Chapter Four: Through The Trees

Arwen Undómiel darted through the thick trees, catching her dress on brambles, her face nicked by small twigs as she continued her escape. The cast had been removed, and she was free to run. Run away from the marble walls, the stone pillars. Run away to who-knows-where, for as long as her legs would carry her. The sound of footsteps behind her grew increasingly louder as her competitor shortened the gap between them. She knew she would lose; she had not paced herself. Indeed, she did not even care.

A slight push from behind forced her to tumble to the ground. Grasping at her rival, she brought them down with a soft thump. Oloriel let out a breathless giggle. "I win."

Arwen grinned. "No matter, I enjoyed my run. Being immobile is terrible, Oloriel, I wouldn't recommend it."

"Nay, especially with Alar at your side the whole time. The quarrels you had!"

The lady turned her head. "Mellon nin, do not dare to suggest that you'd have fared better than I. We both know that he's impossible."

"Ha! That I do know. But we both know of his feelings towards you, and as he has no designs for me, I do indeed daresay that I would have fared better."

Her friend scoffed. "Mayhap, but I would not describe Alar as having any sentimental feeling towards me. I know what he wants, and I shall continue to leave him dissatisfied." She chuckled. "Males are all the same."

"Hear, hear." Oloriel agreed, laughing along with her. "They are all so arrogant, so self-assured. And we all know what they want from us. Nay, I shan't marry – that I promise you. I'll be quite content on my own. And just think! One day, we shall travel Arda together, visit Gondor, mayhap. Or see the dear little Halflings – I'm dying to meet one!"

"You'd better not!" Arwen replied, a smile lighting her face, rendering her threat useless. "But yes, they shall be most interesting to see."

The two friends lay in the forest, breathless and dirty, talking of the numerous paths their travels could take them when the snapping of a branch in the distance alerted them to another's presence. More than just another. Quite a few.

Deep voices, and merry laughter could be heard drawing closer to their spot, and the two stood quietly, silently wondering where to escape. Alar was one of them – they could hear his silken, cheery voice amongst the troupe, listened to him talk of the stream nearby. It appeared they were going swimming. The pair climbed into the trees, silently cursing their burdensome skirts, and made their way from limb to limb until the voices gradually faded. Olomiel dropped down, a grin on her face."Well! Indeed I'm glad your little friend taught you this skill, for it has proven to be most useful these years, has it not?"

Arwen's return smile was only half-hearted. "Aye, it has. If only I hadn't been so foolish, I could be amongst the trees of Greenwood. I could be with him. But I should not expect it to be as it was. He is a warrior now – a young one I grant you, but still, a warrior one none-the-less – and you know as well as I the infrequency of his letters. Aye, that travel between our two countries is irregular, I know, but many a time has word come to Ada from Greenwood without any message for myself. I remember his first letter –such a long, delightfully descriptive piece of writing that I cherish it still. But onwards from there they are much the same. 'I am well. I have been training. Miss you. Hope you are well'." She let out a long sigh. "And so, I prove our theory correct again – males are all the same." They both giggled at this, and then sprinted to the house, once more in good spirits.

x

Some weeks later in a forestland some great distance away, Lord Elrond prepared for his departure. Folding his clothes, and packing them away neatly, he heard his sons enter the room and watched them make themselves comfortable, Elrohir reclining on a chair, Elladan sprawling across the bed. "Should I question your appearance in my chambers so early in the day? Should you not be readying your gear?" he asked.

The twins shot sidelong glances at one another before Elrohir spoke. "Well, Ada, Elladan and I have decided that there is no need to pack."

The Lord of Rivendell arched an eyebrow. "Is that so? You would prefer to travel back to Imladris wearing only that which you are wearing now?"

Both twins shook their heads. "No. What Elrohir meant was that there was no need to pack as we would not be travelling." At this Elrond placed his folded tunic on the side of the bed.

"Staying?"

"Aye, Ada. We long to stay, and Legolas and Herendil would much appreciate our extended company." Looking at his Ada's expression, Elladan hurried on. "And the king has also given us invitation."

"Is that so?"

Elrohir took up their case. "We no longer elflings, Ada, and you must not think that all of our time would be spent leisurely. We are much interested in learning Greenwood's ways in the trees, to learn their skills with the bow. Surely such opportunities to enhance our military advancement should be welcomed when they are offered?" He looked at his Ada with such conviction that Elrond had to hide the smile which had been tugging on his lips. He picked up the folded tunic once more and placed it inside his bag.

"Well then. It appears the matter has been settled. Now let me be, my own departure still grows near and I have not finished with my task. Be gone with you!"

The twins grinned gleefully and returned to their own chambers to hurriedly dress before making their way to breakfast, their exciting news cheering the entirety of all who heard it.

x

"Well now, how lucky am I to chance upon two lovely ellith so early in the morning." Alar greeted the two friends. Arwen and Oloriel rolled their eyes at this, and continued on their way. However, Alar was not deterred, and slipped between the pair of them, offering an arm to them each. Arwen sighed.

"Truly, Alar! Have you none other to bother?"

The other feigned hurt. "Why, do you tire of me so soon? Would you rather be rid of me?"

Opting for a civil answer, she replied that this was not the case; she merely wondered as to his attentiveness to her. "Am I truly that amusing?" she added.

Alar smirked. "Yes. You are."

Looking to her friend for support, she found Oloriel nowhere in sight. "Wait...where's Oloriel?" she asked, feeling slightly panicked.

Chuckling, the warrior replied that he did not know. Alar's hand slipped from her arm, to lightly rest on her hip, his smile telling her that his actions were playfully meant. "Does it matter? I'm sure she won't get lost."

Before the Evenstar could answer, her friend ran back smiling. "Arwen, your Ada has arrived!"

Leaving a bemused looking Alar to his own devices, the two took off to me Lord Elrond where he and his party were climbing off horses, handing reins to stablehands. Celebrian embraced her husband, and welcomed the rest of her husband's party, and then a frown dampened her mood. She turned to Elrond once more. "Meleth nin, where are our sons?"

Elrond smiled comfortingly at her. "Do not worry, meleth, they were both in good health ere I saw them last. They have decided to stay on in Greenwood, for learning purposes, or so they say". His lips quirked at this.

Now Arwen frowned. "No! That is not fair. It was I who so much wanted to go to Greenwood, not them. It shall be years before the opportunity arises again for me. Why can the twins choose where they are to go, and with whom they are to keep company?" Bristled, she strode off into the garden, leaving the others behind at the entry. Indeed, she did not care what they thought of her little outburst. All she could think of was how unfair it was for her brothers to be able to see foreign lands and experience foreign customs, whilst she was held captive at Rivendell. It was unjust!

She sat on a stone bench, and ran her hand through her hair, cursing her actions towards Alar. If only she had acted politely, she'd have not fallen, not have injured her leg...she'd have been able to go. A little patter of wings sounded as a wren took flight from a bough above. Watching the little bird fly away, she felt trapped, suffocated. Flinging herself from her seat, Arwen dashed out of the garden and entered the forest, sprinting through the trees. She would not be caught.

xxx

Translations (I'm only going to post translations which are 'new' from now on)

Meleth nin – My love

A/N : Yes, finally an update! In truth it did not take long to write, I've just been very busy. Oh, and as I'm sure you already have realised, my chapters, in general, are relatively short. That's just how I write these days. Please review; I love my reviewers very much!