When Aragorn was only two years old, his father, Arathorn was slain by orcs while riding with Elrond's sons.   Elrond took in Aragorn and his mother Gilraen and raised and loved Aragorn like his own son while Arwen dwelt in Lothlorien.  In Rivendell, Aragorn was known as Estel, meaning "Hope" and his true name and lineage were kept a secret as Sauron was seeking to find the Heir of Isildur.

     At the age of 20, Elrond felt him ready to learn of his true identity and passed on to him the ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil.  The following day at sunset, Aragorn was walking in the woods when he came across a maiden.  He halted thinking that he had 'strayed into a dream' as he had been singing of Beren and Luthien and thought that this maiden was indeed Luthien before his eyes.

     "I will cleave to you, Dunadan, and turn from the Twilight.  Yet there lies the land of my people and the long home of all my kin."

     Elrond observed the love that young Aragorn had for Arwen and foresaw the day that she would have to choose her destiny.  Aragorn then departed from Rivendell and traveled for the next 30 years, fighting against the evils of Sauron and becoming a friend to Gandalf.  He rode with the Rohirrim, fought for the Lord of Gondor and traveled deep into the lands of the East and South.

     When Aragorn reached 49 years of age, he was reunited with Arwen in Lothlorien, and there her love grew for him.  After the defeat of Sauron, Arwen and Aragorn were wed in the city of Kings and Elrond departed from Middle-earth across the sea to Valinor.

     Arwen became as a mortal woman, however she was not to die until all that she had chosen was lost.  She lived in bliss with Aragorn as the Queen of Elves and Men for six-score years and they also had a son named Eldarion.  When Aragorn felt the approach of old age and knew that there was not much time left to him, he bid farewell to his son, passing down to him the winged crown of Gondor and the sceptre of Arnor.

     As the last of the Numenoreans and the latest King of the Eldar Days, Aragorn was given the grace to choose when to pass on and give back the gift of his long life.  With Arwen at his side, he kissed her hand and chose his sleep.

"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair.  Behold!  We are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory."  ~Aragorn.

     

Arwen went forth from the House, and the light of her eyes was quenched, and it seemed to her people that she had become cold and grey as nightfall in winter that comes without a star.

     Arwen bade farwell to Eldarion and her daughters and left Minas Tirith, traveling to the now empty land of Lorien.  There she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth and remained until the world is changed.

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