a r a g o r n   &   a r w e n

ARAGORN & ARWEN

Whilst in Lothlorien, Aragorn comes upon Arwen who is singing by herself in a glade. Entranced, Elrond's daughter reminds him of the fabled Luthien, a legendary Elvish Princess who gave up her immortality so she could marry a mortal man.

(N.B: This sequence does not take place in the Ring Trilogy proper. It is described instead in Appendix (A) Part V, and has been freely adapted here for the purposes of this Audition.)

ARAGORN
Luthien?

ARWEN
Who are you? Why do you call me by that name?

ARAGORN
Because ... forgive me Lady, I took you for the very Luthien of whom you sing. (pause) If you are not she, then you walk in her likeness.

ARWEN
So many have said, yet her name is not mine. Though perhaps my fate will not be unlike hers.
(pause)
Who are you?

ARAGORN
I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn.

ARWEN
(nods)
Islidur's heir, and lord of the Dunedain.
(pause)
Then we are kin, at least from afar. I am Arwen, Elrond's daughter.

ARAGORN
(surprised)
My lord Elrond's daughter? (pause) I dwelt in this house from childhood, yet I've heard no word of you.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

ARWEN
You've lived no more than a score of years in Middle-earth. It's many times that since I've been here.

ARAGORN looks surprised, for she seems, if anything, younger than him.

ARWEN
(laughs) Do not wonder. The children of the Eldar live long.

ARAGORN
Yes. It's said, many spans the life of a man.

ARWEN
I've already lived in this world so long that to me, you're but a yearling shoot next to a tree of many summers.

ARAGORN
(sighs) I know it. I am mortal, and you are Elf kind.

ARWEN
Yes - that is our fate. (pause) Why do you look at me so?

ARAGORN
Because your beauty pierces my heart.

ARWEN
Alas, then. For that, there can be no easy remedy.

ARAGORN
I am not one so easily daunted.

ARWEN
With your hope, I could also hope.

-END-