She ran. She had to keep running. She'd never lose them otherwise. They were a few metres behind her. She could hear them trampling the forest. She just kept running...

"Arwen? Arwen wake up! Too long have you slept." Arwen stirred slightly. Galadriel shook the arm of her grand-daughter gently. Her eyes flickered open. "Where, what, who..." Arwen began, dazed. "Slow down" said Galadriel softly. "You are back in Lothlorien. You were found on the borders about a week ago. You were being followed by orcs." She explained.

"I don't remember any of that. All I remember is leaving Imladris with Aragorn and the guard and then I got separated from them. I had hoped you would find me." said Arwen. She looked around at her surroundings. She had only ever been in this room once, when she was very small after a fall. The walls were decorated with exquisite tapestries of Mallorn Trees and great Elves, and some pictures of the Valar. The ceiling was a canopy of tree branches. It was spring, and the golden buds of the Mallorn trees were just peeking through. Arwen's mind suddenly turned to home-to Minas Tirith where Aragorn would probably be. "Aragorn!" she said abruptly. Galadriel saw the look on Arwen's face and knew she was missing him. She sat next to Arwen on her bed and took hold of her hand. "Do not worry Arwen. I knew that you would care to see him, so I sent a messenger to Gondor when you arrived. He will be here tomorrow no doubt." Tears welled in Arwen's eyes. It seemed to have been so long since she had seen him. Even though one more day didn't seem long to an elf, it was still too long for her to endure any longer, and couldn't wait for the following day.

After a cup of herbal tea prepared by her Grandfather, Galadriel finally let Arwen get up. She was glad to be back with her mother's kin, but would enjoy it even more when Aragorn arrived. She found one of her old dresses and put it on, but found it a little tight. 'I must have grown some since the third age and my last visit' she chuckled to herself.

Once dressed, she brushed her long dark hair and went for a walk. She found herself at the foot of Cerin Amroth. She felt memories flooding back to her as she climbed up the slope to the summit to watch the sun rise fully. It was already coating the land with a warm, yellow light and got brighter the more it rose. Arwen was used to getting up this early, but it was a custom that Aragorn still didn't understand. 'Why get up when you don't have to?' he had often asked her.

The hill was steeper than she remembered and she felt nausea coming on every time she moved. Eventually she could take it no longer and sat it the roots of a Mallorn tree. She dozed in the warm sun, hoping to rid the sickly feeling, but after and hour, it seemed to of got worse.

Hesitantly she got up, and slowly went back down the hill. She was nearly at the bottom when she saw Celeborn. She smiled and gave a faint wave. He smiled back, but his look changed to concern when he noticed his grand-daughter's stance and the colour of her skin. "You don't look well dear, are you ok?" he asked. She walked up to him with a nod and hugged him. He could feel her temperature was high and her brow was damp, but he said nothing more of it when Arwen began to speak. "How have you been grand- father? What's been happening? I want to know everything." He squeezed her lightly and took her arm in his. "Well..." he began, but stopped suddenly when he felt Arwen's arm was missing. He saw her running towards a tree and stoop low. Then she collapsed and started shaking slightly. "Arwen!" Celeborn cried as he ran up to her. "What's happened? Are you alright?" he gave her his hand and gently pulled her to her feet. She was breathing in short gasps at the shock of being violently ill so suddenly. He held his hand against her forehead, and then scooped her up in his arms. She made no complaint and didn't bother to move. Instead she relaxed in his arms and let him whisk her away into the trees.

He came across Galadriel and explained the situation. Arwen was limp in his arms, having fallen asleep. Galadriel's expression darkened as Celeborn told her of the sickness and her high temperature. Elves did not normally suffer from sickness, so this worried them greatly. Celeborn laid her on a bed, and rushed away to gather herbs and other useful plants.

Galadriel stayed with Arwen, patting her head with a damp cloth. Her breathing was back to normal and her temperature was falling. She woke just when Celeborn returned, his arms full of herbs and bottles. Galadriel grasped her hand and spoke softly. "Avo 'osto Arwen. "Daro an îdh" (do not worry Arwen. Stop for rest). And with that, Arwen fell into a deep slumber. "Losto mae" (sleep well) The herbs filled the air with a sweet, calming fragrance. Celeborn sat next to Galadriel, a worried look on his face. "Do you know what is wrong?" he asked. "I'm not entirely sure. I have a vague idea, but I can't say I honestly ails her" her voice was quiet and sad. "What is it?" Celeborn asked. Galadriel took his hand and gently laid it on Arwen's abdomen. She held it there until she heard a small gasp. Her stomach was strangly warm, and Celeborn knew that this was the warmth of a child within. He looked up a Galadriel who simply smiled. Just then there was a knock at the door and a small girl walked in. "there is a man outside who would like to speak to you my lady" she said politely. Galadriel got up and went outside.

The man outside was tall and dark, and wore regal clothes which were splattered with mud. "Aragorn!" exclaimed Galadriel. "Thank the Valar you are here. I take it you received the message then?"

"No. What message?"

"The one I sent to Minas Tirith."

"I haven't been to Minas Tirith since last month. I've been in Imladris with Arwen. We got separated about a week ago when a group of orcs attacked our camp. I was hoping she was here." He said a look of desperation on his face.

"She is here Aragorn do not worry. She is in with Celeborn, you may see her but I warn you when she wakes she may be ill." "Ill, what's wrong, is she ok-" "She is fine. She will have a surprise for you no doubt, when she wakes." Aragorn didn't know what to think, but just rushed in to find Celeborn fiddling around making herbal tea ready for when Arwen woke. He nodded towards Aragorn when he entered and carried on with the tea. Aragorn rushed over to Arwen's bed and held her hand. He stroked her hot forehead and whispered into her ear.