Legolas looked at Gandalf in shock. "Sister?" he whispered. He turned wide eyes to Gimli, who also looked stunned.
"Yes, Legolas," said Gandalf with a chuckle, "your sister. And you," he said, turning to Gimli, "you have a niece." The company watched as Gimli blinked several times.
"I was gone when all this happened," he said finally. "I was with a scouting party. I knew that Thranduil had taken my father prisoner, and that they had escaped. For all of these years, I thought that Regeli died of the injuries she sustained. I never knew she had a child." He turned to Legolas. "A niece, master elf. I have a niece." They looked up as Elrond entered the room.
"And she is awake." Gandalf smiled widely at Elrond upon hearing the news.
"Good. How is she?" He put more pipeweed in his pipe and lit it, taking a long puff.
"She will be fine. Elladan is with her now. I think he is trying to talk her into eating something."
"Lord Elrond," began Legolas hesitantly, "do you think she would like to eat here on the balcony with us?" He looked at Gandalf. "Mithrandir, do you think it would be all right?"
"What say you, Elrond?" Gandalf asked the elf lord. "I did not think her injuries so severe as to prohibit visitors." Elrond nodded slowly.
"That is true, Mithrandir, but she has suffered a graver injury today. Her friend, Ereniel, was slain by the warg. She is feeling that loss, and I would be loathe to put more upon her than she can bear."
Gimli jumped up. "Then she needs to be with us, Elrond. She needs our support!" He looked at Legolas. "Do you not agree, Legolas?" A voice spoke up from beside Gandalf.
"Elrond, I think Gimli has a point. And if we eat here on the balcony, she can retire when she chooses." Aragorn looked at his foster father. "Do you not think knowing she is not alone will make her feel better?"
Elrond looked at the circle of faces waiting for his answer. He nodded slowly. "Very well. I will have Elladan bring her here." He held up his hand in caution and told them sternly, "but remember that while we know each other very well, we are new to her. I do not want you to upset her." He smiled then and added, "She is strong-spirited. I am sure you will do much to help her." "I will have the servants prepare the table and let them know we'll be eating here."
Aragorn nodded. "If you see Arwen, could you let her know also?" He hadn't seen his wife all afternoon and wondered where she was.
"Let me know what?" A hand reached for his and lips softly brushed the top of his head. "Are you keeping secrets again?"
"No, Arwen, I have long since learned the folly of that," he said with a grin. "We are going to eat here on the balcony. It is a celebration of sorts." He looked into her clear blue eyes, eyes so deep it was easy to get lost in them.
"What are celebrating?" She sat down beside him and looked at the group around the table.
"Lady Arwen, we are celebrating because the lost has been found!" exclaimed Gimli. "And would have been found sooner, if only someone had told me she was lost in the first place!"
Arwen chuckled. "I cannot remember when I have seen you so animated, master Gimli. What is the cause of this excitement?"
"I am an uncle," he told her proudly. "My sister, Regeli's child. I am meeting her for the first time."
"My congratulations, Gimli," Arwen replied warmly. "When does she arrive?"
"She is already here, my love," said Aragorn. "The she-elf that so valiantly defended Elrohir is the niece of whom Gimli speaks."
Arwen looked at Aragorn, then turned to look at Gimli. "She-elf? But...." Her voice trailed off in confusion. "I do not understand." She looked from one to another for help.
"Arwen, do not be troubled, for indeed it is hard to understand," said a quiet voice. "She is half-elven. I am not proud to say that my father was the cause of her birth, but I am proud to say that she is my sister. I will leave the telling to Aragorn, but I too am anxious to meet her." Legolas looked nervous, but excited at the same time.
"Yes, Arwen, I will indeed fill in the details," Aragorn whispered, "but for now let us enjoy her company." He nodded toward the group approaching the table.
"My friends," began Elrond, "I present to you Elentaari." He began to go around the table to introduce them, one by one, starting with Arwen. "This is my daughter, Arwen. She is married to Aragorn."
"Thank you for the life of my brother," said Arwen warmly. "Perhaps when your injuries are healed you will come to Gondor to see me."
"Yes, Elentaari," said Aragorn. "And I also thank you for the life of my brother." He grinned at the look of confusion in her eyes as she looked first to Arwen, then to him. "Elrond is my foster father. I grew up here in Imladris, and the twins were as brothers to me."
"Thank you, my lady," Elentaari bowed her head, "my lord." She looked at Arwen with a small smile. "I will visit you one day, for I have never been to Gondor."
"This is Master Gimli, son of Gloin," said Elrond quietly as they came next to Gimli. Elentaari went to one knee before him.
"I am at your service, my lord, and at your family's," she said, her head bowed. Gimli took her hand and helped her stand.
"And I at yours, sister daughter," he said in a voice fraught with emotion. "I look forward to spending more time with you. We have much to discuss."
"Thank you, my lord. I too welcome such times." Elentaari was aware of the blush on her face. Elrond took her arm and they came to the last person setting at the table.
"Legolas Thranduilion, prince of Mirkwood," said Elrond. Elentaari sank to her knees and bowed her head.
"I am pledged to your service," she said quietly, speaking an old Elvish vow of fealty. "In life or death will your vassal serve thee." All eyes turned to Legolas, who stood motionless, looking down at the elf before him. There was silence, and then Legolas spoke.
"Then I would ask that you rise, Elentaari Thranduilien, not as my vassal, but as my sister and friend." He knelt beside her and took her hand in his. "Do not kneel before me, but stand at my side." He helped her to rise, feeling the shaking of her hand. "Why do you tremble?" he whispered. "I am not to be feared."
Elentaari closed her eyes. "Long have I desired this meeting," she said quietly, "yet long have I feared it."
"Feared it?" Legolas looked at Elrond with concern. "I do not understand..."
"I have long heard of a brother, known only to me by name, my liege. I know that my heart has been desirous of seeking thee. I know not what your will has been toward me."
Legolas smiled. "I have only discovered this very day that such a one as Elentaari exists. But I am happy to have this knowledge. I too desire more knowledge of you. Will you sit with us and dine now?" He helped her sit down and soon the small group was talking contentedly, the clank of glasses and silverware punctuating the laughter.