A/N: The first part is directly from Appendix B.
Chapter 10- An Accordance
20 Lótessë 3019- Lórien
Indilisse sat before the blank pages of parchment, and quill in her hand. She had sat here for nearly half a day trying to decide how she should word this story, for she saw fit to write a summarized account of the happenings since the downfall of the evil lord. It had been quite a long while since she found herself disposable to her writing as the ever-worried state of wife had kept her mind on her journeying husband and not on the two books she had started. She sighed and dipped the tip of the quill into the black ink. Indilisse placed it to the paper, finally able to choose where she would start.
"After the fall of the Dark Tower and the passing of Sauron the Shadow was lifted from the hearts of all who opposed him, but fear and despair fell upon his servants and allies. Three times Lórien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valor of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lórien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed."
She paused and dipped her quill back into the ink, letting a contented sigh escape her lips. Only a few had been severely wounded in these battles, and she was glad that Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil all returned unscathed except for a few minor bruises and scratches. She could still remember sitting at the gates with the other wives, Narië sitting right next to her, and children as they awaited the arrival of their loved ones. It had been tense because no one knew if any had fallen in battle, and if any had, no one knew just which of the warriors would not be returning. Indilisse smiled to herself, remembering what Celeborn then did, and picked up her quill and placed it to the parchment once more.
"In the North there had also been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end, Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of the Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien; but all the wide forest between was given to the Beorings and Woodmen."
"After this time there rose a great power in Gondor. There was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, taking up his seat as leader of the free peoples of Middle- earth, and was no longer Estel, nor Strider. He was thenceforth known as King Elessar Telcontar, and he began the long road to reclaiming all lands of Middle-earth and vanquishing the last evils of the world...."
"Ada, why can I not go!" There was an angry yell from outside the front door.
"Because I said you could not!" Came the bellowing voice of her husband.
There was a loud, angry whine from outside and the door was flung open. A very angry looking elleth stomped into the room. Indilisse tried to ignore the spat between them, and turned her attention back to the parchment in front of her.
"And Arwen Undómiel was newly come to Lórien, on her last voyage from..."
"But the Lady!" Came an exasperated shout.
Indilisse paused, closing her eyes to maintain her calm. She sighed and began writing again.
"...Imladris with her father to Minas Tirith to meet her husband..."
"I do not care what the Lady says. I am your father, and you will stay here!" He bellowed even louder.
Every person in Arda and beyond was going to hear this. Indilisse dipped the quill in the ink and again began to write.
"... Elessar. The escort of Arwen Undómiel would leave in a few hours time for Edoras..."
"Naneth!" The elleth exclaimed.
"Indilisse!" He called.
Indilisse, finally fed up, slapped the quill down onto the wood table, extremely angry that her concentration had been interrupted. She took a few calming breaths and slowly stood from her seat. Her turn was slow and deliberate, hoping it would send the message to them to calm down before she even spoke. Indilisse licked her lips slightly and looked into Emlin's eyes and then Haldir's.
"What is it?" Indilisse asked.
"He will not let me go!" Emlin exclaimed, adding extra emphasis on 'he' with her tone of voice and a finger pointed at him.
"Go where?" Indilisse questioned, not the least bit worried about the whole argument, as a huge argument like this usually broke out every once and a while now. But she did have to say that they were better than ever before.
Haldir took a deep, calming breath. It appeared that he had finally learned to read her body language correctly and knew when she was completely infuriated. Took him long enough, she thought to herself. He sighed, "She wishes to go to Minas Tirith with us."
Indilisse glanced at Emlin. She knew this was going to happen. "Emlin, you cannot go to Minas Tirith."
"Why not? You said I could travel when I reached fifty!" Emlin exclaimed, "Like you."
Haldir gave Emlin an indignant look and walked towards the wine decanter and goblets out on the counter. Indilisse sighed, "Pen neth, the roads are still too dangerous for you to travel with us. We cannot risk Thoron and you both being with us when you are not as skilled a fighter as everyone else."
"But Ada says that I am almost as good as you, Nana." Emlin countered. "And there will be Lords Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor, and then you are to meet Lords Elladan and Elrohir."
"I know." Indilisse said, "But someone must stay to watch Thoron. He would only be a burden if we took him with us."
"And Aranel is going with Uncle Rúmil and Aunt Narië." Emlin said.
Haldir poured himself a goblet of wine and walked over to a chair to sit down. He looked at them, "Aranel is only going because she is learning from her mother the skills of being a handmaiden to high ladies. She would stay if she had a brother."
"Or sister." Indilisse said, sitting down. She pulled Emlin down into the seat beside her. "Travel is not all it is said to be. It is long hours on foot and horse back. No baths. No clean clothes. Sleeping out in the open. You will not travel with us for this trip."
Emlin looked at Indilisse for a long time, tears brimming on her eyes. "I do not want to be left alone while Ada and my uncles are guarding the Lady, Narië and Aranel are serving the Lady and you are to be Arwen's attendant. I want to see the White City that I have heard so many stories about, and see Aragorn with the crown on his head and Arwen sitting beside him."
Indilisse grabbed her daughter's hands and looked deeply into her eyes. "Emlin, you cannot go with us to Minas Tirith."
With that, Emlin ripped her hands from hers and took flight up the stairs to her room. The door slammed shut and the lock latched into place. Indilisse remained silent, resting her face in her hands. She let out a partial wail, completely enraged at her daughter's disrespect. "I was never this much trouble when I was her age!"
Haldir did not reply, but the sound of his boots scuffing across the floor found her ears, and soon she saw them. Indilisse looked up at him, as he stood tall over her. He placed the wine goblet on the table beside her and reached down, lifting her up with both of his hands on her arms. "I am sure you were."
Indilisse smacked his shoulder, and tried with all her might to push away from him, but he held her tighter the more she squirmed. His lips landed on hers in a hard kiss that soon softened when she went lax in his arms. She pulled back, "I hate having to fight all your battles for you."
He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "Hannon le, maethoren vain."
"Let me go." She said, and was released easily. Indilisse walked to her book and sat back down. Haldir followed her, playing with a few tendrils of hair on her neck as she looked over her work.
"Call me mad, but should you not be preparing for this journey?" Haldir questioned.
"I am already done." Indilisse replied, "All I must do is change into my riding clothes, and leave instructions for Luinil to keep the closest eye he can manage on my children."
Haldir chuckled, "That frightens me when you put the words 'Luinil' and 'my children' in one statement."
"It is either that or they go with us." Indilisse said and stood up quickly. She walked back to their chamber, Haldir following her and shutting the door. Standing before him, she pointed to the back of her gown, "Please untie me."
"My pleasure." He remarked, and easily undid the tie that he had undone many times before.
Indilisse slipped out of her gown and walked to the bed where her clothes were laying out for her. She slipped on the leggings and under tunic quickly, placing the outer tunic over it. Haldir came up behind her and braided her hair for her, placing a lingering kiss at the base of her neck. She turned and gave him a wicked smile; "This shall be torture for you, hervenn. You will go at least two weeks without any intimate contact."
"Then you will be expecting me to make full use of the time alone in Minas Tirith." He smiled and walked towards her saddlebag, packed to the brim with clothes and other things.
She chuckled, knowing she could not complain with that probability, and walked to the corner of the room where her light sword stood waiting for her to place on her hip. When Indilisse came from the sleeping room, she found Emlin now sitting there, staring at her father. "What now?"
"Do you promise that you will take me one day to Minas Tirith?" Emlin asked her.
"One day, we will." Indilisse nodded.
Emlin stood up and walked over to her, pulling her into a long hug, "I will miss you, Nana."
"And I, you." Indilisse smiled, "Please take care of you brother. Make sure he eats properly."
"And that he does not go practice his archery without supervision." Haldir added.
Emlin laughed, as they all remembered that only recently Thoron had gone down to the practice field alone, but his arrow backfired on him and he nearly lost an eye. Emlin walked to her father and stood on her toes to hug him, kissing his cheek, "I will miss you, Ada."
Indilisse could tell that this was the last thing he expected, but she had seen the way Emlin had stewed over her father's return from Dol Guldur, and knew that Emlin only loved her father. Haldir pulled back from her, "You are supposed to come with us. It is your duty to see us to the gates, you know."
"That is only when you leave for the borders or battle." Emlin said.
"Nay, it is for whenever we see fit." He smiled, "Come, they are waiting for us."
With that, they left the talan behind and started down the long staircases, and finally came across the fair company preparing for the journey south. Indilisse walked over to Arwen who stood beside her horse and Indilisse's. She handed the reigns off to Indilisse and smiled. "You look as if you have already been through a battle today."
Indilisse sighed and nodded towards Emlin, who was now with Aranel and being sweet-talked by Glorfindel. "She is angry that she must stay here with Thoron."
Arwen frowned, "I thought that she would come with us. She is certainly welcome to if she can hurry and gather her things."
"The road is still too dangerous Arwen." Indilisse replied, "And I need to know that Emlin can think of someone else other than herself for a change, and this is the perfect test."
"She is not selfish." Arwen said, "I knew her for the first half of her life. She is hardly selfish."
"Nay, but it will show me responsibility." Indilisse explained, "Then I will be fine knowing she can take care of herself without me."
Arwen giggled, "That elleth is as every bit as determined as you and loyal as Haldir. You should not have any worries about her caring for herself or others."
Indilisse rolled her eyes dramatically. "Do not remind me."
"I cannot imagine what my children will be like." Arwen said thoughtfully, a slightly wistful look in her eyes.
Indilisse smiled and gave a friendly squeeze on her friend's arm. "You will have the most perfect children, Arwen. Imagine Aragorn's courage and your steadfastness. No matter how you mix your characteristics, you will have wonderful children."
Arwen smiled warmly, "This is why I made you my attendant, not my grandmother."
"How do Gondorian wedding ceremonies usually go?" Indilisse asked.
"I am not sure." Arwen said, "Aragorn never really spoke of it, except his mother once said that the Dúnedain usually have ceremonies like the Firstborn. But since I have neither a mother nor a married sister, then you are my first choice."
Indilisse smiled, "And I am honored to be there beside you on your wedding day, my lady."
Arwen laughed heartily and stood to her full height. "Yes, I do like your propriety, servant. But soon it shall be Queen you are calling me."
Indilisse shook her head with happy laughter, Emlin joining them. Emlin bowed before Arwen, "My lady."
"Emlin, you should know better than to bow every time you see me." Arwen scolded, and placed a finger beneath Emlin's chin, raising her eyes. "We are so close to family, that you could call me Aunt if you truly wished."
"You are Undómiel." Emlin replied.
Arwen smiled and let a long breath escape her lips. "Your mother was just telling me that you wanted to travel."
"I do, my lady." Emlin said, but received a stern glare from Arwen.
"If you will stop referring to me as 'my lady' then, I will offer you an accordance you cannot refuse." Arwen said.
"Really, my la-," Emlin started, but stopped abruptly, "Arwen."
She smiled and glanced in Indilisse's direction for a moment. "As my first act as Queen, I will send word for you when the war is finally over and all roads are close to safe. Then you will journey to Minas Tirith as a friend and courtier to the Queen, and you will be allowed to stay as long as you like learning whatever you wish to learn."
Indilisse watched as Emlin's eyes grew larger, "Really?"
Arwen nodded her head, "Aye. That will be my first order of business. But you must promise you will not journey so far without appropriate protection."
"Aye, my... Arwen," Emlin said, her face now bright with a large smile. "I will make sure to come with appropriate protection."
"Good." Arwen said, and turned to Indilisse. "It is alright with you?"
Indilisse nodded her head; "I would not trust her in anyone else's hands, Arwen. But we must do some convincing of her father. I do not think he is yet ready to see his daughter gone."
Indilisse noticed Emlin's face turn dark again at the mention of her father's approval, as it also seemed Arwen noticed this sudden turn of emotions. Arwen clucked her teeth, "Do not worry, your father is very agreeable when certain things are brought to his attention."
"Like?" Emlin asked.
"Blackmail, of course." Indilisse smiled evilly. "Do not worry Emlin. We have this entire journey to talk him into it."
"I hope you can." Emlin said quietly. "He is always so disagreeable to me."
"I assure you, dear daughter, everything will work out as planned." Indilisse said, hugging Emlin to her. "Now go and find your brother. I wish to say my farewells to him as well."
Emlin complied and was off in a short moment, running towards the gardens in search of her brother. Arwen glanced at Indilisse, "Which blackmail should we use, dear friend?"
"We will think of something." Indilisse said. "All those things you said you would do for Emlin..."
Arwen smiled, "You need not worry, Indilisse. I will watch over her like a hawk, as will Aragorn when he finds out about this plan. We will see to her as practice for when we have children, if you will allow us discipline if we see fit."
Indilisse nodded her head, "You should have no trouble with her, Arwen, but if a problem were to arise, then by all means you have rights to do that, not only as her surrogate mother, but as her Queen."
"I would never use my title in such a way." Arwen spoke quietly.
"No, mellon, you would not." She took the reins and adjusted her satchel on the back of her horse.
Arwen sighed and looked up at the clear sky, "I cannot wait to see Aragorn again. I cannot wait for my wedding. And now I will not be able to wait until Emlin finally comes to visit us."
"She is not so great a treat as you are thinking, Arwen." Indilisse laughed, trying desperately to make Arwen see that raising Emlin was more difficult than other elvish children. But then again, maybe Emlin was not so bad. Indilisse sighed and looked around at the fellow travelers, a flutter of excitement going through her body. This next year would be an interesting one.
----
Ada- Dad
Naneth, Nana- Mother, Mom
Pen enth- young one
Hannon le, maethoren vain- Thank you, my beautiful warrior
Hervenn- husband
Mellon- friend
Chapter 10- An Accordance
20 Lótessë 3019- Lórien
Indilisse sat before the blank pages of parchment, and quill in her hand. She had sat here for nearly half a day trying to decide how she should word this story, for she saw fit to write a summarized account of the happenings since the downfall of the evil lord. It had been quite a long while since she found herself disposable to her writing as the ever-worried state of wife had kept her mind on her journeying husband and not on the two books she had started. She sighed and dipped the tip of the quill into the black ink. Indilisse placed it to the paper, finally able to choose where she would start.
"After the fall of the Dark Tower and the passing of Sauron the Shadow was lifted from the hearts of all who opposed him, but fear and despair fell upon his servants and allies. Three times Lórien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valor of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself. Though grievous was done to the fair woods on the borders, the assaults were driven back; and when the Shadow passed, Celeborn came forth and led the host of Lórien over Anduin in many boats. They took Dol Guldur, and Galadriel threw down its walls and laid bare its pits, and the forest was cleansed."
She paused and dipped her quill back into the ink, letting a contented sigh escape her lips. Only a few had been severely wounded in these battles, and she was glad that Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil all returned unscathed except for a few minor bruises and scratches. She could still remember sitting at the gates with the other wives, Narië sitting right next to her, and children as they awaited the arrival of their loved ones. It had been tense because no one knew if any had fallen in battle, and if any had, no one knew just which of the warriors would not be returning. Indilisse smiled to herself, remembering what Celeborn then did, and picked up her quill and placed it to the parchment once more.
"In the North there had also been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end, Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of the Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien; but all the wide forest between was given to the Beorings and Woodmen."
"After this time there rose a great power in Gondor. There was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, taking up his seat as leader of the free peoples of Middle- earth, and was no longer Estel, nor Strider. He was thenceforth known as King Elessar Telcontar, and he began the long road to reclaiming all lands of Middle-earth and vanquishing the last evils of the world...."
"Ada, why can I not go!" There was an angry yell from outside the front door.
"Because I said you could not!" Came the bellowing voice of her husband.
There was a loud, angry whine from outside and the door was flung open. A very angry looking elleth stomped into the room. Indilisse tried to ignore the spat between them, and turned her attention back to the parchment in front of her.
"And Arwen Undómiel was newly come to Lórien, on her last voyage from..."
"But the Lady!" Came an exasperated shout.
Indilisse paused, closing her eyes to maintain her calm. She sighed and began writing again.
"...Imladris with her father to Minas Tirith to meet her husband..."
"I do not care what the Lady says. I am your father, and you will stay here!" He bellowed even louder.
Every person in Arda and beyond was going to hear this. Indilisse dipped the quill in the ink and again began to write.
"... Elessar. The escort of Arwen Undómiel would leave in a few hours time for Edoras..."
"Naneth!" The elleth exclaimed.
"Indilisse!" He called.
Indilisse, finally fed up, slapped the quill down onto the wood table, extremely angry that her concentration had been interrupted. She took a few calming breaths and slowly stood from her seat. Her turn was slow and deliberate, hoping it would send the message to them to calm down before she even spoke. Indilisse licked her lips slightly and looked into Emlin's eyes and then Haldir's.
"What is it?" Indilisse asked.
"He will not let me go!" Emlin exclaimed, adding extra emphasis on 'he' with her tone of voice and a finger pointed at him.
"Go where?" Indilisse questioned, not the least bit worried about the whole argument, as a huge argument like this usually broke out every once and a while now. But she did have to say that they were better than ever before.
Haldir took a deep, calming breath. It appeared that he had finally learned to read her body language correctly and knew when she was completely infuriated. Took him long enough, she thought to herself. He sighed, "She wishes to go to Minas Tirith with us."
Indilisse glanced at Emlin. She knew this was going to happen. "Emlin, you cannot go to Minas Tirith."
"Why not? You said I could travel when I reached fifty!" Emlin exclaimed, "Like you."
Haldir gave Emlin an indignant look and walked towards the wine decanter and goblets out on the counter. Indilisse sighed, "Pen neth, the roads are still too dangerous for you to travel with us. We cannot risk Thoron and you both being with us when you are not as skilled a fighter as everyone else."
"But Ada says that I am almost as good as you, Nana." Emlin countered. "And there will be Lords Elrond, Glorfindel and Erestor, and then you are to meet Lords Elladan and Elrohir."
"I know." Indilisse said, "But someone must stay to watch Thoron. He would only be a burden if we took him with us."
"And Aranel is going with Uncle Rúmil and Aunt Narië." Emlin said.
Haldir poured himself a goblet of wine and walked over to a chair to sit down. He looked at them, "Aranel is only going because she is learning from her mother the skills of being a handmaiden to high ladies. She would stay if she had a brother."
"Or sister." Indilisse said, sitting down. She pulled Emlin down into the seat beside her. "Travel is not all it is said to be. It is long hours on foot and horse back. No baths. No clean clothes. Sleeping out in the open. You will not travel with us for this trip."
Emlin looked at Indilisse for a long time, tears brimming on her eyes. "I do not want to be left alone while Ada and my uncles are guarding the Lady, Narië and Aranel are serving the Lady and you are to be Arwen's attendant. I want to see the White City that I have heard so many stories about, and see Aragorn with the crown on his head and Arwen sitting beside him."
Indilisse grabbed her daughter's hands and looked deeply into her eyes. "Emlin, you cannot go with us to Minas Tirith."
With that, Emlin ripped her hands from hers and took flight up the stairs to her room. The door slammed shut and the lock latched into place. Indilisse remained silent, resting her face in her hands. She let out a partial wail, completely enraged at her daughter's disrespect. "I was never this much trouble when I was her age!"
Haldir did not reply, but the sound of his boots scuffing across the floor found her ears, and soon she saw them. Indilisse looked up at him, as he stood tall over her. He placed the wine goblet on the table beside her and reached down, lifting her up with both of his hands on her arms. "I am sure you were."
Indilisse smacked his shoulder, and tried with all her might to push away from him, but he held her tighter the more she squirmed. His lips landed on hers in a hard kiss that soon softened when she went lax in his arms. She pulled back, "I hate having to fight all your battles for you."
He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "Hannon le, maethoren vain."
"Let me go." She said, and was released easily. Indilisse walked to her book and sat back down. Haldir followed her, playing with a few tendrils of hair on her neck as she looked over her work.
"Call me mad, but should you not be preparing for this journey?" Haldir questioned.
"I am already done." Indilisse replied, "All I must do is change into my riding clothes, and leave instructions for Luinil to keep the closest eye he can manage on my children."
Haldir chuckled, "That frightens me when you put the words 'Luinil' and 'my children' in one statement."
"It is either that or they go with us." Indilisse said and stood up quickly. She walked back to their chamber, Haldir following her and shutting the door. Standing before him, she pointed to the back of her gown, "Please untie me."
"My pleasure." He remarked, and easily undid the tie that he had undone many times before.
Indilisse slipped out of her gown and walked to the bed where her clothes were laying out for her. She slipped on the leggings and under tunic quickly, placing the outer tunic over it. Haldir came up behind her and braided her hair for her, placing a lingering kiss at the base of her neck. She turned and gave him a wicked smile; "This shall be torture for you, hervenn. You will go at least two weeks without any intimate contact."
"Then you will be expecting me to make full use of the time alone in Minas Tirith." He smiled and walked towards her saddlebag, packed to the brim with clothes and other things.
She chuckled, knowing she could not complain with that probability, and walked to the corner of the room where her light sword stood waiting for her to place on her hip. When Indilisse came from the sleeping room, she found Emlin now sitting there, staring at her father. "What now?"
"Do you promise that you will take me one day to Minas Tirith?" Emlin asked her.
"One day, we will." Indilisse nodded.
Emlin stood up and walked over to her, pulling her into a long hug, "I will miss you, Nana."
"And I, you." Indilisse smiled, "Please take care of you brother. Make sure he eats properly."
"And that he does not go practice his archery without supervision." Haldir added.
Emlin laughed, as they all remembered that only recently Thoron had gone down to the practice field alone, but his arrow backfired on him and he nearly lost an eye. Emlin walked to her father and stood on her toes to hug him, kissing his cheek, "I will miss you, Ada."
Indilisse could tell that this was the last thing he expected, but she had seen the way Emlin had stewed over her father's return from Dol Guldur, and knew that Emlin only loved her father. Haldir pulled back from her, "You are supposed to come with us. It is your duty to see us to the gates, you know."
"That is only when you leave for the borders or battle." Emlin said.
"Nay, it is for whenever we see fit." He smiled, "Come, they are waiting for us."
With that, they left the talan behind and started down the long staircases, and finally came across the fair company preparing for the journey south. Indilisse walked over to Arwen who stood beside her horse and Indilisse's. She handed the reigns off to Indilisse and smiled. "You look as if you have already been through a battle today."
Indilisse sighed and nodded towards Emlin, who was now with Aranel and being sweet-talked by Glorfindel. "She is angry that she must stay here with Thoron."
Arwen frowned, "I thought that she would come with us. She is certainly welcome to if she can hurry and gather her things."
"The road is still too dangerous Arwen." Indilisse replied, "And I need to know that Emlin can think of someone else other than herself for a change, and this is the perfect test."
"She is not selfish." Arwen said, "I knew her for the first half of her life. She is hardly selfish."
"Nay, but it will show me responsibility." Indilisse explained, "Then I will be fine knowing she can take care of herself without me."
Arwen giggled, "That elleth is as every bit as determined as you and loyal as Haldir. You should not have any worries about her caring for herself or others."
Indilisse rolled her eyes dramatically. "Do not remind me."
"I cannot imagine what my children will be like." Arwen said thoughtfully, a slightly wistful look in her eyes.
Indilisse smiled and gave a friendly squeeze on her friend's arm. "You will have the most perfect children, Arwen. Imagine Aragorn's courage and your steadfastness. No matter how you mix your characteristics, you will have wonderful children."
Arwen smiled warmly, "This is why I made you my attendant, not my grandmother."
"How do Gondorian wedding ceremonies usually go?" Indilisse asked.
"I am not sure." Arwen said, "Aragorn never really spoke of it, except his mother once said that the Dúnedain usually have ceremonies like the Firstborn. But since I have neither a mother nor a married sister, then you are my first choice."
Indilisse smiled, "And I am honored to be there beside you on your wedding day, my lady."
Arwen laughed heartily and stood to her full height. "Yes, I do like your propriety, servant. But soon it shall be Queen you are calling me."
Indilisse shook her head with happy laughter, Emlin joining them. Emlin bowed before Arwen, "My lady."
"Emlin, you should know better than to bow every time you see me." Arwen scolded, and placed a finger beneath Emlin's chin, raising her eyes. "We are so close to family, that you could call me Aunt if you truly wished."
"You are Undómiel." Emlin replied.
Arwen smiled and let a long breath escape her lips. "Your mother was just telling me that you wanted to travel."
"I do, my lady." Emlin said, but received a stern glare from Arwen.
"If you will stop referring to me as 'my lady' then, I will offer you an accordance you cannot refuse." Arwen said.
"Really, my la-," Emlin started, but stopped abruptly, "Arwen."
She smiled and glanced in Indilisse's direction for a moment. "As my first act as Queen, I will send word for you when the war is finally over and all roads are close to safe. Then you will journey to Minas Tirith as a friend and courtier to the Queen, and you will be allowed to stay as long as you like learning whatever you wish to learn."
Indilisse watched as Emlin's eyes grew larger, "Really?"
Arwen nodded her head, "Aye. That will be my first order of business. But you must promise you will not journey so far without appropriate protection."
"Aye, my... Arwen," Emlin said, her face now bright with a large smile. "I will make sure to come with appropriate protection."
"Good." Arwen said, and turned to Indilisse. "It is alright with you?"
Indilisse nodded her head; "I would not trust her in anyone else's hands, Arwen. But we must do some convincing of her father. I do not think he is yet ready to see his daughter gone."
Indilisse noticed Emlin's face turn dark again at the mention of her father's approval, as it also seemed Arwen noticed this sudden turn of emotions. Arwen clucked her teeth, "Do not worry, your father is very agreeable when certain things are brought to his attention."
"Like?" Emlin asked.
"Blackmail, of course." Indilisse smiled evilly. "Do not worry Emlin. We have this entire journey to talk him into it."
"I hope you can." Emlin said quietly. "He is always so disagreeable to me."
"I assure you, dear daughter, everything will work out as planned." Indilisse said, hugging Emlin to her. "Now go and find your brother. I wish to say my farewells to him as well."
Emlin complied and was off in a short moment, running towards the gardens in search of her brother. Arwen glanced at Indilisse, "Which blackmail should we use, dear friend?"
"We will think of something." Indilisse said. "All those things you said you would do for Emlin..."
Arwen smiled, "You need not worry, Indilisse. I will watch over her like a hawk, as will Aragorn when he finds out about this plan. We will see to her as practice for when we have children, if you will allow us discipline if we see fit."
Indilisse nodded her head, "You should have no trouble with her, Arwen, but if a problem were to arise, then by all means you have rights to do that, not only as her surrogate mother, but as her Queen."
"I would never use my title in such a way." Arwen spoke quietly.
"No, mellon, you would not." She took the reins and adjusted her satchel on the back of her horse.
Arwen sighed and looked up at the clear sky, "I cannot wait to see Aragorn again. I cannot wait for my wedding. And now I will not be able to wait until Emlin finally comes to visit us."
"She is not so great a treat as you are thinking, Arwen." Indilisse laughed, trying desperately to make Arwen see that raising Emlin was more difficult than other elvish children. But then again, maybe Emlin was not so bad. Indilisse sighed and looked around at the fellow travelers, a flutter of excitement going through her body. This next year would be an interesting one.
----
Ada- Dad
Naneth, Nana- Mother, Mom
Pen enth- young one
Hannon le, maethoren vain- Thank you, my beautiful warrior
Hervenn- husband
Mellon- friend