Aredhel's POV

"You are shining, Miss."

I grin at Ara through the mirror. "Thank you."

"Lord Elladan is completely besotted with you. I have never seen him act this way with anyone. He is so lucky to have you, and you are lucky to have him. He could not have been bound with a lovelier female than you," she praises, braiding my thick curls quickly and easily.

"You are too kind! What about you? Have you found your mate?" I question her, analyzing her expression closely.

She blushes deeply, shaking her head. "Oh, no, Miss."

"You fancy someone, though! I can tell," I reply with a cat like smirk that reminds me of Elrohir. "Who is it? Is it the dark haired, brown eyed servant who tends to me sometimes?"

She shakes her head, her face flaming red. "No, definitely not."

"Then who? Please tell me it is not Elrohir!" I exclaim with a laugh.

"I know the twins too well to ever fancy them," she remarks with a laugh.

"Then who? I swear not to tell!"

"You will laugh at me for being just as silly as all of the other ellith in Rivendell," she mumbles miserably.

I gasp. "Glorfindel?" I question, and she says nothing, "Glorfindel! Oh my goodness, Ara, I would never make fun of you for fancying him."

"Do not pity me," she says, holding up her hand, "His mate is passed, and he will never open his heart to romance again. I know this, but I cannot help but feel attracted to him. He is glorious."

We both giggle like elflings. "He is, is he not?" I drawl, running my hands down my dress skirts to smooth them. "I can understand. Glorfindel is stunning, like a celestial being. His mate was very lucky."

"You have seen him on the practice fields then?" she assumes, and we break into a fit of giggles.

Someone clears their throat, and I turn to see Elladan leaning against the door frame, amusement in his eyes. Elrohir stands behind him, peering inside with a wicked smirk.

"Ara, I did not know you had such dirty thoughts about Glorfindel," Elrohir purrs, stepping inside after his twin.

Her face turns as red as my hair, and I step in to defend her. "Do not tease her, 'Ro, and do not tell Glorfindel. A lady is allowed to have private thoughts."

Elladan takes my hand in his as Ara finishes my hair, and I stand, allowing him to pull me in and kiss my temple. "You have private thoughts of Glorfindel?" he asks lowly, and I meet his gaze.

Elrohir laughs loudly.

"No, I have private thoughts of you," I whisper to him. "I was merely agreeing that Glorfindel is quite handsome, and I can understand why she fancies him."

"I do not think you called him quite handsome," Elrohir says, grinning, and he clasps his hands together and mimics a high pitched voice, "Oh, Ara! Glorfindel is more beautiful than a celestial being. I sometimes dream of him lowering that big, strong body between my-"

Glorfindel coughs as he appears at the door to my chambers, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe with a lazy smirk. "I never knew you felt that way about me, Elrohir. I will have to decline your invitation, though," he says, sending a small wink my way as I laugh, "But I would gladly take the lovely Ara or Aredhel up on such a deal any day."

Ara bows her head shyly, allowing her hair to cover her face. "Are you satisfied with your hair, Miss?" she asks me quietly.

I reach out to squeeze her hand in mine. "Yes, thank you so much."

Her eyes meet mine, and she smiles beautifully. "I will see you soon, then."

She curtseys to us all before leaving the room gracefully, head held high as she passes Glorfindel, who watches her closely with those shining blue eyes, lingering for a moment after she has disappeared. I have never seen his gaze trail after any elleth.

Elrohir looks embarrassed for the first time ever, narrowing his eyes at the golden warrior. "I do not have such thoughts about you, you perverted old man," he remarks, and I burst into laughter along with Elladan.

Glorfindel regards him lazily. "Old man?"

"How much did you hear?" I question softly, eyeing the warrior suspiciously. Ara is surely embarrassed, and it hurts my heart to think of her holding an unrequited love. She is stunning and sweet and deserves an elf such as Glorfindel.

"Enough," he answers vaguely, smirking slightly. "Do you really have such thoughts of me, Ar?"

I raise my brow, ignoring the fact that he called me by my nickname. "Maybe you are a perverted old man if you like the idea," I tell him, causing the twins to snicker.

His eyebrows furrow. "Why is everyone calling me old this morning?"

"Because you are ancient," Elrohir mutters, crossing his arms.

"Yet I can still kick your ass on the training fields," he replies with a cocky grin.

Elrohir clenches his jaw, speechless because he knows it is true.

"Well, whatever you heard was private," I say to Glorfindel, "Ara is horribly embarrassed, and I do not wish for her to be sad. She is the sweetest person I know and happens to be my only friend other than Arwen. I am very loyal to those I love."

"If you think I would tease her or hurt her, you do not know me very well," he reassures me with a small smile. "And I thought I was your friend?"

"You are family."

He smiles, seemingly pleased.

Elladan runs his hand up my arm, and I turn to him, love swimming in my eyes as I look upon him. "Are you ready to eat?"

I nod. "Yes, let us go before Glorfindel and Elrohir get into a lover's quarrel."

We laugh together, leaving my chambers as the two follow us, grumbling.

Elladan and I walk hand in hand, chatting peacefully. Spending my nights with him has brought us closer than ever, and my heart belongs to him wholly and completely. He is simply so divine.

A breeze blows my hair behind me, and suddenly Elrohir touches my neck, laughing boyishly. "Aredhel, I do believe you and my brother have been very naughty," he mocks in a disapproving tone.

I look at him confusedly as we stop walking. "What do you mean?"

Elladan pulls my hair forward to cover my neck, trying to hide his smirk. I narrow my eyes at him as the other two laugh. "Why are you laughing?"

"I am not," he defends, but his voice breaks with laughter.

Elrohir throws his head back, cackling like an elfling, and Glorfindel laughs almost as hard.

"Oh, Ar, you are so innocent!" Elrohir continues to laugh. "'Dan, how dare you take advantage of that!"

"I do not take advantage of my mate. She is very willing," he replies, his grey eyes swimming with pleasure as he looks at my neck that is now covered by the lower half of my hair that Ara left unbound.

"What are you talking about?" I complain.

"'Tis nothing to be worried about, melleth (love)," Elladan assures me, kissing my head.

Elrohir pulls my hair back to look at the slope of my neck. "You mean to tell me you have not noticed the mark on your neck?" he asks in disbelief.

I furrow my eyebrows, touching my neck in confusion as he continues to look at me and smirk. "What mark?"

"Did you not know that when Elladan is sucking on your neck like an animal it will leave a mark?" he teases.

Glorfindel hits him on the arm, but he is trying to hide his amusement, as well.

I blush deeply, turning away from him to keep walking. "Do not talk down to me, Elrohir."

Elladan's hand finds mine as he sends a wave of calm down our bond, enveloping me in it to try and take away my embarrassment. "Do not listen to him, Ar."

"I am sorry, Ar. I simply cannot help but tease you. I love to see you blush," Elrohir says, sounding genuine in his apology. "If my brother does not stop taking advantage of your innocence, I am going to slap him."

"I am not taking advantage of her," Elladan replies calmly.

I glance back at his twin to see him grinning.

"I suggest you keep your neck covered. Elrond will string your mate from the nearest tree if he sees that," Glorfindel advises kindly, but he laughs.

When we reach the family greenhouse with the fancy white table and chairs, Elladan pulls my chair out for me and helps me in before taking the seat beside me. Vesryn hops down from his seat, rushing around the table and climbing in my lap. Everyone laughs at his enthusiasm, and I am beaming as he leans in and kisses me.

"Wow, that was such a warm welcome, Vesryn," I laugh, "I was not expecting a kiss."

"You should be used to kisses by now, Ar," Elrohir drawls, winking at me as I glare at him.

Lady Celebrían tries to hide her smile behind her napkin as her eyes meet her husband's.

Arwen laughs beautifully. "Good morning, Aredhel. You look beautiful," she greets, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand.

"As do you. Did you enjoy your trip yesterday?"

She and her mother went horseback riding yesterday, while Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel, and I went to search my home for keepsakes.

She grins prettily. "Oh, it was such fun. You must join us next time. I missed you," she says, her blue eyes reflecting nothing but honesty.

"I would love to."

Vesryn, who has been staring at me for quite some time now, suddenly asks very loudly. "Ar, what is that on your neck?"

Elrohir chokes on his wine, nearly spraying it across the table onto his sister. Glorfindel tilts his head back, laughing loudly as Erestor looks at him as if he has gone mad.

I blush, pulling my hair over my shoulder to hide it, and I turn to Elladan for help.

"Vesryn, what have I told you about asking so many questions?" Elladan scolds him gently.

The elfling's eyes widen, and he pouts. "But-"

"Vesryn."

He pouts, reaching for the food on his plate silently.

Elladan's parents watch us closely, and I notice the smirk on his mother's face, the suspicion on his father's.

As conversation sparks between the others, Elrohir smirks at me. I glare at him, daring him to say a word. He loves the threat behind my eyes; he continues to smirk as he eats.

"Erestor, I rarely see you. Where do you spend most of your time?" I ask conversationally, and Elrohir snorts.

"The elf does not leave his study," Elrohir replies for him.

"And when he does, he is in the library," Glorfindel adds with a smirk.

Erestor looks between the two with an irritated expression. "Yes, well, not all of us enjoy rolling around in the dirt and calling it training."

I expect them to get angry, but Glorfindel barks out a laugh, slapping his friend on the back. Erestor's face nearly hits the table from the golden warrior's unintended force, and he straightens, looking uncomfortable with being here at all.

"What kind of books do you like to read?" I question further.

His face lights up, and he opens his mouth to reply.

He is cut off by Elrohir once again, "Nothing you like, Ar. Erestor sticks his nose in history books all day."

"Erestor, what kind of books do you like to read?" I ask again, ignoring Elrohir's rudeness.

Elrohir chuckles lowly.

Erestor gives the young lord of Rivendell a dark look, expecting him to say something. When he does not, he speaks up. "I enjoy reading nonfiction. I believe one can never have too much information here," he explains, tapping his temple once.

"Do you have any recommendations? I grew up a little isolated from the world," I explain kindly, "I could use a history book."

He smiles, a genuine, pleased smile for the first time in my presence. "Of course. You can always visit my study. I will gladly help you find what you are looking for."

Elrohir snorts, rolling his eyes. "Aredhel is indulging you. She likes to read romance. She is quite fond of the dirty stuff, if you know what I mean," he says suggestively, pointing at Erestor with his fork and wiggling his eyebrows.

"Elrohir!" Lady Celebrían and I exclaim at the same time.

"I do not!" I continue, slapping his arm as he chuckles.

He just grins, popping a grape into his mouth with a satisfied expression.

Erestor clears his throat, looking highly uncomfortable. "I have history books, if that is what you are looking for."

"It is, thank you," I tell him.

Lord Elrond sits with his wine glass held close to his lips, hiding his smile, but I can see the way his shoulders shake as he laughs silently.

His silver eyes meet mine over the rim of his glass, crinkling with mirth. I smile back at him.

Vesryn turns in my lap to look at me. "I want to go outside, Ar!"

"Vesryn, eat your food. You are not leaving until you do," Glorfindel chastises, and the elfling sticks his bottom lip out, begging me.

"Please, Ar! Please!"

"Do as your ada says and eat. I will take you outside after we are all finished," I instruct soothingly, running my fingers through his hair.

"Aredhel, I need you to pick out your dress for the Summer Solstice within the next few days. If you do not choose quickly, the seamstress will be drowning in orders," Lady Celebrían mentions, spooning her steaming soup and blowing on it gracefully.

"Yes, of course. I am excited about the feast," I reply.

Arwen passes a basket of bread to me. "You will love it, Aredhel. May I come with you to pick out your gown?"

"I would love that! I will need your opinion on what looks best."

Elladan looks at me with those startling grey eyes. "You will look beautiful in anything, melleth nin (my love)."

Elrohir elbows my side, whispering, "Or nothing. He wishes to say that, too." He taps his head, indicating he got that information through their bond.

I swat at him, hoping no one else heard him.

"Thank you, 'Dan," I reply gratefully, flushing.

He lifts my hand, kissing it tenderly.

Vesryn gasps, reaching out to poke Elladan's neck, right under his ear. "'Dan! You have something on your neck, too! Just like Ar! How did you get a bruise there?"

This time, Elrohir and Glorfindel both lose it. They laugh until they are holding their stomachs. Elladan's cheeks turn a bit pink; whereas, mine turn as red as my hair.

"Aredhel!" Elrohir gasps through his laughter, "You sly fox!"

I bury my face in my hands, and Vesryn pulls at my wrists, trying to get my attention. "Ar, what is it? What is it? Tell me!"

When another laugh comes pouring from the head of the table, I uncover my face to see Lord Elrond laughing, along with his wife and Arwen. The Lord and Lady of Rivendell glance at each other, laughing harder, and Arwen covers her mouth with her napkin, eyes sparkling with amusement. The only one who does not laugh is Erestor, who looks highly uncomfortable at the thought of mine and Elladan's lips all over each other. I do not blame him.

Elladan's arm comes to rest behind my back, bringing me closer to him. "It seems we have become the joke of the family. We will never live peacefully now," he says to me, and my gaze meets his shining eyes.

Elrohir stares at his father with an open mouth. "Why are you laughing!" he accuses, "You are supposed to murder him now!"

Lord Elrond breathes deeply to calm himself down, but another few chuckles escape. "I trust my firstborn. He loves Aredhel deeply, and he would not do anything to sully her reputation."

Elrohir continues to gape at him. "You would murder me!"

Lord Elrond shrugs. "You have yet to prove yourself as trustworthy."

The rest of us laugh, and even Elrohir cannot hide his smile. "Whatever you say, Ada. I will remember this moment."

Lady Celebrían gives me a dainty smirk. "Aredhel, I will ask the seamstress to get you a high-neck gown for the feast. Then you will have nothing to worry about."

This makes her husband laugh again.

"That will not be necessary," I reply shyly, still blushing like an elfling.

"Oh, are you quite sure?" Arwen asks, and her laugh is like tinkling bells.

"Are you quite sure?" Elladan repeats with a boyish laugh, and I punch him lightly on the chest.

"You have no room to talk! It is your fault," I grumble, stabbing him in the chest accusingly.

"My fault?" he questions with wide eyes.

"Yes, you!" I exclaim, "You and those eyes!"

Laughter erupts around the table again, and I bite my tongue, feeling stupid for letting that slip.

Elrohir howls with laughter. "Those eyes and those lips!" he swoons, mimicking me.

"The pair of you are too adorable," Lady Celebrían sighs, lifting her napkin and dabbing at her eyes that are watery from laughing so hard.

Lord Elrond shakes his head, still grinning as he looks at me. "Go ahead and order the high neck gown, Aredhel. Maybe order some more while you are at it. You will need them, iell nin (my daughter), if you wish to escape our teasing."

Glorfindel chuckles deeply. "You will never escape our teasing. Get used to it, Ar."

I cannot keep the grin off of my face. Even though I am embarrassed, my heart is warm, knowing that their teasing stems from their love for us. I have always just had my family. That is the only happiness I have ever known. But sitting here in the midst of my new family and friends, I find myself beaming with love and joy. I seem to have found my place in this world. I have found a group of incredible elves who love me for who I am- as innocent and naive as I may be.

"I like that," I reply with watery eyes and a huge smile.

Elladan wipes away the stray tear that falls down my cheek, placing a hard kiss to my head. His own eyes are watery, having felt everything through our bond. Vesryn complains, so 'Dan kisses him, too.

"Awe, Aredhel, do not cry," Lady Celebrían coos, standing quickly and rounding the table. She wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace.

Elladan quickly explains. "Ar is happy to have found a home here. She feels loved by us all. It makes her happy to sit at this table, surrounded by laughter and smiles. It reminds her of her own family." His voice breaks near the end, tears still in his eyes.

His mother kisses my cheek. "We love you very much. It makes me happy to see you smile."

Arwen wipes at her eyes. "You are my sister now, Ar. I love you."

Elladan wipes my tears away once again, pulling me to his chest.

Lord Elrond takes his wife's spot beside me. "Look at me, Aredhel."

I do as he says, meeting his wise, all-knowing eyes. His expression is serious as he searches my eyes, seeing all that Elladan said inside of them. "You have brought such joy into my home. You have brought a light into my son's eyes that I have never seen in them before. I thank you for that. We all love you more than you will ever know."

I nod. "I love you all very much," I respond, unable to say anything else.

"While we are on the topic of your family, I have good news to share," he says softly, taking my hand in his. "They have been laid to rest in my wife's gardens, with the most beautiful headstones crafted in their memory."

My eyes widen as I clamp my hand over my mouth. "Oh, thank you, Lord Elrond," I breathe, lip quivering, "Thank you so much for your kindness. I will visit them there all the time."

He pats my cheek, smiling. "I know you will."

___________

After lunch, Elladan escorts me to the gardens, and the others follow behind at a respectful distance, giving us privacy.

"I did not think you could make them love you any more than they already did," Elladan says thoughtfully, "I was wrong."

"I do not know why I am always crying. It hits me out of nowhere. I will be fine, and then I start thinking of my family out of the blue," I say.

"Grief is like that," he says, bringing my hand to his lips for a kiss. "I was the same when Galahan passed. So was Ara."

"Ara?" I ask him with furrowed brows. "Oh, no, was that her brother?"

He looks at me sadly. "No, melleth, Galahan was her mate and husband."

"But- she said-," I stammer with wide eyes, "Oh my goodness I asked her who her mate was just this morning! I feel horrible!"

He shakes his head. "You did not know. She is not angry with you, I know."

"She blushed when I asked the question and denied having met her mate. Then she told me about Glorfindel. I did not know," I explain, still feeling shocked.

"You did nothing wrong. It has been many decades since his passing."

I nod miserably as he leads me through the gardens. In the very back, down twisting pathways, lies a small clearing with three elegant headstones resting peacefully. The sound of the birds chirping fills the air, and bright flowers surround the headstones, freshly planted.

My vision blurs as I stumble toward Papa's grave, sinking down in front of the headstone and running my fingers over his name etched into the stone. "Papa," I gasp, clutching my chest as the pain appears harder than it ever has.

They are dead. They are really dead. Their remains are here, underneath me.

I stare at the headstones numbly. I am aware of the others standing back, watching.

"Papa, Naneth, Elas," I whisper brokenly. "I cannot say goodbye to you."

A butterfly floats on the wind, landing upon Elas's headstone. Its wings flutter innocently, reminding me of my baby brother's lashes fluttering when he was dreaming.

Lord Elrond sits beside me, placing his hand on my back. "You do not have to say goodbye. They are with you, always."

I sniffle, unable to speak without crying.

"I have lost many loved ones in my time, and I will continue to lose them. It is the way of the world," he says to me gently, "But they are never gone. They live on inside of us, in our hearts and in our memories. And one day, we will see them again. That is a comforting thought, is it not?"

"Yes," I mumble.

"You can come and visit them here anytime. This section of the gardens is off limits to anyone who is not family or close friends. I hope you like it and use it often."

"I will," I reply in a small voice, and I turn to him. "I am so grateful. Thank you."

I stay sitting there, Elladan by my side, long after everyone has left. I talk to my parents and my brother as if they can hear. I tell them about my new life and family. I tell them about Elladan and how much he means to me, and he kisses my head as I do.

When I am finished, my throat and eyes are raw, but my chest feels lighter, as if a great weight has been lifted from it. "I love it here," I whisper to my mate.

"I know."

I look up at him through my lashes. "You sat with me all this time..."

His lips lift into a heart-breaking smile. "Of course."

"Why?"

He traces the point of my ear with his index finger, eyebrows furrowed in thought. "I would do anything for you because I love you. I have told you this before," he explains patiently.

I smile. "I like to hear you say it."

He chuckles quietly before standing and helping me to my feet. "Come, let us steal some pastries from the kitchens. Nothing cheers a person up quite like sweets."

I laugh as he tucks me into his side, leading me toward the house. I lean my head against his chest, happiness bubbling inside of me like a gurgling stream. "I would have to agree with you on that. I love strawberry pastries, but I think I will try the blueberry ones today."

"What about chocolate muffins?" he suggests, kissing my brow.

"Hmm, I think that sounds even better!" I reply, grinning up at him.

His silver eyes drown me with love as he peers down at me. "I love your smile," he says randomly, taking me by surprise. "You will never understand the relief I feel when your face blossoms with happiness."

A blush dusts my cheeks with shyness. "I love your smile, as well, and the look you get in your eyes when you are happy."

He does not reply, having nothing to say to that. He simply smiles, running his knuckles across my cheekbone, and the action is worth more than any words he could ever utter.

____

A/N: I hope y'all are enjoying this story so far!!! Please leave some love in the comments. :) Also, I hope you like the picture I added! I saw it on Pinterest, and I was like ELLADAN IS THAT YOU? It is exactly how I picture him!