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The little elven girl took the small ship up in her hands. She gently touched it and its sails became bright and shiny as if there was a fire on board it. Carefully she placed it in the water. The ship stayed at the same spot for a while, but then a wind took it and carried onto the lake. Soon it mingled with the other ships, all of whom sailed from the shores and into the fog that covered the lake at sunset. The first ships, which had been placed in the water, were now only bright spots in the fog.

Her parents were standing behind her. She knew they were there but she failed to see the wind that hit the ships was coming from her mother's mouth.

The couple held each other's hands, finding happiness in their daughters delight over the beautiful view.

For her mother the view represented not only beauty but also desire. A desire to once more be able to sail the great sea.

A person approached the three. Of course, his presence had been long noticed, as nobody could move around the in the realm of Witch of the Lake without she noticed it.

Gil-Galad stopped when he was only a few yards from the couple.

"What an honour that the Great King of the Noldos will visit us", Celeborn declared.

The three turned around to face Gil-Galad.

"I am honoured to be here," he rapidly answered.

Gil-Galad looked at the girl.

"This is my daughter Celebrian!" Galadriel stated

Gil-Galad wanted to speak to Celebrian, but Celeborn stopped him with a simple question.

"Why are you here?"

Celebrian looked surprised, but her mother turned to her and with a smile encouraged her to put the rest of the ships in the water.

"I did not know where you went after Beleriand", Gil-Galad stated, "but then I heard about the Witch of the Lake."

Galadriel smiled, "The men of middle earth have great respect for me!"

However, her smile diminished. "I followed Feanor, but I did not foresee the darkness that followed him and his sons. I lost everything. I was prepared to die with my family, but Celeborn saved me and gave my name Galadriel. I owe him everything now."

Galadriel halted, but Celeborn continued, "The action of Feanor and his son brought death and ruin to both Doriath and Nargothrond. We had no place to stay in Beleriand, so we went here to live unnoticed and without titles."

Galadriel continued: "After we saw the sack of Beleriand. It was clear to me that I could not return."

Gil-Galad answered quickly: "but you can! You swore no oath, did no harm to your kinsmen. The western lords will know about the deeds of Galadriel of Middle Earth. Eventually your achievement in Middle Earth will be so great that the western lords will receive you as the Queen of the Noldos."

Galadriel understood, "So you have come here to give me a quest"

Gil-Galad told her what he heard at the meeting between the Numenoreans and the Edains of Middle Earth. He ended by stating that she who have seen the worst of enemies will know the nature of this king.

"Find out who he is!"

Celeborn and Galadriel looked at each other without speaking.

After a while Celebrian shouted, "There are no more ships".

Galadriel walked to Celebrian and watched the last few ships sail away.

Celeborn turned to Gil-Galad and declared, "We will take this quest upon us!"

Gil-Galad looked at them but said nothing. He then bowed and turned around and left.

Galadriel turned to Celeborn.

"I want you to stay with Celebrian," he said.

Galadriel looked at him with both respect, but shortly after doubt came to her.

Celeborn tried to calm her. "Many of the survivors of Doriath left Beleriand, not for Eriador, but to find the children of Lenwe. They crossed the Misty Mountains. They are my kinsmen and I will find them. They will help me in our quest."

"But crossing the mountains is a dangerous quest", Galadriel said.

Celeborn kissed her, "No giant of the mountain will dare to touch Celeborn of the forest!" He smiled