A/N: So, thank you to those of you who added this work to their favourite list and to those of you who followed. I even saw familiar names there. :) Actually, the response is larger than I thought it would be, so this author is not only very pleased, but downright excited.

Thank you for reading and please don't be shy with letting me know what you think.


The serenity of Lady Arwen was a balm. Even in the most trying of circumstances, the lady displayed decorum and demureness, as well she should. Luinwen had always admired Lady Arwen for her unparalleled tranquillity and she had, quite shamefully, envied that same peacefulness as an elfling. Lady Arwen seemed content. The composure affected her too.

Luinwen allowed herself to be rocked gently by her mare's gait. The placid creature had been the soul of benevolence, keeping her pace steady and smooth. A rather old specimen, she hadn't been all too pleased when she found out about the long journey, but all things considered, she'd performed exemplary.

"We shall make camp soon," Lindir told her, as he rode closer towards the rear of the column. He fell into pace with her, a curious look upon his face. "I have heard you wish to remain at court as well. Rumours, you know."

"Rumours, my lord, are the affair of the idle," Luinwen answered, a small smile on her own lips. "But, this once, the rumours are not false. I have opted to join the court," Luinwen confirmed. "We shall see much of each other, I presume."

Lindir laughed. "I shall follow you like a shadow, mistress. Wherever you and Lady Arwen go, I shan't be but three steps behind."

"Shall you bear us company for the whole duration of our stay?" The question felt natural enough upon her lips. Luinwen was aware that Lady Arwen would not be left with just her, but she could not help but feel a tad displeased. The court of her husband ought to present enough security.

"Nay, 'tis only until Lady Arwen had found her feet." Conversationally, he added his own question. "And you, mistress Luinwen, how long shall you stay?"

Luinwen shrugged. "Until I am no longer needed." There was bound to come a day when the lady would have no need of Luinwen's services.

"And after? Whence shall you go?" His interest roused in Luinwen a sort of curiosity. Lindir was a glib sort, he could charm the scales off a dragon if he put his mind to it. Why he should suddenly show such an interest in her person, Luinwen could not tell.

"Wherever the wind scatters me," she answered nonetheless.

They fell into a companionable silence, riding close together. The path was a wide streak ahead of them, grey and ever-flowing, no end in sight. She could gallop, Luinwen thought, she could gallop forever, to the ends of Arda. She could see all that had been created. A smile, full and wide, bloomed upon her lips at such a notion. If only she could. If only adventure suited her thus.

But nay, Luinwen knew herself better. For all her silence and avoidance of others, she did not wish to be lonely. It was best to remain where she was. It was the path her heart wished for, no matter the cries of her mind. Perhaps after she was no longer needed, the wind might scatter her on a grand adventure.

From the high crowns of the tress a white blossom fell onto her cloaked shoulder. Luinwen glanced at it for a moment, then towards Lindir. "You ought not to play such tricks. I could retaliate."

"You were lost in thought," he said, as if that explained his behaviour.

The sound of hooves beating against the earth broke through the air of intimacy that had engulfed Luinwen and Lindir. With a sharp turn of her head, Luinwen saw a flash of golden tresses and a white horse approaching them. She recognised Lord Glorfindel. If her greeting was half-hearted at best, Lindir felt infinitely more comfortable in the presence of the other elf.

Thus Luinwen was flanked by the two elf-lords. But she could have just as well been a thousand miles away for all the notice they took of her. Still, the conversation took an interesting turn. It was clear that the two were well acquainted with one another and not at all shy about japing and quipping. For her part, Luinwen was well pleased to listen and admire the elf that had just joined them.

Dreams of earlier years flittered through her mind. She sorted through them carefully, steeling her heart against such wistful thinking. There were many things that she could do, but just as many that she couldn't. Luinwen was aware and conscious of that and all its implications.

Still, as a young elleth, on the cusp of full bloom, she had been enamoured with the golden lord. Glorfindel had been one of the many reasons which had made her stay in Rivendell enjoyable in the absence of her father. She used to watch him herd the twins, Lord Elrond's sons, out of trouble and she would laugh, feeling joy upon seeing their pleased faces. While she hadn't exactly been lurking in the shadows, Luinwen had taken great care not to be noticed. Her love for the ellon had been a pure thing in her early days. She had admired him greatly for his elegance and flair, but as she grew the affection morphed into something that she could not comprehend.

So she had broken out of her habit of watching him come and go. She no longer went to the gates to see him arrive, nor did she search for him with longing eyes. Her limitations she knew very well and Luinwen would not permit herself to be caught in an embarrassing situation. And while distance hadn't worked to dampen her ardour, it had made of it a manageable thing, giving her the control she desired over it. Her mouth could not be trusted to open in his presence, for it might let slip a most insensible confession.

Even as they rode together, she was the one sitting quietly between the two males as they hurled words back and forth over her head. It was amusing in a certain sort of way. Yet at the same time, it cast a bit of a shadow upon her.

"You are awfully quiet, mistress," Lindir finally said, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder.

"Merely woolgathering," Luinwen replied in a small voice, perfectly aware of Glorfindel's gaze resting on her face.

"What beasts we are," Glorfindel joined in, "we have a fair elleth between us and you keep me busy with insulting your skills with a sword. Do forgive us." The jest was well made, Luinwen had to give them that.

Her appreciation manifested itself in a smile. "Forsooth, 'tis of no consequence, my lords." They shared a look at her words, which Luinwen could only interpret as confusion. She let is slide, however, for it passed as soon as it had arrived. Perhaps it had been her own mind. "Ah, we are stopping to make camp."

Her observation had been correct. Most of the party dismounted and small fires were built. Those who were to keep watch prepared themselves, though night had not yet fallen. There was still a glimmer of light that could be seen shifting through the trees. Luinwen wished she might see the setting sun. It was bound to be such a beautiful sight.

Climbing down from her own mare, Luinwen tethered her with the other horses. Lady Arwen was joined by her close kin. Luinwen would not intrude upon such precious hours. She instead chose to sit by Erestor, where she knew she would be welcome. There was no need to converse with Erestor as he was caught up with his own companion. Luinwen could see to braiding her hair and preparing herself for a good night's rest.

Some of her travel companions climbed trees, making themselves comfortable between the thick branches. Others neared the small fires. Soon enough the meadow broke in song, a soothing murmur, a pleasant melody. It was an old ballad. Luinwen listened enraptures even as she retreated near the strong roots on an ancient tree. Sitting against the hard bark, Luinwen searched for the desired comfort which she found mere moments later.

Her eyes happened upon Glorfindel as he sat surrounded by his kindred and a pang of desire settled low inside of her. How odd the intensity of the feeling was. She had avoided his presence to the best of her abilities so that she might not be claimed by the flutters of her heart – and it had worked most days, as the worries of each hour kept her busy – but a few moments in his company and she was reduced to a simpering witless dolt. Valar be good, but she could not help her reaction. Luinwen understood well enough the nature of her longing, nonetheless, she tried very hard to suppress it. The ellon simply did not see her thus and it would be terrible to be approached by him when he felt nothing for her.

It was not uncommon for elves to take lovers to bed down with so that they might assuage the need of their bodies. Yet it was not compulsory either. So long as the two parties were in agreement, no one would bat an eyelash at what went on behind closed doors. Luinwen had not chosen any of the elves in Rivendell for a lover. There had only ever been Glorfindel to wake in her the embers of desire. She hadn't had the inclination, nor the skill to approach another ellon for gratification and, what was more, she did not think a romp would satisfy her when her heart longed for something durable. Luinwen tore her gaze away from Glorfindel at a long last.

When the sole light was given by fire and most of the company had quietened and fallen asleep, Luinwen wrapped her cloak tighter about her and placed her head on a pile of foliage and moss, with the express intention of falling asleep herself. Luck, however, was not on her side. A poor sleeper in the best of circumstances, Luinwen found that the day's exhaustion would not be enough to send her into the world of dreams. For some time she tossed and turned, fitful, unable to find her place. The flickering of the fire and the noise of the wood distracting her and putting in her mind all sorts of strange thoughts.

Memories swirled and galloped inside of her head. Luinwen closed her eyes against them, but they would not leave her be. She tried emptying her mind of everything but it worked only for a few short moments. Her mind was never idle for long. There seemed to always be a matter to contemplate. Luinwen sighed and turned her back to the fire. Soon enough even the flow of her thoughts was slowed, enough for her to fall into a sort of lethargic state. In the end she fell asleep with the sweet melody of the wind ringing in her ears, pushing her further up the road, away to a faraway land.

She woke with the sun, bright and early, to a southern wind beating wildly through the leaves. Luinwen stretched her limbs and searched for the water skin she had taken with her. She washed her face then searched through her satchel. The lembas bread she had carefully packed for the journey was swathed in broad leaves which Luinwen unwrapped gently.

Stepping towards the larger group, she, once again, placed herself on Erestor's side. Yet it seemed she was to endure a trial of sorts, for on the other side of her kin sat none other than Lindir and Glorfindel. Luinwen blushed, perhaps foolishly, but she passed the water skin to Erestor's hands when he eyed it. She chewed on her lembas bread, swallowing small mouthfuls.

"How much longer do we journey?" she asked, when there was a lull in the conversation.

"No long now, mistress, a couple of days longer. If that," Glorfindel replied. "Weary, are you?" He raised the skin to his mouth and drank deep, swallowing the clear water in gulps. "I know this water."

Luinwen had no choice but to smile. "The nameless brook," she confirmed. Blue eyes regarded her with thinly veiled interest and she lowered her gaze. Such scrutiny was foreign to her and she could not figure out its meaning.

Nor did she have time to ponder the matter. The horn sounded out, a signal that it was time to break camp. Luinwen gathered what remained of her lembas and took the water skin from Glorfindel's outstretched had with a murmur of gratitude. She the found her mare and untied her, rubbing soothing circles on her corded throat muscles. She led the creature to the line that had started forming, at the same time searching her bag for mint leaves.

Erestor aided her to recapture her seat on the mare's back. "I must ride forefront for the day. Shall you be fine on your own?"

"Have no fear, my lord. I shall be fine," Luinwen assured him with a small smile on her face.

Forth they road for the next couple of days, passing through plains and fields, the sun shining, or the moon. They ate and sang and drank; they made merry in preparation for the merriment that was to come. Luinwen celebrated the new age too. She followed her brethren. And ever so slowly she felt the injury within her soul lessen its sting and mending. She was still far from the happiness of early days, but it was better.

During the evening of the second day, they saw one proud tower of white marble rising to greet them. A shout of joy reverberated through the riding party. Luinwen breathed in relief as the last two days they had ridden slower, but without stopping for more than a short break every now and again. But soon there would be rest for weary bones.

Leaning in slightly, Luinwen whispered in her mare's ear, "You see, there is Minas Anor with its White Tree." To think only that she would see the beauty of Nimlot the Fair reborn. Luinwen's heart beat with pleasure at the notion and gay laughter made its way to her lips. How wonderful, how truly blessed by the Valar she felt. "Elbereth, but my heart shall burst."

"So much joy," Lindir spoke from behind her, catching her attention. "One would think 'tis you, mistress, who marches towards her bliss and not our fair lady."

"It is bliss," Luinwen insisted. "Though of a different sort. The Lady Arwen meets her destiny and I meet mine, Lindir."

He nodded his head in a placid manner. "Shall we race?" he asked suddenly, urging his horse on faster.

A mad thought dashed through Luinwen's mind. She looked at her mare. "What do you think, my friend? Shall we put my lord Lindir in his place?" The mare nickered softly and hurried her pace.

Understanding well enough, Luinwen dug her heels into the mare's flanks in a gentle gesture and the trot became a gallop. Lindir rushed after her, his horse cantering. A few other elves joined the race. Luinwen, who had dashed forward, looked back to see her main opponent gaining on her. She turned to the mare and pleaded with her to go faster still. It felt like flying. Her cape and her braid were blown back by the wind and her mare ran and ran. They were nearing the head of the column and she saw Erestor turn to look at her.

Greeting him with a wave of her hand, Luinwen almost laughed at the surprised look on his face. From behind her approached Lindir, Glorfindel close on his heels. Luinwen knew she would not win the race. Her mare was already slowing down. Yet that had not been the point. No truly. Lindir rode past her, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. Luinwen was just about to pull on her mare's reins when a hand gripped her wrist.

She looked towards the owner, only to find it was Glorfindel. "If he wins now, there will be no peace for us for the next millennium. Ride with me."

"But your horse, my lord–" Luinwen tried to protest. Surely it would not do to burden the creature unduly.

Still, Glorfindel would not let her be. She allowed him to pull her from her mare's back. The transfer was no hardship. She wound her arms around Glorfindel's waist and felt the horse take flight as it were. Joy thrummed through her, playing on the cords of her heart a sweet melody. Who knew that the friendly competition between elves would allow her such a moment.

It would not be fair to say that Luinwen won. In truth she won nothing. It was Glorfindel who sped past Lindir, reaching Lord Elrond at the head of the party. But by the end of it, she was breathing hard with equal parts exhilaration and exertion.

"That is not fair," Lindir complained, when he reached them mere moments later.

"There were no specific rules against it," Glorfindel disagreed. "We won."

Luinwen's breath caught it her throat at those words. It could not have been intentional, or rather it could not have the meaning she attributed to it, but her heart swelled at being attached to the ellon. She feared, though, that lingering would not be advised. Thus, she broke between the bickering elves with a plea to be put down so she may reach her own horse.

Thankfully, her mare had continued the way forward, albeit at a slower pace than before. Once she was safely deposited into her rightful place, Lord Elrond beckoned her closer. "We are nearing the city. 'Tis time to be of use to your lady."

With a bow of her head, Luinwen joined Lady Arwen as the party made one last stop. In the shade of a tree, she combed the Evenstar's dark tresses and arranged the coronet on her head as the other ellith swarmed around them with words of praise and encouragement.

"My lady, it is time," Luinwen finally said, done with her work.

"It is time," Lady Arwen agreed, taking in her hand the white banner of her house.