Scarletbow
By: The 80lb Carrot
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. I couldn't have written them as well. Areyin, however, is my own creation.
Summary: Arwen had a little sister--a rogue and a rebel destined never to rule.
Rating: PG-13
AN: Yes I read the books. In fact I read them in fourth or fifth grade. I am now in high school. But I saw the movie . . . three times in the past three weeks. Which one do you think I am more familiar with? Good guess. So sorry if this relies more on the movie than the book. Starts as the Fellowship is being formed. Skips the messy bits. Starts up again when Legolas gets home. Got it?
AN2: Areyin-- Air-yin
-*-1 Year Later-*-
It was not at all the welcome home he had expected. Elves gathered from all ends of Rivendell to greet him, leading him to the best room in the entire palace and letting him collapse over the bed in exhaustion. When he woke up the next morning they were there to congratulate and thank him, showering him with gratefulness and emotion so uncommon to his people. They took him back up to the main chamber of the palace where Lord Elrond stood to give his own thanks. Lady Arwen was just behind him and to the side, smiling at him with a smile so similar and yet so different from her sister's. And speaking of her sister . . .
"My Lord Elrond," Legolas said, his head bowed in respect, "I ask a favor."
There was a short pause, then the older man spoke. "Ask away, Prince Legolas, you have done our people a great service and it should be repaid."
He drew a deep breath. "I wish to court your youngest daughter, Areyin Undólmiel."
Silence filled the room before Elrond answered. "Prince Legolas, I would grant your request but for one thing. Areyin Scarletbow is on a quest of her own at the moment, away from Rivendell and I know not when she will return. When she does, you have not only my permission but my blessing." The rest of the words fell upon Legolas' deaf ears for all he had heard was that Areyin was gone, but when she came back they would no longer be a secret.
Later that same day he caught Elrond alone to speak with him. "I would ask, on what quest has the Lady Areyin left upon."
The look he received silenced him. "Scarletbow has gone on a quest of my own asking." And would speak no more of it.
Legolas sat alone in his room that night, going over the day's events in his head and wondering, above all, where Areyin was. It was not like her at all to leave when she knew he would be returning soon, and that puzzled him to no end. Lord Elrond seemed pleased that she was gone on a quest that would bring her glory, a quest he had sent her on himself, when the last thing he had ever wanted was to raise her above his other brunette children. And how he still refused to acknowledge her position and birthright, first dropping her true surname and then referring to her by only 'Scarletbow' without any reference to her title. He hated that he had to return to Mirkwood without seeing Areyin and knowing he would only be able to leave her a message.
A flurry of wings and air disturbed him from his thoughts. He looked up to see an eagle flying through the open window then land on his outstretched arm. The intelligence in its eyes astounded him, it knew exactly where it was and who it was looking at. Almost impatiently it seemed, the bird tapped its right foot up and down, moving the entire leg. Legolas understood what it was trying to say and with the fingers on his free hand, he unraveled the camouflaged parchment tied to its leg. Its message delivered, the eagle took flight once more and was gone.
Astonished, he read the words imprinted for his eyes alone. 'My dearest Legolas,' it read, 'I apologize whole-heartedly for not being able to join you upon your return. As you have no doubt learned from Elrond I have set out on a quest of my own. I cannot say more here, for fear it should turn up in the wrong hands, but if you can, come find me. The Lady Galadriel has given me refuge in Lothlórien and there I stay now. If you are coming, please find some way to contact me. I greatly look toward hearing from you. Truly yours, Areyin.'
He left the next morning for Lothlórien.
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short chapter, i know, but i needed it. it had to happen. and to answer all questions so far (which includes one) the whole hair-color vs. disownment is my weak stretch for a plot line. i don't like Elrond in the movie and this is a movieverse fic, so i made him my power-hungry bad guy. it works. you'll see where i'm taking it. but the way it goes so far, in Rivendell brown hair is a sign of future leadership. Areyin is a blonde and therefore cannot rule. her dad is a butt-crust who hates to admit that one of his kids can't rule. and there you have it.
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