One Summer in Rivendell
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. The theme is based on Much ado About Nothing which was written by Shakespeare not me!
Summery- Legolas and the King return from war with the intentions of having a peaceful summer, things do not go to plan. Chaos, romance, trickery and misunderstanding ensue.
This story is A.U. there is no Quest and no ring. Elrond has another daughter called Hero who has been adapted from Shakespeare's play.
Chapter 1
It was the height of summer. The glorious weather coupled with the fact that there was nothing much to do had forced the elves of Rivendell to leave the confines of their homes and flee to the beautiful countryside surrounding it. Lord Elrond had decided it was a perfect day for a picnic and had sent his twin sons to the kitchen in search of delicacies to suit such an occasion. Elladan and Elrohir now walked in front of him, their arms laden with such foods suitable for a King, or an elven Lord as it was that fine day. Such days were rare now, where he could spend quality time with his family.
Walking behind their brothers arm in arm were his daughters. Arwen, grace of the elves who's beauty defied imagination. She was a little too feisty for most. Nevertheless he was incredibly proud of her and his younger daughter Hero, who was gentle and kind, quite her sister's opposite, it was also true that she was her mother's image, so much in fact that sometimes his heart bled to look at her.
"Sister, tell me the story of Beren and Luthien again!" He heard Hero demand.
"Sister!" Came Arwen's disgruntled reply. "I warrant that you could recite it backwards, for I have told you it so many times!" Hero pouted and grasped her sister's hand.
"But you tell it so well." She said pleadingly.
Arwen stopped and placed her hands on her hips. "Hero you are a hopeless romantic and no mistake!" She sighed.
"I warrant that if I asked you to tell me the story of that time you won a contest between yourself and King Aragorn you would be apt to that!" Hero said sulkily.
"Indeed because that sister, is a story of merit." Arwen said grinning.
"A story of violence more like!" Hero retorted and nudged her sister. "I think King Aragorn is a gentleman, and a noble King. I do not understand why you think him to be so..."
"Arrogant?" Arwen interjected. "Big headed? Insufferable? Annoying?" Hero smirked. "Hero I have known that man since he was a child.... I tell you he is an orc!" Arwen assured her.
Elladan paused in front of them. "Arwen do you not think that is a little harsh?" He asked.
"Indeed." Elrohir added. "King Aragorn is a brave warrior and a fine man."
"Of course he is brother!" Arwen retorted sarcastically, "You always have been well known for your notoriously low standards!" Elrohir frowned.
" I have heard that the king thinks as highly of you also." He retorted. "Last time he visited he told me that he had met none so.... charming." He added in a sarcasm edged tone.
Arwen grimaced "Come along Hero, we shall walk ahead of these wretches and have ourselves some intellectual conversation." She said casting her brother a disparaging look. It was then that a figure in the distance caught her attention. "Father, who is that?" She called back.
"It is a soldier, he bears the mark of Gondor." He said. "The King has returned." He added gleefully clapping his hands together. His family were all together at last. The war was over. It would be a wonderful summer.
"Then the peace of the summer is broken!" Arwen spat sarcastically. "For the mere sound of his voice grates my soul." She watched forlornly as her father ran to greet the messenger, soon after him her brothers followed. "Elbereth!" She muttered. "I wish I had not eyes to see him."
The messenger shook Lord Elrond's hand. "Well met, my Lord." He said.
"Bring you news of the King?" Elrond asked. "Is he well after the war?"
" Well indeed and more powerful than ever." The messenger replied. "He approaches now and has sent me ahead to inform you of his arrival." Elrond smiled enthusiastically.
"Long has it been since I have seen him last." He mused, "For long I have desired to speak with him." He smiled warmly as memories engulfed him.
"I can't imagine why!" Arwen said. "The beautiful air of Rivendell would be destroyed by his foul breath!" The messenger was taken aback. It was an unexpected reply from such a beautiful Lady and there had been none before who would dare to make such a comment about the King. "Did King Aragorn fare well in these wars?" Arwen asked the messenger.
"Indeed." Was his reply. "The King was more valiant than I have ever seen him before." He added vehemently. Arwen nodded her expression doubtful.
"I am sure he was," She said coldly " I ask you. Did he actually venture to leave his horse in the throws of battle this time or did he merely oversee events?" She said placing her hands on her hips. The messenger once again blanched in shock.
"Lady I know not what you are implying but King Aragorn fought as well and if not better than all of the soldiers in the army!" He exclaimed. "He showed the utmost bravery and valour!"
"Did he?" Arwen said in mock astonishment. "Please then inform me...How many did he kill?"
"He made a fair total, why do you ask?" The messenger said, he was intrigued now.
"Well, you see, upon his last visit I promised him that I would eat all of those that he killed." Arwen said. Elrond laughed and placed a protective and he hoped stifling arm around his daughter.
"Please Sir, ignore my sister." Hero said. "For many years there has been a war of words between Arwen and the King. They hate each other." She explained.
The messenger nodded vacantly. "I see." He replied.
"Who travels with the Valiant King of Gondor?" Lord Elrond asked.
"Oh a selection of Middle Earth's finest Gentlemen." The messenger began. "Namely the Prince of Mirkwood and the King's cousins. Boromir and Faramir."
"Thranduil's son is coming to Rivendell? I have not seen him since he was a child!" Elrond exclaimed.
"Please go now to the house and take any refreshment that you need, for I warrant your journey has been tiresome." The Messenger thanked him and took his leave.
"This is going to be a long summer." Arwen declared.
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King Aragorn travelled with his friend and closest ally Princess Legolas of Mirkwood.
"It is an amazing feeling to know that the war is now over and Middle Earth may exist in peace." The King said dreamily.
Legolas nodded in agreement. "That it is my friend." He replied.
"And it also warms my heart to know that I am returning to my childhood home." He said.
They reached the top of a small hill and the valley of Rivendell appeared before them. "Enchanting isn't it?" He asked. Legolas nodded again and Boromir rolled his eyes wondering how they had ever won the war when their leaders sounded like a couple of sentimental old women. " I warrant Lord Elrond will have prepared an enormous feast for us upon our arrival." Aragorn added.
The company walked on in silence for a few more moments before Aragorn said in a low tone. "I suppose now that the war is over, you will be eager to return to your home?" He asked his woodland friend. The Prince shook his head. "No, I have no desire to return as yet." He replied. " I would rather stay in your company for a while longer if you do not mind?"
"I do not mind at all, I would be honoured." Aragorn replied, laughing at the Prince's politeness.
"So Aragorn, what are your plans now that the war is over?" Boromir asked. "It is about time that Gondor had some heirs now that we have met times of peace."
"Cousin, I have told you before I am in no hurry to be wed. To be wed is akin to shackles. He said in disgust "Imagine this, I wish to go hunting. My wife does not wish me to go." He began "I decide to go any way and upon my return have to sleep on the floor.... No. I am still a ranger at heart. Marriage is not for me." He said waving a hand dismissively.
"In that case I bet my bow that the King has never been in love?" Legolas said raising an eyebrow. "For if he had. He would never say such things."
"Love? What is it but an affliction?" Aragorn suggested. His company laughed. "Besides I have yet to meet one I think I could love well and doubt I ever will." He lied. There was one but he would never allow himself to speak of her.
"Who said anything about love?" Boromir said. "All I said was that Gondor needed heirs, I did not mention Love." Legolas cast a disgusted glance towards the man.
"When the King meets the one he can love with all his heart. Gondor will have the most beautiful heirs." Legolas mused.
Boromir glanced at Faramir who scoffed, "Prince Legolas you sound as if you have swallowed a book of sonnets."
"Faramir!" Aragorn said in a warning tone. "But indeed friend, for one who is not in love himself you speak very highly of it and with great authority I might add." He said.
" Authority? I have none on that matter yet I plan to marry ere my return to Mirkwood." Legolas replied. "I think it is now time to settle down. War makes you realise what it is that is missing."
"Here, here." Said Aragorn, and a wistful look fell upon his features. The war had taken so much of his time these past years. It was becoming obvious to him that upon his return to Gondor there would be much missing in his life, he would have a lot of time on his hands. The group fell into a comfortable silence upon their arrival at the gates.
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"They have arrived!" Hero cried excitedly. "Sister, come along!" She added, dragging Arwen from her chair. "Oh Arwen, hurry!" Arwen huffed and knocked her sister's hand away. "Why are you so eager to go?" She retorted. "It is only Aragorn and the pretty Prince"
Hero rolled her eyes. "You can be unnecessarily cruel sometimes." She said. "The man has been to war! He deserves at least a warm welcome from you even if you cannot stand him." She reasoned.
Arwen screwed up her face. "I should think that the King wishes to see me about as much as I wish to see him!" She said snatching her arm away from Hero.
"Fine I will tell father." Hero said threateningly. " He would most like you to be there, you don't want to make him angry Arwen, you know what happened last time." Arwen rolled her eyes. Previously her father had banned her from sword practice for a month. This had been most unnecessary, she thought, as it was not her fault that she could not bear the man.
"Very well." She said shortly. "But do not expect me to be civil to the hateful rogue." A deep frown imbedded her features whilst she folded her arms in defiance.
"Such bitter words sister, such bitter words." Hero replied shaking her head.
Arwen glanced down from the top step of the magnificent entrance hall of Rivendell. Beneath her stood the object of her hatred. She glanced at a small statue placed upon the rail to the stairs, she resisted the urge to push it off. If she had it would probably land on the King and she would incur the wrath of the entire race of men. That was the only reason she did not. She glanced at Hero who offered a reassuring smile in advance.
Upon seeing the King up close she realised that he had changed little. He still held the same rugged handsomeness and charm. She did not like to admit that she thought him handsome or charming because she thought it would only serve to add to his already too inflated ego and it would be almost impossible for him to enter the compounds of Rivendell at all, and it's gates were wider than most. She giggled a little at the mental picture this thought gave her.
Beside the King stood an elf that she had not seen before. From his appearance she guessed that he was the Prince of Mirkwood. Remembering her manners she curtsied.
"Welcome to Rivendell." She said to the Prince, ignoring Aragorn completely. "It is an honour to finally meet you." She added without feeling. She turned to face her sister. "Hero I have done as you asked I will now ..." She paused upon seeing her sister's expression. "Why dear Hero you look pale are you well?" Hero did not move her eyes from the Prince. Arwen looked at the Prince who's countenance mirrored her sister's. "Havens!" She cried. She waved her hand in front of her sister's face. "Has nobody informed you that it is rude to stare?" She laughed.
"Hero, this is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, he is a travelling companion, a magnificent soldier and dear friend of mine." Aragorn said, amused by Hero's love-struck countenance, He turned to face Legolas who's was just as bad and continued. "Legolas this is Hero, Elrond's youngest daughter and one whom I cherish as I would a sister." Arwen huffed and went in search of her father. Perhaps he would allow her to visit her grandmother in Lothlorian? Anything rather than spend a moment longer with that wretched human!
"The lady who storms forth so is Lady Arwen, Elrond's oldest daughter whom I cherish as I would a nail through my foot." Aragorn said and raised a challenging eye brow towards Arwen who stopped and turned. He smiled, it was almost possible to see the steam coming from her ears.
"Pray Legolas tell me... where did a fine Prince such as yourself come across this pitiful excuse for a being?" She began. "Why it is almost as if you have returned from the war with one of those terrible orcs as a companion, hiding in the disguise of a King."
"It takes one to know one!" Aragorn retorted. Arwen glanced at her besotted sister and the Prince who was likewise clearly oblivious to the world outside of her. "Why do you speak so? Nobody listens to you... most of all I." She spat.
She turned away not waiting for an answer and went in search of Elrond, grabbing her sister's hand as she did so. Hero smiled bashfully at Legolas and followed her.
Aragorn watched them go with a deep frown imbedded on his features. He heaved a massive sigh and turned to face Legolas. "Come I will show you to your quarters." Aragorn said wearily. "You must be exhausted for I am."
"I am not weary but stricken!" Legolas declared.
"How so?" Came the King's reply, although he feared he already knew the answer.
"Did you not lay eyes upon the fair daughter of Elrond?" He asked. "Never have I seen such beauty upon my time in Middle Earth."
"It is a pity that her mouth does not match her beauty!" Aragorn remarked. "If it did I warrant that she would sing as sweetly as a nightingale." He paused and frowned. "If however, on the other hand her face matched her words, she would very much represent a troll, a particularly hideous troll." He said. Legolas shook his head.
"It is not Arwen I refer to. I speak of Hero!" Legolas mused. " Fair Hero, forever I wish to hear that name."
"Of course!" Aragorn replied. "How silly of me to think.... Never mind. If it is Hero you want my friend then woo her." He said quickly in an attempt to hide his embarrassment.
Legolas blushed. "I could not possibly." He said.
"Of course you could." Aragorn replied. "You are a Prince!"
"I would not have the slightest clue of what to say. My whole life I have been a soldier, there has been little time for love." He remarked. "My life has been spent on much rougher things, I do not know the gentle ways of love." He added blushing.
Elrond appeared behind them, silencing their conversation. "Good day to you both." He said. "I have come to inform you that tonight a ball will be held in your honour. A masked ball." He said beaming. "I must go now for there is much to do... farewell I will see you this fine evening upon the hour of seven."
Once Elrond was out of earshot Aragorn turned to face Legolas. "This ball will provide the perfect opportunity for you to woo Hero." He said.
"I have already told you that I cannot!" Legolas said frustrated. "I will trip and stumble upon my words like a child who has barely learned to speak! She will think me a fool."
"In that case my dear friend, I will speak to Hero under the pretence of being you, it is a masked ball after all, I will have a mask and cloak to hide my identity." He said. "When she is won I will pass her to you. The rest I cannot do for you." He said with a wink.
"And I would not want you to!" Legolas said chuckling.
