Disclaimer: I own everything you don't recognize. R&R and enjoy.

Chapter 3: Just A Little Walk

"Mother?" Arwen asked, finishing her plate.

"Yes, little one?" Her mother said.

"May I go play in the Northern Gardens now?" Arwen asked.

"No!" Lord Elrond said suddenly.

Celebrian shot him a sharp glare, but softened her eyes and turned to Arwen again.

"Of course, little Arwen, as long as Galahad goes with you," she said.

Arwen's eyes filled with disappointment. She did not want to have a babysitter. "But why does Galahad have to go with? It's just a little walk," she said, her gray blue eyes brightened and grew large so as to have her mother pity her. She always did this when she wanted something badly. Her lips slowly started to quiver with sadness as she looked into her mother's eyes.

"Please, momma?"

Celebrian's eyes flooded with apprehension. Then again, what harm could come to the little princess. There are guards positioned at every site in Imladris.

"You—You may go, my little Arwen," she finally said.

Elrond, completely shocked at his wife's answer, stared at her with flaring eyes. Arwen, however, smiled and skipped off to the gardens.

"What are you thinking, Celebrian?" Elrond asked, his voice beginning to rise.

Celebrian put a finger to his lips and shook her head, "We will send word out to the guards and they will post themselves at the garden gates. Our little Arwen will be safe, do not worry."

Elrond nodded in agreement. He stood and whispered something to the servant beside him. The servant immediately walked out the door and passed Arwen. Celebrian smiled with satisfaction and continued to eat the plate of sliced apples in front of her.


Arwen skipped happily down the stone pathways to the Northern Gardens. The Northern Gardens where named so, because they where on the northern side of Imladris. These gardens were Arwen's favorite place to play. She had often gone there with Elladan and Elrohir. And now, with them being away, all she wanted to do was be there. She walked through the giant garden gaits, not even noticing the guards. They were well hidden in the trees.

Arwen smiled as rays of sunshine shone down upon her hair and face. She walked quietly under the large willow trees aligning the garden path. Skipping and twirling, a song beginning to form in her mind. She started to hum and then to sing, no words, just the beautiful melody of her voice flowing through the soft breeze of midday. She continued to sing and dance like this for what seemed like hours. Really it was only half an hour. She finally came upon this beautiful rose bush full of large, white roses. She smiled as she breathed in the fresh scent of rose petals. She practically buried her face in the lovely blossoms.

"Do you like roses, my dear?" a seemingly angelic voice said.

Arwen, being startled, turned around and scanned the garden with her keen eyes.

"Who is there?" she asked, almost frightened, though the voice sounded sweet.

There was no answer, but a tall, older looking elf with raven hair came out from behind one of the large willow trees. Her eyes seemed cold and unfeeling, but her small smile was bright and caring.

"It is I, Talathiel," the elf said with dignity.

Arwen's eyes showed no recognition, to the elf's disappointment.

"You probably wouldn't remember me, our meeting was short," she said, "Only a matter of seconds before you where snatched away from my hands. But that matters little, what matters is that I am here now with you, and that nothing will separate us."

As she said those last words she sharply turned her head towards the garden's iron gaits, which quickly closed shut at her gaze. Arwen heard the lock click, and she began to panic. This elf must be a witch, she thought to herself. She turned and started to run away from the elf as fast as she could. But before she could get anywhere, Talathiel grabbed her arm and pulled her close.

"For shame," she said, "You know you shouldn't run like that. You are a princess. Besides, I did not say you could go."

"Let me go!" Arwen screamed.

"Hush! People will hear!" Talathiel snapped at her.

She closed her hand over her mouth and dragged her back to the tree she had come from. There was a secret trap door that opened up to a winding staircase under the ground. Arwen's eyes opened wide as she stared down into the dark, dusky stairway. She could not see where it lead. But she surely thought the guards would've heard her screams. Surely they must know! She struggled to turn around and catch a glimpse at the garden gates, but failed. Talathiel easily carried her down the winding staircase to a long, dark tunnel. They were deep under ground now. There were cobwebs everywhere. Every now and then a large, dirty rat would scurry by. Arwen looked in horror into those beady red eyes, completely terrified of what might happen next.

Talathiel finally took her hand away from her mouth. But Arwen didn't scream, she knew that by now no one would hear her screams. Talathiel led her further and further down the tunnel. Arwen felt as if it would never end. She was tired of being in this dark, gloomy place. She wanted to see the sun again. She wanted to go home. Who was this person? Where was she taking her?

"Excuse me?" Arwen timidly said.

"Hush!" Talathiel snapped, "Do not speak unless you are spoken to. Has that woman taught you nothing over the years?"

Arwen was confused by this answer. Who was the "woman" she was referring to? Arwen looked ahead of her. She had no idea whether the woman who was leading her could even see where they were going. It was completely dark in the tunnel. But finally, they started to ascend a flight of stairs. The doorknob and hinges of the door creaked as Talathiel opened it. Arwen expected a burst of light to come through, but there was none. The room they were in was as dark as the tunnel before it. Arwen could hear the door shut behind her, and Talathiel let go of her hand. Arwen had thought about turning around and running back through the tunnel, but she knew Talathiel would stop her before she could get anywhere. Finally, Arwen saw a small light that began to grow brighter and brighter until it filled the whole room with light.

"Sit down, child," Talathiel said coldly, but then with a warmer tone said, "You must be tired after that long walk."

Arwen did not feel tired, but she said nothing to the woman in front of her. She just sat down on a wooden chair as she was told, her eyes, like ice, were drilling into the woman's eyes. How she longed for Talathiel to tell her why she had brought her here.

"I am sure you would like some refreshment to sooth your hoarse throat," Talathiel said, "For that must be the reason why you do not speak."

Why was she assuming things about poor Arwen? Why could she not just give her answers? Arwen shook her head, and continued with silence.

"Well then," Talathiel began with a sly smile, "There must be some reason you do not speak to me. Are you shy?"

Again, Arwen shook her head.

"Do you find conversation boring and of little use?"

Again, Arwen shook her head.

"I tell you this, little girl," Talathiel spoke with rising anger, "You are mine now, you belong to me and me alone. You are no longer that woman's property, you are mine!"

Arwen winced at Talathiel's harsh tone. Talathiel, who had been ready to slap Arwen, drew her hand away and stepped back. After a few moments, Arwen found the courage to speak.

"Tell me who you are and why you have brought me here," Arwen said, her lips quivering, but her voice strong.


"Where is she?" Lord Elrond yelled at the guard who had just given the news to him, "You did not see her disappear? You did not try to unlock the gates? You just stood there…" he collapsed into the chair in grief, "You did not hear her screams?"

"My Lord," the captain of the guard knelt down and spoke, "We saw her being carried away by a raven-haired elf. We tried with all of our strength to open those gaits, but they would not move. We suspect the elf must be some sort of witch, for all she had to do was look at the gaits, and they shut at her gaze."

Lord Elrond, even though knowing all this time, dropped his gaze to the floor. He had hoped for a different answer, that he would be wrong, but he was proven right.

"Talathiel," he muttered.

Lady Celebrian was hidden in the shadows behind the door, listening intently for an answer as to where her baby was taken. At hearing that last word, she collapsed to the floor and wept. There was no knowing what the elf witch would do to poor Arwen Undomiel.