Chapter 40 - A Glimpse Into the Past: Five Years with Aredhel and Life in the Shire

his days in the Shire seemed to stretch on endlessly, but it was the years Taranis spent with Aredhel that had changed him in ways he never imagined. Though their time together was brief, the memories they had made were precious, etched into his heart forever. Here are a few moments that stood out during those five years, the fleeting years that now felt like a lifetime ago.The First Winter TogetherThe snow had started to fall early that year, blanketing the Shire in a layer of white that made the familiar landscape look brand new. Taranis had never seen the Shire in winter before, and he marveled at how the land transformed when covered in snow. It had been a quiet, peaceful winter—perfect for curling up by the fire with a good book, or a hot drink shared with company.One evening, as Taranis sat in the cozy living room of his house, staring out the window at the falling snow, Aredhel joined him with a warm blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She had been helping Bilbo with the garden earlier in the day, but now she was inside, seeking the warmth of the fire."Do you ever miss Mirkwood during times like this?" Taranis asked, his voice gentle as he turned his attention to her.Aredhel smiled softly, a wistful glimmer in her eyes as she gazed at the snow outside. "Sometimes," she admitted. "But there's something peaceful about the Shire that makes me feel at home. The snow here is different. It's lighter, softer than in Mirkwood. It makes everything feel... still."Taranis watched her for a moment, the flickering fire casting a warm glow across her features. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in that moment—so unlike the elves of Mirkwood he had heard of. She was soft and warm, but still undeniably fierce, with a quiet strength that had drawn him in from the start. He knew, deep down, that this was something special. Aredhel had found a place in his heart that no one else had ever occupied."Would you like to take a walk?" Taranis suggested. "In the snow? It's quiet, peaceful. I think it would be beautiful to see it at night."Aredhel smiled, her eyes lighting up at the thought. "That sounds lovely."So they bundled up, grabbed a few extra blankets, and set out into the crisp winter air. As they walked through the Shire, the silence between them was comfortable—there were no words needed as they admired the beauty of the world around them. The white snow reflected the soft glow of the lanterns hanging outside hobbit homes, casting a serene, dream-like quality to everything.Aredhel paused beside a small hill, watching the soft moonlight paint the landscape in silvery hues. "It's hard to believe how different things are from where I come from," she mused. "Mirkwood is a place of shadows, full of dark trees and hidden dangers. But here... here, it feels like a world of light."Taranis stood next to her, glancing up at the stars. "And yet, it's still part of Middle-earth," he said. "Different, but connected. Maybe that's what makes it so special."They shared a quiet moment, simply looking at the stars above, and for the first time since arriving in the Shire, Taranis felt at peace. This was the life he had always dreamed of—one filled with friendship, warmth, and a sense of belonging.The Hobbits and Their QuirksAs the months passed, Taranis found himself growing more accustomed to life in the Shire, his days filled with simple pleasures. Bilbo Baggins, though eccentric at times, had become a steady friend, and Taranis found himself helping with tasks around the house—chopping wood, fixing the roof, or simply spending time with Bilbo as they enjoyed long discussions about life, adventure, and everything in between.One evening, Bilbo invited Taranis and Aredhel over for one of his famous "unbirthday" parties, a tradition he had started long before Taranis had ever arrived in the Shire. As usual, Bilbo was in rare form, regaling everyone with tales of his younger years and showing off his impressive collection of maps. Aredhel, who had become quite fond of the hobbits despite their quirks, sat beside Taranis, laughing at Bilbo's endless stories."You should have seen the look on their faces when I left the Shire," Bilbo was saying, gesturing wildly as he told his tale. "I was a bit of a legend around here, you know. The Took side of me always wanted an adventure, and the Baggins side of me wanted a nice, quiet life. Well, I think we can all guess which side won out!"Taranis chuckled, exchanging a glance with Aredhel. "I think I can understand the appeal of a quiet life. After everything we've been through, I'd say it's quite the luxury."Aredhel smiled. "You've always had the spirit of adventure in you, Taranis. Even Bilbo can't match that."Bilbo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I think I've had quite enough of adventures for one lifetime, thank you very much. I'm content with my books and my maps.""That's because you know the best stories are the ones lived, not just read," Taranis said, toasting his mug.Bilbo shook his head, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Well, then you better tell me one of your stories, young man. I'd like to hear about your adventures."Taranis laughed, but he realized Bilbo was right. He had a life full of stories to tell—ones of battle, of traveling between realms, and of the strange world he had come from. But he had never felt the urge to share them, not until now, when he realized just how much his new life in the Shire meant to him. It was different from the world he'd left behind, yet it felt just as important.The party continued into the night, the warmth of the fire and the sound of laughter filling the air. It was a night Taranis would remember for years to come, as it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life—one that was filled with simple joys, quiet moments, and the company of good friends.Days Spent with Frodo and the HobbitsAs the years passed, Taranis grew closer to Frodo Baggins and the other hobbits of the Shire. He spent long afternoons with Frodo, helping him tend to the garden or taking walks through Hobbiton. Though Frodo was younger than Taranis, the two had a quiet understanding, and Frodo often sought Taranis's advice when he needed it.One such afternoon, as they sat by the Brandywine River, Frodo asked, "Do you ever think about leaving the Shire? About going back to the rest of Middle-earth?"Taranis looked out across the water, his expression thoughtful. "I do," he admitted. "I miss the thrill of battle sometimes, the excitement of adventure. But there's something peaceful here, Frodo. Something worth holding onto."Frodo nodded, his eyes distant. "I think I understand," he said softly. "It's not just about the adventures, is it? It's about finding a place where you belong. A place that feels like home."Taranis smiled, the sadness from earlier replaced with a quiet warmth. "Yes, I think that's it."It wasn't long before Frodo became one of Taranis's closest friends, and the two spent much of their time together, enjoying the small things in life—fishing by the river, talking about the stars, and enjoying the simple pleasures of being in the Shire.Life with AredhelThroughout the five years, Aredhel had woven herself into Taranis's life. She had become a constant presence, one that brightened his days and filled his nights with warmth. Though she was an elf and his life was bound to the mortal realm, there was a special bond between them that could not be denied. They spent quiet evenings talking about the world beyond the Shire, about the things Aredhel had seen during her travels, and about the things Taranis had learned during his own journey.One afternoon, Aredhel and Taranis sat on the porch, sipping tea as the wind gently rustled through the trees. Taranis couldn't help but notice the way she looked at him, as if she wanted to say something but wasn't quite sure how to put it."Aredhel?" Taranis asked, his voice gentle. "Is something on your mind?"She looked up at him, her eyes thoughtful. "I just wanted to say... I'm glad I came to the Shire. I didn't expect to find peace here. I thought I would always be pulled back to Mirkwood, but here, with you, I feel like I can finally breathe."Taranis smiled, his heart swelling with emotion. "I'm glad you came too, Aredhel. These five years... they've been some of the best years of my life."Aredhel's lips curled into a soft smile, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Taranis felt the weight of her words, the quiet understanding between them. In that moment, he knew that she would always be a part of his life.