DISCLAIMER: OK, just the usual...don't own ANYTHING but this fic. Yadda yadda, don't sue..blah blah. Savvy?^__^
A Dark Sunrise
Chapter 2- The Ride
Two days passed, and Arwen caught only a fleeting glimpse of Aragorn, striding down one of the many airy corridors of the elven stronghold. He was busy, she knew, studying maps and plans of the countryside between Rivendell and Mordor; busy packing provisions. Yet, she knew this was not the reason she had not spoken to him. He avoided her, and this worried her deeply. Aragorn had always told her everything, even when they were ill tidings. She realized this journey would be treacherous, but that was still no reason for him to neglect her. Still, she did not seek him out, but waited impatiently for him to come to her. The house of Elrond ran high with tension, and halls at night were empty of the usual merriment's and replaced instead with hushed conversations. Arwen couldn't bare it; the oppressive silence, her fathers strained face. Never had he showed any signs of aging, yet he had never looked so old.
Instead of wandering the halls and gardens, she rode daily astride Asfaloth, reveling in the release it gave her, galloping across the plains bordering Rivendell. No where else did she find peace.
And so, as every day before that, she galloped madly across the hills and plains, among the trees and through the rivers and streams, never straying far from the safety of Imladris. And she was a sight to behold, for her dark tresses whipped out behind her, and her steed charged the ground powerfully, and all could see the bright stars that were the Undomiel's eyes. She was Twilight's first star, and when she raced the sun it dimmed before her beauty.
Few eyes saw her racing form that day, save for a lone elf, sitting easily atop his own pale stallion. Watching her out of sight, he urged Alafass after the fleet figure of Arwen's horse.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Arwen swung gracefully to the ground and hastily plopped down in the grass, leaving Asfaloth to graze. She was exhausted from her long ride, and more notably her long, suffocating morning in Rivendell. She sought relief from the fall sun in the shade of a few arching oaks, which stood out of place among the low shrubbery of the plains, dreading the feast which was planned for the night, in honor of the fellowship of Nine.
This was going to be one of those horrid occasions she had just recently told Legolas about. Greeting nobles and relatives, as well as hordes of elves whom she had never met and didn't particularly care too. But she knew her place- beside Elrond. Still, perhaps this would be a good time to speak to Aragorn-- Arwen's thoughts were cut short as she became aware of anothers presence.
Legolas sat, not 10 feet from where she herself was sitting, atop a magnificent stallion. She was surprised to see a smirk crossing his features; perhaps he was not as sad as he had seemed the previous night.
'I apologize for startling you, my lady. You are wanted by your father. Apparently guests, in need of greeting, are already beginning to trickle in.' He could barely contain his grin. Arwen groaned, but remained seated.
'I suppose you won't even be present tonight, Legolas. You'll probably flit off aboard your horse and roam the borders, yes?' She didn't bother looking up to confirm her assumption.
'Actually,' he began, 'I think I will be obliged to come out of hiding this once, as I am one of the company.' He sighed dramatically. 'It will be quite a sacrifice, I admit. Being treated to elvish music, food and dance.' She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, while he laughed heartily. It was a heady sound. Being a guest, he wouldn't be forced to socialize- she would. She decided to change the subject.
'You seem merry today. Quite a change from your low mood the other night.' Legolas' eyes clouded for a moment, and Arwen immediately regretted bringing up the subject.
'I was wrong to dispair, especially in front of a lady.'
'It is I who must apologize, Legolas; I spoke harshly the other night, and you didn't deserve my temper.' Legolas' face became more solemn still, and he nodded his head gravely.
'I would never condemn a relationship that is so pure and free and perfect. Aragorn speaks often of you, but even his words do you little justice.' She turned crimson, and he colored as well. She looked up at him, her eyes locked on his, and neither spoke.
Minutes or hours may have passed, before Legolas finally broke the gaze, seemingly unembarrassed. He was concerned about the time, he said gently, and he lept off his stallion with the grace of a wild cat, catching Asfaloth easily. He returned to her and bent a knee to help her on, though both he and Arwen knew she could have easily mounted herself. She smiled her thanks, and he swung himself up. His horse had no bridle, and she marveled at how his slightest touch directed the horse. He was very gifted, even by the standards of her people.
Turning reluctantly towards Rivendell, the two made their way back in comfortable silence, a striking pair to all who saw them: one an image of the coming darkness, the other resembling first mornings light.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
There you have it, chapter two, as uneventful as the first! LOL, hopefully the next chapter will be a tad bit more romantic...ooo its the feast!![And dancing afterwards!!*wink wink nudge nudge* and you know what that means!] Heh, anyways, FEEDBACK is a must you guys!!! I wanna know where to head with this story!! Like it, love it, or hate it, do tell!
-Red Dragon
A Dark Sunrise
Chapter 2- The Ride
Two days passed, and Arwen caught only a fleeting glimpse of Aragorn, striding down one of the many airy corridors of the elven stronghold. He was busy, she knew, studying maps and plans of the countryside between Rivendell and Mordor; busy packing provisions. Yet, she knew this was not the reason she had not spoken to him. He avoided her, and this worried her deeply. Aragorn had always told her everything, even when they were ill tidings. She realized this journey would be treacherous, but that was still no reason for him to neglect her. Still, she did not seek him out, but waited impatiently for him to come to her. The house of Elrond ran high with tension, and halls at night were empty of the usual merriment's and replaced instead with hushed conversations. Arwen couldn't bare it; the oppressive silence, her fathers strained face. Never had he showed any signs of aging, yet he had never looked so old.
Instead of wandering the halls and gardens, she rode daily astride Asfaloth, reveling in the release it gave her, galloping across the plains bordering Rivendell. No where else did she find peace.
And so, as every day before that, she galloped madly across the hills and plains, among the trees and through the rivers and streams, never straying far from the safety of Imladris. And she was a sight to behold, for her dark tresses whipped out behind her, and her steed charged the ground powerfully, and all could see the bright stars that were the Undomiel's eyes. She was Twilight's first star, and when she raced the sun it dimmed before her beauty.
Few eyes saw her racing form that day, save for a lone elf, sitting easily atop his own pale stallion. Watching her out of sight, he urged Alafass after the fleet figure of Arwen's horse.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Arwen swung gracefully to the ground and hastily plopped down in the grass, leaving Asfaloth to graze. She was exhausted from her long ride, and more notably her long, suffocating morning in Rivendell. She sought relief from the fall sun in the shade of a few arching oaks, which stood out of place among the low shrubbery of the plains, dreading the feast which was planned for the night, in honor of the fellowship of Nine.
This was going to be one of those horrid occasions she had just recently told Legolas about. Greeting nobles and relatives, as well as hordes of elves whom she had never met and didn't particularly care too. But she knew her place- beside Elrond. Still, perhaps this would be a good time to speak to Aragorn-- Arwen's thoughts were cut short as she became aware of anothers presence.
Legolas sat, not 10 feet from where she herself was sitting, atop a magnificent stallion. She was surprised to see a smirk crossing his features; perhaps he was not as sad as he had seemed the previous night.
'I apologize for startling you, my lady. You are wanted by your father. Apparently guests, in need of greeting, are already beginning to trickle in.' He could barely contain his grin. Arwen groaned, but remained seated.
'I suppose you won't even be present tonight, Legolas. You'll probably flit off aboard your horse and roam the borders, yes?' She didn't bother looking up to confirm her assumption.
'Actually,' he began, 'I think I will be obliged to come out of hiding this once, as I am one of the company.' He sighed dramatically. 'It will be quite a sacrifice, I admit. Being treated to elvish music, food and dance.' She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm, while he laughed heartily. It was a heady sound. Being a guest, he wouldn't be forced to socialize- she would. She decided to change the subject.
'You seem merry today. Quite a change from your low mood the other night.' Legolas' eyes clouded for a moment, and Arwen immediately regretted bringing up the subject.
'I was wrong to dispair, especially in front of a lady.'
'It is I who must apologize, Legolas; I spoke harshly the other night, and you didn't deserve my temper.' Legolas' face became more solemn still, and he nodded his head gravely.
'I would never condemn a relationship that is so pure and free and perfect. Aragorn speaks often of you, but even his words do you little justice.' She turned crimson, and he colored as well. She looked up at him, her eyes locked on his, and neither spoke.
Minutes or hours may have passed, before Legolas finally broke the gaze, seemingly unembarrassed. He was concerned about the time, he said gently, and he lept off his stallion with the grace of a wild cat, catching Asfaloth easily. He returned to her and bent a knee to help her on, though both he and Arwen knew she could have easily mounted herself. She smiled her thanks, and he swung himself up. His horse had no bridle, and she marveled at how his slightest touch directed the horse. He was very gifted, even by the standards of her people.
Turning reluctantly towards Rivendell, the two made their way back in comfortable silence, a striking pair to all who saw them: one an image of the coming darkness, the other resembling first mornings light.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
There you have it, chapter two, as uneventful as the first! LOL, hopefully the next chapter will be a tad bit more romantic...ooo its the feast!![And dancing afterwards!!*wink wink nudge nudge* and you know what that means!] Heh, anyways, FEEDBACK is a must you guys!!! I wanna know where to head with this story!! Like it, love it, or hate it, do tell!
-Red Dragon