A/N: I have a few apologies to make. First, sorry for the long span of time with no update. Second, I am sorry for not using Legolas' father's real name. I did not know it was Thranduil, otherwise I would have used it. If you go back to the previous chapter, you will see that I have changed it. Not having read the books and never coming across it on the i-net, I assumed that his father was nameless. I am sorry if this offended anyone. Please feel free to tell me if I completely slaughter anything else like that so I can fix it. Thank you for understanding. (I am NOT being sarcastic or anything like that, I am serious).
One more thing. I don't know what's going to happen next so it very well could be another two weeks before I get to update. Let this last you a while. ;)
And now…the story:
Elladan approached his sister slowly. She was gazing blankly out the window at the setting sun. *Arwen,* he said softly. She did not acknowledge him. *Why is your heart so pained?*
Arwen's voice was empty when she spoke, and so fragile that Elladan feared to interrupt her. *I have not seen Elrohir for a long time. And now I also have Elsa on my mind.*
*Elsa?*
*You haven't met her? She is an elven maid. With red hair.*
Elladan's eyebrows shot up. *Red hair?*
*Yes.* Arwen painfully tore her gaze away from the window and looked at her brother. *Aragorn believes she is the Child of Fire. Do you remember father's stories?*
*The Lady of Fire?*
Arwen looked down. *Yes. Aragorn's sure that Elsa is the new Lady.*
*Does that give you ill feelings toward her? Why is this bad?*
Arwen heaved a great sigh. *It's not bad, it's just…complicated. Everything could change in the blink of an eye. If she is the Lady then she is also phenomenally wise. There would be no need of a council because of her wisdom. She would be the ultimate ruler and I- I who have grown so accustomed to my role- would be in danger of losing my position as the Lady of Rivendell. I do not hate her for it, but this revelation may bring about many difficult changes.*
*Arwen, if she is the Lady, then she is the rightful heir. It is your place to step down.*
*I know, but-*
"My lady!" Elsa burst into the room, panic rooted deeply in her eyes. She frantically ran to Arwen's side and clutched her arm. "I can find Legolas nowhere!"
"What?"
"I have searched everywhere for him! He usually comes to see me, but I have not seen him all day. The sun has nearly set and I still know nothing of him!"
"He must be somewhere. Perhaps he is speaking with Aragorn."
"He is not! And I am very worried for his safety."
"What makes you say that?" Arwen asked suspiciously.
Elsa grew quiet. "I feel it in my heart. Something has happened to him. Will you send someone to search for him?"
"Elsa, there is nothing I can do. With no information, we are at a loss. We can only wait. I'm sure he-"
*My lady.* One of the messenger elves entered, carrying a letter sealed with red wax into which was impressed the symbol from the King of Mirkwood's signet ring.
Elsa backed away as the elf approached.
*Urgent news from Mirkwood.*
Arwen eyed the letter. *You may take it to Legolas.*
*No, my lady,* said the elf as he held out the letter. *This message is for you.*
Arwen slowly took the letter and broke the seal. Her heart beat faster with every word she read. She passed the letter off to Elladan as she murmured, *Mirkwood has declared war on Rivendell.*
Elsa quietly left the room. Arwen had more important matters to see to now. Elsa was on her own. She must find Legolas.
Thoughts flew through Arwen's mind so fast they all became one giant mess. She finally found one thought clear enough for her to voice. *Send a reply back. Ask what has brought them to this point.*
The messenger bowed and left.
Elladan lowered his voice though there was no one left in the room to hear him. *Though this event seems unlikely, I would suggest you start preparing for war…in case.*
*This doesn't make any sense! We can't go to war against Mirkwood!*
*Sometimes, Arwen, you just do what needs to be done. Shall I send for the council so you may get advice?*
*No,* Arwen said firmly. *I will not speak of war until I know it is inevitable.*
*Where are you going?* Elladan asked as Arwen began to leave.
*I must speak with Aragorn,* she called over her shoulder. Arwen tried desperately not to think of the letter from Mirkwood as she hurried on her way. As she passed a small doorway, a hand reached out and pulled her into the small room. Arwen was at first alarmed, but relief quickly swept over her as she saw it was only Aragorn.
He spoke in a hushed whisper, but there was no fear in his voice, only thoughtfulness. "A small group of elves left the city this evening."
"Does that concern something?"
"I don't know. Yet."
"Then listen to me. I was just looking for you to tell you Mirkwood has declared war on Rivendell."
"It cannot be!"
"It's true. The King is angry with us for some reason. I believe we may have offended Legolas."
"In your heart you know that's not true. He would have said something."
"Then why would the King demand we go to war? It is most unusual."
"Indeed, it is perplexing. You just received this notice today?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps we should speak to Legolas and in doing so we may gather some insight on the situation."
The two began walking on their way to Legolas' chambers.
"Speaking of Legolas, have you seen him recently?"
"Not for a few days. Why?"
A flicker of concern flashed through Arwen's eyes. "Elsa says she has not seen him, and that is most unusual."
"He is gone?" Aragorn stopped in his tracks, his tone of voice puzzling Arwen even more.
"I…I don't know. I dismissed the matter easily enough. Do you think something is wrong?"
"Have you searched for him yet?"
"No, but if you think it is necessary, I will give orders right away."
Aragorn tried very hard to keep the confidence in his voice and the confusion out of his eyes so as not to alarm Arwen. "Do so. I will speak with your brothers."
Just as Arwen was prepared to leave, a thought struck her. "Elsa!"
"What's wrong?"
"I must check on Elsa to be certain that she is OK. She was nearly sick with worry before."
Aragorn followed Arwen to Elsa's chambers in silence. He waited patiently as Arwen knocked on the heavy door.
There was no answer.
Arwen slowly pushed the door open. "Elsa?" She entered the room and looked around. Noticing that her closet had been disturbed, Arwen walked over near the piles of garments, Aragorn in her wake.
"She must have been looking for something," Aragorn commented.
Arwen did not speak as she knelt to the floor. She carefully picked up a discarded robe.
*My lady?*
Arwen dropped the cloth and rose as she turned to see who had addressed her. It was only one of her servants.
*I beg your pardon for disturbing you, my lady,* the young she-elf said, *but I thought you should know…One of your horses is missing from the stables.*
*Thank you,* Arwen said dismissing the girl with a wave of her hand. As soon as she was gone, Arwen went to Aragorn and grasped his arms tightly. *I think Elsa has gone after Legolas.*
*Would she do something like that?*
*Yes. I must go after her! Something dreadful may happen to her!*
*You cannot go alone. I cannot permit you to commit such an act.*
*I love you dearly, but I am going. You may help me or not, but she is my friend.*
Aragorn sighed. *You cannot travel in a dress. Change into something more suitable and I will meet you out front.*
Arwen rose on her toes to kiss Aragorn's cheek and then hurried to do as he had said.
Within a half-hour, Aragorn had retrieved his horse and found Arwen at the front mounted on her own horse.
Even though Arwen was dressed in plain, earthen colors, she still seemed just as glorious to Aragorn.
As Aragorn mounted his horse, he could sense something was wrong with Arwen. "I spoke with Elladan and he has agreed to rule Rivendell in your stead," Aragorn said hoping to cast away all the doubts that shone through Arwen's eyes.
Her heart twisting into excruciating knots, Arwen looked to the Ranger. "Who knows how long we may be gone," she said her voice empty, monotonous, and sad, "and I have not yet gotten to speak with Elrohir."
Aragorn forced the confidence into his voice. "We will return and then you may set things right. I would have said goodbye to Elrohir as well, but he was not to be found for the moment and if we are to go, the we must go immediately."
Arwen sighed. "You are right, of course. Elsa and Legolas need us." Arwen picked up her reins and heeled Asfaloth into a gallop.
Aragorn followed suit and both Ranger and Lady were enveloped in the thick darkness.