Chapter 8

As the shade of evening deepened slowly Legolas sat outside of the room they had ushered him too and stared numbly ahead at the beauty of his home. He looked down to the ring he wore, the one she had kept on her thumb. He touched it lovingly for he could not touch Arri at that moment. A hand fell upon his and he raised his eyes up to see an female elf who smiled down at him and he was certain his surprise was evident as he watched her.

He took the elf in, she had the same hair Arri had with curls spilling down her back but it was a chestnut like Arwen's and there was no mistaking the twinkle in her eye was the same as Arri's yet this elf's were bright and Keen. Looking young nor old she only had one thing that told of her age, her eyes. They bore into him showing she was no youngling and truly they held a stare that reminded him of Elrond Galadriel or Gandalf, holding an ancient wisdom he had yet to achieve. Her graceful stride and demeanor reminded him of Arri with very subtle gestures and even the haunting sidelong glance she gave him, even then her eye shone at him as Arri's. All too caught up in this lady he found moved quickly before he could stop her and disappeared behind the sanctity of the door. Wondering of the resemblance to Arri as well as the mannerism

He stood slowly looking at the hateful door blocking his vision as if staring hard enough he would be able to see passed it. Great deal of questions came to mind all at once and did nothing to soothe his worried brow. Wondering who she was and why he had not known somebody who had resided in his own home place.

Aragorn and Arwen met him slowly and by the looks of them he knew they had just gotten there. His heart ached seeing his friends scratched and bruised much like Eosin and Arri, it was another reminder of what Arri and Eosin had been through.

"What happened?" Aragorn asked.

"Poison blades," he mumbled at the idea and looked again to the new adornment he hand on his hand which didn't get past Arwen.

She touched his hand lightly feeling the all too familiar ring she had seen on Arri's hand, "This is new," she smiled. Aragorn chuckled from his place next to her but he had known it would only be a matter of time before they had began to claim the other. Arwen's little smile grew wider, "this is where you were this morning."

Arwen's words drew the encounter to mind quickly, the beauty they had shared and he nodded sadly thinking of how happy they had been mere moments ago. He ached and he was sure the pain could show through his mask he wore for his friends. It hurt more when you had something to lose when you fought. He began to wonder if he had found Arri just to lose her.

"She will be fine," Arwen whispered.

"Where did the orcs come from?" Legolas asked them quickly. "We heard a winged creature just before they attacked."

"Eosin had said that too," Arwen said lowly, "An unnatural winged beast."

"He has seen this beast?" Legolas asked.

They both looked between another as the door opened and Gandalf looked to them, "Eosin is asking for you." He raised his hand gesturing to the darkened door and his fingers pressing it open lightly for them. They made their way in slowly letting eyes adjust to the soft lights of the candle from richly carved lanterns hanging up above. The lights shone to let them see Arri laying there with her eyes shut still and the odd female elf sat by her. She looked so peaceful despite the candlelight highlighting the bruising on her face.

Legolas craned his neck a bit until he could see no other scratches but more bruising where the sheet exposed, just below her neck. He felt a little relieved and more confident in her style of fighting, it meant orcs hardly touched her.

Eosin opened his gray eyes now and looked much more awake. The light seemed to make him glow and it was a wonder if it was a magical glow of valar or effect of the healing but either way he looked much stronger, better than expected. Carefully he sat up to see his friends approach he looked a little brighter at the sight of them. Eosin looked pointedly at them, "I am sorry."

"There is no need for apology," Aragorn also glanced to Arri. "We all did what we could."

The other female elf looked up and watched them with piqued interest. She gave them a friendly nod and even seemed a bit jovial for any elf but again those eyes held a wisdom that spoke for her before she could utter a word. They all noticed her chestnut hair had the same texture as Arri's as well as her eyes that looked more a rare oceanic stone than anything else. Yes, this lady held great beauty and they would be no fool to ignore the air of nobility she carried about her. Perhaps it was not intended but just her eyes seem to say she would deal with nothing petty or beneath her notice. Her elvish clothing reminiscent of the Lady Galadriel herself with a sparkle that seem to dance over the clothing and the elf's lithe body. Albeit, she hardly seemed to notice a thing beyond the injured until they demand notice by stepping in. It was then she let her eyes settle upon Legolas and bowed her head to him then brought fingers to her head in an ancient gesture that let her fingers seem to dance down in recognition of nobility.

Legolas cast a long held breath remembering his royal station and moved his hand to her. She stood with the a grace that seemed almost imposing but let him take her hand. "I am Legolas."

"I know you, young prince," her mouth upturn gently in a slight smile holding his hand as they both bow head. Then she notice the ring he wore. "Where is it that you have happened upon such a trinket?" She almost asked accusingly but looked back to Arri to see a more princely ring upon her finger now as it all made sense to her quickly. Yes, the ring upon her hand was from the prince but she had hardly seen the prince in longer than she could remember much less his adornments.

"How is it you know me but I do not know of you?" Legolas asked quickly trying to divert the attention from the rings.

Eosin spoke up, "She is Aine," he sighed. Legolas stared at him wondering again how Eosin knew so much being from Rivendell but Eosin's look was one of questions. He nodded his head unsure Legolas he heard him, "Lady Aine?" Then he looked to the lady who now seem amused at the lack of knowledge of her legacy. "You know nothing of..."

Suddenly Aine's voice overtook the conversation as if to command Eosin to stop, "I am Arri's grandmother," she looked at Eosin pointedly. Yes, it was clear she was in charge of the talk, "nothing else."

Gandalf sat in a quiet chair and began to puff thoughtfully on his pipe. "Aine would you care to enlighten them or shall I?" He sighed meeting her eye meaningfully. "Time is of the essence." He removed his pipe and began to tamp it down with expectations of a long talk. Then held it from the etched lanterns but too far to light it but as if commanded by the wizard the spark to his pipe. Suddenly the lantern and the pipe were both glowing much to Aine's amusement but the others watched as if to learn a new feat.

"When Arri can listen, then we shall openly speak of things that have been long hidden away" she nodded not wanting to exclude her but she looked at her pale blonder haired granddaughter and touched her hair lightly. "She is every bit the elf we had thought she would be." She took in her elven features and sighed happily.

Legolas looked at her realizing her grandmother had not see her before, "when will she wake? Was she hurt badly by the poison or the wound?"

Aine nodded, "the poison is deep." She looked to Eosin, "luckily Eosin was only grazed by the blade that touched him and is healing quickly." She moved to Eosin standing above him as he lay there and folded her hands together looking proudly down on him. "I release you from you promise," she looked back to Arri and took a deep breath "You have done much to protect her."

"It is no longer a promise, Aine," he looked to Arri. "or an obligation."

"It would seem the young prince had bound his soul to hers," Aine looked to Legolas slowly taking him in slowly and glancing to the ring he bore. It seemed she was trying to bring to mind there was more of want for Legolas now and he should have a say, "It would be up to him."

Gandalf sighed with a puff on his pipe and released the smoke as he spoke as a cloud of smoke formed slowly, "Eosin was sworn to protect Arri until it was known to her what her destiny holds."

Legolas looked between them quickly feeling his heart on a string for all to see, "Why?"

Aine seemed to sigh and found her sear next to Arri again and touched her brow with a cloth of pure white.

Aragorn nodded, "It is Arri isn't it? She is the one to bring peace to Loredell. She must be tied to the crown." He looked for an answer but to Arwen as if her approval to ask more, although he was certain he was right.

Legolas turned to his friend assuming this was outlandish but Gandalf nodded and took a deep breath looking to Aine expectantly. "Your want to include Arri is quite noble of you but this tale cannot wait, my lady..."

"I fell in love with a human male," she said almost sadly but looked at Arwen knowing of the turmoil she faced now with the same decision. "Never had he spoke his royal lineage only of affection for me so captive were our hearts that we never asked such things." She folded her hands in her lap looking to the ring still on her finger and felt saddened at his absence now. She was sure they could tell but she tried to keep her own heart hidden, "I Arri's mother was a peredhil." She looked at Arri as she lay there thinking of how much of her mother she saw in her grandchild, "Arri's father was elven and Livian had chosen to remain elven." She smiled at the thought of her daughter's choice to have each other forever after, "It seemed a great misfortune several years ago she fell," she took a deep breath to keep her emotion, "all too soon for any elf... Arri's father could not withstand the grief of this loss then brought Arri to Rivendell to keep her safe."

Legolas listened intently still mesmerized on how much like Arri she was. He had to wonder if people felt the same of him and his father, "Safe?"

"And by, without name...Nobody could find her. King Thranduil was asked to watch over her and had given her with the nickname Arri then when Mirkwood became to perilous she came to Elrond," she looked from face to face. "It was believed both elven lords looked after like their own child," She smiled thinking of how taken Thranduil had been with her. Indeed he had never been gifted with a daughter and to her to his heart like a father despite her human lineage. Then when she was passed to Elrond Aine was pleased to see he was as much a captive father to her. She wondered if they still felt the bond now, " it was consider best for her safety," she thought of the sacrifices made for her, "We hid from her to keep her anonymous, to keep her alive." She gave a little smile thinking of the past, "even your father kept her secret and kept her close soon after my husband and her mother's deaths. Had you ever thought as to why her father was welcome to your house? Why you had been asked to befriend an infant? Why she is quite different?" She knew by Legaolas' face she was correct each time. "The same as the courtesy would be given to any royalty," she looked at Arri knowing she had been denied a great deal especially the upbringing she would need. "Yes I believe any royalty with honor would gather help but we are also elf and this youngling was to be raised as a princess, " she nodded to Legolas, "with a prince... not to match you together as any beloved but to help her learn." She sat back putting her arms over the arms of the great carved seat, "Mannerisms habits and more that should come naturally to any royal family but she would need to know Elvish and those of men." She felt it was more a hardship than any honor that was bestowed on her grandchild but still right was right.

Gandalf sat intently and added in what seem to leave out, "Your husband was King Loreth's father, Arri needs to take her rightly place to bring peace to a kingdom."

Legolas's face dropped, "Kingdom? of men?" He looked around the room for somebody to help argue with him but all kept silent.

"There are reasons you can not be together," Eosin's voice boomed from his bed and and he seemed almost happy of that notion.

Legolas began to move to him meaningfully but it was Aragorn who stepped in between, "Arri will decide this." Was all the ranger said very quietly. He knew little could really stand in the way of love.

"Would the men listen to a woman for the crown?" Arwen wondered she had a bad feeling where this crown was concerned. "but an elf." She had heard of this Loredell's hate for elven kind.

Through all her years Aine had been silent and watching but never without helping. Now was the time of her kin to make a difference. She knew it was not the same as the fellowship but still it would create peace among elves and men once again. Aine met their eyes with emotions mixed of wonder, sadness and pride, "She is showing more human characteristics. Eosin has told me what she had done. I have to wonder how much of my grandchild is human and elf," She held the bow Arri had made, the one that seemed combined as Arri herself.

Gandalf nodded, "but is she a peredhil should be able to choose between Man and elves?" He had to admit she was an enigma and he had not seen anything like this. "If her stronger lineage is man?" He wondered aloud.

"She might be forced to choose?" Arwen was all too familiar with the peril.

Legolas rubbed his jaw in thought as this puzzle fell together. Why his father had asked him to accompany her in many ways and teach her, he wanted her to behave of a royal home. Why he had never denied him her hand, she was an elf with a royal title. Why she was unlike most elves, she was not entirely elven. She was just Arri to him and he didn't care what they needed to do to be one, they had touched beyond what he could explain.

Eosin shook his head and drew his robe around him making his way out of the room feeling they needed to speak of things he would not be invited. He was a simple guard and not of lineage compared to the rest.

Gandalf watched him curiously but knew he would not go far and looked to Aine, "I fear for her safety now."

"They will kill her as they did her mother," Aine said softly, "she must be made wise."

Legolas sat and looked at his hands, once again he saw Arri's ring. Thoughts began to float through his mind. He was the Prince of Mirkwood and she was in succession for a crown for men, how would it be possible to share a life ?

Gandalf exhaled loudly still holding his lit pipe and stood guiding Aragorn and Arwen to the door, "Preparations for departure should start."

Aine stood quickly, "I shall not be left behind." She looked at them meaningfully. "I can provide proof for Arri as well." She touched Legolas's shoulder lightly, "I trust she will be fine with you for a time." A gentle smile covered her face as she moved with the other to the door.

He nodded and stood next to Arri as he waited for the door to shut. He reached under the cover and found her hand as he sat. Human, the word rang through his mind. She could only be a fourth human but how could they both hold crowns and be together? He hadn't realized he had let a sigh until Arri's eyes opened. His heart skipped, "Arri?" He whispered.

She found him by his voice and smiled, "Was it all a dream?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Dream?" He wasn't quite sure what she meant.

"Aine and talk of a human crown and orcs?" She looked at her hand hoping what had transpired between them hadn't been a dream and exhaled seeing her ring on his hand.

"How do you know of Aine?" He stared at her curiously.

"I listened," she looked around the room a little. "I can never explain it." She shrugged at him,"It is my sleeping, I still hear things but can not always respond."

"Then you know what is expected?" He watched her carefully and worriedly. She looked better but not as strong and he worried about the wound.

She sat up feeling stronger looking into his eyes, "Yes," she felt him pull the cover up again when she didn't notice they fell exposing her slightly.

He looked to the floor not sure what to say and truly felt as if his heart and head were spinning. Everything was happening so fast for them and he was sure she felt the same way.

She touched his hand letting her fingers explore his fingers with a feathery touch that almost felt electric. "You have my heart," she whispered but the simple gesture had him smiling in awe at her.

"Do I?," he said suddenly with a sigh. Their fingers touched gently and she captured him so easily. Then he thought again, had she? No, she was with him in his heart since they were young and his youthful stubbornness just denied what he needed now, her. "Arri it is a crown, many beds from mine."

"A crown yes," she smiled. "To restore peace, not to take."

He cocked his head, "you mean to give it up?" He was beside himself happy at the thought of her staying here with him but could he ask that of her? "Can you be sure, Arri."

"I am sure I will find a way," she pulled him closer to her by the hand she still caressed until she brought him closer to her. She touched his face with the tips of her fingers and he pulled her into a hug until she squealed a little at the pressure against her wound. He pulled back, "Are you all right?" He tossed her cover aside to see her wound and blushed slightly before he looked as he pulled away, "I did not mean to be so bold."

She let the cover fall and turned for him to inspect it, "You are familiar with me." She said softly feeling she would have nothing to hide with him.

Legolas looked at her back and saw the gash that was covered with a bandage and he moved it lightly wondering if he should do something more for her. He felt her wince at his touch, "I would not hurt you." He felt her sigh and her muscles ease slowly.

"I know."

He removed could see it was still a bit red and she would need time to recover and he knew it would leave a scar, "It will be a mark."

She turned to face him as he pulled the cover back up, "as long as you do not mind." He shook his head, "Legolas, I only want you."

He eased her back slowly, "and I you." He kissed her head as she settled against the bed with. "We will discover a way to be together." He promised her, "I shall be with you through out this."

She kept his hand wondering how any female could be so lucky. She watched his gaze and became lost in his blue eyes as he moved closer to her. She felt his breath on her as he bent to her ear. His breath tickled her ear as he spoke, "there is only you my love." She felt her heart race with excitement at his proclamation. She felt his thumb brush away her unshed tear from her eye and she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him to her until his lips touched hers. She sighed feeling stronger than she knew she could because of Legolas so near but she also felt tired and pulled away from their tiny kiss as she exhaled lightly.

He squeezed her hand sensing her fatigue, "you are tired." He sat back into his chair but then stood, "I should leave you to rest."

She grabbed his hand with her eyes wide, "no, please stay." She felt her eyes shutting as he sat down but they flickered open again focusing on him, "Please tell me of Aine."

He chuckled lightly, "she is like you." He thought of the older elve's demeanor, "She has the same spirit but she reminds me of the elder elves. You can see she knows more than she would say and she reminds me a great deal of Galadriel or Elrond." He touched her face hoping he could coax her eyes shut so she would sleep and he spoke softer, "her hair is as yours too." He hoped his words would draw sleep but the door opened as Eosin came in with Aine.

Arri's eyes opened quickly as Eosin and Aine moved to her bedside. Eosin gave her a wide smile proudly. "We can not keep her down." Eosin touched Arri's other hand and moved so Aine could finally 'meet' Arri.

Arri's eyes opened wider, "Aine?" The older elve's eyes twinkled and she inclined her head at her as she sat on the other side of Legolas. Arri touched Aine's hair and marveled at it so much like her own, "you are mother's mother?" Aine nodded, "they killed her didn't they?" Aine nodded again.

Legolas was taken back as if he had walked into the middle of a conversation, "who?"

"Men," Aine said simply sitting back. "I suppose your sleep is like your mother's was."

Aine folded her hands settling down slowly, "you heard us as you slept?" Arri nodded and Aine felt as if she had Livian to raise again, "you are very much like your mother."

"Why would men do such a thing?" Legolas wondered.

"Greed," Aine frowned, "over the crown."

"They killed Aine's husband as well." Eosin was angry at the memory.

Aine held a hand up to silence him, "men are still a mystery, prince Legolas." She sighed at the topic too dear to many hearts, "Eosin, please." She turned her head slightly and looked at him with hope, "Loreth wanted the crown and killing his own father was of little consequence to him to get it," Aine looked saddened at the thought.

"You would send Arri to make peace among murders?" Legolas was a little outraged at the idea of her going to deals with men much less ones with so little morals. His thoughts even turned to go to his father to stop this she was a princess and elf and he was sure she would fall to their protection.

"She must bring peace to them," Gandalf's voiced boomed as he entered with Thranduil, "She must bring them hope." Gandalf stood now with staff in hand instead of his pipe but Thranduil watched Arri and Legolas very carefully. To the few close to him might even say it was worry that plagued him but nobody was brave enough to draw it out.

Legolas looked to Gandalf not sure what to say to the wise man and he was not sure if he had read his very thoughts.

Arri sighed hearing everyone but her decide her fate, "I will do it." She was not one to tell Gandalf no.

Legolas turned to her quickly that his hair brushed Eosin, "Arri, it is lunacy." He looked to the others, "they are murderers." Verily, her quick answer to go unto such a task wretched his heart as it had when a very young hobbit had agreed to take the ring to Mordor. He wondered if she was as Brave as Frodo and perhaps that is why she was so curious to meet him, they shared a similar fate.

"All creatures deserve redemption," Thranduil sighed feeling for his son. His worse fear had come true seeing his son's attachment to Arri. He watched his foster daughter and none could deny her beauty of strength or her iron will. Truly he was proud of her and all she could achieve but his son's fate being tied to that crown drew his ire slowly. Yes, the wood elve's king wanted peace but not at the expense of his son. He wished he could do more and his mind fumbled to find an idea to lessen the burden of the two especially noting the rings they bore.

"To bring hope," Gandalf drawled, "could make a difference." He thought of the fellowship yet again and what it accomplished compared he was sure this was but a simple feat.

Aine kept silent knowing what they wanted. They wanted the men to see that Arri was willing to put her life on the line for peace of men and elves and being born of men and elves might make a difference to them but as Legolas she held no high hopes for men who killed her husband and daughter. To sit back and watch was not in Aine's nature and where her family was concerned she would see this destiny to unfold if it meant her life.

"It will be fine," Arri looked to Legolas, "I do not fear them."

"Very well," Gandalf exhaled waiting for another argument. "We depart this evening."

Aine looked to among then hoping to be alone with her grandchild, "if we might have some time?"

All stood quickly and Legolas squeezed Arri's hand before he left happy she had Aine and knowing they needed to know one another. After the others left he lingered slightly and leaned down to kiss her Arri's head very gently. Arri smiled as he looked back slightly and he gave her a small grin in return instead she pulled him to her with a playful tug until their lips met again. She winced when her injury stung from it but her beloved was well worth it. Legolas felt her move away and he touched her face with almost an embarrassed smile but their new love would take time to get use to. As he moved away they still touched hands until his footfalls no longer allowed the touch. He bowed to Aine and disappeared into the waning light.

Aine chuckled, "Legolas? He is the prince of Mirkwood," She eyed her granddaughter as Arri blushed lightly but looked like a balloon about to burst.

"Royalty? It can be a hard life, as you will learn." Aine said in a rather strict tone to set the mood for a lesson.

Arri looked at her grandmother not as a person to listen to about a human crown but as a person she had missed all her life, "I would rather know about you."

"Time enough for that," Aine smiled, "You have had no royal training." She sighed thinking of any kind but she would also need to know the royalty of men. "Legolas is trained and might be of assistance too."

Arri nodded feeling a pressure of a crown upon her head she was not even wearing but still it seemed to sink her heart to the floor. If it was her duty to do something then she wouldn't let the humans kill another over this but she did not want to leave Legolas. She sighed as Aine began to tell her of manners of men and tried to pay attention as the feel of Legolas' kiss could still be felt.