Chapter 11

Situations Change

Since elves needed little sleep, Arwen awoke early as usual. Stretching off the sleep that still occupied her body, she wondered if Legolas had gone to see Gwenneth. She could still not believe that Aragorn would do such ill deeds! He had seemed so different before…so kind and gentle and caring. She had really thought that there might be a chance for something amazing between them.

And now everything had changed. She no longer saw him that way, for now he was a cruel heartless human in her eyes. For years Arwen had not believed what Haldir and Legolas had told her about him, but now that she had seen his shallowness, she had started to believe them. She suddenly knew how Legolas had felt the night before when the promise of love was ripped away. She too had lost it.

When she emerged from her tent she saw Legolas just peering out of his. She turned and to look in his direction as he smiled faintly to her. She then walked over to where he was standing. As she got closer to him, a more cheerful smile graced his face. She could see in his eyes that there was something different about him. He looked pleased and content. It warmed her heart to see him like this and not as he had been the night before.

"From the smile on your face I gather that you went to see Gwenneth last night," Arwen said as she stopped to stand face to face with the blonde elf.

Legolas' blue eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight, as he looked at Arwen. "Indeed, I did! And I want to thank you for your help. If not for you, I would have never gone to see her and I would have left without knowing that she loves me."

"And do you love her?"

Like a child seeing something for the first time Legolas felt awestruck by Arwen's question. "Yes….Yes, I do love her," he whispered in a coy, childish way. It was the first time that he told anyone about his feelings towards the young princess and it felt exhilarating.  It was nothing like he imagined it to be. There were no real words to describe the tremendous feeling he had in his heart and soul! He wanted to tell everyone about his love for her! At that moment he did not care if Aragorn and Eomer overheard him professing his love for Gwenneth.

"I am most happy for the both of you. I am sorry I could not tell you last night. Those words were best to be heard from her and not from me. I was not sure whether you would go or not…..I didn't know if I convinced you," explained Arwen.

"You did convince me and for that I am forever in your dept, my friend," said Legolas as he crossed his heart with his hand in a gesture of gratefulness.

"I am more than pleased that I could help. But I must ask you what you are going to do about her courtship to Eomer. Surely she cannot marry him if she loves you!"

"No, she is not going to marry him," he stated, rather strongly. "We are going to leave together and go to Mirkwood. No one will come searching for her there."

"You are going to run! Are you mad?!  Aragorn will hunt you down and kill you!"

"Not if we are married he will not."

Arwen stared at Legolas in shock. Just a few days ago the news of Legolas marrying the daughter of Gondor would have been the most unfathomable news to an elf's ear. But now it was the most incredible. "Marry her! Well that is certainly wonderful news! You have changed in the past few days, Legolas. I can see you are no longer the child I thought you were."

Legolas chuckled at her last statement. It was true, he had changed! Ever since he first laid eyes on her that fateful night, his whole world had been about her and nothing else. And for once in his life he felt that he actually had a purpose. No longer would he walk the earth alone. No longer would he think of himself and only himself. Everything was so different now. It was like being reborn and he was seeing the new world so different from what he used to. She was all that mattered to him and she would remain the center of his world.

"Yes, I have changed. And for the better, I must say. I never knew it could be like this! Everything seems so completely new now! It is like seeing everything for the first time. This morning when I woke, she was the first thing I thought of - as her face was the last thing I thought of before I feel asleep."

"My dear friend, you are truly in love."

"It is amusing. I did not expect this last night when I went to see her. I was fully prepared to walk away and leave her and this place behind as a memory, but once again, fate intervened and changed everything."

"Fate is a strange thing. So tell me…how do you plan to get away? I am sure that now that this courtship is official, Aragorn and Eomer will not let her out of their sights."

Legolas knew that Arwen was right. Aragorn and Eomer would be watching Gwenneth closely from now on. It was evident from the way Eomer had already had her day planned for her. But he would find a way around it and he and Gwenneth would leave together and never look back.

"I am not certain as to what plan to take. I will talk to Gandalf, hopefully he will have an idea of how we can get away without being noticed."

"I offer my help in any way I can. For I have changed too these past days."

Legolas was confused by her words. "Changed? What do you mean?"

Arwen sighed deeply and her gaze slowly fell to the ground. "Yesterday…during my morning walk I came upon Aragorn," she said, and then stopped to look if Legolas was still confused. "We started talking and had a lovely time. He showed me a side of him that I think very few people have seen…"

"I find that very hard to believe," interrupted Legolas.

Arwen chuckled. "After hearing about Gwenneth, I am starting to believe you," she replied and then continued: "I was beginning to actually have feelings for him. When Gwenneth spoke of what he had done, I could not believe my ears! I didn't want to believe all the horrible tales you and Haldir had told me about him, but now I am seeing the truth." She lowered her head in shame. "Please forgive my foolishness."

Legolas looked at Arwen in surprise. This "man" had now shown his true colors! And Arwen saw it and was in pain because of it! Every muscle in his body twitched with rage. How could he ever trust the word of man when Aragorn, the snake, was to be their king? But if it were not for the love of Gwenneth and the love he felt for his kin, surely Aragorn would have died by his hand.

Legolas reached out and hooked her chin with his long fingers and raised her eyes to his. "There is no need for forgiveness, Arwen. I am just pleased that you saw the truth about him. And I can see that he has hurt you and for that I am sorry. I wish that there was some action I could take for your honor, but sadly there is nothing that I can do."

"But I can!" came a hiss from behind them.

Both Legolas and Arwen quickly spun around to see Haldir gliding towards them. His jaw was set hard and his eyes were cold as the anger purged from his body. Arwen shivered at the sight of him. Never before had she seen him so full of anger! Suddenly she was worried about what he might say or do.

"Haldir?! Were you listening to us?" asked Legolas, who now turned to face the approaching elf.

"Indeed, I was," responded Haldir with his calm smooth voice. But the way he said those words were rather eerie to Arwen, as she trembled for the second time.

"What did you hear?" she whispered.

"Enough!" Haldir spat. "But I am glad that you have come to your senses about Aragorn. I was afraid that he had put a spell on you. The way you looked yesterday after you left him…I was sure of it."

"What do you mean? How do you know about yesterday?" she asked curiously, trying to regain her strength.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Dear Arwen…there is one place where you did not look for someone watching you - the trees. Being an elf, you should have know better," he said coldly, almost with a mockingly tone.

"YOU! YOU!….I do not understand you! Why would you do something like that?!" she shouted in disbelief.

"I was not planning on intruding on your little affair. You just happened to pass by at that moment."

Legolas then thought that it was time to intervene before the situation heated up too much. "Haldir," he said, while he put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Arwen has admitted her mistake, so there is no need to punish her further. Aragorn, it seems, has already done that." He turned to look at the woman.

Haldir did the same. His façade had changed drastically. Now he appeared to be more caring and forgiving. "I am sorry that you have been so easily fooled by that man. And I must confess that I was in a jealous rage when I saw you with him yesterday."

The corners of Arwen's lips curled in an attempted smile. As flattered as she was to hear that Haldir had been jealous, it did nothing to stop the pain in her heart caused by Aragorn. "I am flattered by your words, Haldir. But I really think that we should just let this issue pass and fade. It would cause more harm and ill feelings if either of you were to confront Aragorn in my honor." She locked eyes with Legolas. "And we would not want to do anything to harm your plans."

Legolas nodded in agreement. "Aye, you are correct, Lady Arwen."

"Correct about what?" asked an intrigued Haldir.

Legolas sighed and faced him. He wondered if he should tell him about Gwenneth. He was sure that he could use Haldir's help in planning their getaway. Many times the two had collaborated in many mischievous deeds. When they were together they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. Legolas knew that his friend would be more then willing to help in any manner possible. So he decided to tell Haldir the whole story about Gwenneth.

Of course after hearing the tale, Haldir agreed to help. The three elves talked for a few more moments before Legolas and Haldir took their leave to find Gandalf, and Arwen, who vehemently insisted that she would be alright alone, went on her morning stroll. She was not sure whether she wanted to see Aragorn or not, because she knew that it would be hard to control her ill feelings towards him. But something inside kept saying that she had to see him. She was curious to know why he would do such a drastic act towards someone he supposedly loved. It was a strange way to show one's love.

Walking down the same dusty path as the day before, she saw no signs of Aragorn. Maybe not talking to him would be better. Then she could just leave and forget about him and his strange ways. She was so lost in thought that she almost didn't notice him coming out from a group of trees at the side of the trail. She stopped abruptly and gazed at the handsome man in front of her.

"Good morning my fair Lady," Argorn said as he bowed deeply towards her.

Arwen only nodded in reply. She kept staring at him coldly, wondering if she should engage in this conversation at all. Again she wondered if she wanted to bring the courtship into the open or leave it and just walk away from him. But before she could decide, Aragorn interrupted her thoughts: "I tried to find you last evening during the dinner, but I didn't see you. I hope everything was well?"

"Maybe you were not searching in the correct place, then," was her dry response.

Arwen suddenly thought that she had to choose her words carefully. She didn't want to raise his suspicion and draw attention to Gwenneth. In no way would she endanger Legolas' and Gwenneth's plans.

"It was quite chaotic, with everyone trying to get to Gwenneth and Eomer to congratulate them! I suppose it wasn't surprising that I didn't see you."

Arwen nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it was quite a shock to hear that Gwenneth and Eomer were to be married! I was not aware that they had feelings for one another," she said carefully, but with a hint of annoyance.

Aragorn knitted his brow at her statement. Having feelings for each other? Of course they did! They had known each other all their lives…they must have been fond of one another. Well…at least he thought they did. Besides, this was not about love or feelings - it was for Gweeneth's future and well being. Of course she would come to love him in time. Or so he wanted to believe.

"It is in her best interest that she weds Eomer. He will give her the protection and stability that she needs."

"Protection!?" Arwen asked in shock. "Protection from what? Surely you don't mean from the elves?!" she added in disgust.

Suddenly Gwenneth's hurtful words came crashing onto his mind, and a bewildered look washed over his face. Two different women from two parts of the land…and both were saying the same thing? How strange indeed! And yet…coming from Arwen, it cut just the same as it had last night coming from his sister.

Aragorn was at a loss for words. How could he possible answer that question? Of course was it not the elves that she needed protection from! Or…was it? There were many other evils in Middle Earth that posed threat to man. But….for the life of him, at this moment he couldn't think a single one! He had believed that he had changed. Even when confronted with Legolas, he had managed to hold his anger. Just weeks before there surely would have been a battle! He was making strides of peace towards the elves. But why then did he find elves still to be very dangerous when it came to Gwenneth?

"Of course not! There are far greater evils, Milady."

"Indeed there are…but I am curious of how this courtship came about so suddenly, for you did not mention anything about it the day before."

Aragorn stared at Arwen while the woman seemed not able to look him in the eye. Something was truly amiss. He could sense her growing discomfort for him. He wondered what had made her feel like this so suddenly. The last thing he wanted was to lose what was blooming between himself and this fair she-elf. His heart sank at the thought that he could lose her friendship over something like this courtship. "It was arranged just yesterday. But I am sensing that you do not approve?"

Arwen's head snapped up to glare into his gray eyes. He tried to smile at her, not suspecting her next words: "The arrangement? No I do not! I think it is cruel and callous! You speak of the great love you have for your sister, but did you once ask her feelings on this matter? The biggest decision in her life, and she is not to be a part of it? I find that utterly intolerable!" she hissed without breaking her cold stare.

Aragorn recoiled at her harsh remarks. In a strange way he knew that her words rang true. It was cruel of him not to ask Gwenneth of her needs and her wants. He had heard Gwenneth's words the night before and dismissed them quickly, thinking that she was too young to know what she wanted, or what was good for her. But hearing these words now from Arwen made it all seem so clear. He had done wrong and he knew not how to make it right.

Surely he could not go back on his word to Eomer! What kind of a king would he be then? "What would you have me do?" he asked, not able to look into her fiery eyes. "I cannot go back on my word. Eomer is a good man. He will do all in his power to make her happy. And I am sure that in time she will learn to love him."

Arwen laughed sadistically and turned away from him, not wanting to see his face, knowing that it only made her angrier. Her blood was beginning to boil under her skin. "LEARN TO LOVE HIM?! Please Aragorn, you and I know better! There is no way she is going to learn to love him if she does not have feelings for him now," she seethed over her shoulder.

Clamping his lips together and running his hand through his hair, Aragorn turned and walked a few steps away from her. He wished he had some cure….some solution. But he did not. Then it suddenly came to him, and he turned around: "Why do you care so much about what happens to Gwenneth? After this week you will never see her again."

"Well then I guess you just answered the impending question then, did you not?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, looking at the ground for he was too afraid to look at her.

Arwen turned to face him once more, but she was glad that he was not facing her, because she knew that if he was, she simply would not be able to say her next words: "Then I know now that you do not hold any feelings for me. For if you did, you would know why I am concerned about what happens. I was fooled by you, you are not the man I thought you were, and you are not the man that I would want to be with."

Aragorn's breathing hitched when he heard her last few words. He slowly raised his head to meet her gaze. Was she saying that she had feelings for him? "You would actually want to be with me?" he asked, still unable to comprehend her words.

Drawing in a deep breath and then letting it out slowly, Arwen never broke the intense stare that was now forming between them. "Before I knew what great evil you were capable of….yes, I did want to be with you. But the circumstances have changed and now….I just don't know anymore."

Aragorn's mouth fell open. His ears were surely playing tricks on him! The most beautiful creature in all of Middle Earth had just said that she wanted to be with him! "Are you telling me that you, my fair lady, have feelings for me?"

Now it was Arwen's time to be without words. The tide had suddenly shifted.  True, he had done a terrible wrong, but standing here, looking at his handsome face, sensing the inner battle he was waging over his decision of Gwenneth's pending marriage…it all made the unbridled emotions for him come crashing back into her thoughts. The tidal wave suddenly hit her as her mind so desperately struggled and battled with what her heart was telling her.

 "I…..I…," she stammered, trying to stop her heart as it spoke a thousand emotional words. "Yes…," was her final statement, her head bowed in defeat. "I do have feelings for you. Two days ago I felt a tugging at my soul when we first encountered one another. Somehow I knew that you were not a horrible man. Even though I had known you only for a day, I most certainly wanted to learn more about you. I know I would have enjoyed that. But now there is a dark cloud that hangs over us. Not as strong as the shadow that hangs over Mordor, but sure enough a shadow."

Aragorn wanted nothing more then to pull her into his arms and tell her that he would stop this unwanted courtship. He too wanted to know the Lady Arwen, in hope of one day making her his Queen. He too had felt the pull towards her when they had first seen one another. "Lady Arwen, tell me how I can right this wrong and make you see me in that light once again. My soul felt the same way as yours."

"There is nothing you can do," she said reluctantly. "I know that you cannot change what is done. It is I who has to come to peace with this."

Aragorn shifted on his feet, all of a sudden feeling strangely awkward about not knowing how or what to do next. Arwen felt pity for the sad man standing before her, but her strong mind took over once more. She could not give in! She was far from the kind of elf who would abandon her convictions for these moronic feelings she was having! Surely it was just an infatuation! "Namarie, Aragorn," she said softly. Arwen then turned around and quickly walked away.

**

Legolas and Haldir headed towards the sleepy town in search of Gandalf. It was still early, so the hobbits were still snuggled up in their homes, dreaming of the best pipe weed. Legolas only hoped that it wasn't too early for the Wizard. Although he figured they would be leaving with the cover of the upcoming night, he still needed Gandalf's help with the small details.

"So tell me more of the Princess! How did you come to fall in love with her?"

Legolas stopped in his tracks. His heart began to beat harder as he thought about her. What was it that drew him to her? Was it her haunting beauty? Or was it her passion for life? It might have been how he felt in her presence. When he was with her he felt calm…without a care in the world. There were no elves nor were there humans when they were together. They were just two creatures of Middle Earth enjoying the simple pleasure of loving each other.

Legolas turned and faced his friend. "I cannot tell you one specific thing that led me to feel this way for her. It is a hundred little things, all gathered together," he said almost dreamily.

Haldir tried to suppress the laughter that was building in him at the sight of his lovesick friend. But deep down inside he really envied his friend. For he too wished that he would find someone to love, like Legolas had. Maybe now that Arwen had learned the truth about Aragorn, he could further pursue their relationship? But that was in the future, because now he had to help a friend in need. "I am most happy for you. Maybe in time I too will feel what you are feeling?"

"I can only hope that you are this fortunate."

When they neared Gandalf's quarters, a soft glow could be seen through the windows. Legolas smiled. "Good…he is not in slumber," he stated to the other elf. He lightly knocked on the Wizard's door. After a few moments of not getting a response, the young elf prepared to knock again, but just at that moment the door flung open, and there stood a disheveled Gandalf.

Gandalf stood looking rather annoyed by the early visit. But when he realized who it was that had disturbed him, he seemed to sense why the elf was there. "Ah, Master Legolas….I had a suspicion that you would show up at my door!"

"That is the reason you are a Wizard, is it not?" Legolas laughed at the grizzled old man.

A slight smile pulled at the corners of Mithrandir's mouth. "Do not just stand there! Come in…come in," he barked in a somewhat kind manner as he made way for the elves.

"I require you assistance," Legolas said as he sat down to make himself comfortable.

Gandalf turned to face him. "I imagined as much, as soon as I heard the news of the courtship. But I would have expected to see you last night. Did you speak to young Gwenneth?"

"I spoke to her late last night. She told me that Aragorn had arranged it without consulting her feelings on it."

"This news comes as a surprise to me. I had hoped that Aragorn had changed in the matter of his sister. But….it seems that he has not."

"A mule never loses its stubbornness," seethed Legolas.

Gandalf shook his head. "I still have hope in him."

"I am not here to talk about Aragorn. I need your assistance to aid our departure. We are leaving together and going to Mirkwood. We are in love and she is going to be my wife."

The frown that was on Gandalf's face quickly grew into smile as he listened to Legolas's words. Then he clapped his hands together and made a loud cheerful sound of glee. "Oh that is most wonderful news!" he exclaimed. "But what of Eomer? And Aragorn?"

"This is why I require your help, my friend. I think we should leave tomorrow night before Elrond arrives. But I need you to tell Aragorn and Eomer that Gwenneth is running errands for you. That way we will be able to get more of a lead before anyone notices that we are absent."

Mithrandir studied the elf as he lit his pipe. White smoke danced around his face as he listened to Legolas while the elf continued to detail his plans. Gandalf agreed to aid them. He would provide an explanation for Gwenneth's sudden disappearance. He would also provide supplies for the couple, since it would look peculiar if anyone witnessed Legolas gathering them.

When all the preparations were made, Legolas and Haldir left Gandalf and headed back to their camp. Legolas wanted so much to go and see Gwenneth, but he knew that this was not possible. He would have to wait till later that night.

**

By mid morning Eowyn was getting restless for Gwenneth to wake and share with her what happened the night following the dinner. Not being able to handle any further delay, Eowyn snuck quietly into Gwenneth's tent. She slowly crept over to the cot in which the princess was nestled peacefully, then reached out and shook the sleeping girl. "Gwenneth…. Gwenneth…. it is I, Eowyn."

The young girl's eyes fluttered open as she tried to pull herself from the dream world in which she was so blissfully living. Her blue eyes peered at her friend was hovering above her. "What time is it?" she asked groggily.

"Mid morning. Eomer is preparing for the day that you are going to spend with him. You better hurry and dress, for he will be here soon.

Gwenneth tried to get out of the uncomfortable cot. "Oh yes, I almost forgot about that!" She quickly looked at her friend, hoping that she had not angered her. "I am sorry if I offended you. It is just….I feel nothing for him."

"Worry not my friend, you do not offend me. I have always known that you searched elsewhere for love. Marrying him would be the same as marring your brother, and I want better for you. Also…I feel that Legolas is superior, indeed," she stated as she put a reassuring arm on Gwenneth's shoulder. "Do not torment yourself…I will always love you."

"You are a good friend. Thank you."

"Now tell me…. What did Legolas say?" Eowyn asked as she sat down on the cot and watched Gwenneth washing and dressing for the dreadful day with Eomer.

"It was too horrible! The look on his face when Aragorn announced the courtship cut my heart in two! I tried to get to him and explain the events, but he left with such haste that I could not catch up to him."

"Did he join you last night like you had planned?"

Gwenneth took a deep breath. "Yes he did….But it took Lady Arwen to sway him to come."

"Lady Arwen?"

She took the time to tell Eowyn everything about how she meet Arwen and how she had talked to Legolas. She told her how Legolas had tried to leave and how she had stopped him. "And I told him that….I loved him."

Eowyn smiled broadly. "What was his reply?"

Gwenneth looked into her friends eyes and smiled shyly. She was filled with excitement at the chance to tell the wonderful news. It was exciting enough to tell her the she was in love with him, but this was going to be pure euphoria!

"He said….that…he loved me too!" she said as she savored every word. Even after saying those words, they still rang in her ears like a sweet lullaby.

Eowyn feel back onto the cot and sighed dreamily. She quickly sat up and looked at the Princess. "This journey has brought so many unexpected things.! Nothing we do from this moment on will ever compare to what has occurred in the last days."

Sadly, unless Eowyn came to visit her in Mirkwood, this would be their last adventure together. The thought of that pulled at Gwenneth's heart as she searched for the proper way to tell her best friend. She only hoped that Eowyn's words earlier still held true when she told about her departure. Gwenneth walked over to her friend and sat beside her.

Taking Eowyn's hands in hers she struggled to find the words. "Eowyn….you are the dearest friend that I could ever have…and what I am about to tell you….please know that I do not mean to hurt you in any way."

"What is it Gwenneth? You are frightening me."

Gwenneth looked down and breathed deep to force the words to spill from her lips. "Legolas and I are leaving. We are going far away so no one will find us. We will be together and we will marry."

Eowyn had heard shocking news before, but nothing like this. She stared into Gwenneth's eyes, unable to move or speak. How was she to feel? Was she supposed to be happy? After all, Gwenneth had found love. But for a strange reason, she was feeling….anger. Anger because an "ELF" who had entered their lives only a few days ago was going to plunder her best friend from her! Never again would they stay up all night reading about far off lands! Nor would they try to escape and visit the lands they had read about, only to be throated by their brothers. She would be losing the only person that knew her better then she did.

Eowyn tired to compose herself. "You…you are what?"

"I am leaving….with Legolas."

No….that was not what Eowyn wanted to hear. Suddenly she felt very selfish. After all, she had known Gwenneth all her life, she knew all there was to know about Gwenneth. And he, that "ELF", knew nothing about her! It was not fair! Her bright blue eyes turned dark as the pain settled in. Eowyn then stood up from the cot and quietly walked towards the entrance of the tent.

"Where are you going?" asked Gwenneth desperately.

Eowyn stopped and partially glanced over her shoulder. "Do not fret, your secret is safe with me. But….do not expect me to help you, for I cannot in good conscience do that," she said before she continued to walk out of the tent.

Gwenneth sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. This was the second time in many days that she had come to see pain in the eyes of someone she loved and it was tearing her apart. And it was all because of her! Then suddenly a voice called to her:

"Lady Gwenneth…It is I, Eomer. Are you ready, my Lady?"

She shook her head as she returned to the present. She paused one more moment before replying. "Yes…Yes, I am ready."