A/N - Just a brief interlude along their journey, this. I hope you enjoy it anyway, thankyou everyone who has reviewed, its appreciated so so oh so much!

Chapter Seven, Of Birds.

The sun had risen and set no less than fourteen times since the elven company set out from Gondor, and the borders of Fangorn were still a full days ride from where they now rested. There had been several unplanned delays along their route, chiefly in Edoras, at the dwelling of Rohan's aged King Theol, son of Elfwine, with whom two full days and nights had been spent.

Relations between Gondor and Rohan had never been better than they were in these days, and the King could not let a Royal party cross his lands without welcoming them into his home. Similarly the Princess could not pass through Rohan without accepting the King's invitation.

All in Rohan had heard tell of Gondor's elven princess, but there were few among the short lived folk who had actually seen one of the firstborn, or indeed knew much about them, except from stories told by their Fathers. There was great excitement among the people, then, when it was found out that no less than three of the very elves who peopled the stories of old now walked in their lands and dwelt with the King.

Folk brought their children and lined the streets to see the Fairy Princess of Gondor escorted by Legolas, the fell wood elf who had battled bravely at Helm's Deep, and the identical Lords of the Hidden Valley, who once walked the Paths of the Dead with Elessar of Gondor.

The elves, for their part, were most bewildered by the rumpus their visit had caused, yet did their best to speak with all who had come to see them. Elladan and Elrohir, in particular, showed great affection for the infant Rohirrim and endured the youngsters explorations of their long ears and tugs upon their delicate braids with barely a wince.

Even after they had departed from the house of the King, and were continued upon their set route, they could not escape the further delays caused by regular invitations to sup or stay with various Lords of Rohan as they passed by. Nor would they have wished to escape such pleasant interruptions, for their journey was not a hasty one, and a few days lost here or there would trouble no one. Indeed they had passed the previous evening very comfortably at West Emnet, in the warm guest beds of it's Mayor, and so it was with some regret that they now sought a suitable patch of earth on which to lay their bed rolls for the night ahead.

Elrohir had stopped a short way ahead of the others, and was dismounting when Aewen caught up to him.

Why do you stop? She asked.

The ground is flat here, and soft. I think we would do well to stop here for the night. came the reply.

But there are trees only a short distance from here! Aewen protested loudly, gesturing to a small clump of beech trees a short ride away. We would have shelter under them, and from their branches Fangorn might even be within view!

Nonetheless, the light fades and I think it best if.... Elrohir stopped, and sighed in exasperation, for the Princess was already gone ahead toward the trees.

Now do I see why they call her Aewen. he said as Legolas and Elladan slowed their horses beside him. For she flits about as a bird does, never stilling until all around her are driven beyond their wits in trying to keep up!

Elladan laughed. Then I take it we are to sleep under the trees tonight, Brother.

As the Lady wishes. Elrohir replied gloomily.

Legolas smiled, but he remained quiet, as he had been for much of the journey so far. His mind was in turmoil and it was all fixed around the young Princess. Everything about her enchanted him. The lilt of her voice was as the sweetest song to his ears, the light in her eyes as bright as any of the stars. Ai, but she is so young!' he thought. But then, was not Aragorn a mere child in years compared to the Evenstar whose love he claimed for his own? And were there not far more obstacles between those two? Yet somehow all was overcome. Had Elladan not also said there was no shame in what his heart yearned for? How did so many others know the contents of his heart, when he himself did not, Legolas wondered. For surely Aewen must be what Gandalf spoke of when he said that Gondor held a gift beyond gold. He said Legolas might find there what his heart did not seek. The elf both cursed and blessed the old wizard and his cryptic words.

A curse upon that girl! Elrohir exclaimed, and Legolas, brought to his senses once more, found that they had now arrived under the trees. Aewen's horse was tethered here, but she herself was nowhere to be seen. The ground here is stony and uneven, The dark haired elf continued in his tirade, I know not how anyone will find rest here.

We can roost in the branches, then. came a voice from above their heads. It is good enough for the birds.

Aewen had hooked her legs over a strong bough and hung above them, face flushed and arms outspread like wings, for balance.

Good enough for birds, maybe. called Elladan, jumping from his horse to scale the same tree and sit beside his niece on her bough, But most birds do not have to worry about being caught by the ankles and tipped from the trees, now do they, little Aewen? A grin on his face, he caught her ankles and made as if to follow the example of his words. Elrohir laughed below as Aewen screeched and tried to catch hold of Elladan's legs.

You do, Elladan Elrondion, and by the Lady I will have your ears!

Elladan bravely held out his arm to the snarling beast and helped her upright, to sit beside him.

We could still sleep in these branches. Aewen said stubbornly, They are wide enough, and smoother than the ground.

Not so smooth as the resting place I had selected. Elrohir chastised, but he was beyond argument, and, after seeing to the horses, he and Legolas joined the others up in the vast trees. It was true that Fangorn could be glimpsed from this height, but it was merely a blur in the darkness, and Aewen was eager to see more of what remained of Eriador's eldest forest.

It must have been wonderful, she mused absently, growing up in a forest.

Legolas smiled, It was wonderful, but terrible also, to be raised in Mirkwood. Much of what once held beauty and wonder was overcome by shadow in the time of the Necromancer. The trees are grown so close in places that underneath them is nothing but black. To see the sun in those areas you have to climb, and if you climb the wrong tree you might well find yourself face to face with a spider, its black legs as thick as your own and twice as long!

The tale had been meant to scare and it had the desired effect, as Aewen gasped and shivered, and then laughed at herself for doing so.

Did the spiders all depart when the tower at Dol Guldur was thrown down? She asked.

Most fled or were killed, Legolas said, Eryn Lasgalen was entirely changed from the Mirkwood it once was, before I left. Though I do not doubt that there are still some remaining spiders and other black creatures that lie in wait for wayward elves...

Stop, or you will have her change her mind about accompanying us! Laughed Elladan.

I will admit to having no love of spiders. Aewen said. But why were the creatures not driven back long before?

Legolas frowned. The elves of my realm were a fearful, careful race. he said. The Silvan elves of the wood were not skilled fighters, and less than a third of those who fought Sauron in the Last Alliance ever returned. There was no family untouched by loss. My Father returned from the war a young King of a depleted people. From that time onward young elves studied battle, not books. Archery and sword work became more vital to us than music or dance, but the people had no will to fight again, knowing the losses of battle only too well. So we fled before the darkness when it came, allowed ourselves to be pushed into the corner of our land, defending ground where we could, but never attacking. It is perhaps not the way I would have chosen, but my Father had already lost too much and would not risk further tragedy. He is a good man, but gives much of his love to gold these days, it can't hurt him as people can. I hope he has found more peace in the Blessed Lands than ever he did here....

Your people suffered hardships that I did not comprehend. I am sorry, Legolas. Aewen said, quietly. She thought of her own Father, who had loved her perhaps too much, and her own protected childhood. After two children born with round ears, her parents had not expected that hers should bear points, and her birth had been the source of much wonder and celebration in the Palace. As an elf, she grew more slowly than her siblings, and remained her Father's little girl until the day he died. Her Brother, too was most protective of his youngest sister, and she trained at the bow and sword for amusement rather than need. Her Father and Brother would never have let any harm come to her.

We had many joys, also. Do not let me tell you otherwise. Legolas said, the smile returning to his face, Great hunts by torchlight, followed by wild feasts among the trees, grand balls and seasonal celebrations. When you live in the dark, rays of light are always more beautiful.

Aewen smiled, and Legolas wanted to say that no beauty could compare to her, but Elladan spoke first, And now I suggest that we sleep, lest further talk of feasting should have us raiding our packs.

And lest further talk of spiders give us terrors in the night! Elrohir added, with a glance at Aewen. Mind no one tips you from your tree as you sleep. He warned.

Aewen lay back, her eyes star-ward. Legolas would catch me. She said sleepily. He promised.

Elrohir looked toward the wood elf then, and arched a single brow.

Notes on this chapter:

Eomer of Rohan was 28 when he became King, and ruled for 65 years before his son Elfwine Succeeded him. He was 93 when he died. In my timeline, Elfwine died and was succeeded by Theol in FA 141, and the current year is FA 231.

The men of Rohan have lifetimes closest to our own, seeming to die betwen 70 and 100. Therefore there would be none alive in Rohan who ever met Aragorn or Arwen. This is also why they think of the twins as ancient, when the twins would not think of themselves that way.

For anyone who wants to know, Eldarion is 181, Mirarnor is 178 and Aewen is 166. These are my own creations. Aragorn died at the age of 210.

Elves reach their age of majority at 50, comparable to 21 in humans.