So, Christmas is right around the corner
and I was finally able to push through my writer's block.
What does eveyone want for Christmas?
I'd be happy with a lot of chocolate or to actually be off on a holiday.
I worked all of Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
And I don't want to do it again.
Please review!

~ Rachel

A maid knocked on the door just then and announced that she had come to help the Lady Eärwen prepare for the feast. Father and daughter shared a look before Glorfindel left. Eärwen allowed the maid to brush and fashion her hair into a short braid decorated with small white flowers. Next, the maid brought forth the gown that had been made for the feast. Eärwen smiled at the beautiful creation that she slipped over her head with the help of the maid. Looking in the full length mirror as the maid tightened the back, Eärwen couldn't help but marvel at the design. The top of the dress was black and had no sleeves. Silver clasps gathered the straps in and caused a slight ruffle. The skirt, which was a royal blue, began just below her ribs and flowed gracefully to the floor with enough fabric to drag behind her. She moved the folds of the fabric and noticed the slit that ran up the front of the skirt and stopped just below her knees.

Taking in the white scars that marked her lower legs, Eärwen sighed and let the fabric fall back into place. She contemplated using a spell to hide the scars but decided against it. With a set of her shoulders, she decided to bear her scars with pride. She had not suffered hours upon hours of torture at the hand of Azog to be ashamed of the proof that she had come out victorious.

A knock sounded at the door and she spun to see Legolas being let in by the maid. He bowed once and said, "I was asked to escort you to the feast, my lady." Eärwen sent him a polite smile and took his proffered arm. The two walked in silence until the smells of food began to drift down the hall.

"That smells wonderful," Eärwen said as she inhaled deeply. She saw Legolas watching her out of the corner of his eye. She stopped abruptly and pulled him to a stop. She looked up into his shocked face and said, "You can ask me your questions, you know?"

Legolas looked into her unsettling silver eyes and sighed. He rubbed his face with his free had before saying, "My Adar would probably punish me for asking, but I was wanting to know which of the Valar you met."

Eärwen let her smile widen and laughed, "That wasn't so hard. I promise that I won't keel over if someone mentions my death. To answer your question, I met a few: Aulë, Mandos, Ulmo, and most of the others."

"How did you react to them?"

Eärwen chuckled and said, "At first, I was shocked and then they began to talk about how I had made a mistake and not followed the destiny that had been woven for me and I became angry. I even yelled at some of them. Ulmo seemed to think it was funny because he smirked quite a bit."

"You yelled at the Valar?" Legolas asked with no small amount of shock mixed with awe.

"Yeah," Eärwen said with a shrug, "I was already dead. What was the worse that could happen?"

They reached the banquet hall just then and the double doors were opened wide. An elf stood to the side and announced, "Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm and the Lady Eärwen of Rivendell, Slayer of Azog." People stood to greet them as they entered and many bowed to the couple as they walked to the table where King Thranduil sat. Upon reaching the king, Eärwen curtsied deeply and Thranduil nodded to her in recognition. She was then seated between Legolas who was on the king's right and her father.

Eärwen ate very little at the feast and soon tables were cleared away to make room for dancing. She sat quietly with her legs crossed at her knees revealing the many scars that littered the pale skin of her legs. She smirked slightly every time she caught someone staring at her. She watched contentedly until something unexpected happened. Thranduil stood and came to stand in front of her. He offered her his hand and asked, "Might I have the pleasure of this dance, Lady Eärwen?"

Eärwen could feel her mouth drop open in surprise and could merely nod at the king. Thranduil led her to the middle of the floor and turned to her. Eärwen placed a hand on his shoulder and had to stifle a gasp when his hand came to rest on the curve of her waist. They began the slower dance in silence, neither one speaking. They glided around the dance floor in perfect unison much to the admiration of those who stood watching the king and honored guest.

Glorfindel sat in his chair and watched his daughter. He smiled at the serene look on his daughter's face. She appeared to be perfectly at peace but he knew what was to come would not be easy for her. She was determined to do things her own way and he knew that no one would be able to convince her otherwise. His thoughts were interrupted when he watched Eärwen jerk away from the Elvenking clutching her head. Thranduil only had enough time to wrap his arms around her before she went limp and collapsed. Glorfindel was at her side within moments and reached for her. Thranduil's face showed shock and concern as he maneuvered Eärwen into her father's arms.

Glorfindel wasted no time in picking her up and carrying her to the fountain that stood just outside the hall. He set her on the edge of the fountain and dipped his hand into it. He placed his hand on her cheek and gently coaxed her to open her eyes. Eärwen's eyes fluttered but remained closed. By this time, a crowd had formed. Everyone seemed concerned about their guest. Glorfindel was about to try again when the strangest thing any of them had ever seen occured.

Water sprung from the fountain and began to hover over Eärwen's still form. As it slowly began to ease it's way along her skin, Glorfindel stepped away. The water seemed to caress her skin gently before sliding back into the fountain from where it came.

As the water receeded, Earwen's hair changed once again to her natural auburn color. Her eyes fluttered open and Glorfindel rushed forward to steady her. All around them, elves stared at the nymph.

Fear, that was what Eärwen saw in the eyes of the elves that were gathered around her. Uneasiness built up in her stomach as she processed the emotion. Never before had so much fear been directed solely at her. Her lungs seemed to grow tight and the feeling of claustrophobia began to set it.

Glorfindel, noticing his daughter's growing distress, took action. Gathering her into his arms, he pushed through the crowd and left the feast. He did not stop until he came to the banks of the river that ran through Thranduil's kingdom.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of," he said gently as he laid Eärwen on the bank. "Many fear that which they cannot explain. You have been blessed by Eru, my daughter. Do not let the petty fears and superstitions of the people bother you."

Eärwen nodded at her father's words but remained silent. A single tear slipped from her eye and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. The two sat in silence that neither dared to break before footsteps sounded the arrival of two elves.

Barathon and Tauriel seated themselves on either side of Eärwen and waited. Eärwen turned to each of them and they each gave her a nod. A small smile formed on her face and she said, "I believe I have overstayed my welcome. Would the two of you like to join me on my next adventure?"

Each elf gave her a brilliant smile and nod in response. They shared a few more moments of silence but it was broken by the clearing of someone's throat. All four heads spun to see Queen Erubadhriel standing behind them with a smile.

"I had wished for a little more time with you, Lady Eärwen," she said as she stepped forward. Elves followed after her and laid down some packs before retreating. "I took it upon myself to arrange for your things to be prepared in case you desired to leave tonight."

"That was very thoughtful of you, your highness," Eärwen said as she rose followed by the three elves who bowed to the queen. "I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the kindness that you have bestowed upon me."

"None of that, now," Erubadhriel chided as she waved off the comment. "I look at it as if Eru has blessed me with the chance to help you. I see great things in you, Eärwen, daughter of Glorfindel. I hope that we shall meet again."

Eärwen smiled and said, "That would be a pleasure, my lady."

Erubadhriel nodded and motioned to the three packs. "There is a pack here for each of you. Tauriel, I am sorry that we are losing your skills. My husband will not reconsider his punishment, but I wanted you to know that I stand by your decision to help the dwarves. It was the right path to take."

Tauriel inclined her head and thanked the queen. "Barathon," the queen continued as she turned to the ellon, "I have not known you for long, but your actions have spoken for you. You are very brave and I have no doubt that you will protect these two with all of your skills. Your mother and father should be incredibly proud of you."

"Thank you, my lady," Barathon mumbled as he ducked his head to hide his embarrassment.

With a nod, Erubadhriel turned on her heel and swept out of the room. Glorfindel turned to his daughter and pulled her into his embrace. "I am proud of you, daughter," he whispered into her hair. He tucked a strand of red hair behind her curved ear and placed a kiss on her forehead before turning and following the queen.

Eärwen turned to her two companions and smirked. "I fancy a trip to Erebor," she said as she shouldered her pack. "There's a certain king that I need to see."

The two elves glanced at each other with a smile. If the mischievious glint in Eärwen's eye was anythong to go by, they were in for quite the adventure.