Chapter 1: In Anticipation Part II
"It took too long to get here," Arwen thought impatiently. "First, there was the whole week it took to get to Lorien. Then they had stayed there two weeks to visit her grandparents and attend to some political business. And after that it took a whole other week for the company to actually arrive in Mirkwood; a whole month to get here, way to long. Arwen thought again, "NOt to mention that it had been over five years since they had seen each other last. Even though that is but a blink of an eye in an Elf's life time; it was still torture." Arwen thought. "The years of us waiting and missing in agony have got to end."
They would have been together a long time ago she thought. If it weren't for one really big problem, she was promised to another man. Haldir of LothLorien. Her father, Lord Elrond, had arranged for the marriage when she was just a toddler. It was not that she didn't like Haldir. They were friends and she knew that he loved her. And of course it would be a sensible marriage. They would most likely get along just fine; he would treat her well and with respect. He was a good person. And their Union would be advantageous for their families and kingdoms. Logically it would be perfect, she reasoned. But you cannot reason with your heart. She just did not love Haldir like that. She loved Legolas. But what was she supposed to do? First off, to break her engagement with Haldir would be disgraceful. Her honor and pride hurt to even think of doing such a thing as betraying him, her family, and her kingdom for another man. She wasn't that kind of girl. It would hurt so many people. But if she went through with marrying Haldir it would nearly kill her.
Also. let's just say that Elrond and Thranduil were not exactly the best of friends. They were polite and congenial when they had to be like at events such as the one they were headed to. But her father really did not like Legolas' father, and she knew he would never approve of her marrying him.
That was the dilemma she faced.