by Cuthalion
�� when I woke up.�
I opened my eyes. The King and the Queen were sitting on the other side of the pavilion, and suddenly Arwen�s hand rose, as if trying to touch something that wasn�t there. I saw her lips moving without a word, then she spoke louder and I finally understood what she was saying.
�Iorhael��
Aragorn�s body was suddenly tense, and he frowned; I could see his hands, closing so hard around the edge of the bench that his knuckles went white. But when he spoke, his voice was soft and calm.
�Are you sure, love?�
Arwen smiled, and I saw sorrow in her eyes� old eyes with the knowledge and experience of ages� eyes that suddenly reminded me of the wondrous woman in my dream.
�I gave him the jewel of my mother,� she said. � It was my gift for the Ringbearer, should he not be able to endure his old pains and bitter memories. I know my father has left Middle Earth; I received a last letter a few days ago. Bilbo was to travel with him, and father expected Frodo to come, too� he wasn�t certain, but now I understand that the Ringbearers have crossed the sea.�
She rose from her seat and gave me a smile, so sad and so heavy with tears that my heart hurt.
�I will retire.� she said softly.
I bowed to her.
�It troubles me that I caused you such pain.� I said, full of concern.
�You didn�t,� she quietly replied, �this was something I�ve long expected. And I�m glad that among all our friends you were the messenger to give me the last certitude, Faramir.�
*****
It was nearly dark when I left the gardens of the Queen. On the horizon I saw the remnants of a colorful autumn sunset, and at the same time I saw another one in front of my inner eye: I saw the woman, the blazing sky and the bird with the white wings.