Chapter 14: A Change of Heart

Legolas walked in the forest, searching for Galadriel. The last offspring of Laurelin had settled high above, heating the land with its beautiful golden rays. The young Elf stood for a moment, somehow conscious about the resemblance of sunlight with Galadriel's gleaming hair. 'I am Nerwen, daughter of Finarfin. You can call me Nerwen.' Legolas recalled the name she gave to Limiel; suddenly aware of something he had learned long ago. 'Daughter of Finarfin. Which Finarfin? The only Finarfin I know, Feanor's brother, only had one daughter.'

Then he remembered his long forgotten history lesson, which he studied half-heartedly: "…she was strong of body, mind, and will, a match for both the lore masters and athletes of the Eldar in the days of their youth. Even among Eldar she was accounted beautiful and her hair was held a marvel unmatched…the light of Two Trees, had been snared into her tresses.* It was said that she went into exile with her Noldor kin, leading them through Helcaraxe, the Grinding Ice after Feanor's betrayal to his own Noldor kin. And therefore shared the doom of her father's kin…"

'So that's her, the maiden whose hair inspired Feanor to forge the Silmarils. No wonder she could charm me so easily,' he thought. Legolas sighed and said to himself, 'her words are true indeed; my love for her is not better than Feanor's, an egocentric passion.'

Not long afterwards Legolas found Galadriel was sitting in a tree, smiling at him. She had sensed his presence long before he did, and decided to take no heed on his negative attitude he showed yesterday. "Do you fear I will escape, Legolas?"

Legolas looked down, didn't dare to meet her eyes, ashamed. "Nay, Lady Galadriel."

The Lady climbed down, losing not even the slightest of her gracefulness. "Come, let us return."

Legolas did not move. He looked down, searching for proper words to speak his mind. Galadriel stood patiently, fully understanding what was battling in his mind. Sad she was, but she had forgiven him even before the fault was committed.

"Forgive me, Lady," he finally said. His voice was barely above whisper.

"What to forgive, young Eldar?" she said kindly, no accusation in her voice.

"I have disappointed you. I ran, rejecting you and your past."

"You do not, for I never expected you to react differently than you already did."

Legolas slowly lifted his eyes, and saw the kind gaze of Galadriel embracing him. Aeglos' assumption was true; her affection for him was deep, though in a different way than he expected. Slowly, his infatuation ceased, replaced by respect and care.

Galadriel smiled, knowing the change that wasn't even noticed by the young Elf himself.

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Returning to the house, Galadriel found Aeglos and Limiel looking at her with worry. She instantly knew what was in their thoughts , which had been in Legolas' mind as well.

"What will be, will be, my children," she answered their unspoken question smilingly. She met their eyes one by one, reassuring them by her mind. She had felt her end draw near, and the last thing she wanted was to spend the rest of her life with herself or someone else preoccupied with the disdainful thought. But one important thing must be done and she needed to decide who had the capability for the task.

Galadriel pried them one by one. Her gaze was no longer soothing, but sharp and taxing, testing them with their deepest desire.

Finally, she released them. Limiel, Aeglos, and Legolas were mentally exhausted, but none realized what had been done to them. The Lady, too, was tired. She sighed and leaned against her chair while pulling Nenya from her finger, and handed it to one of them.

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*quoted from Unfinished tale. The rest is my own summary of her history in Silmarillion.

Who will get Nenya?

Hantanyel ( thank you) to my reviewers.