Chapter Two: Lush Sanctuary
The feast that night in the Hall of Fire was enjoyably spent, as were all the others that followed. Each day that passed saw the elflings exploring yet another secret haunt in the garden, or a mysterious corridor in the Homely House. Erestor and Glorfindel frequently told the two friends tales of battles and warriors of long ago, and the peredhil twins took delight in participating in mock fights and duels.
Lord Elrond had allowed the pair to play around the edge of the settlement, and one day during the warmth of the afternoon sun, the elflings collapsed to the earth, staring at the clouds through the leaves above. After a while Arwen spoke.
"Legolas?"
"Mmm…" he mumbled.
"Are you going to be a great warrior?" she asked, looking at the elfling beside her.
He smiled. "I hope so. I'm already getting archery lessons, and in a few years I'll begin my training properly. One day I'll lead our warriors into battle, just you wait and see."
Arwen stood up and continued wandering amongst the trees, Legolas falling behind, gradually losing her. The ebony haired girl looked around. "Legolas? Legolas, where have you gotten to?" she called, her voice becoming panicked. The slightest of thumps alerted the girl to his presence. "Legolas?" She looked about unseeing.
Two small hands settled around her waist. "Rargh!"
Arwen squealed for a second before Legolas put his hands over his friend's mouth. "Shush, you goose, before someone thinks that you're being murdered."
"Legolas! That wasn't nice. I thought we were in trouble…but how do you do that?"
The blonde frowned. "Do what?"
"Travel from tree to tree and not be heard."
"I've already told you. We woodelves learn from the time we are very little."
Arwen moaned in frustration. "Argh! That's not what I meant. What I meant to say, to ask, actually…can you teach me?"
Legolas grinned. "Do you climb trees?" The girl shook her head. "Well, you're going to learn how."
x
One day went by, and then another. Days formed a week, and weeks formed a month…the departure of the Greenwood Elves grew closer.
"No! You can not be leaving tomorrow – you only just got here."
"Arwen, it has been a month now! We must return home soon for there is much to do; besides, Analton might tire of being Regent soon – we've already stayed here longer than we anticipated." The blonde elfling replied as he pulled his boots back onto his feet. Arwen withdrew her own feet from the pond.
"Who's Analton?" she asked, drying her feet with a small towel.
"Ada's other advisor," he replied "Our country is a lot bigger than yours. I suppose there is much more for him to do so he needs more help."
"But when will you come back? Soon? Please…" Arwen pouted.
Legolas shrugged his shoulders. "You know that I haven't got any say in the matter, Arwen, I can't promise anything. I want to, but it's getting more dangerous, you know that. Rivendell is a long way from home and I'll be busy training. But don't worry; I'll come see you as soon as I can. I promise."
A little smile appeared on Arwen's face. "Good, I'll be holding you to that."
The princeling got to his feet. "Lunch time soon…race me to the steps?"
x
Lady Celebrian watched the two elflings race inside from the window above and smiled contentedly. Alassea joined her, embroidery in hand. "My dear, what makes you smile?"
"Our children. Arwen, although chatty, is rather unsociable where it concerns other elflings. She spends her time by herself so often. It makes me so glad to see her find joy in the company of another. I can only hope that her new found sociability does not fade after Legolas leaves tomorrow."
Alassea nodded. "I am confident that Arwen will retain these skills as long as she does not find herself in a position where she decides she does not need them. In other words, perhaps some increased contact with other children would be beneficial" she suggested.
"Yes," Celebrian responded "you are right. And what of Legolas? Will he face this same problem?"
The Elf Queen shook her head. "No, Legolas makes friends with much ease – he has quite a few playmates, though Herendil is perhaps his greatest friend. However, Legolas will miss Arwen dearly. But life goes on, and they shall meet again – of that I am certain."
x
The day of the departure arrived overcast, and threatening. "You will encounter rain today." Lord Elrond observed as he and the Greenwood King treaded the path down the hall to the front steps. The other elf nodded.
"No doubt, but I must not delay travel any longer, I must return and continue negotiations with Laketown – sweet Eru, men are difficult beings."
"Indeed. I have little hope in them." Elrond said, looking dismal.
Thranduil chuckled. "My friend, you are too disapproving. Men have their faults, but they also have much less time to learn. Their time is over all too quickly." He looked over to where his son was standing near the horses, eagerly talking to his new friend. "Like this visit, I daresay. I confess I do not know how long it shall be til our next meeting; five score years, perhaps. We both have much to do. Times are uncertain."
The two great Lords joined the rest of the congregation and began to make their farewells. The two elflings stared glumly at each other. "It will be an age before I shall see you again!" Arwen complained.
"I hope not. But I'll come back one day. But even better – come visit me!"
Arwen cheered up at this suggestion. "Yes! I'll convince Ada that his business is not finished. Aye, we shall see each other again soon."
Queen Alassea turned to her son. "My child, it is time we left."
Legolas nodded. "Namarie, Arwen. Until next time we meet." The princeling climbed onto his horse whilst Celebrian kissed his naneth's cheek one last time.
"No in elenath hilar nan had gin, Alassea."
"And yours also, mellon nin." The Queen replied, settling herself upon her grey mare.
With a final salute, the Greenwood Party turned their horses and set upon their way, gently trotting away into the distance. Arwen leaned against Elrohir with a sigh. He looked down and smiled at her. "Ah little sister, do not worry so. Come, why don't you sit in the garden a while with me?"
He took her little hand and led her to the confines of their naneth's lush sanctuary and there they settled themselves in amongst the grass overlooking a lower part of the garden. After a moment's reflection the brother spoke. "See down there?" he asked, pointing to where a trio of elflings were scattered about, chasing each other around. Arwen nodded. "Well, would you not consider taking part? Do not you think that is fun?"
His sister frowned. "But what are they doing?"
"Can not you tell? The girl in lilac is a warrior. The stick she carries is her sword and she is fighting the girl in beige."
"But why?" Arwen asked curiously.
"Perhaps they fight for the hand of the fair maiden in white? Mayhap you should ask them yourself?"
Arwen looked sideways at her brother, and then slowly made her way down the mossy stones to where they were positioned. She paused for a moment, biting her lip nervously. The lilac warrior turned. "Can I help you?" she asked.
"I...well, I was wondering...why are you fighting over the white maiden? Has the other warrior captured her?"
The Beige warrior grinned. "No, I intend to recapture her – she's my wife and she ran away with this rogue!"
"Aye!" agreed the lilac warrior "for I am much more handsome than you ever were!" Arwen giggled at this.
"Can I play?"
The lilac warrior grinned. "Ofcourse. You can play my brother, who tries to intervene." The delighted elfling nodded. The other girl spoke again. "By the by, I'm Oloriel."
The four elflings played together til lunch, upon whence they took their own paths, be it to embroidery lessons or afternoon naps. Regardless, they continued their games the next day, and all the other days that followed til they rendered themselves too mature for such past times. But that moment was many years from that first meeting, and henceforth the quartet enjoyed many adventures and tragedies before their childhood was spent. For that time, they were innocent.
Elvish Translations:
Ada - Father
Naneth - Mother
Peredil – Half elven
Eru – God
Namarie – Farewell
No in elenath hilar nan had gin – May all stars shine upon your path
Mellon nin - Friend