"My lady!" Aletriel woke with a start under the tree where she was napping as Giliane came
running to her. "My lady, my lady! You're late!" Giliane had served her family for as long as
Aletriel could remember. And that was a long time, at least it seemed like it. To a man it would
seem an eternity but to an elf especially one who was only 2905, life was just beginning. But a lot
had happened in Aletriel's life. She was just a child the day she found out her father had been
killed by orcs. She and her mother were visiting in Rivendell and Aletriel was busy playing with
Arwen, when Elrond asked her to come inside. Aletriel walked in to find her cousin Celebrian
comforting her mother who was rocking back and forth crying hysterically. Elrond explained that
as her father was riding to Rivendell to come and get them he was outnumbered by a band of
orcs. He hadn't needed to explain because as soon as she had seen her mother she knew. From
then on it was a blur her mother never returned to LothLorien she died of grief just a few weeks
later in Rivendell. Elrond had sent for her older brother Haldir before her mother had died. There
are only two ways an elf can die and both had taken their parents. The two of them then made the
trip back to LothLorien, where their Aunt was waiting for their return. Galadriel knew that Haldir
would be fine, he was grown. She decided she would care for her niece Aletriel. And that was the
way it had been ever since. But now Aletriel was pulled from her thoughts by Giliane. "Please,
Galadriel will be expecting you". Smiling "Oh yes, let us go" she knew her Aunt wouldn't
reprimand her for her tardiness. But of course to Giliane, The Lady of Light was noone she kept
waiting.
Each time she saw her Aunt, Aletriel was awestruck with her beauty. Although Aletriel
had inherited much of her Aunts beauty, she was fair with pale golden curls, and sapphire blue
eyes and had striking features, she did not realize her own beauty. Now Galadriel was smiling at
her " Aletriel, come sit with me" motioning to a chair next to her. " Thank you Giliane, that will
be all" Galadriel smiling again "I just spoke to your brother, he seems quite concerned. It seems
there is a young elf that is quite taken with you". " Yes Aunt that would be Soloern he has left
flowers on my window sill every morning for two weeks now. Haldir has nothing to be concerned
about. I have no interest in Soloern. No more than a friend." Galadriel looking down at her niece
with a knowing smile " Your brother will be quite relieved ". There is only one elf who holds
a piece of her heart in that way, and Galadriel knows this, for they have no secrets. " You leave
tonight for Rivendell, you will see your brother before you go, won't you?" " Yes I will, he
won't let me leave without saying goodbye, even if it is just a visit".
" Give my granddaughter my love when you see her, and have a safe journey Aletriel"
" I will give Arwen your love and you have mine Aunt." And with a final embrace
Aletriel was off to finish packing and find her brother.
