My name is Arwen Evenstar. I am not a man, I am an elf. I have forsaken my immortality to be with the man who I love. But that is not where this story begins. In fact, it begins the day I returned to Rivendell from Lothlorien where I had been living with my grandparents, the lady Galadriel and Celeborn.

Ada, the lord Elrond, had ordered that I was sent home to Rivendell with escorts so I would not come to harm. More like guards! Not once did they speak to me! I was a young elf then, only a little older than 2000 years, so of course I got very bored very quickly. Eventually I just gave up trying to get them to say anything and began to look around. I could not see much because the horse I was riding was a lot smaller than the ones of my escorts. So I just looked at the ground the whole way. Soon, mountains became hills, and hills became trees, and before I knew it I was in a familiar place. I suprised me how much I did remember of my home since I left when I was hardly a year old! But it is also a very hard place to forget. When I finally heard the sound of rushing water I knew I was officially home. I jumped off my horse and pushed my way through the escorts' horses and ran as fast as I could down the narrow and grassy path.

I could hear a voice through the trees. I followed it as fast as I could, and stopped myself just in time, for I was about to run into someone. I looked up, weary eyed.

I cried with sheer delight. I flung myself onto him with as much force as I could manage. Finally, I lifted my head from his shoulder, yet still in his arms, and gasped at what I saw. A beautiful and delicate bridge leading up to a towering city that seemed to light up with all it's magnificence! It was so much different then Lorien! I could hardly find words to describe it, especially since it seemed somewhat familiar. But one thing did not. There was a man in the nearest window, who I might have mistaken as in elf, if I had not known any better. I stared at him and he stared at me back.

Who are you?' I mouthed to him. Suddenly, a huge gust of wind came and blew my hair across my face. I struggled to pull it aside, but when I finally did, the man was gone.
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I sat down on my bed, trying to recall his face. It was so solid and severe that I was almost intimidated, but I did manage to hold my composure. I sat up and tried to remember things about my days here. Nothing came to mind. No.... there was one thing. But that was it. My mind fell back on the man in the window. Maybe he was outside, and I could see him from my balcony! I pushed open the balcony doors, and made my way to the edge. I did not see the man, but I did see a lot of elves! They were probably all going to the dinner. Ada wanted to have a feast in honor of me returning home. I knew I was already late but I didn't find it that I cared much. Although if I was too late, ada may lose patience with me. So, I made my way to the dinner.

Just as I entered, ada was lifting his glass. Good thing I didn't miss the toast. It's most likely to me, after all.

Arwen, you have come! ada cried. I nodded. He stood up and faced towards the elves again. A toast to the return of my daughter, Arwen, who has been in the fair lands of Lorien for so long!

To Arwen! everyone cried. My eyes slowly made their way down the table when they fell on the man, just as they had this afternoon.

I said. Who is that man over there, for I know he is not of elvish decent.

he replied. He is not. His name is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. He is known here as Estel or D`unadan as well. His parents died when he was very young, and left him in my care.

Now that you know all about my life, would you mind telling me about yours? said a voice behind me. I turned quickly and found myself looking straight into the icy blue eyes of Aragorn.

Only if you would mind not doing that again! I replied.

I'm sorry, lady Arwen. I just overheard my name and could not resist.

We just sort of looked at each other for a while until the sound of a voice broke the silence.

Elrond, come and chat my friend!

Glorfindel, it's been quite a while, hasn't it! ada replied, as he got up and walked over to where Glorfindel sat.

So tell me, said Aragorn. Tell me everything.

What do you mean? I inquired.

Tell me your story, lady Arwen. I wish to know.

I didn't know why he wanted to know this, but I didn't care. He was the first person in a long while who seemed like he could listen to a veeeery looong story. So I told him everything. Or at least, everything I could remember. And he did the same for me. His story was a lot shorter then mine, but in my opinion, a lot more interesting.

So that's it, he said. I smiled at him.

Do you want to go somewhere? I asked.

he said.

I said. I grabbed his hand, and rush out the door. I laughed at the confused look on his face. Why are you so confused, my lord?

I have never been dragged around by a full grown woman before, he replied slyly.

Oh, I am not full grown at all. Or at least, my grandfather says I don't act like it.

I wonder why, he said sarcastically.

You run to slow, my lord Aragorn.

I thought we were walking! And I'm just Aragorn.

Then, I'm just Arwen, I said, putting one hand on my hip.

That's fair.

Yes, it is, I said.

We rushed down a grassy hill, and through a couple of trees to the one place I remembered in all of Rivendell. It was a bridge, over one of the smaller parts of the river. It had a great view of the rest of the city.

Ada took me here on my last day in Rivendell. I remember it well. He said that if I don't remember the rest of the city, at least remember this spot. And I did.

I looked out at the rest of the city. And I did, I whispered to myself. Suddenly, I felt Aragorn's arm wrap around my waist. I didn't even care. I laid my head on his shoulder, even though I wasn't even tired. He tipped his head to rest on mine. I smiled just for the pleasure of curving my lips. Everything just happened, and I didn't even care.

I looked out at the dinning hall. No one was in there. Wait.... no one was in there!!!! I knew ada would come to my room looking for me, and he may be upset that I left the dinner without letting him know.

Aragorn, ada is going to come looking for me! I cried. I have to beat him to my room!

Quickly, I know a short cut!

He ran, and I followed, stumbling over roots and stones in my way. How do you know a short cut to my bedroom? I asked.

he replied between breaths. I used to go there to think by myself. Your ada wanted to keep it neat for your arrival, so it was always locked. I would say I was going for a walk, and once I was past that bridge, I would run into the forest and scale the wall to your bedroom.

Wow, all that just to be alone!

Your ada keeps a close eye on me.

I know what you mean.

We exited the woods, and ran up to the wall under my bedroom.

he said as he handed me two sharp stones. I found these and thought I could dig them into the wall to help me climb. There are already notches I've made that you can use.

All right! Thank you! I ran to him to give him a hug, but instead he gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Good- night! he cried.

Good- night! I called back. I scaled up the wall as quickly as it is possible to do in a gown. I pulled myself over the banister and bolted into my room on onto my bed just as the knob was turning.

Arwen, are you in here? ada asked.

Yes! Yes... I am! Come in! I said breathlessly.

I didn't see much of you at the dinner.

I got tired very.... quickly, and found I..... needed some rest, I said nervously. I was still breathing hard. My first day here, and already I am lying to ada!

I didn't see much of Aragorn either. I don't suppose you know where he went off to?

Actually, he escorted me to my room. It was so..... hard to find in the dark, and he knew exactly...... where it was. Then he went to go see if the.... dinner was still going, but I guess soon he..... will find it isn't.

That's funny, because I could have sworn I saw you two leaving the dinner together.

I whispered.

I saw it all, Arwen. You thought you could get up here before I noticed you were gone, and you thought you could lie to me! Arwen, you know whatever happens between you two won't even matter! He is mortal, and you are not! Besides, he is leaving tomorrow anyway.

What do you mean! Suddenly, I was no longer breathless.

Gandalf the Grey, Istari from the north, has recruited Aragorn to trail the creature Gollum for as long as it takes for Gondor to except him as who he was born to be.

And who was he born to be? I asked.

Do you no know? Aragorn is heir to throne of Gondor. He is Isildur's heir.

All was silent at that moment. But even the sound of silence can be loud. So loud I couldn't even hear the pounding of my heart.

Good-night, Arwen, he said. But I didn't even hear him.