Chapter 10

As it is told in any kingdom that a ruler must have the correct political grace and manners to be appease any race or creed and they would have to be able to reach each person quite personally by keeping with their traditions and habits they were used to having. That was why Aragorn rode next to Arri telling her of the customs and traditions and asking her questions about what she knew and what he had explain to be quite sure she understood, wars started over less. Gandalf and Aine watched the others as they spoke quietly of thing to come as if they were the only that truly had an idea of the events to come. Gimli and Legolas continued their conversation as two long lost friends should but even as Arwen and Eosin listened to the duo as they rode taking in the sometimes comical comments between Legolas and Gimli.

Legolas gave in to his curiosity finally and looked at Gimli carefully, "How have you heard of Aine?"

Gimli grunted considering what Aragorn had told him, 'she was hidden from the elves.' Gimli cleared his throat feeling quite haughty much to his own amusement but his words were evenly said, "how is it you don't?"

Legolas watched Gimli carefully for answers since he did not want to offer them so easily and felt it was a bit of sport for the dwarf now , "she was kept anonymous for Arri's sake."

"So your Lady is to be some sort of queen?" Gimli asked callously but not realizing the gravity of the subject. From under his helmet he looked at her carefully as she spoke intently with Aragorn almost away from the rest of them.

"All is not decided," Legolas grit his teeth together thinking of it. The topic was not one of his choice but Gimli was a friend and spoke without intentional malice but it bothered him more to know he could tease him about Arri.

Gimli knew how to keep Legolas on edge without knowing it then after a bit of thought he suddenly spoke again , "but this crown is human?"

"Did you come with us to disturb me?" Legolas stared half joking.

"You're lucky to have me," Gimli groaned still oblivious to the troublesome woe that was upon the elves. "First I traveled to Rivendell after our burial," he paused thinking of the friends and family lost then cleared his throat loudly, "to find you were on some quest and had to stop two hobbits from coming with me."

"Frodo and Sam?" Legolas smiled at the mention of his hobbit friends and truly they had grown so close during the fellowship that the mere mention of their names drew a smile.

Eosin exhaled loudly from behind them watching Gimli as a true enigma. Perchance it was his lack of experience with dwarves or that he found Gimli's smell and loud ranting annoying but he found it hard that such a being would have such high honor, or to be so brave, "He traveled with the fellowship?" He asked Arwen with his mind holding many more questions passed that one.

"Yes, yes I did," Gimli answered quickly seeming not to care who asked it.

"Why did you not allow the hobbits to accompany you?" Eosin cocked his head in wonder. He had met the hobbits and found them very intriguing. Eosin found them easier to deal with than Gimli but he found him a curious creature, indeed. Gimli had garments and armor that seemed stained and well worn and atop of his wired red hair was a helmet, that seemed not to be needed as the heat of the day approached. To Eosin, it might have been his helmet that made him appear so comical to him because of how his hair frayed out from under but most off the bridge of metal that came down his nose seemed to be a bit crocked causing Gimli to peer around it, the effect drawn would be his eyes seemed to cross. Still, Eosin made no mention aloud of it to keeping his manners and refrained from fanning the trailing stench of Gimli from his nose, he simply endured.

"They have been through much," Legolas mumbled thinking again of Helm's Deep and Mount Doom not mentioning Gollum or the silent torment.

"Hobbits are timid creatures," Gimli bellowed. "We also might spend much of the time stopping so they could eat." He added with a chuckle thinking of all the meals.

"Timid?" Legolas raised an eyebrow in challenge, "Due to their height?" He had found them stronger than some humans especially to resist the ring and true enough friends.

Arwen laughed a little, "Was it not that Sam was taller than Gimli?" She could not help a little jest as she listened.

Gimli sat straighter now, "Of course not!" He huffed. "They were but wee creatures," he cleared his throat trying to regain his composure now, "almost defenseless."

Legolas covered a smile as Gimli went on mindlessly over the difference between hobbit and dwarf now as if to show how dwarves were superior in fighting and battle but how hobbits were revered as steady, stable and ancient people.

Eosin turned to Legolas as Gimli seemed to mutter to himself, "tales of Fellowship will turn to legend." Silently he had wished he could have been a part of it but the errand had come while he was held into his promise.

Arwen noticed Legolas's far away look, "Legends do not come easy." She assured Eosin.

Eosin looked to Arri laughing next to Aragorn, "That is what I fear," and he did with every other thought he had, feeling the dread growing closer with each hoof falling.

Legolas caught their conversation and gazed behind to Eosin to see his gaze at Arri, almost worried but longing. Silent wonder arose again about his intention with his beloved and exactly how he would fulfill this obligation, after Aine had taken it from him.

Gimli stopped muttering and chuckled watching Legolas and how intent he was when it came to the she-elf, "good to see you have a weakness."

Legolas squinted never once thinking of himself as weak, "weakness?"

Gimli scoffed, "your female, she is your weakness now." Gimli watched Legolas consider his words, "be no mistake a female should be at home where she is safe."

Arwen was taken back at Gimli's loud proclamation and wondered if he forgot Arri was an elf and descended from Aine, "Arri can care for herself."

Legolas agreed with Arwen silently remembering her near poetic battle with the orcs and how she had seemed to fly about the orcs and never being where their swords were. She had done quite well even with a sword she had never held from a great heft and only seemed to fall injury with great distraction, she would require further training to prevent distraction again.

Eosin spoke up holding his head up high and it was a clear pride, leaving them to guess he had a part in training her, "After an orc sword, your axe would be a task for her."

"Orc?" Gimli repeated but they could see Aragorn stopping their horses in the front as he reached to Arri who slumped a bit in her saddle and with a worried look he had a hand to her as if to steady her.

Gimli grunted seeing Aragorn helping Arri now, "like I said." He pointed to Arri as Legolas jumped from his horse with no effort and kept time with the horses easily.

Legolas looked at him pointedly, "she was injured by a poisoned Orc blade." Then sprinted to be by her side in Aragorn's stead and leaving Gimli with his mouth agape again.

"Orc?" Gimli echoed again looking about for immediate answer. "When did you see Orcs?"

Arwen and Eosin dismounted quickly repeating the same fluid gesture Legolas had to touch the ground and both watched Arri fall into Legolas's arms from her horse as a rag doll would, she had found her limit for the day.

Aragorn met them with a sigh taking in their surroundings of where they had stopped, "we need to make camp."

Gimli looked at Gandalf and Aine as they joined, "it has only been a day." He was used to going much further and began to fuss under his breath about having females along, then he thought of Aine and dismissed the thought.

"Arri travels with an injury," Gandalf had his staff as if a walking stick making his way passed and began to wander looking for an open place for encampment.

Aragorn nodded, "she stopped talking and began to fall." This was not something he was used to and had never heard of it any peredhil and only an elf on a rare occasion whereas they were medicated or had fallen victim of a vintage from Thranduil's grand wine cellars.

Aine thought of this as it had been with Livian and sighed, "she needs rest." She looked on to Gandalf to assist him but heard the dwarf grumbling again and watched him with her eyes only. Again he was watching her very intent and she was certain it was because of her past with the dwarves and when his attention was upon Legolas she stole away to follow Gandalf up.

Gimli grumped off of his horse as he watched Legolas carrying Arri on the sleeping area they had had began to lay out. "An elf that needs rest?" He complained as he marched to Legolas and Arri. He needed to run to catch Legolas' walk but reached his side as Legolas began to look at her injury and in time to see the gash she carried. Gimli gasped at the sight of it and Legolas turned to him with eyes that showed a bit of offense. "It hasn't healed and she rides?" He asked trying to understand the elf Legolas seemed to be mated.

"It looks better," Legolas said absentmindedly letting the air touch the wound silently.

"Better than what?" Gimli scoffed straining to see past Legolas now.

Legolas slid the cover over her again forgetting Gimli's rough nature, "I prefer to be alone with her." He simply lowering his eyes hoping his old friend would understand and one day when he took to a female he felt he might.

Gimli sighed and stormed off as Arwen moved to Legolas offering help with Arri and Gimli scoffed seeing Legolas easily show her the injury for consultation.

"Rest while you can Gimli," Aragorn caught the dwarve's attention but was busying himself with the camp. "Eosin, Legolas, Arwen and Aine do not sleep so we may rest assured."

Gimli was reminded of Arri's want for rest, "Does she always sleep?"

"She carries a human lineage," Aragorn gave a sigh feeling it really was not his place to speak of her so, "I am not her betrothed do not know her sleeping habits but she does sleep."

"What have I got myself into?" Gimli complained to the sky in jest as he began to set up for his own things to rest.

Arwen finished happy with how Arri's wound was healing and gentle eyes looked to her friend as they finished covering, "It should be a memory soon." She touched Legolas's arm lightly to reassure him. She saw him give a slight nod and find his place next to her and she smiled, "you will keep her company?"

Legolas looked at her and agreed but he was still trying to understand her himself, "Her sleep is not like a humans." He remembered Arri saying she could not respond but only listen.

Arwen touched his shoulder kindly and moved off to give them privacy. She sat next to Aragorn and Eosin who had started a small fire for warmth to the sleeping and detour any animals. As she sat by the others looked over to Legolas who still sat by Arri and they watched him attend to her by brushing the hair from her eyes or smoothing wrinkles and he began to get comfortable next to her to let his warmth and presence wash over her.

"He is honorable," they heard Aine from behind them and she stood next to them. It was easy to see she was please by his actions and that they would seem to bond.

Aragorn nodded with a smile as he watched Legolas again. Far and wide Legolas was renown as fierce of a fighter Legolas as well as force to be reckoned with but here it seemed they began know of the gentle side the elf had and demonstrated when he was with Arri more than the fellowship, even the ever-loving hobbits. Aragorn looked on as he placed his bow just above Arri's head and entwined his fingers with hers as she lay there very still as she did when she was first hurt. Legolas's face reflected the worry for the female he cared for

"You are the man from Rivendell," Aine looked at Aragorn whose attention had been on Legolas but he turned with a wry grin, "you are an illusion." She knew full well who he was and thought to bring him words of comfort knowing he might feel quite judged as they approached the kingdom of men and loathsome feelings they held for Elven kind.

Aragorn furrowed his brow intrigued by the lady, "how so?"

"A Man of birth but an elf of upbringing," She looked at Arri. "As of yet, I cannot say I have beheld you as a man, your actions are far more noble."

Arwen listened and had to agree silently but she understood what Aine meant, most looked at Aragorn as a simple man because like men he would become disheveled he had not the years elves had to perfect but he had the respect of many because he been lived with elves, his mannerism was more of an elf. He was not as callous or cruel as most men could be and she was thankful for that.

Aragorn nodded, "the same could be said for Arri," he smiled. "She is elven but by her actions at time I would think she was human."

Aine nodded as Gandalf agreed standing above them, "Arri and Aragorn, human and elf and enough of each that they might bring peace to kingdoms of men." Bringing out his pipe now he thought of how they helped the men as if to teach them final lessons knowing the time of men was but at it's dawn

Aragorn nodded hoping he was right and they would not disregard him because he had the respect of the elves but the day's toll was falling over him slowly now.

Arwen touched his hand lightly, "rest, Arri is nearly healed and the journey should go faster."

Eosin agreed, "Sleep, you will be safe." He reached to his bag and found the lemba's He bought one out for Aragorn first and then handed them to the others as well.

Aragorn felt a little fatigued and settled in to take advantage of the stop. He would have to talk himself to sleep now that he was used to going farther and harder without as much sleep but Arwen's hand gently stroking his temple as he lay there had him sleeping quickly.

Aine stood stretching as she did and looked at the motley crew. Several elves a human, a wizard and a dwarf and they were the ones to attempt peace among narrow minded men. It worried her as she grabbed her own bow and keeping her thoughts to herself.

Eosin and Legolas were both on feet seeing her ready to hunt.

"I will hunt," Eosin said quickly finding his own bow from his place

Aine looked at Legolas as if a teacher to dismiss a pupil, "I will go with him, Legolas," she looked between him and Arri with smile playing at her lips, "You have your own duty." She disappeared with out waiting for any argument and it was Legolas settled back down to Arri noticing she had not moved at all but her face felt cold. Quickly settling in and gathering her closer to her to keep her warm.

Arwen watched Aragorn give in to his sleep and finally lay next to him awake with her sword near.

Gimli sat as Gandalf puffed his pipe, "these elves." Gimli grunted.

"They feel the same thing I do, son of Gloin," Gandalf kept a vacant stare at his smoke rings as they silently drifted above and fell in with the smoke of the fire.

"Feel what?" Gimli stared at the wizard.

"A threat."

Legolas and Arwen listened closely and Legolas nodded moving under the cover with Arri and pulling her closer to keep her warm. Propping his head on his elbow to listen to Gandalf but under the cover his other hand entwined Arri's fingers as he massaged her hand slowly.

Gandalf's gaze seemed to become hallowed at the other two elves knowing their eyes were on him too but he soon felt a cold draft explaining his deadpan stare. "Wizardy is a foot."

Arwen gasped as she looked to the sky and the tiny, white flakes of snow sparkled at them then began to fall gently to the ground around them and she looked to the others as it they had been attacked by an army, "It is not nature."

"Snow?" Gimli grunted. "Is it time for snow here?"

"No," Legolas said up quickly on guard. "This is by magic."

The flakes fell faster and heavier on them and he looked on as they fell over Aragorn and Arri wetting there hair and causing them to flinch as the sparkling ice melted on their skin. He felt her shiver a bit as the snow began to cool the ground slowly under their blankets then Legolas jumped from Arri's side, "they will need a shelter."

Arwen stopped her task of drying Aragorn's face and got to her feet as well, "Gimli might you find wood to keep the fire going?" She knew he would not be a sure footed as the elves and there were enough tasks now with the snow but hoped it to stop hearing Gandalf's gentle chanting.

Gimli grunted staring at the snow hatefully as Arwen and Legolas gathered materials to make a shelter. Gandalf began chanting louder now in hoping to keep them from harm.

Aine and Eosin felt something awry and both stopped at the same time nearly expecting to be flanked until they could see the the tiny icy fractals fall around them with a cautious eye and they both felt the threat.

"Snow to slow our journey?" Eosin knelt down to touch it as if to question it's authenticity then sighed as it became heavier.

"Yes," she said sadly remembering the time she had spent in the kingdom. "I gather Loredell's wizard."

"They know we approach," Eosin watched the ground that was now covered and knew their advance was not wanted now.

"Yes, the threat grows," she had gathered what vegetation that she could and slipped it to the large satchel she carried. Bows were set upon their shoulders knowing anything worth hunting would take shelter as well and with the bit of food they found they made their way back to the camp.

Curiously they found Legolas in the trees above making a shelter from fallen branches. He must have been at it a while because it not only serviced well already keeping their small camp dry but as it hung there with swooping touches shimmering and sparkling with the gathered snow over it, yet stood proud as if to speak of the expert hand that had created it. It was quite well done and they thought it could work for far longer than intended but he was not finished. As Aine surveyed his work she felt it was because he was very agile and that he had such speed and perfect hand. Truly he seemed more spry and nimble than most elves she had known, even the elves that dwell in talons would feel rivaled by this Mirkwood Prince. She found Evenstar's beauty and resourcefulness greatly spoke of her Rivendell heritage and it was not exaggerated a bit.

Gimli seemed at awe but amused with Legolas' work and cross his arms and settled back on his blankets, "Shall you make walls too?" Gimli grunted, "or a door?" They he started into a laugh, "I am sure you could make some fine windows."

Legolas dove from the trees happy with the shelter he had put above them but now taken with the jest about it, he would not admit he thought of walls, "windows?" He tilted his head at the dwarf. "Never had I known those who grew up in caves knew of windows."

Arwen had built up the ground to keep the air and snow off of them but they could still peer out and keep watch between the ground and top, "we will not be long enough to need walls."

Gandalf sighed watching the snow slow down finally and listening to them bantering and building but to the old wizard he had to wonder what stopped the snow, his enchantments or had the other wizard heard the bickering and grew tired. He rolled his eyes upward with tired eyes now and his weary body began bring thoughts of rest.

Somewhere in the limbo of sleep, Arri did not hear voices and opened her eyes slowly to see Legolas staring at her intently. "Do you feel better?" His voice the first thing she would hear and his face all she could see brought a smile overcoming her yawning, how easily he made her heart wake.

Nodding to him she looked about the camp they had made to see Gimli, Gandalf and Aragorn sleeping. Arwen lay next to Aragorn as Eosin and Aine remained by the fire talking softly. "Snow?" Arri whispered and moved closer to Legolas under the cover for warmth. She felt his hands moved down her side and his breathing became ragged. She moved to him and was surprised at the lack of pains now and as she wrapped her arms around him in a hug she felt nothing but bliss.

She sighed knowing Aine and Eosin sat near by and noticed each move and whisper but Legolas seemed on not to care and he let his hands dance under the covers taking her hand in his tightly. Shaking his head he seemed to fall out a spell quickly and sighed to attend to her, "may I see your wound"

Obliging him she sat a bit and lifted the back of her clothing as he inspected her, "it does not hurt," she offered.

"It has closed but there is a scar," he sighed touching it lightly wishing it would not be a reminder of the orcs, and the feeling he had failed to protect her

Turning to him and smiled but found his mouth on hers lightly and he broke away from her quickly, "you should have been safe." Thinking to what Gimli had gone on about earlier, she was like a treasure to him and people did not travel with treasures but to be parted would be losing part of himself now.

She touched his lips with her own softly as he sat up, "I am fine." She smiled at him, "I will be able to travel longer now."

Aine's voice caught them, "eat while you can." Eosin kept his gaze on the fire not wanting to look at their closeness as they both moved towards them and the fire.

Aine smiled at Arri watching her very carefully, "You sleep but do not require as much as a human?" Arri nodded biting into the Lembas from Mirkwood and quickly forgetting how they could fill an elf. Aine watched Legolas as he rarely took his eyes off Arri and at Arri's shy glances to him from the corner of her eye. She knew of a young male's heart and was sure they needed to be alone for a while. If they were not bound then she was certain they would be soon, "You are stronger?" She asked Arri keeping her under scrutiny.

"Yes," Arri smiled happy to feel up to her full strength now. Everything seemed new once she slept.

"Eosin and I found fruit beyond those trees," Aine pointed to the distance. "More would be nice."

They caught on right away and Legolas pulled Arri to her feet and kept hand in hand as the made way up the embankments Arwen had made and made their way across the snow as swiftly as a deer.

Eosin rolled his eyes as they left and felt quite dismal. "Should you encourage them?" He pushed at the fire grumpily. "Chances are they can not stay together."

"I will encourage love," Aine chuckled. "Eosin would you complain if Arri chose you?"

When he looked away and Arwen smiled to herself pretending not to notice the conversation and letting her eyes dance over Aragorn's face, each time she looked at him seemed the first.

Roaming the now frozen grounds, Arri and Legolas made their way on top of the snow despite the depth of it and without leaving a single mark or footprint. Occasionally they left a mark that would have been mistaken for an animal or a bird but it was not from feet but snow that had not held on a branch. Arri sighed with a laugh she continued to look for what Aine spoke of, "By now I feel the snow causes us to stand over it."

Legolas pointed when spied a crevice of an opening to the mountain and lead her to it, "I suppose we were obvious to Aine?" He had thought back to the few kissed they shared but both kept their heads and had they been home he was sure they would know one another from top to bottom by now. Arri blushed as he swept her in his arm with hearts aching for one another and ran to the opening. He placed her down gently and removed his cloak smoothing it on the dirt floor as he knelt he pulled her to him.

Neither a fool and they both knew where this would lead when they kissed each other lovingly and slowly. "Arri are you sure?" he said disentangling himself from his shirt. She nodded quickly and was certain her eyes were twinkling with such intensity they could be called sparks. "Then there is one thing I must ask of you."

She focused on him as she let her fingers brush his naked chest. "What?" She felt his hand holding hers and his eyes became serious. "I will not make love to you again," he said slowly, "unless we are officially betrothed." She looked at him confused. "I want no other." He said simply hoping she could see passed the haze she seemed to be in.

She smiled as she exhaled not knowing she had been holding her breath. She pushed him back so she was laying on him and brought her face to his until they were nose to nose, "I only want you too." She let her fingers explore his chest again. "I would love that." She became bold and kissed his face, head, tip of nose and slowly to his mouth until he stopped her.

Whimsical nature is something he loved about her but right now he felt serious and gave her a sidelong look and smiled rolling her over to her back so she could not begin kissing him so easily, "no my love." He smiled kissing her nose and his hand touched her abdomen as if to ask a silent question and then pinned her hands above her head. "Tell me first." He gave her a taunted kiss her as part of his mouth curled playfully.

Her mind raced knowing what he wanted and how serious it was, "I will be your betrothed and I want nothing more." Then he let her hands go and removed the princely ornament around his neck and gently placed it around Arri's. "I want to bind to you in every way now human, Elven..." She reached up and kissed him sweetly as he stroked her hair.

She heard him chuckle seeing her blush and felt his hand on his her chin tilting her up to meet his lips. She raised on her knees and moved closer to him then she was lost in his eyes and touched the necklace he had put on her neck.

"Father said human vows are different," she sighed looking at the exclamation of his love. "To have and to hold until death do us part." She bit her lip wondering if it would mean to him as it had to her, the same vow her mother had asked of him. Careful she repeated it and removed the emblem she had worn around her neck as long as she could remember and slowly placed it over his head. Watching him smile as he moved his hair so it fell around his neck well she felt completely red now

"Nearly as lovely as you are," he said as he began to kiss her neck lightly, "if you wish, I shall take human vows as well as Elven."

Her eyes open wider and she nodded, "I would for my mother's memory." Finger brushed his cheek as he pulled away slowly and then touched his hair and neck breathless at the sight his strong body and profile. He leaned forward to her until she was bent completely against the ground and he kissed her again as she wrapped her arms around his neck. In the gentle shadows of this wilderness was the male elf's proclamation, "I love you, Arri... I always have. I will never love another after you." She could hardly breathe with the deep of emotion she felt at the moment. "My one and only, I will always love only you..." Her words were beyond verbalizing and she fell short to explain the depth to this marvelous male instead they both became swept away quickly.

Time passed, although it was hard to know if it had been minutes or hours and he found her cuddled and resting slightly on his chest happier than either had ever been. To make love had never been been so meaningful nor as beautiful and could never feel what he did before Arri but he was sue he knew a few maidens that might argue that fact. Now as his mate they knew that Elves and men would be hard pressed to separate them for to do so might mean they fade. Sweet touches along her face trying to verbalize the overpowering emotions did nothing to explain this heart still beating as madly as the first time he had seen her in the window or the degree of love he felt as he stared into her eyes. She moved now reaching to her feet and pulled her cloak over them now feeling the snow from outside and cuddled to him as he kept his stare on her propped slightly on his elbow. He kissed her head as she rested her head back on his chest and hugged her tightly and let his fingers tickle her back lightly. He smiled as he pulled her back to look into her eyes touching her lips with his thumb softly, "until death do us part, my love." He watched her fingers graze the necklace and she smiled back at him as they lay there but neither with the will to disentangle from one another.