Life's Path

Title: Life’s Path
Author: Elfgirl69
Pairing: Haldir/OFC
Rating: NC-17 (later chapters)
Genre: romance
Beta: Kara
WARNING: Adult themes, sex
Disclaimer: I own no one from The Lord Of The Rings. All the characters and place names displayed belong to JRR Tolkien. I do not intend to, nor am I making any financial gain from the writing of
this story.
Feedback: Yes please!
Timeline: A.U. Not following movie-verse.
Summary: Annis is drawn to Caras Galadhon to find her life’s path and love.


CHAPTER 1 - Restless

Arwen watched as her daughter, Annis, practiced her marksmanship with the bow knowing how much Aragorn hated his daughter practicing her skills. He seemed to want to keep his daughters locked up, safe from middle earth. But Annis was stubborn for she had too much warrior blood in her. Or one could say she inherited too much of her father’s blood. Arwen’s mind wondered back to when Annis had asked to join Aragorn and her brother, Eldarion, on one of their excursions looking for a band of Orcs who had been raiding some outlaying villages. Aragorn had sternly reminded her that it was no place for a maiden and how her place was at home not in a battlefield. How Annis had raged that night to Arwen about the unfairness of life. All Arwen could do was hold her daughter and comfort her. It was strange how Aragorn’s views concerning women learning fighting techniques had changed upon his eldest daughter’s birth.
Annis looked up and saw her mother watching her. She turned back to the target, pulling the bow taunt, and watched as the arrow sailed to the middle of the target like all before it. She walked towards the target and admired the placing of all the arrows. Smiling smugly to herself, she pulled out the arrows. She knew she had more talent than most of the men that rode with her father. She sighed; refusing to get angry for it did nothing other than to put her into a bad mood. She had given up hope that her father would change his mind. After collecting the arrows and putting them into her quiver, Annis headed towards her mother.
Arwen watched her beautiful Annis glide up the stairs with a light ease and grace that came from her elf side. Her expressive green eyes were her most striking feature. She had flawless pale skin, which was brought out by her long chestnut colored hair.
Annis had inherited much from her mother aside from the grace of an elf. She never seemed to fit in the human world much. She was more at home near rivers and woods than in the cold stone of Minas Tirith. While her 2 younger sisters were hoping for marriage and children, Annis wanted to be out exploring, learning about everything. She had had a couple of lovers but none that she desired to be with the rest of her life. They always ended up boring her. She believed she had been in love once with one of the young guards but after 2 years, she couldn’t see spending the rest of her life with him and broke it off. He went on to marry and father 3 children.

“Any news on when father and Eldarion will return?” Annis asked as she took her quiver off and sat next to her mother.

“In a few days. So you can practice in the open a bit longer.” Arwen answered pushing a lose hair off her daughter’s face.

“I feel like a little girl again. Sneaking around. Looking over my shoulder.” Annis laughed.

“I know but I also think you love the thrill of it! One day maybe you will understand how your father feels. Having children makes you rethink many things.”

“I understand mother but he must also understand that you carried a weapon many times. It is in my nature to want to defend my people. I can’t help it. I don’t do it to be disobedient.”

“I know my child. Come here.” Arwen took her daughters hands in hers. “I have never wanted anything more than your happiness. I wish there was something I could do to make you smile more often.”

“Maybe my mother would see it in her heart to ask father to let me visit Rivendell for awhile. It has been so long since I have seen Lord Elrond.” Annis smiled at Arwen broadly.

“Let me work my charm and see what he says.” Arwen affectionately touched her daughters face and got up. “Come it is time for supper. Let us see what your sisters have been doing today.”

“That does not take long for one to figure out mother. I am sure Alodia and Ninde have been watching the guards practice as usual.”

And with that Arwen and Annis joined arms and went to look for the others.

***
“Come now Aragorn it has been long since she has seen my father. It is what she needs right now.”

“Nay, the ride is too unsafe. I cannot let any of my men go to escort her to Rivendell. She needs to settle herself here. We need not to give in to her every whim.” Aragorn said sternly as he finished the drink from his goblet and placing it back on the table. “So many times we have let her go and hide in Rivendell. This is her home, Arwen. She needs to learn that.”

“But is it her home?” Arwen sat across from Aragorn taking his hands in hers. “Aragorn, my love, what does your heart really say about Annis? Do you believe what you say? You know that she will have to choose her life soon. Are you trying to hide her away from her other choice?”

“I am not hiding her from anything Arwen. She knows her place is here. She is indulged to her every whim. She needs to find a love and settle down.” Aragorn jumped up pushing her hands away.

“I can not believe I hear these words from you.” Arwen laughed almost bitterly. “You know better than anyone of the struggle we have to find where we belong. For it was I, not too long ago, who was fighting with myself and my father as to where I belonged.”

Arwen moved closer to her husband again. Even though Aragorn was facing away from her, she could sense the torment in his soul. She turned him to face her and taking his face in her hands.

“My love. I know you think that if she leaves Minas Tirith, you will lose her. But you will not. I left my immortality but not my love for my father. Annis will not forget her love for you. You are her father. She will always know that. But you cannot keep her caged up. She needs to find who she is. You only hurt her more by hiding her. Then one day she will hate you for denying her a chance of a life that will make her happy.”

Aragorn looked at his wife and a single tear rolled down his check. He took her in his arms, pulled her close to him and rested his head on her shoulder.

“Arwen, your words are not falling on deaf ears. I fear for her. Being so far from my sword and protection. She is my first-born daughter. I do want what is best for her….I just don’t want to lose her.”

“My dear, you will never lose her love. Trust me.” Arwen tenderly kissed his head, holding him close to her body.

***
Annis lay awake in her bedchamber. Her head swimming with the stories her father and brother had told of their excursion. She was so jealous. She wanted nothing more than to prove her ability to her father. She hoped that her mother was able to talk him into allowing her to go to Rivendell. At least there she was more comfortable. Elrond didn’t treat her as a child. He would spend hours talking to her and reading about her heritage. Finally she fell into a restless sleep. Then a beautiful voice filled her dream:

“Annis come to Calas Galadhon. Find out what you really can do. I will welcome you with open arms.”

Annis woke up with a t lot looking around the room for the source of the voice. Seeing nor sensing anyone near, she swiftly jumped out of bed and opened the door. Neither Alodia nor Ninde where near the door. Closing the door she walked back to her bed. Calas Galadhon…..the Golden woods? It couldn’t have been Galadriel. Why would she call to her? She knew that technically she was her great grandmother. Arwen being the daughter of Celebrian, herself the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. Would her father allow it? How could she ask him or mother to go? She was afraid she would sound crazy saying that Lady Galadriel had called to her. They would laugh at her she knew it. But still the sweet voice echoed inside her head. She lay back down but knew that sleep was no longer going to happen.

***
“ It is time Annis came to me. Let her come to me in Calas Galadhon. It is her time now Arwen. Do her right and bring her here. I will have my Galadhrim Warriors waiting at the boundary to escort her in. I promise her safety.”

Arwen woke up. It had been long since she heard the voice of Galadriel. She gently got out of the bed she shared with Aragorn, as not to disturb him. She walked to the window and looked out towards the direction of the Lothlorien. She smiled knowing that Annis had loved the tales of Lothlorien and Calas Galadhon. Now to get Aragorn to agree to letting Annis leave. But knowing that Galadriel had called for her, he would not refuse. Walking to her sleeping husband, Arwen gently rubbed his shoulder to wake him.

“Aragorn, we must talk.”

“Mummm...what time is it? No light is coming through the window. What is so important that you need to wake me before the sun even raises?”

“Galadriel just hailed me. She wants Annis.”

Aragorn propped up on one arm and looked at his wife with surprise. Still trying to shake the sleep from his head.

“Galadriel? She talked to you? Annis?”

“Aye, she wants us to bring Annis to her and have her stay a while. Maybe to help her in her choice.”

“Lothlorien? She wants Annis to be with her? But why? Why would she want Annis there?”

“Aragorn, it is time for her to leave us. You know in your heart it is the right thing. Let our daughter go. We can journey with her to the edge of the Golden Woods.”

“I know my love. How can we refuse the great lady? I shall let Annis go. For as much as I hate to think about it or admit it I have been selfish. We shall tell her in the morn. Now come here and receive punishment for waking me so early.”

Aragorn pulled Arwen into his arms. Kissing her deeply, pulling the sheets off himself. Arwen laughed as Aragorn kissed her neck making her body heat up. Even after the many years they had shared. Making love was always welcome.

***
Annis walked towards her father’s private rooms, where she had been summoned. She thought to herself about all the things she could have done to be called to his room. Being summoned always meant trouble for her. She reached the door and gingerly knocked on it and waited to be called forth. She heard her father’s voice from within the room call for her to enter.
Upon entering the room she saw her father standing by the fire. Next to him, her mother sat. She tired to read their faces but both had neutral looks. Arwen motioned for Annis to take the chair across from her. She sat down. Her heart pounding so loud her ears were hurting. She looked at the floor waiting for one of them to speak.

“You must be wondering why I called you here today Annis?” Her father turned to face her.

“Yes, my lord. Have I done something to displease you?”

“Nay, Annis. Why do you always think so ill of yourself? I need you to listen before you say anything. You near the age where you must chose what race you wish to live in. Your mother had asked me to let you go to Rivendell but I have decided against that request.”

Annis looked at her father in disbelief. She felt her temperature rising in her. Why did he always have to be so hard on her? She hated it here. She started to open her mouth to speak but saw her mother shake her head no. Annis closed her mouth and waited for her father to continue.

“Another choice has been given to you and one that I would like, or I should say both your mother and I would like for you to take. We want you to travel to Lothlorien to see Lady Galadriel.”

Annis sat in disbelief. How did they know that she called for her? She looked into her mother’s eyes. Arwen saw confusion but also that Annis was hiding something. Annis’ eyes always gave her away. Arwen smile gently at her and said:

“She called to me last night little one. She wants to meet you and let you see her city. I think it would be good for you to have a chance to see something that many elves never see. Do you agree to this decision?”

“Mother, father, I would like nothing better than a chance to see the great city. I have always wondered about it and how it would look. It is like a dream come true for me. Thank you both so much for the chance.”

And with that she jumped up into her father’s arms. Aragorn held onto his daughter tight. His heart was breaking with the thought that his little one would no longer be running in the halls. He knew that she wouldn’t come back to Minas Tirith to live. Even if she didn’t stay in Lothlorien, she would never return here. She was going to be immortal. He saw that now. Arwen joined the embrace. She brushed a tear from Aragorn’s eye before Annis had a chance to see it. Aragorn broke away. And turned to the two women.

“Now we must tell you siblings and then get ready for the journey. Oh, we will hear nothing but whining from your sisters now.”

Aragorn turned and left the room. Arwen looked at her daughter and held her hand. She looked into her eyes.

“What are you hiding my little one? Somehow you were not as shocked as I thought you would be.”

“Mother, she spoke to me last night too. She asked me to come.”

“I wonder what the Lady Galadriel has seen to want you to visit her so much. You know how honored you should be.”

“Yes. I promise mother that I will not embarrass you or father.”

“You could never embarrass us. Just be true to yourself. Now go and start to pack your things.”

Arwen kissed her daughter’s cheek and walked out of the room. Annis stood for a minute frozen. She couldn’t believe what had happen. It was like a dream. Her head was full of all the things swirling around. She took a deep breath and went back to her room. She started to go through her clothes. Nothing seemed right to take with her. All the clothes were very human. She found a few dresses that she always wore to Rivendell and threw them towards her bag. She pulled out her riding clothes and set them to the side. How long a ride was it going to be? Who was going to go? A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. A scream broke thouthoughts. She heard both her sisters coming down the hallway. She smiled to herself, knowing that they must have just been told. They burst into her room screaming with both anger and excitement. They all hugged and danced around. Annis broke free and looked at her sisters. She touched both of their faces.

“I will miss you both greatly. Now promise that you will not harass the guards too much. And please watch Eldarion and make sure he stays safe…in all matters of soul and heart.”

“Will you not be coming back?” Ninde asked with her wide blue eyes.

“I do not know that answer. But I fear that I may not be coming back.”

The answer brought a flood of tears from all 3 sisters. They sat huddled on the bed holding each other close.