The Exile's Daughter

Everlasting

Time passed, as it always had for the elves, both slowly and quickly. One late afternoon, I sat by the fireplace with Aragorn. Though it was a warm day, I had asked for it to be lit. We had an important task ahead.

He filled our wine glasses and raised his with a smile. I clinked them together and spoke. "To many happy years for all of us."

"To never delivering our letters." He added. We both looked at them, sitting on the table in front of us. "Shall we?" he asked.

I nodded. "Together." Simultaneously we picked them up and looked at the names on the front. One for Legolas, the other for Arwen. We threw them into the fire and watched them curl into nothing in the leaping flames. "It is done." I smiled. "They will never be rid of us."

Aragorn laughed. "I do not think that is a hardship for either. Thinking of Legolas, he is cooking for you tonight."

"Is he?" I said in surprise.

Aragorn grinned. "Ah, let the poor thing spoil you. I've been instructed to take you to the fountain for the sunset. He is overjoyed to see your health improving at last, and he wants to celebrate."

"Him and his plans" I rolled my eyes. "He's been 'planning' since the night before the battle." I smiled, looking at the fresh tulips on my bedside table. "What a sweet thing to do, to make me dinner."

"You're so in love. It's revolting."

"Is it? Mr 'Arwen told me I look nice in red and now I will never wear anything else'?"

Aragorn made a face and I grinned. "It is no bad thing to look your best for your beloved." He defended, raising an eyebrow. I took a sip of wine.

"Is that a hint?"

"Take it how you like."

I thought of the deep green dress in the wardrobe. It had gold embroidery on the bodice, and on the hems of the sleeves. I knew he loved it.

Legolas had seemed quiet over the previous few days. Though he seemed to most to be perfectly content, I had found him rather distracted and scattered. Sometimes he looked at me like he could hardly believe I was still there with him, like he was trying to decide whether I was a mirage, a dream already too far away to catch. We were happier than we had ever been, but increasingly I worried that perhaps he did not see me in the same way he once did. I bit my lower lip, glancing at Aragorn and finishing my half formed thought out loud. "He's been strange lately."

He frowned. "I have noticed no difference. Are you still happy?"

"Of course we are." I laughed slightly at his concern. "It's the way he looks at me, like he's trying to decide something. Sometimes he just gazes at me, and smiles. It's sweet, but it makes me wonder whether something is bothering him. perhaps I'm not the same."

Aragorn had a slightly knowing smile on his mouth. "There is nothing wrong with you."

"I am not the same woman who first left this land, my friend. I've changed." I looked up and into his eyes, wondering if he could see the worry behind them. Irritatingly, he only smirked.

"He adores you. Nothing you have suffered could change that. In fact, I believe your valour has only strengthened his certainty. You must not worry about him. Love is not so fickle, particularly between the elves."

"I suppose not." I said, looking up at a knock on the door. My eyes widened. "Is that him? I need to dress."

Aragorn grinned annoyingly again and got up to answer it. He held out a hand to the visitor, leading Arwen into my chambers. She smiled brightly and I returned it. We had spent many hours together, and I enjoyed her cheerful company.