Part Eleven

Midnight. Arwen Undómiel, Evenstar of her people and fairest elf maiden in all of Arda, sat at the edge of the deserted bathing pool. She was miserable. She absolutely could not believe that her father and grand-mother had come up with this ridiculous plan that she marry Legolas Greenleaf. It was not that she hated Legolas, for in truth she hardly knew him. He was fair enough, and had always been kind to her. However, it was obvious to Arwen that he was far more interested in Elladan than he was in her. She had not missed the way that Legolas had stared at her brother when they arrived in Lórien. He was practically drooling. And Haldir, Haldir was jealous.

Haldir was in love with Legolas, and that broke Arwen's heart. She had harbored tender feelings for the big, icy elf for a long time. She had even suggested that her grand-mother make him Marchwarden. He wanted this so badly, and worked really hard to earn the post. Not to mention he had been forced to raise his two trouble-making brothers almost on his own. Still, he always had a kind word for Arwen. A few times she had been seated near him at one of her grand-mother's or her father's endless banquets, and she had always enjoyed talking to him. Besides, he was unquestionably handsome.

If Galadriel made Haldir Marchwarden, he would be of high enough rank for her to wed, and frankly, Arwen knew that there were not a lot of choices among Elven elders to be had. There was Erestor, but Arwen had always suspected he liked her father. Besides, he was far too bookish. Arwen wanted someone exciting, who would ride and hunt with her, who would not keep her penned up inside. There was Lord Glorfindel, who was certainly exciting, but he had always seemed a little bit off to Arwen. He was handsome enough, and she shivered when he smiled at her, but she never could tell what he was thinking. He was too dangerous for her taste.

Arwen would rather have had Thranduil than Legolas. Thranduil always brought her presents when he came to Imladris, and encouraged her father to let her learn sword-fighting and to drink as much wine as she wanted. Legolas had always seemed a shy, young pale shadow of Thranduil, and they had never had a solid conversation. But Thranduil was definitely involved with her father now. Arwen could not begrudge either of them that. Her father had been so desolate since Mother had departed for Valinor. Thranduil probably kept him on his toes.

Then of course, there was her most secret crush. Arathorn, a Ranger of the North who occasionally came through Imladris and went hunting orcs with Elladan and Elrohir. Arwen had never told anyone how this Ranger made her feel, especially not Arathorn himself. For one thing, her father would never allow such an alliance. For another, it was said that Arathorn had a wife and possibly a child.

Haldir she might have been able to have, but Arathorn was but a fanciful dream. If she allowed the elders to force her to marry Legolas, she would be denied both of her own secret choices. She might have given the match a chance, but it was not in her to consider someone who Haldir might already love. It would cause all three of them too much pain. Did not anyone know this?

And then there was Elladan…

As she sat there at the edge of the pool, a small noise made her turn her head. Arwen saw her brother, still dressed in a robe of their grand-father's, which flattered him greatly. She wished he and Elrohir would dress like this all the time. She smiled in welcome and Elladan sat down beside her. His feet were bare, so he stuck them into the water as she had hers.

"Legolas is free," Elladan said. "Galadriel came to take him from Celeborn's clutches."

"I am glad," Arwen said. "Grand-father frightens me sometimes, when he plays such games. He only does it to get everyone in an uproar."

"Perhaps," Elladan agreed, looking out over the water. "Arwen, why do you not wish to marry Legolas?"

"He does not wish to marry me, either."

"But he would. He is beautiful… and kind. And in the bedroom—"

"Stop there, Elladan! Father would be mortified if he knew that you speak to me of such topics."

"Usually you are fascinated."

"Usually you are not telling me that you slept with my betrothed. Elladan, how can I wed him knowing that he would prefer you, my own brother? Frankly, I do not trust you not to trick him into betraying our marriage vows."

"Ah, you know me too well, Arwen. You must wed someone I find repulsive." Elladan grinned at her.

"I am doomed, then," she teased.

"If it makes you feel better, Legolas refused me tonight."

"Tonight?"

Elladan flushed slightly. "Celeborn said I could… ah… visit Legolas tonight."

Arwen frowned at her brother. "Elladan—"

"I thought I would be doing him a favor. You know that Grand-father can be merciless. I thought it would give Legolas one night's delay before he must lie with Celeborn. I could have taken him against his will if I desired to."

Arwen's heart sank at her brother's words. She seized his arm. "Please, Elladan. Do not follow in Celeborn's footsteps. Do not force anyone to lie with you. You need not do such a thing. It is wrong."

Elladan bowed his head, then lifted it and looked into Arwen's eyes. Like hers, his eyes were a clear grey. He nodded. "You make me feel ashamed of myself, little sister."

"I just want you to think before you do something," Arwen said reasonably. "But why did Legolas refuse you?"

"He is in love with Haldir."

"And Haldir is in love with him."

"Yes." Arwen cursed, and Elladan lifted an eyebrow. "Such language."

"If they love each other, then let them love each other," Arwen grumbled. "Why does Father want this match?"

"He wants to go to Valinor, to be with Mother."

Arwen frowned. "He does? Is he not sleeping with King Thranduil?"

Elladan smirked. "He is, but this was his reasoning. You and Legolas might rule Imladris, leaving him free from responsibility. Apparently he thinks Legolas is far more responsible than Elrohir or myself."

Arwen laughed. "I wonder what would give him such an idea? Your naughty behavior, perhaps?"

"Perhaps."

"Where is Elrohir?"

"He is with Orophin. Orophin cheers him, and for this I am glad."

"As am I." Arwen sighed. "I do not wish to keep Father from going to Valinor to be with Mother if this is his wish. I simply fear that this match will make all of us miserable – Legolas, Haldir, myself… even you, my sweet Elladan."

"What if you were to ask Grand-mother to send Haldir to Imladris with you? An arrangement could be made, do you not think?"

"I am not certain I care for such an arrangement." Arwen thought for a moment. "Perhaps for Father's sake, I can give this one chance. I will try to get to know Legolas, to see if we may suit, to see if all of us will be able to bear such an entanglement. I will speak to Grand-mother in the morning and give my consent."

Arwen smiled wickedly as another reason to do this crossed her mind. If Legolas and Arwen ruled Imladris and Elrond left for Valinor, there would be no one to stop her from pursuing the handsome Ranger Arathorn… especially not a husband who already had another lover.

She glanced at Elladan and had the feeling that her brother had not truly given up on his desire for Legolas. Yes, perhaps this might work out well for all of them after all.