A/N: I do not own the works of Tolkien. Enjoy.
Dressed to impress. Ara laughed lightly to herself as she checked her reflection. Black ankle boots, minimal heel, grey skinny leg jeans and a black strap cotton dress which flared a little at the skirt to end just above her knees. She'd ran her brush back through her hair and thrown serum in it to keep it straight. The last time it will be straight. She sighed and then laughed. She touched up her makeup and then happy, waltzed out of her chamber.
"Ready when you are." She declared to her father who strolled out of his door moments later. They looked each other up and down.
"You look uh nice Adar. Settling back into the fashions of the time I see." She grinned at him mischievously.
"I happen to like this particular tunic." He said defensively as he smoothed the pale grey tunic over his black jeans. "Can't quite give up these trousers though." He admitted. "You will need to have some clothes made to suit, we shall have to see the seamstresses tomorrow." He quirked his eyebrow at her. "Although I'm glad you chose jeans to put under that dress." She twirled it for effect.
"Of course, I'm going for the 'modern tunic' look." She replied with a laugh. "Anyway I'm starved, let's go!" She declared and dashed out the entrance hearing her father's light and cheery laughter behind her.
She followed Glorfindel through gardens and open halls and marvelled at how the stars seemed to reflect in the pools of water and the river below and how moonlight illuminated the pale and elegant stone archways. This place, to Ara it felt magical, it was more amazing than she had ever imagined and it reminded her a little bit of Rome. The House of Elrond and his halls were situated higher up and in one part; Ara saw that falls cascaded right over them. Her father knew exactly where they walked and named certain locations in the valley dwelling as they walked and she made a firm note in her head on how to get to the training grounds in the morning to go for a run, After all, tomorrow was Monday and if she was still in London, she would be training and working early.
Glorfindel led her into a hall with a long table stretching out from its centre where others were already seated. She instantly recognised Elladan for the wide grin he was flashing her and beside him, Elrohir who was smiling kindly. Beside him was an auburn brown haired elf and then at the head of the table an elf with hair just like Elladan and Elrohir's and resembled the Elrohir also but she was certain he was much older, he looked wiser and then it clicked; it was Lord Elrond. He smiled warmly and stood and walked towards them as Ara noticed the old, long grey haired and bearded man seated across from Elrohir with twinkling, curious blue eyes. That must be Gandalf.
"Glorfindel welcome." Elrond said happily but the Lord of Rivendell was watching her and she felt as if she was being assessed and then grey eyes met hers and he bestowed a warm smile to her. "And you must be Ara, it is wonderful to meet the daughter of my dearest friend." He said and suddenly to her utter surprise, the elf Lord broke into a huge grin. "Sit down both of you, food will be here shortly and hopefully my daughter and Estel will grace us with their presence soon." Elrond said with a hint of exasperation as he directed Glorfindel to sit beside the old man and to Ara's delight, indicated the empty chair on Elladan's other side.
"If they disentangle from each other any time soon." Ara heard Elrohir snicker quietly to his brother as the younger elf leapt up and graciously pulled out her chair for her.
"Thanks Elladan." She said quietly as she took her seat, trying not to laugh at Elrohir's quip and was pleasantly surprised when her chair was also pushed in.
"You're welcome." He whispered back before taking his seat again and then Elrond spoke from the head of the table.
"I think introductions are in order; Ara you have met my sons and so, beside Elrohir is Lord Erestor my advisor and friend and beside your father I would like you to meet Mithrandir or Gandalf, he is the Grey Wizard and one of the Istari." Elrond explained and she nodded.
"It's nice to meet you." She said with a cheery smile.
"Ah and finally here is Arwen, my daughter and youngest and Estel or Aragorn who you have also met." He said dryly and Elladan chuckled very quietly beside her as a slightly flushed cheeked, stunning female elf with long, straight, near black hair and a sheepish looking Aragorn hurried into the hall, looking less dishevelled and dirty than he had earlier, and took the two seats beside Glorfindel who had raised a brow curiously at them. As Arwen settled in her seat, Ara noticed the light green dress she wore with airy full sleeves which fell to her hands. Maybe I should be wearing a little more? No, I'm not changing who I am.
"I was just about to introduce everyone to Glorfindel's lovely daughter, Ara." Elrond finished and Arwen gazed curiously at her with bright, blue eyes.
"I like your dress, is it from Lindon?" She asked with a smile.
"Thanks, it came from err..." Ara glanced questioningly to her father but it was Elrond who spoke.
"I am sure Glorfindel and Ara have much to tell us of where they have been dwelling these past few decades." He said smoothly and as if on cue, four elves swept into the hall, laden with plates and dishes of food and a fifth entered with a large tray of glasses and what Ara had a sneaking suspicion was wine. The five elves swiftly set out the table and filled glasses with a rich, red wine to which Ara and the others murmured thank-yous before they swept out of the room. Wow, that was table service.
"Help yourselves." Elrond invited as he started helping himself to bread and salads and fruits and assorted slices. Ara noted her Adar was piling food onto his plate and she followed suit.
"Try one of these, they are really nice." Elladan said as he placed a slice on her plate and with a grin she broke a piece off and took a bite.
"Yum that's great!" She said and took another mouthful.
"So my dear Glorfindel, how has the future treated you?" Gandalf asked and Ara nearly choked on the slice. Suddenly all eyes were on her father.
"Well it was certainly an eye opener." He began, laughing lightly.
"Did you just say the future?" Elrohir gasped and Glorfindel nodded as Elladan looked at Ara in wonder and she gave him a mysterious look.
"I knew there was more to you." He grinned.
"Am I right in assuming you have something to do with this Mithrandir?" Erestor said and the Wizard slowly smiled.
"Eighty-Six years ago Saruman, Radagast and myself were working on pushing the boundaries of time."
"Why?" Aragorn asked and the Wizard chuckled
"We had a council at Orthanc and truthfully the three of us may have had a little too much of a merry good time and decided to try a little experiment and I convinced Glorfindel, who at the time seemed restless with his life and who was considering sailing, to help with our little project."
"I, craving an adventure agreed immediately of course." Glorfindel grinned. "And it was the greatest decision I have ever made."
"What was it like?" Arwen asked curiously. "Did you see our future selves?" Elrond raised a questioning brow at him. I bet he's wondering at Arwen's future.
"I am sorry I cannot say Arwen, for I was taken a few million years into the future and between now and then many cultures have risen and fallen."
"What are the elves like?" Elladan asked beside her. "Do they all have those car beasts as Ara does?"
"Car beast? Is that the strange metal device on small cart-wheels which my poor steed bulked at outside the stables?" Gandalf asked looking at her.
"Ahh yeah that's mine." She admitted sheepishly.
"No wonder maintaining the portal to remain open when you passed through was so arduous a task." He murmured.
"Yeah sorry about that, we got stuck in sheep."
"Sheep?" Elladan asked with a smirk playing on his lips and she flashed him a grin.
"Don't ask."
"You'll have to explain later, if you want to ah-"
"Hang out?"
"Yes, would you like to after dinner?" He asked.
"Yeah I'd love to." She replied and then noticed out of the corner of her eye her father was watching her warily and then he replied to Elladan's earlier question.
"I dare say all the elves were in Valinor for there were no other elves who I met in my travels.
"But then Ara is-"
"Peredhil." Her father finished for Erestor quietly and Ara did not miss the sadness cross both his and Elrond's eyes as well as Gandalf's and Arwen was suddenly pushing at the last of the salad on her plate and Ara was feeling really awkward.
"You are just like us!" Elrohir exclaimed cheerily, lightening the mood of the room.
"Our Ada is half elf too so we are also Peredhil." Elladan explained and Ara nodded, feeling better.
"Dinner is over if Glorfindel permits; perhaps you young ones would like to head to the Hall of Fire to speak in a more relaxed environment and Arwen you could introduce Ara to the others." Elrond spoke up.
"An excellent idea, we have much to catch up on and it could get boring for you youngsters hearing the ramblings of old friends." Her father said cheerfully as he looked at the five of them.
"Very old." Elladan snickered to Elrohir and they stood as did Aragorn and Arwen.
"Have you been practicing your sword-skills Elrondion?" Glorfindel grinned at Elladan.
"I have." He replied proudly and her father's grin widened.
"Excellent, tomorrow morning on the fields." Ara gaped at him as Elrohir trilled beside her.
"Ada!"
"Relax Ara I taught the brother's." He reassured and she nodded standing. "Have fun but not too much fun." He warned teasingly; the same warning he always used whenever she went out with friends and she automatically glanced at her active-watch.
"It's too early for too much fun." She tapped at it with a laugh and he shook his head but briefly levelled her with a look.
"Yeah, yeah." She said knowing exactly what point he was trying to make before saying goodbye to the others and leaving the hall beside Elladan and Arwen. Sorry Ada, if I want to have fun, I will.
...
Elladan curiously took Ara's hand once they were outside and heading down towards the Hall of Fire under the pretence of examining the strange piece of black jewellery she wore as a band on her wrist.
"What is this?" He ran his hand over it and she slowed a little as they followed the others and gazed at him and he was caught up again in her extraordinary green eyes.
"It's a watch, well a sports watch. It shows the time, the date and how far I've walked and it knows my pulse too, it can detect it and show how fast it beats in a minute." She explained and holding her other hand over his, directed his finger to a bump in the band and pressed down and the numbers changed before his eyes.
"Wow."
"Yeah it's pretty neat." She flashed him another smile and he took her hand properly, hoping he was reading this right.
"Come on, they've left us behind!" He laughed cheerily and led her at a slow run to catch up to the others. He let her hand go then but didn't miss the flicker of a sweet smile as he purposely walked close enough so that his fingers still brushed against hers. He couldn't believe he was feeling this way and so suddenly and she seemed to feel the same and they had only really just met.
Ara looked around curiously at their surroundings and Elladan wondered at the buildings and dwellings of the future. He could not wait to learn more about her, Glorfindel had done most of the talking at dinner. Arwen briefly turned her head back and gave him a knowing wink when Ara was looking elsewhere and he flashed his sister a grin as she quickly mouthed 'She's really pretty, and fit!' to him before turning to speak with Aragorn who abruptly stopped them at the entrance to the hall and turned to look at Ara.
"I think we will stick to the story Ara is from Lindon and that is where Glorfindel has been as most of Imladris thought anyway." His foster brother said tactfully and Ara nodded beside him.
"Agreed, it sounds like the safer option, Ada hasn't exactly told me what I can and can't say so; less is def more." She agreed and Elladan was bemused again by the interesting way she spoke. They entered the hall and Elrohir lead them to their regular place; a quiet area with a low table surrounded by cushions in the corner. The fire which flickered along the hearth which ran around the stone walled perimeter of the spacious hall warmed them from the slowly cooling down weather outside from the slowly descending winter.
"This hall, it's beautiful in here." Ara breathed out, her head tilted to the ceiling as she seemed to drink in the paintings of scenes in history on the walls but Elladan was enthralled by her hair; in the warm firelight it was a fiery gold and it was vibrant against the black of what he thought was maybe a short dress for the lack of sleeves and the way the skirt flared just before her knees. Arwen was right she was fit, he hadn't missed the toned shape of her arms and strong yet elegant shoulders and her casual grace for that was the only way he could think to describe it. They sat down on the cushions and an ellon breezed over and placed a fruit platter on the dark wooden table and another placed down five silver chalices and two bottles of wine; one red and one white.
"Pick a colour." He said to Ara who laughed lightly at him.
"White." He uncorked the wine and poured it into two chalices.
"Fill one for me too." Arwen said from his other side and he filled a third as Aragorn poured two reds for himself and Elrohir.
"So the future?" Elrohir asked curiously.
"Yeah it's, well it's something." She said with a laugh. "I don't really know how to explain it; in the cities the buildings are four times as high as the trees and reach up into the skies like spears, everyone is always so, so busy. The countryside is similar though and so are the woods. I guess you guys can ask the questions and I'll give you the answers." She gushed out and Elladan found it endearing for Ara sounded a little nervous and she was biting her bottom lip a little now as she watched them all and then glanced at him and he had to drag his eyes from her mouth.
"So if there's no elves, are there still Hobbit's, Dwarves and Orcs and such?" He asked her, trying to distract his mind.
"No, it's just humans now. Like Ada said, there's a few million years in between."
"No orcs, at all?" Aragorn asked in surprise. "So there is no war?" A world without the dangers of orcs and other foul creatures was unfathomable to him.
"None but we still have war and it's pretty nasty." She admitted.
"Was the war in the lands you dwelt?" Arwen asked quietly.
"No, there was some unrest and attacks but no, the war is in other countries although to some degree it affects every country. They lapsed into silence a moment and Elladan quickly thought up something else to ask.
"Do you know much of the world now?" He asked and she nodded with a laugh which once again lightened the mood and he decided he liked that laugh.
"Ada made sure I was versed well enough in the history of Arda from its creation and Eru to the War of the Jewels to the last meal he had in Rivendell." She said and Elrohir and Arwen laughed at that. "So I guess you can fill me in on the past eighty odd years." Ara added and Elladan chuckled quietly.
"Ahh the past eighty years have been eventful. We had minimal involvement thank Eru but there was a small war of sorts which involved the elves of Mirkwood-"
"Thranduil's grumpy troop." Elrohir quipped and Ara looked at him with surprise but there also seemed to be a wariness in her green eyes and Elladan wondered what Glorfindel had told her of the Elven King, he knew Thranduil and Glorfindel didn't exactly see eye to eye and he'd heard the old rumours it was over the Mirkwood King's late Queen but that was all anybody knew and from the young elleth sitting beside him cheerily, the rumours, if true, were clearly a thing of the past. He felt a shoulder brush his arm and realised Ara had subtlety moved closer to him and he smiled secretly behind his chalice feeling light hearted.
"The Erebor Dwarves were involved too and the people of Laketown got caught up in it and then Bilbo, you'll probably meet him tomorrow, he woke up Smaug the Dragon and then all madness broke loose and then the actual enemy arrived and the elves and dwarves and men rallied but there's still some pretty bad blood between them. That is when we all realised Sauron was back." Elrohir summarised the past eight decades and Ara nodded.
"Well I'm all caught up now. What is the go with Sauron now though?" She asked and Elrohir and Aragorn exchanged a look.
"That's what everyone is trying to figure out but like your future world, war seems to be fast coming upon us." Aragorn was the one to answer.
She nodded and Elladan caught a wistful and strangely sage look in her eyes. He caught sight of an ellon walking purposefully towards them and motioned to Elrohir who looked around as the elf stopped and gave a polite incline of his head.
"Greetings my Lords and Ladies." Elladan instantly saw how his eyes lingered a moment longer on Ara curiously before looking to Elrohir. Word had certainly begun to spread Glorfindel had returned with a come of age daughter.
"My Lord, the Mirkwood party are just a mile away."
"Ah excellent." Elrohir replied. "I will leave shortly to welcome them in."
"Does Legolas really need welcoming in?" Aragorn laughed and Elladan felt the she elf by his side tense up ever so slightly and while his brothers and sister were focused on the messenger he sought out Ara's hand which rested between them on the plush pillow's they sat upon and felt fingers entwine in his and his heart skipped.
"Erestor is worried the wood Elves will become wary, even hostile upon arriving at the stables and seeing the uh well the metal beast Glorfindel and the Lady here arrived in." The messenger stressed and Aragorn swore under his breath as Elrohir grimaced and immediately leapt up.
"Do you want me to move it? It will be loud to start but we could push it behind the stables if they are going to flip out." Ara asked uncertainly and Elrohir shook his head.
"No need. Estel, you and I will go to meet them if you will keep Ara company here Arwen?" His brother delegated out and Arwen shook her head with a light laugh and glanced slyly at him.
"I should ensure their guest chambers are prepared and alert the maids to draw baths and such; I'm sure you and Estel can handle Legolas and his small company and Elladan can entertain Ara." She countered and he felt indebted to her.
"Fine, let's go Estel." Elrohir said and he and his foster brother leapt up and strode out of the hall and then Arwen stood too.
"Elladan you should show Ara the gardens under moonlight." His sister said kindly and turned to Ara. "Make sure he does, it is a perfect full moon this eve and there is nothing quite like the gardens lit up in moonlight, especially seeing the star crocus opened up." She added before flashing them both an impish smile and following the others out.
...
"So you have raised her alone since she was about thirty-five, still an Elfling and away from our kind; it seems to me you have done an excellent job my friend, she is lovely and my three and Estel seem quite taken with her, especially Elladan I could not help but notice." Elrond said cheerily to Glorfindel as they sat alone in his own entertaining lounge in his own house, away from unwanted ears for it was a time for dear friends to speak and for the discussion of delicate matters but exactly what those delicate matters were, Elrond did not yet know.
"Thank you although, it barely seems the case for she lives on the edge, back at... well back in the future she'd go out nearly every night, party hard, drink harder, sometimes be home in the morning and yet still be fine to work in the morning, bright and cheery as ever. She likes bending the rules to breaking point and Eru forbid she came home the other morning with a hangover and a tattoo on her wrist. A tattoo! Elves do not get tattoos." Elrond smiled amused by his friend's exasperation and he was beginning to think of his dear Arwen as one who could do no wrong in comparison. Tattoos are what the corsair's and Easterlings bore; not elves and certainly not Noldor and Elder Elves. The Wood Elves he was not too sure about. "At least the tattoo is in Sindarin" Glorfindel added and Elrond quirked an eyebrow at that.
"What does it say?"
"No Love." His friend replied in exasperation
"A strange expression." He laughed lightly and Glorfindel gave him a sad smile which only worried him. He decided they needed to get down to business now they had caught up on each other's lives a little and the happenings of the past few decades. Galadriel had spoken to him but only hinted Glorfindel's return was crucial to the upcoming council. He had no idea how she had contacted the golden haired elf and was not going to even attempt to comprehend how he and his surprise of a daughter arrived back from the future with Mithrandir's help. No, he was going to focus on the here and now.
"So you said there is something we need to discuss of great importance?" Glorfindel's eyes levelled with his and the mighty Balrog Slayer nodded wearily as if the entire weight of Arda rested upon him.
"I know the outcome of the impending war, I know..." He sighed as Elrond looked at him open mouthed. "I know everything." The silence which now spanned between them was deafening. Glorfindel knew the outcome and surely, surely the outcome was in their favour for he sat alive and well across from him.
"Yes my friend we win." He admitted quietly and Elrond felt hope and relief burst within him. "The road those who shall take to vanquish Sauron is not an easy one and still there are many ways we could irrevocably fail. The fate of Arda rests in each step each of us take. One wrong move and we lose everything." He fell silent and Elrond thought on his friends heavy words as he sipped his wine.
"I see now why you insisted it be just you and I who spoke of this." He said quietly. "Mithrandir though well meaning, would undoubtedly meddle with the path set out."
"And no one must do that." Glorfindel said seriously and Elrond caught anguish in his friend's usually joyful blue eyes.
"There is more to this for you isn't there? You look as if your heart would break." He hedged and the golden haired elf bowed his head.
"Tomorrow afternoon at the council you will decide who will carry the ring to Mordor to be destroyed and those who will accompany him. I know will, who must take this journey and my own daughter is one of them." Elrond nodded and quietly recited the words which had repeated themselves in his mind since the Lady of the Golden wood had prophesised them.
"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king-"
There was a loud knock at the door and Elrond startled, abruptly ceased reciting the prophetic words and called to whoever it was to enter. The door opened admitting only Arwen.
"What is it you must thunder upon my door?" He asked her wryly.
"Sorry Ada, I thought you should know Prince Legolas and his group have arrived." She explained and he nodded.
"Where is Ara?" Glorfindel asked warily and Arwen grinned mischievously and Elrond looked pointedly at her.
"She is with Elladan, they were in the Hall of Fire although I do think they might now be in the gardens enjoying the beautiful eve." She replied innocently but Elrond knew that look. "Legolas wishes to speak with you once he has settled and washed off the dust of the road." She added and he nodded.
"That is fine, thank you for informing me Arwen." He said kindly and she beamed at them both.
"I trust you will make your way back to Ara now?" Glorfindel asked and Arwen suddenly looked very sheepish.
"I was actually going to retire for the eve." She said evasively and Elrond caught the slight frown on Glorfindel's fair face.
"Very well, rest well young one." Elrond said softly and stood to embrace his daughter and walk her to the door.
"What exactly are Ara and Elladan doing?" He asked very quietly and she avoided his eyes.
"Arwen."
"Well umm Elladan is kind of smitten..." She admitted quietly and he sighed. Of course he was.
"And has Ara an inclination of this?" He hadn't missed how easily his son and the young elleth had conversed over dinner.
"Umm yes." Arwen said sounding evasive again.
"Umm yes and?"
"And she seems to like him too."
"Very well, you may go." She nodded quickly, relieved the interrogation was over and dashed out of the lounge chamber and he clicked the door shut and turned to Glorfindel.
"It seems Elladan truly is quite taken with your daughter." He said wryly as he sat back down and refilled their glasses and the golden haired elf groaned in exasperation.
"Is this not a good thing?" Elrond frowned and Glorfindel sighed.
"I'd like nothing more truly but Ara's individual fate is already written in the future history of Arda and she knows it and resents it.
"Then what is her fate?"
...
Legolas was weary; the journey from his father's realm had been a perilous one and they had encountered groups of orcs and goblins on three separate occasions moving across the Wilderlands. He was glad to be safely in Imladris, clean again and fed. Now he walked alongside Elrohir to meet and speak with Lord Elrond. He had news he really did not want to share with the Lord of Imladris but his father was still recovering and he usually sent Legolas to deal with anything involving the Noldor, using the excuse that Legolas had a demeanour for councils and politics. It was true but only because his parents had raised him to be so but his true talents lay in leading his father's woodland guard and in his own fighting skill. That was the sole reason he and the four others he travelled with had arrived unscathed and more importantly, alive.
"Will you join us in the Hall of Fire after you have spoken with my father?" Elrohir asked him hopefully and he nodded.
"For a drink or two yes." He replied. "Where is Elladan?" He asked curiously for usually the other dark haired elf would have tracked him down by now.
"Elladan is ah entertaining." Elrohir said with a smirk and Legolas grinned at him.
"Truly?"
"Oh yes it's quite amusing." The elf laughed as they reached his father's house and entered.
...
There was another knock on Elrond's lounge door and he looked at his friend with a raised brow.
"You may enter." Elrond called out clearly and the door opened and Glorfindel looked upon the Crown Prince of the Woodland Realm, Thranduil's son, Legolas.
"Greetings Lord Elrond, I apologise for the late hour." The young elf said politely as Elrond beckoned him in and pointed to an empty, red velvet and cherry wood lounge chair and the tall elf, for he was tall just like his father, strode into the room and sank gratefully down into the chair and then blue-grey eyes fell onto Glorfindel and widened.
"Lord Glorfindel! Forgive me I did not realise it was you." The young elf rushed out in astonishment and he smiled wryly at him.
"Greetings Prince Legolas, I see you've grown up since I last saw you as a half grown elfling." Glorfindel replied kindly and the young Prince allowed him a quick grin.
"I have." He replied and there was pride in his voice and possibly a hint of smugness and Glorfindel studied him briefly. He saw much of Thranduil in the young Prince; those same blue-grey eyes, intelligent and he was sure, just as expressive as his father's. He had the same defined cheekbones but Glorfindel noted his chin was different, slightly less arrogantly structured although that meant nothing but his generous mouth and the fleeting grin he had seen earlier were his mother's and it seemed his brows were his own, not those ridiculously expressive things above Thranduil's eyes he thought with humour. The young elf was watching him curiously. "I admit I am surprised to see you Lord Glorfindel, rumour had reached the Woodland Realm you had moved to Ithilien?" Glorfindel laughed lightly.
"Surely your father taught you to never believe the rumours you hear Thranduilion?" He said nonchalantly testing to see the Prince's reaction and for a brief moment, annoyance registered in his eyes and Glorfindel noted the way he ever so subtly straightened so he was almost looking down at him.
"My father taught me many things." He said airily and for a moment he was a spitting image of a younger Thranduil and Glorfindel internally groaned for already he could see the impending quest turning into a complete disaster for it seemed Legolas was just like the King who raised him.
"Legolas how did you and your group fare on your journey here?" Elrond said placating and being the ever careful mediator and Legolas's attention turned to him.
"It could have been smoother. We anticipated arriving yesterday at noon however we came across three separate bands of orcs. One band we only managed to pick off a few and the rest fled no doubt into caves. They were close to your north-western border; I have informed Elrohir and Estel."
"No one was injured?" Elrond asked and the Prince shook his head of pale, silvery-blonde hair which Glorfindel noted was entirely his father's also.
"No thankfully, the news I must now give you bore us no time to fight more than simply to defend ourselves." He said and Glorfindel noticed the young elf, although seemingly composed and easily well spoken, was ever so slightly picking at the silver oak leaf stitching on the edge of the luxurious, forest green cloak he wore which pooled around him.
"And what news do you bear so heavily young Prince Legolas?" Elrond pressed kindly and Glorfindel saw his brow was furrowed, never a good sign. The Prince sighed and his eyes drifted to his hands in his lap.
"Gollum has escaped." He said quietly and Elrond snapped to attention. Glorfindel almost laughed for he already knew this information although it was something only learned in the book and in the history from the council to be held tomorrow.
"What? How?" Elrond asked warily and the Prince glanced up at him a moment and there was guilt in his eyes.
"We became lax in guarding him, he gave us the false pretence he was of no risk to us." Legolas said quietly. "He tricked me into letting him up out of the caverns for fresh air and I did and father was returning from a gathering in the gardens and Gollum attacked him taking him unawares, and myself." He explained dejectedly and Glorfindel felt sorry for him.
"How is your father?" Elrond asked gently.
"Adar is alive but he sustained two broken fingers and a three broken ribs and so he bid me deliver the news." He elaborated but by the hint of bitterness in the Prince's tone he wondered if there were more to the story.
"How did he trick you?" Glorfindel asked curiously and was shocked to see the elf turn and glare at him defiantly.
"This discussion is between Lord Elrond and myself." He said regally and Elrond glared at him with reproach.
"Lord Legolas, Lord Glorfindel is my most trusted friend and advisor, he has every right to be here and this information you will have to admit at the council tomorrow." Elrond replied with a touch of sternness and the Prince bridled at that.
"Very well." Legolas replied but he still glared a little at him before once again looking at his hands. "He convinced me he wished to see the stars and I took pity on him." The Prince muttered quietly and Glorfindel was surprised by his admission. He was clearly embarrassed and angry he had been tricked.
"Having compassion is nothing to be ashamed of Legolas." Elrond said gently and the young elf raised his eyes at him.
"Try telling that to-" He stopped himself and his eyes glanced briefly to him before he continued in a cool tone. "That may be so but I have caused my father much pain for my lax in duty to both he and consequently Mithrandir for we are now without our captive and the enemy may track him yet and learn the location of..." He trailed off and eyed Glorfindel again and Elrond stood and placed a hand on the young Prince's shoulder.
"Have peace with yourself Legolas, what is done is done and I bear you no grudge for it, nor will Mithrandir. The ring is safe within our boundaries." He said quietly and the silvery haired elf physically relaxed. "Take some time to enjoy yourself and relax, both Elrohir and Elladan and also Estel have been anticipating your arrival. Go now; I believe they are down in the hall of fire." Elrond said kindly and Legolas stood looking a little lighter of heart.
"Thank you Lord Elrond, I think I will." He replied and then turned to Glorfindel and inclined his head. "Enjoy your evening my Lords." He said politely and Elrond walked him to the door and spoke quietly with him before he left and Elrond returned. Glorfindel looked at him hopelessly.
"This is not going to work. He's barely even likable." He stated and Elrond gave him a reassuring smile but it was more a grimace.
"He ah has his moments but deep down he is not so bad when you come to know him personally."
"He's a right little arse. He's certainly Thranduil's kid." He exclaimed.
"Arse?"
"Don't ask, my vocabulary is-"
"Otherworldly." Elrond smiled wryly. "That 'kid' had to grow up too soon, he can't help it." He reasoned and Glorfindel recalled the half grown elfling standing silently beside Thranduil not so very long ago during a council in the Greenwood Elrond had him attend. He had not even seen her when he had gone and had not dared to enquire after her. How old exactly was he then for that had been the one time until this eve he had ever laid eyes on the son of Thranduil.
"He is one-hundred-and-thirty-seven." Elrond seemed to read his mind and he looked astonished, was he really so young?. "Do not judge him yet mellon nin." He added gently.
"It is not my judgement which we need to worry about." He admitted worriedly and took a long drink from his glass" "Now where was I up to? Oh yes Lothlorien."
...
"Arwen was right; it really is beautiful out here with the moonlight." Ara admitted as Elladan walked beside her, his hand entwined in hers. She'd been here not even twenty-four hours and she'd snagged the sweetest, funniest goofiest, absolutely fit as hell and most gorgeous elf she decided ever possibly existed. Now she was ignoring every single little voice in her head which told her this was absolutely not her intended fate and she knew it and to stop.
"Would it be a little silly if I said you rival its beauty?" Elladan gave her a shy grin and she melted but elbowed him playfully.
"Yeah a little but thanks." She replied and he laughed lightly.
"Well I've seen the gardens many times under the moon but not you so I think I have a fair argument for my silliness." He quipped and she laughed.
"Fair call and I guess you don't look so bad yourself." She admitted and he turned to gaze at her in surprise.
"You truly think that?" He asked and she cocked her head to the side watching him and then nodded.
"Yep I def do." She grinned and he looked so happy by her words. Surely other she elf's thought he was hot? They had walked maybe eight hundred meters idly talking and learning about one another's lives and homes and now Elladan stopped them.
"You are so different to the other elleths here and in Lórien." He said and she laughed lightly.
"I guess coming from a couple million years into the future does that." She quipped and he shook his head, grey eyes dancing so they were almost silver in the moonlight.
"No, it is not that. It is you; and I, I like it, like you." He said quietly and she felt a hand rest against her cheek and her breath caught. To hell with fate. She decided as she smiled elatedly at him.
"I like you too." She confessed and he gazed at her questioningly as he moved a little closer and Ara felt like she was sixteen and in high-school again in New York, well, technically forty-three, in high-school again, all innocent and awkward and her heart erupted in butterflies.
"Can I..." He breathed quietly and grey eyes flickered to her lips.
"Yeah." She whispered and closed her eyes as gentle lips met hers.
...
An hour later Ara lay on her bed with a stupid smile on her face. She'd just hooked up with Elladan. If or when her father found out she would be dead but she didn't care, it had been worth it and she did genuinely like him. She'd also learned what the books didn't tell; elves were just as inclined to hook up on occasion as the humans of her time were. She'd discovered this by the sudden guilt she felt that she may have misled Elladan and broached the topic. Thankfully he was happy to as he called it, 'join up' but did admit he wouldn't say no to the possibility of courting if it lead anywhere in the future and Ara agreed, he was so sincerely likable and she had been enjoying his company before they kissed. She did make sure to tactfully warn him from mentioning anything that would get back to her father and he'd paled slightly at that and agreed. She'd noticed her Adar was not yet back and upon finding parchment and ink and quills in a table drawer in her own small lounge area, she scribbled him a very messy looking note as she tried to come to terms with using ink and then left the note on the low table at the house entrance before washing her face and retreating to bed, a smile on her lips.
Shall I continue this? Reviews are welcome when us writer's are starting out a new fic ever so nervously. :)