A/N: Not mine. Dedicated to my girls over at Fanforum.
------
Back to Normal
------
At breakfast the following morning, Arwen learned that Legolas and his company had left for Mirkwood upon the first light of day.
"The Prince has returned back to his king. He brings word of the coming doom-and what is permitted to tell of his role in the quest," Elrond explained. "He shall return as soon as he may."
"Oh," Arwen nodded in feign indifference. It did not matter, she decided, if Legolas took leave so suddenly and without notice or goodbye. She had no claim on him and could barely claim an acquaintance with him save a brief moment of exchanged words.
Besides, Arwen wanted to spend time with Aragorn while she could. It would be but a few days before he left with her brothers as scouts and messengers. And upon their return, a brief time before Aragorn left Imladris along the fellowship.
Time was very precious indeed.
Finding him after breakfast, she walked with him through the glades and hidden trails of her home. Arwen was very content in his presence and in his embrace as they sat together.
Glancing beside her, she studied the man whose fate was so intertwined with her own. His face had become rugged and worn with the trials and tribulations of time. His hands were rough and calloused against her skin. And upon his shoulders and great burden lay, one that was so great that no one but Aragorn himself could alleviate. His eyes were dark and his forehead was creased, always thinking.
"What troubles plague you, Estel?" Arwen asked as she rested her head against his.
"The White City," she heard his voice rumble in his throat. "If Isildur's heir and the sword that was broken return to Gondor, what shall the people say? What am I to say? 'Here is your king?' How can they accept and love one that has been gone for so long. so long that to the elders of the city is still but a tale? What if they come to realized that they have no need for their king? Am I to be turned away like a beggar in his own house?"
Arwen looked up into the face of this man and was so moved that words cannot tell. "Your time will come and the gates of Minas Tirith shall open up to you in welcome, and the people shall look upon you in wonder. Men, women and children will come to embrace you-for behold, their king has returned out of the depths of the unknown and he has not forgotten them. Already, he has done great things for the people and they shall ever be grateful and in his service."
"There is so little that I am sure of."
"It is true that in these dark times, little certainty can be found. But there hope lies, and remains, for those who are willing to see it," Arwen continued, " The road you will tread shall not be blessed with soft land and smooth curves. It will be laden with danger that cannot be foretold. But the hearts of elves, men, dwarves and little hobbits are strong and sturdy. Do not count out the valor of the deeds of the fellowship still to come."
Aragorn was quiet but hugged Arwen a little tighter. He sighed into her hair and was still. He understood that the path before him-should he survive its trek, would bring him to his destiny and the day of bliss when could then take Arwen Undomiel as his wife.
------
And so it was that Arwen and Aragorn spent much of their time together before Aragorn departed with the twin stars. The love she felt towards him was reaffirmed and resolute. All thoughts of Legolas were pushed out of consciousness. Everything was back to normal.she was herself again.
That is, until Legolas came riding back to Imladris and back into her life.
------
Arwen was in her father's company when news came that the Prince of Mirkwood was finally returning to Imladris. Despite herself, Arwen's attention was peaked by the mere mention of Legolas. Her father, brothers and others of the house stood quickly to receive their guests once again. Arwen slowly stood after a moment and followed their lead.
As she stood between her brothers and the Lord Elrond, Arwen took a deep breath to calm her nerves and to steel her emotions from whatever provocations may arise from Legolas. Arwen closed her eyes and remember the few short days of bliss she shared with Aragorn-with joy like that; she did not need meaningless smiles or ethereal beauty.
She needed love. Unconditional, pure and unwavering. Strong enough to endure time, yet gentle enough to move all creatures. And Arwen had that with Aragorn.
Legolas would be nothing to her.
The sound of horses' hooves became louder and Arwen opened her eyes to see the young prince dismount with a few other elves from his house. His beautiful eyes glanced from face to face-searching-until they finally settled on her. Legolas' gaze pierced her skin and stayed there-tingling- long after he was no longer looking in her direction. Still, Arwen did not back down and held his gaze, refusing to show any partiality or impartiality on her behalf.
Legolas greeted her father and brothers, before standing tall before her in courteous royal fashion. He spoke no words to her and, covering his heart with his hand, he saw Arwen follow in like suit. Legolas reached, almost painfully, to cup her cheek. He felt her tentative fingertips brush his face, warm and soft against his cold skin. Legolas, feeling somewhat bold, allowed his hand to linger just a moment longer while brushing Arwen's cheek with his thumb. Arwen did not flinch away from his touch, though she did nothing to reciprocate his gesture. She let her hand fall away from him and he did the same.
Legolas went with guides to be shown his quarters and did not once look back at Arwen.
------
Arwen returned to her own room alone and sat stiffly on her bed. She barely had time to gather her thoughts when there was a knock upon her door.
"My lady, the Prince Legolas wishes to see you," a petite elven maid said, "Shall I permit him to enter?"
"No. I shall go to him, thank you," Arwen replied as she stood up and left the room.
Legolas was waiting in the hall; nervousness was upon him and did not appear to agree with him at all. It seemed awkward to Arwen that the prince should ever be in a position where he was not sure of himself. She had heard tales of his skill in archery and valor in battle and saw this occasion as no reason for one to be nervous. And yet Arwen was nervous herself.
"Mae Govannen Legolas," Arwen greeted him.
"Undomiel," the word floated from his lips and to her ears like the wind. "Would you mind walking with me?"
"No, not at all," she replied as she accepted Legolas' arm. The two walked in silence for a while.
"I have greatly desired your company, and now that you are here I have nothing to say," Legolas said sincerely.
Arwen smiled. She knew the feeling. "How was your trip back home? And your father?"
"My father is distressed, as can be expected. From what I could reveal to him, he knows the danger that lies before us-yet he did not hinder my going," Legolas replied quietly.
Arwen looked up at Legolas and saw that he was somewhere else, somewhere far away. "Did you want him to hinder your part in the quest?"
Legolas looked at Arwen with curious eyes, "No. I do not know what my fate shall be in this lifetime, but this is where my path has led me-and I must follow it to the end."
Arwen nodded and said no more. They walked out of the main house and into a courtyard. Legolas then pulled a small pouch from his shirt pocket and handed it to Arwen.
"What is this?" she asked in bewilderment.
"A simple gift from Mirkwood to the Evenstar." Arwen opened the pouch to find a very delicate crystal hanging from a silver chain. The prism radiated its own beauty and light, but Arwen found that within the crystal lie the blossom of a very pale flower.
"That is a blossom of a flower that no longer grows in the land of my father. The bearer of these blossoms are all but destroyed by the shadow that grows ever stronger in south of my home."
"Legolas, I cannot accept this," Arwen could not part from Mirkwood something so valuable. She could see sadness in Legolas' eyes as he told her its history.
"I want you to have it," Legolas whispered as he took the necklace from her hands. He moved closer and reached around her to clasp it around her neck. Legolas' fingers traveled along its thin chain to its gem and tickled her collarbone.
"It suits you," he gave her a half smile before stepping back.
"Thank you, my friend. This is a great gift," Arwen reached up to touch the gem as it hung beside the jewel of the Evenstar around her neck. Arwen was touched by his kindness and the depth she found in his eyes.
If anything, Arwen was beginning to like Legolas as a person.
------
Back to Normal
------
At breakfast the following morning, Arwen learned that Legolas and his company had left for Mirkwood upon the first light of day.
"The Prince has returned back to his king. He brings word of the coming doom-and what is permitted to tell of his role in the quest," Elrond explained. "He shall return as soon as he may."
"Oh," Arwen nodded in feign indifference. It did not matter, she decided, if Legolas took leave so suddenly and without notice or goodbye. She had no claim on him and could barely claim an acquaintance with him save a brief moment of exchanged words.
Besides, Arwen wanted to spend time with Aragorn while she could. It would be but a few days before he left with her brothers as scouts and messengers. And upon their return, a brief time before Aragorn left Imladris along the fellowship.
Time was very precious indeed.
Finding him after breakfast, she walked with him through the glades and hidden trails of her home. Arwen was very content in his presence and in his embrace as they sat together.
Glancing beside her, she studied the man whose fate was so intertwined with her own. His face had become rugged and worn with the trials and tribulations of time. His hands were rough and calloused against her skin. And upon his shoulders and great burden lay, one that was so great that no one but Aragorn himself could alleviate. His eyes were dark and his forehead was creased, always thinking.
"What troubles plague you, Estel?" Arwen asked as she rested her head against his.
"The White City," she heard his voice rumble in his throat. "If Isildur's heir and the sword that was broken return to Gondor, what shall the people say? What am I to say? 'Here is your king?' How can they accept and love one that has been gone for so long. so long that to the elders of the city is still but a tale? What if they come to realized that they have no need for their king? Am I to be turned away like a beggar in his own house?"
Arwen looked up into the face of this man and was so moved that words cannot tell. "Your time will come and the gates of Minas Tirith shall open up to you in welcome, and the people shall look upon you in wonder. Men, women and children will come to embrace you-for behold, their king has returned out of the depths of the unknown and he has not forgotten them. Already, he has done great things for the people and they shall ever be grateful and in his service."
"There is so little that I am sure of."
"It is true that in these dark times, little certainty can be found. But there hope lies, and remains, for those who are willing to see it," Arwen continued, " The road you will tread shall not be blessed with soft land and smooth curves. It will be laden with danger that cannot be foretold. But the hearts of elves, men, dwarves and little hobbits are strong and sturdy. Do not count out the valor of the deeds of the fellowship still to come."
Aragorn was quiet but hugged Arwen a little tighter. He sighed into her hair and was still. He understood that the path before him-should he survive its trek, would bring him to his destiny and the day of bliss when could then take Arwen Undomiel as his wife.
------
And so it was that Arwen and Aragorn spent much of their time together before Aragorn departed with the twin stars. The love she felt towards him was reaffirmed and resolute. All thoughts of Legolas were pushed out of consciousness. Everything was back to normal.she was herself again.
That is, until Legolas came riding back to Imladris and back into her life.
------
Arwen was in her father's company when news came that the Prince of Mirkwood was finally returning to Imladris. Despite herself, Arwen's attention was peaked by the mere mention of Legolas. Her father, brothers and others of the house stood quickly to receive their guests once again. Arwen slowly stood after a moment and followed their lead.
As she stood between her brothers and the Lord Elrond, Arwen took a deep breath to calm her nerves and to steel her emotions from whatever provocations may arise from Legolas. Arwen closed her eyes and remember the few short days of bliss she shared with Aragorn-with joy like that; she did not need meaningless smiles or ethereal beauty.
She needed love. Unconditional, pure and unwavering. Strong enough to endure time, yet gentle enough to move all creatures. And Arwen had that with Aragorn.
Legolas would be nothing to her.
The sound of horses' hooves became louder and Arwen opened her eyes to see the young prince dismount with a few other elves from his house. His beautiful eyes glanced from face to face-searching-until they finally settled on her. Legolas' gaze pierced her skin and stayed there-tingling- long after he was no longer looking in her direction. Still, Arwen did not back down and held his gaze, refusing to show any partiality or impartiality on her behalf.
Legolas greeted her father and brothers, before standing tall before her in courteous royal fashion. He spoke no words to her and, covering his heart with his hand, he saw Arwen follow in like suit. Legolas reached, almost painfully, to cup her cheek. He felt her tentative fingertips brush his face, warm and soft against his cold skin. Legolas, feeling somewhat bold, allowed his hand to linger just a moment longer while brushing Arwen's cheek with his thumb. Arwen did not flinch away from his touch, though she did nothing to reciprocate his gesture. She let her hand fall away from him and he did the same.
Legolas went with guides to be shown his quarters and did not once look back at Arwen.
------
Arwen returned to her own room alone and sat stiffly on her bed. She barely had time to gather her thoughts when there was a knock upon her door.
"My lady, the Prince Legolas wishes to see you," a petite elven maid said, "Shall I permit him to enter?"
"No. I shall go to him, thank you," Arwen replied as she stood up and left the room.
Legolas was waiting in the hall; nervousness was upon him and did not appear to agree with him at all. It seemed awkward to Arwen that the prince should ever be in a position where he was not sure of himself. She had heard tales of his skill in archery and valor in battle and saw this occasion as no reason for one to be nervous. And yet Arwen was nervous herself.
"Mae Govannen Legolas," Arwen greeted him.
"Undomiel," the word floated from his lips and to her ears like the wind. "Would you mind walking with me?"
"No, not at all," she replied as she accepted Legolas' arm. The two walked in silence for a while.
"I have greatly desired your company, and now that you are here I have nothing to say," Legolas said sincerely.
Arwen smiled. She knew the feeling. "How was your trip back home? And your father?"
"My father is distressed, as can be expected. From what I could reveal to him, he knows the danger that lies before us-yet he did not hinder my going," Legolas replied quietly.
Arwen looked up at Legolas and saw that he was somewhere else, somewhere far away. "Did you want him to hinder your part in the quest?"
Legolas looked at Arwen with curious eyes, "No. I do not know what my fate shall be in this lifetime, but this is where my path has led me-and I must follow it to the end."
Arwen nodded and said no more. They walked out of the main house and into a courtyard. Legolas then pulled a small pouch from his shirt pocket and handed it to Arwen.
"What is this?" she asked in bewilderment.
"A simple gift from Mirkwood to the Evenstar." Arwen opened the pouch to find a very delicate crystal hanging from a silver chain. The prism radiated its own beauty and light, but Arwen found that within the crystal lie the blossom of a very pale flower.
"That is a blossom of a flower that no longer grows in the land of my father. The bearer of these blossoms are all but destroyed by the shadow that grows ever stronger in south of my home."
"Legolas, I cannot accept this," Arwen could not part from Mirkwood something so valuable. She could see sadness in Legolas' eyes as he told her its history.
"I want you to have it," Legolas whispered as he took the necklace from her hands. He moved closer and reached around her to clasp it around her neck. Legolas' fingers traveled along its thin chain to its gem and tickled her collarbone.
"It suits you," he gave her a half smile before stepping back.
"Thank you, my friend. This is a great gift," Arwen reached up to touch the gem as it hung beside the jewel of the Evenstar around her neck. Arwen was touched by his kindness and the depth she found in his eyes.
If anything, Arwen was beginning to like Legolas as a person.