Elrond's Grief

He tried in vain to break the spell, but their love was everlasting...

Though it was Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, who raised Aragorn as his own son, when he saw in Estels' face his feelings for Arwen Undómiel, he decided to end all such thoughts.

"Aragorn, Arathorn's son, Lord of the Dúnedain, listen to me!" said Elrond, when they were together in his chambers, "A great doom awaits you, either to 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 wife, nor bind any woman to you in troth, until your time comes and you are found worthy of it."

Aragorn asked Elrond if it was his mother who had voiced his feelings, for he had told her alone.

"No indeed, " said Elrond, "Your own eyes have betrayed you. But I do not speak of my daughter alone. You shall be betrothed to no man's child as yet. But as for Arwen the Fair, Lady of Imladris and Lórien, Evenstar of her people, she is of greater lineage than yours, and she has lived in the world already so long that to her you are but a yearling shoot beside a young birch of many summers."

After Aragorn and Arwen's second meeting at Cerin Amroth, where Arwen decided to bind herself to Aragorn Elessar, Elrond grew silent. He had known that this would come to pass, yet enduring it was no easier.

After a time, Aragorn returned to Rivendell, and Elrond called for him once more. "My son, years come when hope will fade, and beyond them little is clear to me. And now a shadow lies between us. Maybe it has been appointed so, that by my loss the kingship of Men may be restored. Therefore, though I love you, I say to you: 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 both Gondor and Arnor. To me then even our victory can bring only sorrow and parting - but to you hope of joy for a while. Alas, my son! I fear that to Arwen the Doom of Men may seem hard at the ending."

So Aragorn went away again into the wilderness, and Arwen remained at Rivendell, though she watched over him in thought, and secretly hoped that he would become a king that met her father's standards.

When Aragorn became King of Gondor and received the sceptre of Arnor, Elrond brought Arwen to him. Yet Rivendell's lord did this with a heavy heart, for he wanted only the best for his child.

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The above is based on Tolkien's writing, but was written by me. All quotes were directly copied to stay true to the story.