Notes: Usual disclaimers: All characters belong to the great J R R Tolkien except Arien, of course.

I imagine her to appear about five years old in human terms but her actual age is fifteen in elven years. If you accept that Elves do not come of age until they are approx. 50 years old, this seemed about right. Anyway, here's my offering, for what its worth.

Forever Yours

Chapter One

The tiny child ran through the trees, her blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders. Her high pitched giggles echoed through the leafy wood accompanied by a quiet constant rustling caused by her little feet as they skimmed through the dry foliage on the forest floor. Every so often she would glance behind her, as if anticipating pursuit. She would not be disappointed as close behind her an Elf was swiftly gaining on her. She caught a glimpse of him and quickly darted under some low bushes. She should have known it would be a futile effort to attempt to hide from him as she had tried this tactic many times before and failed each time. But still, it was a good game, of which she never tired.

He was close now, and she held her breath in that delicious moment of suspense which comes before discovery. She did not have to wait long as suddenly the bush was parted and she gazed into the eyes of her brother. Without a moments' hesitation, she flew from the bush and flung her arms about his neck, giggling uncontrollably.

"You found me!" she squealed excitedly.

"Your make as much noise as a Balrog, it was not difficult!" he replied.

She hugged him tighter and tilted her head to look into his face. It was a face she adored, for of all the Elves in Mirkwood, not one could compare with the gentleness she saw there. His pale blue eyes, so like her own, gazed into her sweet upturned face. In his doting expression she could see nothing but caring and love.

"What shall we do now?" she asked, still bristling with pent up energy.

"Alas little one" her brother replied, "I am required to be present at court as we have guests arriving from fair Lothlorien."

The child looked crestfallen and pursed her lips into a pout.

"But Legolas, you always have to go somewhere or do something. You are seldom home."

Legolas looked down at the child in his arms and a feeling of sadness and regret came over him. Arien was so young. He felt the weight of his responsibilities hanging heavily about him and wanted to tell her that he would spend more time in her company and not go away again but he knew it was impossible and he would not lie to her. He doted on her and wished she could see how much she meant to him. Since the passing of their mother following Arien's birth just fifteen years previously, she had become more precious to him than life itself. He tried to be so much to her, brother, friend, protector, teacher and recently a surrogate father since Thranduil, the King of Eryn Lasgalen, spent more and more time on matters of diplomacy which left him little time for the affairs of his family. However the pressing affairs of state had soon begun to affect Legolas also, and he was often called upon to act as his father's emissary to other elven realms.

"Forgive me Arien, but I promise you I will always spend as much time with you as is allowed to me. If it were my decision to make, then I would always stay in this realm and you would seldom be out of my presence, but life is much more complicated than I could ever begin to describe to you. Perhaps when you are older you will understand."

Arien looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, as if struggling to understand what he was saying to her. Then her little face broke into a small smile.

" Perhaps, when I am older I will be able to go with you" she said hopefully.

Her brother laughed then and threw her into the air, catching her and throwing her over his shoulder.

"What a wonderful idea Arien, I should like that very much".

The playful gesture and her brothers' comment seemed to please Arien immensely and the two began their trek back to the palace.

The following day Arien awoke to the sound of many feet to-ing and fro-ing in the corridor outside her room. Jumping out of bed she flung open her door to see a whirl of activity. Elves were dusting and polishing, trimming the wicks of the many candles, renewing vases of flowers and a hundred other things which always preceded a state visit of someone of importance. Arien was content to stand in the doorway and watch the busy Elves, but was soon disappointed to see the figure of her nurse bustling down the passage towards her.

"Now then Princess Arien," she said. "We have much to do and little time in which to do it!"

Arien just looked at the nurse blankly. She wished they would not use her title, it made her aware of the fact that she was a princess and in turn reminded her of the restricted life she led. Often she would watch the other elflings in Eryn Lasgalen as they ran about and played and wished she could join them, but she knew it would never be permitted. Although she saw little of her father, she knew that he was fiercely protective of her to the point that she was never allowed out of the palace grounds unaccompanied and only enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding woodland when in the presence of an adult, usually her brother. She also did not understand why the arrival of visitors should involve her. Normally guests to the palace came and went without Arien even seeing them.

.She would just continue with her daily routine of tutoring and play. Today, however, it seemed as if there was to be a change. She watched her nurse as she went into the dressing room and began sorting through the many tiny dresses and shoes in the wardrobe. Then she busied herself matching ribbons and trimmings until she had finally narrowed down a choice of three outfits.

"Would My Lady like to wear the blue, the lemon or the pink dress" the nurse asked in a matter-of-fact manner, as if she automatically assumed Arien would approve whole-heartedly of her choices.

"Actually," began Arien with a somewhat cautious tone to her voice, "I would like to wear the white dress with the little pearls that Legolas brought for me from Imladris".

"Oh no, no, no," stated the nurse with a tone to her voice which indicated no contradiction of her opinion was allowed. "That dress would be totally inappropriate at this time of day. It is far more suited to an evening banquet. Now, which is it to be, the blue, the lemon or the pink?"

Arien sighed resignedly and pointed to the blue dress. With a satisfied expression the nurse began to prepare the bath and Arien prepared herself for the hours of fussing and flapping she felt were sure to follow.

Shortly after midday, Arien found herself being escorted by the nurse to the Great Hall. This was where all visitors were presented to her father but Arien had seldom had reason to go there. As the great doors to the hall were swung open, she gasped to see the grandeur of what lay before her. She was well used to the opulence of the palace but today the splendorous sight which met her eyes was astounding. The gilded furniture, of which there was a great deal, was gleaming and the floor reflected like a highly polished mirror. Her little shoes made a soft 'click-click' as she walked through the many Elves present. Her face broke into a smile as she saw her father standing at the foot of the dais on which the throne stood. The king turned in time to see her making her way towards him and he felt his heart lurch as it always did when he had not seen her for some time. He watched the way she walked, the bounce of her curls, the little tilt of her head as if in a gesture of shyness.

"Aah, Arien" he thought to himself. "How like your beloved mother you are becoming. You have her looks and her mannerisms. How proud she would have been to see how her little girl is growing into such a beautiful Elleth".

Although aware that he did not spend nearly as much time with his daughter as he should, Thranduil loved her dearly and it filled him with joy whenever he had the opportunity to be with her. Seeing her father turn in her direction made Arien quicken her pace and soon she stood before him. She remembered that protocol dictated that she should show respect for his position, albeit that he was her father and she dipped a small curtsey as she had been taught by her tutor. Thranduil smiled warmly at his tiny daughter and knelt, holding out his arms to her. She was soon in an embrace which almost squeezed the breath from her, such was her father's enthusiasm at her arrival.

Releasing her, Thranduil returned to his normal height and took Arien's hand, leading her to the dais. They were joined by Legolas who had watched the greeting between the two from a side chamber and now came to stand beside Arien. Thranduil took his place upon the throne just as a herald announced the arrival of the party from Lothlorien. The assembled Elves turned towards the doors to the Great Hall just as they opened slowly to allow the guests to enter.

"Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien!" the herald said, grandly.

All eyes turned to see the Lord and Lady slowly enter the hall, followed by attendants and guards. Arien thought she had never seen a sight so wondrous. The Lord looked regal and powerful. His face held an expression of calmness and wisdom. Beside him, his wife appeared not to walk but to glide. She was everything Arien had heard the Elves describing and more. She was indeed the "Lady of Light" and Arien thought she would surely never see a more beautiful Elleth. The Lady had an expression of calm serenity on her face and yet radiated a sense of great power. Arien wondered in that moment if her own dear mother had been as beautiful and felt a deep sadness wash over her. Her brother had told her many stories about their mother and described her in great detail but still Arien longed to be able to see her with her own eyes. Knowing she was hoping for the impossible, Arien returned her thoughts to the sight before her.

The entourage stopped in front of Thranduil and the Lord and Lady bowed their heads slightly in a gesture of greeting. Thranduil bowed in response.

Celeborn was first to speak:

"Mae Govannen . We are honoured to have been invited to visit this great realm and bring greetings from the Elves of Lothlorien."

"Mae Govannen, my friends. You are most welcome. Too long has it been since last we met. I trust your stay will be most pleasant!" replied Thranduil.

A voice drifted into Thranduil's mind:

"Your son we have met before, but will you not introduce the little one?"

Thranduil smiled at The Lady and held out his hand to Arien. Arien approached her father and placed her small hand in his. He guided her gently to stand in front of Galadriel.

"This is my daughter, Arien" he said.

"I remember your mother well, child," said Galadriel. You favour her very much. I hope we shall see a great deal of each other during my stay".

Arien could not speak but simply smiled, so in awe was she of the beautiful Lady. She was very relieved when her brother guided her back to stand beside him. The greeting between the Lord and Lady and Arien's father and brother continued and she found her attention shifting to the other Lothlorien Elves. She had already noticed the difference in colouring between these Elves and the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen. Their hair was almost silver in colour and they appeared slightly paler. They braided their hair differently too. She noticed also that the Lothlorien guards looked more fierce than the guards she was used to seeing in her own realm. They held themselves very straight and proud, not looking to either side but keeping their gaze firmly fixed on the Lord and Lady, ever watchful and protective. They were dressed sternly in various shades of grey and their weapons were beautifully carved. All of the guards carried bows and quivers full of white feathered arrows and most had a short sword at their side. Only one guard was different. He wore a black under tunic and leggings and at his side hung a long sword with a beautifully ornate handle. Arien felt sure that this Elf was of a higher rank than the others, perhaps a captain. She studied him more closely and thought he looked very dangerous. She could discern no warmth in his expression and decided she did not like him. In fact, he scared her.

Soon all the greetings were over and everyone made their way to the dining hall. A great feast had been prepared and the room was filled with constant chatter, over which the sound of musicians could just be heard. The tables were laden with large platters filled with many different types of meat, vegetables and fruit. It seemed to Arien that the meal would never finish, but eventually, Elves began to drift away from the table to gather in groups around the room. She had been seated between Legolas and the Lady. She had enjoyed talking with Galadriel but was beginning to feel extremely tired as she was unaccustomed to so much activity. She was about to ask her brother if she might be excused when he turned to her,

"Forgive me Arien", he said, "but I must leave you for a brief moment as I desire greatly to speak with an old friend whom I have not seen in far too long".

With that, Legolas rose from his chair and walked towards the stern looking guard she had taken such a dislike to earlier. On seeing Legolas approach, the guard stood and reached out his arm in greeting. Arien was stunned. Surely her kind, gentle brother did not have such a dour, cold friend. She was even more surprised when the guard's face broke into a warm smile. After a few short words, Legolas returned to the table where Arien was sitting and said:

"Arien, I want you to meet a very dear friend of mine. This is Haldir O'Lorien, Marchwarden of the Golden Wood!"