Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except Gwyn. Well, I sort of own her. I took 'Gwyn' from Princess of Thieves and put her in Lord of the Rings. I don't own Black Beauty either. I also used an argument part from the Princess of Thieves; modified slightly, of course. Well, read and review!

Part I: The Fellowship of the Ring

Gwyn flopped back on her bed happily. Her father, Aragorn, was due home any day now! She hadn't seen him since she was seventeen; she was now almost eighteen. She had elven beauty (though she was no elf), rippling brown hair, and beautiful blue eyes. Gwyn had grown up in Rivendell, with her father's friend Arwen. She had come to love Arwen like a mother. For her own mother had died in child birth.

Aragorn, Gwyn was told, had met Arwen in Lothlorien, where he fell in love with her on sight. He had requested Arwen's hand in marriage from her father, Elrond. Elrond had no intention to marry off his Elven daughter to a mortal. So Aragorn become depressed, and began his life as a Ranger in the North. There, it was told, he met a fair young maiden, married her, and had a baby girl, whom they called Gwyn. But then this young maiden had been weakened by the birth and died three days later. Broken hearted at the death of his wife, yet overjoyed at the birth of his daughter, he gradually made his way back to Rivendell, where he had been raised. He arrived back with a one-year-old Gwyn and explained his story to all who questioned. But then when he met Arwen again, he realized that she, and no one else, was his one true love. Knowing that he could never marry Arwen, he became depressed once again and returned to his life as a Ranger, leaving Gwyn in Rivendell, to be raised by Arwen and the other elves, visiting her every year on her birthday. So here Gwyn was.

She frowned as she remembered her father's parting last year. 'May I come with you?' Gwyn had asked.

'No,' Aragorn said, like many times before. 'How many times do I have to tell you, Gwyn? The North is no place for a girl your age.'

'You say that every year,' Gwyn replied, annoyed.

'And every year I mean it, Gwyn. I don't' know why you keep asking me.'

After a few more tense phrases, it turned into a shouting match, which ended with Gwyn yelling, 'Fine! I don't care! I'm glad you're going and I don't care if you ever come back!' She said this every year. Aragorn would just nod his head once respectfully and leave. Gwyn would run into her room, slam the door and lie down on her bed sobbing. She never meant for the conversations to end that way. As she watched her father leave, she had an urge to run back to him, tell him that she was sorry and that she loved him. But she could never swallow her pride long enough to follow through with this. Gwyn would wait fearfully for her next birthday. She always wondered if Aragorn had died. Or maybe he would be so angry with her that he just wouldn't come back.

So to get her father off her mind, she practiced archery, horseback riding, and sword fighting as often as she could. Gwyn practiced so often, in fact, she bet she neared her father's skill in sword fighting, the best elven warrior in archery, and Arwen at horseback riding and horse stunts. Gwyn could ride her horse bareback, standing up, and riding at an immensely fast gallop. She loved to scare her elders with her daring.

Gwyn's horse was given to her by her father when she was five. Black Beauty, she called her; though usually Beauty for short. Beauty was a jet black mare, a color one didn't often see in a horse. And right on her forehead, there was a pure white star.

It was October; though Rivendell was flourishing with many types of plants and flowers. It was quite warm for the month. Gwyn suspected it was the magic of the Elves that kept it this way. Gwyn's birthday was on the 18th; it was now the morning of that day. Gwyn was worried, for Arwen had said that Aragorn was in great danger (as was the Ringbearer), and had set out three days ago to go to his aid. Gwyn feared for the Ringbearer's safety (she knew the tales of the Great Rings), but most of all she feared for Arwen and her father's safety.

By the sun's position, Gwyn figured it was about ten o'clock; it was time to get up. She put on her favorite mint green dress and walked outside to feel the sunshine. She stretched and absorbed the warmth. Then far in the distance she saw a horse with two riders. 'Arwen!' she exclaimed, and rushed to Rivendell's entrance to greet her. A minute later Arwen arrived with a sick looking hobbit. 'Arwen, what do you want me to do?' asked Gwyn quickly. She dearly wanted to ask if her father was okay, but she held back. Arwen looked into her eyes and said, 'I'm sending Asfolath off now and I'm taking Frodo to my father. Run down to the stables and get a pony to send with Asfolath. And yes, Gwyn, you're father is fine.' Arwen somehow had a motherly ability to read her eyes.

'Of course,' replied Gwyn, relieved. She set off for the stables at once.

Two hours later the horses returned with their riders: three hobbits and her father. Gwyn had waited at the gates as before. 'Father!' she cried out when Aragorn dismounted Asfolath with one of the hobbits.

'Hello, Gwyn,' replied her father, smiling.

Gwyn resisted the urge to throw her arms around him; he was quite occupied with the hobbits. When Aragorn had finished dismounting the other two hobbits, he addressed Gwyn again. 'That was a rather cold greeting, Gwyn,' he said with a playful smile. Gwyn's face burst into a huge smile as she threw her arms around him. 'I'm glad you're back, Father. I've missed you so much!'

Aragorn broke away from Gwyn and said, 'Really? After that last parting I could have sworn you'd never speak to me again.'

Gwyn looked at her feet, blushing. 'Father, I...' she started but Aragorn interrupted her. 'It's alright. You don't have to say anything.'

'Thank you.' Gwyn threw her arms around him again. 'You're just in time for my birthday,' she told Aragorn. He smiled.

'Happy Birthday, darling,' he said.

Gwyn grinned.

Later that day, Gwyn went to look for Elrond. She found him conversing with Gandalf.

'Good afternoon, Elrond,' she greeted. 'I have a favor to ask.'

'What is that?' Elrond replied.

'I hear that you are holding a Council once Frodo awakens.'

'Yes, I am.'

'Would you terribly mind if I attended?' Gwyn asked hopefully.

'Of course, my dear. You are most certainly welcome to.'

'Thank you!' Gwyn said as she left the room.

Next she went to finder her father. She had a shrewd idea that the Council would seek to destroy the Ring. She found Aragorn and drew a deep breath. 'Father, Elrond has given me permission to attend the Council. I was wondering...if they decide to set out to destroy the Ring, and you go with the chosen Ringbearer, might I come along?'

Aragorn opened his mouth but Gwyn interjected. 'I know I could be of some help.'

'Gwyn, this isn't some kind of errand.'

'I know, but how many times have I begged to go with you? How many times have you told me that the road is no place for a child? Look at me! Do you see a child?'

'No, but you're certainly acting like one. No grown woman would be as foolish as to argue like this!'

Gwyn stared at him. 'If I were a son, you'd take me with you,' she said disbelievingly. 'I tell you, I'm as good as a son!'

'No, Gwyn. There'll be another time to gain glory, I promise,' Aragorn said wearily.

'That's what you think? That I'm begging for the chance to gain glory as the daughter of an absent king?'

'That's enough! You watch your tongue!'

'What right have you to chide me?' Gwyn retorted. 'Where were you when I was learning speech? I'll speak to you any way I please!'

'Not why I'm still your father you won't. No, Gwyn, you will stay here, where you belong.'

'Where I belong? Tending horses and making arrows? Then I am chattel?'

'No,' Aragorn responded. 'You are my daughter.'

'You do not know me, sir,' Gwyn said. She turned on her heel and stormed from the room gracefully.

Gwyn ran to the stables with tears in her eyes. 'Don't cry,' she scolded herself. Gwyn never let anyone see her cry. She angrily brushed the tears from her eyes as she carefully pushed open the stable doors, so as to not scare the horses. She walked over to Beauty and began stroking her and whispering softly to her in Elvish.

'That's an admirable quality,' said a soft male voice.

Gwyn whirled around. 'What is?' she demanded. The voice belonged to an elf with long blond hair and blue eyes that just...drew you in.

'Your aura reflects anger, but yet you are so gentle with the horse.'

'There's no reason to take my anger out on the horse,' Gwyn responded as evenly as possible. The elf was incredibly handsome. Despite her tone, she felt her face getting hot; she knew she was blushing.

'Why are you angry?' asked the elf.

'My father...is just being disagreeable. It's nothing. My name's Gwyn. What's yours?'

'I'm Legolas,' he said, sticking out his hand.

Gwyn blushed even more as she took it. 'Legolas?' she repeated. 'Legolas, son of Thranduil, of the Woodland Realm?'

He nodded.

'Then you're a prince. That's interesting. I'm a princess, in a way.'

'Are you?' Legolas replied curiously. 'Who's your father?'

'Aragorn, son of Arathorn.'

Legolas' eyebrows shot up. 'A princess of Gondor, then.'

Gwyn let out a breath. 'Yes,' she said. 'I suppose.' Suddenly her eyes lit up. 'Would you come riding with me?' she asked hopefully.

'Of course,' responded Legolas.

Gwyn led Beauty from her stall and mounted gracefully. 'Noro lim, Morn Baina (Ride on, Black Beauty),she said to Beauty, and she rode off, Legolas by her side on his horse.

Gwyn and Legolas spent the rest of the day together, riding through fields, running by the streams, climbing trees.... Gwyn grew quite comfortable with Legolas. She trusted him, too.

'Legolas,' she said, as they lay beneath a starry sky. 'Come, I want to show you something.'

'Legolas stood up, and Gwyn took his hand and led him through the woods until they came upon a clearing. Flowers of every kind were blossoming; there was a clear stream running through them; a beautifully crafted bridge connected the two sides.

'Isn't it beautiful?' Gwyn breathed.

'Yes, it is. Just like you,' Legolas said, making Gwyn blush.

Gwyn leaned her elbows on the side of the bridge, and said thoughtfully, 'I found this when I was a child. No one else really knows about it, except for Arwen and me. And now you.' She smiled. 'Every time I feel lonely or upset, I come here. It's also a wonderful place to come when I just want to be alone...like when I fight with my father.'

'How often does that happen?' asked Legolas, moving closer towards her.

'Every time he visits,' said Gwyn simply.

'How often is that?' Legolas pressed.

'Once a year. Though we usually fight the whole time he's here. I don't know why he bothers to come back.'

'He comes back because he loves you,' said Legolas. 'It's hard not to.'

'The day anyone loves me will be the day I gain eternal life,' Gwyn laughed, unaware that Legolas was moving closer and closer, and was now close enough to embrace her. If she had noticed, though, she wouldn't have been fazed by it.

'Then from this day forward, you shall have eternal life,' he whispered.

Gwyn looked up and found herself staring into those deep blue eyes. Their faces began to move closer, until their lips touched. At first their kiss was tentative, but after a moment Legolas deepened it; his hands traced up to her neck, and he held her while the kissed. The kiss was long and passionate. Finally, they broke away, just long enough for Legolas to say, 'I love you.' And for Gwyn to return the same message: 'I love you too.' Then he pulled Gwyn into another deep and passionate kiss. It lasted for what seemed like hours, then they broke apart. 'Should we tell anyone?' whispered Gwyn.

Legolas thought a moment before saying, 'I am elf-kind. You are mortal. I don't think either of our families would be pleased.'

Gwyn nodded. 'You're right. Let's keep it a secret for now.'

'We should get back to the village; it's late.'

Gwyn sighed. 'I wish we could stay here forever.'

'I know, said Legolas. 'Me, too. But we really must get back.' He took her hand and led her to the edge of the wood, where they had left their horses. Here he pulled her in close and kissed her tenderly good night. They mounted their horses and rode back to the stables.

'Are you attending the Council?' Legolas asked as he led his horse into its stall.

'Yes, are you?'

'Yes,' he said, then added, 'I will see you often, won't I?'

Gwyn smiled. 'Of course,' she replied. 'Everyday.'

He smiled back. 'Good.'

Later, when Gwyn was in her room, brushing out her hair, there was a knock on her door. 'Come in!' she called. The door opened and Arwen walked in. Gwyn turned away.

'I heard what happened between you and your father,' Arwen said.

Gwyn scoffed. 'Why can't he give me just one chance, Arwen? What have I done that he does not trust me?'

'He worries about you, Gwyn. He loves you and he doesn't want to see anything happen to you,' Arwen said soothingly.

Gwyn, however, was not soothed. 'He loves you, doesn't' he? Why isn't he forbidding you to leave Rivendell?'

'I'm a grown woman. You are but eighteen; still young.'

'But I'm not a child anymore!' Gwyn protested.

'I know, Gwyn. But I think you should ask your father's pardon.'

Gwyn opened her mouth to argue, but Arwen held up her hand to silence her. 'Do what you want. Let's not talk anymore of this tonight. I want to know where you went after your argument.' Arwen's eyes twinkled.

Gwyn blushed, but said, 'I just went riding.'

Arwen smiled. 'Just riding? Then why are your eyes shining with love?'

Gwyn blushed even more deeply as she relayed the story to Arwen; she left out the kissing, though. 'I think it's just a fancy, Arwen.'

Arwen nodded with a smile and she said, 'I expect that this 'fancy' of yours you will want to keep just between you and me?'

Gwyn nodded fervently.

'Alright then,' said Arwen. 'Sweet dreams, darling.' She kissed Gwyn on the forehead. She left and Gwyn changed into her nightgown. She got into her bed thinking about what had happened that night and fell asleep with a smile playing on her lips.