Okay, new chapter, time's passed. It's when Aragorn arrives in Rivendell with the other hobbits with Glorfindel.

-A

A Long Time

Aragorn looked at the great House - how long had it been since he'd seen it's halls? Too long, he mused. And this time he was returning with company - three hobbits and the Elf Lord Glorfindel. He felt scarce beside the Elf, who wore clean white and looked very much as if he'd just arrived from Valar, a proud Noldor. He'd spent some time in conversation with Glorfindel during their travel from the ford to Imladris, finding out the goings on of the homely house and its residents. One in particular - the lady Arwen. The Dúnadan's heart soared at the mere thought of seeing her again after so long. Elrond had told him what he must do before he would be allowed to wed Arwen. The memory was still fresh;

"You asked to see me, Lord Elrond?" Aragorn stood in the doorway of the great library, feeling unnerved for the first time in a very long time. It seemed like it took forever for the master of Rivendell to acknowledge him. At last Elrond stood.

"Yes, I did. Though it has gone unnoticed to some, it certainly has not been over looked by me, I know quite well of your affection for my daughter. And even more so I know of her fondness of you," Elrond paused and gave a small wave of his hand to brush off Aragorn's next question, "Before you ask how much I know, I will simply relay that I have been in close conversation with my sons as of late who in turn have been alternating between pushing you and my daughter on wards and looking after her well being."

Aragorn frowned slightly. He'd been aware of the twins' involvement in his courting of their sister, but he had certainly never expected that Elrond had been privy to it all as well. He wasn't sure what to say, so he remained silent and waited for Elrond to continue.

Elrond sighed and resisted the urge to pace. "I am also aware of your intentions to ask for her hand."

This statement caused Aragorn's heart to lodge in his throat. Would Elrond tell him that he couldn't pursue his daughter? That he had higher wishes for her than a Ranger? That he would have to stop seeing her?

"Arwen is my daughter and she is one of the few reminders I have left of Celebrían in this world - I will not allow her to wed any mortal lower than a king, despite her wishes." Elrond kept his voice smooth and controlled his face a perfect mask of serenity. He saw the look of heartbreak in Aragorn's eyes and he raised his hand, bidding the Man to let him continue. "Which you, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, have the potential to be. If you wish for the hand of my daughter you must first reclaim your throne in Gondor and in the kingdom of Arnor. I will accept no one of a lesser standing."

Hope, though a small shiver of it, shone through. Aragorn raised his eyes to meet the calm ones of Elrond. "For your daughter's hand, Lord Elrond, I would conquer Mordor."

Elrond's expression softened and for one of the few times in his life, Aragorn saw how weary the half Elf appeared, how sad and yet hopeful. "It may yet come to that, Aragorn. Though I have hopes that we will all survive to see the union."

"Aragorn!"

The Ranger was dragged out of his memory to hear someone calling his name. And then another some one. Before Aragorn could react, he was embraced by two lean bodies. It took not a moment before he could identify them. "Elladan! Elrohir! And here I thought I would make it to the gates without being ambushed!"

The twins broke away from their foster brother, smiles on their faces. "We didn't wish to disappoint you and so we hurried from our home as soon as we arrived." Aragorn then noticed that they both wore clothes that were stained from rain, mud, sun and dust. With a grin he embraced the two again.

"It's good to see you; I haven't found you in the west for some time."

"We have been in the east, moving from Mirkwood, to Lórien, to Rohan and back to Mirkwood again. We planned to ride west with Glorfindel to search for you, but we were delayed in the Misty Mountains." Elladan explained their journeys while his younger brother broke off to speak to Glorfindel. It was then that the older twin noticed the Halflings standing by in awe. "And who are these, Aragorn?"

Aragorn turned his head, remembering the hobbits. He opened his mouth to speak, and then realized he'd switched from Westerneese to Sindarin as soon as the twins were near. The Ranger quickly switched back to the language the hobbits understood. "Forgive me. Master Elladan, this is Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took of the Shire. These are Elladan and Elrohir of Imladris."

"A pleasure to meet the three of you." Elladan swept into a half bow, his brother quick to follow suit.

Sam stared in wide-eyed awe. Glorfindel was magnificent, but these two had their own beauty about them. Especially their voices, smooth as silk and soft as velvet. And... they had dark hair! He'd once heard from Bilbo that Elrond had black hair but he'd never expected to actually see it in other Elves. Even Glorfindel was a bright blond. And... they were dressed as Rangers! What sort of strange folk were they?

Elrohir caught the awe and wonder and curiosity on... was it Sam's? face. "We are Elrond's sons, Master Gamgee. All of us managed to inherit our father's dark hair -"

"And your mother's spark." Glorfindel raised his voice, his comment unexpected by everyone. "Your father is expecting our return, which we should hasten."

"Yes, forgive us for stopping you." Elrohir bowed his head respectfully to the Noldor and motioned for everyone to follow him and his brother.

"Goodness that's right! Frodo!" Pippin smacked his forehead and went after the Elves, Merry and Sam were only a few paces behind him. In their shock at seeing more Elves, they'd nearly forgotten their friend and cousin (or master in Sam's case).

Elrohir and his brother left the small company in favour of changing their clothes. They hadn't known how far behind the group was, Frodo had arrived a day ago into their father's care and he had requested their help. They both had a feeling it was a simple matter of energy, there was only so much one Elf can do, even their father, without resting.

"Elladan, do you think he'll make it?" Elrohir leaned against one of the pillars in his brother's room, awaiting his twin as he changed.

"He has been resisting the shadow of the blade very well, but if we cannot get the sliver that's left of it out, he may yet be lost to us." Elladan slipped out of another room, wearing a pale blue robe and an over robe of deep navy, much like his brother was wearing varying greens. "We shouldn't dally here. Father asked for us before we'd even arrived."

Elrohir nodded and followed Elladan as they set off down the corridors. Both worried for their father, as Arwen did. He often did too much with too little rest, taking each loss personally and each victory quietly. When they finally found him, Arwen was already sitting quietly in the room, rising when they entered.

"How long has he been standing there?" Elladan questioned. Elrond was standing over the Halfing's bed, one hand hovering over the shoulder and the other resting just above the forehead, a soft murmur of words the only sound.

"Since Frodo first arrived into our care. Please, if you can take his place for but a few hours, I will make him rest." Arwen was glad to see her brothers. They were capable of healing, more so than she was as far as fell wounds went. "Please try."

Elladan nodded solemnly, he knew their father would be beyond reluctant to leave. He slowly moved to Elrond's side. "Adar?"

"Elladan now is not the time."

"Adar, Elrohir and I will look after Frodo - you need to rest." Elladan spoke firmly, much like Elrond had so many times to them. Elladan stood stock still, Elrohir just behind him, both strong behind their conviction.

Elrond lifted his concentration long enough to glance at his sons, giving them both a severe look. But it shocked him to see that the look was returned, though not as strongly. Twin faces half begged, half told him to rest. The master of Rivendell sighed softly and broke off from Frodo, realizing for the first time how drained his body felt. "As you wish. Arwen..."

"I'm here, Adar." Arwen didn't hesitate to help her father. "Diola lle, torror'aeamin." She smiled at them before leading her father out of the room.

Elrohir looked over Elladan's shoulder at the pale hobbit. "We shouldn't dally." He fed his brother's words back to him and Elladan nodded, taking his father's place at Frodo's side.

"Promise to snap me out of it when I grow tired." Elladan gave a weak smile; as much as he was confident in his healing skills, he knew he was not at the level of his father, not yet at least. Little did he know that it would be another day before Elrond returned.

Aragorn stood in the doorway of Frodo's room. He wished he'd been of more use to the hobbit, but now it was out of his hands. Elrond's entire family was in the room, Arwen was sitting near the wall, the twins were on one side of the bed, their father on the other. Gandalf had finally arrived a day ago - it had been four days since the incident at the ford. The Halflings had not left Frodo's bed until just an hour ago, when Elrond had told them all to rest. And now the lord asked that all but Gandalf leave so that Frodo could rest in peace.

Arwen was the last to leave, pausing in the doorway and turning to face Aragorn. She had not seen him in some time and she drank her fill of his face before speaking. "Cormamin lindua ele lle, Aragorn, melamin." She lifted a delicate hand, touching her love's face gently. "I have missed you."

"And I you, a'melamin." Aragorn caught her pale hand in his, holding it to his cheek as if her very touch would save him from the darkest of fates. "I wish that I was here under better circumstances."

"That would be my wish as well, Aragorn. But in these dark times, I am glad to see you here at all." Arwen carefully released her hand from Aragorn's grasp and linked her arm through his. "I fear that we will have little time together. My father has already bid that Elladan and Elrohir ride south and east once more to seek news. And I know that he will ask you to gather the Dúnedain and inform them of what is going on."

"I thought as much, but I treasure every moment I have with you, my dear one." They both paused and the Man leaned down, intent on her soft lips when -

"Aragorn, my father wishes to speak to you!" Elrohir's voice echoed in the corridor and Aragorn let go of a quiet sigh.

Arwen smiled, suppressing a soft laugh. She leaned up to kiss Aragorn's cheek and then spoke. "We shall talk when you return, melamin. This I will promise." She brushed her lips to his in a quick moment before sweeping off down another hallway, leaving a pining Aragorn and an amused Elrohir.

Sorry this was a while in coming, had a bit of writer's block. And I apologize for the short length as well, the next chapter will come soon, I promise.

Translations:

Adar - Father

Diola lle, torror'aeamin – Thank you, my brothers

Cormamin lindua ele lle – My heart sings to see you

Melamin – my love

A'melamin – my beloved