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Celebrimbor had created his home in the woods northeast of Tharbad where the Grey River separated in two. He called it Eregion, the land of holly. The realm was built within the thick forest and were invisible to the humans of Eriador.
The achievements of the longbeards, especially the breakthrough under the Misty Mountain had convinced Celebrimbor that his abilities in crafting would still earn him a name in history.
Celebrimbor had always been in love with creation, only once before he felt love to another Elda, but it was cut short due to war, and it had left Celebrimbor in sadness.
Celebrimbor sat in a room. It was tight, as created by stones underground, but it was in the trees and made of living leaves and branches of trees.
"You have visitors, my lord!" one of Celebrimbors elf stated.
Celebrimbor was surprised, as he though his present was unnoticed by all.
He rose from his seat. An elf approached, partly hooded, so it was impossible to tell who it was. But the light from the outside revealed a figure and the movements of the elf convinced Celebrimbor that this was a female elf.
The elf looked up; it was Galadriel!
Celebrimbors face changed; he had never though she would return. It was as if all the happiness of Arda had hit him. He rushed towards Galadriel.
"I thought I had lost you forever;" he stammered; "I see now it was wise for my fea to stay in Middle Earth!"
He reached for her hand, but she spoke quickly.
"Greeting to you, son of Curufin! Let me present my husband to you!"
Another elf entered. It was Celeborn. Celebrimbor had not seen him before.
"This is Celeborn of Doriath"; he saved me from the shadow of Feanor. I am forever, bound to him, as he is to me!"
Celeborn stated; "Greeting to you, son of Curufin. I come here with no prejudice to you only to ask if my family can rest within your realm.
Celebrimbor was silenced and tried to hide his disappointment. Before he could answer a third elf appeared.
Galadriel said; "This is Celebrian, our daughter."
Celebrian stepped forward but she did not speak.
Celebrimbor looked at her with affection; "What beauty you have created Galadriel!" He looked up and saw Celeborn.
"-and you Celeborn of Doriath", he added.
Within a few weeks, Celebrimbor held a feast for the newcomers high above ground in the trees. They had created platforms between the highest trees, but they were unstable and had simple men used them, they would have fallen off.
Celebrimbor was sitting with Galadriel and Celeborn on each side. Celebrian was playing in the treetops with the other elves jumping from tree to tree.
Celebrimbor said; "You certainly have a beautiful daughter. What future have you planned for her?"
Galadriel answered; "She will decide for herself, but I hope one day she will find love and come to rest with hers and my family in the west."
Celebrimbor said; "If she finds love in Middle Earth, maybe she will not desire to travel west."
Celeborn intervened, "Like I, many elves of Umanyar, once having being guided by Orome, have the desire to travel to Valinor. Celebrian, being a noldo of birth is no exception; I have already seen Umanyar that gladly will follow her to the west,"
Celebrimbor did not answer, he looked out at Celebrian slowly disappearing, having fun with the other elves.
Galadriel broke the silence.
"Why here and now, Celebrimbor?" she asked.
Celebrimbor answered; "I have been searching for Maglor for a long time. However not long ago I heard a sound that gave me hope of creation of beauty in the future. Not long from there the greatest dwarf since Durin the Deathless has risen. The longbeards of Durin is capable of great crafting. Furthermore, I hear rumours of men that can put magic into dead things coming here from the south. I want to connect us all to produce beauty, not seen since the days of the silmarils.
Celeborn shouted; "The creation of the silmarils destroyed the world!"
Celebrimbor answered quickly; "The evil destroyed the world, hunting for the silmarils. However, there are no evil anymore. The magic of Melkor has left Middle Earth."
Galadriel intervened; "Be careful, son of Curufin, all evil is not gone. Allow me and my family to stay here, enjoying your hospitality, and possible guide you when needed."
Celebrimbor relaxed again; "you can stay as long as you desire!"
Later Celeborn and Galadriel were alone.
Celeborn asked; "Tell me what you see in him?"
Galadriel answered; "I see no evil, no revenge, and no violence. He is not Feanor. However I cannot see what he cannot see. We will have to guide him."
Celeborn said; "I will never trust the house of Feanor! They killed my kinsmen at Alqualonde, Doriath and Sirion."
Galadriel said; "I know. What we can now not is to understand the news that Celebrimbor said. I will find out what the longbeards are doing and you look to the south to find out what magic Celebrimbor speaks about,.