The journey back to Rivendell was a quiet one. The hobbits walked as though in a trance.
They were fearful of what they had seen, and most especially for Frodo. Each one hoping for the
best but afraid of the news they may receive once they reached Rivendell. Aragorn was also quiet
which was not unusual, but Aletriel knew he feared for Frodo and for Arwen. Aletriel had known
Aragorn for years but he was still many times a mystery to her. What she did know was that her
cousin was in love with him and he with her. Aletriel also knew of the blood that flowed in his
veins and the great burden he carried that came with it, and she had great respect for him. Ranger
or not. As they reached Rivendell Arwen met them, she had looked for their approach.
Arwen's eyes locked with Aragorns in a look that was more like an embrace. Nodding to her
cousin with a smile she then looked down at the hobbits. Their faces filled with fear and
anticipation, she smiled at them " My father says he will live". The hobbits then looked as if a
huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders , and their spirit had returned as Pippin jumped
up with glee and almost tackled Merry.
" So he is ok then" asked Sam
" He is far from ok, we have only just arrived a few hours ago and he is still unconscious and will
probably remain that way for a while, but he will live." answered Arwen
Aragorn then escorted Arwen to the garden whispering back and forth to each other. And the
hobbits headed off to find the kitchens. Aletriel was left alone to her thoughts, she slowly climbed
the stairs going nowhere in particular. Without realizing it she had ended up in the room where
an elvish nurse was tending to an unconscious Frodo. The nurse then left and Aletriel was left
standing alone in the room looking down at the small hobbit. She was amazed at his bravery and
strength and found herself wondering what she would have done in his situation. He had been able
to resist the temptation of The Ring, and to survive being stabbed by a wraith. There was so much
courage in that small face, yet she wondered if even he knew that. Aletriel suddenly sensed a
presence behind her. She turned to see a bearded man clad in a gray cloak.
"Gandalf, it is good to see you" said Aletriel, smiling.
"Aletriel" then looking down at Frodo " He is strong isn't he, it is amazing the amount of strength
someone so small can carry"
" I was just thinking the same thing" then seeing the emotion in the old wizards eyes " I will leave
you now Gandalf" He just nodded, and Aletriel took her leave.
During the time Frodo was unconcious and healing, the two hobbits Merry and Pippin
were having a wonderful time at Rivendell. Up to their normal pranks and antics, occasionally
receiving a stern glace or a sharp word from Gandalf. Sam however barely left Frodo's side for a
moment. Until the day when he awoke, you could hear the laughter and joy from the hobbits
throughout Rivendell. It was not to many days after Frodo's recovery that Aletriel was standing
on a balcony looking out into the woods. Off in the distance ( a distance that could only be seen
by elf eyes)she saw a man approaching, he had the look of a warrior. His shield had the markings
of the distant land of Gondor. And as he arrived and started to dismount, Aletriel could sense that
this man was not content to be in Rivendell. He had an uneasy look about him. She wondered
who he was and why he was there if he did not want to be. She was soon again distracted by the
approach of another rider, an elf. His riding was smooth and fluid almost like he was one with the
horse. Aletriel knew Legolas , they had met before in Rivendell, and when Aletriel was a child she
had been to Mirkwood with her father. He dismounted and looked up at the balcony and their
eyes met. Aletriel turned and hurried inside. She had not known he would be here, and he looked
as if he had not expected to see her. What was past, was past there was no altering it. Aletriel
avoided running into any of the new visitors to Rivendell. She did however visit with Frodo, she
had great respect for the little hobbit and talked with him for hours. He described the Shire,
Hobbiton, and Bag End. And Aletriel described for him LothLorien and Caras Galadhon. Aletriel
told him of her parents, and in that they found a common thread. He spoke of his parents Primula
and Drogo, and told her stories of Bilbo. Sam even joined their chats, even once speaking of
Rosie Cotton but quickly blushing and excusing himself. Aletriel found a friendship in the hobbits
that she had not expected, especially Frodo.
On a quiet evening Aletriel, was standing along the railing looking out onto the falls. She loved
the falls, the sound of the rushing water and the slight spray leaving droplets on her face. She had
just finished chatting with Sam about some of the herbs they grew in Lorien, and was thinking
quietly of home, when she felt a presence approaching. She knew who it was and her heart was
racing. She turned around forcing a smile. "Legolas, hello"
"Aletriel, I thought to find you here, you love the falls. How are you" Smiling back
" I am well, very well in fact, but I, I really must go." Said Aletriel turning to leave.
" Aletriel wait I would very much like to talk to you" said Legolas
" What is there to say, We at a time quite a while ago cared for each other very much, or at least I
thought we did. It was decided for us that we were too young. So you left and I did not hear from
you or see you until now." said Aletriel " That is it, is it not"
" It was more complicated than that, you do not know my father" said Legolas
" I am aware of the difficulty of Thranduil, but also of my brother. But I would not have ended it
that way. I would have at least said goodbye."said Aletriel turning her back to him. " I would
have at the very least done that."
" I regret the way that I parted, I thought it would be the easiest way." said Legolas looking at her
" It was." Aletriel turning back to him "For you."
" It was not easy for me, but it was what I thought I had to do" said Legolas
" It does not matter, you do not have to worry about it. I am going back to Lorien. I miss my
home." She said with a look of resolve.
" Oh, well then I guess I will say goodbye" said Legolas
"Goodbye Legolas" She said turning to leave.
"Wait!" Legolas exclaimed grabbing Aletriels hand " I just want you to know I did care about you
a great deal, and I am sorry that my actions have caused you to stop caring about me, I am very
sorry."
Aletriel looking down "I never did stop caring" and with that she turned and left.
That night Aletriel went to Elrond to tell him she would like to depart as soon as possible for
LothLorien. He said he would arrange for her to leave the next day. An hour later Arwen
came to her room.
" Why are you leaving so soon, I thought this visit would be longer." said Arwen
"I thought so too, but I must go back. It is for the best."
" It is him, is it not. He is the reason for your abrupt parting"said Arwen
"I miss Lorien , and my brother and..." looking up at her cousin she could not lie " yes,
I said some things, showed feelings I did not intend to. I must go." said Aletriel
"I wish you would stay longer, but I understand. I will see you in the morning"said Arwen
The next day Aletriel sought out the hobbits to tell them goodbye she found them in the middle of
second breakfast. She said goodbye to Merry and Pippin who managed to get out a "goodbye"
between mouthfuls of bacon. Then to Frodo and Sam "I am very glad to have met you both,
perhaps someday I can visit the Shire" turning to Sam "and perhaps meet this Rosie Cotton" Sam
blushing said goodbye to her and went to join the other two hobbits finishing their meal. Turning
to Frodo " and I would very much like to see Bag End, I hope to see you again Frodo. You have
a very brave spirit, one could only wish to have. I feel fortunate to count you among my friends."
"Goodbye and thank you, I do hope to see you again as well."said Frodo And with that Aletriel
went to say good bye to Arwen.
" I hope you will come to LothLorien soon Arwen. Please tell Aragorn goodbye for me I would
search him out to tell him myself, but it is getting very late and I must go. I also wished to say
goodbye to Gandalf but I can not find him either."
"I will tell them for you. Goodbye cousin" said Arwen with an embrace "safe journey."
As she mounted the horse Aletriel looked up to see Legolas watching from a balcony, and with
that they departed.
They were fearful of what they had seen, and most especially for Frodo. Each one hoping for the
best but afraid of the news they may receive once they reached Rivendell. Aragorn was also quiet
which was not unusual, but Aletriel knew he feared for Frodo and for Arwen. Aletriel had known
Aragorn for years but he was still many times a mystery to her. What she did know was that her
cousin was in love with him and he with her. Aletriel also knew of the blood that flowed in his
veins and the great burden he carried that came with it, and she had great respect for him. Ranger
or not. As they reached Rivendell Arwen met them, she had looked for their approach.
Arwen's eyes locked with Aragorns in a look that was more like an embrace. Nodding to her
cousin with a smile she then looked down at the hobbits. Their faces filled with fear and
anticipation, she smiled at them " My father says he will live". The hobbits then looked as if a
huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders , and their spirit had returned as Pippin jumped
up with glee and almost tackled Merry.
" So he is ok then" asked Sam
" He is far from ok, we have only just arrived a few hours ago and he is still unconscious and will
probably remain that way for a while, but he will live." answered Arwen
Aragorn then escorted Arwen to the garden whispering back and forth to each other. And the
hobbits headed off to find the kitchens. Aletriel was left alone to her thoughts, she slowly climbed
the stairs going nowhere in particular. Without realizing it she had ended up in the room where
an elvish nurse was tending to an unconscious Frodo. The nurse then left and Aletriel was left
standing alone in the room looking down at the small hobbit. She was amazed at his bravery and
strength and found herself wondering what she would have done in his situation. He had been able
to resist the temptation of The Ring, and to survive being stabbed by a wraith. There was so much
courage in that small face, yet she wondered if even he knew that. Aletriel suddenly sensed a
presence behind her. She turned to see a bearded man clad in a gray cloak.
"Gandalf, it is good to see you" said Aletriel, smiling.
"Aletriel" then looking down at Frodo " He is strong isn't he, it is amazing the amount of strength
someone so small can carry"
" I was just thinking the same thing" then seeing the emotion in the old wizards eyes " I will leave
you now Gandalf" He just nodded, and Aletriel took her leave.
During the time Frodo was unconcious and healing, the two hobbits Merry and Pippin
were having a wonderful time at Rivendell. Up to their normal pranks and antics, occasionally
receiving a stern glace or a sharp word from Gandalf. Sam however barely left Frodo's side for a
moment. Until the day when he awoke, you could hear the laughter and joy from the hobbits
throughout Rivendell. It was not to many days after Frodo's recovery that Aletriel was standing
on a balcony looking out into the woods. Off in the distance ( a distance that could only be seen
by elf eyes)she saw a man approaching, he had the look of a warrior. His shield had the markings
of the distant land of Gondor. And as he arrived and started to dismount, Aletriel could sense that
this man was not content to be in Rivendell. He had an uneasy look about him. She wondered
who he was and why he was there if he did not want to be. She was soon again distracted by the
approach of another rider, an elf. His riding was smooth and fluid almost like he was one with the
horse. Aletriel knew Legolas , they had met before in Rivendell, and when Aletriel was a child she
had been to Mirkwood with her father. He dismounted and looked up at the balcony and their
eyes met. Aletriel turned and hurried inside. She had not known he would be here, and he looked
as if he had not expected to see her. What was past, was past there was no altering it. Aletriel
avoided running into any of the new visitors to Rivendell. She did however visit with Frodo, she
had great respect for the little hobbit and talked with him for hours. He described the Shire,
Hobbiton, and Bag End. And Aletriel described for him LothLorien and Caras Galadhon. Aletriel
told him of her parents, and in that they found a common thread. He spoke of his parents Primula
and Drogo, and told her stories of Bilbo. Sam even joined their chats, even once speaking of
Rosie Cotton but quickly blushing and excusing himself. Aletriel found a friendship in the hobbits
that she had not expected, especially Frodo.
On a quiet evening Aletriel, was standing along the railing looking out onto the falls. She loved
the falls, the sound of the rushing water and the slight spray leaving droplets on her face. She had
just finished chatting with Sam about some of the herbs they grew in Lorien, and was thinking
quietly of home, when she felt a presence approaching. She knew who it was and her heart was
racing. She turned around forcing a smile. "Legolas, hello"
"Aletriel, I thought to find you here, you love the falls. How are you" Smiling back
" I am well, very well in fact, but I, I really must go." Said Aletriel turning to leave.
" Aletriel wait I would very much like to talk to you" said Legolas
" What is there to say, We at a time quite a while ago cared for each other very much, or at least I
thought we did. It was decided for us that we were too young. So you left and I did not hear from
you or see you until now." said Aletriel " That is it, is it not"
" It was more complicated than that, you do not know my father" said Legolas
" I am aware of the difficulty of Thranduil, but also of my brother. But I would not have ended it
that way. I would have at least said goodbye."said Aletriel turning her back to him. " I would
have at the very least done that."
" I regret the way that I parted, I thought it would be the easiest way." said Legolas looking at her
" It was." Aletriel turning back to him "For you."
" It was not easy for me, but it was what I thought I had to do" said Legolas
" It does not matter, you do not have to worry about it. I am going back to Lorien. I miss my
home." She said with a look of resolve.
" Oh, well then I guess I will say goodbye" said Legolas
"Goodbye Legolas" She said turning to leave.
"Wait!" Legolas exclaimed grabbing Aletriels hand " I just want you to know I did care about you
a great deal, and I am sorry that my actions have caused you to stop caring about me, I am very
sorry."
Aletriel looking down "I never did stop caring" and with that she turned and left.
That night Aletriel went to Elrond to tell him she would like to depart as soon as possible for
LothLorien. He said he would arrange for her to leave the next day. An hour later Arwen
came to her room.
" Why are you leaving so soon, I thought this visit would be longer." said Arwen
"I thought so too, but I must go back. It is for the best."
" It is him, is it not. He is the reason for your abrupt parting"said Arwen
"I miss Lorien , and my brother and..." looking up at her cousin she could not lie " yes,
I said some things, showed feelings I did not intend to. I must go." said Aletriel
"I wish you would stay longer, but I understand. I will see you in the morning"said Arwen
The next day Aletriel sought out the hobbits to tell them goodbye she found them in the middle of
second breakfast. She said goodbye to Merry and Pippin who managed to get out a "goodbye"
between mouthfuls of bacon. Then to Frodo and Sam "I am very glad to have met you both,
perhaps someday I can visit the Shire" turning to Sam "and perhaps meet this Rosie Cotton" Sam
blushing said goodbye to her and went to join the other two hobbits finishing their meal. Turning
to Frodo " and I would very much like to see Bag End, I hope to see you again Frodo. You have
a very brave spirit, one could only wish to have. I feel fortunate to count you among my friends."
"Goodbye and thank you, I do hope to see you again as well."said Frodo And with that Aletriel
went to say good bye to Arwen.
" I hope you will come to LothLorien soon Arwen. Please tell Aragorn goodbye for me I would
search him out to tell him myself, but it is getting very late and I must go. I also wished to say
goodbye to Gandalf but I can not find him either."
"I will tell them for you. Goodbye cousin" said Arwen with an embrace "safe journey."
As she mounted the horse Aletriel looked up to see Legolas watching from a balcony, and with
that they departed.