THE GOLDEN LEAF

Arwen dreams of making a difference. But is it only a dream? This is just a fluffy one-shot. Please comment nicely!

Arwen gazed out the window of her father's house in Rivendell, watching the rain pour down in sheets. "Heavy is my heart, knowing how the Fellowship must be suffering in this weather," she murmured. Tears fell from her shimmering blue eyes. They were innocent tears, as pure as the rain.

"Men can endure much when failure is not an option," answered her father. Elrond spared not even a glance at the falling rain before returning his gaze to the ancient scrolls.

"There must be something we can do!" Refusing to be quelled by the wet weather, Arwen donned a cloak and boots and set off on her own without her father's knowledge. Her path led deep into the ancient wood. Hoping to gather potent herbs that would help her to aid the Fellowship, Arwen soon strayed from the familiar path. And became lost.

"This discomfort is small compared to what the Fellowship endures," the innocent elf-maiden murmured. Slender branches whipped her muddy face. Cold drops of rain ran down her back. Her sodden boots squelched mud, seeming to grow heavier with every step.

The daughter or Elrond refused to be defeated by mere hardship. Yet she was near to collapsing when a golden light appeared in the forest. Gradually a form of surpassing beauty took shape, tall and fair with a radiant smile.

"Galadriel!" Arwen wept tears of relief. "Dear lady, I am lost. Can you show me the way back to my father's house?"

"Poor Arwen," soothed the Lady of Light. "You are soaking wet, and your clothes are very dirty. Your father will not be pleased. Would you like to come home with me instead?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you!" Arwen rushed forward, but then stopped, a flush of shame spreading across her dirty face. "What of the others, Lady Galadriel? What can we do to protect the Fellowship from the wet and cold?"

"Pluck a leaf from the bush behind you," Galadriel instructed the daughter of Elrond. "As long as you sleep with the leaf beneath your pillow, those you love will be safe from harm."

"This is no common leaf!" Arwen's big blue eyes went wide with wonder, for as she lifted the leaf it turned to gold.

"Arwen? Daughter, where are you? It is time to awake and begin the day!" Elrond entered his daughter's chamber frowning, weighted down with the wisdom of centuries.

"Is it morning?" Arwen poked her head out from under the covers. Bright sunlight was shining through her window. She had been sleeping all this time, safe in her own warm bed!

"Why do you look so astonished? If you were wise, my child, you would not stay up so late worrying about the fate of the Fellowship," Elrond scolded. "Your tears and sleepless nights will not assist the noble Aragorn. If he is meant to return to you, he will."

"But we were in the woods," Arwen frowned, sitting up in bed and rubbing her eyes. "Galadriel and I were in the woods, father, and we were helping the Fellowship. We were making magic to keep them safe!"

"That was but a dream, daughter," Elrond said gently. "Now hurry up and dress. Your lessons await."

"Yes, father." Arwen felt great sadness wash over her as her father left the chamber, shutting the door firmly behind him. She was not a part of the Fellowship. She was not allowed to assist her beloved, or take part in great events. When she tumbled out of bed, she didn't want to make the bed, or even straighten out the sheets and pillows. But she did as she was told, forgetting her dreams and behaving like a dutiful daughter.

That was when she found the golden leaf beneath her pillow.