A/N - Thank you, I may not get many reviews but the ones I get are so well thought out and nice. Gives me the warm fuzzies. Thanks for helping me believe in myself. Its tricky when you're a first time writer and everyone else is so good!

To answer a couple of quick questions. As I say, slash and also some sadness is coming up probably in three or four chapters time. But don't worry, the slash is nothing graphic or explicit. I don't think that would fit with this story. Anything that happens will be natural emotions and nothing more. I'd just call it love except that then I'd get in trouble with the anti boy-boy brigade for not giving a warning.

Aewen - we will find out more as we go along, but I'm afraid the whole truth about the girl is waiting for the final chapter. The truth about a lot is waiting for the final chapter. :)

Hope you guys stick with me and keep telling me how I'm doing.


Chapter Six, Namarie.

The sand crunched pleasingly beneath Legolas' feet as he made his way along the riverbank. Ahead of him, silhouetted against the dawn light, a pale figure stood in the shallows. Gentle eddies of water danced about her feet, and if she was aware of the wood elf's approach, she gave no sign of it.

This dawn brought with it the day when, finally, they were to depart the City, setting out to see what now remained in Eryn Lasgalen.

There had been a party held at the Palace the night before. A grand affair in honour of the three visiting elves. All the nobles of Gondor attended in their stately best, Elrohir and Elladan were robed in the deep ruby of Imladris, and none seeing them could deny their lineage and status as Lords of elves and men. Even Legolas looked the Prince he was, in borrowed robes of jade and gold, found for him as he carried no such finery with him upon the road.

Eldarion presided over the feasting and lead the toasts from the High Table, Queen Hala at his side, noble and beautiful among women.

After the meal was done with and the great food dishes were carried back to the kitchens, it was the Princess Aewen who lead the dancing and the songs, unable to keep in her chair a moment more. She wore the white and silver robes of her status in the City, seven stars of adamant were bound to her brow by a fine silver chain, and fronds of honeysuckle trailed about her waist and in her loose flowing hair.

The dancing was wild and joyful and there were few who did not take to the floor for it, the music and songs delighted the hearts of all those who listened, and the revelry went on until the small hours of the morning, for none wished such a night to ever end.

Finally, the King stood, and the music was stopped that his voice might be heard by all who were gathered there.

This night has been a glorious one, and will no doubt live in my mind for many years to come, but I fear that it will soon be time to end it and depart for our beds, lest those who will be leaving our company tomorrow should fall asleep upon their horses. laughter rippled through the crowd as the King continued, Nonetheless, I have one more duty to attend to this night. Elrohir, I ask you to join me at the High Table.

The elven Lord was found among the dancers, and he made his way to the side of the King,

It is known to all here present that, without your skill at healing, I would have one less son in my household this night. Eldarion said, his voice solemn, For this gift you have given me, I can never wholly repay you. I do wish, however, to bestow upon you one small token of my unending gratitude. It will do better work in your keeping than in mine.

Eldarion reached then into his robe, and withdrew a small rosewood box, which was passed into the hands of his Uncle. Upon opening it, Elrohir found a brooch, wrought of silver into the shape of an eagle, with a stone set into it the colour of sunlight upon leaves.

It is Elessar. The elf - stone of my Father. Eldarion said, though Elrohir's recognition was clear.

It belongs to you, Eldarion, and to your descendants. The elf protested.

Nay, that has never been the manner of its passing. the King said, Returned by Mithrandir from it's resting place with the Mariner in the West, It was given by the Lady of the Golden Wood, to my Father, who bore it's name. The stone was merely biding it's time in my hands until it's next owner could be found. It is a healer's stone, and belongs with you.

Defeated in his arguments, Elrohir then bowed before the King and accepted the gift, and as Eldarion moved to embrace him, voices were raised in song one more within the Great Hall, and the celebration continued a short while more, until, one by one, the merry makers had all drifted from the palace and home to their beds.

There was, however, one figure walking the streets of the City who went not straight to his bed that night, although with many days of travel ahead of him, it might have been wise to do so. Instead, Legolas found himself drawn to the banks of the fast flowing Anduin, as dawn was just breaking upon the horizon.

He expected to be alone, but was somehow unsurprised to see Aewen there ahead of him, her fine robes trailing in the water.

The princess did not acknowledge his presence until the wood elf stood beside her, whereupon she turned her head toward him, her face bright with the first light of day.

Legolas was captured by the gaze of her sea hued eyes, and did not speak for a moment. I came to welcome the dawn. He said, when his voice was returned to him.

I came to bid it farewell. she said, and returned her gaze eastward. Although it will be the same sun that greets me tomorrow, and in the coming weeks, each day it will rise upon a new landscape. The promise of new lands excites me, yet I shall miss Gondor, for all that I have said. She shook her head. It is foolish, I will be back here before I know it, and no doubt longing to leave once more, but there is still a part of me that regrets even such a short separation.

I believe I understand. Legolas told her, There is part of me that will always wish to be at sea, though I have spent many years now upon its crested back.

Aewen smiled. Then I perceive that you also come to say farewell, here where the banks of Anduin are sandy and gulls of the sea can often be seen overhead.

said Legolas. For I know not how long it will be before I am again this close to the ocean. But for all the draw of the waves, my home calls me also. I would see that all is well there before I could ever depart West.

Indeed.' Aewen said, and as she was turned away from him, Legolas did not see the shadow that crossed her face at his words. When she looked again toward him, the wood elf marked that he saw crested waves swell and break as clearly in the darkness of her eyes as he would if he stood by the shore and gazed upon the Sundering Seas.

Now it truly is time for me to seek my bed. She said, her mood changed in an instant, Lest the words of my Brother come true later, and I fall from my horse in sleep.

Im geditha le. Legolas whispered, as she walked away. The wind carried his words to her and she turned and looked at him curiously for a moment.

Thank you, Legolas. She said finally. Let us hope that will not be necessary.

Legolas stood by the water as she walked away, a calm expression masking the confusions that filled his head, troubling him. Perhaps my friends were right,' he thought, Perhaps I do not know my own mind. I certainly do not know my own heart.'

The dawn sun had long risen and grown hot overhead ere the riding party were assembled at Gondor's gates. The three elf Lords were dressed as they had arrived, in dark hued travel garb, strong but light enough for easy movement. Aewen wore a long, deep blue riding coat, her dark hair pulled away from her face and secured with a silver clip at the back of her head. She waited beside her horse to bid farewell to her brother.

First her four nephews came to the gates with their mother. Each was kissed goodbye and stood wishing that they too could ride with the elven party, but the King was keeping his family close about him for the moment. Soon enough his sons would have duties of their own that would carry them from the City, the two eldest boys already rode with the guard when envoys were sent from Gondor to Arnor.

Finally the King himself came to send the riders on their way. He carried with him a slender belt of tan leather, and a sheathed sword hung from it. This he gave to Aewen and said, Our mother's sword. I pray you never have cause to use it, but I shall feel safer knowing it is by your side.

Aewen withdrew the blade from its sheath, ancient elvish silver, still as strong and as keen as when the inscription was first engraved along its blade. Bittersweet smiles were upon the lips of Elladan and Elrohir, for they knew the broadsword well.

murmured Aewen reverently. I thought it was in Mirarnor's keeping?

She left it for you. Eldarion said, saying that It will see more years in your hands than hers.

You must thank her for me, if she visits before my return, this is too great a gift. Aewen told him, sheathing the sword and fastening it about her waist.

It is a gift well given, if it should keep you safer upon the road, said Eldarion. Even now I wonder if I should not give you a company of guardsmen as an escort.

I should not allow it! Aewen said, laughing. She hugged her brother close before allowing him to assist her in mounting her horse.

Farewell, Elaun Elessariell, Gondor will miss it's songbird while she is away.

Farewell, Eldarion Elessarion. Muindor nin, Aran nin. I shall return before you have time to miss me.

They spurred their horses then, and were away, leaving Gondor's King to ponder the truth in that statement, and to try and dismiss as the foolish worries of a protective brother, the small voice that whispered to him that the Princess was forever lost to the Cities of man.

Legolas and Elladan rode a short way behind the other two, who were already making considerable progress over the Anorien pass. At this rate they would reach Eastfold before nightfall.

Why did her Brother call her Elaun? Legolas asked his friend. The name had been playing on his mind since their departure from Gondor.

It is her Mother name. Elladan replied, Aewen is what she is more commonly called in the City, a term of affection that remains with her, I believe. Why do you ask?

Mere curiosity. Legolas replied nonchalantly. He continued to turn the name over in his mind. Elaun, Star given. Did Gandalf not speak to him of a gift he should find in Gondor? He looked to the two dark haired riders ahead. Aewen's musical laugh rang out at some comment of Elrohir's and Legolas felt a twinge of...jealousy?

Im al-car henion nauth nin. Im al-car henion sen anira-bragol. Im al car-henion.'



Notes on this chapter:

Once again, I'm no Sindarin speaker, so there are bound to be mistakes a plenty (please point them out if you notice them) But here is the intended meaning;-


Im geditha le. - I would catch you. (if she fell)
Muindor nin, Aran nin. - My Brother, My King.
Im al-car henion nauth nin. Im al-car henion sen anira-bragol. Im al car-henion.' - I do not understand my thought. I do not understand this sudden desire. I do not understand.' -These are not spoken, just thoughts inside Legolas's head. Thoughts can be identified because I use thought' instead of in other words instead of .

Elessariell and Elessarion means Elessar's daughter and Elessar's son.

Elves are typically given a birth name by their father, a form of his own name often, then their Mother will rename them something rooted in their personality or fate. They can acquire other names during their lives as Aewen has. Aewen's mother name is Elaun, literally el - Star aun - to have given, so star-given. Aewen means bird.

The Bit about the sword, Hadhafang, or throng-cleaver comes from the inscription on Arwen's sword in the movie FOTR. It says Aen estar Hadhafang I chathos hen, thand arod dan I thaung an I arwen meaning It is called Throng Cleaver this broadsword blade, a defence noble against the enemy throng for a noble lady. Just a bit of movie info I liked.

You can see a picture here:
http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/movie_inscriptions.htm

In Unfinished Tales -History of Galadriel and Celeborn' There is a section on Elessar the elf stone. I have gone with the view that it is the same stone made for Idril and given to Earendil that Galadriel gave to Aragorn. In the passage it says of the stone It is said that those who looked through this stone saw things that were withered or burned healed again or as they were in the grace of their youth, and that the hands of one who held it brought to all that they touched healing from hurt. That is why Eldarion gave it to Elrohir.

They are crossing the White Mountains into Anorien, and heading for Eastfold in Rohan.

I think that's it!