Name: Caladwen (Lady of Light) Amdirvaethil (Warrior of Hope)

Age:

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Green

Father: Idhrenion (Wise Son)

Mother: Lothadeneth (Woman of Flowers)

Stats: Caladwen (Lady of Light) is the ward of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. Her Mother, Lothandeleth, was the sister of Lady Celebrian. They were assassinated when Caladwen was a young girl on a pilgramage to Rivendell. Elrond took her in as his own daughter. Just as Arwen, she was given an education and was instructed in sword fighting. Caladwen sits on Elrond's council as an emmisary of Rivendeel to Lothlorien.

Chapter 1

Caladwen stood proudly in front of her mirror. Lord Elrond had a special dress made specifically for this day, one which the maid servants had just gotten finished helping her into. The material was a light rose color, embroidered in silver filigree. The dress was of the shoulder, with wide sleeves, and flowed delicately down her body, to the floor.

The servants had been gone for nearly twenty minutes, but Caladwen couldn't pull herself away from the mirror. There was a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Caladwen recognized that feeling as dread.

Caladwen didn't know why she felt this way, it had been said that at the end of the summer, when Elrond's Council was called, she would be leaving Rivendell for Mirkwood, to be their future Queen, but now that the time has come she didn't want to go. She wanted anything but to leave.

"You look beautiful," A voice startled Caladwen from her thoughts. Caladwen turned from the mirror and found Arwen leaning against her doorframe. The princess smiled at her and Caladwen turned back to the looking glass.

"The dress looks beautiful." Caladwen corrected her, pulling her hair half back. Arwen approached her, looking at her face.

"You should leave your hair down, it's beautiful the way it frames your face." Arwen took hold of the band holding back her hair, releasing Caladwen's blonde tresses. Arwen grabbed the small silver circlet from the dresser table and gently placed it on her cousins head. "You look like a Queen."

"Thank you, cousin." Caladwen said genuinely. However on the inside she felt fake, and not herself.

Caladwen felt a pang of sadness in her chest. It's true, she did look beautiful, like the future Queen of the Western Woods should, but deep down she was terrified, saddened. Her reprieve was short lived. Lord Elrond had called his secret council, and this would be the last day that she sat as an Envoy of Rivendell. After the council adjourned she was to leave for Mirkwood, with her betrothed.

"Are you nervous?" Arwen asked quietly, sitting on the chair next to Caladwen. Caladwen paused for a moment, thinking to herself.

"I am." She said plainly. "I am nervous, and I am sad. And I am happy and I am honored." She felt tears stinging her eyes and she quickly wiped them away. "But mostly I am afraid that Legolas will hate me and I will be left alone in Mirkwood without a friend." Arwen stood, wrapping her arms around her cousin.

"Legolas is your friend, you have known each other nearly your entire lives." Arwen pulled away from her cousin. Caladwen was still not swayed.

"Legolas and I spent our entire childhood besting each other at frivolous games. We are not companions, we're rivals." Caladwen spoke teary eyed. Arwen could tell that her cousin was scared and what she had said did not help to make her feel any better.

"My Father is a wise man, most days," Arwen spoke cheekily, illiciting a small smile from her cousin. "He would not have agreed to the match if he didn't believe it to be good. You have to believe that."

Caladwen nodded her head, sniffed and drying her face.

"My Lady's, Riders of Mirkwood approach. Lord Elrond has asked me to retrieve you so you may welcome them." A servant called from the doorway, interrupting the pair.

"Yes," Arwen spoke, holding her elbow for her cousin to take. Caladwen followed her cousin's lead, taking her arm. Caladwen walked silently next to her cousin as the servant lead them through the halls of Rivendell. She glanced out the window, the welcome party had already gathered in the courtyard next to the gate.

She sighed lightly, taking the stairs where Lord Elrond was already waiting for them. Its just not fair. she thought, curtsying to her Uncle, Lord Elrond.

Caladwen walked swiftly through the corridors of Imladris, Lord Elrond had sent for an audience with her. The closer she grew to Lord Elrond's room, the more nervous she became, and as she approached his door she licked her lips anxiously.

Caladwen knocked twice, quietly, and the doors opened themselves in front of her. The room was crowded with a small group of people she recognized almost instantly. As soon as she walked in they all quieted.

"Caladwen," Lord Elrond spoke softly. Tharanduil, the king of Mirkwood, stood to the right of Lord Elrond, accompanied by a group of his servants, and his son.

"Lord Elrond, Your Majesty." Caladwen bowed, addressing each man accordingly. Her eyes drifted to the handsome prince of Mirkwood. It had been sometime since the Mirkwood Royal family had visited and both of them had grown up considerably since those days.

Caladwen met Legolas's blue eyes, becoming lost in them. As children she hadn't felt nearly as drawn in by them, but now…

"Prince Legolas." Caladwen felt her face flush and curtsied deeper, giving herself time to compose herself. Upon standing she noticed Legolas smiling at her, one that she returned. It had indeed been so long since they last seen each other.

"Caladwen, I'm happy you could join us, please, come in." Lord Elrond beckoned. Caladwen hadn't noticed she was still standing in the doorway, and she flushed again, walking up to the desk at which Lord Elrond and King Tharanduil stood.

Caladwen walked cautiously up to them, feeling the Kings eyes on her all the way to the desk. It was a cold stare, and she looked to Lord Elrond for reassurance. He smiled at her, offering his hand to her. She took it gratefully as the king spoke.

"Caladwen of Rivendell, tell me, how do you fare?" the king watched her expectantly, but Caladwen was confused by his words. She refrained from showing it, and smiled at the King.

"I fare well, my Lord, the summer is upon us, the season of my birth, and I would do wrong not to feel blessed." Her answer seemed to suffice and she looked at Legolas. He stood proudly next to his father, looking at the floor, seemingly lost in thought. He looked troubled, and Caladwen felt that she would soon find out why. Her heart began to sink. Tharanduil smiled at Lord Elrond.

"I give my blessings to this arrangement. She is full of promise." Caladwen glanced up at her Lord who smiled down at her.

"I'm afraid I do not understand." She didn't mean to be rude, but she didn't understand the looks she was getting, like she was being graded. "An arrangement?" Legolas looked up at her, he seemed upset.

"You haven't told her?" He asked before Lord Elrond could speak. Caladwen was at a loss for words. Tharanduil silenced his son, for speaking out of turn.

"That is what this meeting was for." Tharanduil glared at his son, effectively silencing him.

"King Tharanduil and I have arranged a betrothal between yourself and his son, Legolas. We have decided the betrothal to be of great opportunity for both sides. And since you have known each other since you were younglings, we feel it to be a suitable match." Caladwen stared at her Lord, wide eyed, mouth agape. She was mortified at how a single sentence could destroy her so easily.

She looked at Legolas, he was watching, her, watching her reaction, and he seemed saddened. She dared a glance to the King who seemed entirely unamused by her reaction. It was final, and she knew that it was. Caladwen couldn't help but feel betrayed by her Lord, someone her Parents had entrusted with the care of their daughter.

"My Lord," She hesitated, thinking of something to say that wouldn't insult either party, but the only thing that was screaming inside of her head was how unfair it was. How it should be Arwen and not herself. How she had more to live for than to be a Lady of the court of Mirkwood. "I am honored, but I-"

"It is settled!" King Tharanduil said triumphantly. Lord Elrond and the King exchanged hand shakes, each of them signed a paper that sat on Lord Elrond's desk. Caladwen looked at it in disgust, realizing that is what hr life had been reduced to, a piece of parchment with signatures. "She will come with us this evening, fetch our horses." King Tharanduil spoke to his servants who nodded in compliance.

"I fear that would not be wise, Caladwen has studies she must finish before I can allow her to leave." Lord Elrond spoke cautiously. Caladwen felt a firm hand on her shoulder, Lord Elrond's. "By the end of the summer months she should be prepared for life as Queen, but you must give me that time to groom her." King Tharanduil eyed them head to toe before agreeing.

"I suppose you are correct"

Caladwen felt her eyes begin to sting thinking about that day. The day she lost who she was. She could no longer be herself, she had to be Queen one day. She supposed any other maiden would be happy with her betrothal, but Caladwen loved a sword too much. She loved riding bareback, not sidesaddle. Caladwen knew these things would be fleeting once she was married.

Before she knew what had happened, Lord Elrond, Arwen and herself were at the front of the party, waiting for the Riders to arrive. She remembered when she were younger how anxious she felt for Legolas's arrival, how she couldn't wait to challenge him to a spar or a race, but today it was a different kind of anxiety.

Caladwen found herself constantly fidgeting, adjusting her dress, she couldn't decide if her hair should be over her shoulders or behind them. She growled under her breath in frustration.

"Hair behind the shoulders." Lord Elrond whispered to her lowly. She glanced up at him to see him smiling down at her. "It is how Celebrian used to wear hers. I think it beautiful, though I may be biased." Caladwen smiled, brushing her hair off her shoulders and behind her back. Again she looked to Lord Elrond, who smiled at her, pleased.

The gate in front of the group began to open, causing Caladwen's breath to catch in her throat. She could feel herself go rigid; clenching her jaw so hard it began to hurt. Four riders rode in from the road, stopping just short of the welcome party. In turn each threw off their hoods, the last being Legolas. He seemed determined, his eyes passing over the group until they rested finally on Caladwen.

"Prince Legolas. It is a pleasure to have you." Lord Elrond spoke, bowing. Caladwen followed his lead, bowing deeply. The four hopped from their horse, servants of Rivendell ready to unpack them and house them in a stable.

"Lord Elrond," Legolas spoke, bowing to him. He smiled at Caladwen, taking her hand in his. "My Lady," He placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. "I am afraid the pleasure has been cut short. I have news from Mirkwood."

Lord Elrond turned on his heel and began to walk forward, back towards the palace. Legolas held out his arm for Caladwen and she began to blush, taking it.

"The council will convene this evening, I'm afraid there is much to discuss, of depravity and war." Lord Elrond, wrapped his arm around Arwen, pulling her tight, as if he were afraid she would disappear. "You may tell your news there. But now we will feast, you were the last to arrive of my council."

Legolas nodded, as Lord Elrond began to walk faster. Lord Elrond and the posse had pulled away from Legolas and Caladwen. An awkward silence came over the pair and Legolas cleared his throat.

"You look beautiful." He spoke, his voice confident. Caladwen looked up at him and he smiled at her, his nervousness showing on his face. "This can not be the same girl who I sparred all those summers."

"That you sparred and lost to." Caladwen smiled, feeling more at home in her new skin. She let out a faint giggle, immediately regretting her decision. Legolas merely smiled in reply to her jest.

"I don't recall losing as much as letting you win, as is customary of a gentleman." Caladwen feigned disgust, her mouth dropping open. Legolas chuckled, reaching out for the door to the great hall, holding it open for her.

Upon entering the giant room, Caladwen was struck with a pleasant aroma of food and drink, as well as the constant sound of chatter between guests. She noticed the group of Hobbits had made their way to the table already, hardly able to contain themselves, waiting for food to be served. The dwarves sat on the other side of the hall, already consuming tankards of malt. Caladwen shook her head as Legolas watched in abhorrence.

As they reached their seats, Legolas pulled her chair out for her. Gracefully she sat, thanking him as he took the seat to her right. The chair next to her was then taken by a much older gentleman, dressed in grey garbs and accessorized by a large walking stick. His beard was long and grey, matching his hair and his eyes twinkled with some form of mischief.

"Lady Caladwen Amdirvaethil." He spoke warmly, smiling at her. Caladwen smiled back pleasantly.

"Mithrandir." Caladwen said happily, bowing her head lightly. It was always a pleasure to see the old wizard, he had been a dear friend to her parents. Gandalf fetched into his cloak pocket, producing a small pink flower, a Niphredil, a flower native to the forests of Lorien.

"The forest of Lorien's beauty wanes without you, my dear." He said, tucking the flower behind her ear with a smile.

"Thank you, Master Gandalf."