Thank you to all those who reviewed and favourited (is that a word?) my stories. I hae rewritten this chapter so many times until I was wholly satisfied. I apologize for the delay, my family has gone through a rough time. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks so much!

Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings is the property of J.R.R Tolkien. No profit is being made from this story.

Chapter 5

"They are back" said Elrohir nudging Elladan.

Elladan looked up from his plate of food to observe Aragorn and Arwen approach them arm in arm with no trace of disquiet. He smiled, relieved that they seemed to have reached an understanding. He watched Aragorn make her known to the people in his settlement. A weight seemed to have lifted from his shoulders and he smiled again in delight.

She would go home with Glorfindel and all would be fine.

...

It was afternoon and the sun was high. Elladan was in the stables grooming his horse, softly whispering as was his wont to do. The light well known step of his sister made him still in his work and turn to face her. In truth he had expected Arwen to seek him out. Even as a child she would seek to make amends when there was a conflict between them once the initial storm had passed.

"I see you have been expecting me" she said with a smile as she came upon the doorway to find her brother already waiting.

He offered her a smile in return and replied, "I heard you approaching. All seems settled between you and Estel. I had hoped it would be so before you leave but elven tempers can last long as we both know well. "

"Time runs differently for him as we are both aware" she countered even as sorrow tinged her tone and flashed in her brother's eyes. A brief silence reigned as the unspoken inevitable dread hung heavy in the room.

Not now. There will be time enough for mournful thoughts, Arwen thought shaking herself from the self inflicted fear and continued, "As promised I will heed Estel's words and leave when Glorfindel arrives."

"You are not happy" he stated a light frown marring his face. "Surely you see why it must be so."

"I do see why it must be so" she replied quietly. "But I will leave without achieving my purpose. Gondor will have a queen as alien to her as she would be to her ruler. Estel was sent south so he may know their ways and be prepared when his time comes. I do not have the same fortune. I cannot fight beside him. I wish to have the knowledge to help him rule, to be of real use but it will not be so" she ended wistfully.

"You are of more help than you will ever know Arwen", Elladan replied warmly hastening to reassure her. "Estel draws strength from your regard and faith. I have never seen him happier than when he is in your company."

Arwen laughed and squeezed his hand impulsively in affection, "I know how he values me and my regard for him. But he has a purpose beyond me and I wish the same for myself. Long have I walked in Arda and been content in song and musings. An age would have passed by and I would not have noticed. Yet in their short lives how brightly men burn, how they change! In the long years of my life I have been naught else but an idyllic child; I have not fought against the shadow, been neither a wife nor a mother. Time has slipped through my fingers unawares and now I see the merciless passage of time in him. When he spoke of his struggles and all he has seen, I felt like a child, naïve and untested. I desire to be something as myself, as Arwen" she ended passionately.

Elladan had drawn closer and gripped her hand tightly, with shadowed eyes he replied, "There will be enough time. Enough time to do all you wish and be all you wish."

"Will there?" she asked her eyes searching his. "Sometime I feel it will never be enough". The pressure on her hands increased. "I have grieved you" she said gently. "Forgive me, it was not my intention. After my betrothal I have been uncommonly restless. I fear the years of waiting will be long and I am not of a patient nature. Do not be distressed Elladan, I could not have chosen otherwise."

"I know" he replied with a wan smile. "You hope to be a counselor and a friend, a partner in everything to Estel. Mayhap you don't realize how much you know, but when the time comes you shall be all that you wish to be. You will not be eclipsed."

His approval meant much to her and her returning smile was warm and filled with delight. She looked beautiful and eternal, and Elladan stored this memory of her unconsciously. After a beat of comfortable silence she asked archly, "But not now?"

He laughed then and gently shoved her, "No, not here and not now."

...

Elladan accompanied Arwen to Gilraen's house and left at the door.

"I must seek Halbarad and ask what news if any has been received from the patrol" he said.

"Will you be setting out on patrol too?" she asked.

"Not until you have left" he answered and with a quick embrace left her.

The door was left ajar and Arwen let herself in. She followed the sound of chatter to the kitchen and came upon several women crowding Ivorwen's tiny kitchen. At the sight of her they fell silent.

She herself fell at a loss of what to say. Will it always be like this? she wondered and then shook herself. Enough Arwen! she told herself sternly. Enough of morbid thoughts! She straightened her shoulders and forced a smile.

Gilraen broke the silence, "Aragorn is not with you?" she asked.

"He left to seek news from the patrol." she replied.

"The evil draws ever nearer" a woman murmured. Melia, wife of Halbarad, Arwen remembered. "Would that the winter would pass untouched but it will not be so." she continued.

"Be that may" Ivorwen said briskly. "We must continue on as we have done so far. There is much to be done for the year ahead."

"In the brief time I am here, I offer my aid if you will have it." Arwen said quietly.

Ivorwen's smile twitched at the picture her mind conjured. Elrond's daughter harvesting in the fields, cleaning and scrubbing and carrying loads, salvaging materials to be reused again! What a Ranger's wife she would make! Aragorn would have had to do most of the work and he would have done it too! In his eyes, Ivorwen was sure, she could no wrong. Her brothers were infinitely more self sufficient! Arwen noticed her expression and tilted her chin defensively. Ah but she would make a glorious queen! she thought fleetingly as she asked, "What can you do?"

Gilraen frowned but Ivorwen paid no heed.

"I can weave and cook and hunt" she replied evenly.

"The fare of the elves is not our own and no one will let you hunt. There are far better hunters here." Ivorwen replied bluntly. "However, you can help with the weaving. The little ones need warm clothes as it looks to be a harsh winter. Melia will show you the children and you can make something warm for them."

Arwen's eyes brightened with joy at the thought of weaving for children even as fury sparked in her heart at how quickly her help has been brushed aside. The Second Born are so tactless, small wonder they are so divided she thought angrily. Arwen! she chided herself, you are too quick to anger these days.

Her composure however never wavered as she replied quietly, "I would be happy to."

...

Arwen sighed tiredly as she sat outdoors under the stars. The day had passed swiftly in meeting the children and taking their measurements. She was determined to make something of beauty and warmth for them. Her eyes softened as she remembered the grey eyed, dark haired brood; their unlined faces and curious eyes. Truly children were sacred!

She had dragged the loom outdoors preferring to work under the stars, pulling from her memory the many protective charms and blessings her mother had taught her. Her fingers moved deftly over the loom as her thoughts wandered.

Estel had not returned. She knew that his responsibilities called him but her heart whispered to her that a day had passed swiftly without his presence. Only three remained until Glorfindel returned.

All throughout the night she worked determinedly murmuring blessings to Varda. When morning came she was pleased to see much of the work done and her spirits lightened, made her way to Gilraen's house.

...

Arwen stood uncertainly in front of the small house. She had left the clothes in a small hut which had housed the loom and the threads. No one seemed to be stirring in the early morning light. Tentatively she knocked and was relieved when it swung open. Relief was replaced by joy when she saw who it was that had admitted her entrance.

"I did not know you had returned." she said quietly, an unspoken question in her voice.

He smiled tiredly as he drew her in, shutting the door after her.

"It has not been long. There were grave tidings to be acted upon. I came here seeking to speak to my mother. I thought all asleep."

"I have no need of so much rest." she replied as she was led to the kitchen noticing the presence of her brothers. "If tidings are so grave, why have you not woken her?" she asked taking a seat across Elrohir.

Aragorn sat beside her tiredly rubbing his eyes. "It may be some days before anyone gets much rest. It is well that they should sleep without care tonight."

"You believe the orcs will attack soon?" she asked. A hint of eagerness in her voice made Elladan look at her sharply.

"Yes. The evil feels near at hand" he replied. "I wish we had the strength in numbers to seek them out. They have more than one lair and I am afraid of leaving the settlement unguarded. The supplies for the winter must be buried separately before nightfall and then the women and children must disappear in the wild. The rest of us will wait for their strike. We can always rebuild again."

"What we feared has come to pass. Gilraen will tell you what must be done." said Elladan grimly.

"Do not attempt anything foolish Arwen" said Elrohir looking worried for he had seen a queer, fierce pleasure flash across her face.

"I will do what must be done" said Arwen. She was interrupted by the entrance of Gilraen and Ivorwen. The conversation went around her but Arwen heard nothing more as her mind traitorously whispered her innermost thoughts, at last! At last!

...

The day passed in a blur. Her hands were occupied with the hiding of the winter wares but her thoughts were far away.

She wondered if she would face an orc at last. She had not ridden out to save her mother even as Imladris itself had emptied in their quest to save their lady. She had stayed back as bidden. And the fear for her mother had been overwhelming. Her mother had returned broken beyond repair, her eyes dim, her head shorn, and she, Arwen had wept with grief and pain on her mother's behalf. Her brothers had never rested. Driven with grief and fury, they had waged war with these creatures of the dark and she, she had found comfort and strength from Celeborn and Galadriel. Her passionate grief had given away to a dull ache that she believed would stay with her till the end of her days now that there would be no reunion beyond the sea. Every journey between Rivendell and Lothlorien had brought a fresh wave of pain. Celebrian had never spoken of what had passed during her captivity. Her brothers had never spoken of how they had found her but nothing could be worse than what she herself had imagined, of that she was sure. Her brothers had escorted her from then on and always with a large contingent of warriors. But, how she had yearned to face them herself! At last maybe the time had come.

She straightened from her task and watched the sun with calm eyes. In a few hours it would be nightfall. She counseled herself to be patient. It would not do to show her tumultuous emotions. She had bided her time for many years; a few hours should make no difference. She serenely continued with her task stealing surreptitious glances at the sun in between.

When all the storing huts had been cleared, everyone gathered at the edge of their encampment.

"Be well Arwen" Aragorn said squeezing her hands. "If all goes as planned, all will be well tomorrow."

"I do not need reassurances Estel. I am not the one riding into battle." she replied archly.

"Yet you have not faced anything like this before" he answered.

"It is time that I did then" she said with a smile.

"Arwen, do not stray!" he said drawing her closer, his eyes watching her intently.

How well you know me beloved! she thought fleetingly. "I will follow where I am lead. You have no cause to worry." she replied moving in to kiss him quickly. He let her go then and she made her way into the wilderness.

...

They had moved some distance together before like an unspoken command, in groups of three of four people dispersed in different directions. Gilraen beckoned Arwen and she followed curiously. They were accompanied by two women Arwen had not met before. On and on they went until the trees became so thick that the light was dimmed. Gilraen stopped suddenly near a particularly thick grove of trees. Arwen could not conceive passing through them on foot.

She watched as one of them deftly climbed up a tree and with a smile realized she wouldn't have to. She drew near one of them and was able to climb up when she was stopped by Gilraen and was led to a different one.

"You will know once you have reached your place." she said with a small smile following her train of thought.

Arwen gracefully climbed the tree, the action as natural to her as breathing. The tree thrilled at her touch and her Sindarian blood responded in kind. She wondered what her place was, and then she understood as she came upon a sturdy branch that afforded her a wonderful view of the surroundings. Nestled near the trunk was a bow and sword. Elladan or Elrohir must have left it here she thought with a smile. The edge of the branch was touching the next tree and she understood that if the need arose she could escape from this tree until how far she did not know. She guessed it would be a fair distance. She marveled at the knowledge of the forests that lay behind the choice of such hiding places. If she was swift, she could easily outpace her pursuers. But, there was no question of fleeing in her mind.

She settled in comfortably, avidly listening to the sounds of the forest. The tree would warn her if danger was near. Her grandfather had found an eager pupil in her. She had been in awe of his deep,abiding love for the forests of Arda. As a child she had watched entranced his communion with nature, and when she was old enough to sit still she had asked to join him. They had spent many starlit nights taking pleasure in the song of Arda. He had taught her to be sensitive to her living surroundings and many happy hours had been spent in the joy of growing things. She had turned to the moist soil to exert all her frustrated energy after her mother's departure. It had been an obsession to create something of breathtaking beauty to dispel the shadows in their hearts. The simple actions of planting, watering and weeding had comforted her. She had watched anxiously as a mother would her sick child for the fruit of her labors. The result had been a riot of colors that had brought tears to her eyes with its wild beauty. Her brothers had not been home. She had sought her silent father and led him to her jealously guarded secret. The wonder in his face had been the final reward.

She was suddenly conscious of an air of unease. It could only be a warning she thought sitting upright suddenly. The sound of her clothes scraping the branch sounded unusually loud in the silent night. Why had she moved so suddenly? Her heart was pounding wildly as she reached for her bow. She fought the urge to climb and flee. Carefully she moved peering through the thick foliage.

She saw nothing.

She exhaled slowly. A fine fool I would have looked to have run away from ghosts she thought wryly. She looked at the tree intently. The unease was unmistakable. They must be near. She stood up silently poised to move away from the protection of the corpse to seek them out, the grip on her bow tight. The promise to her brothers and Estel echoed in her mind and she settled down again. I can do nothing unless they pass my path she thought miserably.

After that there was no comfort. She sat taut as a bowstring waiting. Her patience was rewarded well into the night. The unease in the air increased and she felt the presence of evil.

Peering again she saw nothing. She moved silently and looked again. Her eyes widened as she saw them. She heard their voices, harsh and cruel. There was no hint of mercy or pity on their faces, graceless and brutal they looked. And these were the creatures that that had wounded her lively, kind mother! Her presence had gone unnoticed. They were on their way to their lair or the Ranger settlement, she knew not. In all cases it would be foolish to engage them.

But, Arwen was blind to logic. Fury burned in her heart. Her vision was clouded by the listless visage of her mother, the terrible grief of her father. She aimed her bow and let the arrow fly.

...

The arrow flew true and the orc lay dead. He had been a part of a company of six. The remaining five stopped short at the unforeseen event. Confusion reigned, their voices rose as they bickered among themselves. Another arrow flew true to its mark as Arwen nimbly maneuvered her way from branch to branch. The second strike had a contradictory effect. It mobilized them and they hid behind the stout trunk of neighboring trees but not before she had felled one more of them. In any other event she would have laughed at the irony of orcs seeking protection from trees. She waited patiently her aim set. A couple of minutes passed without a sign of their presence. They were unnervingly silent. Impatiently she stood up bent on seeking them out, the thrill of the hunt surging through her.

She circled the area with an arrow ready to fly.

She found no one.

What if they had gone to fetch replacements? she thought with sudden horror.

With blinding clarity she realized the danger she had thrown herself and her companions into. Guilt and panic warred within her as vision of an orc army swarmed in front of her eyes. This time she had no hesitation in fleeing. She was already moving from tree to tree when a sudden realization stopped her. They may not be able to move as quickly she thought troubled. She knew not where they were. Mayhap they had already moved away at the first sight of her flying arrow. Perhaps they thought she had the sense to move away once the orcs had disappeared she thought wryly. Somberly she returned the way she had come.

She caught no sight of her companions. She knew not where they were. They must be nearby she thought firmly. She leapt from tree to tree to the end of the line of trees and found no one. They must have moved away she thought. I could follow through the grove but I do not know where it leads. She stood still looking that way and then she turned to face the way where the orcs had disappeared. The settlement was to be the bait. If the three that escaped find the others and lead them this way, all will be in vain and there would be another night like this."

Already she was moving in the direction the orcs had disappeared. This place might never be used to hide again, she thought with regret. And it was apt for its purpose.

...

Gilraen and the others had been too shocked to move when the first arrow had been released. They had been relieved at the reprieve when the remaining orcs had disappeared from view. She had gathered the others and they had made their way swiftly towards Arwen when to their utmost horror they had found her gone.

As one they had sped away from the grove. The women of the Dunedain knew their forest well. They knew where the trees led and where their men were. There was no sense in following heedlessly into danger with hardly any weapons.

But when her brothers were done chastising her, she would have some choice words of her own to say!

...

Elrohir knew as soon as he caught sight of Gilraen that something was wrong. Until the danger was over, none moved from their stations.

He listened with the rest as she succinctly described what had taken place. Elladan was already moving before the tale had concluded. He stood stunned for a few moments and then pursued his brother in haste. He knew Estel would not, could not follow.

His heart thudded wildly as fear clouded his senses. Not again! he pleaded in his mind. Arwen what were you thinking?

...

Arwen was composed as she used the trees to guide her way. She had felled three of them, another three should not matter. The woods grew thinner and soon she had to leave the safety of the trees. So immersed was she on being swift enough that she would have walked into them if not for the waves of unrest from her surroundings.

Her courage quailed for a moment. They were so close to her and yet unaware of her presence. There were no trees to hide in, no branches to flee from her. Heart thudding she raised her bow and aimed at the one in the back. Surprise was her only strength and before they could comprehend what was happening she had released her second arrow striking another, half way turned towards her. She moved swiftly out of the way as a knife went whistling past her. She barely had enough time to draw her sword before the third orc was upon her. The shock of his attack pressed her backwards. Her mouth tightened at his strength, her arms straining to hold her own.

Fury gave her strength where calmness would have surely led to her demise. As she looked into the leering, harsh face, hatred as he had never known before claimed her! She wanted to fight him, wound him and ensure he lived no longer than this moment. Had she not wanted this moment? The chance to face her tormentors and strike them down? The pain bothered her no longer. She parried his strokes and watched his movements intently. He had made no sound, no cry for help. He thinks me weak! He was making no conscious effort to kill her either though certainly his strokes were aimed to wound and disarm. He means to capture me alive! I will die before that happens, she thought in disdain. However, I cannot keep this up for long. My strength wanes already. All this while I have been favoring my right hand, he doesn't know I am skilled in both. Perhaps the ruse will work. In his next stroke she deftly switched the blade to her left hand, drew under the arch of his sword and shoved her sword in his gut. She couldn't avoid his blade completely but was impervious to the slash across her arm in her glee at having bested him. Triumph gave away to concern as she saw her expression mirrored in his. Her eyes widened as she realized his sword must be coming back for her. She left her sword wedged in him and moved away instinctively but not before her side had been grazed by the sword.

Do they not die? she wondered uncertainly. He had been unable to stop his sword and it had pierced his side, but still he managed to stay on his feet. I have neither bow nor sword and there is nowhere to flee. He surely means to take me with him. She backed away looking for a weapon. He swayed and then to her utmost relief he fell.

The sound of her heart seemed awfully loud in the clearing. She had not realized she had feared for her life. Her fury was spent and with that she became aware of a throbbing pain. She stared in mute surprise at her bleeding side and arm. The danger is not over yet, she thought tiredly. I must not leave a trail of blood for anyone to follow. And then I must return the way I came.

She tore a section of her cloak into strips binding her side and her arm. Then slowly she collected her bow and began to make her way back. This pain is agony she thought to herself gritting her teeth. How do they bear it? I would loathe to fight again if I knew such pain was inevitable. A fine warrior I would have made!

They have no choice she mused quietly. So this is what Estel was striving to make me understand.

...

Elladan was deftly leaping from tree to tree. He knew his brother followed behind. They had reached the grove where Gilraen's company had been meant to hide. Three orcs lay dead beneath the tree. In other circumstances he would have admired his sister's accuracy. Now he turned away and continued on his way, rage and fear burning in his heart.

He followed the trail of the remaining orcs hoping to find his sister at the end. Her passage through the trees would have been difficult to follow. They marked the place where she had traversed on foot and followed suit.

A hint of a noise and he stilled. His sword was drawn and he moved silently behind a tree. His brother followed suited.

The sight of the long dark hair and the deep green cloak held him rooted to his spot in stunned relief and then he was reaching for her. She was startled out of her reverie; fear passed swiftly through her face succeeded by joy. He drew her into a fierce embrace, pulling back quickly to check for injuries before she was snatched away by Elrohir.

He allowed himself a brief smile of relief before his anger returned full force.

"What were you thinking?" he asked his voice low but ringing with rage as he led them away from the clearing. "Do you not know the danger you placed yourself and your companions in? You were given a clear order and yet you disobeyed."

Inwardly Arwen flinched from his anger but replied honestly. "I was not thinking. I do not know what possessed me when I caught sight of them in the forest but I do not regret it. Long have I desired to face them."

Elladan turned to face his face a mask of disappointment and fury. "Was this your intent all long? Did you knowingly deceive us?"

"It was not my intent" she said stung by his accusations. "I did not follow them even when I knew they were near. I did not stray as promised. But when I sighted them I could not contain myself. You know well that feeling! And when the haze cleared, three had already escaped my grasp. I could do naught but follow them else all would have been in vain."

"And had you been killed or captured after having found them then more would have been lost." he countered. "You should have fled from the grove once you found them gone. Even if they had led the others away they would have found nothing. Another night spent waiting is a small price to pay for a life"

Her actions seemed foolish when moments ago she had felt triumphant for succeeding in fixing her mistakes. Why hadn't she fled? Because she could not bear the notion of being thought foolish. She had not wanted to explain why their scheme may not work, how she had effortlessly ruined their careful plans in the span of seconds. What had she achieved? She had killed six miserable orcs that any novice warrior would have managed with the consequence of drawing two skilled warriors from the scene of battle. The brave thing, the right thing to do would have been to own up to her foolishness. She, however, had chosen the easy way out.

She fell silent.

Elrohir glanced at her disheartened countenance and spoke more kindly, "The prudent thing would have been to wait for the others. They could not find you and assumed the worst."

"There are many to whom I must ask for forgiveness for tonight" she answered quietly.

"Did you come upon the orcs you were pursuing?" Elladan asked abruptly. "None were following you."

"I felled them." she answered simply.

"With your bow?" Elrohir asked. "There are only five arrows missing."

"One I faced with a sword" she said.

Elladan whirled around and clasped her shoulders resisting the urge to give her a good, hard shake.

"Is there no limits to your foolishness?" he asked. "Why would you purposefully give yourself away?"

She winced as the pain flared to life. Elrohir ever sensitive noticed it immediately.

"Elladan leave her be. She is hurt." he said sharply. "Where were you injured?"

"My arm and my side." she answered quietly taking off her cloak so they could examine her wounds. She was a skilled healer like them; they had no cause for rebuke with her binding.

"I do not think the sword was poisoned." she said attempting to dispel the unspoken dread from all of their minds. "I was not swift enough with my bow, he was faster, stronger and swifter than I expected. They bow fell from my hands and I was forced to draw my sword"

"I was not nearly strong and skillful as I thought myself to be. If anything I have proven you right by behaving imprudently."

"It was not our desire to prove you weak or foolish Arwen." Elladan's voice was gentle as they started moving through the forest. She was helped up a tree by both of them and they began to travel the now familiar way. "In a fair fight you would be a formidable opponent. But the enemy hardly ever plays fair. You are constantly outnumbered for one. Many years in the wild have taught us innumerable things. Our first battles were under the watchful eyes of Glorfindel and other established warriors of Imladris. Be sure that we made many blunders! And Estel's first forays were under our care. And so the line continues. One does not embark heedlessly on their own in their first battle. It was an unwise thing you did."

"I was swept by the thrill and fury" she said reflectively.

"We know of the fury you speak of. I would not wish it upon you Arwen" said Elrohir. "We were blind to beauty and comfort under its spell."

"I do not think I would be swept so easily again" she said contritely. "Truly I am grieved to have caused you distress."

They did not reply but their eyes were kind and Arwen took solace in their forgiveness.

...

Aragon surveyed his surroundings with grim satisfaction. The skirmish had gone their way. He had expected a much larger force; all the tracks and reports had pointed to such. But, maybe they had gone to pursue a different prey.

He looked speculatively at the peredhels. They had arrived in the middle of the organized chaos and he had had no chance to exchange words. Their mere presence had calmed his fears. They would not have returned if something had befallen her. He had wanted to follow but duty as ever had beholden him. Then the battle had begun and all stray thoughts had been pushed to the side; perhaps with greater ease than would have been possible if not for them. Now he was impatient to seek her out and assure with his very own eyes that she was unharmed. And then …. and then he would deliver a stinging diatribe on the importance of following orders.

He made his way towards them intent on finding out the nature of events as it stood now. Elrohir looked up when he neared, sheathing his sword.

"We were wondering when you would seek us out Estel." he said. "You held back most admirably."

The flippant tone brought him further assurance that nothing untoward had occurred. His lips twitched as he answered, "I am not at leisure for stray thoughts in the midst of a battle regardless of how dear the subject."

"Arwen is well, bruised by her battle but not grievously" Elrohir replied answering his unspoken question.

"Bruised?" asked Aragorn with a frown. "How did that come to pass?"

"Our sister took it in her head to face one of the orcs with a sword" said Elladan dryly.

"Be fair Elladan! She did not have any other choice" protested Elrohir.

"Other than all the prudent ones she discarded?" he asked.

"I thought you had forgiven her" said Elrohir quietly.

"I have" sighed Elladan. "But, every time I imagine the course of her battle, my rage burns anew. She very was fortunate."

"As we have been many times" said Elrohir sensibly. "She lives and is wiser for her encounter".

At Aragorn's questioning look, he briefly explained what had happened. He grew pale as the circumstances were made known to him.

"Take me to where you had left her." he said quietly.

...

Arwen wished they would word their anger. Gilraen's eyes clearly said what she thought of her impulsiveness. When her brothers had left, she had hastened to word her remorse and asked their forgiveness. They had accepted her humbly offered apology, if not graciously. The anger was still too close. She sighed and was suddenly grateful that she was to leave with Glorfindel in a matter of days. Even if she had tried she could not have made a more horrid impression. So deeply immersed was she in self pity that it was quite some time before she realized someone was standing over her. She looked up and met cool grey eyes that gave away nothing.

She met his gaze squarely hoping he could see her regret. He squatted to be on level with her, his gaze impassive. She could not read him, could not guess his thoughts.

"Show me your arm." he said quietly. She shifted to remove the cloak. His hands were gentle as he took of the binding and inspected her wound. The cut was long but shallow.

"Its appearance is deceiving" she offered weakly. "It hardly bled for long."

He did not reply. He replaced her binding skillfully and then provided the same treatment to her side which was deeper but hardly life threatening. The healing ability of the elves would ensure that she would recover rapidly.

He sat back and looked at her again.

Arwen tired of his silence, spoke up, "I would have your anger than this cold silence."

"Ever impetuous" he said with a quick flash of a smile. "However, you do not have a say in my conduct as I did not have in yours."

"So in rebuke will I be treated with this silence until I depart?" she asked.

"I am still debating the merits of it" he replied. "I had originally planned a most stirring reprimand but this seems to be more effective."

"I cannot bear your silence" she said imploringly grabbing his hand. "It may be long before we come together again. Let us not part in silence."

"Now you fear for our separation" he said a hint of anger in his voice. "You did not honor your word to me. You have no right to expect me to honor your request."

"What would you have me do?" she asked straightening up. Would you have me renounce my actions in front of everyone? Would you have me beg for forgiveness? I have no shame in admitting I was woefully wrong."

"Be that as may" he said. "The deed has been done. Had a young warrior behaved so irresponsibly, he would have been taken off patrol and made to do perform the simplest tasks without question or complaint regardless of how sincerely he repented".

"It seems most unjust" she interjected.

"Does it?" he asked. "It is necessary. Lives are at stake here. The most carefully planned schemes can still fail without the added danger of a willful, impulsive comrade. However, I cannot give you the same treatment. I have neither the right nor will it serve any purpose. I would have you leave with Glorfindel and not come here again until the war is over for ill or good."

Unmoved by her stare of disbelief he continued, "When we do meet again, it will be in your father's home or Galadriel's realm, if my travels lead me in those paths, where your care is not wholly my responsibility. I can ill afford to chase after you and humor your impulses; cannot spare your brothers to do it either; cannot afford to be in two minds when my people depend on me."

"So until you are king I shall be cast aside" she said moving to get up but his hand gripped her.

"Do not.." he said, this time there was no mistaking his anger. He stopped and checked himself. "You have no cause to be affronted. My words are not aimed to hurt, harsh they may be. This is no protected land. We struggle daily with the shadow and we are accustomed to it. Can you not see how wretched it is to be torn in two conflicting paths? I do not wish for it to happen again."

"It will not happen again" she insisted earnestly.

"I cannot trust your word" he said quietly. "Perhaps …. no you most assuredly believe you will not act so again. But, fury can cloud your judgment again regardless of how sincere your resolve. Come now Arwen, you asked me what I would have you do and I have stated my wishes. Will you do as I wish?"

"It is a hard thing you ask of me" she whispered. She was silent for a while her eyes searching his face. "It will be as you wish."

He moved to her side then and drew her into a gentle embrace. "Do not mistake this for petty vengeance for not heeding my request. It is my uttermost desire to have the right to care for you. But I would rather you be safe then trust to my depleted strength. Someday our burdens will be one but until then there are many paths that I must wander on my own."

"The shadow will be defeated" she said with quiet confidence. "But the wait will be long."

"You are not alone in your impatience" he said a smile in his voice. "But events cannot be hurried to suit our ends. A single false move and all could be lost".

"You will visit?" she asked after a beat of silence pulling away to gauge his expression.

"Most assuredly" he answered with a smile. "And as opposed to someone, I earnestly keep my word".

"I have been punished sufficiently for my offence. It is cruel of you bring it up again." she admonished.

"Forgive me" he said. "Owing to a sense of immeasurable relief I am inclined to make jest of inopportune things."

"It is forgiven if I may have the same" she answered, her fingers lightly tracing his jaw.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek in a silent answer, "I thank the Valar you are safe. Never attempt something so foolish again!"

...

One look at Elladan and Glorfindel knew something had happened. His eyes quickly looked for Arwen and saw her looking well until he noticed her bindings. He leapt from his horse, nodded to Aragorn and the twins and without ceremony made his way towards her.

"Come with me" he said. "I see you have a tale to tell and I would hear it from your lips."

He had sat silently as she had spoken of all that had occurred. Even after her tale had ended he had not made any motion to speak. But, such was the way with him and Arwen waited patiently for his judgment.

"Arwen the orc slayer" he murmured but there was no malice in his tone. He smiled and said, "It was very efficiently done until the very end."

She looked at him in surprise.

"Do not mistake me" he said. "Your choices were hardly commendable but nonetheless it was efficiently done." Her laughter at his response drew a smile from him. "There is nothing more I can say. You have been suitably chastened. But Elrond must certainly be informed."

This was to be her true punishment. To stand in front of her beloved father and confess to him the peril she had knowingly thrown herself into despite the terrible events that had come to pass.

But Arwen was no coward. "It shall be done soon as we reach home"

"What was Estel's decree?" he asked after another pause of silence.

"I am to leave with you and not return until the war is over" she replied.

It was his turn to laugh. "And to think we thought you would have him at your behest. He shall make a fine husband and a ruler." He was unperturbed by her dark look.

"Do you think Celebrian was useless?" he asked suddenly.

Arwen looked at him scandalized. If she hadn't known that he had loved her mother too she would have been too furious to answer. But, nevertheless she responded passionately.

"Naneth was beloved of Imladris! She saw to it that our people were happy, their needs met. The hospitality of our home was greatest when she was present and Adar was most joyful when she was there."

"And yet she had never taken up a sword and sat mostly silent through the councils she attended." Glorfindel's gaze was piercing when he spoke.

"It is not the same! She still lived among elves" protested Arwen.

"Isn't Galadriel's realm isolated from men and dwarves?" hummed Glorfindel. "I remember them to be quite hostile to them."

"They escaped through Moria before the Last Alliance" she answered in response.

"Many dwarves have passed through your father's realm. How many have you conversed with?"

"None beyond the formal discourse" she replied quietly.

"Do you think Erestor would be at a loss in a men's council?" he asked again.

The thought of Erestor being at a loss in any circumstances was inconceivable.

"I cannot envision he would" she replied.

"I would say that he would be of better use than your brothers who have spent more time with men." he said. "Would you not agree?"

"I do" she answered quietly.

"The skills of statecraft do not alter from place to place, or from people to people Arwen. Aragorn is a skilled commander and an astute judge of character but you are aware that diplomacy is more than that. He would require your counsel when he holds court. You alone would have the responsibility of being a gracious host to your enemy or friend. A slight misjudgment on your part could have severe consequences. Celebrian was exceptional at making our visitors feel welcome be it elf, man or dwarf. You can learn much more about ruling by your father's side and under Erestor's guidance than here among Estel's people, already united and devoted to their leader."

He let her hold her silence patiently waiting her response.

"I do think I have ever been as thoughtless as I have managed to be in the past few weeks." she said last.

He smiled affectionately, "It was a clever scheme. A winter spent with your betrothed combined with a lesson in ruling. But things are seldom so easy."

She answered his smile with one of her own, light in her heart and grateful for his words. She looked at him strong and proud in the morning light and asked him wonderingly, "Why do you not ride out more often? Do you not wish it?"

"I am what Elrond needs me to be" he replied getting up and offering her his hand. "Elrond's duties do not allow him the leisure to do as he pleases. He would have left with Celebrian but for his obligation to Arda. Erestor and I mold ourselves to his needs so that the burden might be shared. Someday the same burden will fall on Estel and you will fill many roles to ensure his duty is not his alone."

"I must not keep you from him" he said as they started walking back to the encampment. "We will have all winter to keep each other company. I in turn must seek out Elladan and relieve him of his desire to assert how justified he was in opposing our coming."

...

The last day was spent in lazy conversation and long, comfortable silences. He had been relieved to learn that Glorfindel's patrol had come upon a company of orcs which would explain the smaller then expected number of orcs they had faced. They spoke of many things, elves they had known in Imladris, the passing of seasons; he spoke of his travels, the strange people he had met, the customs of Gondor, and at her request, his many battles both triumphant and painful.

She was mesmerized by the flashes of emotion that replaced his usually stoic expression, joyful at his desire to share his feelings with her. She in turn shared her fears, her disappointments and hopes, half ashamed for it was remarkably trivial compared to his, but the words came tumbling out in the face of his genuine interest. The day passed swiftly and when morning came it was time to depart.

She had bid her brothers a fond farewell and conveyed a most ardent one to him that left him no doubt of her regard. She felt a pang of sadness at being parted again but none witnessed it as she cheerfully waved goodbye. There was a sudden rush of tears when she lost sight of them, but she held her high and soon regained her composure.

As soon as she was home, all was confessed to her father. There was no stinging rebuke but a gentle understanding. In the privacy of his study he told her of his longings to join her brothers in their hunt, of the fierce rage and helplessness he had fallen prey to in the dark months after her mother's capture.

In the years that followed, Arwen stayed at her father's side and learnt to be gracious as well as discerning. Under Erestor's capable guidance she learnt to weave conversations into the subjects that concerned her. She enjoyed the animated debates with Erestor, often joined by others. When Aragorn would appear suddenly in his all too rare visits, he would be drawn into their discussions and games of wordplay. Where Imladris continued to thrive as a refuge for all the races, Arwen learnt much from her visitors as they did from her father. When Aragorn's destiny was fulfilled, Gondor gained a splendid queen. No witless beauty was she and when the king was called away to battle, it was she who ruled in his stead.

...