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 runaway 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

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There was a long pause before she spoke again. Areyin nodded slowly and silently, pulling her long hair over her shoulder to braid and she sorted out what she wanted to say, and how. The sunlight locks were almost completely bound when she finally opened her mouth to speak. "Yes," she whispered, her voice at its lowest, "She does. The Lady Galadriel sees in me what she once saw in herself and wishes to put me in her place."

Legolas found it interesting that she referred to the lady of the wood by her proper title. He so rarely heard her ever do that. When they joked around together she would sometimes sarcastically slur 'Prince Legolas' but even that title held none of the respect she gave to Lady Galadriel. 'The enormity of this decision weighs heavily on her,' he realized, taking another good look at her, 'She is not all the girl I once knew. The rebel has gone, replaced with a responsible elf-woman.'

Areyin considered his silence, then continued. "She offered me her ring as well, but I could not bring myself to take it from her. It will give her the power to stand up to Elrond and that is something I would not deprive her of." In the brief pause that followed as she collected her thoughts, she gently wound their fingers together, taking comfort in his presence there. "But to rule here, as I never could in Rivendell? That, that's an offer beyond my wildest dreams." Drawing a deep breath she met his eyes. "I want so badly to take it, but . . ."

'She couldn't possibly be asking me for permission.' Legolas considered her words for a moment. 'That's just too out of character.' "It's your decision," he finally told her, "I should play no part in this."

A grin lit up across her face and for a moment, the old Areyin was back. "Who ever said I was asking you?" she teased. His face fell in mock defeat and she bit back laughter, then sobered up. "But I would need your support in this." Again silence. "And as much as I hate to admit it, your help."

*That* shook him. She was asking him--anyone--for help. This really had to be stressing her. "With what?"

"Think about it. It's Arwen--and my brothers when they're around--who get all the lessons on how to rule. I know nothing about it, because 'daddy-dearest' isn't much of a role model and there's only so much Lady Galadriel can teach me. What I learn from her is to improve my-" She paused, thinking about something, "telepathy, that's what she calls it. But I know nothing about how to rule. You're the prince of the elves of Northern Mirkwood. And that's where you come in." She looked at him with the big, cute eyes she knew he couldn't say 'no' to.

Legolas sighed. "What help could you need? Leading comes naturally."

Her grin doubled and her eyes lit up. "Just a lift when I come to a problem. I should get the hang of it pretty quick. I mean, like you said, how hard can it be?"

"I didn't say that."

"It was easily interpreted from it."

"I spoke to Lord Elrond."

Again, silence. Then, in a small voice she whispered, "Oh."

"He gave us his blessing."

"He WHAT!" Her scarlet eyes went wide with shock and she jumped a foot in the air, landing in a tangle of limbs and blankets. Laughing he helped extricate her from the covers and she sat beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder as he put an arm around her waist. It was, after all, early in the morning and he had awoken her from her sleep.

Legolas nodded. "Gave me his permission and his blessing to court you once you got . . . back." He cursed under his breath and hung his head. "I just helped him back you into a corner," he thought aloud. "Our love cannot be until you arrive home after destroying your sisters." He turned his head, resting his chin in her hair as they both thought on his words."

Finally Areyin frowned. "Who said we needed his permission anyways. And as far as I'm concerned, I am home. If Elrond is going to be like that, have that attitude about his favorite daughter giving her life to a human, then I don't want to go back and face him. He's dealt long enough without me, the rest of eternity can't hurt," she said hotly, shoulders set with determination and resentment.

'She's still the same,' he thought with a smile. "We've also been together long enough without him knowing. The rest of eternity can't hurt that either." His blue eyes sparkled deviously as he drew her closer to him. Her mischievous smile matched his own as she winked playfully before wrapping her arms around his neck as he briefly covered her lips with his. "Missed you," he mumbled softly against her ear.

"Missed you too, you big lug." Her voice was joking if her words were not. "But if you'll excuse me sleep does call. You did happen to wake me up in the middle of the night."

"A little later than that, actually," he corrected. "You are right, I'll be going to my own room now."

A hand grabbing at the hem of his tunic prevented him from leaving as he stood. "You don't have your own room yet, idiot." From anyone else the insult would have been just that, but off her lips it was a term of endearment. However strange that could be. "You can stay if you like," she mumbled, voice heavy with sleep.

He blushed hotly, blood rising to his face. "I-well, but—um, what if, well—someone could see—um."

Face muffled by the pillow she laughed. "Not like that. This is a two-person bed and I'm small. Just lie down." And having said that she would say no more. She rolled to the other side of the bed and was instantly asleep; her hand still clasped tightly in his. Having no other choice Legolas sighed and took off his shoes, laying down beside her and drifting off into dreams almost as quickly.

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i wrote this while i was sick so give it some slack. and dammit, people, don't you ever read author's notes! i took *major* writer's privilege with chapter 5 so just deal.

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