The fact that Lord Elrond had seen fit to call a meeting between all three elven realms was not too worrying, as far as Airemana was concerned the man was known to over react sometimes. He was always cautious and very much liked to be prepared for whatever was before not only his own people but across every Elven faction. In fact she was more concerned over the prospect of the Mirkwood king within Lothlorien than the prospect of another war.

"So when does everyone attending arrive?" she asked her father quietly, trying to show little interest in the matter.

"The day after tomorrow." He nodded over his small bowl.

"Who is arriving?" Miriniel asked as she looked to her mother, her voice still sounding slightly coarse from all of her coughing.

"We have some special guests visiting our realm," Galadriel answered quickly before she had the chance, her eyes almost danced with the prospect. Airemana couldn't decide if it was excitement to see Lord Elrond and a few old friends again or if she was missing out on something else altogether. "You will meet many new faces little one." Airemana pretended not to see the glance her father cast towards them both with Galadriel's words. He still wasn't too fond of the idea that Miriniel be introduced before Middle Earth as a member of his family.

There was no doubt in her mind that if Celeborn believed she would stand for it, he would have Miriniel removed from her side in an instant.

oOo

Miriniel climbed the stairs that led up towards the flets slowly, stretching each leg as far in front of herself as she could manage and taking the steep stairs two at a time, causing Elenion a small panic each time she wobbled, his hand automatically reaching behind her back to steady her just in case she was to fall.

Each flet was amongst the many trees of Lothlorien, each flet had its own space, each a separate living space for its inhabitants, all of them were connected to the long wooden walkways, serving almost as a footpath between the homes. Elenion was thankful that the elves who had built these homes many centuries ago had seen fit to place rails and fencing around the high walkways, most elves were steady on their feet, not losing their balance easily but Miriniel was a different story, her steps were often misplaced, he was certain if it wasn't for the support at the side of the pathway she would have fallen off by now.

"Ada." She shouted for him, even though she was well aware that he was right behind her.

"Yes?" he answered quietly, hoping she would follow his lead and keep her voice low, it was getting quite late after all.

"I know there are guests coming," she sighed tugging at the side of her cloak, the material annoying her skin as it rubbed against her cheek "but why are they coming? People we don't know don't come here often."

"Just because you do not know anyone that arrives Miriniel does not mean that they are not known to the Lady Galadriel or Lord Celeborn."

Miriniel didn't respond to her father, she merely looked up at him and then refocused her attention on the tall trees looming above her.

oOo

Even though it was morning, the cold winter still had its icy grasp over the wood, the sky was still dark, the stars could still be seen and the moon was still bright and beautiful, contrasting wonderfully with the black sky.

"I feel like I should still be asleep." Miriniel grumbled as her mother held onto her small gloved hand tightly, guiding her easily behind her.

"I think you spend more than enough time in your bed." Airemana laughed as she continued along the dark path. She could see fine, such was the benefit of her elven eyes. The child could not, that's why when the sky was as dark as this she had to hold onto her hand. She made the mistake once of forgetting how weak her eyes were in comparison. That ended unfortunately with a few scrapes from a very ungraceful fall.

Miriniel hummed to herself as she walked alongside her mother, her hands reaching out to play with stray leaves from the greenery around, occasionally pulling a leave from the offending greenery and playing with it.

Airemana could see the marchwarden a little further up the path, he stopped in his journey and stood facing them, obviously distracted by the sounds Miriniel was making while walking leisurely along. He awaited them with a small smile curving slightly at the corner of his mouth.

"Good Morning Lady Airemana" he smiled as the two caught up to him "Good Morning Lady Miriniel."

"Just call me Miri." The girl sighed in frustration before Airemana had the chance to reply first.

"Yes Haldir," she nodded in agreement with her daughter "there is no need for formality in our company, you should know this."

"Very Well." The marchwarden agreed, the three of them falling into step as they headed towards the centre of Caras Galadhon. "I assume you are travelling to greet the arrivals?" his tone was questioning even though he already knew the answer to his question.

"At my mother's request." I agreed quietly.

"I am surprised that your husband has not seen fit to join you." Airemana didn't need to turn to Haldir to know that a frown had appeared upon his face.

"It was not a necessity." Airemana shrugged the topic aside, hoping to remain impassive. She did not need Haldir to know that Elenion's planned absence was a topic that had caused them both to fall into a heated argument the night before. He was her husband, if she was expected to be by her mother's side as she welcomed the members of each elven kingdom on middle earth that had been called forward, if she had to endure the niceties then so would he.

This didn't sit well with her husband; their impending arrival seemed to worry him. Airemana expected it to be due to King Thranduil. Elenion parted from the Mirkwood king on bad terms, she was never fond of that particular elf, in fact his company was often something that had repulsed her, he was far too hot tempered and egotistical for her liking but Elenion was always fond of his King, they were old friends. They had met when they were both in training, they had spent many centuries sparring together in the training grounds and then beside each other in any battle they were called to, in defence of their kingdom and their king, Thranduil's father, Oropher.

Airemana had never met Thranduil's father, he had fallen in battle while she was just an elfling, but from what she heard he was a noble man and a great king. She didn't think the same could be said of his son.

"I'm glad to see you are feeling better, Miri." Haldir commented to the young child, seeing Airemana's change in demeanour. The notice of Elenion's absence maybe wasn't something he should have mentioned.

"Yes" she nodded "I'm feeling much better now. My throat isn't as sore and I don't cough during the night."

"Will that be the last time you chose to explore the woods without either your father or your cloak?" Airemana smiled tightly at the teasing undertone in Haldir's voice.

"Who knows." the girl grinned up at the elf with a small shrug.

"Oh, if she knows what is good for her she certainly will not be doing such a thing again. Never mind what she did to herself she nearly gave her father heart problems. He was in such a state for the whole of the week." Airemana scolded as Miri lowered her head at the reprimand.

"Here we are." Haldir stated as they had finally reached the bottom of the steps leading up to the flet in which her mother and father resided. It was built around the tallest Mallorn tree in all of Lothlorien, the staircase leading towards the top circled around the base of the tree and continued up. Miriniel ran her small fingers around the smooth grey bark, smiling to herself as she gazed up towards the house, enjoying the beauty once more. This was something she did each time they visited the house of the Lady of the Galadhrim.

The walk with Miriniel always took a little longer; she was human and a small one at that. Airemana could see Haldir glance backwards, his brow furrowing and his patience wearing thin each time he had to slow his steps to accompany them both.

"My, My Miriniel" he huffed as he reached out his hand to her "If you take much longer we will miss what is left of the third age."

"I'm only small." Miriniel scoffed up at the marchwarden, causing him to bow his head in false remorse.

"I apologise my lady" Haldir spoke quickly as he reach down to slip both his hands under the childs arms and bring her up into his own "but we do not have all day. We cannot keep Lord Celeborn waiting any more than we have to, our guests will be here very soon."

"That is only if they have not beaten us already" Airemana added with dread, picturing the look on her father's face if they all missed the arrival of either Lord Elrond or King Thranduil. She frowned deeply as she imagined his anger at Elenion's decision not to join them this morning. Airemana agreed that it was most rude but she could not force him.

"At last." Her mother spoke to her silently as they finally stepped into the bottom flooring of the house; it was more of an empty platform where her mother chose to greet guests. Rarely was anyone allowed further up the stairs and into their actual living quarters. It was minimal compared with the throne room in which King Thranduil chose to greet the very few visitors that he received. But her mother had always preferred to keep things more simple and modest than her counterparts. "I see Elenion has chosen not to join us." Airemana could still here the disappointment in her mother's voice; even though she spoke only to her mind it was still evident. Airemana didn't answer, there was no need. She was not about to defend his actions, he could explain himself later if he chose too.

"You are still with us after all." Celeborn eyed the three carefully as they walked further onto the empty platform and joined the group. Standing a little behind her mother and father were two other members of the Galadhrim guard. Lightly armed but still present. "Our guests are nearly upon us."

"It's my fault." Miriniel announced as she walked up to Galadriel and gently felt the material of her gown. "I have little legs." She explained further. The smile that took over her mother's features was bright, filled with amusement but Airemana noticed that her father's face remained rigid, barely casting a glance in Miriniel's direction. Airemana wondered silently if her daughter could feel the distain that she received from Lord Celeborn. She could sense her mother still within her thoughts, a look of concern that mimicked her own was apparent.

oOo

The guards had moved from their position behind the group to the entrance of the platform where the first section of stairs ended, blocking the way for those who approached. Even though they were expecting company, the guards still felt the need to check that those who approached where the same visitors that were welcomed. Airemana recognised the sound of the voice that spoke with the guards. Soon after, Lord Elrond walked into the space, smiling widely as he greeted her mother and father.

"You are most welcome here." Her father said to Elrond lowering his head and bringing his hand to his chest in the customary elven greeting.

"Legolas." Galadriel acknowledged his presence by calling him over.

"My father could not make it" the young price supplied with a look of regret "I apologise on his behalf, he has sent me in his stead."

Airemana drifted off during the many exchanges, not listening to anything that was said between them. She was only aware of two people, Miriniel, who was currently hiding behind her skirts and Haldir, who had moved into the back of the platform, lowering his head and joining the fellow guards in their show of respect. She looked up from her fingers, which she had begun to twirl aimlessly as she thought of Elenion, and his relief to find that Thranduil had not made the journey after all. Legolas' presence before her was only noticed when she raised her head to take a look around her companions to notice a pair of serene blue eyes fixing her with a look of concern.

"I am sorry, Legolas" she smiled meekly as she took in his form before her "I was in a realm of my own."

"Are you well?" he questioned softly, glancing back to take in the form of Galadriel, Celeborn and Elrond, still lost in a conversation.

"Yes" she assured him with a quick nod, her dark hair moving with the action "I was just lost in thought."

"I was hoping to talk with Elenion" the prince continued, his eyes scanning the room once more "I was expecting to see him here? I hope he is well also."

"He fairs well" Airemana could see the confusion in Legolas' eyes at his absence. "He had other things to attend to this morning" she supplied weakly. Knowing that this was not the full truth, yes he was currently busying himself with some additional training. He did not need it, he was using it as an excuse to avoid his old friend and king.

"If you require an audience with Elenion, young prince, you shall have it." Celeborn stepped up to them both, he had obviously overheard their exchange.

"Thank you." Legolas nodded to us both before turning to follow one of the guards back down the long staircase. Both elves were promised their own flet for the duration of their stay, Lady Galadriel personally ensuring that they met her high standards of hospitality.

oOo

Elenion was reclined on one of the wooden chairs at the dining table, his tunic and cloak both discarded behind him as he silently sharpened the blades of his daggers, sparing a small smile for his daughter as she noisily entered their home behind her mother.

"Ada!" she exclaimed running across the small space to leap up into his lap.

"Careful now" he warned, putting the daggers he held quickly onto the table.

"No weapons on the table" Airemana scolded, walking over to the table and grabbing them up into her hands swiftly, disposing of them at the door beside his boots. "No weapons around Miriniel. We have discussed this."

"I did not expect her sudden appearance." Elenion's tone was just as icy as his wife's. Clearly they were both as equally upset about the night before, the anger still remaining and seeping out.

"Speaking of appearances.." Airemana sighed as she walked over to Miriniel and removed the fastening of her cloak from around her neck "Thranduil must want to avoid you, as much as you do him."

"He did not come?" the shock was clear in his voice.

"No he sent Legolas in his stead" Airemana turned to look at her husband, noticing his sword balancing on the wooden chair beside him and felt the scowl thunder across her face as he followed her gaze. "The prince requested to speak with you and my father agreed to this."

"Splendid news." Elenion sighed, smiling down at Miriniel who silently twirled one of his long braids in between her small fingers.

Thanks to all those who have reviewed my story so far, it's much appreciated.