Review responses:
Mrzbenz: Glad you like my first chappie! If you thought the last one was boring, then you'll probably find this one boring too. However, I felt it was nescessary to fill in between major ideas! The next chappie will be more exciting than this one, so please keep reading, even if you skip this chapter altogether! I'd prefer you read it, though!
ArwenElfstone: Aragorn doesn't have any kin alive? Dammit. Oh well†Glad you liked it.
Malethwen: Don't worry, I will make people like them! Cool, u like Charmed? Thanks 4 reviewing!
Celonbodor: Thanks! Glad you like it!
Crazycatluver: I've looked at a couple of your stories. It's no trouble at all. Glad you're enjoying mine!
Authors note: I think this is the most boring chapter ever written! But I kinda felt it had to be there for Arwen to build up some friendships before she goes to war. The next chapter will be more interesting, so keep readin every1! No flames please!
Thanks everyone for all your reviews, and keep reviewing. Anyone there who is reading but not reviewing, then please drop a review. It doesn't have to be long, although the longer the better!
I also found a list of Elvish phrases, so there's a lot of Elvish in this chappie! Hope you enjoy!
Elvish translations are at the bottom!
Arwen sat in Nimwen's tent, cleaning her sword. She was thinking of Aragorn. She smiled as she thought of how much he seemed to have spoken about her to all his people. She was also pleased at the way she was welcomed. The Dunedain had accepted her into their community straight away, sharing food and shelter with her. They all seemed to be like Estel: kind and welcoming, noble and skilled yet honest about it.
Arwen was interrupted from her musings by a tap on the cloth of the tent.
"May I enter?" It was Rochwen's voice.
"Of course," Arwen answered.
Rochwen walked in, staggering under a large pile of blankets and pillows. "Miriel sent me with these, hiril nin."
"Hannon le." Arwen replied, taking the blankets from Rochwen. "Did you see Lothroiel?"
"Yes, she's beautiful."
Arwen began to arrange the blankets. "Are all the people at the camp going to war?"
"Some are family. But anyone healthy between ten and a hundred and fifty (Authors note: The Dunedain are blessed with long life) leaves to go to war provided they are skilled enough to fight."
"So will you be going?"
"Yes. I do not expect to live."
"Do not speak like that! You must think positively."
"That is not thinking negatively. I do not fear death."
"How can you not?"
"There isn't much point, to be afraid of something you cannot prevent. Those who are will lose everything. I believe Nimwen said that once."
"That is wise. But let us not speak of such things now."
Nimwen walked into the tent. "The meal is ready," she said, quickly changing into a nicer dress and running a brush through her long hair. "Do you want to borrow a dress, my lady?"
"Oh, Hannon le. You have all been so kind."
"Nad dithen." Nimwen said, dismissing Arwen's words of thanks. She turned to Rochwen. "As for you, scoundrel, I have a dress for you here."
"This one's fine."
Nimwen rolled her eyes. "It's covered in mud, child."
"So?"
"Just change. Now."
Rochwen and Arwen changed, and Nimwen brushed and braided Rochwen's hair. Arwen brushed her and made two braids at the front that she pulled together at the back to keep her hair out of her eyes.
Nimwen waited for them until they were ready. "Tolo, mado a sogo uin mereth!" she said merrily.
The area for the food had been set up in the middle of the circle of tents, but away from the horses. There was a large fire in the centre, with meat hung over it on a spit and pots next to it, keeping them warm. There were several wooden benches surrounding it and two barrels of ale behind that, with some mugs, plates and jugs of water on a low wooden table.
They collected a plate and mug and Nimwen led them towards the fire. An old woman was serving out ladles of hot stew and chunks of meat.
"Mae Govannen Arwen," the woman said as they approached.
"Gil sila erin lu e-govaded vin," Arwen replied. "Man eneth lin?"
"Lothiel i eneth nin." Lothiel answered, as she put a large piece of meat and a generous portion of stew on Arwen's plate.
"Hannon le, Lothiel."
"Buion na 'ell!" Lothiel replied, smiling. Arwen went to sit with Nimwen, Miriel, Calion, Halbarad, Arentèl and Rochwen, after fetching a mug of water from the table.
At the end of the meal, there was the story telling and singing. Lothien asked various people to come up at random.
"Arwen?" she called after several people had been up. "Do you have anything you could entertain us with?"
"I.. um, why are you asking me?" Arwen stuttered, a note of panic in her voice. Everyone laughed.
"I'm sure you could tell us something with two thousand years of your life to draw upon, and the many years of your father and grandmother." Lothiel said encouragingly.
"Or you could sing!" Rochwen burst out.
Arwen sighed, and told them all a little- known story that her grandmother had told about her life in Valinor. When she had finished, they all clapped.
A few hours later, Nimwen and Arwen walked back to the tent in silence, both of them tired after the long day. Arwen slid into bed.
"Nimwen?"
"Yes?"
"I wanted to thank you for your hospitality, but why would you treat a stranger like one of you in such a way?"
Nimwen came to sit on the edge of Arwen's pile of blankets. "Let me tell you something about the Rangers here: we all are closely bonded together. Many of us are related in some way, and we are bound by friendship."
"That doesn't tell me why"
"Why we would welcome you? Aragorn loves you, more than I can describe. You are betrothed to him. That makes you like part of all of us."
"I miss him." Arwen whispered, a tear appearing at the corner of her eye.
"Every time I see Estel, there is always a sadness in his eyes. He misses you so much when he is away from you. He is also in turmoil. He wants to be with you, but he hates the idea of you being miserable, torn away from your family."
"The only time I can be happy is when I am with him. I love him"
"I know. But you must rest now, Arwen. We ride to war at dawn."
"Will we go through Rivendell?"
"Yes, and we will accompany the Galadhrim soldiers that you will then seem to be one of. Now rest. Losto mae."
"Losto mae."
Elvish translations:
Hiril nin: My lady
Hannon le: Thank you
Nad dithen: It is just a little thing
Tolo, mado a sogo uin mereth: Come, eat and drink at the feast!
Mae govannen: Well met
Gil sila erin lu e-govaded vin: A star shines upon the hour of our meeting
Man eneth lin?: What is your name?
Lothiel i eneth nin: My name is Lothiel.
Losto mae: Sleep well.
Hope you enjoyed! Sorry if it is a little bit boring right now, but I felt I had to fill in the time between Arwen getting to the camp and leaving in the morning.
Not many people are reviewing! So, love it or hate it, tell me what you thought! I really appreciate the feedback. The next chappie is not coming until I get a lot more reviews. Thank you to those who are reviewing, but they are precious few!