Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except Celebruthiel. The rest are owned by Tolkien.

Author's Notes: I have finally found the time to come back to this story. I am revising old chapters and adding new ones. Mostly I will be working from the book, though on occasion I will revert to the movie, as it gave Legolas more character, especially in the beginning. Most of what I have written about the Second Age (Galadriel in particular) I have made up. Also I tweaked the timeline a bit while Gandalf was being held prisoner by Saruman. I made the time period shorter to suit the story. Thanks!

Bound at every limb by my shackles of fear

Sealed with lies through so many tears

Lost from within, pursuing the end

I fight for the chance to be lied to again

You will never be strong enough

You will never be good enough

You were never conceived in love

You will not rise above

Evanescence "Lies"

The Truth Revealed

Celebruthiel first saw him at the feast welcoming the birth of her sister, Arwen Undomiel. He sat at one of the long tables upon the dais, between her brothers, Elladen and Elrohir. He was very fair with hair the color of sunlight and she wanted to bask in his warmth. She watched as his long slender fingers lifted a goblet of wine to his lips and sighed. It was then she noticed he was looking at her over the rim of his glass with a slight smile curving his lips. Mortified, Celebruthiel ducked behind a pillar. While she was considered still just a child to her people, she was tittering on the cusp of adulthood and had longings she couldn't even begin to understand. So she had stood there behind the pillar, her hand clutched to the place her heart rested. When next she looked, she found his face only inches from her own. She'd panicked, ignoring his words of greeting, and fled from the great hall.

After the meal, while the celebrations continued in honor of the birth of the latest, and fated to be last, member of the Royal Family at Rivendell, Elrond and the King of Northern Mirkwood signed a pact of friendship and loyalty. Later, when she'd been introduced to both father and son, he had grasped her hand and looked down at her with that shy half smile. She'd been lost. And he became her everything, her best friend. He was all she had ever known and all she had ever wanted. When she was in his presence, she felt one with the world around her. And when he left, she was bereft.

Then the Dark Lord arose once again in his Black Tower. When the darkness had first begun to creep back into Mordor, Celebruthiel had started to sense things, to feel a pull -to what she hadn't been certain. Until know. It had slowly gotten stronger, as if trying to tell her something. Finally she couldn't resist the urge and she followed it. It led her to Isengard and the tower of Orthanc, where resided Saruman the White, a powerful and wise wizard, or so she'd believed. There she had learned the truth about herself, the one they had all tried to hide from her, through their lies and Gandalf's magic.

She stayed for only a few hours. Saruman had left her to attend to other business. As she walked around his room in Orthanc, she began to get the feeling that something was not right. The voice in her head was practically screaming for her to run away. So she fled Orthanc before Saruman returned. As she rode away, she sensed the darkness that clung to the area, where in the past there had been none. And so she headed back to Rivendell to confront her father. And Gandalf. She'd been deeply hurt to discover he'd had a hand in the deception, for he had placed some sort of spell on Celebruthiel, causing her to forget the first 184 years of her life and any knowledge of her true parentage.

A return, which should have only taken 12 days, turned into 5 weeks for Celebruthiel as she moved forward, then doubled back to avoid whatever it was that was following her from Isengard. She wasn't sure exactly what was pursuing her as she managed to stay one step ahead of it, but she could feel it hunting. And she was scared.

Once upon a time, the trip to Isengard was a safe one, and she had made it many times in the past alone. But she could feel the wind changing, blowing foul air from the South, stifling her. And the silence she encountered was deafening. For the first time in her 3100 years, Celebruthiel wasn't certain there would be a Middle Earth with the dawning of each new day.

She only slowed her pace once she reached the Ford and was within the safety of Rivendell. Even the sight of the valley and a glimpse of Rivendell itself didn't stop the fear that had crept into her bones, seeped like the mist that sometimes covered the valley floor. And reaching her father's home, which had also been a sanctuary, always filled her with peace at just the sight of it, did nothing to ease her. Only fear resided in her now.

****

Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Northern Mirkwood, was apprehensive as he approached the Western Edge of Rivendell, for he had ill tidings to share of the escape of Smeagol. He feared great misgivings would be felt toward his father, Thranduil, and the Elven Folk of Mirkwood for failing in the trust placed in them. He only hoped it wouldn't negatively effect the pact signed by his father, and the King of Rivendell all those many years ago.

His thoughts turned back to that day, when looking across the hall, he'd first seen her. He had been amused by the vision with long wavy silver tresses as she hid behind a pillar, watching him. And when he'd been drawn to her, she'd fled, to his astonishment. It wasn't until the next day, when his father had introduced him to his vision from the night before, he had looked into those clear blue eyes that belayed her innocence and sank. They had both barely been out of childhood, but Legolas had known the moment he'd touched her hand. She was to be his. Now with thoughts of only his beloved, Legolas quickened his pace, eager to reach Rivendell before nightfall.

As Legolas entered the valley where Rivendell was hidden, he felt a song in his heart, pure joy at once again being under the golden rays of the sun that always seemed to shine brighter at Rivendell. He followed the sounds of a waterfall, which led him to the place where the Last Homely House stood in all it's glory. When Legolas reached the entrance of the home where Elrond resided, he was surprised to be met by Gandalf the Grey.

"Welcome, son of Thranduil," Gandalf greeted as he sat on a rock, smoking his pipe weed.

"Hello Mithrandir," Legolas replied as he tried to pass the wizard.

"And where might you be off to in such a hurry, my young Elven friend?" Gandalf asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Legolas felt his color rise at the great wizards teasing. It was certainly no secret to whose company he would first seek upon arrival.

"Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the fair Celebruthiel is not presently in residence," Gandalf said, sobering quickly.

Though normally Legolas wouldn't be surprised by this news, as Celebruthiel had a habit of disappearing for days at a time, things outside of Rivendell were becoming increasingly more dangerous and the thought of her out there alone worried him greatly.

"Why didn't anyone stop her?" Legolas questioned tersely.

"You know Celebruthiel better than most, Legolas. She's a stubborn one when her mind is set on something. She snuck away in the middle of the night when no one was the wiser. I fear she will pay for her rashness when she decides to return. Lord Elrond is none to happy that his eldest daughter is off gallivanting while the darkness inches it's way toward us."

"If Lord Elrond decides to let her recklessness pass, she shall hear a word or two on it from me," Legolas promised. With a nod, he passed Gandalf and entered the Last Homely House.

****

The day after Legolas' arrival, the Council of Elrond was held. Here Legolas was forced to break down and reveal that Smeagol, or Gollum, had escaped with the help of some Orcs. It was almost a relief to discover that his news was taken very lightly compared to some of the items discussed. Almost. He not only discovered that Saruman had turned against them all, but that the Black Riders were once again on the loose and that the One Ring had been found. The longer the Council lasted and the more he learned of the troubles in Middle Earth, the more frightened he became that Celebruthiel was still out there somewhere.

It was decided that a Hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins should be in charge of the Ring, to see to it's destruction. Others would be needed to help him on his journey to Mount Doom, where to Ring would have to be taken; for only where it was forged could it be unmade by tossing it into the flames.

When the Council had ended, Elrond gathered some elves together, to send them out as scouts to determine any news that might be helpful, the greatest interest being the whereabouts of the Black Riders. Aragorn and Elrond's two sons, headed south, while Legolas took to the west, back towards Mirkwood. They agreed if they came across Celebruthiel, they would return her to Rivendell, whether she chose to or not. Legolas prayed she had gone to his father's house looking for him and that she was safe.

***

Almost two months had passed since the council had been held. Most of the riders had returned, including Legolas. He had started out directly west to Northern Mirkwood, with no sign of Celebruthiel then he had fanned out south. He returned to Rivendell, fearing for Celebruthiel, hoping she had already returned, and at least thankful that he had seen no signs of the enemy or the Black Riders. When he had returned, Arwen met him at the door.

"Any news?" she asked Legolas anxiously. It was not like Celebruthiel to be gone for this length of time. She would usually disappear for a day or two, a week at the most, and then she would return. For her to be away for just a day shy of two months was frightening. Arwen had at first been certain that Celebruthiel had snuck away to spend some time with Legolas. But when he arrived looking for her sister, she had become concerned. And the longer time passed, the more frightened she became about her sister's welfare.

Legolas shook his head in despair. That Celebruthiel hadn't returned was a bad sign. Legolas considered turning around and leaving Rivendell again to search some more.

"Who has returned?" he asked, placing his hand over Arwen's as she clung to him.

"Everyone but Elladan and Elrohir," Arwen replied, referring to her two brothers.

"And Aragorn saw no sign of her?"

Arwen shook her head sadly.

"Then we must place our hope with your brothers. If they return and I am unaware, please come get me," Legolas whispered. "If they return without her, I will resume the search. Now I must report to your father." He patted Arwen's hand one last time before leaving her in the doorway.