Months passed, and Finrod did not speak one word to Elthríel save to civilly inquire of her health and well-being every now and then. Elthríel marked his silence and withdrew from the more public life of those living in Nargothrond. It hurt, deeply, but she assumed it was for the best. She did not want to cause any awkwardness for his part and besides, it was easier to stay out of Amtharel's way in that respect.

So she became a shadow once more, walking in the shadows and observing all that took place in silence.

Finrod was quiet, though, with everyone, not just her. Oft times she observed him to be very deeply in thought, but what he was so earnestly contemplating, she could only guess.

Fortunately, her dreams had not come again during that time, for which she was grateful. She could not have born them again.

The wind was fitful but warm that day. Elthríel had busied herself with reading books in the library, curled up in a corner. Being quite small, she was hidden from almost everyone who entered. Save one...

Finrod opened the door and stepped inside, searching. Once his eyes lit upon her, he asked softly, "Are you free at the moment?"

"Aye," she replied, puzzled.

"Come." It was a simple command, but she did not question the motives behind it.

Rising, she followed him as he led her to the stables where two horses were waiting, saddled. He mounted one and beckoned her to do the same.

Without asking, she followed him out of the gates of Nargothrond and into the forest. They did not stop until they had reached a wide clearing of rolling, grassy hills. There Finrod turned the horses loose to graze while he reclined on the grass, Elthríel following without question. 

Elthríel listened with rapt attention as Finrod, laying on his back and staring at the clear sky above him, spoke about the beauty of the Trees of Valinor. He rarely spoke to her now—not that he had ever made a habit to talk with her—but this was the first time she had ever hear him talk about the days in Valinor, now seeming so long ago. She had never heard him speak of those days with anyone.

Since the days held captive in the dungeons of Morgoth, any memory of the beauty and brightness of the days in Valinor seemed like a distant dream, half-forgotten. But when she heard Finrod speak of them, they seemed at once real and alive; she felt that she only had to stretch forth her hand and touch the leaves of Laurelin. 

It was a beautiful time and she did not speak for fear of breaking the peace and rarity of this moment. She did not know why he had suddenly chosen to speak with her in such a manner, but she did not really care to ask. She was grateful enough that he was speaking to her at all. 

When the sun began to cast long shadows over the land, they returned. Once back inside the gates of Nargothrond, he said simply, "Thank you for accompanying me this afternoon," before entering the place. That was all. Elthríel was bewildered, but did not dare to question why. 

Finrod's concentration was broken by the sound of horns ringing out brightly in the mid-morning air. Laying down his quill in disgust, he stood and went to the window, looking out into the warm, spring morning. 

The sunlight fell golden upon the world, falling through the open roof of the courtyard. Finrod gazed out upon the world that flashed in vibrant hues of verdant life and reflected the beauty of spring.

How can this world seem so beautiful when at its heart Morgoth's existence threatens to destroy what beauty still remains?

His thoughts were interrupted by an insistent rapping on his door. "Enter," he called out, still looking at the garden below.

"Uh, sir, may I have your attention, please?"

Finrod turned. "Aye, what is it?" he questioned of the messenger.

"We have unexpected guests which desire to see you immediately, sir," the young ellon replied. He was scarcely more than a boy.

"Ah, I see. I shall be down in a moment."

The boy nodded and closed the door.

Who could these guests be? All sorts of ideas came to mind, but he dismissed them all as he went down the stairs and several hallways to the main courtyard. Any thoughts he could have had about the persons vanished as he stood, shocked, in the main doorway to the courtyard.

"Galadriel!" he cried out in pleasant surprise, walking to his sister. "Why did you not send word of your coming before to me?"

"I had wanted to surprise you, dearest brother," she answered in the husky voice of hers, embracing him tightly.

"Well, it is a very welcome surprise," he replied softly.

"Come, there is much to tell you," she continued with a smile that beautified her strong, proud features.

"That is just as well. Come with me, that we may converse in peace."

"Why did you come from the halls of Thingol?" Finrod questioned after a period of silence.

They were in his personal study. The sunlight fell lazily through the skylights above, brightening the otherwise dark interior of polished oaken furniture. Galadriel was sitting back in a chair while her brother leaned against a table opposite.

"I had a wish to see how you fared in your halls. And I had other reasons."

"Well, you see that I am well and there is nothing wrong."

"Morgoth still reigns," she said, softly.

"Aye, yet that is but one of many wrong things in this world that are not easily made right."

Galadriel said nothing, so he continued. "What was the other reason?"

His sister did not meet his gaze for several minutes. "You have an elleth residing under your roof by the name of Elthríel, do you not?"

"Aye, I do. Why do you ask?"

"She came here some time ago, looking for her brother, Daelthron."

"Ah, yes. She and her brother were together for only a short time, I'm afraid." His voice softened. "He died a few months after she arrived in a skirmish with orcs."

"I had no idea," his sister whispered. "She has been through so much..." her voice trailed off.

Finrod opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by a messenger who popped his head in the door and announced that the midday meal was ready.

The sunlight splashed down upon the deep blue of the large pool. Elthríel glanced up at the golden warmth that fell through the skylight in this garden. It was beautiful and she was contented. Amtharel was elsewhere, probably watching the ellons practicing their weaponry, and all was quiet where she was at this moment. A gentle breeze blew softly through the trees. The elleth leaned against the pillar and closed her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Amarië?" a soft voice broke into her thoughts, startling her at the use of her true name.

"Lady Galadriel?" the frail Vanyar asked in pleasant surprise.

"Aye, it is. Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo," the lady of light replied. 

"And to you as well! I did not know you were in Nargothrond."

"I have only just arrived. I am visiting my brother, but I wished to see how you fared."

"Ah, I see." The look of delight on her face faded. 

"Amarië, what is wrong?"

"Please, do not call me by that name!"

"Why not? Does he not know?"

"No, he does not," Elthríel looked away, swallowing hard.

"Why haven't you told him?"

"Because I am afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Lady Galadriel asked softly of her friend and companion.

"Afraid of what he might think--of the look of horror on his face when he sees how much I've changed. Afraid of him becoming cold towards me."

"You have no assurance that that will happen."

"No, but I fear it all the same."

"Would it help if I spoke to him?"

Elthríel turned and met her gaze. "I don't know. But you can try." She rose as if to leave.

"I'm sorry about Daelthron. I know you loved him dearly."

"Aye, so I did. Morgoth has stripped almost everything away from me. He has yet to take my heart and then I will be his, cursed to roam as a flitting ghost in the halls of Mandos." The brown-haired Vanyar slipped away, vanishing into the shadows.

Galadriel sighed deeply. Fëanor, why did you have to rebel? So much has been ruined. Must they be forever estranged as well?

Lady Galadriel stayed in Nargothrond for several moons. During that time, she did not speak again to Elthríel. And the elleth kept to the shadows.

The skies were overcast and ominous on the day of her departure with the various courtiers from Elu Thingol's court in Menegroth. It was the early morning and the evening's chill still hung in the air. Only Finrod and those that worked in the caves of Nargothrond were up at this hour.

"So, my sister, I wish you a safe journey back."

"Hannon-lle, dearest brother," Galadriel replied, embracing him tightly.

"Give Celeborn my greetings."

"I shall," she laughed. "When will you ever marry, Finrod?"

The smile vanished from his face. "I have ever only loved one and she followed me not into exile. I cannot love another."

"Amarië?"

"Aye."

"You do not have proof that she stays in still in Valinor."

"What do you mean?" he asked, looking up at her suddenly.

Galadriel leaned towards him and whispered in his ear, "She and her brother changed names and followed the Noldor into exile. She became separated from him and when she finally reached the shores of Middle-earth, she was captured by Morgoth and held prisoner in his dungeons until she escaped at last with a couple others. She was brought back to Menegroth for healing before she came here, looking for her lost brother."

"Elthríel?" he gasped in surprise. "That is impossible."

"Is it so hard to believe?"

"Aye, it is."

His sister smiled. "Open your eyes. Then you will see."

Without another word spoken, she mounted and the whole company rode out into the misty dawn, leaving Finrod Felagund standing, stunned, in the courtyard.

Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo - Quenyan for 'a star shines upon the hour of our meeting'

Andddddddddddd, I shall stop right there. I originally was planning to have this as two chapters, but decided to make it just one. ;)

So, what do you all think? Let me know if you enjoyed in the comments!

We're so close to 1k reads and 100 votes! Let's try to pass that milestone before I next update! ;)

Namárië for now!

~ Gwynnedd