Ok, this one wasn't really thought out well. If I get better ideas, it will be replaced. I had to write the poem part myself. Hope you guys like it.

Chapter VII

A Lady and her Knight

Why was it that I felt pain after that moment? Beren I care not for. Then why has the truth pierced my heart, as does a knife? It was a light I had not yet seen in him. With our first meeting, I saw him as other men who've tried to woo me and take my hand in marriage. Aye, Beren hath tried all of those. Even the noblest of men I've easily let pass. Why then was he so different? May it be that a mere man of the woods attracts to my liking more than those of the noble? But if that were, then I would have lost my heart to many men before him. And now with the truth of his identity, I only long to acquaint with him more. But why do I fear to fall for him, when I as well am a mortal woman, least Half-Elven? The fate of eternal loneliness is not mine to have for I am not an immortal. So why then do I feel as if Beren will suffer as Cerin Amroth hath once, as well as the legendary Beren, and my father, King Aragorn? And why is it that I suffer the torment of my mother, Arwen, Queen of the Elves, Luthien the fair, and of Nimrodel, who for long was lost in the Misty Mountains? I fear it will be too late hence thy reason will come to me...

She did not stir nor did she weep

Instead she fled with silent feet,

Across the bridge into a path

That led to luscious plants in bath

From waters falling into streams

Where visions sought turned into dreams.

That night he came and there she laid

That queenly-air, and Elven-maid.

He followed her upon a rise

And there they met each other's eyes.

No words were spoken,

Nor was their silence broken,

But deep inside their hearts

Where destined fate did start,

The doom was well on its way

For from that moment, she knew he'd stay.

As the group continued on with their cheering and planning, Evenstar silently escaped, making her way down the staircase and across a bridge. She took a path to the left, which led to a balcony overlooking Rivendell. She stood by a railing edge, leaning atop it as she watched the waterfalls divide into the lakes, and listened as the earth mourned still about the lose of the Elves. Behind her, Beren followed.

Creeping quietly towards Evenstar, he placed his hands atop her shoulder. Evenstar was not surprised. She spoke softly, weeping within. "I advise you not to follow me." She told Beren, not turning to face him. "Yes, I am sorry, but I've been known to always follow my heart." Beren slipped his arms around her then. Evenstar shoved at him, pushing him aside. She turned to face him. "You knew I was to be in Lorien, did you not?" She asked angrily. He shook his head. "Nay, dear Evenstar, though I will not lie. I was in search for someone, but not of you. I was told that the Elven Queen herself lay upon the Hill of Cerin Amroth. You're not the only one who seeks her out. She is the hope of your kin, of mine. At least I was told I would find hope upon that Hill. Though I found it not in her, but in her daughter. Seeing a glowing Elven maiden light the once Golden Woods of Lorien as does an evening star on a dark night, I thought I saw the Queen herself. But to tell you the truth, I was and still am glad that I met you in her stead." Beren looked upon her face then, and saw her beauty and her pain clash together. He did not care to see her in torment. "You fear that your fate would be the same as your mother's if you fall for me? That may be likely, but at least give me a try. Please, do not hate me because I fell in love with you. You might as well hate your father then for he fell in love with the same woman, same in heart and spirit, and beauty." Not able to hold it in, a tear rolled down Evenstar's cheek and she began to sob.

She shook her head then. "You do not understand," she told Beren, "you cannot love me." Laughing lightly, she continued, "You've only just met me. But I assure you, you wouldn't wish to get close to me. Though I will not shun you, nor will I make any further progress to entice you more. If what you say is true, that you do love me, then do me one favor..." Beren nodded. "Anything for you, fair Evenstar." She dropped her head. "Do what you can to stay clear from me while on our journey." She walked away then. "That I cannot do." He yelled out to her, and followed once again. She stopped and turned once more. "Please! I have other more important matters to worry about than falling in love." She paused, then spoke again. "I will agree to one thing...talk to me once more about love, but when my journey has ended and if I succeed. Then will I consider befriending you, though I will make no promises about falling in love. Goodnight, Beren, I beg for some sleep for I am very weary." And he let her go off into the night, for when the morrow comeths, Beren would seek her out again. He vowed then not to rest till he wins the heart of thy fair Evenstar.

* * *

Early in the dawn did Beren rise to seek the fair Evenstar again. Though in her quarters, he did not find her, but by her window, instead stood her brother who spoke to Beren with a grimace. "Evenstar has left early for her morning meal. All feast in the Great Hall of Elrond. That is where you should be, not in my sister's private quarters." Beren nodded, perturbed. "Yes, sorry, I wanted to ask about tomorrow." "I'm not ignorant, Beren." Eldarion interrupted angrily. "I am very well aware of my sister's beauty for many have sought her hand in marriage. Though I am not going to waste my time lecturing you to not fall in love with my sister, for I can already see that you have. I will say this; you are a fool to follow her. Not because I say that she shall not love you in return, but because it will cause harm to you. Protect her if you wish, but for your own sake, do not fall in love." Beren spoke no words and instead watched as Eldarion walked away. What harm could falling in love with one such beauty cause to him? Then again, all the great heroes fell due to forbidden love, just as Cerin Amroth, who was cast away from his love by ship and was lost in the Sea, never to be seen again. But he was not Cerin, nor was he Aragorn, who fell in love with an immortal, and nor was he his ancestor, Beren the legendary, who forced himself to keep his dear Luthien safe by leaving her for good. That last fate did not occur to him then. Would he one day chose to leave Evenstar, after all they would go through together? "Not in my lifetime." And then it struck him again. Evenstar was of the blood of Men, but her mother was also a full-fledged Elf-maid. Would the immortal life be passed down to Evenstar as well? Would she be forced to live a lonely life if she did ever agree to love him? That, Beren did not wish. Nor did he wish for her to get lost in any mountains, and risk the unfortunate chance of being harassed and tortured. Angry with himself for only realizing these consequences now, he marched down to the Great Hall in search for Evenstar.

* * *

There in the Great Hall of Elrond sat Evenstar, along with the other guests, having their morning meal. After entering the Hall, Beren quickly made his way to Evenstar, who sat beside her brother. "I must have a word with you." Beren told her. Eldarion spoke in her stead. "Can you not see that the girl is eating? Take a seat and have your meal." Ignoring Eldarion's comment, he spoke again urgently. "I must have a word with you before the day starts." Eldarion stood. "I said to have your meal. Do you dare defy a King's orders?" Evenstar stood, interrupting her brother before trouble would arise. "I have finished my meal. Beren, follow me outside." As they exited the Hall, Eldarion's gaze followed Beren, the vile emotions revealed in his eyes.

Evenstar led Beren into another room with murals painted on the walls surrounding them. Isildur slaying the evil Sauron was interpreted on a painting. Evenstar faced Beren who was for a moment lost in thought. "Beren, turn away from that and tell me exactly why you have disturbed my meal." He turned from the mural, which stole his attention. He started out with a question that stunned him most. "Are you an immortal?" She looked at him, bewildered. "And you ask that...why?" "Just answer me." He said. He shook her head. "I do not know. It was in my mother's blood. I am but half-Elven. I've never met any other, nor do I know about their history. There has been an inadequate amount of them. Is that all that you have to say to me?" He shook his head, moving in closer. "Did you ever realize that once we are betrothed that things might go wrong? That you might live a long lonely life, or be lost, or be forced to live without me?" She interrupted his obvious panic then. "Just one minute here. What is all this talk about being betrothed? This is ridiculous. I haven't even come to terms with you yet. Why do you speak such madness?" "This is not madness, Evenstar." Beren replied to her, continuing, "Is that not why you've been so frightful about befriending me? Do you not fear those same fates? Fates that have been given to our dear ancestors? If that is so, well then I'll tell you this: no fate can be avoided. You either accept it or live a life so full of regret because you did not follow your heart." She was astonished. He knew so little about her yet spoke so truthful and wise. "You are saying that our fates are tied together and doomed to a tragic end?" She asked him. Beren nodded. Evenstar resumed to speak. "I will not deny this to you now. I have considered that fate for we are of similar ancestry, just as my mother's fate was tied to Luthien's, and Luthien's to Nimrodel. They all share a tragic loss: their lovers. I do not want nor wish to feel that kind of love for along with that love comes loneliness. And I will not now deny to you that yes, I do feel something for you, but I will not pursue it." She looked away from him. Beren moved closer, just inches away from her. He held her face up to meet his. "Please," he spoke, "do not refuse me. Give me one chance. I cannot promise you that our fates may take a different path as that of our ancestor's, but I will promise you this, if you give me a chance, I will love and give you happiness for as long as I shall live. If you wish not, then I will now give you my word to leave you be." He paused, then asked, "Will you take me?" A tear fell from her face as she felt a stab of pain. "No." Evenstar answered. Beren's hopeful smile faded. "Then good day to you, Lady, and I wish you the best of luck on your quest." He turned away and began to walk back into the Hall. Evenstar fell to her knees and wept hard.

* * *

The day went fast and a new had just begun. It was the second day since the Council had met. Now early dawn, the Companions were well ready and prepared to leave with stallions provided for them. Just like the old days, Gimli rode atop a stallion with Legolas to guide them both. Legolas smiled at his companion. "Another adventure lies before us, Elf-friend. Shall we join axe and bow in a friendly competition once more?" Legolas asked Gimli. Gimli laughed to the heavens. "Aye, friend! Who will advance in the enemy casualties?" "You may have won last time, Gimli, but I am equipped with as much arrows as before, and I have not aged a bit, unlike you, old friend. So I believe that I have the upper hand." Gimli nodded. "We shall see." Evenstar walked by the two who were atop a stallion, already starting their rivalry. She smiled as she passed them, walking next to her brother. Eldarion smiled at her, yawning as he leaned on his horse. "Good morning, sister. Are you prepared?" Evenstar nodded. "Aye, brother, food and all." Eldarion smiled at her. "Good, good, food is always needed, especially for long journeys such as ours. Come along now, we cannot delay even a minute." "Just one, please, I would like to great the Hobbits and Gandalf." Eldarion climbed his stallion. "Very well, make haste. We have no time to waste." She walked then to Gandalf, who was conversing with the Hobbits. Frodo was the first to greet her. "Ah, Lady Evenstar. Good morning to you. Have you had your rest?" She nodded. "Aye, some. Enough to ride on to Edoras. I would just like to thank the three of you greatly for helping me through this." Sam smiled at her. "No worries, Lady Evenstar. It's been such a long time since I've had any real adventure, one with a good cause." "Come now, Sam, Frodo," Gandalf began, "You should prepare your stallions." The Hobbits nodded, once again greeting Evenstar by kissing her palm. "How are you feeling?" Gandalf asked her. Evenstar sighed. "You could say that I'm scared." "That is only because you do not yet know your opponent nor your true power. Once you find it, you will fear no more, I promise." Gandalf then approached the entire group. "Are you all prepared?" He asked them aloud. They all nodded. Frodo and Sam rode along side each other, Gimli rode with Legolas, Bergil riding behind Eldarion, and Beren, who had just joined the company, rode behind all. Evenstar gazed in his direction, but he turned away, frowning. "Nazgul's Bane, let us ride with great haste!" Gandalf roared to the heavens and swiftly raced off towards the South. All followed behind him. Evenstar rode just beside her brother.