hurry away from the grave, shedding a few tears for the first time in a long time.

F.A. 14

Fifteen long years passed before Aranwen returned to Gondor. Arwen and Aragorn were overjoyed at her return, yet Agarwaen (now known as Gil-Estel) and Nienor knew her not. Nienor was a perfect copy of her mother; the Elven blood that ran through her veins showing more so that it had in Aranwen. Her dark hair was long and she wore gowns that Aranwen had never been able to stand. Agarwaen took after his father and had the look of a Ranger. Aranwen's heart was pained as remembered that Beran was gone and that he would never get a chance to his children grow.

Aranwen made her way to Beran's grave after caring for Star. She took her time clearing the weeds that threatened to overtake Beran's final resting-place. She wept at his grave, all of her emotions flooding out. She missed him—his death had left a hole in her heart that had yet to be filled.

"Aranwen, it has been a long time," came Legolas's voice from behind her.

"Go away, Legolas, and leave me to my grief!" she weeped, refusing to face the Elf that was her father's best friend.

"Aranwen, you must let go of Beran and move on. He would not have wanted you to become this way," Legolas said softly.

"No, I cannot let go! I loved him and you just cannot forget feelings that strong!" she stood up, angered and disappeared again, not even bothering to say good-bye to anyone in the city. Her grief drove her mad, sending her back into the Wild.

F.A. 120

Aranwen had still been in the Wild when news reached her of Aragorn's death. She returned to Gondor, to find her mother a broken shell of the strong-willed woman she had once been. She dwelled with her mother for a time, until Arwen refused her presence and went away to die.

Aranwen was alone in the world. Gondor was in disarray from Aragorn's death. No one knew who was to claim the throne. Aragorn had not named a successor, for he knew not of Aranwen's fate. His wish would have been for her to rule, but she did not want that power.

She delivered the shocking news that Agarwaen and Nienor were her children, not Aragorn and Arwen's. She passed the throne to the brother that she had never known, Eldarion. Eldarion had taken the winged crown with her blessing.

Agarwaen and Nienor had been stunned by her news and hated her for abandoning them all those years ago. She understood their hatred and she deserved it. She had come unhinged after Beran's death and she was unfit as a mother. That was why it took her so many years to claim her children.

They did not forgive her and she did not beg for it. She continued on, encountering Legolas and Gimli once more as they prepared to sail from Middle-earth.

"Take me with you," she begged upon her breathless arrival in Ithilien. "Please."

"Why do you want to leave?" Legolas inquired.

"I cannot stay in Middle-earth any longer. The world has changed far too much, There is nothing left here for me anymore. There never was after Beran's fall. Please, I need to leave," she begged once more, her gray-blue eyes full of tears.

Legolas consented and she sailed away with them, never to return to Middle-earth.

Author's Notes:

This is a very open-ended ending and kind of odd, I know. The way I see it, Aranwen really lost it after Beran's death and became a recluse. I'm going to miss this story, now that it's finally over and I'd like to thank everyone for making it this far. It wouldn't have been the same without your support. I would have never finished it. I hope the ending isn't too bad. Enjoy!