Many thanks to my reviewers. I am overwhelmed by your response and feel really energised to write more – lol.

Miss Sophie – Wow, thank you. Sorry if I'm costing you sleep but please keep reading!

Haldir's Heart and Soul – Thanks for the advice. I've used them and – yep – there it is!

(My thanks go to Miss Sophie who pointed out an error in Chapter 3. The name Mina appears. This is a stupid oversight on my part but allow me to explain. When I originally wrote the story, the OFC was named Mina. I then read in a few forums that this could not possibly be an acceptable name for an elleth (apparently there are no female elvish names ending in 'a') and consequently changed it to Arien. I then had to trawl through the chapters I'd written and change the name but this one slipped through – sorry. I've tried to change it in the edit but am not sure if it's updated yet.)

Anyway, here we go again!

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Forever Yours

Chapter Five

The party from Eryn Lasgalyn had been en-route to Lothlorien for a week and Arien felt her excitement rising with each mile they covered. They were to approach Lothlorien from the north and would soon enter the outer borders of the Golden Wood. The Lord and Lady were, of course, well aware of Legolas' imminent arrival but he had told no-one of Arien's inclusion in the group. He assumed the Lady would know of her presence long before they arrived at Caras Galadhon, as nothing and no-one passed through the borders of Lothlorien without her knowledge. However, he knew her arrival would be a surprise to many.

Legolas gazed up into canopy of the trees as if looking for something.

"The amazing thing about the Lorien guards is that you are never sure of their presence until they wish to make themselves known. Such is their great skill!" he informed Arien.

Arien was also looking up at the trees but for a different reason. She had heard stories of the great Mallorn which grew only in Lothlorien but had never imagined them to be quite so immense. The trees bore no resemblance to those in Eryn Lasgalyn and she longed to walk amongst them that she may feel the strength they so obviously possessed.

They had not travelled far into the woods when they heard the grave command,

"Daro!"

Immediately, several wardens appeared, seemingly from nowhere, and approached the mounted group.

Arien was impressed by their stealth. They had the same manner about them that she remembered from their visit all those years ago. Legolas dismounted and greeted one of the guards enthusiastically. Arien was delighted to see a familiar face.

"Rumil!" she thought to herself and her eyes began to search the faces of the other Wardens. Then she spotted Orophin. She could not, however, perceive the one face she longed to see. Her happiness had faded slightly when suddenly, from behind Rumil she saw him. He walked to her brother with outstretched arms.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion", he said.

Mae govannen, Haldier", replied Legolas.

Arien remained upon her steed and gazed at the face of the one whom she had adored as a child. She wanted to jump down from her horse and throw her arms around him as she had done all those long years ago, but propriety forbad such conduct and she remained where she was. Finally, the greetings over, Legolas returned to her and helped her to dismount. The Lorien guards, including Haldir, bowed low in deference to the royal guests. Arien felt sure he would then greet her as he had Legolas, but was dismayed when he turned away to speak with the guards of Eryn Lasgalyn. Legolas said;

"We can go no further on horseback as they are not allowed in the Golden Wood. We must go on foot from here."

Arien was surprised but did not question the instruction. After all, she was a guest and guests did not question the ways of their hosts. She did, however, begin to question Haldir's apparent coolness toward her. She began to think that he had forgotten her after all, despite his word that he would not. She fell into step beside her brother and, accompanied by several of the border guards including Haldir and his brothers, they began their long walk to Caras Galadhon, home of the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. They rested several times during their journey to partake of food and drink, but not once did Haldir break his silence regarding her. She wanted so desperately to speak with him but did not dare. The visit to Lorien she had dreamed of for so long was beginning to seem like a nightmare. She scarcely noticed the passing of time, so wrapped up in her own thoughts was she. It appeared to her no time at all before they were passing through the main gates into the city. They were led to the foot of a great Mallorn around which a spiralling staircase wound upwards into the canopy of the tree. The guards from Eryn Lasgalyn were taken by the wardens to quarters which had been set aside for them. Haldir led Arien and Legolas up the winding staircase. It seemed to Arien that they would forever keep climbing until they eventually reached the sky, but then, seemingly from nowhere, they stepped onto a platform which, like the stairs, had been built around the great trees. Arien marvelled at the beauty and craftsmanship of the buildings around her. The intricate carvings and gildings of the structure echoed the strength and grandeur of its construction. Before them lay an entrance swathed in rich drapes through which wide steps ascended to a place unseen.

Haldir stood to one side of the steps and placing his hand on his chest, bowed his head as his Lord and Lady began a slow decent towards Arien and Legolas. They both looked as regal and grand as Arien remembered them from her youth. The Lord was resplendent in the richest of robes and the Lady wore a gown of white trimmed with mithril. They both appeared to glow with an ethereal light which accentuated the perception of power and control.

"Mae govannen, Legolas and Arien. We are most pleased that you have arrived safely to our realm. We are especially pleased to see you, Arien, as your visit here has been long in coming".

"Mae govannen and thank you, my lord", replied Legolas. "We are most happy to be here. My father sends his greetings to all and wishes only good fortune may be known by those in Lothlorien".

Arien remained silent throughout this discourse but looked up into the face of the Lady when she felt the tendrils a voice wrapping around her mind.

"Mae govannen Arien. My heart rejoices to see you here at last. I hope your stay will be pleasant. However, there are things which will unfold here and matters which must be resolved".

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As usual, next update in the next few days. Please R&R. Thanks!