Part Two: Awakenings

Chapter Four

2019 Third Age, Nedhlaer (Midsummer). Lasgalen: Greenwood the Great

"However do you do that?"

"Do what?" the pale elleth with raven tresses replied.

"That—make such perfect, even stitches." Anaríel complained. "Mine are always so uneven."

Arwen smiled at her new friend, never lifting her eyes from her work. "That is because you lack what I have in abundance—both patience and concentration. You are far too easily distracted mellon nín. Your eyes are always everywhere else but on your work."

Anaríel stuck her tongue out in reply.

"I saw that."

"You did not!" The honey haired elleth exclaimed. "You couldn't have."

"If you say so," Arwen agreed sweetly.

"Oh I hate embroidery." Anaríel sighed, tossing down her square of linen and leaning back on her chair. She looked about the small garden the two elleth sat in. The sun was high in the sky and the day was growing hot. Bees drifted sluggishly amid the blooms going about their business while a pair of squirrels scolded and chased one another up and down the broad trunk of the old beech by the garden wall.

"What would you rather be doing then?" Arwen replied, deftly tying off her thread with a smart snap. Anaríel scratched her freckled nose in thought.

"Hmmm, maybe go for a ride or a swim, or—."

"Oh no," Arwen laughed. "I am beginning to know that look of yours and it usually goes hand and hand with trouble. Forgive me for saying so my friend, but I really do not wish to hear your foster Adar's roar today. He truly does have quite a fierce temper. Besides, it is too hot to do anything but sit still."

"I wonder what the ellyn are up to." Anaríel queried, poking at the moss growing between the stones of the wall.

"What ellyn are always up to—nothing particularly interesting. I am sure they are practicing with blades or shooting at targets. That is what they have been doing ever since we arrived at any rate. All they care about is who is best amongst the three."

"Elladan is best with a blade, but Elrohir is best at hand to hand combat. Legolas is the best and fastest with the bow though."

"Indeed, no contest there." Arwen agreed.

Anaríel made a face. "Tis not fair. I wish I could learn to shoot a bow or wield a knife."

"You do not!" Arwen laughed incredulously.

"I most certainly do—why not?"

"Well," Arwen thought a moment, studying the perfect braid draped over her shoulder—not a hair out of place unlike Anaríel's ever disheveled plaits. "Surely such things are not allowed. Ellyth do not participate in weapons training back home in Imladris. Surely they do not here—do they?"

"No, but I do not know why not. I would think learning to defend oneself would be far more useful than stitching scraps of linen. I mean, you do not see our ada's ever embroidering do you?"

Arwen looked at Anaríel as if the elleth had sprouted a second head. Suddenly the two burst out laughing hysterically as images of the fearsome Thranduil and the ever self-contained Elrond sitting side by side on a window seat, stabbing delicately at tiny scraps of fabric came simultaneously to mind.

"Oh dear," Arwen gasped, fanning herself with one hand. "Let us go for a swim after all. I think the heat is getting to us."

"Come on, let us have another go. Best two out of three." called Legolas, already pulling his arrows out of the target.

Elladan exchanged swift looks with his brother. "Nay, I think not. Our pride simply will not allow it--how about blades again?"

"No; no more blades. No more archery." Elrohir grouched casting about the yard for a patch of shade to sit in. "It is all we've been doing all morning. It is too hot. I concede defeat. You two can keep battling it out if you will."

Legolas and Elladan dropped to the ground beside Elrohir.

"I wonder what the ellyth are up to," Legolas queried, studying the fletching on one arrow.

Elladan pulled a face. "What do you think? What ellyth are always up to--embroidery and weaving--."

"And gardening and gossiping." Elrohir finished in simpering mockery of all femaledom.

Legolas laughed, "Doubtful. If I know Arí, she's dragged Arwen up some tree or out for a gallop, or--."

"What?" The twins chorused as a wicked glint lit Legolas' eye.

"Or swimming in the river—it is hot enough."

Elladan sprang to his feet.

"Where do you think you are going?" his twin cried.

"If the ellyth are swimming then I am all for joining them."

"I do not think that would be a wise idea." Legolas countered.

"Why not?" Elrohir rose, joining his twin. "Two ellyth swimming alone—they need guarding from dangerous wild animals."

Legolas peered up at the identical sons of Elrond. "If Arí and Arwen went swimming then I doubt very much they went alone. I am sure at least Beleth and Orofíriel are with them."

"All the better." The twins chorused in that disconcerting way of theirs.

"Although," Elladan continued, "I wouldn't mind catching Anaríel alone in the river. Can you not imagine what that hair of hers would look like floating behind her in the water—like molten gold?"

"So?" Legolas shrugged. "What of it? I've gone swimming with Arí countless times."

The twins exchanged dumbfounded looks.

"And you need ask "what of it"?" Elladan laughed chucking Legolas in the ribs. "Come on, admit it. Anaríel is one fine looking elleth."

Legolas scratched his nose considering this piece of information. "I suppose, I just never looked at her that way I guess. We've been raised together—she is like a sister to me."

Elladan draped an arm across the young prince's shoulder. "Like a sister, is very much a different matter than is a sister my friend. Come—open your eyes; torrents of hair like molten honey, eyes as green as young mallorn leaves."

"Freckles and boney elbows and pointy chin." Legolas laughed.

"Blind!" the twins exclaimed.

"This was a wonderful idea." Arwen sighed, tilting her head back to wet her hair.

"Did I not tell you?" Anaríel laughed, floating on her back, her shift streaming out in the current.

"Yes, for once I'll concede you were--." Arwen froze with a gasp, submerging herself until only her head bobbed above the water's surface.

"Relax." Anaríel whispered. "It is just our brothers. They have been spying on us for some time now thinking how clever they are."

Arwen casually swam over to Anaríel. "So, what are we going to do about it?"

"Why call their bluff of course." With a swift movement, Anaríel rose up, sweeping a wave of water over the bank and into a clump of bushes at its edge. Immediately the bushes erupted into cries of dismay and out emerged three dripping ellyn.

"Well," Anaríel laughed, "you might as well join us. I daresay you couldn't get any wetter."

Arwen tried to cover her look of alarm as Legolas quickly kicked off his boots and stripped off his drenched tunic and shirt, Elladan and Elrohir swiftly following suit. Within moments, the glade filled with shrieks and laughter.

Slowly the sun made its trek across the afternoon sky until all that remained were long shafts of light shining between the tree trunks.

"Ugh, that is enough for me." Anaríel laughed holding one hand up out of the water and studying the tip of one finger. "I am puckered as a raisin."

"But never was a raisin ever so sweet." Elladan rose up behind her purring into her ear. His breath was unexpectedly warm against her wet skin and Anaríel spun abruptly, dowsing the ellon.

"Have a care not to drown my brother." Arwen called from the bank where she stood wringing out the skirts of her shift. "Naneth and Ada would be most displeased."

Anaríel laughed, pulling herself out of the river. Legolas held out a large towel for her that had been warming in the sun. She gratefully stepped into it, letting Legolas enfold her in its warmth.

"You always stay in far longer than is wise." He chided rubbing her arms briskly before leading her to where the others already sat in the sun. They spoke and teased one another in the comfortable manner that had developed amongst them over the passing months, but Anaríel shivered inexplicably as time and again Elladan's gaze fell upon her.

Slowly she grew unsettled as a fluttery sensation invaded her stomach as if she had swallowed a butterfly. She stared in fascination all around her, seeing things in the new way she had started perceiving her world for the last few months now, as if seeing through new eyes. How lovely and clear Arwen's skin was. How dark Elladan's eyes. How broad shouldered were the twins. How a droplet of water made its slow path down Legolas' tan chest—a chest that seemed broader and stronger than the summer past. How the sun glinted off the pale gold of his hair newly plaited in the warrior's braids he was so proud to have earned the previous spring. How--.

Suddenly her breath hitched as she realized Arwen had asked her a question.

"Aní, what do you think?"

"Think? Think about what?"

"About true love." stated Arwen again patiently.

Legolas laughed casting the elleth a concerned look. "Have you not been listening tithen Lalaith?"

Anaríel swatted an imaginary gnat from in front of her face. "Forgive me, I wandered into a dream—I must be tired from all the swimming. True love you say. I have not given it much thought I suppose."

Arwen laughed, "Well, since you were not paying attention we will have to give you another go. Elladan here thinks true love might feel like a bolt of lightening from out of the blue, whilst Elrohir thinks it will feel more like one has swallowed a fistful of worms—we shan't comment on that further. I myself think it may come over one as a great stillness—an awakening. Perhaps like an awareness of one's own doom."

Elladan rolled his eyes. "Not too unlike Tinuviel?"

"Perhaps," Arwen replied softly.

"What of you Legolas?" spoke Elrohir, breaking the silence that had fallen.

Legolas thought for a long moment, idly reaching up to pluck a piece of grass from the braid Anaríel was plaiting. "I think true love, when it comes, will come quietly, softly, perchance even imperceptibly until one moment you feel as if a puzzle piece of your soul that had been missing has just been fit back into place."

"I think I rather like Legolas' love the best out of all yours." Anaríel replied rising to her feet. "Come, it is getting late and I am hungry. Race you back!" With a light punch to Legolas' shoulder she sped off, the others in swift pursuit.

The stables were cool after the heat and commotion of the Great Hall and redolent with the comforting scent of horse and hay. Anaríel quickly put out the sole torch, wishing only to wrap herself in darkness. She did not know what had come over her. Maybe she had swallowed something she ought not to have in the river during one of her many dunkings.

The butterfly was back and it was fluttering about her stomach as never before. She barely touched her dinner, and the more Legolas plied her with morsels from his own plate, the worse she felt until she fled the table pleading a headache. Lord Elrond was swift to offer a tisane but she waved him off as she made a less than graceful exit amidst the alarmed looks of her family and curious glances of their guests.

She rested her back against the cool wall and closed her eyes, letting the air fan her flushed cheeks. A shadow passed before the moonlight shining through the window across from her.

"My Lady, are you well?"

Anaríel blinked in the darkness trying to discern the intruder's features. She dropped her hands from her face, easing away from the wall. "Yes, I am fine thank you."

"You were quite flushed in the Hall." Anaríel started as a cool touch brushed her cheek. "Be easy bein nín, it is but I—Elladan."

Before she knew what was happening, warm lips captured her own. Surprised, she took a stumbling step backward, fetching up sharply against the wall. As of its own accord her right fist swung and whalloped the tall ellon in the eye. Elladan went down tumbling backward over a bale of hay.

"By the Valar I've killed him!" Anaríel cried. "Oh look what I've done now!" Quickly she knelt beside the fallen Elf who much to her infinite relief was already pulling himself into a sitting position with a moan; one hand cupped over his eye.

"By the Flame of Illuvatar Anaríel, why in blazes did you do that? It was just one kiss—I would never have hurt you."

Now that Anaríel realized Elladan would be fine, the shock began to wear off, anger and indignation swift on its heels.

"Why did I do that? Why did you—you?"

"Why did I kiss you?" Elladan chuckled. "Oh many reasons I suppose. Because I wondered if anyone had ever dared before, if I could actually get away with it—I now see it was no on both accounts. Mainly I guess because I simply wanted to. Has no one ever told you how beautiful you are?"

"No." Anaríel said flatly. "Hoydenish—yes, spindly—yes, freckle-faced—yes, yes, YES!"

"Well they are all wrong." Elladan said seriously. "You are very, very beautiful; right down to the last freckle."

Anaríel shook her head. "The Queen is beautiful, Arwen is beautiful, Lego--." She sputtered to a stop not knowing what possessed her to say that last bit.

Elladan chuckled kindly. "Legolas is indeed beautiful too, in his own way; as all the maidens of Lasgalen seem to concur. I wonder what Arwen thinks of the Prince? She has made no comment, but that does not mean she has not noticed. There is little the Evenstar misses." Elladen gingerly prodded his eye. "By the way, you have a wicked right hook. Where did you learn--?"

Anaríel cast him a withering look and they both said "Legolas" in unison. After a moment, the two laughed wryly. Anaríel held out her hand and hauled Elrond's son to his feet.

Elladan glanced at her sheepishly. "Look, Anaríel, please forgive me—I truly meant no harm."

The elleth cast a considering glance as they left the stables.

"On one condition,"

"Name it."

"Only if you swear you will never do that again."

"What; kiss you? No, sorry—I cannot promise you that; anything else but that."

"Elladan" Anaríel growled.

"Oh very well—but why not?"

A smile lit the elleth's face, "Why; because I love another of course."

"What is that you say?" Elladan wheeled on her. "Who is the churl; why I shall cut him down on the spot? I will tolerate no rivals. Who; who I say?"

Anaríel broke again into peals of the laughter for which the King had long ago nicknamed her. As they crossed the practice yard, she felt strangely giddy and reckless of a sudden.

"My beloved is Lord Glorfindel."

"Glorfindel? But, but Glorfindel is—old!"

"Nonetheless, The Balrog Slayer holds my heart, I will have him and no other."

Elladan shook his head ruefully. "Then our love is truly doomed and I must concede defeat."

"What happened to your eye?" Legolas asked Elladan the next morning as they saddled their mounts.

"Tis nothing, I came out here last night to get some fresh air and walked head on into some foolishness."

Legolas laughed, shaking his head. "And does this pretty little slip of foolishness have a name?"

"Aye, None-Of-Your-Business."

"Funny name that." Legolas quipped stooping over a hay bale to retrieve something lying on the floor, shining in a beam of sunlight--an enameled brooch in the shape of a mallorn leaf. Legolas stared at it puzzled, turning it over slowly in his hands. Elladan cursed under his breath.

"This belongs to Anaríel." The Prince's eyes flew to Elladan's blackened orb. The next thing he knew he threw Elladan over a bale of hay launching himself after him with neither care nor heed for his own hide.

Elladan threw up his hands to hold the enraged Prince off. "Peace--Legolas—peace. Nothing happened. I swear to you!"

"How can you say nothing happened? I thought you were my friend!"

"I am your friend you fool—and I told you nothing happened. I made a mistake—all right. I stole a kiss and paid the price. Anaríel has a right hook to be reckoned with, by the way. She said you taught her that—is that true?"

Legolas prepared for another go at the older ellon. "Anaríel is my sister you—!"

"No Legolas! No, she is not—there is no blood shared between you. Be furious with me for being brave or fool hardy enough to try what you would not dare if you will. But do not hold me to blame for it."

Legolas stared at Elladan speechlessly.

"I made a mistake my friend, one I whole heartedly regret now. One I swear on my adar's name I will never repeat. Let us just leave it at that shall we."

Legolas rose in one swift motion and nodded curtly. Turning he stormed from the stables feeling shaken to the core and not having the slightest clue why.

elleth/ellyth (pl.): female elf

ellon/ellyn (pl.): male elf

mellon nín: my friend

adar: father

bein nín: my beauty