Note: words between *'s means that the words are spoken in Elvish. Example: *How are you?*

The Oak Tree

Arwen was under a mighty oak tree watching as the sun began to wane behind the tall trees of Rivendell. 'Another day gone,' she thought sadly as she slid to the ground and leaned against the large trunk. It seemed she had been waiting an eternity for news of her father, Elrond, her love, Aragorn, and her childhood companion, Legolas. They had been gone over a month now and Arwen missed their company. She had just begun to rise when she heard the soft crackling of dry leaves. Arwen turned and let her breath out when she saw Aragorn.

Aragorn was splattered in blood. Sweat dripped from his disheveled hair and face. He had dark circles under his eyes that looked empty and child-like.

Arwen ran to her beloved and flung her arms around his neck. He held her tightly, but said not a word. Arwen drew back just enough to see his face.

"You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No," Aragorn barely whispered. He had forgotten how beautiful Arwen truly was. "Every day I was away from you made my arms ache to hold you more. I will never leave your side again."

Arwen touched his face. "I missed you."

"I have important news for you, Arwen. But first I must rest."

"Yes," Arwen agreed leading him away. As they walked hand in hand, Arwen battled the urge to ask of her father and Legolas. She knew he was tired.

When they reached his room, their hands separated reluctantly. Arwen waited outside his room. She would remain there until he was rested and ready to come back out.

While she waited, Arwen dreamed of the adventures he had gone on with her father. She remembered when the trio had left nearly two months ago. She was still daydreaming when she saw Legolas.

"Legolas!" she called and beckoned to him.

Legolas was also perspiring and splattered with blood.

"Lady Arwen," Legolas smiled. "It is good to see you gain."

"You look a mess," Arwen commented picking a dead leaf out of his long blond hair.

"I can't argue with you on that. I must bathe and then take a long nap. A few years ought to do it."

Arwen laughed. Aragorn was doing the same thing only in reverse order. Elves are much more conscious about cleanliness than men are.

"Is my father with you?"

The smile disappeared from Legolas' face. "Have you spoken with Aragorn yet?"

Arwen searched his troubled eyes. "Yes, a bit. He said he had important news for me. Is it about my father?"

"I can tell you nothing," Legolas said somberly. "I swore to Aragorn I would say nothing. If you'll excuse me, my lady."

Legolas strode away leaving a very perplexed Arwen behind. She was now more determined to wait for Aragorn than before. She stood outside his door for hours before the door finally opened.

Arwen turned to find a much more rested and much cleaner Aragorn, though he still had a disturbed look in his eyes.

"You had news for me?"

Aragorn stared into Arwen's anxious eyes. She already suspected the truth. He brought her into his room and had her sit on his bed. He knelt before her and took both of her pale, smooth hands into his large, rough ones. Aragorn kept his eyes locked on Arwen's as he spoke.

"Arwen, our adventures were perilous ones. Many times we were separated. Once is all it took. I found your father lying on the ground, fear had overtaken his eyes. He could not speak. Legolas was nowhere. I do not practice elf magic and this was not the first time I wished I did. By the time the three of us had reunited, it was too late for Elrond."

Arwen's heart stopped. How could this be? He had innumerable years ahead of him! Arwen's mouth ran dry. She could not speak, could not even cry.

"Arwen?" Aragorn asked gently.

Arwen collapsed into Aragorn's arms and began crying fiercely. Her fingers dug into Aragorn's back.

They stayed like that- kneeling on the floor in each other's arms- for hours. Arwen finally succumbed to sleep and Aragorn laid her on his bed.

There was a knock at his door.

Aragorn opened his door to find Legolas. "Do the people know?"

Legolas nodded. "They mourn with her. The council still insists that she take the throne tomorrow."

"I will speak with them."

Legolas held out his hand. "Do not. They shall only grow angry. I have already begged before them. They are adamant that the ceremony be held tomorrow evening."

"She has just lost her father!"

"Do you wish to wake her?"

Aragorn glanced over his shoulder. "No. Perhaps you had better explain it to her. I do not understand the ways of elves."

Legolas nodded. "As you wish. I will speak with her when she awakens. Have you been fed?"

Aragorn shook his head. "No."

"Come with me."

Aragorn hesitated, looking back at the sleeping form of Arwen. Then he followed Legolas, closing his door behind him.

It wasn't long before Arwen awoke to find herself alone in Aragorn's chambers. She rose and slipped out the door. She made it all the way to her father's private library undetected. She scanned the titles on the bindings of every book before selecting one of the oldest in his collection. The cover was of leather, worn in some spots more than others. Arwen settled in her father's huge armchair and opened it to the first page. The Lady of Fire. It was one of Arwen's favorite tales. When she had been younger, her father had told it to her nearly every night. That had been long ago. Arwen wasn't sure if she remembered the tale very well anymore. But she remembered how her father told it. He kept her entranced, making her feel as if she was there watching it happen. She read the first few lines of the story and then it came flooding back. Arwen closed her eyes and pictured her father telling her of the Lady's elegant beauty. Describing the way she danced, the way she walked, the way she smiled. All of it done in complete confidence and peace.

"She must be around here somewhere…"

At the sound of Aragorn's voice, Arwen snapped the book shut and jumped to her feet.

Legolas followed Aragorn into the library.

"Arwen," Aragorn said sorrowfully, "Legolas must speak with you. Perhaps you should go for a walk."

Legolas held his breath.

Arwen nodded and dropped the book behind her into the chair. She brushed past Aragorn and followed Legolas out of the room.

Aragorn picked up the book and pushed it halfway into its place on the bookshelf. Then his curiosity got the better of him. He paused, took the book off again, and opened it. He had only meant to skim the story, but he became so engrossed in the tale that he sat down in the armchair and read the whole thing. Then he read it gain. Hungry for more, Aragorn flipped to the section where Elrond had recorded all of the different stories that told of what had become of the child Celsius.

Finally realizing how long he had been reading, Aragorn forced himself to close the book and reshelf it. But he looked at the title on the binding and remembered it. The Lady of Fire.

Aragorn left the room and descended one of the magnificent staircases that led to the gardens. He hoped to find Arwen and Legolas. His chances were slim because the garden was so large and elaborate, but he guessed that Legolas would take Arwen to the gazebo by the main fountain.

Leaning against the real was Legolas. Arwen was nowhere in sight.

Legolas did not even acknowledge Aragorn's presence as he climbed the few steps, but only stared out into the trees.

"How did it go?" asked Aragorn.

Legolas shook his head. "She won't be rushed, I'm afraid. I told her what the council expects- what her people expect. She does not want to rule."

Aragorn placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I will speak with her."

Legolas gave a small laugh. "Arwen cannot be found unless she want to be. You should know that."

"Ah, but I don't think she realizes that I know her better than she knows herself."

Legolas smiled as Aragorn left. "Mortals are impossible," he muttered.

Aragorn headed straight for the largest oak tree in all of Rivendell. H leaned against the trunk and began speaking, even though he could not see Arwen.

*I thought you would be here. Do you think that I did not know this is your favorite tree? I know the significance of this place to you.*

*And what is that?*

Aragorn looked up where Arwen's voice had come from. *This is were your father used to bring you when he had something important to tell you.*

Slowly, Arwen descended from the tree picking her way down the branches. When she was on the ground, she looked at Aragorn, her eyes revealing to him all of her pain.

*And,* Aragorn continued, *this is where we first met.*

*The council is heartless.*

Aragorn took a step toward Arwen. *Perhaps. But you should not become heartless as well.*

Arwen's heart beat faster. *Have you turned against me?*

*No, my lady. I ask you to rise against the council's heartlessness by being compassionate to your people. They are as lost as you, Arwen, and to watch you fall as well would surely suffocate the rest of their hope.*

*I can't do it, Aragorn. Not alone.*

Aragorn reached for Arwen's hand and gave it a squeeze. *Then I shall help you.*

Arwen's eyes pooled with tears and as a tear rolled down her cheek, Aragorn wiped it away with the back of his hand. *I'll do it,* she said quietly.

*Good,* Aragorn said gently. *Now you'd better rest. You have a big day ahead of you.*

A small smile crept slowly across Arwen's face. *What would I do without you?* she whispered.

So how was it? Please keep reviewing! *grins knowingly* the story has only begun!