Celeborn was already shrunk to a little figure far away, but Galadriel kept staring over the sea. She realized that she was to be her daughter again. Celebrían!
But she could not feel really happy. How would she and Elrond ever manage to tell Celebrían that her daughter, sons and father were staying in Middle-Earth, without hurting her too much? They couldn't, she knew, they would break Celebríans heart… But maybe they would be able to heal it with their love and presence. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Galadriel…"
"Elrond?" She turned around. Tears lay on the cheeks of her son-in-law. With a soft gesture, she stroked them away.
"Do not be so sad…" she almost begged. "Not now!"
He shrugged his shoulder's. "What do you expect me to be? I just lost my children!"
"And I lost my husband!" she answered. He heard the pain in her voice, and lowered his eyes.
"I am sorry… Your loss is as big as mine, of course. I am sorry."
She smiled laboriously. "It's okay. I understand you are sad, of course. But- we have to be strong now, for Celebrían's sake."
He nodded sadly. "Yes."
Suddenly, he began to cry. It was a strange look, the mighty Elf-lord, crying…
Galadriel embraced her son-in-law comfortingly.
"Do you know-" he sobbed. "what it's like to have to break your wife's heart-just after you healed it?"
"Well, she is my daughter…"
"Yes, of course!" he interrupted her. "I do not mean that it's easier for you, Galadriel. It's just… how? How will we tell her? Galadriel, I have always admired your strength… please tell me what to do?"
She smiled sadly. "There isn't a "trick" to make such things easier. Unfortunately…or maybe not. No, Elrond, we will have to just tell it. And if it breaks her heart… then we will heal it again."
There was so much strength and confidence shining from her eyes, that Elrond was able to smile again.
"And we will."