Puppet White - Thank you, kindly! :) I'm sorry it took so long, but the next update should be far quicker.

And now, for the next chapter...

~ 2 ~

Artanis stormed out to the garden. Sometimes there were far too many people inside the Girdle for her liking. She needed to get away from her brothers, from Thingol, from her mind. Not for the first time did she miss running off into the hills of Aman to escape everyone. She sighed with relief, though her respite was interrupted with the realization that she wasn't alone. Her eyes flashed angrily as she recognized the familiar silver hair of Celeborn of Doriath. He lay sprawled against a tree branch, oblivious to all about him, eyes bent upon the book he was reading. He seemed so different from how any of her brothers, or even Celebrimbor, acted... so at ease and nonchalant. She didn't like him, and it angered her that he could be so carefree when darkness stood but at their doorstep. Hissing to herself, she turned on her heel to leave before he spotted her.

'How might I assist you, arwen en amin?'

She froze as he called after her. She could imagine Finrod now, pleading with her to think before she spoke, but she did not care. She had spent far too long playing diplomat and trying to appease Aegnor. Surely her brother could find it in his heart to forgive her if she let her emotions slip this once.

Whirling, she turned to face the other Elf, hands clenched into fists at her sides. Celeborn slid out of the tree and leaned casually against the trunk, tucking his book away into the folds of his robes. He was smirking again... this could not be born.

'And just what makes you think that I need your assistance?' she snapped at him.

If Celeborn had noticed her anger, he certainly made no acknowledgment thereof, and continued smirking at her.

'You came out to the gardens alone, but with a purposeful stride.'

'I thought you were reading.'

'I try to stay watchful.'

She glared, and ignored his remark. 'I left when I saw you.'

'Then you did not wish to disturb me and decided to approach me when I appeared less occupied.'

Artanis fumed. 'You think too highly of yourself.'

'I do not see you denying it.'

She did not like his tone and began pacing. 'If that is what you wish to think...'

Celeborn bowed and grinned. 'Arwen en amin is too gracious, but I will suggest to her that I neither seek nor want her opinion on my thoughts.'

'Do not mock me, Celeborn!'

'On the contrary, arwen, I respect you greatly. What secret are you hiding?'

'I'm not hiding anything,' Artanis snapped. 'And if I were, it would not matter.'

'It would to me.' All trace of humour had left him, and his voice was grave.

Artanis swallowed, and froze for a moment. She was unsure how to respond to such a declaration, and wondered if he was well aware of what it was he said.

'I'm not hiding anything,' she repeatedly softly and stubbornly.

'It is well for you to tell others that, Artanis, but you should convince yourself first. Whatever secret you and your people have brought with you over the Sea... you cannot keep it forever. I... we only wish to help in whatever way we can.' He furrowed his brow for a moment. 'Artanis... Artanis... I do not like that name. It does not suit you.'

The Noldo stiffened. 'You do not know of what you speak. And I do not care whether you like my name, no more than I care for your high and mighty ways, Celeborn of Doriath. I was warned about you. They told me to stay away... perhaps I should have listened to them.'

Artanis fixed him with a withering gaze before turning on her heel and walking away. As she left, she thought she heard him laugh with the breeze.