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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They remained in Lothlórien for a few more days, to let Legolas rest and give Areyin the time to prepare what she would say to Elrond when they met face to face. In her opinion, it was the longest few days of her life. They weren't very restful for Legolas either. Whenever he was awake she was getting his help on how she would word this or how she should say that or anything else she could think of that could go wrong. She was stressed to the point where her nerves stood on end and he became her anchor to sanity. A little under a week after he had arrived he set back out again, this time at a much slower pace and accompanied by not only the love of his life but a half-dozen elfish archers sent by Lady Galadriel to come with them. She had felt, and Areyin had agreed, that an entourage of Lorien elves would drive home the point that she was the ruler of Lothlórien. Galadriel herself stayed behind to run things until they returned.

The days were long and the nights were short. Though horseback was the preferred mode of transportation by most it had never been a pastime Areyin had indulged in, unlike Legolas had. Horses were beautiful creatures, she had to admit it, but the size of the brain versus the size of the beast had always been disconcerting in her eyes. Therefore she was apprehensive about riding in general and even more so about riding for a week and a half--they took the trip at a more leisurely pace. Areyin now understood why diplomats always stayed so long, it was to make the visit worth the trip. She was, however, grateful for the company, pitying Legolas for having to make the journey on his own. When she had come to Lothlórien weeks before she had not noticed the time, only the distance between her and the one haven she felt she had. The days were long and the nights were short, but they did pass.

She had no idea of what to expect upon her arrival in Rivendell. Not being arrested on immediate sighting was nice but she wasn't welcomed with open arms either. Her coming, complete with the entourage, was quite unexpected by the people but because they recognized both her and Legolas finding a room at an inn was not difficult. They spent the night there and left seeing Elrond until the morning. Everyone had agreed it was for the best, some rest and relaxation would do them all good.

It was quite the parade that made its way through the streets of Rivendell. Areyin at the front, Legolas right beside her and six other elves trailing behind them all eight with blonde hair and bows strapped securely across their backs. Information had woven its way through the courts to Elrond and he stepped out to meet them in front of the palace. Arwen stood just over his shoulders, her two brothers on either side of her. The four had let their brunette locks loose, and the brown waves only brought Areyin's attention to her own which were gold. An uncomfortable silence met between the two parties, broken by Elrond. "I take it you have completed your quest?"

All around them seemed to strain an extra ear forward and she deduced that no one had known of its nature. "No."

He had expected as much. "Then why have you returned?"

"I have not. And I will not. If Arwen chose to give her immortality to Aragorn it was her decision and not mine to change."

The look on Arwen's face spoke for her, the utter shock and disbelief, disappointment and betrayal showed every inner emotion. Turning to her father, her voice was like ice. "What is this of which she speaks?"

True to form Elrond brushed the question aside, concentrating on the problem before him and not the one behind. "You have not answered me, Areyin Scarletbow."

This was where everything she had planned to say fell apart at her feet. It was here that she could come forth and tell him her new identity but the words would not come and silence hung between them once more. Her crimson eyes met her father's own blue and a soundless war waged between them. Before either of them could get a word out, an archer elf behind her spoke. "M'Lord, she is no longer a Scarletbow."

Elrond gave her a strange look. "What is this?"

Areyin drew a deep breath and answered as precisely as she could.

"He speaks the truth, father. No longer a Scarletbow, I am now Lady Areyin of Lothlórien."

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