Part Nineteen

Arwen Undómiel was no fool, and she could see that her plan was going badly from Legolas' long face at the engagement dinner. She whispered to him, begging to know what was wrong, but he simply shook his head and refused to speak of it. Arwen began to feel as though she had not a friend in that room besides Galadriel (and just where was Celeborn?) and perhaps Elladan.

She looked around at the gathered elves. King Thranduil looked dangerously mean and angry, and Arwen could see that it was only the presence of her father that was keeping him contained. He was like a caged lion. It amused her that her father should have found himself involved with this elf. They were such an unlikely pair. Oh well, that would soon end when Father went to Valinor to be with Mother.

Elrohir was ignoring her, caught up in the company of Haldir's brothers. Elladan had his attention focused on Saelbeth, who looked rather disgusted. Glorfindel seemed bored, and Haldir looked almost as irritated as Thranduil. She had never seen anyone less thrilled to be named Marchwarden. And as for her intended, if he started to weep into his pudding, Arwen was going to push his face in it.

Did she really want to marry this elf? He seemed so young and naïve. She had to admit to herself that he spoke no lies when he told her that he loved Haldir. Haldir, however, seemed to be ignoring Legolas more than anything else and trying to maintain a semblance of decorum. She met Haldir's eyes, but he turned away from her.

That hurt. It brought home the fact that she had wanted him for a long time, and he had never even noticed her. And now that he did notice, it was because she was taking something away from him, when she only hoped to make him happy and perhaps have a little bit of happiness for herself as well. She was trying to be generous.

By the end of the dinner, Arwen felt as morose as everyone else. When Legolas offered to escort her back to her talan, it was none too soon. He took her arm as they went down the stairs. She noticed how light and fine his touch was. How good he smelled. How beautiful he looked in the grand robes that had been designed to match her new dress. They looked quite a pair.

"You seemed so full of hope this afternoon," Arwen said, biting her lip gently.

"I spoke to Haldir after I left you…"

"Ah."

"He did not like your idea," Legolas said in a small voice.

"Does he dislike me so much?" Arwen asked, sighing.

"It is not that… it is just not in his nature to love more than one."

"I do not need him to love me," Arwen said, her voice growing nearly as faint as Legolas'. She realized then how much hope she had pinned on this. Not just for her mysterious Ranger, Arathorn, but also for her unrequited affection for Haldir.

"He will not lie with another, either."

"He will, one day, when you are wed to me and he is lonely," Arwen said spitefully.

Legolas nodded. "I hope so. I do not wish him to be lonely."

She was stunned. How could he be so generous of heart? "Do you think that you and I could ever find love together, Legolas?"

Legolas looked deeply into her eyes. His eyes were blue, like a summer afternoon. Arwen felt her breath catch in her throat, then he shook his head. "Forgive me, my lady, but in this moment, I do not feel that we could ever love each other. You see, Haldir is right. Love should bind one to another, and other alliances will only damage that love."

"What will you do, then? Will you call off the wedding?"

"It is not in my power to do so," Legolas said. "Will you call it off?"

Arwen thought about it for a moment. "Will you give me another chance to make this work? Will you wait, just a small amount of time?"

Legolas nodded. "As I said, this is not up to me. I do not feel that I can refuse. If you will excuse me, I need to go take council with my father. Have a good night, my lady."

He left Arwen at the talan door and disappeared into the trees. Arwen stamped her foot in consternation. It seemed to her that Legolas was very young and impressionable, and therefore would make a perfect husband for her. He would not attempt to tell her what to do… but he also would never love her.

Did that matter, if she were able to find love with her Ranger? There were no guarantees that Arathorn would notice her even if she became the Queen of Rivendell. Arwen sighed. The answer was obvious, of course. She had to go speak to Haldir and to convince him to tell Legolas to go through with it.

She knew where his talan was. She had known this for years. Arwen crept quietly up the stairs, passing Rúmil and Orophin's apartment. She could hear them laughing inside, and hear Elrohir's voice as well. At least someone was having fun tonight. Finally she reached Haldir's door, knocking softly.

"Legolas?" Haldir said, yanking the door open. There was a light of hope in his eyes that vanished when he saw Arwen. His face grew cold, his expression formal. "My Lady Arwen. What do you here alone, so late at night?"

"I need to speak with you. Will you let me in?"

"I do not think I should. It is not appropriate."

"We have always been friends, Haldir—"

"And never have you come to my talan unescorted."

"Not for lack of desire."

"Arwen!"

Arwen pushed past Haldir and entered his talan. It was modest, but elegant and consisted of only one room, like most of the talans of Lórien. She sat down on his bed, mostly to enjoy the expression of dismay on his face. "Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you." He stood there, staring at her, his expression exhibiting only a thin veneer of patience.

"I cannot bear it if you hate me."

"I do not hate you."

"Not now, perhaps, but eventually you will. I will be the one who broke your heart, when it does not have to be that way!"

"Arwen, Legolas told me of your grand plan to have me sent to Imladris as your wedding gift. Despite the honor of such a position, surely you realize that having just named me her Marchwarden, your grand-mother would not be so quick to give me up?"

Arwen was stunned. "Actually, that had not occurred to me."

Haldir nodded. "So even if I were to accept, it could not be. Leave me to deal with my broken heart."

"I will speak to Galadriel!"

"Do not, Arwen."

"Am I so repulsive?"

"You are beautiful," Haldir admitted. "But that is neither here nor there. Just promise me one thing. Be kind to Legolas. Do not hurt him. I cannot bear the thought of him miserable."

"Then agree to this plan. Come to Imladris with us, and Legolas will be yours."

"And yours?"

"In name alone."

"Arwen, you should go," Haldir said. Arwen heard footsteps outside and a thought came to her. Haldir offered her his hand to lift her from the bed. She took it, but instead she pulled quickly, making Haldir lose his balance and tumble onto the bed beside her. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. He struggled to push her away, but his whole body went still as the door opened and a familiar voice was heard.

"Haldir? Are you—" Legolas cut himself off as he saw the two of them sprawled on Haldir's bed.