Arwen didn't wish to leave Aragorn, but she had received a message from her grandmother who wished to speak with her about him. She had seen him approach, but she figured she didn't want to worry him further. So, she raced up the stairway and found herself weaving through a line of battle-clad elves who were probably going to guard the city-walls against an attack by the Enemy, which looked impending.
The elves mumbled in their own tongue about how weary they were of the battles against the Shadow. She understood that but also knew from all the lore she had learned that the Enemy would endure as long as Isildur's Bane still existed in the world. Her father had told her much about it and his belief that it must somehow be destroyed should it be found in this age of the world again.
But who in Middle Earth had the strength to resist the temptation of the dark words and find the power to destroy it? Were the Wise capable of it? Was her father capable of it? She thought not.
And yet the road must be attempted, she knew. A road of peril upon which much of the fate of Middle Earth would depend upon. A road whose journey might end in the final defeat of Sauron or in the enslavement of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth to Sauron's will and command.
She entered her grandmother's chambers and greeted her with the elven courtesy taught to her by her parents.
Galadriel looked surprised by her coming, which made her frown a little.
"Arwen," the White Lady said, "I thought you would be guiding Estel around Caras Galadhon and participating in the festivities prepared in his honor."
"I was, grandmother," she said, "but you sent me a message, did you not? It said it was urgent."
Galadriel frowned at her words. "I sent no message, grand-daughter."
It was Arwen's turn to furrow her brows. She unraveled the paper and handed it to her grandmother. "See..."
Galadriel took the parchment from her hands and read it. "I did not send this," she said. "I wouldn't take this time away from you... the time you need to spend with Estel to understand him more and his kind before you make public your choice."
"Then who sent it and why?" Arwen asked, confused and suddenly thoughtful.
From down below, a cacophony of noises started. There was much yelling, and what sounded like... fighting?
"Blood has been spilled in Caras Galadhon today," Galadriel spoke, sighing soon after.
Arwen's heart pounded faster. Kinslaying was a crime so ruthless that the punishment was the severest. Why would elves resort to slaying each other at this time? What had happened?
Lord Celeborn, her grandfather, sauntered into the room with three elves. They looked bloodied and bruised.
"What happened?" Galadriel asked.
"Blasphemy!" Celeborn answered, angered. "The man whom we accorded guestright has spilled blood in our peaceful city. Look at what he has done."
Arwen couldn't believe her ears.
"Estel wouldn't do this," she said.
"He did, grand-daughter," Lord Celeborn spoke, "and it does not stop here. Two elves are dead."
Her mouth leaped open, letting out a loud gasp.
"He killed them both," one of the elves cried.
"And what caused this?" Celeborn questioned them.
"Nothing, my lord, Silwin and us, we were just partaking in the festivities though we did not like attending it. Lord Silwin thought it best that we attend and not look like we were dishonoring one the Lord and the Lady considered a guest. And then this Estel comes up and demands that we leave. For no reason at all, my lord. And then he insults us... saying we are servants of the Enemy and everything. And for that, we respond in anger. But this Estel, my lord, comes at us with his weapons and injures us and kills our two comrades. He is now alone with Lord Silwin, lord, while we came here to inform you of the matter."
Celeborn's eyes showed anger she had never seen before. "Well, send word down below and bring Estel to us here," he ordered.
The three elves scampered away and disappeared down the stairway.
"This heir of Isildur is more trouble than anything," he said. "I was right that he cannot be trusted. I shouldn't have granted him the status of an elf-friend."
"He is not the kind to do this, grandfather," she maintained.
"Did you not hear what they said?" he snarled.
"Lord Silwin has always had a problem with Estel. The words of his followers are doubtful at best. Aragorn would not fight unless provoked. You're thinking after hearing one perspective. We must investigate and ask others what really happened. We must call the elves from the festivities."
"Arwen is right, my love," Galadriel said. "There's more here than meets the eye."
"Fine!" Celeborn raised his hands.
He called out to the guards. "Bring a few of the elves from the festivities here. I'd like to hear their account of what transpired below."
Just as those guards left, another guard stumbles into the room. "My lord, my lady," he bowed. "Estel, he was seen leaving the city."
"Which direction did he go?" Arwen questioned.
"North and west, my Lady."
She sighed, knowing full well that Estel might be heading towards Imladris.
"And," the elf spoke again, "Lord Silwin lies in our infirmaries, bloodied and bruised. I fear he has taken much hurt."
Celeborn's anger grew again, but her grandmother placed a hand on his shoulders, calming him down. "Peace, my love," she whispered and turned to the guard. "You've done well. Now go back to your post."
Turning to Arwen, she said, "Go now, grand-daughter, find Estel and guide him back here."
Arwen was confused, but she nodded at her grandmother anyway. Breathing deep and worried for Aragorn, she raced out of the chambers and made her way towards the gate.
"Estel, wait for me, I'm coming!" she mumbled into the air.
The sky above thundered, and lightning smote the treetops. What would usually have caused fire to spread did not make a dent.
She smiled as the ancient magic of the elves protected the forests. She raced through the woods, ignoring the calls of the elves to her side, hoping that Aragorn had not reached the edge of the forests.