New chapter all :) Thanks again to Certh! Enjoy

Arwen sat peacefully on a marble bench in the sunshine. The birds sang a cheerful tune as they flew past, and the rush of water from the river could be heard. Her tranquillity however was soon disrupted by a shadow which covered her face in a cool dark. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked up at her father, quickly deducing from his expression that something was wrong. Her eyes followed him as he sat beside her on the bench. He placed his hand on the one that lay on the seat.

'Arya has found out that you and Aragorn are her parents,' he said with little delay.

Arwen looked Elrond straight in the face, but her response surprised him.

'I am glad she knows,' she nodded. 'Though, I wish I could have told her myself. How did she come to find this?'

'The mirror,' replied Elrond.

'The mirror?' repeated Arwen questioningly. 'I thought she was to be kept away from it?'

'She had been,' said her father with a hint of disappointment. 'Until now. She was very upset to find out the truth.'

'Did Galadriel explain why? Does she understand?' asked Arwen, concerned for her child.

'The feelings she bears are still raw; she will need time to settle. Her human side shows very strong emotions in her. They may not be fully tamed.'

'Nor would I have them be,' said Arwen proudly.

'Arwen, she must make her choice. To become immortal or human. It is hard to say which she will choose,' said Elrond. 'She has accepted a proposition of marriage.'

Arwen looked stunned. 'Marriage?' She didn't even know her daughter had someone she loved. 'To whom?'

'That is the problem,' said Elrond harshly. 'Haldir, the March-warden.'

'Why is that a problem?' asked Arwen, confused.

'Haldir is an Elf of great skill; he is a good Elf. Yet he does not come from a family of equal standing. Arya could one day become Queen. Haldir will hold her back from this. The people of Gondor know nothing of him. They need a figure they can recognise.'

'Arya can marry whomever she pleases,' said Arwen in disbelief. 'She is marrying Haldir which suggests she will choose immortality. Besides, Aragorn is little known to be King.'

'I am not so sure you can make that assumption,' spoke Elrond.

Arya prepared herself to see the Fellowship off. She was disappointed she couldn't journey with them to the end of their mission but she knew her place for the time being was in Lorien. Her home needed protection from the multiplying Orcs that were spotted daily marching through the woods.

She chose a long dark grey dress which cascaded down her body like the elegant flow of a waterfall, wearing no jewellery except the silver band placed delicately on her right index finger. She hoped her father would not notice this new addition bejewelling her hand. She believed now was not the time to discuss her and Haldir's recent betrothal. The traditional feast to announce the engagement to the Elven community would have to be postponed until the Ring was destroyed… if the Ring was destroyed.

Haldir smiled at the sight of her walking towards him, the bottom of her dress dancing in the soft breeze. She looked beautiful and to his eyes, in her own slightly rustic way, she almost matched the beauty of Galadriel. But not quite yet; she still attained her slightly awkward human qualities which set her apart from the Elves. Haldir would have her no other way though. She gave a beaming smile when she greeted her love.

He looked at her in awe, smiling at his future wife. 'I am glad you have decided to attend,' he said.

'The Hobbits would never forgive me if I did not say my farewells to them,' responded Arya with a slight sorrow.

'Do not worry, Arya, they shall be well looked after,' said Haldir optimistically.

'I hope you are right, Haldir. To lose one of them would be a great hardship. I have grown very fond of them.'

They both turned and walked hand in hand where Haldir was stationed. Each member of the Fellowship was to receive a gift as well as a cloak. Haldir was to give Legolas his. Arya was asked to give Aragorn his but she declined the offer; she did not want to be any closer to her father than she needed to be.

After the ceremony of gifts the Fellowship were to prepare the boats and take their leave.

'Arya, you must see Aragorn,' assured Haldir. 'I know it is hard, but you may never see him again. If you do not, you shall regret it.'

'No, Haldir, I cannot,' refused Arya. 'I do not think I shall ever want to see him again.'

'I know you do not mean that,' spoke Haldir with impatience. 'Do not act like a child. The footsteps on that path are behind you; you have a father Arya, and a mother also. You are the most precious thing to them; you know this was for your protection. Forgive him, Arya, for he was only doing right by you.'

'I know, Haldir. But I can not forget so easily. I understand why he did it. But I believe there had to have been another way. One that did not involve our separation.'

Haldir looked at her sternly. She was no longer a child; she could make her won decisions. The only negative to their new relationship was that he could not tell her what to do, unless they were in the presence of the Galadhrim, where his words were final. There was no way for him to persuade her. He turned and walked away.

'Haldir!' she called after him.

'Grow up, Arya, right the wrong that had been done,' he called back, still with his head turned.

'Where are you going?'

'To bid my farewell to Aragorn and to see the Fellowship depart.'

He marched away to where Aragorn stood.

'Aragorn,' Haldir said. 'Arya is not coming.'

'I did not expect her to,' replied Aragorn with a hint of disappointment.

'I am sorry. I tried my best to persuade her but-'

'Do not worry, Haldir. I understand why she is upset. I can only hope in time she can forgive me,' he smiled sadly. 'I must aid in the preparations for our departure. Thank you, Haldir, for loving my daughter and being there for her when I could not.'

Aragorn bowed his head to the March-warden and walked away to his fellow companions. Haldir watched him leave and turned his attentions to bidding the Fellowship farewell.

'Good-bye, Arya,' said Pippin. 'Are you sure you can't come with us?'

'I am sure, Pippin,' smiled Arya. She was sad to see her friends leave. 'Be safe and take care. I hope to see you again.'

'I am sure of it,' said Pippin, returning the smile.

'Maybe you can visit the Shire?' asked Sam hopefully.

'I would like that very much, Sam. From your stories your home seems like a wonderful land.'

'Perhaps Haldir would like to join you?' enquired Merry.

'How did you-'

'We were told the same night as we were told Aragorn was your father,' Frodo told her. 'He explained your disappearance and we talked most of the night about you.'

'Oh,' said Arya weakly.

'He didn't mean for you to come any harm,' spoke Sam.

Arya smiled, she wasn't quite sure how to respond.

'You should talk to him,' said Frodo. 'Before he leaves.'

'No, Frodo, I am not going to talk to him. I will attend your departure but no more than that. It is too soon, and I have many things to say but now is not the right time. I do not how to explain it. I just know.'

Frodo nodded, while Sam looked saddened by her lack of emotion. But she was drained from all the drama that had befallen since she arrived in Lorien. She knew she was being childish but she would say something she did not mean if she spoke to him now.

'Do you think you will ever let him be your father?' Merry asked.

Arya was taken aback by the raw question. She had never considered he could still be a father to her. But could he really after all that he'd missed over the long years?

'One day,' she said. 'But not today.'

Boromir, Gimli and Legolas managed to catch Arya before they left.

'I know what you are going to ask me to do,' spoke Arya.

'About Aragorn?' wondered Legolas.

'Yes, Legolas. Not now, now he must focus on the Fellowship. I am sure I will see him again. When that time comes, then I will talk to him,' her voice was forceful. They knew there was no point reasoning with her. It was as if she were in denial.

'Farewell, Arya,' said Legolas, putting a hand on her cheek. He looked deep into her eyes, but saw no sign of her changing her mind.

'Good-bye, lassie,' said Gimli. 'I will miss your company.' He gave her a brief hug before leaving with Legolas to take to the boats.

'I shall too, Arya,' spoke Boromir with regret. 'I wish we had more time together.'

He leant in and hugged her, she returned the gesture. She liked being around him - he didn't push her into doing anything or treat her like a child.

'I will miss you greatly, Arya,' he said softly in her ear, brushing back her golden hair.

She closed her eyes and breathed in, his scent filling her nose. She felt his body against hers; it was overwhelming.

'Farewell, Boromir,' she said quickly, giving him a peck on the cheek. She broke free from his embrace and walked away briskly.

The Elves stood on the sides of the river bank bidding the Fellowship a safe journey. The company sailed downstream with the current, Aragorn looked to Arya who stood with Haldir on the roots of a great Mallorn tree. She held his gaze and smiled to him, in her own way wishing him a farewell. He took her smile gladly and nodded his head; it would suffice for the time being.

All watched the three boats laden with new supplies grow smaller as they rowed away; finally they disappeared into the mist of the morning.

Arya turned to Haldir who seemed cold. 'Haldir, is something wrong?' she asked.

'What happened between you and Boromir when you said your farewell to him?'

Arya was surprised by this sudden question.

There you have it...You know what to do :)