Arian: Hey, thanks for reviewing! And as per your request, the second chapter. : )

Trust in Faith Alone
The Children of Elrond

Chapter Two

(N/A)
Pale sunlight shone upon Arwen as she walked along the outer gardens circling Imladris. By all appearances she was simply taking a casual little stroll in the early afternoon light, but to those who knew her well they would have been able to see that her steps were quick and deliberate. Actually, the Evenstar was hiding from her father, Lord Elrond.

A runner had arrived a few minutes ago to inform them of a small-sized party of elves approaching Imladris. Elrond had been expecting them. From what Arwen could gather, it was some very important elves that Elrond had invited for a very special reason. The reason Arwen had yet to figure out. Now they were arriving. And Elrond was in a foul mood. It seemed to be because Elladan was nowhere to be found. It happened like this. Arwen had been sitting with her father in his study, reading a book when Erestor came in. He had been sent to fetch Elladan, but had returned saying that Elladan could not be found in the Last Homely House. A frown set upon her father's face and he told Erestor to get a horse from the stables and search the valley for him. The moment Arwen heard this she knew that there would be trouble - Erestor was a terrible horseman, and her father was sending him to look for Elladan on a horse. She quickly put the book back on the shelf and excused herself, saying she had to tend to her roses. It was a suitable excuse, and she had scurried off quick as she could without seeming as if she was running.

Erestor had been gone a while. Now as she looked out over the river, she saw him galloping back - alone. It seemed he had not managed to find Elladan after all. Arwen winced inwardly. Her father was not going to like this at all. As she continued to watch Erestor, she spied a grey figure following him. Curiously, she strained her eyes a bit to see who it was. It was Elrohir riding Indilheni. There could be no mistake, Arwen was confidant it was. Of all the elves in Imladris, few could clearly distinguish the twins at such a distance, but Arwen always could. And now she watched, wondering why her brother was following Erestor. As she watched, two shrill whistles rent the air. The stallion Erestor rode planted his hooves firmly in the ground and halted. It was so sudden that Erestor was nearly thrown from his horse. Arwen suppressed a giggle as she watched him peer about suspiciously while Elrohir rode away.

Arwen continued on her walk, hoping that no one would notice her. Especially not her father. She did not want to be caught up in this.

Suddenly, a glitter in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Searching for the source, she found that a small company of elves was making their way down the road into the valley. Arwen bit her lip. All her previous mirth departed. It must be the guests her father was expecting. She watched the front doorway and saw Erestor pass in first, and soon after him the company of elves. Elladan was not with Erestor. This couldn't be good.

She continued to walk the afternoon away, but now her mind was more concerned for her brother than for herself. Where had he gotten off to? It was not like Elladan to disappear without a trace. A heavy shadow lay upon her mind as she made her way back inside. The sun was already more than halfway down her path to the Western Sea, and Arwen could hear the sound of many people about - many more than usual. Obviously the company of elves had arrived. She walked about carefully, wishing to avoid bumping unnecessarily into anyone. As she round a bend she sees a dark-haired figure before her. Her heart jumped. It was Elladan! But a moment later she realized she was mistaken - it was Elrohir returned from his ride. Arwen hurried up to him, with more than half a mind to ask him if he knew where Elladan was and why their father was so upset that he couldn't be located. But another got to him before she did - Glorfindel. Arwen bit down a curse and hid herself behind a stone column.

"...Elrond is looking for you," said Glorfindel.

"What...?" That would be my witty brother Arwen thought wryly.

She sensed Glorfindel shrugging. "I believe it has something to do with your brother. Elrond does not know where he is."

Just her luck. Now she had no hope of getting a word in with her brother. Silently, she sneaks along after Elrohir as Glorfindel leads him to Elrond's study. Arwen was careful not to let her blue silken dress trail along and make rustles to give her away. As they entered the study Arwen took a detour and entered by another way. Her father's study was so large she could easily slip in and hide in a corner and not be noticed. She had done so many times as a little elfling.

Luckily for Arwen, the only people present were Glorfindel, Elrohir, and of course Elrond. Glorfindel quickly excused himself, saying he had 'matters to attend to'. More likely he was unwilling to be in the midst of the trouble. Arwen did not blame him; her father's expression was dark as the shadows of the East. Elrohir looked decidedly uncomfortable in the presence of Elrond. She hid herself behind a long curtain and listened in on their conversation.

"Elrohir," Elrond said. His tone was grave, but did not reveal the fury that he was feeling. "I believe you know why I called you here?"

There was silence. Arwen imagined her brother shaking his head. Elrohir never spoke in such situations if he didn't have to.

Elrond continued. "I spoke to Elladan earlier this morning. He may have told you the reason why...?"

Another silence. Now Arwen was very curious. What had occurred this morning? She shifted slightly so she could hear their conversation more clearly, and eagerly waited for them to continue speaking.

"He did not?" Elrond paused. "I spoke to Elladan concerning a pressing matter that we have discussed for some time now, he and I. It concerns his future; I have been arranging a betrothal for you brother, and arranged marriage..."

Arwen's breath caught in her throat. She heard a gasp from Elrohir - they were both equally shocked at this. Marriage? Arranged marriage? How could their father even think of such a thing! Arwen stifled a cry and waited anxiously...

(Elrohir)
I resign myself and sullenly follow Glorfindel to ada's study. My ears pick up the faint sound of silk slithering over the marble floor. Turning my head slightly, I catch a glimpse of raven hair and a face I know all too well. The 'stalker' doesn't seem to notice my sudden movement. I raise an eyebrow and a slight smirk touches my lips. So my little sister is following me. This is turning out to be quite interesting. As I enter the study my gaze flickers to my left and I see a shadow hurrying off to enter by another doorway. Arwen is getting quite bold - or maybe just curious.

"Lord Elrond," Glorfindel says as we enter. Father looks up from where he is pacing before his desk. "Ah, there you are. Thank you Glorfindel."

Glorfindel nods his head. "If you will excuse me, I have matters to attend to." With that he walks out, a little quicker than usual. I really don't blame him; ada's face is darker than a storm cloud over the Misty Mountains. Ada turns to me.

"Elrohir, I believe you know why I called you here?"

I shake my head. Best not talk; ada seemed in a fouler mood than usual.

"I spoke to Elladan this morning. He may have told you the reason why...?"

What is he talking about? I wonder to myself. I shake my head again. It's then that I hear a rustle of cloth - coming from a curtain in a corner behind me. Must be Arwen I think to myself. I chuckle inwardly, wondering what ada would think if he knew. I hear ada talking and realize that I am missing what he is saying.

"...It concerns his future; I have been arranging a betrothal for your brother, an arranged marriage." A gasp escapes before I can stop it, and my mind plunges into icy numbness. Marriage? Arranged marriage? How can ada even think of such a thing! I can see he is still speaking, but the words drift past my ears. I can't decipher what he's saying, my thoughts are running around in confusion. Marriage is sacred, it is not easy to plan...in fact it should not be planned! The Eldar have always chosen freely when it came to marriage. Many never wish to marry. I feel certain that Elladan does not appreciate this, he has never shown interest in such matters... perhaps this is why he ran off. I wonder how he must feel. Angry? Despairing? He must be feeling such wretched pain... Pain! That wave of agony I'd felt earlier while trying to sense where Elladan was! That must be it...it must have been him. Think Elrohir, think. Where did it come from...I had been riding Indil, we were at the far end of the valley...headed for that knot of pines...the pines...the pines! Of course! Elladan is hiding there, the last place anyone would go in the entire valley...

But what good is it now that I know where my brother is? I'm not about to tell ada, Elladan obviously ran off for a reason - and it seems it was because of this marriage thing. And the marriage thing is why ada is looking for him right now. No, I can't tell ada...Maybe I can go get him. Once I figure out how to get away from ada. I look at him and see that he is still talking, but I can't understand what he is talking about. It seems rather irrelevant since I missed more than half of it.

"...they are waiting to meet Elladan this evening, and if I cannot find him..." He turns to me. "Elrohir, do you understand? Elladan must be found before this evening. His future bride and her family cannot be kept waiting..."

I nod numbly, and at that instant I hear a cry come from behind me. I whip around and see Arwen running towards us. I dodge aside so she has a clear way to ada. Skidding to a halt next to me, Arwen's eyes are filled with sorrow and anger.

"You cannot do this Ada!"

(N/A)
Arwen bit her lip as she listens to her father speaking. There was no sound coming from Elrohir. Arwen risked a glance at her brother and saw that his eyes were glazed over and a blank expression was on his face. She could tell he was not hearing a single word Elrond was saying. Arwen listened intently.
"So now you know," Elrond said. He carried on without seeming to realize that his son was not paying attention, or that he was in shock. "The maiden is one of an olden house of Greenwood east of the Misty Mountains. Her name is Indil Olosta of the house of Galenindo. I have contacted her family to invite them for a visit, and they arrived earlier this afternoon. Indil's parents are very pleased with the match, as am I - Elladan will be too. The guests have been shown to their quarters, and they are content for now. But if I cannot find Elladan soon it will be most awkward to explain. For they are waiting to meet Elladan this evening, and if I cannot find him..." Elrond paused. "Elrohir, do you understand? Elladan must be found before this evening. His future bride and her family cannot be kept waiting..."

Arwen had heard enough. Anger and sorrow had been building steadily as each of her father's words hits her like hail. Her hands were cold and trembling, her face pale. She could no longer contain the fury and deep emotions running through her spirit. Deep down, Arwen had a spirit of fire. Now she burst from her hiding place with a cry and ran up to her father. Elrohir whipped around and saw her. She came to a halt beside her brother.

"You cannot do this Ada!" she cried. "Ada, I cannot believe that you would even consider doing such a thing. Do you not know-"

Shock passed over Elrond's features, quickly followed by anger. "Arwen," he said in a stern voice. Arwen's mouth closed, her lips disappearing into a thin line. "Arwen, you do not understand."

She shook her head. "I have heard enough ada, to know that all this is wrong. Arranged marriages are practically unheard of! Father, you are considered wise among the Eldar, but can you not see your own folly? You are forcing Elladan into a marriage that he does not wish for, a marriage that he will never accept-"

"He did not object when I spoke to him this morning." Elrond's tone was firm. "And it is just a betrothal, there is no definite guarantee that he will actually marry the maiden."

"A betrothal is a promise given, and you will not break a promise," Arwen said. "A betrothal is as good as getting Elladan married right away! Marriage is sacred ada! It cannot be taken so lightly!"

"I am not taking this lightly Arwen!" She stopped upon hearing the force behind his words. "I have given this matter much thought, and it is not folly. I am doing what is well for my son, Elladan realizes this, why can you not? Arwen, your brother is happy. Do not speak of what you do not know-"

"No ada, you are wrong this time. You are the one who do not know what you speak of." Arwen and Elrond both turned to Elrohir. Arwen stared at her brother, confusion and surprise in her eyes. His face was pale, and his voice soft, but a fierce light burned in his grey eyes. "Elladan is not happy with this ada, he is in anguish. He is being tormented by what you have forced upon him!"

(Elrohir)
I can feel the rage burning within me as I say the words. Ada has no right to force this on my brother. Why can't he see how foolish this is? "Ada, you cannot do this. Our forefathers in Valinor will not allow you to do so-" I falter at the dark, threatening look on ada's face. But some hidden courage makes me keep going. "It is unjust ada, Elladan has no wish to marry. Especially not a maiden who he's never even met. It is not fair to him, and it is also not fair for Arwen and I to have to see him suffer like this."

"How is it that you know Elladan suffers?" Father's tone was on the edge of curt. I debate for a moment whether to go on. The courage pushes me, and I continue.

"I sensed it." Even as I say it, the words sound unbelievable. Certainly, ada's look tells me so. But Arwen seems to believe me - partly at least. "Ada, Elladan and I can sometimes sense what the other is thinking - and at times where the other is. While I was riding towar-" I check myself. Mustn't tell ada where Elladan is. "While I was riding today, I was lost in my thoughts when a sudden wave of anguish took hold of my mind. It was gone quickly, but I know that in that brief moment I had sensed what Elladan was feeling. Ada, can you not see? Elladan-"

"Elrohir," ada cut me off. "I may have let such tales pass when you were little elflings, but you are now grown, and I did not think that you would still lie."

Now I'm really angry. "I do not lie ada! It is the truth. I can sense what Elladan feels!"

"So perhaps you can, or perhaps you cannot. I will not believe or disbelieve this until I see Elladan."

"Go ask him then." The words almost slip before I can bite them down. Ada's setting a trap. I can't tell him where Elladan is. And yet, how do I know how Elladan feels about this? That wave of agony I had felt might have just been a momentary shock to my system without any connection to my brother. But then again it might be vice versa. Oh Valar, what am I supposed to do?

Thankfully, Arwen comes to my rescue. "Ada, believe if you will or nil, but you cannot force Elladan to marry this Indil." Indil? Who's Indil I wonder. That must have been in the part that I didn't hear. "I have ever been an obedient daughter to you, but if you continue this folly and make Elladan marry against his will, I will interfere. Yes, I will. No matter how, or the cost, believe me now as I say this ada, I will."

I've never heard this kind of force and anger behind Arwen's words. For all her years I've taken for granted that she's a demure girl with a gentle nature. It looks like I've been very wrong for hundreds of years. I turn, almost fearfully, to see ada's reaction. To my surprise, it is not anger that dominates his features, but surprise and doubt. Unfortunately, it's soon replaced by anger.

"Arwen, you speak out of anger. Go and think this through more clearly. As for you Elrohir, you may also go. I want you both to reflect on what you have heard and said, and hopefully you will come to reason and wisdom." It's clearly a dismissal, but anger still burns in me, and I can tell that Arwen is not satisfied at all with this. However, she bites down her rage, curtsies stiffly and sweeps out of the room. I follow on her heels, not even bothering to bow to ada first. She stalks down the corridor and outside to the gardens. I follow silently, wishing I could be alone with my thoughts, but scared that my sister might do something drastic in her rage. I suppose that she is going to walk around the gardens until her anger cools off like a sensible maiden, so I follow.

To my surprise she makes straight for a small path leading down to the riverbank. Looks like she is going to do something drastic. I follow closely, ready for anything. Reaching the river, she turns and walks along the rocky banks, going downstream. I follow. After some time of walking, and occasionally stumbling on my part, I chance a long look back. For a minute or so, I can't recognize where we are. I can't see the lights of the house glimmering behind in the dusk, and get a shock when I realize that we've gone a fair distance down the valley - the house is far out of sight. When I look forward again, I get another shock. Arwen is no longer on the rocks walking before me. For a wild moment I think that she's thrown herself into the river or started to climb out of the valley. But a quick look around shows that Arwen has just started to wade into the water. I hurry over to her, thinking to give her a gentle lecture on not to do anything drastic. At first I'd thought that her face holds anger, but when I get closer I realize with yet another shock that her eyes are shining with sorrow and tears are running down her cheeks. The wind was blowing her tears into her dark hair, and they cling there, shimmering softly like dew in the soft morning. The Eldar called Arwen the Evenstar since she was a little elfling and her beauty was revealed, but as her brother growing up at her side, I had not until this moment realized what a beauty my sister is. And such a sorrow mingled with beauty...

A sudden wave of pity and love for my sister overwhelms me. I carefully step into the river and follow her. To my shock and dismay, I find that the river has grown deep and swift. I make my way over to Arwen, who is standing with the water almost up to her waist. "Don't cry Arwen melethril..."

(N/A)
All color drained from Arwen's face at her father's words. Forcing herself into a stiff curtsy, she left the study in a swirl of silken cloth. She knew Elrohir was following her, but she didn't care. Stalking out to the garden, she made for a little used path at the edge and followed it down to the riverbanks. She had no clear idea of what she was doing, only that she was going to put as much distance as she could between herself and her father, whom she hated more than anyone at that moment. She felt tears in her eyes, and angrily forced them down. She followed the river downstream. The river flowed in a bank of tumbled rock, but Arwen walked on and on, heedless of anything around her. When at last her feet began to protest from this sudden and unexpected exercise, she stopped.

Arwen turned to look at the swiftly rushing river. The water had grown deeper the more downstream she went. On a reckless impulse fueled by her burning anger at her father and the world, Arwen stepped into the swift flowing waters, wading toward the middle. The water rushed past her ankles, now it was up to her knees, past her thighs. It was at her waist when she stopped. A cold autumn wind was blowing down the valley, dusk had settled but no stars yet appeared. In the east, a pale sliver of new moon shimmers faintly. Arwen shivered. It was so cold, a deep contrast between the chill she felt on the outside and the fire burning within. But soon, the rushing water and the wind cooled her fury. Small wavelets lapped about her waist, bits of spray dampened her top half, and she felt the current tugging at her fully submerged skirts. A wave of terrible sorrow and loss washes over her, and the tears she had pushed down earlier all came back. She let the tears flow. Arwen could no longer contain all the sorrow and injustice she felt. The tears washed down her cheeks, and the wind blew some into her dark unbound tresses while others slid down her neck and dampened the top of her dress even further.

She hated them. She hated all of them. Especially her father. And this girl who was ruining her family. This Indil Olosta. Why couldn't she have gone and been married to someone else? She was probably happy, while Elladan was not. Arwen hated her, though she did not know her she hated her, with a bitter fire burning in her heart she hated Indil.

Why was the world so unfair?

"Don't cry Arwen melethril..." Arwen whirled about and saw Elrohir standing next to her, pity and love in his grey eyes. Suddenly ashamed of her tears, she hurriedly wiped at them with her sleeve.

"I'm sorry," she murmured softly. "I'm afraid I overreacted with ada."

"No Arwen, you said to ada what I could not. You showed courage little Undomiel." To her surprise, Elrohir stepped closer and drew her into his arms. Never before had Arwen known Elrohir to be so gentle with her. Sure, Elladan had always openly showed that he loved his sister, but Elrohir tended to be more distant, teasing her and sometimes pulling little pranks. Now all the grief, loss, and fatigue overwhelmed her as she collapsed in his embrace. The tears came back in floods, as she buried her face in his shoulder and wept. Elrohir said nothing but continued to hold her until she had no tears left to shed.

"Elrohir, I don't understand." Arwen stepped out of her brother's embrace, but still clung to his arm, afraid to let go. "What has overcome ada? Why is he doing this?"

Elrohir did not reply immediately. "I wish I could tell you Arwen, but I can't. I don't know. All I know is that it's madness..." He paused for a moment. "Arwen, did you believe what I said about Elladan?"

"Yes," Arwen found herself replying. "Yes, I did. Even though it was on the verge of impossible, but I believe you tell the truth Elrohir, I always have."

Elrohir nodded, and a touch of joy returned to his eyes, along with surprise and a hint of guilt. They just stood there for a time, watching the stars appear one by one. The heavenly jewels shone down upon them, bright and clear. Arwen watched them silently, thinking her own thoughts.

After a while, Arwen could hardly feel her legs. She shivered. Elrohir touched her arm. "We need to getting back Arwen," he said in a soft whisper. "Can you walk on your own?"

Arwen nodded and let go of his arm. Elrohir turned and started to walk back to the bank. Arwen took a deep breath, and let it out with a sigh. As she started to take a step and follow him, a sudden wave rushed along the river and bowled into Arwen. The force knocked her off her feet, and with a strangled cry of Elrohir! she was swept under the current and carried off downstream.

(Elrohir)
I'm already out of the water and scrambling up the rocks when I hear Arwen cry my name. Her cry sounds desperate, and I turn quickly around - but there is no sign of her! I'm starting to panic as I look around wildly, and suddenly I catch a glimpse of a dark shape floating off downstream.

Arwen!

Without even thinking I run back into the stream and dive headlong into the water. Swimming is one of those things that I never was and never hope to be very good at, but now I swim as never before after my sister. She is already far downstream and I struggle with the cold water and the rushing current threatening to drown me at any moment. I watch helplessly as Arwen drifts farther and farther away. She is not moving, and I fear the worst.

Breathe, keep breathing - and swim for the love of Arda! My mind screams at me, but my body fails to respond. It is numb with cold and I realize with a sudden shock that I'm being swept along with the current and slowly sinking. There is nothing I can do. I strain my eyes and look for Arwen, but I can no longer see her...

"Arwen!" I cry loudly as I can.

Then, another cry tears the darkness. "Help!" a strange voice calls. "Help! Someone come quickly!" I twist my head around and see a figure running along the riverbank following me. I don't recognize who it is. As I'm gazing at the riverbank, a tremendous wave engulfs me, crushing me underneath the water. I feel myself being tossed against something hard and unyielding, then all is dark.