Authors note: I'm sticking to the timeline in the book, ie that the fellowship spent almost two months at Rivendell before departing for Mordor. In the film its like 5 seconds. So just in case you're wondering. I'd really appreciate any and all feedback or my will to update may wane, sob sob!

The Lady of the Golden wood had long roamed the glades of her realm when she finally came upon what she was looking for. Her understudy stood straight and tall, ebony tresses billowing about her in the gentle crisp breeze. Though she was not practising her chants or studying the lore, as the Elf-queen might have expected. Now the elf-maid shot arrows from a longbow. Her aim was impeccable, her technique flawless, and her consistency and perseverance awe-inspiring.

The Elf-queen's mind flashed back to the night she had returned.

A storm had brewed all the day, and when it finally broke, the rain poured down like stinging nettles. There were no patrols on the perimeter for even keen Elven sight could not penetrate the opaque cloud that had descended upon Lothlorién. To this day, the Galadriél did not know how Nephryn had managed to guide her group to safety.

At the time, her husband had been at Rivendell, and so it was she who was alerted that there were strangers nearby. No one knew whether friend or foe lurked, only that there were seven in all mounted high on shielded steeds, and that they appeared well-armed. Galadriél ordered that they be intercepted, though not attacked by a group of Galadhrim. When her herald arrived with news that they were surrounded and asking to speak directly with her, she went immediately. When she arrived, the rain fell still in blinding sheets. The strangers would not reveal themselves until they had council with the Lady herself.

"Reveal yourselves and speak of you purpose here." Galadriél commanded.

"Begging the Lady's pardon but your presence was necessary in order that we complete our duty." The seeming leader spoke out from under a dark cloak, though it was clear that he and his crew were saturated through to the flesh.

"What task have you that I must be a part of?" She spoke in cool tones, but this suspicious nature of their visitors had her and all that surrounded her tense and wary.

"Your husband, the Lord Celeborn, and the master of Rivendell, Lord Elrond, bid us to deliver an important item, once lost to you."

Galadriél frowned at this. What possible object could be so important to her that this group would undertake such a dangerous and difficult journey so willingly? From behind her, her aide seemed to voice her thoughts.

"What could possibly be so important to bear here in such atrocious conditions?"

The leader seemed to look around his group, as though searching for the one who carried it, so that he could answer.

Without warning, one of the riders nestled between the others removed the hood that hid his face.

"Me."

Galadriél felt her knees weaken, and from behind she felt strong hands support her arms. Worried voices queried as to her well-being, but she could not answer. Sitting high on the horse was Nephryn Istriél. She was soaked through, rain running in streams from tendrils of hair that clung to her thin face. Though she was heavily clothed, Galadriél could see that she was very thin, and exhaustion ringed her eyes and sunk her cheeks. The Elf-queen was walking over to her, when she sat the young elf-maid sway and tumble from the horse.

"No!" She reached out, but saw that one of her own elves had reached out and caught the ailing elf before she hit the sodden ground.

"We seek warmth and rest. Will you welcome us?" The leader spoke again. He had removed his hood, as had all his companions, and she could see clearly that they were kin.

"Of course."

And that was the day that the lost one was finally returned to the flock. Two months exactly this day. She had come so far since then. When she'd arrived, the long journey had taken a heavier toll than any had expected. Her companions insisted that she'd been quite well when they'd left Rivendell, but as the voyage progressed, she became increasingly weak. She was not always lucid, spoke little and eat nothing. A far cry, they insisted from her earlier state. One of the elves confided to her later though that she appeared very fond of an elf who visited the refuge and that their parting had been bittersweet.

In the many weeks after her reappearance, Nephryn was quiet and physically weak, though none could understand it for the physical wounds she'd received at the hands of the Úlairi had all but healed. Some believed that her lonely soul had manifested it self physically, but Galadriél remained unconvinced.

"Why do you stare at me, my Lady?"

Nephryn clear voice drew the Elf-queen back from the recesses of her memories. The queen did not answer the elf-maid's question. She merely smiled and drew closer.

"Your skill with the bow is as fine as any I have before witnessed. You have a natural talent."

Nephryn's face brightened visibly at this. She set the bow down at her feet and went about collecting the spent arrows. There were five buried in a small trunk. All had hit the centre of the target, and one had even cleaved another arrow in half.

"Do you wish to speak with me?" Nephryn spoke over her shoulder as she pulled each blade from the splintered wood.

Galadriél waited patiently until the elf-maid had finished collecting her arrows. She had a matter of importance to speak on and Nephryn's full attention would be required. When at last she turned back to the Elf-queen, Galadriél began to speak.

"I have consulted the mirror."

As soon as the words had left Galadriél's lips, the elf-maid's interest was captured. She frowned as she approached, and knelt near where the Elf-queen now sat.

"What have you discovered?"

"I believe I have deciphered the meaning of the symbol you bear. Your fate it seems is linked with that of the One Ring." Nephryn's frown deepened at this, for she knew well that it could not be good if it was to do with the Dark Lord.

"In what way?"

"I know not, nor shall I know until the time is right. It is wise that you continue to better your knowledge of elven lore. It may be very valuable and indeed necessary in the coming days."