Author's note

I have been so bored over the last couple of days that I have decided to

continue with this story, only a few days after writing the first chapter! Also, I have

to say that I own the characters Danestar (pronounced Dan-es-tar), Ondine

(On-deen), Nestor and Silvena. Thanks so much to Nina who sent me my first ever

review! Also thanks to Nichola, who's a good friend of mine and reviewed me last

night. I was so pleased! So, without further ado, read on!

Chapter 2

"Ondine! Ondine! Come down here at once!" King Aragorn of Gondor had been searching everywhere for his eldest daughter, and had spent two hours doing so.

Though not as young as he used to be, Aragorn still showed signs of great energy. Dark hair he had, which fell to his shoulders. His puppy-dog brown eyes were one of his many natural qualities, as his wife constantly reminded him.

The King continued to search for his daughter, while making sure preparations for the party were well under way. He stopped at his bed chamber, near the top of Minas Tirith.

He knocked softly on the closed oak door.

"Arwen, my dear?" began Aragorn, "are you in here?" He waited for a moment, before the door opened.

In Aragorn's eyes, she was the fairest living creature that walked Middle Earth. She wore a gown of lavender silk, which flowed gently at her feet. Her dark wavy hair was draped over her shoulders, and on her head she wore a silver Elven crown. Her dark eyes had warmth flooding from them, and as she smiled, her husband's heart leapt.

"Yes, my love?" she said. Her voice was losing deepness, as she was no longer an Elf. Now it sounded sweet and soft.

"Arwen, have you seen Ondine?" Aragorn asked, "She is supposed to be helping me with decorations." He sighed, showing his impatience.

"She was last seen outside with Rowan," said Arwen. "They were practising archery."

"She would have to be a tomboy," said Aragorn, "I don't understand where we went wrong with her."

"We didn't go wrong," said Arwen, "Not with Eldarion, Danestar, Silvena or Ondine."

"I know," said Aragorn. He admired his wife's voice of reason. "I just wish she wasn't so headstrong."

"You wish she wasn't like you, you mean," Arwen teased. Aragorn couldn't think of anything to say to this, so he kept quiet.

"I'm always right, so there's no point in arguing," Arwen said as Aragorn turned and began to walk away. He turned round again, and gave Arwen a kiss on the cheek. Then, he broke into a run.

As soon as he was outside, Aragorn began to shout for his children.

"Ondine! Eldarion! Will you come to me! Now!" He sounded so fierce and serious, that two young adults stepped out of the trees.

Both were carrying a bow, and had a quiver of arrows swung over their backs.

One was male, and looked the oldest. He had short honey-blonde hair, and he had a very well-built body.

The other was female, the eldest of Aragorn's daughters. She had auburn hair which was tied into a long plait which fell onto her back. She was not the prettiest of women, but she had great inner beauty, and a very kind heart.

"Yes, father?" asked Ondine timidly.

"Where have you been?" thundered Aragorn. "I have been looking for you for over two hours! You are supposed to be helping me with decorations! Explain yourself."

"I needed to practice my archery, father," she said with a small smile.

"Get inside, now! The both of you!" Aragorn said angrily. "You will both be putting up decorations until bedtime! Go, now!"

As they walked back through Minis Tirith, Aragorn was criticising Ondine.

"I never had this much trouble with Danestar and Silvena! What has got into you? Why did you have to practice archery now? You can do it any time!"

"Father," muttered Eldarion, "just drop it for now. You are embarrassing Ondine and yourself."

Why, thought Aragorn, did Rowan have to have his mother's voice of reason?

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Later that day, Ondine went to see her younger sisters in their room. She went quietly, hoping to avoid her father.

"Danestar? Silvena? Can I come in?" asked Ondine, leaning her head against the door.

"Yes, Ondine," answered Silvena. Ondine entered the beautifully decorated room. Two four-poster beds with Elven art on them were at either end of the large room. Each bed had silver satin draped as hangings. But even compared with the beds, there was nothing more beautiful than the maidens sitting upon them.

Silvena, the youngest of the sisters was admiring an ornate doll. She was also the cutest of her sisters, and the most girly. She had straight white blonde hair, and most people said she looked much like an Elf. She had sky-blue eyes and very sweet smile.

"Silvena, are you going to spend all your life fawning over these ridiculous dolls?" Ondine asked. There was not much of an age difference between the two, but Silvena always gave the impression that she was younger than she really was.

"But these dolls are so pretty!" said Silvena impatiently. "And anyway, do you have to spend all your days running outside with our dear brother Rowan practising archery! You are supposed to be a woman! A princess!"

"I am a woman," replied Ondine coldly, "unlike you, clinging on to your childhood. You are acting like a five year old!"

"I am twenty-four!" said Silvena angrily, "And I do not need you telling me how to spend my life! I plan to marry very soon, and I hope to please mother and father!"

Even though Silvena was younger than Ondine, she seemed to be a great deal more intelligent. Ondine would always speak without thinking.

"You two, that's enough," said the third sister, looking up from her book.

Danestar was the age of twenty-six, and seemed to be the most quiet, sensible and relaxed of her siblings. She had dark, wavy hair which seemed to be much like her mother's. She had emerald-green eyes which always shone when she was enjoying herself. She was fair of face and had pale skin. She looked very different to Ondine and Silvena, who were wearing gowns of pale pink and blue, Danestar always wore richer colours, like today, for instance, dark blood red.

"Both of you are acting like children," Danestar said, closing her book. "Stop this selfishness."

Silvena put her doll onto her dressing table, and beckoned Ondine to sit beside her.

"Right," began Danestar, "now that we are all in a civilized mood, I have something to say."

Ondine and Silvena remained silent, so Danestar continued.

"I know for a fact that mother and father are planning to introduce us to somebody at the party next week."

"Ooooo! Who?" said Silvena.

"I know what they're up to!" said Ondine triumphantly. "They're match- making!"

"I tried to ask mother, but she didn't want to spoil the surprise." said Danestar. "But she said that he is an old friend of father's."

"Hey! What about that dwarf that visited last year?" wondered Silvena.

"I am not marrying a dwarf!" said Ondine definitely.

"But if mother and father do introduce to someone, act surprised," said Danestar wisely. "Even if he is not good-looking, be polite. After all, we all want to marry, don't we?"

Silvena and Ondine nodded.

"Let's go down to dinner," said Silvena. They all rose, and swiftly left the room.