Chapter 4

Legolas was once again left bewitched and confused as he picked her bow up from the ground and brushed his fingers over the markings lightly. It was just like Arri, Special and different from all the others he had ever touched. He had not seen another elf with a white bow much less one that proclaimed her heritage. He ran his fingers along the carvings again wondering how she could make something so intricate and knew she had learned such a trait from him. It indeed took a good artistic eye and seemed to have taken a great deal of time by looks of her weapon. Elves were known for their fine craftsmanship and quality of their things but this was like nothing he had seen before.

"Such a fine weapon," Gandalf said from behind him and he came forward with his staff in hand much as one would use a walking stick.

"It is Arri's," he confessed quickly and offered the bow to his old friend to appease their curiosity.

Gandalf held his hand out to investigate it and as he turned it over in his hand he looked at Legolas, "Indeed." He had his pipe replaced to his mouth and took a puff. "What do you know of the heritage of men?"

"Only what Arargorn has spoken of and some from historical facts and findings," Legolas raised his head slightly wondering what he meant.

"This is fashioned in some ways as a man would," Gandalf sat on the bench Arri had occupied earlier. "Some of these markings," he stopped to point them out to him and took a deep breath. "Proclaiming the family are similar to a 'crest' in which tells which clan a man comes from."

Legolas nodded understanding that Arri knew more than he did of the men's heritage, "What of the material?" He was sure he had seen it before but could not remember where.

"Ivory," Gandalf sat back a bit and had to wonder where she would have gotten it. To kill a creature for it's tusks was not something that was done but this was something that could only be born of a few creatures and he was not sure this maiden could even kill a creature that big. "It is an extraordinary job and material hard to find." He returned the bow to Legolas knowing he would see Arri before he would.

Legolas turned it over in his hands looking at it harder, "symbols for Mirkwood are not a man trait." He pointed to the family writing hoping to prove the wise wizard wrong but knew he would merely explain.

"No that is elven and so is the writing as is the style of bow and workmanship," Gandalf sighed, "It seems she had mixed Elvish and human traits in her weapon, very unique."

"She is interested in the humans?" Legolas worried that she would show so many human characteristics. He had never heard the human lineage was that strong but her actions began to show traits. He was the only one for the crown of Mirkwood and he knew how his father would think of anybody with so many human habits.

"I believe it is more than that," Gandalf stood again. "She does have human kinsman somewhere in her lineage. Perhaps she explores it."

"She never spoke of it," Legolas shrugged forgetting her hair came from a distant human relative.

"I believe she explores it because it was hidden from her, Legolas," Gandalf restated "She seems not fully aware some of the things she does are human behaviors ." He slowly pulled out his pipe and began to tamp it lightly. " In time she will search for the humans and their dreams that haunt her," he took a deep breath as he light the pipe and tugged gently on it then he breathed out a perfect and simple ring. He sighed thinking of the easy but tedious task that lay ahead, "I can see a friend will accompany her on her journey."

"Who do you speak of?"

"You my dear lad," Gandalf smiled. "You may think that have you heart concealed from most but your intentions for Arri are shouted." He chuckled at Legolas's embarrassed look, " but some matters of the heart are a longer road than a search for family."

"I have known her forever but not at all," Legolas confessed. "I have just found and old friend from childhood and she is more than any one could ask for but so much is still new about her to me." He knew he held a pensive look because he cared not when it came to Gandalf. The old wizard knew and had always known what people would not admit or were afraid to admit.

"I have seen many suitors but she seems never to have noticed them," he chuckled blowing smoke from his pope and as he did it produced a large right and then another a bit smaller with a breath of his laughter, then another a bit smaller and so on until they almost looked like a cloudy tunnel. He touches his should as he pulled himself to his full height once again, "I believe she has only one person that has touched her." He touched Legolas's shoulder reassuringly.

"Why is it you know so much of Arri," Legolas rubbed his jaw in wonder.

"Just as I knew of Aragorn, Frodo, Bilbo, Sam or even Gimli," Gandalf chuckled. "I pay attention." He pulled his staff directly in front of him and looked down his nose at the elf. Usually he had not had to explain such things to Legolas but as far as elves went he was still young and as far as matters of the heart, he was still new. He cast his gaze to the cclouds as they flew by a little faster then he smiled to him a little. Then he turned to an opening in the brush as Legolas followed his stare, "There are still legends to be made and spoken of." He gestured to where he had led Legolas. A small hearth was going with Sam and Frodo telling the tale of their hobbit's travel as Bilbo and others were a captive audience.

Legolas shook his head and moved to hear the tale of the ring's demise, "Why must everyone speak in riddles?" He turned to hear Gandalf's answer but he was gone and Legolas listened to part of the tale Sam and Frodo told with such a passion now until he felt the familiar ache of hunger. Before they could spot him he silently disappeared to do some hunting since he missed lunch.

Eosin had been fishing alone then noticed quite an odd sight but soon smiled seeing the mess Arri was with spatters of flour and colors across her face and in her hair. He noticed she carried a small wooden box from the cooking area with a proud look. He pulled his pole from the water only to wind it quickly and caugth up to her side.

"Colorful," Eosin smiled as he caught up to her easily. He held out his fishing pole in attempt of invitation, "you might not scare the fish if you want to wash up."

Arri was in a good mood and his smile was contagious. She returned his smile with a nod, "I will meet you back here once I put this away."

Eosin eyed the box she held curiously but she offered no words on but he did not want to pry. He pointed to the calm water, "I shall meet you there."

She smiled and ran off to deliver her box brushing past people who stared at her and she was sure of what they were thinking, 'such and odd Arri,' but she didn't care this moment.

Eosin was delighted to see her back so quickly but intrigued to see she had brought her own pole. He watched her wade into the water with him fascinated and with piqued interest but could not ignore the pounding in his chest as she came near. "I had not thought you would fish," he said hoping to hide his flustered nature around her.

She hung her head down, "Father taught me." She took a deep breath and tossed her line into the water.

Eosin moved closer, "would you like to talk?" He could feel something weighed on her mind.

She shook her head sadly and looked away. Eosin's heart sank to see her upset but certainly the only times the last couple of days he had seen her smile was around Legolas. "How is Legolas?" He cleared his throat uncomfortably but silently prayed he was wrong.

She blushed slightly, "fine but we have not really spoken much."

Eosin steeled himself and drew the courage as placed his hand on her arm and she looked to him expectantly, "do you not see it, Arri?"

She stared at him wondering what he meant until she saw him close the space between them and ran his free hand through her hair. He leaned to kiss her but Arri pulled from him so quickly she fell back into the water. When she emerged from the water she began to laugh hoping he would lose his aim for her. She took his offered hand and he pulled her to his feet so quickly she thudded against his body.

"I do not have even a chance?" Eosin said dismally as he kept their close proximity. He did not let her go but held her softly as he brushed his lips to hers. "Arri," was all he could say after doing what he had wanted to do for so long.

She smiled back at him pulling away but touched his face gently, "Eosin." She sighed shaking her head as she searched for her pole with her eyes.

"I am but a sibling to you?" He feared it in his heart and now he wanted to be sure. He watched each gesture and motion and weighed it slowly.

She looked at him with a pitiful look he could almost not bear and let her take his hand and she stepped closer, "We have shared much but I we can not share that."

He sighed as she gave him a small kiss on the cheek and he sat on the dry land with a heavy heart. "I understand." He looked at the water now rather than meet her face.

She followed him and sat next to him with her pole in hand. "I am sorry."

"Does your heart belong Legolas?" He managed a smile at her knowingly.

"Legolas and I hardly know each other anymore," she sighed and turned her face so he could not find more in her eyes.

"Your souls have not touched?" Nothing she did was lost on him and he continued to watch her with great interest.

She blushed violently, "that is between us."

"We used to speak of such matters," he looked forlorn again. "Has so much changed with the Prince of Mirkwood?"

"No," she said quickly taking his hand kindly. "I have so much ahead with father's death that it shall take precious time." She sighed and she knew he understood.

Eosin sighed, "I hope you are not angry but I had to know Arri," he gestured to where he had kissed her. "Now, I pray for your happiness."

Arri looked to the water, "Eosin, I do love you but I am not IN love with you." She stood and pointed her toe in the water making small circles. She seemed to let her thoughts go with each circle that she made in the water and she could feel Eosin watching her

"I shall always love you," Eosin said in breath of a voice which caught her attention and as she moved to comfort him he stood with a small huff. "You shall always carry part of my heart, Arri."

"Eosin," she said stepping to him with a worried voice.

He sighed and tossed his line back into the water, "Does one ever fall all the way out of love?"

She shook her head and her wet curls danced lightly, "No, but you find love again." She sighed. "It will not always feel like this, each time it is different from the others but just as strong. Next time will make this love pale by comparison."

Eosin turned to her understanding and surprised, "You have been through this too?"

She nodded quietly and he stood there wondering who and if she carried his heart as he would hers, "I can understand our souls did not touch but I wish to remain as close as we were."

"It was never a question," she said quickly and hugged him, "had I a brother, I would want him to be like you, Eosin." She squinted her nose thinking of their kiss had been like kissing her brother as he released her.

Eosin laughed heartily, "Perhaps you should wash the colors off." He pointed to the baking splatters that still adorned her hair and face and hair.

She chuckled placing her pole on the dry land and ran into the water fully clothed. Eosin watched her with a groan wondering what people would think seeing Arri returning with him wet. He tossed his pole next to hers and pulled his shirt of following Arri and into the water. He was glad to be in her life at all but it would indeed take some time to quench any feelings of desire for her .When she came up sputtering and laugh from the water, he smiled too.

Aragorn spotted Legolas alone once again making his way nimbly following a rabbit through the woods. He watched him draw his bow after something else and change his direction once more. He cleared his throat loudly so that Legolas looked to him. Legolas lowered his bow and walked slowly to his friend.

"What troubles you," Aragorn said worried about his friend.

"A shadow of a threat," he sighed.

"How so?"

Legolas shook his head unsure of what it was he felt, "I need to change."

"Yes, I hear your father will be joining us tonight," Aragorn smiled but Legolas's grit teeth showed him he wasn't very happy to see his father tonight. "You do not wish to see him?"

"It is Arri," he sighed making way up the stairs to his room as Aragorn followed him. "She feels he will not approve of her."

"Is she correct?"

"I can not be certain yet," legolas shook his head as if to clear it.

"Matter of souls, hearts and heritage are quite different things."

"Heart?" Aragorn chuckled, "You my friend, you are in love."

Legolas looked up the stairs hoping to avoid further embarrassment but turned to Aragorn with a crocked smile, "I care for her."

"Forgive me if I am wrong," Aragorn said quickly.

"Time shall tell," Legolas still worried about the unspoken threat he felt.

Aragorn sighed as Legolas opened his door to return his bow, "I would like to help what troubles you my friend."

Legolas did not hear him but he did see a small wooden box on his table and cocked his head in wonder. Aragorn stood in the doorway curious if he would need to speak further.

Legolas opened the box to find something he could not identify and looked to Aragorn, "I believe it is food," the sour and sweet smells floated from the box and he looked at it strangely as Aragorn stared at him.

Aragorn sighed, "it would seem you have a woman suitor?"

Legolas looked at the note on the table written in Elven and began to read it inquiringly, "Arri left this."

Aragorn became mystified, "I did not know she knew human's customs."

"What?" Legolas questioned quickly. He looked up at Aragorn as if he had touched a delicate topic

Aragorn picked up the confection in his hand slightly and balancing it carefully holding it to Legolas, "women cook this for their families and for their 'men'." He couldn't resist teasing the frowning Prince a little.

"A man's delicacy?" He looked at it doubtfully but sure if his father saw this there would be a confrontation over Arri.

"Where did she learn this?" Aragorn crossed his arms as Legolas held the food carefully and turned it over in his hands letting the powder from it fall upon his hands and floor. Aragorn laughed at his precautious nature, "It is meant to be eaten."

Legolas turned his head at him not sure of this foreign thing and bit into it catching the falling parts of it as he did. He was surprised to find it was very good but couldn't identify and ingredient in it except for the flour. He heard Aragorn chuckling as he ate so he swallowed the bite quickly, "What value is it to the body?"

"My friend you shall not find a nutritional value in this," Aragorn smiled.

Legolas looked at it with a traitorous stare, "What is the purpose?"

"Pleasure, it's a dessert," Aragorn was almost absorbed in laughter by the curious elf.

"Pleasure? As your pipe?" Legolas put the remainder in the box but as he did he saw the carvings in the bottom of the box.

Aragorn stepped closer to see the what perplexed him and saw the elven symbol for the number nine next to a bow, "she must respect the fellowship and your role in it." He sighed deeply, "Such a curious maiden."

"Why?" Legolas said as he put the box on the stand by his bed and place his bow away.

"She sent her message in elven but left you a human made food," Aragorn looked at the box as if it would speak and remembered he had only seen this with royalty, "I thought only nobility was given it."

Legolas hung his head understanding a bit more, "she worries of my title."

"Sending man made goods?" Aragorn sighed misunderstanding.

"She had human ties through her mother," Legolas muttered.

"Indeed," boomed a voice from behind them and they both turned to see Legolas's father standing in the door.

King Thranduil stood taller than Legolas or Aragorn and his elvish robes fell around hit tall frame gracefully. Upon his head he wore a crown made of rare woods from trees only from Mirkwood. It was easy to see where Legolas had inherited his handsome looks and grace looking at the older elf. Each motion Thranduil made or each step had a purpose and no movement seem to be wasted. As a man or woman might toss a hand casually shrug or stammer was lost to this elf as he stood there not expending energy on meaningless effort. He moved like a cat with purpose and eloquence worthy of any king. HIs hair blew slightly as he stood in the threshold but it did not entwine in his crown or push into his vision, instead it seemed frame his face for a moment. Most were quite used to Thranduil's nature and that being it was hard just to get his attention much less impress this woodland king. He looked down his nose at the duo and it was evident he had heard them talking. He stepped in hardly moving his eyes to cknowledge Aragorn's presence and looked at his son as if to reprimand him.

Aragorn bowed cordially and Legolas rushed to his father's side much the same way a loyal dog might.

The elder elf walked to the table and picked up the box and opened it and his face showed his great distaste at the looks of the pastry, "a man's food?" His voice boomed. "Something to ruin your body?" He held the sugar covered pastry in his hand as he held the box for examination and looked at the box and it's markings. "This elven human has a fine hand, Legolas." He handed his son the box with a shove. "Although the gift is human." Then he turned his head as if to deny he even saw the unholy food.

Legolas stood straighter ready to defend himself, "Yes, but made by an elf."

Aragorn tried to stand in front of the note but it was spotted as Legolas's father retrieved it. "Arri?" Thranduil sighed looking at his son and knew that she hed been of his home, and why. He had forgotten she lived in Rivendell now and Arri was a hard subject. Even Thranduil could not deny the elf but she was not who he prefered with Legolas. "Yes, her family is elven but not entirely." His mind began to race through her linage when he mentioned it

"Are you saying she is not immortal?" Aragorn inquired.

"Her living family members are but her fate is yet to be decided."

Legolas stepped forward, "her father perished in Helm's Deep and she is under pretense he was the last of her family." He hoped he didn't sound as worried as he felt or as curious but he knew by his father's glance he had.

"She chose exile," his father lowered his brow challengingly.

Legolas held his father's stare but his father kept the upper hand in the conversation, "Why is it she left this?"

Aragorn cleared his throat, "If you will excuse me, I will leave the Prince to freshen up after his hunt." In truth he was happy to be out of the line of fire between the father and son. Some things were simply a family matter.

Legolas and his father stayed stale mate as they bowed their heads to acknowledge his departure.

"Is this serious?" He asked his son as he pointed to the wooden box and his refusal to refer to Arri or the relationship with any tear of endearment. He was a prince and despite Arri's upbringing she was not entirely elven.

Legolas was left to dismiss his father's notions, "she is but mourning her father."

"When I return to Mirkwood, you shall accompany me," He ordered in a boom of a voice that commanded many an elf and showed he was serious so there should be no question.

Legolas almost laughed, "Arri will be returning to Mirkwood as well."

Thranduil shook his head and narrowed his eyes then turned sharply on his heel leaving his son to stare at the box he still held. Legolas shut the door and held at the box minus the confection and ran his hand over the symbols. It was nicely done and unlike the food it spoke her name in many ways. He would have to speak to his father and try to reason with him after he cleaned up but he thought it would be better to alert Arri of his father's arrival. He put the box away and began moving quickly to change so he could find her. Finally alone, he made no secret of the smile he had at the thought of her and wore the smile happily.