Erm…please don't hurt me for not updating it won't happen again, I pwomise :D I'll try to update every weekend but it may have to be every other weekend.
Disclaimer: Don't own LOTR, the characters, anything, etc.
Two heads bowed studiously over rolls and rolls of parchment, the justice of it all made me smile. Estel and I stood there for a moment simply taking in the wonderful sight before I finally decided that it was time.
"Are you two ready?"
Elladan looked up with a withering look, "For what?"
"Taking a nice little leap off a waterfall."
They both sprang up simultaneously, "Of course we are."
I raised an eyebrow, "Is that fear I detect?"
Both of them took on a defensive stance, "Not at all dearest sister, shall we be on our way and not waist time talking here?"
"As you wish," I had a feeling that this was going to be a very interesting day, and one that if Ada found out about all of us would be so very dead.
The climb to the fall itself was enough to make any human collapse from exhaustion, except for Estel who managed to keep up with us. There was something peculiar about this human, I did not know much about his race but even I could sense that he was different. Elladan and Elrohir walked, or rather climbed, ahead of us.
Trying not to trip over my dress I held it with one hand leaving the other open in case I needed it when we came to an extra steep spot. My companion was looking around, peering into the heavy growth seemingly intrigued. I myself had never been up this path before, father had forbade me to come when I was younger fearing that it was too dangerous for me. My brothers had come this way before, and only my father's firm protest kept me from following. Now I felt a slight tingle of rebellion though it was no longer off limits to me, still…it was exciting.
"See anything worth notice?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Nothing at all Lady," he seemed slightly disappointed.
"Were you looking for anything in particular?"
"I was, yes," he answered and turned to me with a cryptic smile.
This confused me, was I supposed to know what it was he was looking for? Or perhaps he was only jesting. Whatever the case it sent us back into our silence, interrupted only when I somehow managed to trip over my feet rather than my dress. It sent me sprawling, Estel was immediately by my side asking me if I was all right. I only laughed for an answer, "So much for the gracefulness of elves," I choked through my fit of giggles. He grinned down at me and offered his hand, "I must say that I'm disappointed, I had expected the daughter of Elrond to be much more refined."
"And I had expected a human to be more polite in the company of a lady," I answered haughtily as I stood, only to break into more laughter. Estel bit his lip but soon joined me in my mirth, causing my brothers to turn around wiggling their eyebrows.
"You two sound like you're having a bit too much fun," one twin said before the other added, "We're telling Ada on you two."
"Then I'll be forced to tell him that it was you two that accidentally on purpose set fire to Legolas's robes at supper a few years ago," Estel responded promptly. This caused them to exchange a fearful look and continue on their way.
"Well that seems to have taken care of it…but what happens if my father finds out?" I asked the thought of being banned from seeing Estel was one that I did not want to turn into a reality.
"What is there for him to find out?" he asked. I suppose that it was the truth, all we were doing was talking and things that friends would do, nothing more. Maybe it would stay that way, but it wouldn't…I had a feeling it wouldn't…and more often than not my feelings were right.
Reaching the top the four of us carefully made our way to the edge of the waterfall, peering down we saw the water cascading in a violent stream, churning the lake under it into a frothing mass. The noise it made was more of a roar than anything else, louder even than that of a dragon. It was an awe inspiring sight, the power of nature seemed to be captured there in front of us.
Elladan and Elrohir turned to each other and maneuvered closer to the lip, peering over. Suddenly I didn't want them to do it, I didn't care about the fact they lost anymore, that waterfall was higher then I had imagined.
"You don't have to do it, never mind!" I yelled out to them, they just waved at Estel and me and began walking away. Maybe they weren't going to do it…oh…or maybe they were getting a running start…and yelling a battle cry…and diving over it…Valar help us all.
Running to the edge I saw them falling and after what seemed like minutes finally crash into the water below. I found myself holding my breath until their heads popped up a little ways away.
Suddenly I wanted to do it too; I wanted to jump off that waterfall. If my brothers could do it, I certainly could. It actually looked like fun, mad perhaps, but fun. I, Arwen, was always the cautious one. Oh sure I'd go along with their schemes but when it came to something of this magnitude I always shied away. This was something I didn't even have to do but I wanted to, for once in my life I wanted to do something that was so fun it was dangerous.
"Let's do it!" I yelled over the roar. Estel turned to look at me like I was crazy and shook his head.
"Arwen, your father would have use both killed if he found out, especially if he found out I let you."
"He'd never know, come one Estel. I know you want to."
"I don't believe I want to die," he said with a grin.
"Fine then, don't," I prepared to take my running start but suddenly he had my hand in his.
"If you go, I go," was all he said before kissing me full on the lips, "For luck."
My face began to burn and I gripped his hand harder, "For luck…" I repeated softly, "Ready?" He nodded and together we took off running, then we were over the edge and I knew what it was to fly, it was amazing, it was scary beyond belief, and I loved every second of it.
Only when I felt myself plunging deep underneath the water did I feel any fear, I realized that Estel and I were separated, I couldn't see him anywhere. Frantically I started to swim, not up, but away to make sure that I wouldn't come up anywhere near where the water was falling. So dark, where was the surface? Oh great, this was just great, my lungs were begging…no…screaming for air and I couldn't find my way to the surface…simply wonderful. Luckily I managed to pick the right direction and I broke the surface, gasping in lungful after lungful of air. I couldn't believe it, I simply couldn't believe it! I let out a shriek of happiness, "That was amazing!"
"If you ever, talk me into something like that again…I will personally hurt you lady or no," Estel gasped, coming up beside me. "Are you daft Arwen? That was not amazing, that was mad, that was…"
"AMAZING!" Elrohir had swum up to us, "Valar that was wonderful! Can't believe you did it too."
Now that I was safely treading water I realized that I hadn't actually been thinking when I did it, if I had I wouldn't have done it. Flinging my arms around Estel I grinned at him, "Admit you enjoyed it."
"No, I didn't, though the luck was nice," he said with a wink.
"Yes, it was," I answered as Elladan and Elrohir looked at us completely confused.
Walking back was a wretched experience; my gown was soaked through, heavy to begin with it now felt about fifty times heavier. Elladan and Elrohir were once again bounding ahead, no doubt trying to come up with something else equally as thrilling to do. Estel was still scowling. "Oh come on, it honestly wasn't that bad," I said. "At least your clothes aren't heavy."
"True," he responded shortly.
The day was reaching its hottest point and I groaned, "This is miserable, my clothes are sticking to me, I can't walk."
"I'm afraid I can't help you there," his scowl was lightening a bit.
"No…you can't…" but I could help myself…hmm… "Turn around," I said suddenly.
"What?"
"Please turn around?" I asked sweetly, with a suspicious look he turned and after a moment of thought I managed to loosen the ties on my dress and wiggle out of it, left only in my shift. Much better.
"All right," I said and he turned then shaded his eyes.
"Please Arwen…" he said softly.
"It's all right, I'm still clothed."
"But not properly."
"Ada will never know, besides, it feels good to be free of it," I gathered the sopping garments into my arms, "Come on," laughing I took off running, grinning further as he sprinted in pursuit.
"You can't escape that easily," he cried and with a bound knocked into me sending us sprawling into the grass. We both lay in a fit of laughter, and I rolled over until my head rested on his stomach, wet hair splayed all over him.
"Estel…"
"Hmm?"
"This is wrong…" I said quietly.
"It is…"
"Ada would forbid us from seeing each other if he knew…"
"He would."
"I do not want that."
"Neither do I," he stroked my hair back and smiled sadly.
Both of us sat up, I stood first and I pulled my dress back on and Estel tied it in the back. Slowly we made our way back to the house of my father, neither of us saying anything.
Whew, ok, not as long as my other ones but my brother's giving me evil glares because he wants to use the computer…so I have to cut this shorter then I'd like but I wanted to get in an update today.
Next chapter should be happier than this...then it gets serious...and then happy again...you'll see :-)
LadyAlyafaelyn Sorry about the wait! Thanks for reminding me to update and thanks also for loving my story despite my slacking.
Thank you to everyone else who reviewed!
