Living In The Shadows (Aragorn X OC)

6

Annika stiffened. Putting on a fake smile, she replied, "Of course!" It wasn't that hard for her to hide her emotion, as she had trained along her journeys to bottle them up, within her mind's walls. She wondered what to tell them about first. That time she took on the horde of Goblins single-handedly, or how she met-

Kili. 

No, she couldn't tell about her adventures. But she would force herself to, even if it meant making her heart bleed more than it already was.

She came here to save Frodo, right? But in her heart, she knew there was another reason~ she wanted to heal. To face her past with a smile. But it seemed a daunting task for her. Annika felt like hiding, like she always did. To live in the shadows just like she had for the past 100 years. But at the same time, she wanted to open up again. But she was scared.

Elladan and Elrohir looked at her as she stared out in silence. 

They could tell she was hiding her emotion. They looked upon her with pity~ she was a younger elf, why did she have to go through so much?

They saw the tears pricking at her eyes.

They knew they had asked too much, for Annika's heart was still not ready. 

Annika still tried to hide her emotion. But a nearly inaudible sob escaped her lips, breaking her facade. 

"Annika..."

"I am fine, my brothers, I just need a moment."

"Don't tell us if your heart goes against it." The brothers said seriously.

They saw how much their sister had changed. Instead of a light hearted, free lioness, they saw a trapped songbird who ceased its singing. 

Elrohir gave her a sad smile. "You must rest now, sister. We can talk later."

"Alright." She responded. 

"I agree!" Elladan exclaimed. 

Elrohir rolled his eyes. "You always do, little brother."

 "No way! I'm not agreeing with you right now!"

As Annika walked away, she chuckled softly through her drying tears. Her brothers hadn't changed, they still loved to fight. 

After cleaning herself in her own chambers she walked over to the library with a small skip in her step. It had been YEARS since she had read an Elven book. Carefully opening the door, she took a deep breath. Annika didn't know why but the scent of the old books seemed to soothe her mind. She smiled as she walked in.

But then, she saw her father, tears in his softened eyes.

"I have seen your return." he stated, joy overwhelming him as he saw his daughter in the doorway.

The lord of Rivendell barely EVER cried, but this was one of those times where emotions betrayed him.

"Father." Annika breathed out, running into his embrace as joyful tears also flooded her eyes. Elrond smoothed her hair, enjoying its touch as he sighed. His daughter had returned!

"You would not forget your little sister, would you now?" a sweet melodic voice rang out from behind a shelf.

"Arwen?"

"Yes, it's me, muinthel nin!" (sister of mine)

The three of them held each other in a tight embrace. Its warmness broke down Annika's walls, even if for a bit.

They heard the door open again. 

"Why were we not invited to this great hug?" Elladan asked, smirking as he and Elrohir joined in.

Annika laughed. A true laugh it was indeed. She was reunited with her family~ for the first time in 102 years. She never thought she'd see them again, but here they were. They would be one of the reasons Annika would step out of the shadows.