Chapter 9

There was something disconcerting to Legolas having to stand beside Eosin knowing he felt about Arri. Rather he peered upon the beauty of Mirkwood with an exhale observing the moonlight and it broke through the darkened trees in shards that burst to the ground softly. To the Legolas it almost seemed if he kept his stare long enough he would see Amon Lanc and the ancient secrets he now felt denied upon meeting Aine. Joy filled his very being to be home and to bask in the beauty and friend but he news he would be leaving right away made it all bittersweet.

"This is her fate, Legolas," Eosin said quickly as if trying to read the prince's mind but he seemed to take great comfort in his friend's misery. "You can not and may not change it."

Legolas looked at him angrily knowing Eosin's feelings for her and all but growled his words at him, "Shall I leave the lady I pledge myself alone when her future is but a veil?."

Eosin chuckled, "Did you not hear them? You can not forgo your own crown." He raised an eyebrow, "If it is her safety that worries you, then I may stay and protect her."

"Aine released you from your obligation, Eosin," Legolas crossed his arms and stared at him solidly.

"No, your highness," Eosin made sure to remind him of his title. "I shall see this through."

Legolas saw Gandalf moving to them and his eyes held silent questions for the old wizard but the one that haunted him, 'why her?'

Gandalf chuckled as if he had heard their argument thinking of young love, "She will do fine."

"I have no question of that," Legolas tilted his head at him.

"If she had been another maiden would you fight it?"

Legolas faltered and looked away from Gandalf's eye. He knew Gandalf was right and another woman female would have had his escort by now.

Gandalf looked upon him with tired old eyes. Eyes that understood a young man's heart and felt for his elven friend, "if she has your heart and to lose her would be to lose it as well." He looked about Mirkwood as he pulled him from Eosin's ear. "I know you will accompany her and nothing is certain, never despair until you must."

Legolas scoffed feeling a bit lost with choices, "More riddles?

"No," he gave him a smile smoothing his long beard then meeting his eye, "more hope." He pointed to Arri as she was now cloaked and drifting slowly from the room towards the dias.

Legolas felt his heart flip as he saw her pace slowing down in and she turned her head up slowly feeling the earliest rays of the morning basking against her skin. Now daybreak she seemed to feel better with the sun seemed as essential as air to her and it gingerly touched her light skin, it made her more radiant to him than he remembered. He felt Gandalf's stare on him and looked to Gandalf's eye, "Yes," Gandalf drawled, "I believe she is special." He heard Gandalf say in a lower tone now. "perhaps now you must have heart, Legolas."

Legolas gave a slight nod as Gandalf left seemed to vanish away, as he could at times, to leave without further discussion or argument. He felt the sun through the trees on his own face and suddenly it felt different to him now and so he felt she brought him a new sun. He forgot what a kiss a sunbeam could feel like as it warm his cheek and he looked to Arri who was moving slowly and happily talking to her grandmother.

Arri sat in the sunrise away from the bed she had grown weary of and from any pressures of royalty, titles or crowns. Again she sighed and thought of the beauty of Mirkwood, the colorful trees and the animals welcome by the elves communing peacefully with one another and how soon she would be pulled from it. The world of men would be so different from this, they had more crude things and not anything as peaceful. She respected some of the writing, art and gentler things but not their violence or other things her father had told her. Legolas was right it was lunacy but by blood she was bound to try, just as he was bound to be prince. She groaned feeling her wound tighten up again as itched her lightly but she had been told to itch meant to heal. Her mind raced thinking of a way for one of them to loosen ties so they could be together or surely one of hem would die of a broken heart. Such a quandry, so near yet so far.

Arwen sat down next to her, "We shall be leaving soon." She looked at Arri knowing she was responding well but would have to take care on the trip although she was sure Legolas and Eosin would keep an eye on her.

"Yes, my destiny," Arri mumbled in a hollow tone and leaning back. "Is ignorance bliss?" She bit her lip as she looked at her friend hoping for a pearl of wisdom.

"No, just ignorance," Arwen pressed her lips into a tight line trying to smile, "If you had known before you would have watched for the attack."

"If Legolas and I had known….." she trailed off knowing it would made them think more than twice.

"It did happen Arri," Arwen exhaled loudly, "It was meant to happen, that was clear when you both saw the other." She got a smile from Arri thinking of how enamored both had been to just place eyes on the other. "Arri, I feel it too."

Arri sighed a little relieved, "What is it?"

"Magic, a strong magic reaching for something," Arwen knew she was right.

"Those Orcs?" Arri felt ill. "Magic to kill me?"

"I will not leave you either Arri," She touched her hand and met her eye with the depth of a friendship not many would live to know, "Aragorn and I shall see you there peacefully."

"This is not your obligation... Arwen," Arri hugged her. Arri thought of the dangers Arwen could face along the way and how she would feel if something happened to her.

Arwen gave her a hearty grin, "after ringwraiths?" She shook her head as if to laugh it off.

Arri smiled back to her feeling very lucky indeed to have such people who cared about her and she realized that it was just that which made her happy. It was that why she feel she could see this through.

Legolas made his way to them but his eyes were set on Arri and they hardly moved off her, "you look stronger."

"The medicine works well," Arri watched his cautious eye and he seemed reluctant to hold her. She let her hand fall into his as they walked with Arwen but Legolas slowed the pace and Arwen took the hint with a glance back at them as she moved ahead. He stopped her to look at her and touched her face as him finger fell over her bruises and cuts he sighed, "the marks will diminish soon." She took his wandering hand in her own and held it to her lips. He moved his hand and let his lips brush hers hoping she was feeling up to this. She responded by pushing back until a spark started between them and let his hand caress the side of waist holding her as close to him. He pulled away gathering his sense, "You are still healing." He knew she was not ready to be swept away. She nodded but kept her eyes on his with a bittersweet look. Turning his head at her he gave a small smile and kissed her forehead.

She let her fingers probe his face as he looked into her eye but neither said a thing until she looked at her feet for a minute, "men die," she felt a tear well up in her eyes, "Perchance I am more mortal than I thought."

He was taken back at the horror of what she suggested, "Elves die too, Arri." He clutched her close understanding she was afraid the trip would be her demise. He embraced her as tightly as he dared to wanting to stop her pained thoughts.

"Elves are killed," she knew her tear fell as she looked into his eyes again. "I do not fear a death any longer." He squinted his eyes at her in a silent question. "As long as I had your eyes to look upon when the silent shadow takes me, I will know peace." She touched his hair as her other hand squeezed his.

He knew her worry, he felt it too but he knew Gandalf would be there and so would be Aragorn, "I understand but we shall not anything happen." He kissed her wishing he could kiss her doubts away.

She stood straighter, "I am not scared." She clarified. "My biggest fear was always death but your love lets me see that it pales by comparison."

His thoughts echoed, "mine is to lose what we have just found." He bent his head down to kiss her again.

A low 'ahem' caught their attention as they turned quickly to see Aragorn standing there with a small amused look, "I see to have caught you at a bad time." His playful nature was very welcome from the heavy feelings upcoming with each step from Mirkwood.

Legolas pulled Arri towards him as they moved to Aragorn little upset he had been caught off guard by his passions, again. "I shall attach something to you to make noise." He threatened lightly.

Aragorn chuckled as they all walked on he pointed to a nearby room, "that is a room my friend." He gestured grandly to the path they walked on, "this it outside, had you a door I would have knocked." He winked at Arri with laughter in his eyes.

Arri's eyes twinkled with amusement, "I shall have to discuss this with Arwen, outdoor activities."

Aragorn's eyebrow raised registering the shock that she had teased him back and chuckled, "well met."

Legolas kept a lopsided grin at their bantering as he noticed Aragorn led them to the horses to depart and they all traded a heavy sigh. Aragorn stopped and gestured to them in slight bow, "It will be an honor enlighten you of the formalities of men." He moved off quickly to his horse and the saw Arwen kiss him lightly.

Legolas met her eye and she looked at him frightened but not only for herself this time.

She saw Eosin and Arwen take to their horses as Gandalf made his way to the others.

Shouting at the gates told them somebody approached and Arri watched Legolas raise an eyebrow seeming to know who it was before it was announced. She tilted her own head in wonder to see the amused grin he held as he brought her forward. A small chuckle seemed caught in his throat as he moved to where he could know hear a loud voice. Legolas met her eye and kissed her quickly, "I would like you to meet somebody," he said quickly as she followed him but let her hand go to nimbly run off to meet this loud voice.

The gentle lady kept her in her gaze following him with her eyes so she did not lose him with feet unsure of his path as he deftly and quietly made his way to a small man arguing loudly with Thranduil's courtiers . "I am GIMLI, son of GLOIN," he huffed in a voice too deep for his small frame she slowed looking at the person that seemed more the shape of a stump than a man.

The elves beheld him with curious eyes and his gruff nature not sure what to make of him as he tried to approach further they drew their bows in perfect unison quickly and he stopped. "What is this?" Gimli grumbled he thought back to the fellowship remembering the nimble elf that had done the same thing to protect him. "I was told to find Aragorn and the elf here."

Legolas rushed behind Gimli catapulting upon Gimli's horse noiselessly then drawing his knife to Gimli's throat, "indeed you have found many elves here." He almost cooed keeping a crooked grin on his face.

Gimli sighed recognizing the voice, "Get off my horse," he shouted pushing the knife from him.

Legolas gestured to the elves to lower their bows and again they did in perfect unison. In another in sync gesture all returned bows to their quivers and side stepped to let them pass with a small stomp that would seem loud because each warrior did it at the same exact moment not even the slightest bit apart. Legolas felt pride at them, his warriors and his kin, "you still breath loud, my friend."

Gimli whirled to push Legolas off his horse with a great momentum but Legolas had jumped as the first sign of his movement to do so and the push that had been intended for Legolas sent Gimli flying to the ground sputtering.

Legolas had a mirthful face at the dwarf's expense again, "having been with other dwarve's has not taught you grace."

Gimli looked to him with dirt and twigs caught in his beard and before he could reply he felt hand pulling him to his feet. Legolas landed next to Aragorn and helped pull his pint size friend to his feet.

"Aragorn," Gimli shouted and patted his friend on the back. "How difficult you are to find." Gimli complained.

Legolas watched them silently as the other elves moved away slowly and back to normal.

"You searched for us?" Aragorn patted Gimli's back as well.

"I heard of conflicts in Loredell and," Gimli was not about to tell them he cared and cleared his throat, "well, why should you have all the fun." He laughed heartily covering any emotion he might have shown.

"I see," Aragorn smiled but as Arri moved into view as Legolas seemed bewitched by her and swift helped him find her side, as if they did not exist at that moment she arrived.

Gimli noticed Legolas's stare and chuckled, "What has happened to the elf?"

Aragorn had to admit it was good to see his small friend and he gestured to Arri, "Arri, Daughter of Thondas, Granddaughter of Aine." Aragorn explained.

"Aine?" Gimli looked at him surprised.

Legolas turned quickly mystified, "You know of her?"

Gimli snorted, "Of course, what person worth their salt…." Then he realized Legolas hadn't and he began a full laugh at the elf's expense and looked to Aragorn haughtily, "the elf does not know of her." He scoffed enjoying this far too much.

"She was kept hidden from the elves, Gimli," Aragorn grinned at Legolas narrowed look at Gimli and the dwarf merely grunted.

"That's right take up for him again," Gimli complained as Arri made her way gracefully to them. "Perhaps not a dwarve but easy enough on the eyes." Gimli said kindly watching her approach slowly after Legolas.

Legolas turned to him shocked and opened his mouth to speak until he noticed Gimli's teasing grin.

"Aha!" He began a full belly laugh as he left Legolas to shake his head in wonder. "This might be a good day after all." He chuckled to Aragorn.

Arri met the dwarf with a bow and a slight gesture of from her hand to her head and down as Gimli snatched her hand and kissing it quite loudly before she could protest, "my lady it is an honor."

Arri drew her hand back quickly looking almost offended but not understanding what he had done. She turned to the others for explanation but Legolas was quickly at her side with an arm around her waist.

"Do not blame him," Legolas sighed, "He grew up in caves and knows not of manners."

Arri grinned and gave the dwarve's her hand again as he offered his own, "I am Arri."

"A pleasure to meet any kin of Aine," Gimli beamed but noticed her questioning look at his actions but more so her words.

Aragorn and Legolas met Arri's questionable gaze, "We should have much to talk about on our ride."

Gimli made his way back to his own horse wondering why they had not heard of the tales of Aine and sighed. Until her spotted an elven woman who stood with dark hair and had surely not aged since the tales, Aine. He looked pointedly at the others and began to pump his small legs quickly to met Aine. They were reminded of how he had been taken of the Lady Galadriel and could hardly take his eyes off of her, now he seemed to fixate on Aine.

Arri chuckled a little, " a friend of yours?"

Legolas watched Gimli march to meet Aine and before he got to close Aine must have hear his noisy footfalls because she had a bow at his throat before he was in an arm's reach of her. She lowered it quickly squinting to see the dwarf with a curious expression and then gave him a friendly smile, seeming to know him after all. Legolas began to lead Arri back to Aine as he heard Gimli complain, "don't elves trust anybody?"