A/N: Ok! I know that what is going to happen didn't happen
in the books or whatever, but in the story it happens! NO FLAMES ABOUT THIS
PLEASE!!! Thank you! So read it, and go along with it, because that is what is
going to happen if you like it or not! Legolas will be coming shortly for
anyone who wants to know! This is pre-LOTR. Remember R/R!
Oh!!! Will anyone be KIND enough to tell me how the HECK you get italics and
stuff to show up? Cause I don't know how!!!!
Chapter Two
1,387 years had passed and Dani was 2,051 years old and now looked to be 14.
Arwen was 2,014 years old and looked to be about 13. She was a beauty, and
would be the most beautiful in Middle Earth as she grew up. Life didn't change
for Dani, she was still the same girl, and Elrond still treated her they way he
did long ago. Some things never change. That's what Dani would say to Arwen
when asked about her and Elrond's relationship. But some things did change.
Elladan and Elrohir were off in Lorien, and Arwen was going to go soon, probably
in the next year. Leaving Dani to herself.
She didn't mind being alone, for that's all she was. Alone. No one to share her
deepest secrets with, sure she had Arwen, but Arwen was always busy. She had to
become the Lady of Rivendell, so she was off doing things with Elrond, and
learning this and that. Dani would go and read in the library, where she could
get into no trouble, and no trouble could find her. But trouble would sometimes
find her one way or another.
So there she was one sunny spring afternoon in the library lost in one of the
books of times long ago when Arwen came in and sat next to her.
"What are you reading?"
Dani looked up. "About the Valar."
"Again?" Arwen asked. Dani had read that book at least ten times, but
never tired of it.
"Yes, I'm trying to figure out why they are making my life so
unfair." She said. Even though she would never complain about her life,
she still didn't see why some things were the way they were.
"Oh Dani, you yourself said that life was unfair."
"I know."
"Anyways, father would like to speak with us in his study."
"Great" Dani mumbled as Arwen helped her up.
"You know, that color suits you." Arwen said of the dark green dress
she was wearing.
"Well, thank you."
When they reached the massive door to Elrond's study, Arwen knocked on it.
"Come in" Was heard, and they entered.
"Hello Arwen, Danidriel. Please sit down" He said and motioned to the
chairs in front of him.
"Hello father." Arwen said. "How are you doing today?"
"Quite well thank you and yourself?"
"Fine."
"Good, and how about you Danidriel?" He said, now looking at her.
"Just another day." She said, and he frowned.
"Well anyway, I called you here to tell you that we will be having
visitors from Mirkwood coming in a few days. King Thranduil and his son Legolas
will be coming."
"Why would they be coming here?" Dani asked.
"I was getting there." He said. "Prince Legolas is just a little
older than you Danidriel, and Arwen is not much younger than you. You are both
getting to that age where the opposite sex is appealing to you . . ."
"Ah yes, boys and their arrow shooting days and breaking things in
halls." Dani said. She had frequently reminded Elrond of that day, and
told him that she had not broken the vase, but he had yet to believe her.
"Danidriel, would you please not wander off the subject, and listen
politely as Arwen is doing." Dani nodded. Everything was about Arwen to
him. It was Arwen that he wanted her to be like, and he told Dani to follow
Arwen's example, which didn't often happen.
"Thank you. Now, as I was saying. I would like you, Arwen, to spend some
time with Legolas. Hopefully you two will become friends."
"And then they fall in love right?" Dani interrupted.
"But father, what if we don't like each other?" Arwen said, her blue
eyes confused.
He didn't answer her question right away. "Hopefully you do become
friends, and then maybe when you are older you will fall in love. A marriage
between Rivendell and Mirkwood in the royal family has not happened for a long
time, and it will strengthen our realms together, therefore we will have an
alliance between us and help each other in battle and so on." He said and
then excused Arwen to go and do as she pleased.
"Why was I here if Arwen is supposed to become friends with him?"
"I would like for you not to associate with Prince Legolas while he is
staying here."
"What? So I can't become friends with him?"
"I would rather you not Danidriel. I would like for Arwen and he to spend
the time that he is here together. That is all." He said and got up to
leave. She was still sitting there.
"But . . ." She started.
"No Danidriel. You will do as you're told."
"Fine." She said a little angrily, and then got up and left, making
sure the door slammed a little to show that she was angry with him.
For the next two days, everyone was getting ready for the arrival of the
guests. Arwen was getting fitted for a new gown, foods were getting prepared,
and the guest's rooms were getting cleaned. Dani just stood around and watched.
No dress was being made for her because she was not being presented to the
Prince of Mirkwood. And that was fine with her; she didn't want to be
'presented' to anyone.
Dani went in search of Gandalf, who was here to welcome his old friend, the
kind of Mirkwood, who he had known for many years, and his son. She didn't have
to look very long, for he was sitting in the Hall of Fire smoking on his pipe.
She sat down in a chair across from him.
"Hello Dani, how are you doing this beautiful day?"
"It could be better." She said.
"So, Elrond informed you of the guests?"
"Yes and how I am not to associate with the Prince. But I do not see the
harm in it. What is wrong with wanting a friend?"
Gandalf looked at the sad girl. If only she knew how many young lads had looked
her way instead of Arwen's. She was pretty, but not as pretty as Arwen.
"I'm sure your father has his reasons." He said after a while.
"He's not my father and you know it. He's just the one who gives me a
home, I am thankful, but I can't help but wonder what my life could have been
if it hadn't happened. As for his reasons, he didn't say it, but the point is
just the same. I can't ruin the shot of Arwen and Prince Legolas' chance of
falling in love." She said.
"Ah, I see. And you would like to befriend the Prince if you could?"
She nodded. "Well, if you and he were meant to be friends, then it will
happen. These things have a way of working themselves out."
"Your probably right." She said, then her eyes glazed over as she
began to daydream, her golden eyes never leaving the wall in front of her. She
sat like that for about 20 minutes, when horses could be heard coming in.
Gandalf had gotten up to go and see who was arriving. Dani got up and stood by
his side. "Its Elladan and Elrohir. There back!" She cried, and then
went down to welcome them as the rest of the royal family came out as well.
She ran down the steps, her dress flowing behind her. She was a vision to
behold, but if it were Arwen running down, the earth might as well have stopped
turning.
"Danidriel!" Elrohir cried as she approached them. He gave her a warm
embrace; the she went to give one to Elladan.
"What are you two doing here? I thought you were still in Lorien."
"We were, but father sent word that we were having the King and Prince of
Mirkwood as guests and that we should come home at once. So, here we are
now." Elladan said.
"Well, I'm glad your back." She said.
"We also heard of his plans for Arwen and Legolas. I don't really see them
together but whatever happens, happens." Elrohir said.
"Yes, well while Arwen has the company of the Prince, I have the company
of you two." She said happily. She loved the twins dearly.
"Oh, and why wont you be making friends with the Prince?"
"Elrond has said that I am not allowed to associate with the Prince. He's
afraid I will interfere."
"Oh."
"Yes, well, come on." She said and then turned to go back up to the
stairs where everyone was waiting.
Everyone welcomed back the twins, and in return, they informed them of what had
been happening with them in Lorien. They then went to go and rest before
dinner, and Dani and Arwen went to go change.
The girls went to their separate rooms. Dani opened her door and went inside.
She sighed as she looked at her bed, its soft pillows and dark crimson blankets
looked inviting, but she shook her head and went to her wardrobe. She opened
the wooden doors and stared at her many dresses, pondering over which one to
wear. There was a soft knock on the door, and then Arwen came inside. She was
wearing a dark blue gown that made her eyes sparkle and her dark hair shine.
"What should I wear?" Dani asked, and Arwen came over and looked into
her wardrobe.
"How about this one?" She said and pulled out a dark purple gown.
Dani nodded, and then changed into the gown. Arwen stood behind her and
buttoned up the back, then led Dani to her vanity and began to brush her hair
for her.
"You don't have to do my hair. I can do it." She said.
"I want to." Arwen replied.
"Ok." She replied as Arwen ran the brush through until her hair shined.
Then she braided the sides, and pulled half of her hair back.
"All done." She said.
"Thank you." Dani replied then stood and the two left to go to
dinner.
As they entered the large dinning room, everyone stood until they were settle
in their seats. A process, which Dani had always found rather odd, but knew if
she asked about it, it would be waved away as a petty question. So she kept her
mouth shut, and left things as they were.
At dinner, Elrond and the twins spoke of Lorien, while Arwen and Dani sat and
talked with Gandalf of his many adventures.
When dinner was done, and Dani did not have to clean the dishes, she went to
bed early, and fell right to sleep.
The next morning she woke early, bathed and dressed into a pair of black
leggings, a white shirt, with a dark blue vest that ended at her hips, her hair
was pulled back at the base of her neck. She could hear people out in the
halls, making quite some noise. Opening her door, she noticed that servants
were running here and there, carrying this and that. Probably for the King and
Prince she thought. She spotted Elladan talking to someone, so she went over to
him.
"What's going on?" She asked him.
"Last preparations for the guests, they should be arriving this
afternoon."
"Oh." She said, and then went to get some breakfast.
