A/N: Well, here I am, and here is the long-awaited (perhaps!) update. I don't have much of an excuse as to why I virtually vanished for so many months, but I shall attempt never to do that again. I've had a few encouraging reviews and messages, so hopefully this is alright - I'll try get back into the swing of it again soon!

Chapter Twelve: Craggy Peaks

The Lord of Imladris strode purposefully down the corridor, where he chanced upon his roguish sons. The two were armed to the hilt and, by all looks, were heading to the stables – Glorfindel had sought them out already it seemed. "Adar!" called Elladan "Care to join us? Legolas lost us, so we're one short." His twin sniggered at this, the thought of his father riding alongside them in his lavish robes clearly an amusing one to him. Before the Lord could reply to this veiled mockery, there was an interruption.

"Lost!" piped up a voice from behind "Or just hiding?" The Prince of Greenwood reached their side, also armed. Whilst the others took in his appearance, he shrugged. "Alar told me. Ready to depart?"

X

It was a quarter of an hour before the company set out from Imladris, the sun still low in the morning sky. They travelled at a casual pace from the slopes of the haven before digging their heels into their horse's sides, and cantering across the plain. The mountains loomed ahead of the warriors, and all eyes were set on them as they tried to discern any movement from the craggy peaks and alcoves. Glorfindel raised a hand, and the party came to a halt. All were silent. After a few moments he indicated to the right, and the riders began to travel alongside the mountains. Some time passed before a left arm indicated their entry into the rugged slopes of the Misty Mountains.

Hours passed as the troupe manoeuvred their way through narrow gaps and around curved mountain edges. The horses became restless, their owners cautious. The afternoon sun was mostly blocked from view, and so a few dim rays served as their only light. Spindly trees swayed back and forth, creating eerie shadows, and most disturbingly of all, a foul smell was carried on the slight breeze.

Glorfindel steered his horse closer to the twins and cocked his head marginally to the side and whispered to Elrohir. "On the left, in the scrub." The twin's eyes glanced briefly in that direction, and nodded slightly. "Wait," the blonde continued, "until I give the word." Elrohir nodded, as did those immediately around him.

Just a few paces later the commander shouted "Leithio i philinn!" and arrows streamed over to both the left and right, only a smattering of crude goblin shafts being fired in return. Whilst the elves were quickly disposing of the remaining archers, the goblin's ranks swelled, reinforcements lining the rocks, and others appeared on the path, madly sprinting towards them from up ahead.

The elves broke ranks, some continuing to fire their arrows into scrubby heights, others unsheathing their swords. Elrohir galloped his horse forwards, beheading a snarling goblin with his glinting sword, black blood left spurting from the body's severed neck. Elladan joined him, and there they jumped from their horses to continue the fight from the ground. The vile creatures clambered forth, only to be knocked down by the viscous strokes of elven blades. The goblin's numbers began to dwindle, and eventually the last of them were dispensed with.

"Look to the wounded!" Glorfindel called to his men. "Make sure that they are in a sufficient condition to ride. We shall find a camp and they shall be further tended to there." He turned to Alar. "We leave in a quarter of an hour. I want you to take a party and find a flat where we can camp for the night." Alar nodded and left.

Elrohir approached his commander. "Do you think that this mob was that which we were hunting?"

"Some of them, mayhap, but there are plenty more whom live in these mountains, and cause just as much havoc. If these were the ones who killed Saeldur, I do not know. I promised your Adar that this would be a short sojourn, and so we shall leave these mountains tomorrow, as planned."

"But surely it would be of more use to stay and further purge the mountains?" Elrohir challenged.

"I do not disagree with you, but I am certain that the Lord Elrond would be much displeased if he were to see Thranduil's only child return injured."

Elrohir sighed exasperatedly. "Legolas is no elfling, Glorfindel. He has fought for many years now. Let not him hear of this, for it would be greatly demeaning."

Glorfindel nodded. "Aye, indeed it would. He is capable, and I am sure that your Adar is aware of this. I think that he may be afraid of provoking Thranduil's temper in the case that Legolas was injured on a mission so very unrelated to his own. He is meant to be retrieving documents concerning the dwarves, or have you forgotten?"

The twin shook his head irately. "Ah, speak no more of diplomacy! Follow Adar's orders so that we may go home and properly plan our next outing. I plan to dispose of many more on this next trip!" With that he marched away from Glorfindel and over to his brother whom was cleaning his sword.

Elladan looked up. "You are irritated. What has Glorfindel said this time?" he teased his twin gently.

"Diplomacy! We cannot stay to hunt in these mountains for Legolas may become wounded! I should think that ridding the land of these creatures would be of more importance than retrieving documents about Thranduil's dispute with the dwarves." He sat down. "How diplomacy irks me. Being reasonable is one thing, but this is another."

Elladan chuckled. "Then it is a blessing that I am the older, for if Adar ever does leave – I doubt it, mind you – I would take his place, and there would be no end to diplomacy."

"Let us not speak of such dreary subjects, brother, I'd rather face a swarm of orcs then continue on with this lousy topic."

Elladan laughed at him. "That trade is of no hardship to yourself – you'd enjoy the bloodshed far too much."

"That I would, brother." Elrohir agreed, before standing to mount his horse. "Come, we ride again." And with that, Elladan straddled his horse and followed both his brother and the company back out of the divide and onto the narrow path once more.

XXX

After viewing the company's departure from the house via an upstairs balcony, Arwen lightly tread her way across the marble floors of her home until she reached Herendil's room. Knocking lightly, she entered the small chamber, and was surprised to see that Oloriel was not there. She gazed about in confusion.

"Oloriel sent another to tend to me yesterday afternoon. She was indisposed." The warrior told her nonchalantly as he slipped on his boots. Arwen frowned.

"But she was well last I saw her - just yesterday morning when I visited. What happened?" She asked. The ellon shrugged.

"I would not know. I am merely her patient." He smiled a little here. "Or at least I was. I am glad that I am soon to be free of these walls."

Arwen smiled back at him. "And I am happy for you. I shall take you on a tour, if you would like?" she suggested.

The smile broadened. "That would be very agreeable." Herendil noticed that she was still standing off to the side. "You may sit down, my lady" he told her, he himself sitting down on the bed. Arwen positioned herself in a chair, and was about to speak when in came Oloriel holding a bottle of salve.

She looked up and stared at Herendil for a moment before saying, "You're up and dressed already?"

He nodded and rose from the bed. "The sun was risen a long time ago, and a maid came with my breakfast not long after that time. I was about to leave."

Oloriel raised an eyebrow. "Without my permission?"

Herendil nodded again, imperturbably. "If need be. You could scarcely imagine that I would remain in this room when I am hale and healed."

Oloriel suppressed a smile. "No, I could not." Arwen swore that she saw her friend gaze at her former charge almost regretfully. "Well," she continued, "I have here some salve which will help with the scarring." She handed him the jar. "And please, nothing overly strenuous in this coming week."

"As you say." The blonde acquiesced.

Oloriel frowned. "You've never been so agreeable before…"

"I thought it might be best, considering the situation." Herendil told her shortly, dipping his head briefly before looking back up at the two other ellyth. Oloriel's sad eyes caught his for a moment, and he stared questioningly back. Arwen cleared her throat, and the two snapped back to alertness.

"Well," said Oloriel, "that is all. You are free to go." She turned to Arwen. "I must report to your Adar, so do not expect to see me before lunchtime, but after that, I am completely at leisure to do as I may – we have a lot of lost time to account for, mellon nin!"

X

Arwen spent the morning leading Herendil around Rivendell, pointing out particular sights, and sharing its history. Her charge seemed to be in a good mood, though a little distant at times, and was appropriately curious and interested in all that she said and indicated to him. Occasionally she would have to repeat certain parts of her repertoire due to his daydreaming, but on the whole, he was most attentive. Arwen felt that Herendil was one of those elves whom she had no choice but to think fondly of. He possessed a serene, genuine character, with a charming mischievous streak underlying this all, ready to tease all those whom amused him.

The lunch hour was fast approaching, and so the two of them gradually made their way back to the House. Entering the garden, Arwen paused for a moment and beckoned Herendil to follow her as she headed off to the left, further into the garden. She stopped at a rose bush under a windowsill and gently pulled off a small blossom, inhaling its scent with what looked like a nostalgic expression. Herendil furrowed an eyebrow confusedly before the elleth in front of him turned to look at him properly and explain. "I was hiding in this bush the day Legolas came. How I loved the flowers – I still do. And over there," she pointed at a large tree a little further away, "is where we had our first conversation." She sighed. "How carefree everything was back then. Now 'tis all complicated and messy." Arwen lifted her head, and smiled at her new friend. "I'm uncertain why I'm showing you, but I thought you might like to see them all the same."

Herendil smiled softly at her. "They're lovely." He paused. "You miss him?"

Arwen nodded. "Yes, but we are on good terms now. Last night we went on an outing into the woods and got to know each other better….But he is gone again." She shook her head sadly. "Why is it that males come and go, and yet we females always stay behind? Sometimes it feels as though I'm trapped, and that no matter what I desire to do, I shall remain here…always here." She sighed and continued softly, "I am afraid that I shall live up to everyone's expectations but my own, and, with the passing of time, could it possibly be that I accept it as my fate?" Arwen shook her head again. "I'm sorry Herendil, I'm ranting again. It's becoming quite a habit." She let out a breath and took him by the elbow, steering him from the garden. "Come, our lunch is awaiting us."

X

"So, as it happens, it is his fault that the courtship failed, and not hers as was always expected. Running off with another elleth! Perfect scoundrel." Oloriel went on. "It is as I have always said, mellon nin, one cannot trust the opposite gender – they'll play you for a fool at the first chance they receive."

Arwen laughed at her friend. "Oloriel, were you, or were you not supposed to be in my Adar's office at that time?"

"I was about to knock on the door – if passers-by talk loud enough for me to hear down the corridor, they can hardly expect me not to listen. Besides, I was early; so in fact, I was not disregarding my orders."

"Your eagerness for court gossip astounds me."

Oloriel chuckled. "Any gossip would do. I take delight in knowing what others do not. Surely you know this?"

"I surely do." Came the amused reply. There was a moment of silence in which the two continued to stroll about the garden, taking in their surroundings with an appreciative calmness. Then, shyly, Oloriel spoke again.

"Did you enjoy your time with Herendil?" Arwen nodded, smiling. "And did he?"

Arwen was unsure of her friend's intended direction. "He appeared to enjoy the tour."

Oloriel bit her lip slightly. "He was in…good spirits, then?"

"I believe so. Sometimes a little distant but-"

"I've hurt him." The willowy elleth fretted. "Oh, I know I have. How stupid of me!" She ran her long fingers through her silky locks in distress. Oloriel closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. Finally she opened them once again. "It all began…no it did not begin well." She shook her head, as if mentally berating herself. "It was wrong, he was my patient. Ah, Eru, how complicated I have made this all. What should I do?" she worried again, her agitation rising once more.

Arwen stared at her apprehensive friend with no small amount of confusion. "Forgive me, but I do not understand you at all. Oloriel, what happened?"

Oloriel sunk down onto the grass, and pulled at a few tufts. Her friend joined her, peering anxiously over at her. "I became attracted to him." Oloriel said, almost calmly. "Oh, at first he was such a pitiful thing, all feverish and weak. I felt my heart twang in sympathy the very first night I tended to him. Never had I felt that before. It has always been the healing, and nothing more, which has given me satisfaction. But this time…I really cared for the patient, and I should not. It bodes ill to become attached. It's unprofessional." She added shortly.

"And yet…" coaxed Arwen.

"And yet, I could not help myself. He was far too tempting." Oloriel pulled out another tuft of grass. "He was healed, and more or less begging for attention. After you left he asked for a sponge bath."

Arwen frowned a little, not quite understanding. "Why? He was clean."

Oloriel chuckled lightly. "You've always been a little naïve."

The ebony haired elleth pouted at her. "Well?"

"As I said, he was asking for attention…to some parts more than others." Arwen's eyes shot open. Oloriel laughed at her. "As I'd seen…him quite a lot of times by this stage, one would think that this would not of affected me as it did. Though perhaps if he was not so affected, then mayhap I wouldn't have been – or not so much as I was."

"You are talking in dizzying circles!" Arwen interjected.

"Then I shall leave you to decipher them." Oloriel told her, getting up from her spot on the lawn and brushing down her skirt. "I must away now and explain my actions to Herendil in the best way that I can." With that she marched in the direction of the House, and Arwen was left to ponder her friend's exact actions in peace.

XXX

The sun set slowly amid the purple clouds as Legolas stroked his horse's nose affectionately and gazed off into the distance. Amongst the mountains there was a valley punctured with jagged rocks and prickly shrubbery, and some distance to his left a trickle of water slid down the gradual slope. Here he watched the riders refill their canteens before walking back to the main camp where ellyn sat tending to their weaponry.

They'd only encountered goblins once more on their journey, an occurrence which greatly disturbed him – where could they possibly be hiding? Underground? He did not know the answer. However, he knew that where they were to head tomorrow, amid the more dark and shadowy areas of these mountains, there were bound to many creatures to hunt, and hence was satisfied.

"Legolas!" a voice called. The Prince looked to his right, and there Alar stood, his warm brown hair rippling in the soft gusts which blew along the valley. "Come scout with me; I'm far too restless to sit around here. Glorfindel would be grateful." He added.

Legolas nodded his acquiescence and followed the other out of the valley, and around bends, through narrow gaps, over withering trees and crumbling ditches…all in a companionable silence, eyes ever watching, ears ever listening.

When the two had spent nigh two hours in this fashion, the journey back to the camp began, and reasonably satisfied with their isolation, Alar began soft conversation, observing this over here and that over there. Eventually the dark haired warrior paused, and looked cautiously at his companion. "You've paid much attention to Arwen since your arrival," he began, and watched as a startled Legolas moved his head to the side in order to better see him, "and I am sure that I know your thoughts."

A little taken aback, Legolas frowned uncertainly. "That I am very glad to see her once more – it has been quite some time."

Alar rolled his eyes, smiling. "You needn't lie. I have seen you gaze at her. I can guess at your less than innocent thoughts."

"I can assure you that –"

"Why do you find it necessary to avoid the truth? You are attracted to her." Alar continued, almost amused at the blonde's stubbornness. "I can fully understand that, ofcourse, having similar feelings towards her of my own."

Legolas looked at his feet briefly. "Does she not have similar feelings towards you?" he asked, remembering his uncomfortable night-time attempt to visit his childhood friend.

Alar chuckled. "No, not as of this moment –perhaps in time? I do not know; I can only persist. I know that I ruffle her feathers, 'tis enough for the moment."

The Greenwood Prince knit his brow together, pondering who may have been in Arwen's room with her that night if it was not Alar. Was there another, some hidden love? He could not decide. He pushed ahead with the conversation. "You are not concerned with the wait?"

The other smirked. "Ofcourse, but I am lucky to have a selection of discrete ellyth whom are only too glad to aid me when desire calls. They do not expect anything from me, and I do not spread word of their activities. It is a very beneficial arrangement."

Legolas stared at him in disbelief. "You would sleep with others whilst loving Arwen – truly, how can you call it love?"

Alar laughed at him. "I did not; I stated that it was attraction – just like you. We are the same, you see. Whoever succeeds shall succeed."

"'tis a game to you?"

At this the brunette shook his head sullenly. "I would never want her to get hurt – I think of Arwen almost as a sister…almost." His smirk returned briefly, and then he became serious again. "I am not perfect Legolas, but I will look after her. However, I have my needs, and they must be fulfilled – I am not some cold-blooded ellon whom can wish his desires away, I'm much too alive for that. But I do care for her. Whom she chooses is left for fate to decide – mayhap neither of us?"

At this the archer shrugged his left shoulder noncommittally. "I daresay she does not care for me that way. I myself am unsure of my own feelings…" he negotiated some thorny brambles before speaking once more. "I do not believe in fate. I believe that we choose our own path." He jumped over some tree roots, and waited for the swordsman to join him before continuing. "And therefore any involvement I may have with her is entirely up to whether or not I decide to act."

"And?"

"Perhaps I will act. I must gauge the situation." He replied.

Alar let out a short, disbelieving breath. "You would behave in such a calculating manner? Sometimes it is best just to act. Let not cold logic and unfeeling reason govern you in this. You may never act at all."

Legolas looked at his companion in puzzlement. "Why should you counsel me in this? Do you not regard me as a rival?"

The other merely smiled and shook his head lightly. "As I said before, I believe in fate. Whatever shall be shall be."

The conversation ended on that note, each still comfortable with the other, albeit slightly bemused at their shared predicament. As Alar continued to lead his friend back to the camp he could not help but presume that whatever Legolas' feelings may be, and regardless if they were returned by Arwen or not, a relationship would not result. Legolas, and perhaps his ebony-haired beauty, were in the curious flushes of first attraction – it would cool, especially upon the archer's departure, and Arwen would be left alone, and eligible. Alar could wait. He, like Legolas, was not certain of what he wanted – he acted on whim alone. He smiled vaguely to himself as they re-entered the valley, before striding confidently to Glorfindel to report his observations.

Legolas detached himself, and lay upon the hard ground, staring into the inky depths of the sky above him – it was amongst the stars that he found conciliation that night. Something so elusive, so mystifying – so similar to his newly discovered feelings, he thought – was still there, suspended in apparent nothingness. Each night, for a thousand years, for a hundred thousand years, and so many more than that, these stars remained. He did not fully understand the stars, as he did not fully understand his attraction. But he trusted that like the stars, the feelings would remain unchanged, and perhaps then he could learn to interpret them. It was with this reasoning that the Greenwood Prince finally closed his eyes that night, and with this same logic that he arose with ease of mind the following morning.

XXX

It has been ages since I've had to write this plea, but how familiar it already seems - please review :)