[An Unnamed Story] By Manwathiel

Characters: Arwen; Ellethana (Ellie); Wilwarin, Ellie's mother; Gil-gond, Ellie's father; Celeborn; Galadriel; Lord Elrond; Celebrían; Glorfindel; Erestor; Elladan and Elrohir; and Legolas

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Tolkien, except Ellethana, who is my original character.

A/N: This story takes place a few years after Friends Forever?, so Arwen and Ellie are very good friends. They are about fifteen, Legolas is about sixteen.


"Arwen!" A young elven voice could be heard across the fields. Ellethana, also known as Ellie, was looking for her cousin. Arwen had gone missing about ten or fifteen minutes after breakfast. Ellie, Arwen's older brothers (Elladan and Elrohir), Glorfindel, Erestor, and Lord Elrond had all been looking for her since then.

Lord Elrond was Arwen's father and a foster father to Ellie. Erestor was one of his advisors, and Glorfindel was one of Elrond's good friends. Erestor and Glorfindel didn't always get along. Actually, more often than not, one could catch the two arguing about something or rather. Elladan and Elrohir were identical twins and could be a whole lot to handle sometimes. They enjoyed playing tricks on others and only really listened to Elrond and Glorfindel.

Ellethana was about the same age as Arwen and lived in Rivendell with Lord Elrond.

Galadriel was her great-aunt, and Galadriel's sister was Ellie's grandmother. She had formerly lived in Lothlórien with her mother's side of the family but had recently come to Rivendell where her father was from. He had just been one of the "other" elves, but when he got married, he had moved to Lothlórien to be with his wife's family. He made trips back to Rivendell every few years, but on one particular trip, he was murdered by orcs, one of Saron's many evil creatures. Ellie's mother died of grief.

**********

Arwen was hiding on the edge of the forest. She was hiding from her father, because at breakfast, Ellie had told her that she had gotten in trouble with him for playing tricks on her brothers.

**********

Elrond was tired and so was everyone else. He wondered why she was missing. Then it dawned on him. Arwen was hiding.

Overhead, the skies darken. He was worried about his only daughter. He was afraid that she would get sick.

**********

Arwen sneezed four times before realizing she had caught a cold. She shivered. It was awfully cold. She had thought about bringing her cloak with her but had decided against it.

**********

Ellie, after about half an hour, thought about looking in the forests that surrounded Rivendell. Normally, they were not supposed to go into the forests alone, but this was an emergency! She HAD to find Arwen!

*********

Arwen thought she heard someone calling her name, but she was not sure. It did not sound like a male voice but a young girl. It felt like a dream. Had Ellie come looking for?

The young girl stumbled on something that turned out to be feet. 'That is odd,' she mused. 'The trees here do not have feet, unless the Ents came all the way here, which I highly doubt. So if it is not a tree, then it must be...' "Arwen!" she shouted loud enough for all of Rivendell to hear.

Arwen was coughing. A lot. Ellie was worried about her best friend.

"Arwen," Ellie said, "I am going to take you home. To Rivendell. To Ada Elrond. So he can help you. I am very worried about you, and I do not want you to die. Like my parents," she added softly, barely audible.

*********

When the two girls arrived back home, everyone else was there, talking in the Hall of Fire. When Elrond saw his only daughter, of whom he was very protective, shivering, he rushed up and carried her to the Healing Rooms. She was shivering so hard that she shook in his arms, and her father was having trouble holding onto her. Ellie followed them, sorry that she had not looked in the forests earlier.

Elrond turned around. "Thank you, Ellethana. Thank you very much."

*********

Elrond worked all night trying to heal her. He couldn't tell if it was working or not.

*********

Arwen passed out. She was in darkness all night and thought that she was dead.

*********

In the morning, Arwen woke up, confused. Her father sat beside the bed, and he was asleep. Ellie sat there too, and she was smiling.

Arwen smiled back at her best friend. She felt much better. Ellie shook Master Elrond awake. When he woke up, he asked her how she felt.

"I am fine now, Ada," she said. ((Father)) She coughed.

"Ellethana, would you go and get some of Erestor's honey tea for Arwen? Thank you," Elrond said as his foster daughter ran out of the room. "Now, Arwen," he said as he turned towards her, "Why, in Middle-Earth, did you run away like that? I was worried sick about you, darling."

"Because you were mad at me," she replied.

"Why was I mad at you?"

"I was arguing with Elladan and Elrohir."

"Oh, Arwen. I wasn't mad at you. I was just upset and annoyed because the three of you weren't getting along. I also had a headache. It had been a long day."

*********

The day started during breakfast. The twin and Arwen had started off a perfectly beautiful day with a fight over the syrup of their pancakes. Arwen had said that her brothers were hogging it and wouldn't share.

An hour or two later, Glorfindel had come and told Master Elrond that the three elflings had been arguing again during lessons. That had just added on to the Elven Lord's already existing headache. Then the younger ones played with their swords, under Glorfindel's supervision. Arwen had come complaining that the twins were hitting her with their swords. The swords were blunt, as Elrond had insisted, but they could hurt all the same. Elrond had sent his daughter back outside to continue the swordplay that Glorfindel had started; then, he decided to take a small rest.

He had discovered he got headaches more often when his wife Celebrían was gone. Right now, she was visiting her parents, Celeborn and Galadriel, in Lothlórien.

At lunch, the twins complained that Arwen was being mean to them. Their father had just put his head in his hands and shook his head 'no.' They had never seen him do this before, so they asked what was wrong. He said 'nothing'! Then Elrond walked out of the dining room.

*****

Elrond walked into the kitchen and got himself a cup of tea. Then he walked to his room and lay down. He fell asleep, listening to the calm sound of raindrops on the window.

*****

Elrond awoke to the rapid knock on his door. He sat up. 'Who could it be?' he thought. 'I still have a headache.'

"Elrond! Are you in there?" his good friend called though the door.

"Glorfindel. What are you doing here?" the puzzled elf asked.

"I was worried about you," Glorfindel answered. "You do not usually leave in the middle of a meal, unless something is very wrong. So, what is it, mellon-nin? What trouble you this rainy afternoon? And, umm, what are you doing on your bed?" ((My friend))

Elrond closed his eyes then snapped them back open. There was no reason to give his friend any clues that anything was wrong, especially when the blond elf already suspected something.

"Nothing, Glorfindel," Elrond said in reply to the last question. "It was just a headache, mellon-nin. Nothing to worry about," he muttered more to himself than anyone else.

"Just a headache, huh? Come on, Elrond. I know that something else is wrong."

"No!" Elrond shouted. "There is nothing else," he added much more quietly, so quietly that his friend had to strain his ears to catch what the Elven Lord had said. The last ting he wanted was anyone else coming in at that moment. "I am just fine, mellon-nin."

"Alright. Just remember that I am here if you want to talk, Elrond." Glorfindel knew he could not push his friend when Elrond did not want to talk. Glorfindel wanted to ask a question but was a bit hesitant. "Do you think..." his voice trailed off. "Oh, never mind."

"What was it, Glorfindel? Were you going to ask about..." His voice too trailed off.

"Yes, but I can see that you do not want to talk about it," his councilor said.

"I do miss her, Glorfindel. She always knew how to make me smile, which not many people can do now. I know that she will be back... And yes, I do seem to get more headaches when she is gone. Probably because I have to watch the younger elves more."

"I see. I will go now and let you rest; maybe that headache of yours will go away if I let you sleep," Glorfindel said with a smile. "And, Elrond," the blond elf added, "don't worry about the twins and the girls. I will see to it that they behave."

"Hannon-le, mellon-nin," Elrond whispered. "Hannon-le." ((Thank you))

*****

"Glorfy, where's Ada?" an innocent voice asked. Glorfindel looked down at the young elfling.

"Your father is in his room, Elrohir," the older elf replied.

"What's he doing?" a voice identical to his twin's asked. Glorfindel was not sure what to tell them. Should he tell the truth or not?

Your Adar is resting, Elladan. Be sure not to wake him."

"Why?" a young, girl questioned.

"He is tired, Arwen."

"What's wrong?" Elrohir asked.

"Yah, Glorfy. What's wrong?" Elladan and Elrohir usually would not think of new things to say, instead, they would repeat what each other said.

"Nothing is wrong, boys. He has just been working himself too hard." Glorfindel disliked being called 'Glorfy,' but he did not say anything on the matter. He knew it would just annoy Elrond because the Elven Lord has many things to think about. The blond elf almost always went to his friend whenever he and Erestor had problems. Erestor. Another one of Glorfindel's problems. He wished that he and the advisor would be able to get along instead of arguing all of the time.

"Glorfindel." A tap on his back startled him out of his thoughts and back to reality. "Will Ada Elrond be alright?"

From that Glorfindel knew it was Ellie. She was the only one who didn't call Elrond 'Ada.'

"Ellie," he said, placing his hands on her small shoulders, "he will be just fine. Now," he said standing up," I am going to check on your father. Elladan, Elrohir, be nice to your sisters, and girls, be nice to your brothers. I expect all of you to behave!"

*****

Elrond was asleep. When he woke up, his head still hurt. He drank the rest of his tea then lay back down. 'I wonder how Glorfindel is doing with the younger elves,' he wondered as he fell back asleep.

*****

Glorfindel walked up to Elrond's door silently, as elves are able to. He was worried about his friend because Elrond only really got tired when Celebrían was not there.

"Elrond," Glorfindel called softly, "are you alright?"

When Elrond didn't answer, the blond elf began to worry some more. He opened the door very quietly and snuck in. He crept over to the large bed near the window and looked down. There was Elrond, sleeping with his eyes open. All elves have to ability to sleep with their eyes open.

Glorfindel walked silently out of the room and back out to where to elflings were suppose to be. He knew that Elrond need to rest, so the blond elf left him alone.

*****

When Elrond awoke, he felt somewhat tired, but his head had stopped hurting. He got up and walked to his study, which was near the library.

'What time is it?' he wondered. 'And how is Glorfindel doing with the younger ones?'

*****

The rain had stopped, so Glorfindel decided to let Arwen, Ellethana, Elladan, and Elrohir go outside and practice archery. Elladan was better that his brother or sister but Ellethana was the best out of all of the younger elves in the whole area. That could be because she was from Lothlórien, where the elves learn how to use a bow and arrow as their primary weapon.

Sometimes Ellie regretted not being quicker with her bow on the way to Rivendell. The group of a few elves, including Ellethana, had been traveling over the Misty Mountains (for they wouldn't ever dare think about going under the mountain, though the Mines of Moria), and they were attacked by a small company of orcs. Ellethana had gotten hurt. Her arm was broken, and she had been scratched on her forehead with the orc's blade. The scratch had turned out to be poisoned a few weeks later. All Ellie remembered was that she had had a headache; fainted in the kitchen; and woke up in the Healing Rooms without a headache, but with an arm that hurt like crazy. [A/N see Friends Forever?]

Ellethana's face grew sad as she thought of those days. She knew that she should be happy because she had a good friend now, but for some reason, whenever she thought back to her first few weeks in Rivendell, she was sad. Ellie and Arwen had fought over what had seemed like a big deal then but was nothing now. Now the two girls were the best of friends.

*****

Later in the day…

The twins and Arwen got along better at dinner. They were polite and didn't argue, but they were a little bit stiff.

Master Elrond did not show up at the dinner table. With his wife not due back for another two weeks, he didn't want to risk anymore of his migraines.

Glorfindel did tell him that all four of the younger elves got along just fine. Erestor kept busy in the kitchen for the rest of the evening because he disliked looking after the young ones. Glorfindel enjoyed watching them, so he read them a story and sent them to bed while their father stayed in his study and worked on many things.

*********

"Ada, can I have something to eat?" Arwen's question pulled Elrond back to the present. Elrond looked down at his beautiful daughter. She had finished the tea that Ellethana had brought. Looking at Arwen brought back memories.

*********

Celebrían sat on the edge of the bed. She was holding a newborn baby girl, Arwen. She and her husband had two young twin boys, about five or six years old (human years) and now they had added onto their young family with a little girl.

Elrond walked softly into the room and started singing a soft, quiet song. Soon his wife joined in with her beautiful voice.

*****

Glorfindel heard them and walked towards their room, but then decided to let the couple be alone. He recognized the song as a lullaby they had sung to the twins, Elladan and Elrohir, when they had been babies. He thought that Arwen was beautiful. She had black hair like her father and grey eyes like her mother. Glorfindel knew that everyone thought Arwen to be adorable. Well, almost everyone. He knew the twins didn't like her very much. He decided to go and talk to them.

*****

Glorfindel found the twins in the room that they shared.

"Hi, Glorfy," the older one said when he saw the blonde elf.

"Good morning Elladan," Glorfindel replied. "How are you two this fine morning?"

"'Dan (Elladan) and I are fine," Elrohir asked. He looked around. "Where is Ammë?" ((Mother))

"Your mother is in her room with your father. They are taking care of your sister." Glorfindel noticed both boys look around the room in an odd fashion. "Elrohir, can I talk to you and your brother about something?"

Elrohir sent a questioning look towards his brother then nodded.

"I have observed that you two are not very fond of your sister, are you, Elladan? Elrohir?" Glorfindel had not meant to be quite that blunt when he started. He just wanted to find out what was bothering the twin terrors, as they were often called in Rivendell. They were usually very talkative and cheerful, but now they seemed to be quieter. They still talked of the time, but they seemed very distracted during their lessons.

Elladan and Elrohir both looked down at the floor. Then they shook their heads.

"Not really," Elrohir said.

"But you won't tell Ada that Ro (Elrohir) and I said that, will you, Glorfy?"

Glorfindel looked down at the two identical faces. The twins looked scared.

"No, Elladan. I will not tell your father."

Both boys looked very relieved. "Bye, Glorfy," they said in at the same time.

*****

Glorfindel walked to the kitchen where he found Erestor humming quietly to himself.

"Good morning, Erestor," Glorfindel said.

"Oh, hello, Glorfindel," Erestor replied coolly. "I did not see you."

Erestor went back to whatever he had been doing, maybe baking a cake or something. More often than not, one could find the advisor in the kitchen baking a cake or something to that effect.

Glorfindel remembered when Erestor first came to Rivendell. He had almost spent the first week in the kitchen. Elrond hadn't really cared, for he and Celebrían had been very busy getting ready for the twins' third birthday. That had been very crazy.

*****

In Lothlórien…

"She's beautiful, darling." A dark haired elf looked lovingly at his newborn daughter. He and his wife had decided to name her Ellethana. She had dark brown hair like her father and hazel eyes like her mother.

"Yes, she is beautiful. Galadriel!" the young mother called to her aunt.

Galadriel came down the steps and picked up her great-niece. "She's adorable, child. Celeborn should see this beautiful little girl," Galadriel said. "Celeborn," she called quietly, "come and see your beautiful great-niece!"

Celeborn came up behind his wife and took Ellethana from her hands.

"She has dark hair, Wilwarin," he said.

"I know. Just like her father, Celeborn," Ellie's mother replied.

"But is she not adorable, darling?" Galadriel asked.

"I never said she wasn't cute; I just said she has dark hair. But yes, honey, she is beautiful. And I do like her, even if she had dark hair like you, Gil-gond," Celeborn answered. "Well, we will leave you two with some peace now."

The older couple left quietly, whispering to themselves.

"Honey, I think I need some rest now. Would you mind looking after Ellethana for a while?"

"Of course I will, darling. Now you just rest and don't worry about a thing." Gil-gond could tell his wife desperately needed some sleep after everything that had happened that day. Anyone would be exhausted after giving birth and taking care of the child all morning. He took their daughter out of her mother's arms and walked a little ways away.

*****

In Rivendell…

The twins groaned when they heard their sister start crying again.

"Not again," Elladan said. This was the tenth time in forty-five minutes.

"I wonder what she is crying about this time, Elladan," his younger brother wondered out loud.

*****

Arwen was crying because she was hungry. Celebrían told her husband to get the message to her parents in Lothlórien. Elrond told her he had already sent messages to tell her parents. When Arwen fell asleep, the couple walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind them.

*********

Ellethana was lonely and wanted someone who would play with her. She would have played with Arwen, but the last time she had checked with Lord Elrond, he wasn't letting his daughter get up.

Whenever Ellethana was lonely, she thought back to her childhood about her parents. Her mother Wilwarin had had long golden hair and hazel eyes. She had been Galadriel's sister only child. She lived in Lothlórien all of her short life (for an elf). Her father, on the other hand, had been a different matter altogether. Gil-gond had had dark brown hair and gray eyes. He had a younger brother. Gil-gond had grown up in Rivendell but had started traveling with a group of rangers when he was old enough. He traveled to some of the following places: Lothlórien, Northern Mirkwood, Gondor, Rohan, and sometimes the Shire.

Ellie really wanted to visit Mirkwood again, for Arwen had told her about the Princess Miriel who lived there. From what Arwen said, Miriel was very nice. Ellie knew she had at least one older brother. Legolas had often come to Rivendell to visit Arwen's older brothers, Elladan and Elrohir.

On one particular trip to Lothlórien, Gil-gond saw the maiden of his dreams, Wilwarin. He left for a month then came back, and the two were married under the trees.

*********

"Boo!" shouted a voice behind the young girl. Ellethana spun around.

"Arwen!" she screamed, surprised. Her voice quieted down. "I did not see you, mellon-nin." ((My friend))

"Come on, Ellie. Let's go and play with our dolls," Arwen insisted.

"Alright, I am coming, Arwen." Ellie followed her friend to Arwen's room. "How do you feel, mellon-nin?" Ellethana asked.

I feel fine, other than missing out on playing with you, that is," Arwen replied. "Ada told me that Legolas is coming tomorrow, to visit with my older brothers."

"The twins think you are sweet on him," Ellie put in. "Are you, Arwen?" she whispered.

"NO!" Arwen shouted. "Why should I be sweet on him, Ellie?"

"Well," Ellie thought out loud, "you two are about the same age and…"

Arwen smacked Ellie with her pillow. "I thought you were my friend! Anyway, you're the same age as us too, you know. Are you sweet on him, Ellie?" Arwen's voice quieted down to a whisper.

"No, I barely know him!" Ellie said, obviously upset.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, mellon-nin," Arwen said. "I never should have asked you that."

"I am sorry too. Whoever you like is your private business," Ellethana replied. "I am sorry."

*********

The next day, Legolas arrived in Rivendell.

"Hi, Arwen," he said. Arwen nodded ever so slightly. "Good morning, Ellethana."

The young girl tensed at the use of her full name. She was not used to anyone calling her that save a few older elves. Only Master Elrond, Celebrían, Ashiaro, and Glorfindel ever called her that. Everyone else just called her Ellie. "Good morning, Legolas," she said politely.

"Arwen," Legolas asked, "where might I find your brothers?"

"I don't know," she said rudely.

At this point, Ellethana spoke for her friend. "You might check outside or in their room," she told Legolas.

When the blond elf left, Ellie asked Arwen why she did not say hello.

"Because I'm not talking to him unless I have to!" her friend replied angrily.

"Ada Elrond will probably hear about this. But, of course, you know that, do you not?"

"Of course I know that, Ellethana!" Arwen snapped. She knew Ellie disliked being called by her full name, but Arwen did not care. She was very angry and probably would not want to do anything fun right then.

*********

Legolas found the twins in their room. They were working on some sort of art project.

"Hi, Legolas," Elladan said.

"How are you?" the other twin asked.

"Sailud, mellon-nin. I am fine. And how are the two of you?" the youngest elf inquired.

"We're fine as well. We're making presents for Celeborn and Galadriel. Ada told us that they were coming to visit when Ammë comes home. How long are you stay, Legolas?" Elrohir asked.

"I'm not sure, Elrohir," Legolas answered. "I could stay here for a month or maybe longer. I need to give something to your father while I am here."

"We can take you to him, mellon-nin," Elladan said. "Do you want to go right now?"

"Not right now. What if he is busy? Wouldn't you rather work on your cards for your grandparents?"

The twins glanced at each other. "Are you nervous, Legolas?" they asked.

"No, of course not," Legolas said a bit too loudly, biting his nails. The twins started laughing.

*********

Elrond was in a meeting with Erestor and Glorfindel.

"I wonder if Legolas has arrived yet," Elrond said.

"Yes, he is here." Glorfindel answered his friend's question. "I saw him with the twins just before the meeting. Why, mellon-nin?"

"He was, I mean, is, just supposed to deliver something from his father. That is all."

"Yes, he did say something about a thing for you, Master Elrond," Erestor said.

"Alright," said the Elven Lord, "I have things to do and I'm sure you two do also, so this meeting is over."

*********

"Arwen," Ellethana called, "Master Glorfindel told me that Auntie Galadriel and Uncle Celeborn are coming here with your Ammë!"

"They are?" came the reply.

"Of course, Silly. I just said that, did I not?"

"Do Elladan and Elrohir know?"

"Yes. Glorfindel told them before he told me."

"This is the first time they have visited in a very long time. Last time I saw them was at the Mid-year celebrations. Those seem like ages ago."

"I know. I used to live with them."

Arwen noticed her friend's face grow sad. "Ellie, you can miss them, but don't miss them too much. I'm sure Galadriel wouldn't want to you to be sad all the time."

"I guess you are right, Arwen. I really miss my Ada and Ammë."

"I know, Ellie. I know." Arwen's voice was very solemn. "Let's make something for Celeborn and Galadriel," she said, her voice raising her and Ellethana's spirits.

*********

Elrond went in search of his sons. He really hoped that they did not take poor Legolas out in to the snow, like they did that one time on Midwinter's Eve. First, he looked outside then in their room. He could not find them.

"Glorfindel! Have you seen the twins?" he called.

"No! Are they in their room? It just started to snow again!" the blond elf replied. "Check the kitchen. I heard Erestor mumble something about baking some cookies or a cake today. And you know how much the twins love 'helping' Erestor bake things!" Glorfindel added with a small chuckle.

*********

The twins and Legolas were in the kitchen helping the older elf bake cookies. The twins were licking the spoons, and Legolas was helping Erestor put the cookies on the pan.

"'Dan, 'Ro, come and help me with this!" Legolas said.

"But we're busy!" the boys replied. "We're cleaning up!"

Legolas rolled his eyes. He knew what the twins were up to. The twins were just eating the extra dough and licking the spoons Erestor had used to make the cookies.

*********

Master Elrond walked into the kitchen and found Legolas hard at work and the twins playing around with the spoons, which were now extremely shiny. The two boys were playing swords.

"Elladan! Elrohir!" he said loudly. His voice was very sharp. "You know better than to play in the kitchen! You two may continue your game elsewhere."

The twins were about to argue but then saw the stern look on their father's face and decided against it. "Yes, Ada. We will," they said.

"Legolas, do you have the thing your father sent?" Elrond asked.

"Yes. I can go and get it now, Master Elrond." Whenever Legolas addressed Elrond, he always said "Master" or "Lord."

"Yes please, Legolas," was the reply. As the young elf ran out, Elrond turned to Erestor. "Erestor, did the twins actually help? I mean, did they do anything except lick the spoons?"

Erestor looked up. He was sure he heard some nervousness in the Elven Lord's voice. "No. Why?"

"No particular reason. Were they bothering you at all?"

"No. Elrond, if you're worried about the twins," he paused and looked up at Elrond, "don't be. They are just fine."

"Do you think I'm over-protective of them, Erestor?" the concerned Peredhil asked. Erestor was about to answer when Legolas burst in to the kitchen with a small scroll in his hands.

"Ada told me this is very important, and he would be very mad if I lost it," Legolas said.

"Thank you, Legolas," Elrond said. "If you would like, you may go and look for the twins now."

"Thank you, Master Elrond. I think I will," the young elfling replied as he ran out.

"Now what were you going to say, Erestor?" the Elven Lord asked.

*********

"What are you making, Ellie?" Arwen asked.

"I am making card," the younger girl said.

"I'm making a picture for them," her friend said. "I can't wait to see them. Or Ammë, for that matter," she added.

"I miss them so much sometimes," Ellethana said. "I am glad that your Ammë is coming home soon. I will never get to see mine again."

The familiar old tears welled up in the young elf's eyes. She turned away quickly, hoping Arwen would not notice.

Arwen heard some sadness in her friend's voice and saw the tears come to her eyes. What had been said was true, but was the very sad truth. "Ellie, don't worry. You live here now. My Ada is taking care of you and so is my Ammë. So, please, mellon-nin, do not cry."

The elfling glared at the other one for a minute. Ellethana knew Arwen was right, but she could not help but feel sad sometimes. She silently thanked Ilúvatar for her friend. "You are right again, Arwen. I can not argue with that statement!" Ellethana smiled.

"That's better. You look much prettier when you smile, Ellie," Arwen said. "Let's get back to work."

*********

With the twins working on their cards, poor Legolas had nothing to do.

'I guess I can draw something,' he thought. He went to his room and grabbed his pad and pencil.

"What can I draw?" he asked out loud.

"Do you need some help, Legolas?" a voice asked.

Legolas turned around to find another young elfling about the same age as him.

"Yes, I guess I could use some, Ellethana," he replied.

"Please, Legolas. Call me Ellie. That is what everyone else calls me."

"Alright, Ellie," he said, "I could use some help. I need someone or something to draw."

"Could you draw me?" she asked.

"Would you like me to?"

"Do you want to?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

*********

About twenty minutes later, Legolas was finished. "What do you think, Ellie?"

Ellethana let out a happy sigh. "It is beautiful, Legolas."

"Yes, but not as beautiful as the…" Legolas stopped short and clamped his hand over his mouth. He could feel his face growing warm. He had almost let something slip but had caught himself just in time. "I mean…uh…um…" he stuttered.

"What do you mean, Legolas?" Ellethana inquired.

"Never mind," he said and ran away.

*********

'Why was he blushing?' Ellie wondered. 'Maybe Arwen knows!'

"Arwen!"

"What?"

"Is it just me or has Legolas been acting strange?"

"I don't know, Ellie. He seemed fine this morning. Why?"

"Oh, no reason."

Arwen gave her friend a strange look that said 'there's more going on than you're telling!' "Ellie, why are you blushing?"

*********

"Why did you say that, Legolas?" the princeling asked himself. He was sitting in the library with his notebook in hand. "And why in Middle Earth did you blush?" That question echoed in his head. Why did he blush?

"I didn't!" he said loudly, trying to ignore the little voice that said he did. Legolas flipped though his notebook, looking at the pictures he had drawn over the years. He stopped when he reached the picture he had just drawn.

"Why did you do that, Legolas?" he said out loud.

"Why did you do what?" Legolas turned to find another light-haired elf looking at him. "Would you like to tell me about it, Legolas?"

*********

Ellethana looked down at the floor. "No reason, Arwen. I need to finish my card for Auntie and Uncle."

"Alright," Arwen said with a sly smile. "What's going on, Ellie?"

"Nothing! Okay?" Ellie shouted. She was getting very annoyed with her best friend and just wanted finish the card.

*********

"Where's Legolas?" Elladan asked.

"I don't know, 'Dan. I haven't seen him." Elrohir replied. "Oh well. We'll find him later."

*********

"I don't know," Legolas said. "I do, but I don't. Do you know what I mean?" The other elf nodded, so Legolas continued. "I'm embarrassed, and, well, you know."

"I understand. If you would rather not talk about it, Legolas, then that is just fine," the older one said. He stood up to leave.

"Wait. I would like to talk," Legolas said. "Well, it's like this…"

*********

Elrond, sitting in his study, reflected on what Erestor had told him. Maybe he was over-protective of the twins. But he couldn't help it. They were his sons, and he wanted them to be safe. Elrond felt a special attachment to his sons, twins. This feeling could have been because he was a twin. His identical twin brother Elros had chosen to become mortal, while Elrond chose to be elven. Although the two had fought often, the brothers had been very close. Elrond had been very sad when his brother chose to be mortal, even tried to talk him out of it, but nothing had worked. Elros was just too stubborn. He had died while visiting Elrond just weeks before their birthday. Elrond was sad for many years after. He wished his sons would understand the sadness that the other suffered when this happened. The last thing the wise Elven Lord wanted was for his sons to have to learn the hard way.

*********

"So you see, Glorfindel," Legolas concluded, "I really like Arwen, but she doesn't like me at all. She barely even talks to me." Legolas had just finished telling Glorfindel everything that was going on. He had told him about the picture he had drawn and how Ellethana's eyes had been shining when she saw it. "What should I do?" he asked.

"Well, first of all, Legolas," Glorfindel said, "you must tell Ellethana how you feel."

"I want to, but I don't want to hurt her feelings. She has been hurt like that that too many times. Anyways, I do want to be friends, but…"

"I understand, Legolas. But you need to tell her, and I would do it soon if I were you. The longer you wait, the harder and more personal she'll take it. On the other hand…" Glorfindel stopped when he heard the door open.

"There he is, 'Dan," Elrohir said.

"Yes, there he is. Hi, Glorfy," Elladan replied.

"How are you two this fine day?" Glorfindel asked. He disliked the name "Glorfy" but decided not to make a scene out of it.

"We're fine," they answered.

"Can Legolas come and play with us now?" Elladan asked.

"That is up to him. What do you say, Legolas? Would you like to play with them now? We can finish our conversation later, if you would like that."

"Okay. But I'll come back to finish talking with you, Glorfindel."

Glorfindel watched as Legolas ran off to play. The older elf picked up a book that was lying on the table and started to read. He knew Legolas would come back later to talk, so the blond elf had no intentions of leaving.

*********

"Arwen, I finished my card for Galadriel and Celeborn!"

"Okay. Let's play with our dolls," Arwen replied, walking over. Ellethana ran to their rooms and grabbed their dolls. She and Arwen had matching dolls, given to them by Celeborn and Galadriel, and pink and purple hilted swords from Elrond and Celebrían. The two girls were almost like twins. They did mostly everything together. They played together, they had school together, and they traveled together.

But other than that, they were opposites. Ellethana loved being outside, while Arwen enjoyed staying inside. This might have been because Ellie was from Lothlórien, where they did almost everything outside, and Arwen was from Rivendell, where her father only let her outside for school. Ellie enjoyed adventure stories, while Arwen preferred romance. The girls argued often, mostly about random things. They argued over their swords, their dolls, and their time with the older elves of Rivendell.

"Ellie, where's my doll?" Arwen asked.

"I could not find Anarel, Arwen. I looked everywhere, in both rooms too," Ellethana replied. She was playing with her doll Wilwarin, whom she named after her mother.

"I don't want to play dolls anymore, Ellie," Arwen stated. "I'm going to look for Anarel. Maybe one of my brothers took her. See you later."

*********

When Arwen had looked in the rooms with no luck, she went in search of her brothers. She stopped by the library when she saw Glorfindel sitting with his book.

"Glorfindel, have you seen my brothers?"

"Yes. Why?" he asked.

"I think they might have taken my doll. And Ellie and I were going to play 'Elf Dolls.' Do you know where they are?"

"They went off somewhere with Legolas. But I don't know where they are. I'm sorry, Arwen. I hope you get your doll back," Glorfindel said as Arwen rushed out the door.

*********

"Elladan! Elrohir!" Arwen called. "Where are you guys?" She was walking around, looking for her brothers. She was not watching where she was going and bumped into her father.

"Arwen, what are you doing?" he asked.

"Sorry, Ada," Arwen muttered. "I was looking for Elladan and Elrohir."

"Why?" Lord Elrond sighed.

"I think they might have Anarel."

"Very well, Arwen. I saw them not too long ago playing with their swords," he said. "Legolas was with them. They were over by their room. Oh, Arwen," her father called as she ran off, "have you seen Glorfindel?"

"Yeah. He's in the library. See you later, Ada."

*********

Just as Arwen found her brothers, Legolas came over and gave her a hug.

"What was that for?" Arwen snapped, swirling around to face him. Legolas blushed as the twins turned and looked at him.

"Arwen, can we talk in private?" he whispered.

Arwen rolled her eyes but followed Legolas outside towards the river.

"Arwen," Legolas said once they were too far away for anyone else to hear them, "the reason I brought you here is because… well, Arwen, I… I love you!" he blurted out, his fair skin a bright shade of pink.

"Legolas," Arwen replied softly, "I'm flattered you would say that, but… but…"

"But what, Arwen?" he asked.

"I don't think I can say the same thing to you." She stopped and looked at him. "I'm sorry, Legolas. But I'm not meant for you. I'm very sorry."

*********

Ellethana hid behind a tree when she heard her sister and Legolas talking. She had come out by the river to relax, but she knew Arwen would get mad if she knwe Ellie was there. All she heard was Arwen's reply. She had not heard what Legolas said but was pretty sure she could guess.

"Legolas," she heard Arwen say once more, "I'm just not good enough for you. I know I'm destined to be with someone else. Elf, Man, Hobbit, or even Dwarf. We just aren't meant to be together. We are so young. I am only fifteen, and you are just sixteen. We are too young, Legolas. What would my father think of this?"

"He would love it," Legolas said. Ellie knew Master Elrond probably would not like it, but she could tell Legolas was trying to convince Arwen he was right. "I'm sure he would rather you love me than a mortal. You know how he feels about them. Especially Isildur and his line."

"Yes, but what if I decide on another elf? What do you have to say about that, Mr. Prince?" she asked in a cool tone. Ellethana had never heard Arwen talk like that before. "Oh, and don't you dare say anything like that again, Legolas!" she added.

"Say what, pretty Arwen?" Legolas asked in an innocent tone.

"You should know!" she shouted. Ellethana knew what Arwen was talking about. The comment about Isildur had upset her. Isildur was a descendant of Elros, who had been Lord Elrond's brother. Arwen's back was towards Ellie, but Ellie had a pretty good idea of what Arwen's face looked like.

Arwen was trying to keep her feelings under control. But she was having a troublesome time of that. She knew she need to get away from Legolas or she would scream.

"Legolas," she said in the calmest voice she could manage, "I must return to Rivendell."

Ellethana was amazed at how rude Arwen was being to their guest. She turned to leave, knowing she could not face either Arwen or Legolas at that point. 'The twins were right,' she thought. 'He really does like her. Too bad Arwen can't see how nice he is.'

As Ellie ran away, she heard Legolas shout, "Arwen, I love you!"

Arwen replied with an "I don't feel that way about you!"

As soon as Ellethana got back to her room, she flung herself on her bed and cried herself to sleep.

*********

"Glorfindel, have you seen the girls?" It was almost dinnertime, and the Elven Lord had not seen Arwen or Ellethana since lunch.

"No, Elrond. I haven't. But I do know Legolas went down to the river with someone this afternoon," Glorfindel replied.

"Thank you." Elrond now knew where Legolas was, but he still needed to find his girls. "Arwen! Ellethana! Where are you?" he called.

*********

Ellethana woke up to hear someone calling her name. She got up and wondered what time it was and why someone was calling her. She changed in to fresh clothes and walked out into the hallway.

"Ellethana! There you are." Ellie turned to find Master Elrond walking towards her. "Have you seen Arwen anywhere, Ellie?"

"I saw her by the river with Legolas," she replied, looking up at her adopted father.

"Thank you, Ellie," he said. "Oh and by the way, it's almost dinnertime," he added as he left.

*********

After dinner, Ellethana went to her room and wrote in her journal.

Dear My Butterfly,

I am in great pain. Legolas is in love with Arwen. I do not have a chance with him. Arwen will not stop snubbing him. She is so mean to him. I love him though. I really like him. He is nice, and Arwen told me he is a prince. I think Ammë would like him. So would Ada. But why does he not notice me? Why is he so interested in my cousin? If only he knew how she really felt about him, then he would not be wasting his time. At least I do not think so. What about you, Wil? What do you think about all of this? Legolas told her how he felt about her. And she was so mean back! She basically told him to shut up!

She can be so mean sometimes. And annoying. I… I am struggling with my feelings. I think I am in love with him. Yes, I am pretty sure I love Legolas. I shall think about this subject some more and tell you when I find the answer.

Yours forever,
Ellethana

Ellethana thought about what she had written in her journal. She knew Legolas would bee there for a few months, and she felt like she needed to spend sometime with him before he went home. But she was worried. She did not know how to approach him. 'What should I do?'

*********

Later that night, a young elf was having trouble sleeping. He could not understand Arwen's rejection to him; he had been sure he was right. So why had she gotten so upset when he talked about Isildur? He really did not understand her sometimes. He had a younger sister, and sometimes, he could not understand her at all. Girls were so confusing!

'If things don't work out with Arwen, there is always Ellethana,' he thought. 'Ellie, Ellie, Ellie, Ellie!' Legolas told himself over and over.

"You know that's what she wants to be called," he muttered.

'Perhaps I should find out more about her. She seems nice. All I know about her is that she lives here and her parents died when she was younger,' he mused to himself. 'Except I can't ask her, so who should I ask? I can't ask Arwen; maybe I and ask Lord Elrond or Master Glorfindel. I'm sure they would know what I wish to find out.'