Gandalf removed the rabbit from the spit and cut it carefully in half. "Are you sure I cannot tempt you?" he asked but she shook her head.

"No, the cooks fed me very well. I enjoy eating in the kitchens more than I do at Elrond's board. In the kitchen I am not required to wear a gown."

"And behave as a lady, I am sure." At first she looked offended, then laughed and Gandalf joined her. Galadriel had warned her that it might be hard to gain Celebriel's trust, so he intended to proceed carefully. He could already sense her unhappiness and homesickness, so he would do nothing to arouse her suspicions.

Child of the Noldor, child of her mother's ring, child of Lorinand. All of these must pull at her. And traces of the blood of Feanor ran in her veins. He remembered the stories of how Feanor had lusted after her mother, his desires only ending with his death. Would her strong will, of which he could catch a glimpse, cause her, too, to be reckless?

What had Elrond expected of her, or had Galadriel been able to warn him that this child was an elf like no other? Had he expected another Celebrian or had he braced himself for the difficult war-like princess that now sat next to his fire and drinking his wine.

He hid his feeling and thoughts from her as he washed the last of the rabbit down with the wine in his bag. "Come, young elf," he said, "It is time for us to leave now. You must face Master Elrond whether you will it or not. He is one of my oldest friends and, if necessary, I will put in a good word for you."

She made a face at him, then stood. "My horse is a short ways away. Do you wish to ride with me, or will you walk?"

"I will walk," he said firmly, "Just hold your horse to a pace I can keep up with, please. Tell me, are you allowed to ride past the borders on your own."

"I don't care if I am allowed to or not. I have enough sense to stay away from danger, and if I must, I can defend myself against a stranger. I learned how to take care of myself from the elves of the Golden Wood, and they trusted me to use my good sense. Elrond seems to think I possess none."

"You judge him too harshly, but you do not know him, your only memories of him date from your sister's wedding. I understand your anger at being taken from your home, which must be hard for you, as well as the life you were happy leading."

"I feel useless here," her answer unexpectedly harsh, "I am as well trained as any of Lord Elrond's guard. They ripped me away from what I loved doing most, serving as a watchmen on Lorinand's fences. I am Amroth's heir, if anything happens to him, Lorinand is to be my responsibility. I am a leader, Gandalf, not a follower, or at least I am meant to be someday. I know how much I have to learn, but it seems that no one will take me seriously." She hung her head for a moment, "Or at least it seems that no one wants to. Amroth and Nimrodel believe in me, why does no one else?"

"If you wish to be a leader, then you must learn to be one," Gandalf's voice took on a stern tone, "Leaders must learn to cooperate and listen. You are willing to judge Elrond, but have you been willing to listen to him? He is aware of the danger Lorinand might face some day, and if Amroth wishes you to succeed him, he will respect it. Tell Elrond you wish to learn to be the best leader that you can in the event that Lorinand needs you." He saw the look of skepticism on her face and shook his head. "You forget, Celebriel that you are very young, and right now you are angry and no one can blame you. Swallow your pride and accept this opportunity."

They'd reached her horse, and she swung up on her back. "I'd like to believe you, truly I would, but I don't think I can be happy here. I don't like the Noldor, they have been responsible for too much grief. I know I am the daughter of my mother—and I love her very much—but I cannot accept the wrongs committed by her kin. I prefer the Silvan elves of Lorinand, that is who I am, that is where I belong."

Gandalf sighed as he walked next to her horse. Conversation between them had ceased, if only for the moment. She saw life as black or white, right or wrong, she did not have enough experience yet to know that life was made of subtle shades of grey. She had passion and zeal as well as a sense of where she belonged. In time she could be Lorinand's leader and defender, but thankfully that time was not now. He was not so sure, though, that sending her to Imladris had been the best decision.

When they were within sight of the house, she slid from her horse's back and sent it to the stables. She walked at Gandalf's side, as if he could shield her from the anger of Elrond if need be. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it briefly, as if to say, "I understand."

Gandalf was evidently expected, for Elrond was there to greet him. The two friends clasped hands, then Elrond turned to her and said, "Your sister looks for you, Celebriel, please go to her and see what she wants."

Celebriel bowed her head, then headed towards the house, turning her head briefly as if seeking Gandalf's to help to intercede for her. Then, resigned, she entered the house.

"So that is our recalcitrant your elf," he laughed, since she could no longer hear him, "Tell me, my friend, is she what you expected?"

"No, I expected her mother's daughter, but not this one. Come, let us discuss this in my study over a glass of wine."

Elrond's study was lit by numerous windows, giving it warmth even when the fires burned low. The walls were decorated with carvings and framed maps which could easily be removed if needed, and bookshelves contained scrolls that were stacked neatly and orderly. The study was a neat reflection of its owner.

He poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Gandalf. "Arwen is my only experience with daughters. She is a reflection of her mother's grace. I have no experience with hoydens, and especially rebellious ones. I supposed I paid attention when Galadriel told me what to expect, but perhaps I did not listen. I certainly was not prepared for Celebriel's anger, or that she would direct it against me. I suppose I cannot blame her, though, she was very attached to Amroth's people, and they her."

"Have you spoken to Celebriel yet?" Gandalf took a sip of Elrond's excellent wine.

"No, but she has only just arrived. I know she is avoiding me, but that is a thing that cannot continue. I must know how she fares, her mother told me that the Enemy may be seeking a way into her mind. He has not yet reached his full strength, so he may not cast his mind this far north, not yet. As a ring bearer, I must teach her what I know about resisting him when he tried to test her. Galadriel does not think he can succeed, but she must learn that she needs to be ever alert."

"I have heard that Angmar is gathering strength," Gandalf advanced cautiously, "The Nazgul are scattered, but they have not been destroyed. Imladris may face invasion, and I think our young elf may find a way to insinuate her way into your armies."

Elrond sighed, "Yes, I know. I will try to stop her, but she is as stubborn as Feanor was. In truth, I do not know that I can, and I cannot trust my sons to try to stop her. I fear that they will help. She defeated them in a little contest of arms, and that has made an impression, I think."

"Well, Galadriel has asked me to try to gain her trust. Since she has no reason to be angry at me, if I proceed slowly and carefully I may succeed. I will try to pave the way for happier relations between the two of you. I certainly think she needs you and what you have to offer. Did you know that Amroth has designated her as his heir?"

"No," said Elrond slowly, "I do not think her mother had knowledge of this, either. If she truly wishes to rule Lorinand someday she needs knowledge of what it means to be a ruler. This then can be a good beginning. I think she has the qualities that will make her a good leader, I will teach her what she needs to know to use them."

She made her way to Celebrian's chambers, knowing there was no way she could avoid it. She found her sister surrounded by her maidens, some spinning, some weaving, and Arwen sitting and playing a lute, her sweet voice singing of a summer long lost.

Celebrian looked up. "Celebriel, where have you been? I had thought when my sister came to stay with me I would be blessed with her company. I have missed you, my child."

"As I have you, sister, but you must know that I have never been content to sit and spin, or listening to idle female gossip. My mother took both loom and spindle out of my hands when she realized I would not consent to learn the female arts. I would rather spend my time in Elrond's armories."

"Then I expect your presence at meals, out of courtesy to me, at least. Come, Celebriel, Elrond and I are not your enemies."

"Then is it Mother? Did she alone scheme to have me sent here? If I am to be taken from my home, I will at least spend my time as I see fit. I may show up at meals, or I may not. As far as I can tell I am a prisoner here, and I do not like it."

"You are creating your own unhappiness, little sister. You are not a prisoner, but an honored guest. This is not a punishment, but a way to keep you safe for now."

"Maybe I do not wish to be kept safe, I would rather take the risk of facing whatever it is," she stopped and drew a breath, "Maybe I wish that I had been allowed to fight it. But you and mother have your wish, I am here for now because I can go nowhere else. Remember, it will not always be that way. One day I will leave and make my way back home, and nothing you or anyone can do will stop me." She turned and left Celebrian's chambers, wishing fervently that she could hit something, or someone.

She ran out of the house, heedless of the stares she drew. When she stopped, she found herself outside the walls of the Gardens of Imladris, and hoping she would find solitude, entered and began wandering the paths.

She found a tree with a good-sized knot, and took several steps backward and began to throw her knife, making a game of first, hitting the knot, then trying to hit the place she had before. She stepped further back and began to throw the knife harder, causing the blade to sink deeper and deeper into the tree.

After the last toss, the knife blade landed deeper into the tree, and she had to struggle to pull it out. "Here, let me help," came a familiar voice and Glorfindel was standing behind her. He pulled the knife out of the tree with ease and handed it to her.

She smiled and mumbled "thank you", not really wishing to speak to him, yet glad of his presence.

He looked at her for a moment, then said, "I hear you are already unhappy here, and it is only your second day. Can I help?" He laid his hand gently on the back of her shoulders and led her to a bench. He removed it as they sat, giving her a look of understanding and empathy.

"I do not want to be here, I do not belong here. I want to go home, will you take me back to Lorinand, please?" Tears formed in her eyes, but he resisted the urge to wipe them away.

"I cannot, you know this. It is too late now, anyway, we would not be able to pass through the mountains. You are the younger child, the child of your parents old age, you have been spoiled and indulged, yet you've proven yourself worthy. You children of Finwe are stubborn and self-willed. You have not yet learned patience because you had no need to. Will it help if I remind you that this is not forever?" He smiled and held her hand briefly.

"No, it will not be forever. I don't care what you or anyone else thinks, I must wait until I know the lay of the land, but I intend to leave someday. When I do, neither you nor Elrond or anyone else will be able to stop me." She stood and fled the gardens, leaving Glorfindel to wonder if they would need to be vigilant, or if they even could contain her.