Thank you all for the reviews, you guys really make me happy.
the_ringspell, lizard lava 13, deric and chris: here is chapter 2, enjoy.
Soar, Lady of Legolas: thank you for loving the idea of Haldir being a father. Lady of Legolas, you have to read the rest to find out..no fun telling you now.
Dalia Archer: read on to find out.
B-Elanna : ^blushes^ you are too kind with your words. read on to find out.
Aithilin: I am updating, so you have to update EK for me now. ^muahaha^
Thank you again to Cheysuli for betaing. You are the best.
Special note: Mom, thanks for the support and proof reading for me.
On with the next chapter...enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** While in Mirkwood ***
"Legolas, remember what I had said last night? You are my youngest and the only one unattached. Surprise me, make me happy. Promise me you will consider my proposition," said Thranduil.
"I will, father. I must go now before the sun rises too high. I will miss you and Mirkwood," said Legolas as he gave Thranduil a hug before mounting his horse.
"May the Valar be with you throughout your journey to Lothlorien," said Thranduil as Legolas rode out with his guards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Back in Lothlorien ***
"Elladan!"
"Aurwen? Is that you?" asked Elladan.
"It is I. When did you arrive and where is Elrohir?"
"Right behind you," said Elrohir.
"You have grown. Has it been that long since we last visited Lothlorien?" asked Elladan.
"Indeed. Oh, how I missed the two of you," I said as I gave them each a hug. "How is Lord Elrond?"
"Father is fine and he sent his regards to you," answered Elrohir. "He wished for you to visit him in Rivendell one fine day."
"You were really young when we first came to know of you. What Haldir did is a surprise to many of us, but I guess he does a wonderful job raising you," mentioned Elladan.
"What happened to your arm?" questioned Elrohir when he saw the bandages.
"Oh, this. I had an accident while training last night. Enough said about me. How long will you be staying?"
"It will be awhile before we head back to Rivendell. We are here because of the news that Legolas will be here. We miss that Mirkwood elf. Cannot remember when we last saw each other. Must have been before you were born."
"Will you be able to go hunting or even join us for archery practice tomorrow?" asked Elrohir.
"Father said that I will be able to do so, at least a little with the bow but not too sure if I can wield the sword."
"Also heard from Haldir that you have gotten better in archery and you are also one of his top students in this field," continued Elrohir.
"Father had been too kind with his words. After all, I am his daughter but I do work very hard," I said with much seriousness in my face.
"We will find out when we do some archery tomorrow. Hopefully, your arm will be fully healed by then, as we want a fair 'competition'," Elladan said with a wink.
"Come, Aurwen," Elrohir said. "We are going to see our grandmother and we would like you to join us. By the way, do you have any plans this morning?"
"Only in the afternoon, my dear Elrohir. I have plans with father. Maybe both of you should join me as I am sure father has lots to share. I also want you to meet my best friend, Dunhirion. He is a friend and nothing more, so no teasing," I warned them.
"Well, Aurwen, you are ready to be betrothed to someone. Most elf maidens your age are either married or have found themselves a match. Do not be another Arwen. She did not find someone until Estel came along. When she finally confessed her love for him, she was way over three thousand years old. I know that you are not like most maidens here but you can be one. You have all the grace of a lady as well as the skills of a warrior. Think about what I have just said. I would have courted you, if you did not remind me so much of Arwen," said Elladan.
"You are like a sister to Elladan and I. If there is any elf that you are interested in but too shy to approach, let both of us know and maybe we can help," offered Elrohir.
"I will think about it. I thought father was bad, but now I have you both to deal with."
"Elrohir, grandmother is waiting, we had better go," urged Elladan.
The three of us made our way to Galadriel's chamber. I cannot remember the last time I was here. Her chamber was surrounded by old trees, so old that I could feel the presence of the past reaching out to me as I walked passed each corridor. As we reached the top, we were greeted by guards.
"My lords, my lady, the Lady awaits your arrival," said the guard as he opened the door.
"Elladan, Elrohir, it is wonderful to see both of you again, and you, Aurwen, foster daughter of Haldir, welcome."
"Grandmother, it is nice to see you again, it has been too long. However, I have a request and I hope you can help," said Elladan. Pulling me closed to him he said, "Aurwen needs help. How can a beautiful she-elf like her stay unattached all these centuries?"
"Elladan!" exclaimed I. "Sorry, my Lady, but do forgive Elladan, he is jesting. His weariness from his travel must have made him say such things."
"My dear Aurwen," Galadriel said, smiling. "You remind me very much of Arwen. The day Haldir found you in the woods, I saw what lies in your future. My question is: are you ready to face it? Do you wish to have a glimpse of what will be?"
"No, my Lady, I do not want to know. I very much like the way my life unfolds, day by day, although it is very generous for you to offer."
"Very well, but a little advice: be ready for the changes that are about to be revealed to you. Your life is changing as we speak and when that happens, embrace it like Arwen did."
"Ah, so grandmother, does this mean that we are able to witness the change too?" asked Elrohir with a cheeky grin across his face.
"As I have mentioned, it will be soon. Now, how is your father doing in Rivendell?" asked Galadriel with concern in her voice.
"He is well and happy with someone, although he longs to see mother again," answered Elladan.
"I know of whom you are speaking but there will be a time when all of us will be together again, in the Undying Lands," mentioned Galadriel. "And as for you, Aurwen, I have something that is rightfully yours." She walked towards the cabinet to retrieve it. "This is the Star of Luthien. I want you to have it."
It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Silver in color, the Star of Luthien was set in an oval shape, with a red sapphire placed in the center.
"I cannot accept it, my lady. I am nothing but an orphan, whom Haldir took pity of. This gift is more suited for someone of a noble class," I said.
"It is my gift to you. Celeborn wanted you to have it on the day Haldir brought you in, but your father declined on your behalf and had requested for it to be given to you when the right time comes."
"Then I will graciously accept this gift from you. Do thank Lord Celeborn for me for this beautiful gift." Galadriel placed the necklace into my hands.
"It is beautiful, the Star of Luthien. I remembered most of her tales; father used to read it to me every night when I was young. It was Elrohir's and Arwen's favourite too," mentioned Elladan.
"It was my favourite as well. My Lady, I must excuse myself, for I have promised to meet father in the garden at noon. I must thank you again for this gift," I said. Moving towards her, I gave her a hug.
"Not at all, Aurwen. It is rightfully yours. You do resemble Arwen in many ways. Hopefully, one day, you will get to meet her. Do come and visit me whenever you can," said Galadriel before she bade us goodbye.
I cannot wait to show father the gift that I had received from the Lady and the Lord of Lothlorien.
"Hey, Aurwen," called Elladan. "Do you want me to help you put it on? Something this beautiful is better place on your neck than having you holding it in your hand."
"If you do not mind, I would love to wear it." Elladan took the necklace from me and placed it around my neck. "Why did not she give it to Arwen? She is beautiful and she deserves this more than I do," I said as Elladan fastened the necklace around my neck.
"Arwen has her own star, the Evenstar. I am sure grandmother has her reason why you should have it," said Elladan. "Maybe you are Luthien Tinuviel reincarnated and the star is finally returned to its original wearer"
"You do have a wild imagination, Elladan." I gave him a swat to the head before making a dash to the garden. I could hear Elladan's cry of anger: "I will get you, Aurwen. Better pray that Haldir is there to protect you."
It was quite a distance to the garden and by the time we got there, father was there waiting. "Adar!" I greeted him with heavy breaths.
"Haldir, it is nice to see you again. How have you been, old friend? Sorry I was not there to greet you when Elladan did. I had some matters to attend," said Elrohir.
"I know of the matter that you were referring to. Elladan told me about it," said Haldir.
"And what would that urgency be, Elrohir. Are you hiding something from me?" I gave him a quizzical look.
"My dear brother is courting a she-elf here in Lothlorien. Her name is Niana. It is still a secret here," continued Elladan. "Father was taken by her charms and beauty when Elrohir brought her to Rivendell. He has allowed Elrohir to court her."
"I know her, I used to play with her when I was young. All was lost when my passion for archery grew," I said. At the same time, my fingers danced around my new necklace.
"The Star of Luthien. Aurwen, did you visit the Lady?" questioned Haldir.
"Yes, Adar. I went with Elladan and Elrohir. She gave me this and said that I should had this long ago. Is something the matter?"
"No, my child. I just did not expect this, that is all. I remembered the first time she wanted to give it to you. You were a mere baby and I told her that the gift was too precious for a child to have, but she said it was rightfully yours. I told her to keep it until the right time came along. I guess this is the time for you to have it. Be ready to face the changes that are about to be revealed to you."
"What do you mean father? I do not understand." Looking puzzled over what had just been said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Somewhere in Imladris ***
"Life is so much more peaceful with the children gone," said Elrond as he nuzzled his lover on the neck.
"Indeed, my love, but do not forget that we will see them in two days. We have promised Galadriel that we will be there. Come, love, and enjoy the peace for now. We might not have the liberty again." The night sky was clear and peaceful. Not long after, the two fell asleep in each others arms.
tbc......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I have done my share, now it is your turn to R/R.
the_ringspell, lizard lava 13, deric and chris: here is chapter 2, enjoy.
Soar, Lady of Legolas: thank you for loving the idea of Haldir being a father. Lady of Legolas, you have to read the rest to find out..no fun telling you now.
Dalia Archer: read on to find out.
B-Elanna : ^blushes^ you are too kind with your words. read on to find out.
Aithilin: I am updating, so you have to update EK for me now. ^muahaha^
Thank you again to Cheysuli for betaing. You are the best.
Special note: Mom, thanks for the support and proof reading for me.
On with the next chapter...enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** While in Mirkwood ***
"Legolas, remember what I had said last night? You are my youngest and the only one unattached. Surprise me, make me happy. Promise me you will consider my proposition," said Thranduil.
"I will, father. I must go now before the sun rises too high. I will miss you and Mirkwood," said Legolas as he gave Thranduil a hug before mounting his horse.
"May the Valar be with you throughout your journey to Lothlorien," said Thranduil as Legolas rode out with his guards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Back in Lothlorien ***
"Elladan!"
"Aurwen? Is that you?" asked Elladan.
"It is I. When did you arrive and where is Elrohir?"
"Right behind you," said Elrohir.
"You have grown. Has it been that long since we last visited Lothlorien?" asked Elladan.
"Indeed. Oh, how I missed the two of you," I said as I gave them each a hug. "How is Lord Elrond?"
"Father is fine and he sent his regards to you," answered Elrohir. "He wished for you to visit him in Rivendell one fine day."
"You were really young when we first came to know of you. What Haldir did is a surprise to many of us, but I guess he does a wonderful job raising you," mentioned Elladan.
"What happened to your arm?" questioned Elrohir when he saw the bandages.
"Oh, this. I had an accident while training last night. Enough said about me. How long will you be staying?"
"It will be awhile before we head back to Rivendell. We are here because of the news that Legolas will be here. We miss that Mirkwood elf. Cannot remember when we last saw each other. Must have been before you were born."
"Will you be able to go hunting or even join us for archery practice tomorrow?" asked Elrohir.
"Father said that I will be able to do so, at least a little with the bow but not too sure if I can wield the sword."
"Also heard from Haldir that you have gotten better in archery and you are also one of his top students in this field," continued Elrohir.
"Father had been too kind with his words. After all, I am his daughter but I do work very hard," I said with much seriousness in my face.
"We will find out when we do some archery tomorrow. Hopefully, your arm will be fully healed by then, as we want a fair 'competition'," Elladan said with a wink.
"Come, Aurwen," Elrohir said. "We are going to see our grandmother and we would like you to join us. By the way, do you have any plans this morning?"
"Only in the afternoon, my dear Elrohir. I have plans with father. Maybe both of you should join me as I am sure father has lots to share. I also want you to meet my best friend, Dunhirion. He is a friend and nothing more, so no teasing," I warned them.
"Well, Aurwen, you are ready to be betrothed to someone. Most elf maidens your age are either married or have found themselves a match. Do not be another Arwen. She did not find someone until Estel came along. When she finally confessed her love for him, she was way over three thousand years old. I know that you are not like most maidens here but you can be one. You have all the grace of a lady as well as the skills of a warrior. Think about what I have just said. I would have courted you, if you did not remind me so much of Arwen," said Elladan.
"You are like a sister to Elladan and I. If there is any elf that you are interested in but too shy to approach, let both of us know and maybe we can help," offered Elrohir.
"I will think about it. I thought father was bad, but now I have you both to deal with."
"Elrohir, grandmother is waiting, we had better go," urged Elladan.
The three of us made our way to Galadriel's chamber. I cannot remember the last time I was here. Her chamber was surrounded by old trees, so old that I could feel the presence of the past reaching out to me as I walked passed each corridor. As we reached the top, we were greeted by guards.
"My lords, my lady, the Lady awaits your arrival," said the guard as he opened the door.
"Elladan, Elrohir, it is wonderful to see both of you again, and you, Aurwen, foster daughter of Haldir, welcome."
"Grandmother, it is nice to see you again, it has been too long. However, I have a request and I hope you can help," said Elladan. Pulling me closed to him he said, "Aurwen needs help. How can a beautiful she-elf like her stay unattached all these centuries?"
"Elladan!" exclaimed I. "Sorry, my Lady, but do forgive Elladan, he is jesting. His weariness from his travel must have made him say such things."
"My dear Aurwen," Galadriel said, smiling. "You remind me very much of Arwen. The day Haldir found you in the woods, I saw what lies in your future. My question is: are you ready to face it? Do you wish to have a glimpse of what will be?"
"No, my Lady, I do not want to know. I very much like the way my life unfolds, day by day, although it is very generous for you to offer."
"Very well, but a little advice: be ready for the changes that are about to be revealed to you. Your life is changing as we speak and when that happens, embrace it like Arwen did."
"Ah, so grandmother, does this mean that we are able to witness the change too?" asked Elrohir with a cheeky grin across his face.
"As I have mentioned, it will be soon. Now, how is your father doing in Rivendell?" asked Galadriel with concern in her voice.
"He is well and happy with someone, although he longs to see mother again," answered Elladan.
"I know of whom you are speaking but there will be a time when all of us will be together again, in the Undying Lands," mentioned Galadriel. "And as for you, Aurwen, I have something that is rightfully yours." She walked towards the cabinet to retrieve it. "This is the Star of Luthien. I want you to have it."
It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Silver in color, the Star of Luthien was set in an oval shape, with a red sapphire placed in the center.
"I cannot accept it, my lady. I am nothing but an orphan, whom Haldir took pity of. This gift is more suited for someone of a noble class," I said.
"It is my gift to you. Celeborn wanted you to have it on the day Haldir brought you in, but your father declined on your behalf and had requested for it to be given to you when the right time comes."
"Then I will graciously accept this gift from you. Do thank Lord Celeborn for me for this beautiful gift." Galadriel placed the necklace into my hands.
"It is beautiful, the Star of Luthien. I remembered most of her tales; father used to read it to me every night when I was young. It was Elrohir's and Arwen's favourite too," mentioned Elladan.
"It was my favourite as well. My Lady, I must excuse myself, for I have promised to meet father in the garden at noon. I must thank you again for this gift," I said. Moving towards her, I gave her a hug.
"Not at all, Aurwen. It is rightfully yours. You do resemble Arwen in many ways. Hopefully, one day, you will get to meet her. Do come and visit me whenever you can," said Galadriel before she bade us goodbye.
I cannot wait to show father the gift that I had received from the Lady and the Lord of Lothlorien.
"Hey, Aurwen," called Elladan. "Do you want me to help you put it on? Something this beautiful is better place on your neck than having you holding it in your hand."
"If you do not mind, I would love to wear it." Elladan took the necklace from me and placed it around my neck. "Why did not she give it to Arwen? She is beautiful and she deserves this more than I do," I said as Elladan fastened the necklace around my neck.
"Arwen has her own star, the Evenstar. I am sure grandmother has her reason why you should have it," said Elladan. "Maybe you are Luthien Tinuviel reincarnated and the star is finally returned to its original wearer"
"You do have a wild imagination, Elladan." I gave him a swat to the head before making a dash to the garden. I could hear Elladan's cry of anger: "I will get you, Aurwen. Better pray that Haldir is there to protect you."
It was quite a distance to the garden and by the time we got there, father was there waiting. "Adar!" I greeted him with heavy breaths.
"Haldir, it is nice to see you again. How have you been, old friend? Sorry I was not there to greet you when Elladan did. I had some matters to attend," said Elrohir.
"I know of the matter that you were referring to. Elladan told me about it," said Haldir.
"And what would that urgency be, Elrohir. Are you hiding something from me?" I gave him a quizzical look.
"My dear brother is courting a she-elf here in Lothlorien. Her name is Niana. It is still a secret here," continued Elladan. "Father was taken by her charms and beauty when Elrohir brought her to Rivendell. He has allowed Elrohir to court her."
"I know her, I used to play with her when I was young. All was lost when my passion for archery grew," I said. At the same time, my fingers danced around my new necklace.
"The Star of Luthien. Aurwen, did you visit the Lady?" questioned Haldir.
"Yes, Adar. I went with Elladan and Elrohir. She gave me this and said that I should had this long ago. Is something the matter?"
"No, my child. I just did not expect this, that is all. I remembered the first time she wanted to give it to you. You were a mere baby and I told her that the gift was too precious for a child to have, but she said it was rightfully yours. I told her to keep it until the right time came along. I guess this is the time for you to have it. Be ready to face the changes that are about to be revealed to you."
"What do you mean father? I do not understand." Looking puzzled over what had just been said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Somewhere in Imladris ***
"Life is so much more peaceful with the children gone," said Elrond as he nuzzled his lover on the neck.
"Indeed, my love, but do not forget that we will see them in two days. We have promised Galadriel that we will be there. Come, love, and enjoy the peace for now. We might not have the liberty again." The night sky was clear and peaceful. Not long after, the two fell asleep in each others arms.
tbc......
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I have done my share, now it is your turn to R/R.