Another chapter. Another boring class period not wasted!

Small note: You can assume that most of the dialogue between Elrond and his kids and the kids themselves is in Elvish. I'm a bit tired and I don't feel like translating it all so bear with me. Thanks ^.^

-A

In the Company of Grace

            Aragorn had spent the evening in the company of grace, in the company of Arwen Evenstar. In his first moments with her he could scarcely form words and had been thankful for the company of Elladan and Elrohir. The Man had been in quiet awe of the maiden's beauty, the soft tones of her voice forever imprinted in his memory. At the end of the night he bid the lady a short farewell until morning and watched wistfully as she left the Hall of Fire. "Ah! I desire!" He whispered quietly to himself.

            The twins had observed Aragorn and their sister all evening, watching the Man and Elf become smitten in the hours they spent in conversation and company. They had seen the light of longing in both pairs for eyes. They stood together now in a far corner after bidding Arwen a good night.

            "What say you of this new development, dear brother?" Elladan broke the companionable silence with a question.

            "I think it is quite obvious that they are infatuated with each other." Elrohir looked across the hall to watch Aragorn – the Man looked lost in thought, leaning casually against one of the intricate pillars. "And I think we should do something about it."

            Elladan turned his full attention to his twin, his expression nearly blank save for the slight wrinkles in his high forehead. "I don't think Father would approve."

            "Father need not know of our involvement until more develops."

            "You know full and well that it is nearly impossible to keep secrets from him, though he guards his own quite well." Elladan was hardly disagreeing, but he felt it necessary for both of them to understand what they would be up against.

            "True, but the essential word is 'nearly'. And perhaps we are enough in his likeness to keep some secrets of our own." Elrohir grinned, this was going to be fun.

            Elrond's sons had not been the only ones observing the attraction between Arwen and Aragorn.  The master of Rivendell had been keeping  a close, if not discreet  eye on his daughter. Elrond could not deny that the Dúnadan seemed very besotted, nor could he deny that Arwen was just as smitten. But Arwen was not the only one of his offspring that Elrond had been watching. The lord had been watching his twin sons, easily telling the two apart though few others could. He'd seen the gleam of planning in Elladan's eyes and the glimmer of mischief in Elrohir's. He would have to find out what they were plotting.

            Elrond sighed and turned his mind back to Aragorn and Arwen. He remembered a vision from long ago that he'd seen in Galadriel's mirror soon after his undómiel had been born. His heart broke to remember it, to see either of the two outcomes would do his soul little good in his search for happiness. But he could not decide Arwen's future for her, just as he had told himself when Elladan and Elrohir had reached maturity. If I had my way, he thought, my sons would remain safe in this haven and my daughter would remain mine. Elrond dispelled that thought as he had already set in his mind to allow his children to grow on their own once they had reached maturity at a millennia of age, and they were all beyond that. As a father he felt fear grip his heart each time his sons left for the Wilds and relief flooded him each time they returned safely. Ever since his beloved Celebrían had left Middle Earth he had cherished his offspring all the more, seeing his wife in the deep blue eyes of Arwen, in the humour and good natures of Elladan and Elrohir that was carefully balanced out by a level of seriousness that came out when necessary. He loved them all dearly and worried about what their futures would bring.

            Long ago Celebrían had discussed a marriage for their daughter, but the final decision would be Arwen's alone. And now here was a Man he had raised from a child, Estel, the Hope of all Men. This was the only male that Elrond had even seen his daughter give a second glance to… a mortal Man. The Lord of Imladris held nothing against Aragorn but… Elrond sighed and shook his head. He would wait to see what would develop.

            Elladan and Elrohir woke early, rising with the Sun despite the long night in the Hall of Fire. They left their separate rooms and met in the dining hall on the lower level of the great House. They'd found fresh fruits on the table and had settled on that for a simple breakfast. Elrohir was the first to break the silence.

            "Is Aragorn still asleep?"

            Elladan nodded slowly. "Yes. And so is Arwen, though I don't expect either to remain so for much longer." Elladan smiled, carefully peeling one of the starbright fruits he'd found as he spoke. "Everything is arranged?"

            "Ye- " Elrohir fell into silence as Elrond appeared in the doorway.

            The ancient Elf had a slender brow arched, forehead wrinkled with curiosity and concern. Elrond wondered what the two were planning, he'd only caught a few words as he'd entered the hall.

            "Quel amrun, Adar." Elladan finally spoke.

            Elrond nodded his head, acknowledging his sons as he spoke, "Quel amrun Elladan, Elrohir." He paused, then added, "Arrangements for what?" A smile was carefully hidden in his eyes. It was Elrohir who answered.

            "We planned to go riding today with Estel. We'd meant to take some food with us." Elrohir fought not to let his voice or expression betray anything.

            Elrond gave them both a look, not entirely convinced. "And how does your sister fit into all of this?"

            Elladan kept his face neutral as he shrugged. "We had hoped to spend more time with her, we rarely are in Imladris when she is and we've missed her." His answer seemed to satisfy Elrond, his father gave a simple nod of his head before serenely leaving the hall to retreat to one of his libraries.

            Elrohir let out a sigh of relief and slumped against his chair. "Do you think he suspects anything?"

            Elladan merely shrugged. "I couldn't tell. Perhaps. But even if he does, he will most likely not understand what he suspects."

            "Good, I do not wish to be chastised for interfering."

            "We're not interfering, we're just giving them a little nudge towards each other." He paused, then rolled his eyes at the look Elrohir gave him. "Oh don't look at me like that! We're not doing any harm, didn't you see how they were looking at each other last night? Can you deny seeing how fond they have become of each other? Our sister was looking at Estel the same way our mother looked at our father."

            Elrohir sighed, shaking his head slowly. "You've been spending far too much time in conversation with Mithrandir – you've become a match maker!"

            "I have not. Besides, this was your idea." Elladan grinned and looked up as Aragorn made his way down a set of stairs and into the dining hall. "Quel amrun, Estel."

            Aragorn looked up at the twins, both were wide awake and smiling. "Good morning to you both." He longed to talk to them about Arwen, but alas! They were her brothers! He would not feel right telling the two of his desire to know her or anything else he felt for her. He could remember many a time when they had talked of love and longing with each other during their travels, especially when the object of their desire was unobtainable. But his was a time when he could not ask the twins for help or guidance, he had a feeling they would do little to assist him in winning Arwen over.

            Aragorn sighed softly and collapsed bonelessly into a chair that stood along the great table. He could not take his mind from thoughts of her, the Evenstar. "Never have I felt like this." He murmured quietly to himself.

            "What was that Estel?" Elrohir's question broke Aragorn's train of thought and the Man shook his head, waving off the question.

            "Nothing, simply thinking aloud. I am surprised to see you two up so early. I'd thought for sure that you would have slept longer after the Hall of Fire last night."


            "Sleep comes easy in Imladris and a short rest here sets you to rights. We've fallen back into our routine of waking with the Sun, as we always do in our home." Elladan's voice came from across the table.

            Elrohir spoke again, his tone casual. "Elladan and I plan to ride today with Arwen, would you care to join us?" The Elf quickly suppressed a smile at the Man's reaction.

            Aragorn felt his heart skip a beat. Spend the day with Arwen? Need they ask? The Dúnadan quickly tried to calm himself and made his voice easy. "Yes, it looks to be a fair day for a ride along the ridge."

            Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a look. Everything was working out perfectly… now all they had to do was convince Arwen.

There we go! Hopefully you guys know enough Elvish by now to guess that "Quel amrun" is good morning. Anyway… next chapter coming soon – please read and review!!