From that moment of which my father had alerted us as to our impending guests, time felt like an age to pass. All about me, in the few days that followed, men and maidens rushed to and dro, preparing the city for Greenwood's imminent arrival. While I was permitted to continue my shifts as Warden and Galadhrim as was my duty, my father took great pleasure, I felt, in politely telling me that my past times should wait and I should help in the preparations, 'as was my duty as Lady'. Though I was happy to oblige my father's request and went about my new tasks with warmth and appropriate enthusiasm, and though the party were due in a little less that two days, I could not help but long the for training grounds, or for Alrohar's smooth saddle, or even a quiet moment in the woods among the trees, with nothing but a song for company. In my longing for something else, I felt left far behind from the hustle and bustle of my people.

But for the moment, I followed my father's word willingly and with a smile, and so I had found myself in the kitchens. The art of food, like academics, was not an art that I had the good fortune to possess; I was known to incinerate food, rather than cook it, and my hands had the faded burns to prove it. Instead I had been placed at the end of the assembly line, wrapping honey cakes delicately in ivy leaves; a simple task that allowed my to listen to the conversation of my fellows as we worked.

"I hear the prince is the most handsome elven lord in all Middle Earth!" Faelwen exclaimed.

"Which one?" Sanya asked. "The crown prince? One of his sons? And what of the king himself?!" I joined in the light laughter among us all; there were too many princes of Greenwood to tell!

"Lady Arunríel, you have been lucky enough to see the Greenwood lords, what say you?" Faelwen turned to me.

I smiled. "The little princes were but elflings when I was there and the king himself was not in residence. But Thranduil? I can say that the crown prince certainly lives up to this reputation! Though I might agree, Sanya, I have heard the royal lords of Greenwood must be of the most handsomest of blood, if there faces are a judge."

There was more rippling laughter, this time of an excited girlish nature, at the prospect of such men coming to the city so soon.

"Well, I don't believe it," Alassë said staunchly as she lightly dusted the honey cakes. "There are many men of handsome faces within our own borders, and what of Lord Elrond of Rivendell? I have looked upon his face and there are few with such a smile."

"Aye, but the Lord Elrond has eyes for only one," Faelwen replied, and she glanced at me, our eyes exchanging a knowning grin. I smiled and looked back to my work. The handsome lord Elrond had indeed eyes for only one elf maiden; since he had first looked upon my sister he had been besotted and, from the quiet words he had spoken to me, I knew it was but a matter of time before a proposal.

"Which is why my attention is focussed upon the lords of Greenwood!" Faelwen added, and all laughed.

"And the prince Legolas, they say he is the greatest warrior of our kind!" Bellethiel went on.

"Archer!" I interrupted. "The greatest archer of our time. I have seen his footwork, and unless it has much improved, the same certainly cannot be said for his swordplay!"

"And our lady would know," Sanya grinned.

"Well, I'm sure our lady can teach him a thing or two, don't you think, Arnuríel?" Bellethiel laughed.

"If the prince wishes to practise sword play then perhaps," I agreed, smiling, as I wrapped the last honey cake, "but I may have to concede in an archery contest."

"Lady Arnuríel!"

I glanced up as my fellow maidens laughed at my words, as I fell silent. It was Nieríel, the head of the kitchens. I liked Nieríel, she as a kind woman who had often given me treats as an elfling, but her kitchens were her child and she could be a formidable woman when she wished. I was always a little nervous when I assisted in the kitchens, in worry that my work did not please her.

Nieríel came to my side and examined the baskets filled with neatly wrapped honey cakes that sat in front of me, and after an agonising moment, smiled and nodded.

"Perhaps we may make a cook of you yet, my lady," she told me, and I laughed.

"Are you sure of such a thing?" I replied.

"Well, perhaps not, but this is good work," Nieríel replied. She eyed me for a moment. "Maybe not enough to become a cook in my kitchens, but certainly enough for a few hours off."

I cocked my head at her. "What do you mean?"

Nieríel smiled. "I have seen how hard you have worked these past days for our guests. You were meant to spend the day here, but we can spare you for a few hours. Though I would advise that you leave the city, lest your father find out and reprimand me!"

I took Nieríel's good advice, hurrying first to my chambers only to change from my flour-dusted dress. As I always seemed to, Celebrían lounged upon her chaise in our joint chamber, her fingers deftly stitching closed a hole in a silken gown.

"Have you been thrown from the kitchens already?" she asked lightly. "You lasted longer than I thought."

I eyed her for a moment, before I threw one of my slippers at her. My aim was true, only a swift gasp and sharp duck saved my sister from a slipper to her face, and she grinned.

"And what of you, Rían?" I asked, calling back as I disappeared into my own chambers to change. "I thought you had been assigned to the stables this afternoon?"

"You truly thought I would undertake the task of mucking out the stables?" Celebrían laughed sharply. "Do you not know me at all, sister? Lona was asked to darn these but of course she, like you, would rather spend it in the stables so we swapped tasks."

I laughed slipped my wide necked hooded white coat-like gown up onto the edge of my shoulder and laced up the front deftly, before unplaiting the long loose plait at my back and pulling my hood up on to the crown of my head. Taking up my book, I returned to my sister. "That does sound more like you, I have to say."

Celebrían glanced up at me. "And what of you? Why do you leave the kitchens so early?"

"Nieríel has relieved me of my tasks for a few hours. I'm going into the woods for a while, I will be glad of some peace and silence."

"It isn't silence if you're singing," Celebrían smiled. She knew me too well.

"In our woods, song is part of the woods' silence, you know that," I replied with a laugh, as I headed for the doorway.

"Don't come back too late!" Celebrían called after me, and I smiled as I disappeared through the door.

I had to force myself to walk softly and calmly through the city, too excited was I to find some peace in my own company. I chose to head East out of the city, by the quieter road, rather than West, and as I reached the city borders, I heard the dancing of hooves before I saw the stallion.

Alrohar cantered to my side, and circled about me with an exhilarated nicker. I laughed, dropping my book in surprise, as he snatched at my hood, pulling it backwards.

"Alright!" I smiled, catching Alrohar's muzzle in my hands and gently stroking the soft velvet of his nose. "Alright… come on, then." I repulled the hood over my hair and picked up my book from ground, before swinging up on to Alrohar's broad back, and nudged him about with my heels, pushing him forwards into a steady canter, out of the city and into the trees. A white ghost lady riding bareback upon a grey ghost horse.

"I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone, the dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow…"

I hummed the soft lullaby of my childhood to myself, as I read my book, one finger slowly tracing each line, my eyes following each sentence, slowly taking in the words. The longer I took, the longer I could stay.

I had found myself a tall mallorn tree, and swung myself into the heavy boughs, just below the canopy of leaves my back against the trunk. My long sleeves hung from elbows, trailing down past the bough upon which I sat. I was perfectly comfortable in my perch, from where I could see all the surrounding woods.

I heard a nicker, and glanced down from my book to see Alrohar prance from behind a tree and look up at me expectantly. I laughed and finished the verse for him, calling the song down to him. "Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long, I am the force that in springtime will grow!"

Alrohar nodded his head happily before dropping it to graze softly at the thin blades of grass. I smiled fondly before looking back to my book. It was an old book, one I had pulled from my mother's library many moons before, one that contained the fullest version of my most beloved tale, the one I read at this moment; the tale of Beren and Luthien Tinuviel. It was a tragic tale, but there was such a power of love behind it, I could never help but be enthralled by it. That a man would undertake such an impossible task for the one he loved and that she in turn would give her life to be with him when he fell.

My sister and I were highborn. Ladies of great blood, descended from the High King Finarfin. I knew that my father hoped for great futures for Celebrían and I, and as such, great marriages. He had struck lucky with my sister. Celebrían, though a rebel in much of her life, was open to an arranged marriage if it came to it. Our father had hoped for a match between Elrond and one of his daughters, and so it seemed imminent, so besotted was Elrond with Celebrían. And though Rían had never likened herself as much as a romantic, I knew the feelings she in turn held deep within her heart for Elrond.

I, on the other hand, had determind ideas about love. I followed each and every one of my father's orders in the hope that one day, I might choose my own path in that one aspect of my life. Luthein defied all her father's wishes so she might wed that man she loved and I knew no bravery greater… I wanted the love she had, and I was still waiting for it… Surely, one day, I would find the man I was meant to be with…

"I am the voice of the past that will always be, filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields, I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace, bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal…"

A sudden and anxious whinney drew my attention sharply from my reverie, and my book, and I glanced up in surprise, with a frown, though I continued to sing as I searched for Alrohar down below me. "I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain, I am the voice of your hunger and pain, I am the voice that always is calling you, I am the voice…"

And suddenly, my song faded as I sat up straight.

There were riders coming through the trees. An escort of guards, riding on either side of two elves upon great grey stallions. A troupe of elves came behind them, on foot. In total, I guessed, perhaps two score of elves. The two banners they rode with were identical, and I recognized them instantly. The banner of Greenwood.

"I am the voice of the past that will always be…" I finished my song softly, my voice ringing gently through the trees like a bird's tune. "I am the voice of your hunger and pain…"

Alrohar was circling the base of my tree, waiting for me to come down to him, unsure of these new people. I glanced back at the approaching party, peering around my hood. I wanted one look at the crown prince, just to be sure.

There was no mistaking the king's son, Thranduil, riding proudly at the head of his elves, the leafy circlet adorning his straight blonde hair. I stole a quick glance at the elf by his side, not long come into manhood. The prince Legolas.

"I am the voice of the future, I am the voice, I am the voice…"

And in a moment, Legolas looked up into the trees and his blue eyes caught my own. For a split second, I held his gaze, taking in his young handsome face, his eyes wide and… almost enchanted?

The whole troupe had seen me now, those walking behind pointing and murmuring, Thranduil himself frowning, but not in displeasure. More in confusion and interest.

It was time for me to return to the city.

Tucking my book away, I almost rolled sideways, pushing myself off the branch and falling to the ground, landing catlike in the soft earth. Alrohar pranced across to me and I stroked his muzzle gently to settle him as I finished the lullaby. "I am the voice, I am the voice…"

Gentled, I swung up onto his back and span him about, casting one look back at the king and his party before I nudged Alrohar back to the city.

"They are here!" I called out, the moment I was within the city borders, and all elves within the vicinity of my voice turned to me in surprised. I pushed Alrohar on, into the city centre, still calling the news. "The party are here!"

It suddenly occurred to me that neither the wardens nor the Galadhrim had picked up any trace of the party approaching; I would have to speak to Haldir later.

"My lady!"

And there he was. Haldir hurried through my people who were slowly gathering around me, murmuring in confusion and surprise. I swung down from Alrohar as he approached to my side. "My lady Arnuríel, what is it?!"

"The king's son is here, his party barely a half away," I said in a rush. "Coming in on the Eastern road, perhaps two score of elves. The king's son, the young prince, their guard and their people."

"But they are not yet due for two days!" Haldir frowned.

I shrugged. "I know, but I also know what it is that I saw. I stayed long enough to ensure that my eyes told me the truth. I saw Thranduil, and his son Legolas too. They are here, and we must be ready."

Haldir swallowed for a moment, his surprise swiftly covered as he assumed his role as captain. "We will be ready. I shall ensure the guard are waiting to greet them, and the people. You go and alert the Lord and Lady…" he paused and gave me a small smile. "And change." I followed his eyes down my gown, and regarded the dirtied hem of my skirt and sleeves, dusted brown with earth.

"Captain," I nodded, and I turned and hurried through the crowds, parting for me as I rushed as elegantly as possible to the great mellorn and hurried up the stairs.

I found my parents seated in their own chambers, my father reading from a great volume, my mother staring from a window over her golden city.

"My lord, my lady," I gasped, a little out of breath.

"Arnuríel, tinu," my father said slowly, not looking up from his volume. "Steady yourself."

I swallowed and pulled down my hood, shaking my hair back. "Ada, naneth. The king's son and the young prince are here."

At this, my father looked up swiftly with a frown. "They are not yet due to two days-"

"They were lucky on the road," my mother said softly. "Their journey was easily made."

"Haldir is preparing the city as we speak," I went on. "They come in on the Eastern road, not thirty minutes away from our gates."

"Very well," Celeborn nodded, and rose from his seat. "Go, tinu, and prepare yourself, and your sister. We will meet them in the city centre, among our people."

I nodded, and left them alone together, hurrying back to my own chambers.

There I found Celebrían, precisely where she had been when I had left her. The only difference was that now the pile of darning had shrunk into nothing, the pile of finished darning sitting high beside her.

"If I have to darn another dress in next moon's cycle, I shall scream," Celebrían said to me, as I hurried in. "What are you in such a hurry ab-"

"The party from Greenwood have come," I interrupted, disappearing into my chamber. I swiftly began to unlace my dress. As I turned to my dressing chamber, I saw that Celebrían had followed me in, her expression shocked as I shrugged my dress from my shoulders.

"But they are not due for-"

"Two days, yes," I nodded, reaching into my wardrobe to pull out my royal gown. "But despite that, they are here, and so if I were you, I would change!"

Celebrían's eyes widened, and I laughed as she suddenly disappeared from my chamber and into her own, curtains flying as she went. Instead, I pulled my own gown over my head and stepped to my mirror to adjust it. Like most of my gowns, the round neck was wide, sitting on the edge of my shoulders. It clung to my upper body, before meeting the golden mantle at my waist and falling from my hips, touching my toes in front, and the train trailing behind me. Like the gown, the sleeves clung to my upper arms and then fell in sweeping silks, the longest hem reaching my feet. I swiftly pulled a comb through my slightly touseled hair, arranging it as swiftly as I could before I picked up my circlet. The crown of golden flowers, each set with a white stone, nestled perfectly among my blonde locks, cool against the skin of my forehead.

"Are you ready?"

Celebrían was suddenly at my shoulder, her gown a near match to mine, her golden and white crown depicting vines but sitting upon her head like mine. Two sisters, two ladies of Lorien. I smiled. We were both ready.

Another chapter for your indulgement :) Song is 'The Voice' by Celtic Woman!

xxx