~AUTHOR'S NOTE~ Yes, I have returned. Again, I'm trying to actively be updating all of my stories, but I'm very involved in writing both Red and White, which is partially posted here on ff.net as well as the sequel to this story, tentatively titled Born But to Live. Thoughts on the title are appreciated! There is only one chapter after this, so we're almost there!

~DISCLAIMER~ Characters I don't own: Galadriel, Celeborn, Legolas as well as other briefly mentioned (Haldir, Aragorn, Pippin, etc.) Characters I do own: Raélowen, Emeriel, Calíme, Shamiel, Colindor and two others briefly mentioned

My mind was still reeling and my shock had lessened only minimally. Galadriel had left the Mirror, bidding me to follow her and she would answer my questions. And I had so many questions that I could barely form a thought.

She led me up to the talan from which I had sung the Lament only the day before. There she stood, watching me expectantly.

I walked over to the edge, gazing down on Lórien. The Elves moved about their lives while I stood far above them, marveling at my new heightened senses that let me see them clearly from the top of the mallorn-tree.

"It is amazing," I breathed. "But impossible! Lady Galadriel, how can this be? Is it real?"

"Yes Raélowen. It is real. You are of the Elven people now."

I was still confused. "But how is this possible? I thought no one could transcend racial lines. I do not understand ho I can behold the Elvish power."

The Lady just laughed. "Child, the power of the Elves was already within you. He has given it to you, though I need not explain how."  I blushed deeply as I suddenly understood what she meant.

Legolas. During the night we pent together, he had passed the life force of the Elves to me. It was not hard to guess how.

"Raélowen, do not be ashamed. It was meant to be."

I just smiled. "But that could not be all of it. If it was, wouldn't I have been Elven by morning?"

She smiled again. "You are a smart young elf." That was strange to hear. "Combined with the Elven life-force within you was my own power, reinforced by Nenya." The Lady turned. "Follow me. There is much we must discuss."

I obediently followed her from the high talan down into the Royal Chamber, where Celeborn was waiting for us. Galadriel took her place beside him and gestured for me to sit before them, which I did.

"Welcome, Raélowen Mirimë." Celeborn addressed me.

The name caught me off guard. "Mirimë?"

"It is to be your second given name," the Lord explained. "It comes from the Quenya word mirima, meaning free. The name itself means 'free one,' as you are now free as an elf." I smiled as he said that, for I did feel free.

"Thank you, Lord," I said graciously.

He nodded to me. "Raélowen, you are now an elf. You will never age and you will never die." I nodded in understanding. Celeborn continued, "The world may seem new and different to you, but trust that it is the same world you have always known."

"My Lord?" I asked. He motioned me to continue. "My Lord, as a human, I was twenty years old. I know that is mature for the race of Men, but twenty is barely out of infancy for an elf…"

"Do not worry, my dear," the Lady interrupted. "You are at the same life stage as you were as human."

"Yes." Lord Celeborn continued as such. "And you now possess the traits of an elf."

"But I must warn you, child," the Lady said softly. "You will live long in Middle Earth. And you will see things that will touch your soul and break your heart. But you must remember that there is good in the world. And evil will never triumph."

"Like Sauron being defeated," I murmured, remembering the history I had been taught.

Celeborn and Galadriel exchanged a look before addressing me again.

"Raélowen," Celeborn said. "There will come a time when you, like all Elves, will have to leave Middle Earth. You will sail from Middle Earth across the sea to reside forever in Valinor, or the Undying Lands."

I nodded. It was common knowledge of life beyond Middle Earth.

Galadriel smiled at me. "Welcome to us, Raélowen Mirimë!"

I grinned, then remembered something that had been bothering me. "My Lady, forgive me, but what of the questions others will have? The Elves of Lórien all know I was human. And, well, Legolas and I promised to keep our love a secret."

"Child, do not worry about others. While Elves are curious, they truly question little. As for your secret, it is safe within this chamber, but I believe circumstances have changed now, have they not?"

Her words dawned on me. She was right! Legolas and I had sworn our love to silence because I had been human!

I bowed to the Lord and Lady and moved to leave when I was granted. As I neared the entryway, the Lady put a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. "Enyala wanwië, child. Enyala atani."

Her words were not lost on me. I knew that I could never forget my life as a human or any of my past. I bowed my head again, leaving the Royal Chamber. Everything in Lórien was the same and yet different. But I knew that I wanted to tell someone of my greatest fortune.

I knew that Emeriel was at Calíme's house so as to hear her ballad about the Fellowship. I headed toward where Calíme lived, preparing to give the two she-elves the shock of their immortal lives!

* Enyala wanwië = remember your past (Quenya)

* Enyala atani = remember men (Quenya)