Author's Note: Unfortunately, I don't own any of the characters, they all belong to the lovely JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson/Newline Cinema…I'm just borrowing them to play with! *evil laughter* hehehe reviews would be much appreciated!!
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The Evenstar of Rivendell sat sulking on the plush stool in front of her dressing table as her handmaiden, Aerin, brushed out her tangled raven tresses and struggled to weave the customary braids of their people into her hair while she squirmed. Aerin let out an exasperated sigh, "Arwen, if you do not sit still, I shall have to tie you to a chair, my lady!"
Arwen turned around on the stool and gave Aerin her best pout. "Why must I wear a dress and all these braids and be present in the welcoming committee for the King of Greenwood, gwathel?" the young elfling demanded. (*heart-sister)
"Because you are the Princess of Rivendell, elle'er, and your father commands it so," Aerin replied, turning Arwen back around and resuming the task at hand. "I would much rather be outside playing in the woods or on the shores of the river," Arwen said crossly, frowning at her reflection. (*little one)
A light swish of skirts was heard, accompanied by her mother's soft voice a moment later, "I believe you have ruined quite enough clothes today, iell." Arwen lowered her head to conceal a slight smile as Celebrian walked to her bed and examined the dirt-stained breeches and torn tunic. (*daughter)
"Arwen, I just mended 2 of your tunics yesterday!" she chided teasingly. "Aerin, you may go. I will finish preparing our lovely girl for the welcoming." Celebrian smiled at the patient handmaiden and took her place.
Her slender fingers expertly wove the plaits into Arwen's hair and she turned her daughter around to face her. Indigo eyes gazed into her own silvery-gray ones and she smiled down at Arwen. "Ai, amin vanima Undomiel, lle amin melyanna," she breathed and knelt to kiss her youngest's forehead. (*Ah, my beautiful Undomiel, you are my dearest gift)
Although she appeared to be only about 13 years old to human eyes, Arwen had seen 50 summers but was 121 years younger than her twin brothers. "Naneth, must I go?" Arwen whispered entreatingly. "Yes, my darling. It is time." Celebrian took Arwen's hand and they hastened to join the welcoming committee in the courtyard of Imladris. (*mother)
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"Ada, are we almost there?" Legolas asked wearily, for the fifth time in only half an hour. "Patience, amin ion. We shall arrive as swiftly as the horses' legs will carry us," sighed Thranduil. (*father, my son)
He looked over at his only son riding on the horse next to his and noted with some concern that he was leaning over his mare's neck dozing fitfully once again, so exhausted that his eyes were unnaturally closed. During the dark hours of the night, Legolas was haunted with nightmares of his mother's death that had occurred over 3 decades previously.
Legolas had been but a child when the band of orc and goblins had attacked the Queen and her son and taken them captive. Lothiriel fought fiercely but in the end, sacrificed her life to save her beloved child's.
But the young prince had been forced to watch her endure unspeakable atrocities before the Valar took mercy on her soul. Legolas narrowly escaped with his life, but he swore on his mother's dying breath to kill every yrch, goblin, and troll that crossed his path and to become the fiercest warrior that Greenwood had ever seen.
Since that fateful day, Legolas had immersed himself in his studies; his nose was always stuck in a book when he was not practicing weaponry. The Woodland Prince much preferred solitude to the company of other elfings; he could often be found nestled high in the trees reading, surrounded by the birds.
Thranduil worried for his son, for his withdrawn nature and his increasing nightmares. The only thing that the King of Greenwood could think of to help Legolas was to take him to his longtime friend Elrond Peredhil, whose healing powers were known throughout Middle-Earth.
So the Royal Party of Greenwood traveled now through the forests surrounding Imladris, weary from the long road. Thranduil hoped that the change of scenery, at least, would do his son some good. Suddenly the forest opened into the deep valley that was Rivendell, exposing the breathtaking view of the Brunien and the House of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian.
Legolas woke with a start as his mount suddenly halted. "Are we--" he started and stopped, gazing at the sight in awe as he rubbed his eyes. "We are here, yes. Remember that you are a prince, my little Greenleaf, and do try to behave yourself," the King smiled warmly at Legolas as he nudged his horse back into a trot to enter the beautiful haven of Imladris, where they were awaited.
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Arwen stood impatiently between Elladan and Elrohir as they teased her. " Look muindor, our little Arwen actually looks like a girl, all prettied up," Elrohir snickered. "I dunno, El, she still looks like a boy to me, dress and all," Elladan smirked. Arwen scowled fiercely at them, which only served to provoke further quips. (*brother)
Within a few minutes, the princess was flushed in anger and the twins seemed nowhere near an end to their tirade, when Elrond laid a hand on each of his sons' shoulders and quietly remarked, "Let us hope that your sister surpasses you in beauty yet, my sons. It would be an immense shame should one of you be mistake for the Evenstar from afar, perhaps."
Identical looks of horror crossed their delicate features and several amused laughs rang out across the courtyard. Her father's most trusted friend, Glorfindel, the noble elf lord, stepped forward and knelt before Arwen.
"Pay no mind to the foolishness of these two young jesters, hiril nin Undomiel. Your beauty rivals that of your mother and, dare I say, even your grandmother, the Lady of Light herself. The Twin Stars will quickly dim in your radiance," Glorfindel said, his green eyes sparkling with mirth. He glanced up at Elladan and Elrohir as he kissed her hand and grinned when he found them glaring at him. (*my lady Undomiel)
Celebrian's tinkling laughter sounded like little bells as she spoke teasingly, "Glorfindel, you are nearly 8,000 years old, and yet you still act as though you were a child! Come, get up before our visitors arrive." With a sweeping bow and a smile, the elf lord rose and said, "I can deny you nothing, my lady, for your radiance overwhelms me." Celebrian laughed again and smiled.
Elrond shook his head and grunted, "Radiance indeed, Glorfindel, you are too much for a man to take sometimes." Glorfindel quickly rebutted with, "Ah, my lord, but you are an elf." Arwen turned to see her father attempt to hide a smile unsuccessfully.
As Glorfindel rose, several horses trotted into the courtyard and the riders dismounted, clearly weary from travel but glad to be in the elven haven. Arwen watched intently as a male elfling that looked to be near her age came forward with several older elves.
"Elrond, it has been too long, nin mellon," the tallest elf smiled and put his hand over his heart in the customary greeting of the elves. "Indeed it has, gwador," Elrond replied as he returned the greeting with a smile. With a sweep of his hand, he indicated the welcoming party. "You know, of course, my wife, Celebrian, and my advisor and friend, Glorfindel. These are my sons, Elladan and Elrohir, and my daughter, Arwen." (*my friend…heart-brother)
"Suilad, gîl síla erin lû govaded mín. I am Thranduil, King of Greenwood. This is my son, Legolas." The Woodland King put a hand on the young prince's shoulder and he put his hand over his heart and bowed his head respectfully. (*Greetings, a star shines on the hour of our meeting)
"Mae govannen, Legolas. As this is your first visit to my home, I will see to it that you enjoy all that Rivendell has to offer," Elrond forced himself to smile, for he could sense in the young elfling the deep, consuming sorrow that Thranduil had spoken of in the letters preceding their visit. (*well met)
The serious atmosphere quickly dispersed as Glorfindel spoke, "Do not let Lord Elrond deceive you, young prince. He only calls me his advisor; I am truly the court jester." The golden elf lord grinned devilishly at Legolas before going to embrace Thranduil and Elrond and Celebrian quickly followed suit.
Arwen watched her twin brothers disappear in the crowd of servants bustling to and fro to prepare rooms for the visitors and frowned after them. Her parents wouldn't even notice their absence for quite some time; they were reminiscing of times long past and laughing at Glorfindel's comments.
Arwen walked up next to the prince, who was gazing after Glorfindel with a confused expression. "I believe that he takes his role as the jester quite seriously," she said, with a smile. Legolas turned to her, startled, and asked in an astonished tone, "Glorfindel, is he the same from the Legend of the Fall of Gondolin?"
Arwen laughed and replied, "One and the same…he will never let you forget it! Wait until he's had some mead and regales us with a tale of gallantry in the Hall of Fire!" Legolas smiled and said, "I will be sure to be present. It will be entertaining if nothing else, I'm certain."
"Well, perhaps I shall see you there tonight. There is to be a feast in honor of your arrival," the princess said shyly. Legolas contemplated this and replied, "I am near-exhausted from the trip but it is early yet and I cannot decline an invitation to attend a feast in our honor. I will eat a bit, if it is not too much to ask, and then rest for the remainder of the day."
Arwen nodded her agreement and led him to the kitchens, where she left him in the care of Bridhil, the motherly cook who was sure to feed him well. "Until later then, mellon," Arwen said as she left the kitchens. Legolas tried to smile through a mouthful of fresh fruits and waved to her retreating form.