The tale began when Arathorn, Aragorn's father, wanted to marry Gilraen the Fair. Gilraen was the daughter of Dírhael who was against this marriage. He believed that Arathorn would become chieftain of the Dúnedain much earlier than people expected it and that he would have just a short life. But Dírhael's wife convinced him because she thought that the marriage between Arathorn and her daughter would give new hope to their people.

So finally Arathorn was allowed to marry Gilraen and indeed after one year Arathorn's father was slaid by Orcs and Arathorn became chieftain of the Dúnedain. One more year later Gilraen bore Arathorn a son and he was called Aragorn.

When Aragorn was just two years old his father was slained by Orcs. He was only 60 years old when he died and that is how the prophecy of Dírhael became true.

Aragorn and his mother went to Rivendell and lived in the House of Elrond. Elrond was like a father for Aragorn and he loved him like his own sons.

In Rivendell Aragorn was called Estel, his real name and lineage were kept secret, for the Wise already knew that the enemy was seeking to discover the heir of Isildur if any remained on earth.

When Aragorn was twenty years old, Elrond told him about his real name and lineage and he delivered him the heirlooms of his house. He gave him Barahir's ring and the shards of Narsil and Elrond foretold Aragorn that he will have a long life but that he will also have to pass a long and hard test.

The next day Aragorn walked alone in the woods and suddenly he saw a really beautiful maiden. He hasted amazed, thinking that he had strayed into a dream. The maiden was Arwen, Elrond's daughter, also called Undómiel. Aragorn saw the Elven-light in her eyes and the wisdom of many years and he fell in love with her.

Aragorn fell silent during the next days, but Elrond could read his heart. And here is what Elrond told him :

"Aragorn, Arathorn's son, Lord of the Dúnedain, listen to me ! A great doom awaits you,

either do rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into

darkness with all that is left of your kin. Many years of trial lie before you, you shall neither

have a wife, nor bind any woman to you in troth, until your time comes and you are found

worthy of it !"

He explained to Aragorn that when he, Elrond, will leave the world he supposes his daughter to join him and that therefore a marriage of Aragorn and Arwen will never be possible.

Aragorn left Rivendell at the next day and went into the wildness. Almost 30 years he wandered through Middle-Earth, most of the time he was alone. He became a friend of Gandalf the White and he fought in many wars.

When he was 49 years old he came to the borders of Lórien and was admitted to the hidden land by the Lady Galadriel.

He did not know it, but Arwen was there too and when they met again for the first time after their long parting, Arwen's choice was made and her doom appointed.

When Elrond learned the choice of his daughter he told Aragorn :

"Arwen Undómiel shall not diminish her life's grace for less cause. She shall not be the bride of any man less than the King of Gondor and Arnor! To me then even our victory can bring only sorrow and pain – but for you hope of joy for a while !"

A little later the War of the Ring began and at it's end Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir, became king of Gondor and Arnor. And at midsummer in the year of the Fall of Sauron Elrond took the hand of his daughter and laid it into Aragorn's hand. The two were wedded in Minas Tirith, the city of the Kings.

At the end of the Third Age Elrond left Middle-Earth but Arwen stayed and became a mortal woman. And yet it was not her lot to die until all that she had gained was lost.

Together Arwen and Aragorn lived 60 years in great glory and bliss but after Aragorn had died, the light of Arwen's eyes was quenched and it seemed to her people that she had become old and grey as nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Arwen left Minas Tirith and went to Lórien. Galadirel and Celeborn were already gone and Arwen dwelt in Lórien alone until winter came. Then she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth, the hill where Aragorn and she once plighted their troth. There is her green grave until the world is changed.