Title: Reminders of Mirkwood

Author: Justtice

Rating: Pg-13

Feedback: constructive

Chapter; 1

The Prince of Mirkwood sat tiredly atop his horse next to Aragorn and Gandalf in the caravan to take the dead home from the battle of Helm's keep. With the hope that Sauron, was defeated he felt a little more awake now. He now felt his skills had given him an edge against it all. His father had relentlessly drilled and pushed him to work harder and keep perfection. In Thranduil's mind, royalty should be as flawless as the best but should do so with the flare and grace that set royalty apart. Legolas felt badly for the fallen and that they had met an untimely end.

Yes, men had lost lives but the elves gave up much longer lives. A slight sigh escaped thinking of all the men that they would need to honor as well. Perhaps they had graves but Aragorn had expressed the need to show them respect and honor when his feet fell in Gondor again.

He knew Frodo had accomplished his own goal by riding of the ring into the fiery grave and he looked back with a little smile at the hobbit that followed them. Frodo had lost a finger to rid middle Earth of the ring and now he seemed to look a little older and wiser to Legolas.

He quickly remembered why Frodo and the rest road with them, to pay their condolences to the Elves, who knew little of loss. Elves lived such long lives that people thought them to be immortal and they truly felt it. The lives that mean lived were but a blink in the life of an elf. It meant the elves had given up much more than man, Dwarf or Orc just in time. What most never seemed to know that they lived such long lives that they had perfected each motion, each word and even breath so they would live in ease. Verily, to live so long would be harder if a limb were lost in battle because they could be without it a thousand years. Not often did an elf die but many had sailed. Even sadder now, so many had given away long lives of grace for a death in battle. No matter how glorious, still it was death.

Legolas thought of the friends he had just seen slain fighting for the greater good. Friends he had known a long time, some he knew casually and some that had lived in Mirkwood. Fathers and brothers who would return home one last time and he hung his head at the thought. His mind moved a thousand ways as he began to wonder if Galadriel would journey as well.

He felt a hand upon his shoulder, "We are nearly there." Aragorn sighed. Legolas nodded and sat up straighter because Aragorn might have well told Legolas to look strong for his people. He caught sight of Rivendell and took a deep breath. A warm hearth would be nice and to see other friendly faces would be a welcome sight but considering his news he wasn't sure they would be the same blessing for them.

Shouting ahead told them that they had been spotted and there would be a welcome near the gate. Aragorn seemed to come alive a little and he was sure it was in hopes to see Arwen. Legolas felt a chuckle catch in his throat as Aragorn's new demeanor seem to improve each hoof falling closer to the house of Elrond. The young prince longed to be home among the trees he had known and loved since youth or to see his father's pride after. His father was hard to please in his eyes and Legolas found himself trying harder each time to satisfy him. For now, the look of Rivendell growing closer appeased him as well as the enamored look Aragorn tried to keep hidden.

Arwen sat the other elf called Arri and Arwen paced as Arri tried to comfort her. "I am sure your father will understand in time," Arri sighed looking out the window to the trees. For hours they had spoke about the plight Arwen faced. Life of a peredhil and to want to choose a human mate rather than journey as her father had bade her. Arri kept her gaze downcast at her folded hands moving ever so slightly under the covering of her long sleeves.

"He would be much happier if Aragorn was Elven too," Arwen sighed. Then she looked to Arri and knew she shared some of her conflicted feelings. "Your father is a strong fighter and I am sure he will return to us, Arri." She gave an inward sigh as she thought, 'Estel.' The name her father had given him long ago, meaning hope. Hope for a kingdom, hope for victory, hope to heal that what was broken... hope for love? The Sindarian name was to help conceal him from the evil that would strike him down but she had come to love this hope.

Arri simply nodded but she knew in her heart her father was gone. She had tried to busy herself with thoughts to help Arwen's worry. Truly to talk about the troubled love did divert thoughts of the grim truth of their return. She could feel the loss of connection between her and her father but held onto the hope she was wrong as she kept her eyes on the road watching the elves at the gate for a signal somebody would return soon. She sighed and looked to Arwen hoping to distract them both. "I think you are attracted to his passion," Arri finally turned to her. "Humans know they shall die and tend to live every day as their last. The fulfill every desire and don't hold back."

Arwen stifled a smile because it certainly sounded like Aragorn. "Where as, we spend boring lives making every ourselves more perfect for we have nothing better to do?" She smiled thinking of how they seem to perfect each thing they did from skill with music, charms, sewing or even cooking. Some might even call it obsession.

Arri gave a small smile at the tease, "I suppose we do." She tossed her lose hair over her shoulder and sighed as she cast a quick look back to the road. "I find I admire their freedom and how carefree they are."

Arwen stopped her aimless pacing and stood next to her. She looked to her friend and her profile as the waning sun's light touched her small frame lightly, as if a beam kissed her. Arri was not an elf to simply forget, with her long hair spilling down her shoulders she was a breathtaking sight. Arri stood the same noble grace Arwen carried but she was so different to look upon. Arri had very deep blue eyes that shone against the shadows playing in the window but a small gleam showed truth of an unshed tear. As the sun touched the trees tops it began to spray though the window in crisp rays playing over Arri's soft blonde hair. Full of pale blonde curls they seem to hold each ray with a sparkle that lighted them whimsically. It had been said far and wide that she had inherited her beauty and quite uncommon curls from her mother who had been killed by a goblin when she had lived in Mirkwood. Smaller than most elves she stood in the light straining to see the return of the heros, alive and passed. At the moment with her pensive look and the shadows creating such a contrast to the peering light, she looked like the essential face of an elf in meditation.

Upon the death of Arri's mother, her father moved them to Rivendell because the beauty of Mirkwood had reminded him too much of his wife. Arri's father Thondas had always been a resident of Rivendell until he had met a beautiful elf maiden from Mirkwood, Livian (Arri's mother). Thondas fell in helplessly in love with Mirkwood as he did Livian and they began their family there. With Livian's untimely death a broken hearted Thondas moved his daughter to Rivendell and all he had known before Livian. He knew to fade from grief would have been dishonor to them both with Arri still in her youth. He knew Livian held a great love for their child as he did and would see their child grow, to honor Livian and keep her name alive. Yet he could not forget his beloved wife it did help him not to be find ghost of her in each thing he touched by the Mirkwood. Arri was nearly a living statue of her mother with the same rare intense stare and bountiful ringlets and to present her as daughter of Livian... she knew it did her father proud. Arri sighed thinking of her father's reasons for moving them but she did miss Mirkwood and the friends she had left there years ago. She loved her friends now and smiled at Arwen who had become dear to her as well. She looked down at the road and watched Eosin one of the elves who stood by the gate.

Eosin was every bit as beautiful as any elf she had seen but he was pale blond like Arri or even Legolas. His regal manner seemed higher of his simple duties he held in Rivendell and Arwen often thought he belonged among the talons with Galadriel. His eyes seem to hold millions of secrets until he would see Arri then his eyes would become soft and warm. Eosin watched Arri grow and that seemed to be Arwen's answer for his fascination early on but now he seem to be unsure around and at a loss when she gave him a small glance.

Arwen watched as Arri's face traced crimson with Eosin's smile at her when he noticed her gaze at the gate. "He is handsome Arri," Arwen watched as the male elf finally took his eyes from Arri, "My father was right when he first saw you."

Arri was intrigued, "How so?" She looked away knowing Arwen had romantic thoughts of the two where there was none. Arri loved him but he had seen her through the same things her father did and to see him in any other light seemed false. Still the idea of this breathtaking male did make her heart skip. She had never had any male think of her in such a way. The idea of it being Eosin was flattering because he was handsome and many a maiden did vie for his attention and no other male had shown such interest in a simple elf as Arri.

Arwen gently tangled fingers Arri's bouncing tendrils letting her fingertips marvel at the softness and losing her fingers in it, "He said that you had better be good because with this hair you would never be anonymous."

Arri sighed because she loathed her hair. She spent much of her time binding it into a braid to hide the curls in a fashion that might hide the texture but that wasn't always acceptable. "Is that was he told you? Perhaps he never knew the trials and tribulations it put me through in younger years." She blew a curl that had settled upon her nose until it sprang back at her and she looked at the dancing hair as a traitor.

Arwen laughed despite herself, "it is lovely Arri." She also remembered that her father had told her once Arri's hair was because Arri had a human in her lineage. She had in turned gotten the hair her mother had not so many years ago.

Arri and Arwen heard the tolls of the Elves announcing the caravan's approach. Hooves falling over the rocky path was a familiar sound but so many at once began a chorus of tired feet. Slowly they could see figures taking shape from the shadows that had began to grow and they peered into the shape looking for form. They looked at each other as their hearts rose then plunged on a silent ride.

Arri nodded to the familiar rider who sat next to an Elf, "Aragorn looks to have made it back to you." Her face held a bit of mirth seeing a human looking so torn and worn in comparison to the elves around him. His clothing was torn and stained with earth and blood while the elves looked nearly pristine. Of all she could see from them she could see Aragorn's fatigue even from her distance. She felt for the legend that would bring peace to Gondor as he had to middle earth.

Arwen smiled as she watched enthralled at the man she loved. As the caravan approached the gates they noticed the length of it and the weary travelers but what saddened them was the vista they had to see the long procession of the slain. Arwen gave a happy sigh, "Many of the Fellowship have returned." She could see two smaller shadows following up Aragorn's horse as if they dared no closer to him. They were much smaller and with the larger proportioned feet she knew them to be Hobbits.

Arri looked at the ones on the horses and what a motley lot they were. She noticed the ponies behind Aragorn and gave a little smile knowing it was two hobbits and sighed, "one is the ring bearer?" It made her heart light to see the unruly curls they and it rivaled her own.

"If all went well one was the ring bearer," Arwen said. "The darker haired hobbit is Frodo." She was almost certain Frodo returned but did not want to give any false hopes knowing nothing was written in stone any longer. The perils on the way home might have been easy to miss in their thoughts of fortune and misery.

Arri watched them approach but felt eyes on her and instinctively looked to Eosin but he too was watching them enter. Her eyes moved swiftly until she found who the elf next to Aragorn was looking at her with a curious stare and his eyes seemed to lock on her as if he was in a trance. Arri tilted her head and gazed upon him, even though she had just spotted Aragorn a moment ago she had not noticed this elf. She wondered if it was because of her anxiety to see the caravan and gave a perplexed stare now. She was sure he could not be from Rivendell but he looked familiar to her. He sat straight as a board and except for his clothing being a bit tattered there was little to no signs he had been in a battle. His blond hair was so light it was a few shades darker than white and each strand sat in position in his adorning braids or in his straight locks, even as it blew slightly with the wind it would return quickly to place. Eyes that seem to be bluer than any water she had ever known had not faltered between their fixed look and she felt happily lost in his wondrous peer. No doubt he was handsome and she felt herself at a loss for breath. She realized she had been staring back at him when Aragorn nudged the elf and looked pointedly up at Arri and Arwen. The elf from next Aragorn broke his contact at his friend's touch but glanced up at Arri from the corner of his eye to see if she was still looking.

Arwen found it amusing to watch them both enraptured for a mere moment and cleared her throat gently, "Legolas seemed to be taken with you." She watched slowly as it dawned on Arri and the name suddenly had an adverse effect but still the daughter of Elrond had more insight than she would admit

Arri raised her eyebrows as the surprise seem to slap her , "Legolas? From Mirkwood?" She made no secret of the rivalry and did not care if she sounded refined, callous or even lady like with a loud scoff. "He detests me, Arwen." She thought of the younger elf who had been forced to teach her archery and had made up names to torment her too. Even then he seemed to have no flaws and excelled at all he touched. All her life she could see him as the bane of her existence and to him she believed she was his silent curse.

"Legolas?" Arwen eyes shot open with surprise. "Perchance he is over it then." Arwen knew the look he had given Arri and looked between them again, it reminded her of one she had gotten the first time Aragorn had seen her. They both silenced as a single figure approached them with robes that swam around their feet and an extended hand that gave a gesture of high praise to the travelers. Elrond could be said to be the essence of grace as most elders with an easy elegance that seemed born to them. Seeing Elrond beckon forward meeting the caravan both elves exchanged a worried glance but both for quite different reasons. Arwen's look trained upon her father's actions with Aragorn as she weighed how he should receive his foster son now.

Arri's was more direct and woeful as her voice cracked in attempt to speak, "I do not see father," Arri swallowed hard.

Arwen began to scan over the travelers again hoping Arri was wrong but could not see Thondas sitting on any horse yet. Arri had began to twist and wind her hair into a loose braid in feeble attempt to hide her uncommon trait from the heros as she ran for the door with tears playing at her eyes now.

Arwen was upon her feet quickly and put her hand on her friend's shoulder, "Let me..." Arwen had no want to see Arri totally hide her curly hair for it set her apart from the others and nobody could see her without the telltale locks. Many had admired her hair as if it was clouds from the sky but Arri spent a good deal of her time hiding it from others as if she fit in as the soldiers with identical armor. Arwen began to pull gently at the hair until her braid was falling out and drew identical strands to form in the front from Arri's face. She finished with deft quick gestures pulling the front from her face but leaving the majority of her curls free flowing. She gave her handiwork an approving glance noticing she left Arri's ears as prominent as her hair, to Arwen Arri was as exceptional as Legolas or Eosin.

Arri's hands touched over the loose style as she felt her hair, "I only wanted a braid." Her eyes shone their worry with a glance at the window. In a moment thoughts of her youth with Legolas plagued her and she felt ashen.

"Now, you still look like a lady, Arri," Arwen beamed, "Your father and the other travelers deserve to see that you are female." Arwen did not feel she needed to add that she found Legolas's stare a reason for Arri to outshine the other maidens that would beckon for the young prince's attention.

Arri nodded feeling absentminded forgetting she might be seeing her father but assumed the worse and only remembered Legolas's taunts in their youth. Of course as grown elves things should be different, he was a grown prince now and she had grown in the House of Elrond. Still Arri wanted him to have little reminder of their disagreement and to see her in a better light than now, to see her as an equal despite the past.

"Thank you, Arwen," Arri kissed Arwen's cheek grateful for her friend and knew she only wanted the best intentions just as Arri wanted for Arwen. She wished she felt as confident as Arwen seemed to think. Gingerly she made her way a little slower this time as a lord or lady should. Especially as a lady that had the fortune of being sheltered under Elrond's roof and she thought just Arwen's friendship was fortune enough for her to do them proud.

Aragorn sat on his horse anxious to see Arwen and trying not to focus on the cries think of the faces when they beheld some of their loved ones for the last time. Each looked as if their own body would be committed to a funeral pyre with them or committed to the earth and for each one he silently suffered. If Legolas's forlorn expression and frowns were any indication, he knew it would be a great magnitude of mourning ahead from each family member this touched. He watched his friend worried that he would mourn a long time after he had been in the center of all the fight and grief. Not only had he been there but he had seen most fall and suffered as each soul departed, his kin. Strangely enough Legolas was looking in the direction Elrond's house and he seemed transfixed. He had a bewildered look as if he was in a trance and it hardly seemed possible he could look anywhere else.

Aragorn stole a glance up with only his eyes so he wouldn't be caught staring as well. Indeed, it was well out of Legolas's character to be caught off guard and Aragorn was intrigued to see Arwen's smiling face but another elf maiden at a window was was his gaze and she seemed to watch him with equal fascination. Aragorn felt his heart lighten at Arwen standing there with her robes blowing lightly around her as if she was the wind itself. She was more beautiful than could he have remembered. He looked over to see the elf maiden now staring back at Legolas and as the two seemed locked in not only a stare together but something bigger than that, Aragorn smiled to himself. He nudged Legolas, "you are staring my friend."

Legolas cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I noticed Arwen is already back." He made no mention of the maiden that still held his thoughts. He tried to make a point not to look at her now feeling it had been ill manners. He could not understand how he lost his sense in such a time where he had to conduct himself to represent his father's house.

Aragorn nodded with a small smile and added in a coy tone, "yes, but I do not recognize the elf with her." He kept a sidelong glance studying his reaction but soon another voice boomed.

Gandalf looked up at the window intrigued by the conversation and he noticed the she-elf at the window, "Arri originally of Mirkwood." Gandalf offered with a slight interest but it was easy to hear the fatigue in his voice. "Her father was Thondas of Rivendell."

Legolas's eyes darted slightly as his thoughts began to move quickly hardly believing that vision was Arri. He had known her when she was very young and remembered his father had pressed him to befriend her but he had no idea why at the time. It was not long after he learned his father did have pity for some but it was not many so when the King did make a request you did not say no lightly. Even though she had shown great promise with a bow he was upset that they had insisted he teach her and he found ways to make the lessons unpleasant for her. Legolas was sure she would no be glad to see the elf who gave her the nickname 'curly' and plagued her youth. Being paired with Arri as a friend had been an insult at the time because of age difference and simply because their parents wanted it. They wanted welcome her family and extend to them all the courtesy of the kingdom he could only remember she had a relative that had done his father's house a high honor. His father was impressed by Arri's family and he knew very few times his father did not for obligation but for respect and honor of somebody's accomplishment. Arri was presented when she was but a baby and he remembered wrinkling his nose at the idea of being a baby's friend when he had friends his own age that challenged him. He did blame himself on making her feel the outcast and why she was shy about making friends. After you upset the highest house then all else might seem hopeless.

Even though she had been born in Mirkwood when Legolas was very young he remembered it. She had a head full of those curls as a baby and he remembered touching them out of fascination. They reminded him of a cloud softer than anything he had touched before and because of her tell tale curls many knew of her and watched her grow with fascination. At the time it was annoying to him that she would keep up with him or try to keep up with him to prove herself.

It was easy to see that with as much attention she gathered she became shy and to herself and Legolas's father asked him to keep Thondas' daughter company. Being older Legolas had his own agenda and did not want to care to be put with a 'youngling'. No matter how much attention her hair or accomplishments. In his youthful intolerance he struck back and earned Arri the name 'Curly' that followed her where she went. Legolas remembered when each time she began to grow in her accomplishments and gain attention of his friends but he merely scoffed making light of it all, for she was an old rival to him. He denied her beauty all that time and as they had began to grow out of their rivalry her mother was killed.

Her father did not grieve long for he did not seem to accept the loss well and so he brought Arri to Rivendell to forget, for a new start and to live with his old friends. Leaving Legolas no time for apologies or solace after ill behavior and Legolas would never admit he missed their competition for they pushed each other further, harder, faster and stronger. He realized now that he was grown that he had admired her in ways and how many times he wished he had not behaved so horridly. It was beneath even the youngest prince or elf to act so and now his embarrassment was all to clear.

Aragorn's voice rang in his ear as if to wake him from his deep thought, "Was Thondas...?" his voice trailed not wanting to speak of death again or to wish it upon the maiden his friend had shown mild interest in

Gandalf sighed, "I am afraid he fell to the hand of the Orcs at Helm's Keep." Gandalf's own eye set on her as well and his stare was one that held secrets only a wizard might know

Legolas nodded, "he will finally be free of his grief of his wife." He knew that was the hope in this sad circumstance but he was sure not how Arri would see it.

Aragorn hung his head in a silent pray for the Elf. "You knew him?" He forgot all elves felt as kin despite if they lived in different parts of middle earth. They might carry different habit or traits but deep down most traditions and characteristics rang true for them and they were kin. Each death for Legolas could be hard because he would have to seek each family on behalf of his father's house and offer sincere condolence without mentioning how haunting it was to see them fight for their hope, and lives.

"Our families were friends and then they moved to Rivendell after his wife's death," Legolas said simply. He looked down offering very little words and was not sure what hurt him more, all the death surrounding him or the wicked way he had behaved with somebody who had not really deserved it.

"I am sorry," Aragorn said quickly. He hoped they would all find peace soon but had little hope it would be that eve. Given that Legolas said she had lost mother and father would leave his friend's bewitching maiden to grieve alone.

Gandalf knew what Legolas was thinking, "She will have no family left like some others once we present our news." He knew he was quite cryptic but even wizards grew tired and would never speak all they knew for theirs was not to be shared until it was deemed.

Frodo had rode up and listened with great interest, "What of our news? It should be good news that the ring is gone and so is the threat." He thought of the idea of the survivors living in peace should be some comfort to them and might remind them t'was not in vain.

Gandalf sighed. "Now is the time of men and the elves sacrificed many to help the greatest cause. It will be a great consolation that their loss was not futile but I think they will not remember that right now."

Legolas nodded in silent agreement as the words rang, 'the time of men.' He wondered now how things would change for everybody now. Would magic and myth wane or become one or would the different races all become legend as the time of men came to be. Not that he hated men. Not at all he was quite fond of Aragorn but it was shown to him over and over that they could be unfeeling and cruel. With a small sigh he knew it was not the way of any elf or wizard but perhaps dwarfs might stand a chance if they grew closer to the men.

Elven guards drew the reigns to their horses as they began to dismount and Elrond was waiting in his formal attire to meet them with a sweeping eloquence that was only second to the smile that played at his lips.

Before Aragorn knew it Arwen was running for him. He could feel his smile build as her face became clearer and clearer. In movements so swift and sure he dismounted in one easy motion then darted to her and let her fill his arms as he hugged her to him. There was no care from either as their broad smiles began and almost seemed infectious, that was until they began to kiss. Brushing his lips to her was but a chaste touch when he felt her become as stiff as a board then fall upon her feet again. It was then he realized a noise that demanded attention, it was not loud and no shrill but when Elrond uttered it did demand action.

Elrond cleared his throat as watching his daughter lose all abandon kissing Aragorn and the rest of the traveler's smiles for Aragorn and Arwen's love. "If you would like to freshen up before dinner, we have rooms prepared." He gave both a meaningful look until they regained their composure and began to smooth their clothing slowly. Although they did find it hard to stop their smiling with thoughts of their love finally being fully accepted

Elrond made his way to Frodo still sitting on his pony with a look of awe, "Well done." Elrond exclaimed with a friendly grasp on his shoulder. The he backed slowly and gave him a bow with a small touch to his forehead which was repeated by the guards who had been at the gates. Slowly they all seem to understand this diminutive creature's role, he was the ring bearer. Frodo chanced a look at his hand and to the missing finger but wished he felt as brave as they exclaimed. Would they know he faltered and that he for a moment tried to have the ring himself? Perchance it was a mere moment towards the end but it had happened and he felt guilt of it. Had Gollum done him a courtesy in his overwhelming greed? Had the former hobbit saved Frodo from himself? He felt he owed Gollum and still felt ill of the misfortune that befell him when the ring came to him. The creature known as Gollum had long ceased being anything as natural as a hobbit and became as unnatural as the Orcs.

Gollum's voice and many personalities were wrought in Frodo's mind shadowing the torrent of thoughts while the elves were praising him. "Give it to usssss," the voice became deeper and more threatening with simple words, "Raw! and wriggliiiiiiiiiing" Still the voice chimed in his mind. It was both torture and a blessing because he would soon not forget a moment of this quest with much thanks to Gollum. Still the hobbit gave them an embarrassed smile and inhaled deeply to steel himself but perhaps only Sam would understand.

Gandalf's glare stopped them all as he watched Arri gather her gown up carefully to walk up slowly and cautiously looking past the Elves who dismounted and were searching for their own family. Gandalf's heart went to her and for a moment she reminded him of their dear hobbits, "Come child." He offered as he wrapped his arm to her shoulders. She looked lost but he knew it was her heart and not where she stood. His eyes met hers slowly and he mustered a smile for her benefit.

"I am looking for Thondas of Rivendell," she stammered slowly but she did not look very hopeful. Arri's eyes scanned over the elves standing first searching for the face she knew all too well. She turned her eyes up to Gandalf with pleading and glassy eyes.

Arwen watched Legolas and Aragorn searching their faces for an answer and as they both shook their heads with downcast looks. She took a deep breath knowing the worries that she had busied Arri with about Aragorn seemed quite frivolous before and she was humbled by the difference now. She knew her father kept them in his vision but it did not stop her from folding herself in Aragorn's arms, simply grateful he had returned to her.

Aragorn felt Arwen hold him tighter and nudged Legolas, "She never got to know many here…." Aragorn hoped Legolas would go to her after watching the earlier infatuation between them but another male elf already had his arm around her shoulder as Gandalf lead her towards the slain elves.

Arwen sighed watching Eosin found a place by her and tried hold her as she walked, "Eosin seems to be taken with her." Eosin seemed to not notice the other maidens who would be happy to have the elf comfort them and instead he dipped his head down to whisper lightly in her ear.

Legolas tried not to appear interested in Eosin's arm around her but he could notice Arri did not return his embrace. In fact, he would gather to say she looked uncomfortable with his attention to her. When he leaned in to her it looked like a kiss was eminent but instead he whispered to her hear. All the same Arri pulled away from him and even Gandalf wringing her hands slowly.

Aragorn pressed his lips together watching her, "I doubt she would see anything but her grief now?" They saw others with her emotions seemingly mirrored and thought there had to be a way to make this easier for them, even if they knew it was not in vain

Arwen held her tongue about how Arri had been taken with Legolas during their arrival and how she had not blinked watching him from the window, until Arri remembered whom he was. She continued her worry that an old rivalry might continue even despite what they had both shared. It was but a look, still she had not seen kisses that were not as personal as the look they shared.

Legolas cleared his throat as Elrond came to them, "we should leave her to grieve." As certain as he would the last person she would want to see and he was just as sure she would wish to be alone, she never did like a lot of attention.

Arwen did not agree watching her with her own tears threatening to fall. She seemed to want to clear her head as she pull away slightly and left Aragorn's embrace going to speak to her with helpless eyes.

Aragorn looked to Legolas who seemed to know this maiden and Elrond agreed with a nod as well for guidance because not only was she grieving but Arwen seemed to grieve with her now. He had known of Arri by name only, even though she was a part of Elrond's house. Was she so shy that she deliberately his from the world or did she carry another secret?

"They will join us when they are ready," Elrond gestured to his house as it gleamed to them from atop of the great hills. "There is cause for some to celebrate too." He looked pointedly at Aragorn and Frodo, "and if they are to be reminded no sacrifice was in vain it may ease their pains." Elrond gave them a rueful smile leading them to the mesmerizing beauty of his home.

Legolas moved slowly after them but he turned dismally back to Arri who's face fell quickly and she ran to Arwen's arms not Eosin's. Arwen patted her back reassuringly but how could an elf reassure another over something they knew very little about, such as death. Legolas felt he intruded as he watched Arri do something for the first time as long as he had known her, she cried.