Part 3: May 1- May 19
On the first of May, the Last Homely House was as busy as a beehive. Nearly all of the household of Rivendell was making ready to ride. But, Arwen was catching her last moments in her room. She suspected she would never return but didn't know why. She did not know where she was going either, although everyone else did.
"Has Father had news about Estel lately? Why are we leaving so soon?" She wondered, but a servant's voice called her from her musings.
"Lady Arwen, the host is ready to ride. Your Father bids you to come join him." The servant said.
Arwen got up from her bed." Tell him I will be there shortly. Just coming." She told the servant.
She did indeed come soon and they all started for the pass of Caradhras. Although Elrond was apprehensive, no mishaps occurred and they rode safely over. But, unlike the previous weeks, he didn't speak to anyone. Every time Arwen attempted to create a conversation, he seemed to be woken out of very deep thought. She hadn't seen him in this mood for many centuries. He stayed in this mood for not just one day, but all the way into Lothlorien. She rapidly grew worried about him, and even her perception, which always worked didn't work.
They rode into the edges of the Golden Wood. Although much damaged on the borders, it had stayed fair as it always had been.
On the 19th of May, they rode across the river Nimrodel, and they were greeted by Haldir, Rumil, and Orophin.
In the speech of the Eastern Elves, Haldir called down from his visible (for once) perch one of the lower branches of the mallorn tree in which his talan was built."Welcome to Lothlorien, Elrond and all you host from Imladris far away." Arwen had her fair face covered by a hood, and so she was not reconizged yet. He continued," Here you are welcome to stay the night before your journey tomorrow. We have prepared lodging for you all, now we invite you to come eat with us for you must be famished."
The ladder descended and so did Rumil and Orophin shortly after. Orophin vanished with the horses to lead them to a meadow close by. Rumil, however, was going to help those guests who were not accustomed to climbing ladders.
Arwen had quietly removed her hood, but it caused more rouble than she was bargaining for. When she came to climb the ladder into the talan, Rumil began to help her. But, she said,"I do not require assistance Rumil. Thank you for your pains to do so, in spite of everything."
He glanced up and kelt before her, "My lady," he said, kissing her her hand deferentially.
"Please, no, Rumil! I do to require such deference! Please! Get up!" Arwen begged.
He got to his feet, rather dazed, and she was up the ladder before he could say otherwise. At the top, Haldir also knelt to her. "Lady Arwen." And kissed her hand deferentially.
"Haldir, no! Please! Get to your feet! I beg you!" Arwen exclaimed, her gentle voice nearly panicked with surprise.
"As you wish, lady." Said Haldir, rising to his feet.
" Thank you." Arwen replied. She got away from him as quick as she could. Shocked by their unusual behavior, she sat down on some cushions in a corner. Her maids shielded her from everyone's view and she blushed and blushed.
"Why all this! This is totally uncalled for! What has happened to make them so… strange?" Arwen thought.
This tizzy of shock took some time to pass. She joined the other still shaken by the events of the past few minutes. From then till the sunrise in the morning she did not bother to think of anything else. Not even bothering to try to sleep. Nothing had shocked her so much.