~ Chapter 2~

The Elven guests were given places of honor in the feasting hall. Queen Galadriel and King Legolas were seated on either side of Aníron. Elrond's sons were seated nearer to the king and the rest of the Elven party was scattered among the higher ranking members of the household. The meal began with no unpleasantries. After a time, Galadriel rose to speak. "Your Majesties, we have journeyed here from beyond the havens for the salvation of Middle-Earth. One night, shortly before Elrond passed, I had a dream. Arwen Undomiel, Lady of Rivendell and Queen of Gondorian men came to me and told me of the miraculous birth of her granddaughter. She told me that the time for the Oracle was at hand and that she believed that the Oracle was is her grandchild. When I awoke, I shared my vision with Elladan and Elrohir, and in turn Legolas. We made the decision to journey back to Middle-Earth and began to make preparations at once. "Perhaps I should explain why the Oracle is so important. She is the daughter of the Evening and the Morning, making her the Twilight. She would be Elvish in lineage, yet born to mortals. The Oracle would be, contrary to her parents, almost completely Elvish, save for her mortality. She would be more gifted than any, save for perhaps a wizard. She would be able to sense the emotions of others. After her ordeal, she will be immortal and have psychic capabilities. She is destined to save Middle- Earth from the Darkness. "Her ordeal would be rather extensive. But her body would go through it whether or not we discovered her identity or not. With us here, her chances of survival are much greater." Aníron paled at the thought of her own death and Legolas handed her a glass of wine and put a reassuring hand over hers. "The ordeal," Galadriel continued, "involves mental and physical testing, but that is all we know about it." She turned to the princess. "At sunset, we must conduct a test to be absolutely certain that you are the Oracle.