A silence fell.

Then, Galadriel nodded, and Lauriel was surprised when she saw that there were tears in the proud Lady's eyes.

"I know, my child, I know. I know how it is to have to leave your parents so early. I myself have done so too.'

Suddenly, she took Lauriels hand.

"But sometimes, one has to sacrifice one's own happiness for one's people, Lauriel. One has to be strong. You have to be strong."

"But-" Lauriel sobbed softly. "I-"

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and entered.

It was a tall, handsome man with long, silver hairs and young, yet wise, clear grey eyes. Lauriel realized that this had to be Celeborn, the Lord of Lorien.

Galadriel turned around and spoke to her husband

"Celeborn, we cannot keep this child here if she doesn't want to stay. She is so young."

Celeborn nodded and smiled.

"Of course not, meleth-nîn. Hello, Lauriel!"

Lauriel nodded. "Hello, Milord."

Celeborn sat down next to her.

When he saw her tears, he whispered.

"You can go back if you want to, Lauriel-nîn, but think about it.

Will you ever feel complete again, if you know that there is a part of you, an Elven-girl, who longs for the woods of Lothlórien? Will you ever be happy again with your mortal, human life, if you know that there is another life for you?"

Lauriel remained silent.

"And," Galadriel added "have you not always wanted to live in Middle-Earth? But you have never thought about the consequences, have you? Oh, Lauriel, I know exactly how you feel."

Suddenly, the Lady embraced the sobbing Lauriel.

First, Lauriel felt a little bit uncomfortable, but when she felt how Galadriel motherly stroked her hair, she muttered

"I do not know what to do, Milady."

When Galadriel released her, she looked into Lauriels eyes.

"This is your decision." She said then. "Your decision, Lauriel.

But if you stay here, I promise that I and Celeborn will treat you exactly as we would treat our own daughter... You would become a daughter to us, for we have lost one daughter over the Sea…"

She smiled, but there was a sad look in her eyes.

"You can think about it as long as you want to. But even if you stay, you can always decide, after a few years, to go back to your world instead of going to Valinor with us. But you don't have to take your decision right away, of course."

But Lauriel heard herself say "No, Milady. I know what I will do, what I have to do. I'll stay, Milady. You were right. This isn't about your happiness, or mine, this is about the Elven race's happiness, and that is what matters now."

And as she said it, she realized that it was the most courageous thing she had ever said.