Nearly a week later the company had reached Rivendell, Elviondel with them still. Aragorn despised her presence, for he was so sure that she was bad news. He watched her like a hawk, just waiting for her to make one wrong move so that he could banish her from the group. But it was hardly his say, in the first place, with Legolas leading. So he held his tongue as often as he could stand to, and so far had avoided all outbursts. He found the idea that Legolas trusted her because of how he met Gwilith ridiculous. What… since he met her in Lórien? That meant that every elf that entered Lórien would remind him of her, and that simply didn't make sense. Every elf in Rivendell did not remind him of Arwen, so why should the same thing not apply to Legolas? He'd nearly told Elviondel off a few times, but he worked hard to keep his tongue in check. He couldn't let her know of his suspicions.

When they arrived in Rivendell, they received a royal welcome. Zerameth and Laesien were amazed, for they did not know that their mother had once been an elf. They, like Yrinvan, dismissed it as a myth, a fairy-tale, an exaggeration of her beauty. But they were proven wrong when they reached the House of Elrond, where the Lord of Rivendell still ruled, to the human children's amazement.

"How old is he?" Laesien asked. "3,000?"

Arwen laughed. "Much older, actually. When I gave up my immortality I was 2, 972. My father is surely at least 6,000."

"You don't know how old your father is?" Aragorn asked, noting the unsureness in her voice.

"Why don't you try keeping track of all those years, and we'll see how long you last," Arwen shot back, laughing again.

"You certainly are happy in this place," Legolas noted.

Aragorn had known Arwen all of his life, and he had never seen a smile like what was on her face right then. She was not happy, she was glowing. It was the kind of happy that only old memories could unleash.

"I'm home," she said. "For the first time in nearly 50 years, I'm back home. My greatest memories are of this place, and I haven't been here to revisit them in so long."

Aragorn noticed how beautiful she looked with her glowing face. He leaned from his horse to gently kiss her lips. "You're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen," he told her softly.

She laughed. "I love you."

Zerameth cleared her throat. "Mo-ther," she said, annoyed. "Fa-ther."

Legolas dismounted his horse when they were in front of the House. He smiled at Thirandor. "Would you inform Lord Elrond that we are here?" he asked happily.

The attendant stared at Arwen in amazement, then bolted away like his life depended on it. But it was not a scared run, but an excited one. He was seen skipping on his way inside. The company dismounted and their horses were put in a stable by some other attendants that were more than happy to help out. When Elrohir came out of the door, Arwen laughed of pure joy.

"Brother!" she said, running up to him and into his open arms. He laughed as he hugged her back.

"Arwen. You look nearly dead!"

"I look mortal," she replied. " 'Tis no curse. Is Elladan here?"

"He is inside, and does not know that you are here yet."

"I bring my family, and my friend and his own children for you two and father to meet."

"Is that why you have come?" asked Elrohir, slightly amused. Why would she come all this way from Gondor simply to introduce her family?

"I fear not. We come because of more serious matters, but we must discuss them later at a more proper time. You know Aragorn?"

Elrohir nodded to the Man. "I know of him. We had met, but not nearly much more."

"Zerameth and Laesien," Arwen said, motioning for her daughters to come closer to her. "This is my brother, your uncle Elrohir. And this is Yrinvan, he is a friend of ours also."

"Hello, Master Elf," Yrinvan greeted. Elrohir smiled at the young boy.

"If my sister had no sons, then you may end up being a King one day," he said. "So straighten your posture and look proud."

Yrinvan smiled and followed his advice, standing taller. "Yes, sir."

Elrohir looked to Legolas. "I do remember you, Legolas of Mirkwood. But I don't believe I knew you had children."

Legolas nodded. "I have a son, Ohtar, and also two daughters Anywien and Galia. I fear my wife had to stay behind and rule."

"Why did you not leave your son to rule?"

Legolas looked at Ohtar and his son crossed his arms and looked away, refusing to make eye contact with his father. "My son has been ruling endlessly and is now receiving a well-deserved vacation."

"Yes, I have been ruling endlessly," Ohtar agreed bitterly. "I am the Lord of Mirkwood, not you."

Legolas cast a sharp glance to his son. "Not now."

Ohtar rolled his eyes and stomped away. Legolas was about to go after him when Elrohir said, "He will get in no trouble here, and he can't stray far. You may leave him to be without worrying."

Legolas glanced at Arwen who sent him a pleading look. He sighed. "Yes, I know that. But I don't want him alone." He looked to Anywien. "Will you talk to him?"

Anywien nodded. "Yes, father." Then she left in the direction that her brother had gone.

Arwen looked to Elrohir. "Where is father? I must see him."

"Yes, you must," he agreed. "Come."