I want to thank all the people who read and who review the story. Your comments are thoughtful and inquisitive and they keep me going.

I'll be posting chapter 23 very soon - can't wait for you to read a crucial moment between Lauren and Elrond.

-edith

It seemed that confrontation was in the air. Elrond had just settled in the library of Lothlorien, intending to work on some state papers. The family had travelled to the realm of his in laws to visit, on the occasion of the arrival of Elrohir's son. They had planned to stay for the mid-summer's feast before returning to Rivendell. Elrond had been hesitant about the trip, seeing Celebrian's parents had brought back reminders of much happier days with his wife. But he could not deny his son and new grandson the chance to see their kin. He had left Rivendell's affairs to his capable and loyal friend, Glorfindel. Of course, everything had changed when Elrond's youngest daughter returned to middle earth. Now, Elrond did not feel any urgency to leave these woods. He did not want to disturb Lauren's progress. He had been in the last weeks, trying to ensure Lauren was as happy as possible. Lauren. He was still adjusting to her name. He longed to call his daughter by the name he and Celebrian had chosen. But his daughter's spirit was just as fierce as his wife's had been, and he understood that to win her love, he would have to compromise.

Elrond had read the first of many reports stacked on the desk when Arwen noisily opened the doors. He was surprised that the disturbance had been caused by his eldest daughter, whom normally moved with fluid grace. Arwen's characteristic calm demeanor was absent, in its place, an intensity that was much more commonly associated with her mother and sister.

"Arwen?" Elrond asked questioningly.

"Ada" Arwen bit her lip, she had not spoken against her father since that fateful day on the plains when her mother and sister had been lost. She had held back for far too long. "I have done everything I can to please you these last years. I have given up my love for Aragorn, but I cannot anymore. Am I not also your daughter? Do I not also have your love?" Arwen said strongly, with tears glistening in her eyes.

Shocked, Elrond rose from his chair. The state papers now strewn haphazardly across the desk, abandoned.

"Arwen" Elrond said heavily. He always knew this day would come, when he would have to reckon with his eldest daughter. For too long, he had closed his heart to her.

"Arwen," Elrond said again, "you have always had my love. I am so sorry you have not felt it."

Arwen let out a sob. "Ada, I am sorry for what happened with naneth and Luthien. I'm so sorry, I regret it every day. But you cannot punish me forever."

Elrond strode from behind his desk to face his daughter. He took Arwen's hands into his and brought them up to his lips. He imparted a gentle kiss. "I have never blamed you for what happened. The only person to blame is me. I was not there to protect them; that was my duty as a father and a husband. I have been lost in my grief and that has hurt you and your brothers."

Arwen sniffled, she was so relieved. She had held the guilt inside her for so long. "Ada, I love him. I want to marry him" she continued softly.

Elrond did not need to be told of whom she was referring to. "Aragorn is worthy. I should not have stood in your way. I only wanted to protect you. Naneth would have wanted you to be happy. I want you to be happy. We have seen enough sorrow." Elrond said. Finally verbalizing the truth as he had always known, deep down. After Celebrian died, he refused to contemplate it. But in the passing years, there had been growing recognition that Arwen had put her own happiness aside to keep the family together. He could not allow his daughter to put her own future on hold any longer. "You have held us together these last years. But it is time for you to live your life, my daughter. Go to him, tell him you will be his queen. I know it is what you want Arwen" Elrond finally said those overdue words.

Now, Arwen's tears were of happiness. She embraced her father, her heart lightened. Elrond held his oldest daughter tightly. As he squeezed his eyes shut, a single tear slid down his cheeks.

Nearby, Legolas popped the cork on a rare bottle of elvish wine. Lauren was perched on the balcony of his flet, taking in the magnificent view. In the distance, she could see the Galadhrim training grounds. Her thoughts wandered to the marchwarden. When she first met Haldir, she had almost immediately felt a sense of reassurance when in his presence. It had bewildered her initially, as the marchwarden was cold and stoic. After Aragorn had told her what Haldir had done for her, that feeling made much more sense. Yet, she had not known this until recently. How could she have felt so safe around a stranger?

Lauren shook her head, trying to remove Haldir from her thoughts. She liked Aragorn. She was attracted to the ranger. He was down to earth and genuine. He had understood her innermost thoughts. Haldir was so rigid and duty bound – not her type, she insisted to herself.

"The best mirkwood has to offer" Legolas declared, handing Lauren a glass of wine.

"I do hope the effects of alcohol stay the same regardless of what realm one is in" Lauren said. She took the glass, gave it a sniff, and then took a large gulp. After what had just happened with George, she was not in the mood for tasting. She needed the alcohol, quickly.

"I daresay half the woods heard the argument with your cousin" Legolas remarked.

Lauren groaned. Johnsons did not air their dirty laundry in public. Then again, Lauren mused, she doubted the Johnsons had a reputation to protect in Middle Earth.

"You of all people must've understood my point" Lauren said pointedly.

Legolas truly enjoyed Lauren's bluntness. So few maidens spoke to him in such a tone. He liked strong, independent women. "Yes, royalty is a privilege, but also sometimes a curse. The weight of the family's expectations can be heavy. One does not want to be the first to fail to honor the family name. I assume that's what you're referring to." Legolas said.

"Exactly. We're not royal, but our family – the Johnsons- there are expectations" Lauren confirmed. She didn't need to explain it all. Legolas knew. His own father had made clear his expectations from a young age also.

"But you are royal. Don't forget your status here also" Legolas reminded.

"Do elves care about that? I thought elves were rather, egalitarian" Lauren probed.

"You're royal from both sides – the lines are ancient. That makes you extraordinarily special. How are things with Elrond?" it was Legolas' turn to probe.

"I think it's better. I – I'm trying to let go of a lot of resentment I had built up. He's trying to show me he loves me, I think" Lauren said uncertainly. It was hard to let her guard down when she had felt so unwanted by her birth family.

"Your mother certainly loved you. Elrond too of course. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how awful it was for him, losing you and your mother at the same time" Legolas offered.

Lauren perked up at the mention of her birth mother. "You knew my mother?"

"I was only an elfling when she died. Your mother, her beauty and kindness were legendary. She is buried here in Lorien, you know." Legolas replied. Seeing Lauren's sadness at the mention of her mother's death, he hastily changed topics. "So I heard the marchwarden gave you archery lessons. Or rather, you gave him a lesson in archery" he smirked.

Lauren smiled at the memory. "Yes, I showed him some archery" she joked.

"Did he keel over in shock? Haldir does not own a sense of humor" Legolas caught onto the joke.

"No, I don't believe he does" Lauren concurred. At that, they both giggled. Simultaneously, they drained their drinks and quickly refilled them.

"I would pay to have been there" Legolas said, laughing heartily. Lauren joined in, she hadn't had such a light hearted moment since she arrived. They finished the second drink and quickly went for more.

Soon, the wine was having an effect on Lauren. Her eyes became heavy. Legolas walked her back to her flet and bade her a goodnight at her door. He kissed her hand, "good night, princess" he whispered before walking away. Even in her drunken haze, she stayed in her doorway to watch his perfect form retreat into the darkness.

Lauren was awoken the next morning much sooner than she had anticipated. The knock on the door, initially soft had become persistent. "Lauren, it's me, Arwen" said her sister's clear voice.

Lauren awoke with a headache – an elven wine hangover. She had no idea why Arwen would be at her doorstep.

"What is it?" Lauren replied groggily.

"I thought we may spend the day together" Arwen said brightly. "Will you not come to the door?"

Lauren reluctantly rolled out of bed. She groggily yanked open the door. Arwen stood in the doorway, perfectly dressed in a flowing dress, smiling widely. In contrast, Lauren was wearing a t-shirt and pyjama shorts. Her hair was in a messy bun. "Come on in. I was still sleeping you know" Lauren said casually.

"It is nearly noon" Arwen remarked.

"Well, Legolas and I shared a bottle of wine last night and lost track of time" Lauren replied. She was slowly emerging from her haze, now haphazardly trying to get dressed. She was only in a mood for work out tights and a sweatshirt.

Arwen's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Well, I thought you might enjoy some company today" Arwen redirected.

It was Lauren's turn to arch an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

"I thought we could visit the dressmakers. You will need a gown for the mid-summer's feast" Arwen said enthusiastically. She was so looking forward to spending time with her little sister. The last time the two sisters had been together, Lauren was still a baby. Now, Lauren was her own person. Arwen was sure they could be close. She had always craved for a sister.

"I need to eat something" Lauren declared.

"I can accompany you to the kitchens first?" Arwen offered.

"Let's go" Lauren said as she made to leave the flet. Arwen hastily followed. Their walk to the kitchens was mostly a silent one. Arwen tried to make small talk, commenting on the flowers in gardens they walked past and the elflings that ran around them. Lauren did not seem interested in the topics of conversation because she wasn't. Lauren didn't like flowers or children very much. Honestly, she had never ached for a sister. She was very close to her brother and was mostly a tomboy. Her cousin Juliette was the same age, and they were as thick as thieves. If Lauren had a sister it would've been Juliette. Arwen seemed very proper. Dutiful. The opposite of Juliette, who was ambitious and outspoken.

When they arrived at the kitchens, Lauren quickly helped herself to some bread and fruit. She plopped down on a chair and began to eat ravenously. The alcohol from the night before made her famished. Arwen sat, polite and quiet. "So, tell me about the mid-summer festival?" Lauren inquired.

"It marks the passage of another year. To wish safety and peace for the upcoming year. To thank the soldiers who protect us. All elven realms host a gathering and feast, led by the lord and lady of the realm. I have been helping Ada host them in Rivendell, ever since –" she stopped abruptly, the softly finished the sentence "ever since naneth died."

"I guess everyone dresses up?" Lauren asked.

"Yes, I thought you likely did not bring a dress" Arwen guessed.

"No, I didn't think to bring a ball gown" Lauren said sarcastically.

"We shall go to the dressmakers and find something" Arwen decided.

"I won't say no to shopping" Lauren shrugged.

"This is the first festival that we have all been together as a family since nanath died" Arwen said softly. "It will mean so much to Ada, for you to be there. You see, we will open the festival. We will enter the great hall together and for the first time, our family will be complete" Arwen finished with great hope in her voice. It should have made Lauren uncomfortable, Arwen's presumption of her as a member of the family. Yet, it did not bother her. She actually felt a twinge of excitement.

Soon enough, Arwen had led them into the dressmakers shop. Lauren marvelled at the rolls upon rolls of fabric stacked on top of each other, in every conceivable colour and pattern. Not exactly the type of shopping Lauren was so good at, but she could get used to it.

"How about this color?" Arwen suggested, holding up a pink fabric.

Lauren scrunched up her face. "Not really my color. What are you wearing?" she asked.

"It is an emerald gown, it flows freely" Arwen described, motioning the shape of the dress with her hands. Arwen flitted around the shop, giving Lauren suggestions for dresses. She was trying her best to find common ground with Lauren, but it was difficult to break through Lauren's wall. The younger sister was polite and interactive, but Arwen could feel an invisible barrier between them. The younger daughter was not ready to chat freely like sisters. Lauren wandered the shop, perusing the fabrics. A roll of royal blue fabric caught Lauren's eye. When she ran her hands across it, she marvelled at how soft it felt. Arwen was now busy chatting with a friend she had seen outside the shop. Lauren motioned to the dressmaker, and gave some instructions to the dress she wanted. The tailor took down her directions and bade her a good day.

When Lauren emerged from the shop, she quickly excused herself. She's had unfinished business since she arrived in middle earth.

"I need to find Elrond" she asked Arwen.

"He would likely be in the library" Arwen directed. She watched sadly as Lauren started in that direction. The afternoon of sisterly bonding had not gone as she had planned. She could feel Lauren's resistance to her.