Carrie lay on her bed, her mind once more in turmoil, now knowing that she indeed would be faced with the opportunity to go home, and the weighty decision that would accompany it. She thought of home, and of her family and friends who she cared deeply about. She thought of Legolas, and all the feelings that she had developed for him. She thought of Aragorn and Gimli, who were risking their lives for a cause they believed in out in the battle that she had no news of. She thought of Eowyn and her desperate need for renown. She thought about all of this and an understanding came to her, one that had been eluding her, not entering into her thoughts since she came here. These people were real.

Aragorn was real. The future king was brave and strong, but he had faults just like any other man. Reading about him painted a picture, but it was two-dimensional. You didn't see his intolerance for inaction. You didn't fully understand his impatience. And you most definitely didn't feel the power of his commanding presence, even when there was no battle going on.

Gimli was real. Carrie knew from reading that he was loyal and steadfast, but you didn't see that he had a softer side, and was a rather nice person. He was true to his friends, and was fiercely devoted to them.

Eowyn was real. She was brave and valiant, but she was also insecure on the inside. She also had a bit of a sharp tongue, as Carrie had experienced not too long ago, but it was all part of what made her who she was.

Elrond was real. He was a commanding elf, who was magnificent to behold, but he was terribly upset and worried about his daughter. You could see most of that from the stories, but you didn't get a full appreciation for his kindness and understanding, or of his willingness to forgive the rash actions of a young girl.

And finally, Legolas was real, with a bigger family, apparently, then Carrie had initially known. He was an elf, which was so much more than a man with pointed ears. Everything about his nature was foreign to Carrie, and yet it still felt right to want to be with him. She knew so much about his character from reading the books, but again, there was so much that you can't pick up from a written word. You couldn't tell how his smile could warm your insides. You couldn't feel how his arms felt wrapped around you. You wouldn't know how melodious his voice sounded when talking about routine everyday things. You couldn't see how his eyes flashed when he was upset or angry; for it turned out he was quite stubborn and at times could have somewhat of a temper.

Carrie snickered at that and thought to herself, 'Well, that is supposedly from his father…' The thought startled her and she covered her now open mouth with her hand. She hadn't once thought about his father, not even when standing in the presence of another of his relatives. What would the king of Mirkwood have to say about his son being involved with a mortal? She wasn't sure, but even though Estella was ok with it, even encouraging it, she didn't think it likely for Thranduil to give it a glowing endorsement, given what she had read about him. Even if that mortal was a descendant of Aragorn.

But on the same token, what would her own parents say if she had the opportunity to tell them? Well, after telling her she was crazy and having her psychoanalyzed, they would probably tell her that she had a very active imagination, and shouldn't she be concentrating on real men that could give them real grandchildren? Carrie sighed. Even if everything remained how it should here, and did not deviate from the known story, it would not guarantee happily ever after. If she were to be with Legolas, it would have to be here, and what place did she have in this world? To choose him would be to choose a life that was completely foreign to her, and separate from all the people she had cared about all her life.

Just then, she heard the galloping of hooves coming from outside. She got up and ran to the window, looking to see who had arrived. All she caught a glimpse of was a lot of black hair and a long cloak before the horse rounded the bend.

She ran through the halls to find who the visitor was. Anybody was better than the emptiness that Rivendell had become, or the bitter thoughts that were currently going through her head. She came to a garden and saw Elrond, talking to the newcomer. She stopped mid-stride when she realized who it was.

It was the Lady Arwen.

Carrie paused in the doorway until Elrond walked away. She quietly entered and got her first good look at Arwen Undomiel. The woman was beautiful. No words were there that would do justice to her. Carrie hesitated before she approached her.

"Lady Arwen?" she asked shyly.

Arwen looked up at her, her eyes sad. It was then when Carrie realized who she was to this woman...elf. Arwen was in love with Aragorn, and she was the grandchild of his daughter with another woman. She became suddenly very nervous, forgetting that elves do not suffer the human emotion of jealousy.

"You must be Lady Carrie." Carrie marveled at the quality of her voice. Everything about this woman was perfect.

"I am." Carrie knew that she could never say all the things she wanted to, so for the time being, that would have to suffice.

"You must think I'm a fool." Arwen's statement startled her. Why would Carrie possibly think Arwen a fool? "To give up an immortal life for the love of a man."

"I...I don't think you're a fool. I think you're very brave." Carrie thought she sounded like such a little kid. And she was, she reflected, compared to Arwen who had seen thousands of years pass.

Arwen smiled at her. "Courage has nothing to do with it. I am weak when it comes to love." The beautiful elf maiden sighed and even that was divine. "I would give up anything to be with the man who possesses my heart."

Carrie couldn't help but feel admiration towards her. She truly loved Aragorn, and she had given up everything for him.

"I would rather spend a short mortal life with him than an eternity of regret and loneliness with my people."

Arwen's words struck a chord in Carrie. It became apparent to her how similar the choice laid before her was to Arwen's. It was not an immortal life that hung in the balance, but her familiar life, her home, her family, where she belonged. Arwen had chosen love above all else and Carrie had called her brave. What would Arwen think of Carrie's choice?

"So, you think that love is the right choice in any case?"

Arwen regarded her thoughtfully. "I would have to know the case," she said wisely.

Carrie tried a different tactic. "I mean, if someone chose love over everything else, what if something happens?"

"Happens?" Arwen questioned.

"I mean, between them. What if it ends? What if there is no more love and you've given up everything you know and you'll never see your family or friends again, because you chose love?"

Arwen looked at her piercingly, "Are you questioning my choice," she asked, "or your own?"

Carrie gasped. What was it with these elves? Maybe the men of Rohan had been right. Maybe they were mind readers.

"Uh..." Carrie didn't know how to respond.

Arwen leaned in close to Carrie. "I will tell you something that may or may not ease your decision. When an elf gives his love, it is not something that will end. If you have shared the union of love, for an elf, that is forever. You can go back millennia later, and he will still feel the same. It is not the mortal that is at risk of losing all, but the elf. For mortals will leave us one way or another. Even if their heart stays true, they will eventually depart."

Carrie looked into Arwen's eyes and saw immense sorrow. Arwen had much more at stake than Carrie could ever possibly have, and yet she hadn't hesitated in the least. She chose love, above all else.

Arwen stood up. "Think carefully, my lady." She looked meaningfully at Carrie. "For even a mortal life filled with regret will feel like an eternity."

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to put a shameless plug here because I'm very excited. My drinking song for the HASA challenge is on the public site over at HASA. Check it out - the website is in my bio. I'm not posting it here in case it does not conform to ff.net's standards. I don't want my posting privileges revoked again.

Jack-Sparrow-Lover: He'll be back. He's so hot all the time…

Lady Shannon Took: Thanks for the review and the compliments.

Crecy: Here's your update. Hope you get to Gondor soon, I think…

Moonbunny77: Thank you so much for the very thoughtful (and long) review. I do take my reviewers' words seriously and have been known to blush a lot from such praise as you have given me.

Lainfaer: Yes, she has a way of getting home. What would you choose? I personally think I would have to choose the hot elf.

BtchieChrissy: Thank you! I'm glad you love it! You have a nice day too.

ElvenDragon: Not over; not yet anyway. Still a little ways to go. The story is finished being written, not posted. So I know how everything turns out. :)

PsychoPixie: Now that's the question of the day - what will Carrie do? She has actually done many things in the various revisions of the story. But now, well, you'll just have to wait and see. I know, I'm evil: Evil!Arandil