Arwen's Diary
*This takes place a little while after Aragorn first met Arwen. Legolas is visiting Imladris for some reason.
"Legolas, we desperately need your help."
The wood elf started at a light touch on his shoulder and glared at the peredhel twins standing beside him. "Will you stop sneaking up on me like that?" he groaned.
"Oh, come now. Aren't you always telling us that a good warrior never lets his guard down? You had better start practicing what you preach, mellon," Elrohir said, playfully nudging him.
"Anyway, we are on an extremely dangerous mission, and your help will be greatly appreciated," Elladan chimed in.
"It can't be that dangerous, judging by your jovial mood, but I will help you. What is it?" Legolas asked.
Elladan sighed dramatically. "It's Aragorn. The foolish man has somehow gotten the notion that he does not deserve our sister, and that she loves him simply because she feels sorry for him. He says that he finds it hard to believe that an amazing elleth like Arwen can fall in love with a mere mortal like him, never mind that he is well acquainted with the story of Beren and Lúthien," he said.
"So we think that showing him what she has written about him in her diary will cheer him up and restore his confidence," the younger twin continued seamlessly.
"Are you saying that you want me to help steal Arwen's diary? You know that diaries are extremely personal, and that she will not approve of us reading it!" Legolas exclaimed.
"Now you understand!" Elrohir chirped, "Don't worry about what Arwen thinks. She once looked in 'Dan's diary and teased him endlessly about its contents-,"
"That was centuries ago, when she was little and didn't understand the importance of diaries," Legolas interjected.
"Anyway, our gwador needs help. We fear he will think so meanly of himself that he will reject Arwen, even though he loves her dearly. We don't want that to happen," the older twin said. His face became more serious at the thought.
Legolas threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine, I will help you. What will you have me do?" he asked.
"I will get the diary from Arwen's room while you and 'Dan keep watch in the hallway. If you see her or anyone else, distract them by challenging them to a casual sparring or archery match. Arwen has been asking us for a rematch ever since we defeated her on the shooting range last week, so I doubt she will turn down an opportunity to take revenge on us. Besides, Ada says he needs more exercise, and Glorfindel always accepts a challenge if the proposed time is reasonable, so that excuse will distract them them as well," Elrohir explained.
Legolas considered the plan and his intended role. "That sounds reasonable. Let us go!"
The wood elf and two half-elves silently made their way to Arwen's room, scanning the halls for any intruders as they went. "Good, she isn't in there right now. Wish me luck," Elrohir whispered as he disappeared into the room.
Elladan and Legolas split and went into opposite hallways to keep watch. All was silent, and a few minutes later, they heard the door to the room swing open again, indicating that the mission was successful. Suddenly, Legolas froze at the sound of light footsteps approaching him and turned to see Arwen walking to her room!
"Ah, there you are, Arwen! 'Ro and I have absolutely nothing to do this evening, so I think we can have that rematch you've been pestering us about," he heard Elladan exclaim.
"Wonderful! I have been practicing my aim, so do not think you can defeat me as easily this time," Arwen said cheerily.
"Oh, we shall see about that, dear sister. We shall see," the older twin retorted. Arwen blew a raspberry at him and continued to her room.
Legolas was ready to bolt from his outpost to stop her when he heard Elrohir whisper beside him, "It's alright. I have it."
"Thank goodness! We had better get out of here before she finds it missing," the wood elf said with relief.
The three conspirators fled outside to a garden, where Aragorn was relaxing under a tree, his long legs stretched out in front of him. "Hail, gwador! You have no reason to doubt Arwen's love for you any longer. We have proof!" Elrohir crowed, waving the diary about.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes. "Is that her diary?" he asked.
"Why, of course! We decided that the only way to set your fears to rest is to show you our sister's thoughts of you," Elladan said.
"I am not going to read it! Those are her private thoughts, and they are no one's business," Aragorn said firmly.
"If you mean to say that you fear she will catch us reading it, do not worry. Arwen will not find us, and her diary will be quickly returned to where it belongs. I promise," Legolas insisted.
"Please read it. We have risked much peril to fetch it, and it would be a shame if our efforts went to waste," Elladan whined, giving Aragorn his saddest puppy eyes.
"I think he is too much of a gentleman to do that. Oh well, we shall have to read it ourselves and leave him out of the fun," Elrohir sighed, flipping through the small book. "Oh, how sweet! 'Ro! Legolas! Look at this entry."
"Oh no," his twin groaned, but the two elves looked anyway. "Well, she is certainly right about that! Why can he not see that in himself, I wonder?" Legolas asked, throwing a glance in Aragorn's direction to see if he was listening.
"Too humble I suppose. My, that's an accurate description of him right there!" Elrohir laughed when Elladan turned to the next page.
"All right, you rapscallions, what are you chattering about?" Aragorn demanded as he stood up.
"See for yourself!" Elladan chortled, shoving the book toward him.
The man read the page and blushed deeply. "I am… flattered. That is very kind of her to say," he said.
"Because it is true, dear brother! You are much too modest for your own good," Elrohir said.
Suddenly, all four fell silent and listened, not daring to move a muscle. A sweet voice could be heard singing in the distance, and it was getting closer. "Arwen! Quick, hide! I'll deal with the book!" Legolas hissed. The twins sprinted off, and Aragorn hid behind a thick pillar in the nearby courtyard. The wood elf was about to scramble up a tree when he heard Arwen ask, "Why the rush, my friend?"
"Oh, ah, nothing. No rush at all," the flustered prince stammered, hiding the diary behind his back.
"No rush you say? What are you hiding?" the elleth asked, arching one eyebrow.
"Nothing of importance, I assure you. Why don't we- ah!" Legolas yelped as Arwen reached out swiftly and snatched the book from behind him.
"My diary! What are you doing with it?!" she gasped.
"It is not what it seems! I was trying-," Legolas began, but Arwen slapped him.
"You wicked ellon! Didn't your ada teach you to behave better than that?! I thought you were one for sense and manners, yet here I find you snooping in my private business!" she snapped.
"Saes, Arwen. I only wanted to-,"
"It's my fault! I doubted that you loved me for who I am, and 'Ro, 'Dan, and our friend here wanted to prove to me that you do!" Aragorn shouted, emerging from his hiding spot.
"'Ro and 'Dan are a part of this? I am not surprised," Arwen fumed.
"Arwen, please, do you really think I am quite the diplomat?" the man asked shyly.
The elleth stopped and thought a little. "Why, yes. I think you handle complicated disputes extremely well," she admitted.
"And do you think I am a compassionate healer?" Aragorn asked, encouraged by this.
"Of course! You are much better than my ridiculous brothers at times," Arwen said blushing deeply.
"Please Arwen, allow me to ask you one more question, and then I will leave you in peace. Do you truly think I am handsome?"
Arwen giggled and leaned her forehead against his chest. "Too handsome," she almost whispered.
Aragorn embraced her. "Then it is true! Please forgive me for doubting you… and for reading your diary," he said.
"You are forgiven, you silly dear," Arwen answered, smiling. She looked up and, without warning, pulled him into a kiss.
Legolas grinned at the amorous couple and crept away from them. It was best for him to make his escape right now while he had the chance. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Something heavy collided into him, and the next thing he knew, he was lying on the grass and staring up at a blushing and annoyed Aragorn.
"No you don't, Legolas Greenleaf! You have much to answer for," the man said smugly.
"Don't blame me! 'Ro and 'Dan started it all!" the elf retorted, squirming.
"Perhaps, but you promised me that we would not be caught! Now help me find those twins."
~~~~~~~~ Elvish terms: ~~~~~~~~
Peredhel – half-elven
Mellon – friend
Elleth – female elf
Gwador – brother in all but blood
Ada – father, dad
Ellon – male elf
Let me know if I missed any terms.
A. N. What do you think of my first fic? Everyone is a little OOC, but hopefully it's not too terrible. Anyway, please review! I would love to hear your thoughts (please be civil, thanks).
– Dream Plane