Arwen walked quickly to the large window that faced north. She heard the riders approaching with news of her kin, and had received the message they would be arriving soon. She would wait, she would see them come, and she would meet them.

Her eyes fell upon her father first, then shifted to her twin brothers, and paused for a long, loving moment on Aragorn. Then she glanced quickly at the remaining visitors.

About to turn to prepare for their arrival, she froze. Looked again. Two riders in the back with blond hair asked her to deny sense to believe her eyes. Legolas and Lunian? Why were they here?

She frowned faintly, and then turned quickly to enter the hall they would be escorted to upon their arrival. She folded her hands before her, years of training as Elrond's daughter and simply as an elf keeping her from bursting at the seams, wanting to know what was going on. Legolas she could understand, but why Lunian? Sure, she was glad enough to see the child, for Lunian had an amazing gift for knowing how those around her were feeling. When she was in the mood, she could usually change their moods as well, brightening a room with a sweet smile or a well-placed laugh.

But why was she here?

Of course, Elrohir had come…

But still, Lunian had always disliked everything that had to do with men, even more so once she learned of the circumstances around her own existence. She loved the elves, and was loved by them. Elrohir would have wished her to remain safe in Rivendell, rather than to accompany them on this visit.

It must be Elrond's doing.

The thought flashed into her head, but she frowned, starting to dismiss it. Why would Elrond want to bring his mortal charge to Gondor?

Her silvery blue eyes widened as an idea came to her, and though her loyal brain tried to reject it, the sensible part of her knew it was true without needing to speak to Elrond to confirm it. He was going to try to marry her off, to leave her in Gondor. While she could understand him wanting to have her taken care of before he left for the grey havens, she sincerely doubted Lunian was even remotely interested in marrying.

The girl loved elves too much to ever be content in Gondor for more than a quick visit. Arwen had Aragorn, but Lunian would have no one, and would be very unlikely to cultivate any friendships with the humans here.

By the time the King entered with his kin and friends, Arwen's eyes were hard and angry. She bowed her head to her king, to her family, and then drew Lunian into a hug, which startled the girl. "I won't allow it," she murmured, brushing Lunian's hair behind her ears.

Lunian blinked at her, and then smiled, reaching up to touch Arwen's cheek. "Thank you." Her eyes searched Arwen's face for a moment, a sudden laugh touching upon her eyes. "Am I right?" she asked eagerly, coming closer to Arwen once more. A feather light touch on Arwen's abdomen let Arwen know what Lunian was asking.

Arwen felt her cheeks heat up as her ears blazed behind the dark curtain of her hair. She whispered her answer to Lunian's ear. "You are, but I need to speak with Aragorn."

Lunian laughed and hugged her again, before lowering her head. "I shall not detain Estel."

Arwen laughed with her, knowing well the reason Lunian insisted on calling Aragorn Estel even in his own hall. As Estel, he knew the role elves played in the history of men. As Aragorn, he was at the top of the world set forever apart from the elves. Lunian didn't want him to forget them or that, as if he ever would, considering an elf was his wife. "All shall know in due time," she murmured at last, before looking back at the others. "And who could be the cause for such a distinguished visitor?" she asked, looking at Legolas.

Amused affection shown in his eyes as he greeted her, laying his palm against her cheek. "Who else but the elven queen of men?" he teased, tilting his head slightly to the palm she had rested against his cheek.

She smiled at him, somewhere in the back of her mind knowing so many of the men gathered around the hall held elves in awe and at arm's length. Since elves lived so much longer than men, they tended to have a better hold on their emotions. Most of the time it was their eyes alone that gave away feeling. To the cautious and trained listener, though, so much could be caught in their voices.

Elrohir was the next in the greeting line, and she looked at him coldly. "How could you bring her? How could you allow it?"

"Father—"

"Has nothing to say when it comes to Lunian! She is yours, Elrohir. From the moment she came into the sun you have been the one to care for her. Why do you set that aside now?"

Elrohir sighed and lowered his eyes for a moment. Finally he lifted his eyes, the intensity of his gaze holding her still. It is not my wish that she be alone when we leave. Father will not stay much longer, and all Rivendell shall accompany us. Galadriel plans to cross with us, so Lothlorien will soon be emptied. Where, then, would you have her go? At least in Gondor she has you and Aragorn.

Arwen broke the contact of eyes, but held her mind to his for a while as she looked at Lunian. Her eyes caught on a few of the men in the halls straightening, watching Lunian. She blinked when a blond elf moved himself between their gaze and the girl, the conversation he was having with her continuing unbroken despite his move. Lunian continued to gaze around the hall, her head tilting slowly for the ceiling, even as she replied. What of Mirkwood?

Elrohir's glance followed hers, a slight frown creasing his brow for a moment. He let out a soft sigh. I don't know. It would be a hard decision, to put him in that position.

Elrohir, she laughed in their minds, he puts himself there even now. Indeed, he had shifted around her once more, going so far as to guide her to a different section of the room with a soft touch at the small of her back. Just enough to prompt, not enough to be considered outright possessive.

"I know, but unless they continue on their own, how can I force it?"

Arwen sighed softly and nodded. Then she smiled at her brother and greeted him as she should have, before greeting Elladan. Her father she greeted a little coolly. "I will not allow it, Father," she assured him. "She shall not be forced to marry, and she has been around elves too long to be pressured into rushing."

"She is human. She should be with her kind."

Arwen glanced sharply at him. "She has been. You know that as well as do I."

Elrond sighed, lifting a hand to his temple. "My daughter, she cannot join us in the havens, though I would not mind having her there."

She looked back at Lunian, watched a slight look of disappointment touch her eyes as she looked around at the men and women that were in the hall. "No," she agreed softly. Not as she now is. The words were unspoken, but all of her family knew them already, had pondered them in the last years.