Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. Anything you recognise belongs to JRR Tolkien.
Many Meetings
A fair haired young girl was standing in a brilliantly beautiful field of flowers, her face tilted toward the sun's rays. Her name was Caladwen and she was the youngest daughter of Elrond, Lord of Imladris. Currently the little elleth was visiting her grandparents in the Golden Wood. However, as she stood on that field, her elder brothers, Elladan and Elrohir were on their way to escort her back to the Valley.
Miles away, in Mordor by the shadow of Mount Doom the Eye awakens. The creature Gollum has spoken and the Dark Lord summons his servants. The nine are dispatched to the Shire and in the Orthanc friendship turns to betrayal.
Saruman the Wise has become Sauron's puppet and Gandalf the Grey is imprisoned, his staff broken.
In the wilderness a Ranger makes his way to Imladris with four halflings, the bane of Middle Earth around the neck of one of them. In Weathertop they are attacked and a Morgul blade tastes flesh.
Elrond's twins arrive in Imladris with their youngest sister only to leave immediately in search of their adopted brother. They rode the fields in search of the Dúnadan and the halflings but spot nothing. In light of such news, Arwen and Glorfindel are also sent out. Meanwhile the youngest daughter of Elrond keeps to the Valley aiding her father in healing Mithrandir. The old wizard had escaped Isengard thanks to the eagles but his injuries were considerable and had been left untreated for long.
As Gandalf the Grey recuperated in Rivendell, a contingent of Mirkwood elves rode toward the elven heaven and on the way ran into a group of dwarves. They however we're not the only ones making their way to the Last Homely House as during the coming days many others would also journey there to seek council with Lord Elrond.
It was early on a cool morning when Arwen and Asfaloth brought through the borders of the valley a gravely injured hobbit. The she-elf had managed to keep him from the shadows long enough to get him to her father. Many long hours did the elven lord and his youngest daughter fight for Frodo's life until at last he was out of danger. It was then that the little blonde elleth finally left the halfling's room. She wondered aimlessly through the halls of her father's house until she came out into a garden.
The moon was high in the sky casting its silver rays over everything. She breathed in the calming scent of the night air before sitting down amongst the flowers and loosing herself in thoughts of the future.
It was in that position that her elder sister found her in much later. The dark haired elleth looked at her younger sister and sighed. Caladwen had never known their mother; Celebrían had departed for the Undying Lands a mere month after her youngest daughter had been born, the emotional wounds her kidnapping had produced had proven too deep for even her husband's skills in healing. While Arwen had been young at that time, she at least had some memories of her, but Caladwen did not and now that darkness was creeping once more over the lands, the Evenstar knew that her sister felt that loss keenly.
"Caladwen," she called softly making the blonde turn her way and noticing the worry that was deep in her sister's beautiful green eyes.
"Arwen, I thought you would still be with Aragorn," the younger elleth replied in a soft whisper.
Arwen smiled and moved further into the garden, "Ada and Mithrandir needed to speak with him and I wanted to see you."
The little blonde gave her elder sister a questioning glance at this but said nothing no doubt waiting for the Evenstar to explain the need to see her.
The dark haired elleth moved close to play with her sister's long blonde tresses, "I've been worried about you. Caladwen this is the first time I've seen you out of Frodo's room in a week."
Caladwen sighed as she listened to her sister, she knew they would worry, "Muinthel," she interrupted, "ever since Frodo and Sauron's ring passed through the borders of the Valley, I haven't been able to rest."
Arwen's hand continued to run through her sister's hair, "Have you mentioned this to ada?"
"No, I do not want him to worry about me, Arwen and I have not Seen anything since that vision of Estel and the hobbits at Amon Sûl," Caladwen whispered.
Not many in the valley (or outside of it) knew that like her father and maternal grandmother, Caladwen had the gift of foresight. The morning star, as most in the valley called her because of the way her golden tresses shone in the early hours of the day, did not like her powers as she often saw things she would rather forget.
Arwen watched as her younger sister's hands started to play with the chain of her own star pendant, the necklace she wore gave off a soft gold glow while it's twin, which now hung around Aragorn's neck, glowed a soft silver. They were a symbol of the royal blood that ran through the veins of both sisters and they were meant to be given to the one they deemed worthy of their heart. The Evenstar had long before given hers to the Ranger, in contrast her sister, whom was oh so young, hadn't yet met her other half.
The pendants were also symbols of the choice available to the sisters. Since some mortal blood ran through their veins, they could choose to which race they would belong. The two could decide if they wanted to be counted among the Eldar or if they wanted to accept the Gift of Men. Arwen knew what she would choose, mortality, for that would be the only way to be with the one she loved but she knew not what her sister's choice would be.
"Caladwen," Arwen began only to be interrupted by the fair haired girl.
"No, Arwen, I know what you're going to say but I won't tell ada."
Before Arwen could protest any further some noise alerted them to the presence of another. A maid stood by the entrance to the gardens looking apologetic for the interruption, "Forgive me, my ladies, but your father requests your presence."
Arwen nodded and the maid curtsied before leaving the sisters alone once more.
"I'll do as you ask and won't mention your trouble sleeping to him, however I'm pretty certain ada will notice," the older elleth told her younger sister.
Her sister said nothing as she rose from the ground and started walking toward their father's study without a comment. Arwen sighed before following after the retreating figure of her blonde sister all the while wishing the little blonde wouldn't be quite so stubborn.
The Mirkwood elves and the dwarves continued making their way to the valley after having called a reluctant truce. The leader of the elven contingent was Legolas son of Thranduil King. The young (for his people) ellon was as fair haired as his father with deep blue eyes that revealed his longing for adventure. He had long been a friend of the ranger Strider, known to the elves as Estel but he hadn't seen Aragorn in some time. The two hadn't actually spoken since Estel and Mithrandir had brought the creature Gollum to Mirkwood.
Legolas sighed as he thought about Gollum, he still felt responsible for the creature's escape. He and the other elves had been too lenient with Gollum and he had used that to escape. Locking that thought away, he looked at the dwarves that were traveling along with them and recognised one of them as Glóin. He had been a member of the company of Thorin Oakenshield and he made Legolas think on Tauriel. They had been friends (still were) and nothing else even if at one time he had thought they could be more. She had been hurt greatly by the death of the dwarf and she was still hurting from it.
The loud chattering of the dwarves shook the prince from his thoughts and as he looked up, he saw the magnificent waterfalls that made up the backdrop of Imladris. This was not the first time Legolas had visited the Last Homely House but the beauty of the place always managed to take his breath away. He saw Lord Elrond and his twin sons in front of the steps as he, and those that traveled with him, approached the gates. To the side stood Arwen and Aragorn and with them Mithrandir.
He dismounted his horse and immediately exchanged greetings with his host. Then moved over so that Glóin and his friends could do the same.
"Mae govannen, Thranduilion," Elrohir greeted him. He smiled and returned the greeting; the twins being good friends of his even if the two could be very annoying when they wanted to be so.
The three of them moved over to where Gandalf, Arwen and Aragorn stood, "Mithrandir, it is very good to see you." The blond said as he gave a slight bow to the old istari.
Gandalf smiled widely making his eyes sparkle, "It is always good to see old friends, Legolas," he said simply.
Then Arwen and Aragorn captured the attention of the Mirkwood prince and the old wise man chuckled as friends were reunited. A glint of gold not far off caught the wizard's eye and he saw a little blonde elleth start making her way toward them. Mithrandir moved to Elrond's side wondering if the elven lord had seen what he had and one glance at his face confirmed that he indeed had. Elrond's face was contorted into that of a father's who knew he would soon stop being the most important male in his daughter's life. Gandalf could understand; long ago had he, Elrond and the lady Galadriel foreseen a union between the two youngsters. The vision had not yet come to pass because Legolas and Caladwen had never met.
By some twist of fate whenever the Mirkwood royal family came to visit the hidden valley, Caladwen had been in Lothlórien. Elrond had of course not minded as he didn't wish to part with his youngest daughter. The two older males whom were joined by Glorfindel couldn't keep from smiling at the beautiful young elleth as her distraction was obvious. Caladwen was walking along with one of the few elflings that had been born in Imladris in the last 3 centuries. The little boy was no more than a human toddler although he was close to 300 years of age. Despite the age gap, the youngest lady of Rivendell did not mind spending time with him or with the other two children currently residing in the valley. For Elrond the sight of his youngest daughter with such a small person made him think of when she would have little ones of her own and his heart gave a painful lurch.
"Legolas, my friend, you have been greatly missed," Aragorn said before giving his friend a warrior's greeting.
"You have been missed as well, Estel. I am glad to see you and Arwen together and happy once more," the blond prince replied.
"I am always happy when I am with Aragorn," Arwen said softly before embracing Legolas softly.
Just then she heard the unmistakable sound of her younger sister's laughter and turned toward the sound. The dark haired she-elf knew that her sister's laugh was one of the most loved sounds in Imladris for the trees themselves seemed to dance in response to it. Arwen knew her friend and her sister would get along well and she was looking forward to the two blonds meeting. Aragorn and Legolas started a conversation with the twins to her right, but she herself was barely paying them any heed, her attention instead on Caladwen's progress toward them.
The prince for his part had heard the delicate sound of laughter which seemed to echo in the peaceful air of Rivendell making the trees and waterfalls themselves even more magnificent. Automatically he turned toward where he knew the sound was coming from and beheld a truly beautiful sight; a young elf maiden was making her way to Lord Elrond all while delicately laughing at something an excited little elfling was telling her. She was a vision of beauty, wearing an elven dress of such a pale pink it almost looked white and that showed her form to perfection. Legolas noticed she was blonde, a rarity amongst the elves of Rivendell and she was also shorter than most elleths making her look more fragile and delicate.
"Ada," Caladwen called when she made it to her father's side, "the children want to go play in the waterfalls and somehow have convinced themselves I need to go with them."
The younger lady of Imladris wasn't stupid, she knew people were arriving from all over Middle Earth for the Council but she detested playing the diplomat; it was a job she did well although not as often as her older sister which was why she had made sure to be busy at the time the current guests would be arriving.
Lord Elrond chuckled, he knew the game his youngest was playing and he could have played along but he hadn't missed Legolas' reaction to Caladwen. "The elflings want to play in the waterfalls? Well I am sure you will be available to accompany them after you have greeted our guests," he said in a slightly serious voice.
He saw her pout at her plan failing but she also nodded accepting defeat for the time being. The elven lord took her hand and steered his daughter in the direction of the dwarves, "Glóin, I am sure you remember Caladwen although she was a bit younger the last time you met."
The red haired dwarf gave what was definitely a smile, "Of course I remember the wee lass, used to be fascinated by the stories Ori used to tell her."
The blonde elleth smiled at the familiar face of Glóin son of Gróin, one of the thirteen and then surprised him, and the Mirkwood elves, by giving the dwarf a hug. "Glóin son of Gróin, I am very glad to see you once more inside the borders of the valley. How is your son, Gimli was his name I believe?"
"He is well, my lady. Here with me actually," and Glóin proceeded to introduce her to a younger looking dwarf that had a beard the same shade of red as his father's.
Gimli was not as warm with his greeting of the blonde elleth as his father had been but he was not rude either. Caladwen did not let this bother her a fact which was apparent to all the elves gathered in the courtyard. After meeting the rest of the dwarves that had made the journey into the valley her father steered her in the direction of a pair of elves whom were wearing the distinctive colours of Mirkwood.
The two male elves that had accompanied Legolas had also noticed the elleth's beauty and they had seen the effect she'd had on their prince. Thalion had been a long time friend of the Mirkwood prince although not as close as Legolas and Aragorn were, owning to the fact that Thalion was a few centuries older than the blond archer. Despite that he knew Legolas and he could recognise the wonder in the prince's eyes. It had been a long time since the blond ellon had looked at any maiden in that way and Thalion was glad to see that spark return to his friend's eyes.
His attention returned to the elleth that was currently standing in front of him and Merilairon and was once again struck by her beauty. She was blonde which meant she favoured her mother instead of her father and the smile that was poised on her lips seemed to illuminate the world around her. There was no denying her loveliness and he thought that she would make a great queen one day, if that was what the Valar had in store for her and his prince whom he could already see was enchanted by her.
"It is my joy to welcome you to the valley, I hope your stay will be a pleasant one and that you will find peace and rest while you reside within our borders," she said in a soft voice her green eyes sparkling prettily.
"Thank you, my lady for your wishes. You may be assured that already we feel quite at ease within the borders of your father's land," Thalion responded with a respectful bow of his head.
She smiled mischievously before inclining her head and letting Lord Elrond lead her away and toward Legolas. Caladwen was still smiling as she drew nearer to the spot where her siblings and Aragorn were standing with the blond ellon she'd glimpsed arriving ahead of the other visitors. Her green eyes locked with the impossibly blue gaze of the stranger before her and in that moment she felt something inside her give an involuntary shudder. Caladwen knew she was intrigued by the mysterious person before her and it wasn't because of his looks for all the Eldar were fair, no, it was the look in his eyes what she found beguiling; what she would later, much later realise would bind her soul to his.
"Legolas, I don't believe you've ever had the chance to meet my youngest daughter, Caladwen," Elrond said by way of an introduction.
Legolas bowed his head at the elleth, "Caladwen, this is Legolas Thranduilion, Prince of Mirkwood," Elrond told his daughter.
Caladwen smiled and curtsied, "Mae govannen, hîr vuin," she greeted him in elvish.
It was the first of their language he had heard her say directly to him and the prince could swear their language had never sounded fairer. He looked at her intently once more taking note of how beautiful and delicate she looked and for the first time the thought struck him that with only her smile she could get rid of the darkest of thoughts.
Caladwen met Legolas' gaze steady even as inside she fought to keep control of herself. She didn't know why but his proximity was making her feel lightheaded. When she met his gaze it felt like her whole world had shifted to revolve around him.
"Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn," Legolas responded softly in sindarin as well. He watched as her smile widened slightly and the two would have kept staring at each other had it not been for the elfling who still had a hold of one of Caladwen's hands.
"My lady, may we now go to the waterfall?" He asked in a heavily accented common tongue.
His words seemed to snap Caladwen out of her daze and with one more smile in the prince's direction she turned and left with her young charge.