CHAPTER III

It came as no surprise when Arwen found out that her room was next to Aragorn's, connected by an adjoining door. It was one of the largest rooms in the castle, even if it was only temporary. After the wedding, Arwen would be sharing a bed with Aragorn. There would be no need for separate bedchambers.

The Elf sighed. On her way to Gondor, she was so anxious for the wedding, but now that she's finally there, she felt as if she needed more time to adjust. This is, after all, her first time living with all these mortal men.

Arwen heard a light knock on her door. Wondering who it was, she walked over and opened it. A maid stood before her, holding a basket stuffed with fabric while making some last readjustments with her fiery-red hair.

"Hello, lady Evenstar. I'm here to help you dress for the feast tonight and the dance afterwards," the maid explained when she noticed the puzzled look on Arwen's face.

"Help me dress? Can't I just dress myself?" Arwen asked. She had never had a servant to help her perform such tasks back in Rivendell.

The maid tried to conceal the wonder on her face as she replied, "Well, my lady, usually a maid helps a noble lady dress for a special occasion. I've been assigned to help you." The she added with a grin, "I consider it to be a great honor, you know, with you being the future queen and all."

Arwen couldn't help but smile at how highly the servant thought of her. She took off her outer garments and let the maid help her fit into a red satin gown. The dress had a collar that reached up to Arwen's throat a curve that fit here figure exactly. A ruby necklace with sparkling diamonds embedded in the edges was placed around her neck. Her hair fell loosely down her shoulders to her waist with a moonlight silver net over it.

Arwen looked at herself in the mirror. She had to admit to herself that she looked beautiful. A loud knock came to her door. The maid opened it, revealing a richly-dressed Elrond. After taking a long look at his daughter, he said, "Undomiel, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, Father." Arwen was going to thank the maid but she had already left. The Elf was confused again. Was it natural for servants to just disappear like this, without even giving someone a chance to thank them? Arwen shrugged and offered her father her arm. Elrond took it and they walked together to the dining hall.

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The dining hall was already filled with people when Arwen got there. There were several tables occupied by noble men and the new arrivals, but at the head table, a seat was empty between Aragorn and Legolas. Assuming that was hers, Arwen walked over and sat down.

Both men stared at her for a while. Arwen broke the awkward silence and asked, "What are you two looking at? Do you like my dress?"

Aragorn bent over to kiss her lightly on the cheek. "You would still be the most beautiful woman in the world, even without the dress."

"I can't say I disagree with Aragorn," the Elf prince put in. He lifted Arwen's hand and eased his lips over them.

The Elf lady looked at Legolas's face. His penetrating grey-blue eyes were darker than usual as if a sudden shadow passed over them. The rest of his face was perfect, from the square chin to the slightly visible moustache formed below his arched nose.

Arwen suddenly withdrew her hand. What was she doing, thinking of her friend that way? Legolas is a friend, a very close friend, but nothing more than that. Aragorn was the man she had sworn her eternal love to. The fact that she and Legolas used to have "something" between them didn't matter now. Aragorn was the only man in her heart.

The male Elf was puzzled at why Arwen had so suddenly retrieved her hand from his but his thought gradually returned to dinner when a servant placed three platters full of food in front of them.

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"Would you like to dance, my lady?" Aragorn held out a hand in front of Arwen.

She accepted it and followed the Gondor king out to the dance floor. Arwen was not used to their style of dancing for Elrohir and Elladan had only given her a quick lesson before they arrived in Minas Tirith. She tried to avoid stepping on her partner's shoes and managed to succeed for the most part, with the exception of a few rapid dance steps she had trouble catching up with.

Arwen looked around at the other people dancing. She spotted Legolas, sitting alone in a dark corner. He appeared to be looking intently at her and for a moment, their eyes met but her view was blocked when a couple swept past her line of vision. Why was he staring at me? Arwen wondered. Maybe he's just waiting for a chance to dance with me.

The song ended. Aragorn bowed and Arwen swept her best curtsy. She excused herself and walked over to the corner where Legolas sat.

"You look lonely," she said.

"I enjoy my own privacy. It gives me time to think," Legolas responded, his face turned away.

Arwen sat down next to him. "Oh really? Think about what?"

"The past, when you and I were together."

"You haven't forgotten that night?"

"How could I ever forget about that one night? You remember it don't you?" Legolas turned to look into Arwen's eyes.

"Yes, of course I do," Arwen answered, trying to avoid her friend's stare.

"Are you going to tell Aragorn?" Legolas asked.

After a long pause, Arwen replied, "No."