Chapter 3: Of Elves

"I am not in the least a glimpse-Elf. I do not run Legolas. I do not hide when danger comes. Look again at it and tell me what I am." She picked up the necklace and with it still being around her neck, she showed it to him. Legolas then saw the perfectly crafted silver and glass. The being on the chain was wrought in accordance of a fairy. (Think Arwen's necklace) An amethyst gem was set in the middle of the being.

Legolas studied the beauty long, for he had only heard of such a being through songs sung in the old Kingdoms. He did not know if they truly existed. Yet, here before his eyes the necklace proved all without any words. But still he did not truly believe.

"It is true, there is no reason to doubt it. Why would I lie about it? I have no reason to lie anymore."

"You seem different then when we met you last night. There is something new or maybe old, we all see it. Even Éomer. Something has changed but can it really be what I think it is?"

Arway turned and saw Aragorn was the speaker of the words.

"It is true." Gandalf now spoke in Elvish. "You have a strong sense my friend, and are right about this. The last time I saw Arway she looked like she was sixteen in Man-years, now but a month later, if not less, she looks eighteen in Man-years. It is possible. Possible only in one degree of the Elves. Only possible in the being you see before your very eyes. My dear Legolas, what you doubt is true. They do exist in real life, not just songs sung in the old countries." Now turning to the Common speech, "If the King is to leave tomorrow those that have been chosen to ride with him must rest."

The King of Rohan went off to rest with those of his house. Aragorn went to a corner and meditated. Legolas sat by Gimli telling all he could of what had happened, both in the end of the battle and the talk with Arway.

Arway stayed where she had been, in the center of the room. Gandalf had gone over to her and they now spoke as old friends. No one could hear what the two said, but the faces were serious. It reminded Legolas of when Gandalf spoke to Aragorn alone.

Legolas inspected her. First, she was but a few inches shorter than he was, the same grace of the Elves was about her. Her skin a beautiful pale color, slightly tanned by the sun. All her features were soft and pronounced as those of an Elf should be. The two things that were different were her blonde-brown hair. In some light, it was light brown, in others a dirty blonde. He could not tell which it was for sure. And the eyes. Not blue or brown, but a blue-green. She was a mix of every Elf he had ever seen.

"I wonder if I asked Elrond if he could tell me about her." He muttered to his Dwarf friend.

"Mention nothing of me to Elrond." She suddenly commanded looking straight at him.

"That is the only time I have hear Elvish sound harsh," Gimli stated.

"He will never remember." She spoke sadly as to herself. "There is no where in his being that will openly remember who or what I am."

"Arway." Gandalf commanded her attention with the single word. "In his mind Elrond may try to diminish you, but you are always present in his heart."

"Thank-you Gandalf, but I do not believe this is so. He would not wish to remember in his heart what he has done, what he created." She slipped into Elvish in the middle of the sentence without even noticing.

"Then." Aragorn began.

"Elrond is my father, though it is not so much real anymore. I was exiled many, many years ago and the four do not remember what they have done." Still Elvish.

"You are." Legolas began.

"About as old as you are. I remember seeing you long ago, but you would not remember me. I was much different back then."

Arway proceeded to lie down on the table at this point. Ending the conversation even though she had intrigued them all more then they thought possible. Even the Dwarf who could understand but pieces of Elvish caught the meaning of the conversation. Though later he had to check with Legolas to make sure what he thought he heard was what was really said.