I'm not going to make up exscuses for the wait, here's the next chapter :D

Disclaimer: Nope…don't own Lord of the Rings or the characters or anything…

They were gone. The days passed slowly, my father allowing me to do as I pleased. I wandered with no purpose and sat in the library to read. Anything to take my mind off of the absence of Estel and my brothers…and to take my mind off of the battles they were facing. I knew that warfare was a part of life…I myself had been trained to partake in. Although my training had been purely for ceremonial and the upholding of traditions I nonetheless knew that their leaving had been inevitable.

As the days passed into weeks my father decided to put an end to my miserable sulking. Heavy silks draped around me and I grimly adjusted my sash. I peered at my reflection and for a moment I did not recognize myself. Gone were the simple gowns and tumbling hair. My tresses had been combed and carefully pinned up; deep blue silk billowed around me, my waist pulled tight with a silver sash. I tugged at it in an attempt to loosen it but Alatriel only slapped my hand away. She saw how I looked at her simple cream robes with longing and gave me a sympathetic look.

"Do not worry Arwen, it is only for the time being. Once you meet your father's approval you are free to go back to your own choice of dress. He just wishes to make sure that you have the proper training."

"Training for what?" I asked miserably.

She shook her head, "Arwen…you know that your father is lord of Rivendell…you are his daughter…therefore you must—"

"I understand," I sighed with exasperation. It really was unfair; other female elves were able to run around with bows and daggers…not me however. No…I was to be master of embroidery or…or poetry reading…no…make that master of ornamentation. That was basically what I became, an ornament. At dinner he had me sit beside him, back straight, eyes lowered demurely. During a meeting he would allow me to join him, as long as I kept silent and did not meet the eyes of the others. Occasionally he allowed me on hunts, only if I sat on my horse and looked beautiful.

It was at night that I was able to escape. Letting my hair free I changed into a pale gown made from the lightest of materials. The skirt drifted around my feet as I walked through the forests, my thoughts on Estel or my brothers. How I missed them…I missed their rowdy voices, their seeming reluctance to allow me to join them. I missed Estel's piercing yet gentle eyes and the warmth of his arms around me. I shivered, the nights were growing colder and colder.

Soon I could no longer wander under the moonlight as the frost began to cover the ground and I took to wandering the halls. It was during one of these moments that I encountered Amras.

I tried to go backwards and somehow turn at the same time…it seems that you can not actually do that and I ended up tripping over my feet. He had not seen me previously but the crash as I landed on the ground gave my position away.

"Milady," he walked swiftly over and held out a hand. I ignored it and stood on my own, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"What are you doing up?" I asked, perhaps he would say he was just heading to bed and then I could say the same and then I would not have to speak with him. Of course nothing that I ever wanted happened.

"I could not sleep, so I took a walk," he replied softly, his grey eyes searching mine.

I glanced down quickly wondering what he would find in them. Sadness? Longing for a mortal man?

"What of you lady?" he asked, regarding me in a way that unnerved me. Even with my love for Estel there was something about Amras that…that I found I was attracted to.

"I was erm…just going…yes…to my room…which is ah…I seem to be going the wrong direction," I stammered then turned and hurried off, cursing myself for my rudeness and inability to speak. No doubt he was beginning to wonder why he had ever idolized me.

Back in my room I sat by the window, gazing out at what I could make out of the waterfalls. Everything seemed so different now, or maybe it was only me. Suddenly I felt the need to become myself again, the way that I was before I had met Estel…before they had left…before I had gone to Lothlorien. That was the real me, the one that father and my grandmother had tried to mold into something else. With a smile I returned to my bed, tomorrow would certainly be interesting. My brothers my have been gone…but that did not mean I could not have my own fun…

"Lady!" Alatriel was staring at me in horror. "The lord Elrond will be most upset…"

That was what I was hoping for…excellent.

"What? What is wrong?" I asked innocently. Straightening my breeches I then tugged on my plain green tunic and adjusted my sword belt. All the while Alatriel's eyes grew wider and wider.

"Arwen…is this really necessary? A few more weeks and your father would let you go back to whatever you choose…"

Admittedly this was going a bit far, elf maiden's wearing men's breeches was generally frowned upon…but I was tired of all the heavy dresses adorned with gold or silver brocade and having my hair combed and braided or coiled. Today it was free around my face and down my back. I grinned at my maid, "What do you think?" I turned in a circle.

"As I said before…your father is going to be most unhappy."

"Good." I decided to see how long it would take before my father sent for me so I did something that I had not done in a while.

Holding the sword in my hand I swung it lightly getting a feel for it. Amras was gazing at me uncertainly, "Lady Arwen, are you sure about this?" he asked.

"Of course," I felt my hands clench slightly, just because I was female and albeit the pampered daughter of the lord of Rivendell he believed I was weak. Which gave me a wonderful opportunity to strike.

I felt my arm just slightly as my blade connected with his; I could tell he was trying to be gentle. That would not do. I struck again and he parried but he was not prepared for the force I used and stumbled backwards. Catching himself, I saw his eyes narrow, he knew now that I was worthier opponent than he had initially believed. We had drawn a crowd by this time and I smiled, all the better. The sound of our swords clashing rang out, I was quick but he managed to keep up with my. Finally I managed to gain the upper and seeing an opportunity I took it, bringing my sword up with as much force as I possibly could I watched in triumph as his flew into the air landing a few feet away. Before he could react I held my sword to his throat.

"Arwen, come now, that was enough practice for one day," my father stalked over to me, and took me by the arm. I knew that he would not show his anger in front of everyone, once we were in his office however he turned on me, eyes flashing. "What are you wearing?"

I looked up at him, making my eyes as large and innocent as I could, "Clothes, Ada…I only wanted a bit of practice…"

"Perhaps, but next time Arwen…I would advise that you chose an outfit that was not so loose," with that he stood up and with one last angry sigh walked out slamming the door.

Biting my lip I looked down, apparently the shirt I wore under the tunic was too loose as was the tunic for they had slipped down exposing much more skin than was decent. I looked like a bar wench…with a small frustrated scream I knocked a stack of parchment off of his carven desk. He had not even been angry about my behavior…or the fact I was dressed in pants rather than a dress…no…he had been angry about the fact his daughter had looked like a harlot which was of course to be expected.

I looked down at the papers now strewn all over and bent down to pick them up. Knowing that I should not look through them I could not help myself. I was so angry at myself that I just wanted to do something well…bad. Flipping through them I found nothing interesting at first, I looked at the door to make sure it was still closed. I knew he would not come back for a while but I was still nervous. As a bird flew by the window I jumped up, hastily putting the papers down before I realized what the noise was.

Picking them up again I found food inventory, weapon inventory, and herbal inventory, nothing remotely appealing to my curiosity. I flung them down again and watched as a few fluttered off the desk to the floor. Grumbling I reached down to pick them up, I recognized the spidery scrawl. Knowing I should put it down my anger still flared and I began reading.

Master Elrond,

I have not yet told my order of the news…I believe it wise to keep it a secret from them. Only when he is ready should the truth be revealed. Until then I believe that we should go by his example and keep it silent. It could be dangerous for him if those other than the Dunedein and the elves know of his true identity

I will be coming to Rivendell in the immediate near future and I bring with me one who has not been there for quite sometime. I do believe he mentioned something about sweet scented bathes and women's garments…I am assuming this has something to do with Elladan and Elrohir. Perhaps you can enlighten me on it; you know how much I appreciate a good story.

I arrive soon my old friend.

Mithrandir

So the old wizard was coming and it looked like Legolas as well. Finally there would be something to look forward too…but what had Mithrandir been talking about in the beginning? Who was it that was concealing their identity…someone important from the sound of it. I remembered the book with the whole in it that Estel had been reading…there was talk of the Dunedein in it. Was it a coincidence or perhaps Estel was informed of the secret, maybe that was what he had been hiding from me. He knew something that only my father and Gandalf knew. But what was it?

As my anger abated I realized that it was time for me to leave unless I wanted my father to come back and find me shuffling through his things. Carefully I put everything back in its place and made my way back to my room to change…it turned out breeches were not as comfortable as I had imagined…

My father did not speak to me again about the clothing incident and I decided that perhaps I should be a bit more complacent for the next few days. I looked forward to the arrival of the wizard and Legolas I was quite fond of Mithrandir, he seemed to make everything better. It had been quite some time since I had seen Legolas and I was looking forward to speaking to him as well. To bad my brothers were not here to pull another prank on him…then again…perhaps I could take things into my own hands…

The day they arrived my father ordered Alatriel to set out my best dress. It was time to put my training to the test. Dutifully I allowed Alatriel to dress me; she tied my dress as tight as she could. It was red of a rose as the sun was setting, a dark hue that was almost purple. She then combed and intricately braided my hair and put it up. After she was done I went to greet our guests. I could feel my long dress dragging on the ground, diamonds had been sewn into the bodice and they sparkled in the sunlight as I approached my father. He was standing by two people, one tall with a pointed grey hat and long beard. The other was obviously an elf of high standing; his handsome face had a regal air to it.

I approached slowly; when I reached them I bowed as low as I could and greeted them. Both of them bowed back and said their greetings. My father looked at me pleased; apparently my hospitality had been to his liking.

"Arwen, it has been a while since I last saw you. How was your time in the golden wood?" Mithrandir's voice was deep and comforting.

"It was lovely," I replied with a demure smile.

Legolas looked like he was about to begin laughing and I wondered what it was I had done. I could think of nothing, besides…I would be the one laughing later.

Yes I know another short chapter but at least I'm updating…right? Thanks for all the reviews of the previous chapter!

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