Oh, this may or not be necessary, but I'll do some defining of terms here
Lorinand: The original name of Lorien. Treebeard tells Merry and Pippin that the original name was Laurelindorinan: Land of the Valley of the Singing Gold, but after Amroth, Nimrodel, and some of their people departed, it became Lothlorien: Dream Blossom
Orodruin: Mount Doom
Imladris: Rivendell
Glorfindel led the young elves into the armories to let them choose their weapons. There was much discussion between Elladan and Elrohir as to which sword or bow would be the best, but Celebriel made her way alone, testing the tension of bows, the balance of a sword, and made her decision on her own.
When they went outside, a small crowd had gathered to watch the contest. Celebriel had not expected this, but the sons of Elrond seemed pleased at the thought of defeating their aunt in front of an audience.
Glorfindel pointed at a distant tree, "The knot on that tree is your target. Each of you will release one arrow—if it misses its mark you will not be allowed another chance, aim well."
The boys tried to defer to Celebriel, wanting to see if she could hit the mark, but she refused. "You go first, each of you, then it will be my turn." They looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
The sons of Elrond had been trained well. They each selected an arrow, nocked it, and let it fly. Each arrow hit the notch neatly in the center. They smiled, pleased with themselves, then indicated that she should take her turn.
She drew an arrow, pulled it back and released. She had chosen a heavier bow than either of them and now they knew why. First one arrow split that of Elladan, then the next that of Elrohir. They stood, their mouths gaping, aghast at the spectacle before them.
"You did not need to show off, Celebriel," Glorfindel admonished her, doing his best to hide his smile, "It would have been sufficient to merely hit the target." The three walked over to the tree and Celebriel removed her arrows. "Your aunt has won this first round, now we will see how you fare in sword fighting, but be careful not to hurt each other, or Elrond will be unhappy with me for allowing this."
He knew Celebriel might not be as skilled with a sword, but she proved him wrong. Though she had not achieved the height of her sister or the Lord and Lady, she had grown taller and stronger in the years since he had first seen her. Her archer's skills had strengthened her sword arm and had Elladan and Elrohir thought to tire her they were disappointed.
The three young elves fought together, the boys fighting against each other as well as her. There was much laughing and taunting and running around. They showed off their skills shamelessly, clearly enjoying themselves.
"You fight like a girl," Elrohir shouted at Elladan as he knocked his sword out of his brother's hand.
"Shall I show you how a girl fights?" Celebriel shouted at him. Elrohir was the more skillful of the two with a blade, but he was being hard pressed by her. They circled each other, swords clashing and it looked like the match might be a draw until one last swing knocked the sword out of his hand.
She stood triumphant, breathing hard and clearly happy at her victory. "Oh, well done, Celebriel, well done." Elrohir put his arm around her shoulders, conceding to her victory.
"Now you truly know how a girl fights," she replied and they began, along with the crowd, to laugh and cheer.
Until she saw Elrond standing amongst them. I won't let him steal this moment from me, she thought, this is my victory and I have earned it. If he did not know about me, which I doubt, now he knows for an absolute certainty. I am not Celebrian and Arwen, I am not "My Lady Celebriel", nor shall I ever be. He cannot make me deny who and what I am.
Elrond stepped forward, observing his sons and his niece in silence. "A very impressive display, why did you not invite me to watch?" Celebriel opened her mouth to reply, but a look from Glorfindel silenced her. "Celebriel, will you come with me please?" asked Elrond.
She would have refused, but Glorfindel pushed her gently forward. The two walked away from the clearing and into a secluded part of the gardens where Elrond would often visit. He sat down on a carved wooden bench and indicated that she should sit beside him. She shook her head, whatever this was intended to be, she intended to face it standing.
"Do you know what you have chosen, Celebriel? Do you know what it means?" He looked into her eyes, holding her glance, but she was stronger than he thought and did not look away. "Come let us walk," he said, and she followed as he led her along the paths she did not know yet.
"Why have I been sent here, Master Elrond? Did you and my sister convince my parents that under your tutelage I would learn to become a Noldor maiden? Did they fear that I was becoming too much wood elf and did not properly acknowledge my status?" She feared that to mention the other thing, to say it, or to even name it, might cause it to manifest.
"I can help you if you let me. I know what you fear. Something happened to you at the moment of your birth—you know what it is I mean."
So he knew her secret. She knew, though the elves did not mention it, that her mother had been wearing the ring, Nenya, as she gave birth to her daughter, and that should not have been. Part of the power of the ring had passed into her, even as she had felt the deaths of Gil-Galad and Elendil as she drew her first breath. She had seen the flames of Orodruin, had seen the figure of Sauron as he watched man and elf fall.
She had always known what she was, for she could clearly see the ring on her mother's hand as she now saw Vilya, with its blue stone, on Elrond's. She did not need to say anything, for she was aware that he knew. But more was at stake than that.
"You say I was brought here for my protection? But there are enemies in the north, are there not? I think I was safer in Lorinand than I am here. It is true, I must learn to fight off what seeks to find me, but as I grow older I grow stronger. I am wise enough to seek help when I need it." Her eyes glittered like emeralds as she faced him.
He did not know how to win her, her anger at being forced from Lorinand was still raw. It was also plain that she would try to march with the armies of Imladris and this he would not allow. As if I can truly stop her, he thought ruefully, I do not know what I expected when she came here, another Celebrian? Most certainly, but it is plain that I was wrong. What did Galadriel expect of me when she asked me to take charge of her wayward daughter?
"Then if you have the wisdom to seek help, I expect you to do it. I have also promised your mother that I would be your teacher, for I have been told that you are better versed in woodcraft than you are in the history of your people." He held up his hand, seeing her anger growing, along with her restlessness, "I only ask that you give me a part of your day, and not the greatest part. If you have questions, if there are things you wish to know, I will tell you. Come, this is not a punishment, but an opportunity. You know the lands around Lorien well, you do not know the north at all, do you?"
He is right, she thought, if I plan to escape from here, I will have to know the people and the countryside. The Wood Elves kingdom lies north of her, and I have kin among their people. They will expect me to try to run back to Lorinand, but they may not expect me to try to take refuge with Thranduil of the Greenwood.
Elrond tried to discern what she was thinking, but she could hide her thoughts more cleverly than he expected. Galadriel had been right, Celebriel would try his patience, but he was beginning to enjoy her quick mind, her restless spirit. It would require some delicacy to deal with her, for she would certainly turn on him if he angered her in any way. He would have to tempt her, draw her in to gain her trust.
"A part of your day, Celebriel, is all I ask. Someday you may even look forward to the time we spend together."
She gave him a mock bow, and ran off, seeking someplace where she could be alone in her unhappiness.
She had outrun the voices that had been calling her, telling her to come back. She did not even know who had been calling her, she had only heard her name, "Celebriel, Celebriel, come back." She had paid them no heed, but kept running until she was absolutely alone.
Now she realized why they had called her, she had reached the borders of Imladris. If she went further she would be free of Elrond's lands, and the thought appealed to her. It was still early in the day, she had hours still of daylight—not that she needed it.
A road ran here, but it was not the one Glorfindel had taken into Imladris. She squinted up at the sun to determine its position and realized that the road headed east. This was wrong, there was only supposed to be one entrance into the Hidden Valley, was there some magic afoot?
No, I won't follow this, she thought, I admit that I am tempted, but I know better than to lose myself, especially if something not of this earth is involved. She turned around to head back, but found herself following the eastern road. She turned again, determined to return to the house, but to no avail.
"All right," she said out loud, "I am clearly meant to follow this road, but I fear where it may take me." All right, Celebriel, she told herself, you were taught how find your way when you think are lost. Haldir would be disappointed if everything he taught you was in vain.
"Indeed he would, though I do not know him. The elves of Lorinand taught you well, please do not let it be in vain."
An old man, robed all in grey, was speaking to her. He wore a pointed hat of a silvery blue color, and stood leaning on a tall staff. His hair was iron grey, but his grey eyes were youthful, and twinkling as he teased her. His mouth was tensed, but she could tell he was waiting to break into a smile any moment.
"Who are you, and are you the source of my confusion? Why is there a road headed east where there should be no road at all? I have only been here two days, but I know that much. Anyone who visits Imladris comes in through the western road, or not at all." She tried not to sound rude, but the old man made her feel uneasy.
"How, young elf, do you know that I am here at all? Perhaps I am an illusion, perhaps you are talking to empty air and only think that you see me." Now he was smiling, and she did not like the fact he seemed to be amusing himself at her expense.
"Then, if you are not here, will you at least tell me who I am not talking to? And make this infernal road disappear so I can go back to the house?" Suddenly the house of Elrond seemed like a haven from the bewilderment she felt. The old man did not seem threatening, but she knew little of magic and how it worked. She wanted more than anything for him to disappear.
"Very well, Celebriel, my name is Mithrandir, or Gandalf as men call me. I have been sent by your mother to see if you are all right. We will be seeing each other very soon. He disappeared in a cloud of grey smoke, and the easterly road disappeared with him.
She returned to the house, hungry for the noon meal and something familiar. In her room sat a grey chest, she opened it to find the clothes the sons of Elrond had promised, along with a travel worn grey cloak trimmed with fur. She closed the chest and began to laugh, and her laughter took away the lingering fear that had accompanied her since her encounter with the old man who called himself Mithrandir.
