Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not possess Tolkien's genius, and therefore am only borrowing his creations and having some fun with them. Those characters which you do not recognise are most probably mine.

Note: Depending on how things progress, I may change this to a higher rating. As always, the Default Fanfic plea exists – please review, it would be kindly received.

Unruly Blossom

Chapter One: Cherry Red Rosebud

Twisting a rosebud between her fingers, an ebony haired elfing settled herself in the grass and carefully peeled back each petal, studying each cherry red fragment with a sort of curious fascination. She wondered how such healthy looking plants could bloom in the constant shade of the window sill, how the luscious colour had painted each petal without the warm glow of the sun, how such beauteous vegetation could be covered with such jagged thorns...

"Arwen! Little sister, where are you? Pray come out from your haunt so our visitors can see you!" called Elladan, his voice light and mischievous. He and his twin brother, Elrohir, laughed together whilst they scanned their eyes over the garden, pretending to overlook the shrub behind which their lovable younger sister was hidden. Arwen darted out from her hiding spot, a beaming smile upon her face.

"I'm right here!" she giggled. The two peredhil spun around with exaggerated surprise.

"Well, look at that dear brother; she's surpassed even our keen skills. One day she'll become a greater warrior than us both!" Elrohir exclaimed, picking up the elfling and swinging her around.

Arwen giggled. "You're teasing me!"

"No we aren't little sister. But enough of that – Ada has sent us to find you. He and Naneth are greeting our visitors and your presence is greatly desired. King Thranduil and his party would very much like to make your acquaintance." Elladan said, taking her by the hand as his brother led the way out of the garden to the front steps. Echoes were heard from within the marble hall as pleasant laughter and polite chatter were exchanged readily, and introductions were made.

"Glorfindel, it has been many years, my friend, Im gelir ceni ad lín," The King of Greenwood greeted the Balrog Slayer, smiling broadly, "let us be thankful that our reunion is not in the same manner as our last" he continued to grin. Both Elrond and Erestor held back chuckles as the remainder of the congregation looked sideways at one another. The situation was soon relieved upon the arrival of Elrond's children.

The Lord of Rivendell turned and briefly let his gaze wander over his daughter, who hid slightly behind her brothers. "Well now, my friends, my two eldest I am sure that you remember" he told them. "They set alight the kitchen last you were here, though admittedly, that was a little over a century ago."

Laughs ensued around the hall, whilst the twins half heartedly defended themselves. "'tis unfair Ada , that was many years ago. We've now passed our majority!"

"Indeed, that is so. And now I wish to introduce our little Arwen. Come, Arwen, step out from behind Elrohir and let our guests see your face."

The elfling peeped out shyly, not wanting to move her feet. The room, filled with so many pale, blonde headed elves in their moss green travelling cloaks intimidated her somewhat, her eyes darting from one stranger to the next. The King was stern looking, with broad shoulders and a proud stance, his advisor appeared bored, several ellith gazed contentedly about, as if silently approving all that they saw with delighted interest, and the ellyn stood around with a strong, self confident ease, calmly taking in their surroundings with appreciative curiosity. A kindly elleth stepped forward, her white blonde hair swishing as she walked. "Come my child, let us see you properly" she coaxed, her sapphire eyes glittering with tenderness.

Arwen took a small step towards her, and then stopped once she saw the elfling at the elleth's side. The girl glanced at him hesitantly. He smiled at her, and then tugged at his companion's skirt.

"I am Alassea. This is my son, Legolas. He is not much older than you and I am sure that in time the two of you shall become good friends." Legolas smiled again.

"Mae govannen, Arwen." He greeted her. Arwen merely nodded, and looked over to her own naneth whom chuckled.

"Do not worry, Legolas. Soon she will be chattering away as usual. Now my friends, you must be fatigued. Pray rest for a while so that you may be in good spirits for the feast tonight." Lady Celebrian told them all, and soon the visitors were out of sight and nought but the distant sound of rustling cloaks could be heard.

Elrond picked up his youngest child. "You were uncommonly quiet just now, Arwen. Perhaps you could tell me what is bothering you?" he suggested.

"I heard Glory tell 'Restor that the woodelves are primitive, and that they don't live in houses and tear off animal flesh with their teeth!" she said replied fearfully.

Glorfindel appeared sheepish as Erestor and the twins roared with laughter. Celebrian shook her head. "Arwen, you must understand that Glorfindel said this in jest. Our woodland kin do indeed live amongst the trees, but they have their own sort of houses. And as for their eating habits, I can assure you that they are no less civilised than any present in this room. Does this ease your worries?"

"Yes, naneth, hannon le." The elfling then turned and skipped back out to the garden, her cherry red rosebud in hand.

x

A blonde elfling lay on top of his bed, staring at the carved ceiling. A pleasant breeze blew through the window, rustling the curtains so that blue sky peeked in from outside. Legolas jumped off the bed, too restless to remain inactive any longer, and peered out of the window. Celebrian's garden was a lush, green sanctuary. There were trees in blossom, and carefully manicured flowerbeds and bushes. All was in order. It was unlike the gardens of home, which were full of towering trees and overrun with multiple types of flowers, all creating a pretty kind of wilderness.

Underneath one particular tree, an elfling in a pale blue dress sat fiddling with a rosebud. Flinging aside any notions of sleep, he crawled out of the window and onto the ledge underneath. Inching his feet sideways, the princeling made his way to the outstretched branch and walked along it with ease. Gently stepping from one branch to another, Legolas leapt into another tree, and sometime later, another, and settled himself onto a limb and looked down.

The girl was still fidgeting with the flower, though she did not appear to be paying it any attention, preferring to gaze elsewhere. After some time, she sighed and tucked her knees under her chin. "What's the matter?" Legolas asked.

Arwen gasped. "Who's that?"

Legolas jumped down from the tree, landing softly on the grass. "Don't worry, 'tis only me."

The girl's eyes widened. "But how did you get up there?" she asked, her eyes travelling upwards. The other elfling looked sideways at his window. Arwen gasped again. "But surely you did not! You could have fallen."

Legolas smiled. "You forget that we are woodelves – we can climb and travel through trees easily. And only very little elflings fall from trees! Not I. But enough of that; you looked unhappy. What's the matter?"

Arwen ducked her head with shame. "You would not want to hear, it would offend you so."

"Aye, now I really do want to know. Surely it could not be so bad."

"Well, I...I was a little afraid of meeting you all because I heard Glory, Glorfindel I should say, tell my Ada's chiefadvisor, Erestor, that your kind don't even live in houses and...and...you tear off animal flesh with your teeth" she quickly finished.

The princeling fell backwards onto the grass, roaring with laughter. After a moment, he sat back up again. "And do you still think it?"

"No. Naneth set me right. Do you think that I am very foolish?"

He shook his head "No, not at all."

"Truly?"

"Yes. Truly. My cousin Tulcandil led me to believe that in Rivendell the elves were in the constant company of the dwarves!" he confessed gleefully. "Ada soon disproved that. Why would any self-respecting elf want to be anywhere near one of those smelly dwarves?" he laughed.

Arwen giggled. "So you have seen one?"

Legolas nodded. "Aye, on the way here. They were someway off from us though, but we could still see how dirty they were. And so very hairy!"

The two were interrupted by a call from the window. "Legolas! You ought to be resting," scolded Queen Alassea. "Come back up here, and leave Arwen be for this moment."

Legolas sighed. "I suppose I best do as she says." He climbed back into the tree, and only some minutes later appeared stepping onto the ledge, and shuffling towards his open window. As his naneth shut the window, he waved to her, and Arwen waved back.

Elvish Translations:

Ada - Father

Naneth - Mother

Peredil – Half elven

Im gelir ceni ad lín – I am happy to see you again

Elleth/Ellith – Female elves (s & p)

Ellon/Ellyn – Male elves (s & p)

Mae govannen – Well met/Welcome/Hello

Hannon le – Thank you