A/N: Wow, firstly thank you all for your reviews. To Goddess Morrigan, I have pretty much got the whole skeleton of the story worked out and yes she does end up going back to the fairy realm, but it is quite some time down the track yet. So, you'll just have to keep reading to see what happens before she gets there!!

Thanks once again to all that reviewed and here is a rather long second chapter. Enjoy.



Disclaimer: All references to Lord of the Rings Characters and places are the property of J.R.R Tolkien, I have just tried to use them for my own story.

Chapter 2: The Feast

Later that night, during the feast, Celebfaer once more remained quiet and listened to the talk all around her. Aragorn was talking to Arwen's brothers Elladan and Elrohir about battles amongst other things, which were of no interest at all to the fairy. So she turned her attention to the young hobbit, Frodo. He was talking with the Dwarf Gimli of caves and mining, which Celebfaer thought was fascinating.

However, she was only able to listen to Frodo and Gloin for a small amount of time before a loud laugh broke her concentration and she turned to see where it had come from, only to see it had been Arwen that was laughing. The Elf beside Arwen was laughing also, although not as loudly as Arwen had been.

Celebfaer looked at him, recognizing him from the Council earlier on in the day, though she had not had a chance to look at him properly. His hair was a golden colour that sparkled when the light hit it, pulled back in the normal Elven fashion, with two small braids on each side of his head. His crystal blue eyes were alight with laughter and Celebfaer could tell that with a face like that he would have any amount of she-elves trying to gain his attention.

Arwen was of course talking to Legolas, the Elf from Mirkwood. Seeing his features more alive and a lot less grim than they had been in the Council, Celebfaer started to listen to the conversation he was having with Arwen. It was about the mischief they used to get up to when they were young and when they were in the company of each other and Celebfaer could not understand their amusement with the pranks they had played all those years ago.

"The look on her face when she fell in the water was priceless! Legolas you are ingenious in the pranks that you thought up." Arwen said and Legolas just smiled.

"Thank you Arwen, you weren't too bad yourself." He said and Arwen laughed, then Legolas continued. "I saw her later and she covered it up, saying she had been swimming in the river, and she never worked out who it was that did it." He said and they both laughed once more.

Eventually they stopped laughing and recalling their childhood pranks, and Celebfaer thought that they had finished their conversation, so she took the opportunity to talk Legolas.

"Master Greenleaf, tell me more of your dwelling, it sounds a lovely place." Celebfaer said Legolas looked up at her for a few seconds before replying.

He could not recall seeing the strange Elf enter, let alone sit down opposite him and he was slightly embarrassed that she had been listening to part of his conversation with Arwen. For not many knew of the pranks they used to play on the older Elves. Though he had enjoyed playing the pranks when he was younger, he had been glad when they had gotten caught by his father and ordered to stop the nonsense, just over two millennia ago.

He now looked at the strange Elf once more, taking in her odd appearance. The hood covered most of the distinguishing features of an Elf, but due to the presence of her brown, soulful eyes he guessed her hair to be a shade of brown also. He had noticed her at the Council and noted that her eyes though appearing young held a great deal of wisdom, so it was impossible for him to put an age to her.

"I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you yet, my Lady." Legolas said, throwing a quick look to Arwen, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"I am called Celebfaer." Celebfaer replied, saving Arwen from an argument with him. "And Arwen was just caught up in the memory of childhood, though I do not understand your amusement at such pranks. Where I come from everything is taken very seriously." She added.

"And where do you normally dwell my lady?" He asked her, causing Celebfaer to smile.

"Lothlorien and though we have heard of Mirkwood, little is known of it or the Elves that dwell there, so I would greatly like to hear of it, if you would give me the pleasure of hearing it."

"Lothlorien? You ask of Mirkwood when you dwell in a place so beautiful as Lothlorien, for we in Mirkwood have heard of it too. The Golden Wood is one place where little is heard from or known about in my country except that it is one of great beauty, great trees and very wise Elves."

"That it is. A peaceful place is Lorien, Arwen knows also as she has been there often." Celebfaer said and Arwen nodded the smile still on her face.

"That it is and the Lady of the Wood is very generous indeed. Generous and wise she is and greatly admired in Lorien and Rivendell through her kindness to all her people." Arwen added. "Legolas her beauty surpasses even your own and all that look upon her are enchanted by not only her stunning looks, but the wisdom that is evident in her eyes."

"I should like to see the trees one day during spring of course when the leaves turn gold. And if I have the pleasure of meeting this Lady I shall then make my own judgement Arwen." Legolas said his eyes sparkling with excitement at the mention of the trees.

"It is truly beautiful, though one that calls it home comes to take it for granted. To hear it spoken of in such light and with such excitement is quite joyful indeed and makes one appreciate its beauty. But now it is your turn to talk of Mirkwood, Master Greenleaf." Celebfaer said with a smile.

"Though it is not as fair as Lothlorien or Rivendell and the shadow dwells like a mist over the wood, we must keep the borders of the wood under constant watch or the Orcs will over take the wood altogether. Not even I am spared of that watch and I spend most of my time on watch or practicing my aim." He said and Celebfaer smiled at the mention of archery, then looked quickly at Arwen.

"I hear that you are the best archer of all the Elves, though I have not yet seen an archer better than those in Lorien I am sure that your skill would even surpass theirs." She said and Arwen laughed.

"Oh Legolas is good, but so are the archers of Lorien, I would more say that the two are equal." Arwen said and Legolas looked a little offended, but he laughed also.

"Archery is but one of my skills." He said, then he threw one of his dashing smiles at Arwen. "And you promised me a dance the next time that we met and now I ask you to keep your promise, my lady. Excuse us." Legolas said to Celebfaer, and she watched as Legolas led Arwen out to dance, both of them laughing and happy.

Aragorn looked up briefly to what Arwen was doing out of her seat, saw that she was with Legolas and in capable hands, then he turned back to Elladan and Elrohir to continue talking to them.

So, Celebfaer was left sitting at the table, by herself watching all the other Elves dance and wishing that she herself would have been able to dance, though she knew she could not. She was not alone for long because suddenly a voice whispered behind her.

"Is there anyone sitting there Celebfaer?" It said and she shook her head, looking up to see Gandalf.

"Mirthrandir, long it has been since you have been seen in Lothlorien and your presence has been missed greatly." She said, using the name that he went by when in the presence of Elves.

"Tell me, is it true you have now reached the full potential of your 'abilities' Celebfaer?" He asked her softly so as no one would hear him, and claiming the chair beside her, he sat down.

"Not quite. I still need to build up my strength. Though you have been quite busy since I saw you last. It is ill news indeed that the ring of power has been found but I assume it could not have been helped. We have even heard of its legend and what my memory tells me is not at all good." Celebfaer said.

"Indeed. Though I did not think this concerned your folk as well." Gandalf said, raising an eyebrow at her and she nodded sadly.

"We were there to cleanse the land in the aftermath of the war and it was not a pretty sight. I would not like to experience that first hand." She said, shivering slightly.

"But let's not talk of things evil while dwelling here. It is a time to be peaceful and talk of merry things. Tell me how is the Lady of the Wood?"

"She was well when I saw her last. Though the news troubled her and she did not wish me to come to Rivendell, I came and told her I would leave and be back with more news as soon as possible. Though seeing as the Company is journeying that way I have asked Elrond to accompany them as far as Lothlorien."

"Are you sure that is wise?" Gandalf asked and she nodded confidently.

"Very wise. My skills may be of some use. I have learned much that you do not know of and some that could be of great use in time of need." She replied.

"Very well, but it is up to Elrond."

"Yes. Either way I will be going back as soon as the decision is made. I wish to do some cleansing of my own if I can when I return to Lorien."

Gandalf just nodded then got up to talk to someone else, leaving Celebfaer, free to observe her surroundings and watch the dancers.

She saw Aragorn excuse himself from Arwen's brothers and walk over to where Legolas and Arwen were still dancing. Celebfaer could not hear what was said, but she knew that he would have asked for Legolas's permission to take over and dance with his loved one. Arwen just laughed, not letting Legolas reply, then she said a few words to him, causing him to nod, and let her go so that she started to dance with Aragorn.

Legolas having had his partner stolen, then looked around for another and finding none, he made his way back over to the table, where Celebfaer was sitting.

"Care to dance Celebfaer?" He asked her when she arrived in front of her, but she shook her head.

"I am afraid I cannot dance."

"An Elf that cannot dance? Surely that is a rare elf indeed. Especially one as fair as yourself."

"We do not hold many dances in Lorien and the Lady never thought it important to teach me." She said, knowing that if they danced then as soon as he touched her back, not only would her wings be crushed, but he would find out her secret.

To her surprise instead of accepting that she did not want to dance and moving on to ask another Elf, Legolas bowed deeply to her and she blinked a few times before she realised what he was doing. "Then I would be honored to teach you how to dance, my lady." Legolas pressed, and Celebfaer looked at him for a few seconds, not believing the determination that he showed. Then, she stood up from her chair looking at him in shock, thinking of a quick way to excuse his kind offer without dishonoring him in anyway.

"I am sorry my lord, but I am tired as I traveled and arrived here in Rivendell very late last night and I need my rest. I bid you a good night." Celebfaer said then she headed from the hall and went to her rooms, not once looking back.

In her room she threw off her cloak and examined her torn wings that could no longer open, but hung limply from her shoulder blades, never able to fly again. The beautiful and intricate design was ruined and no matter how hard she tried, the most movement her wings ever made was a slight flutter. If she could find her people then she might be able to mend them once more or maybe if she went back to the spot where Elrond had found her all those years ago.

The memory of that day had come back to her on the trip to Rivendell and she was certain she could find the spot and she knew now why she was there.

********************

She had been sent to call the water spirit and see what news that was flowing through the water. As she had settled down she had started the calling spell when suddenly from out of nowhere, some Orcs had found her. Being unable to notice the world around her because she was concentrating so hard, she had not noticed until the Orcs had pounced on her. She had turned in shock, but before she could do anything she had felt a sudden pain coming from her wings. When she had turned to see what they had done, she could no longer move them and the tear marks in them had been great. After that she had not struggled for much longer, though the Orcs grew tired of her and just knocked her on the head, and left her lying there, not caring if she lived or died. She remembered hoping that she did die for a fairy without wings may as well just die for they were never accepted and ended up living alone in the forest away from the city.

********************

Coming back from the memory, she sighed, trying to remember where the city was but she drew a blank. The only thing she could remember was that fairies with damaged wings were always taken out to the forest and never seen again.

Suddenly a longing to call and talk to the water spirit came over Celebfaer, so strong was the longing that she had donned her cloak, more out of habit that willingness to remain hidden, and was almost in the outskirts of Rivendell before she realised what she was doing.

There she found the river Bruinen as the Elves called it, but Loudwater in the language of Men.

So, settling herself down on a rock near the river, she looked up at the sky and wondered at the beauty of the moon and the stars, for a time before she stared into the river. Remembering why she had come, Celebfaer started to call the water spirit.

As she finished her words, the water made a rather large wave that grew up as high as the cliff face before it and as it came crashing down it started to move and a figure emerged from the water. The figure had long hair that was the same colour as the water and was clothed in colours of blue and green that merged together so that you could not tell where one colour started and the other ended. Just before the water could come crashing down on top of Celebfaer, the water spirit stepped out and sat on the rock beside Celebfaer. The water split where she had exited its hold and fell directly back into the river, returning it to its normal steady flow.

"Long it has been since one of your folk called upon us, and longer still one that was elf-friend also." The spirit, Naiad said and Celebfaer sighed sadly.

"It has been long since I tried, although it is ill news that you have not heard from one of my folk in a long time, as I was to ask for news if any of my people."

"There are some of your folk left, but they are too scared to come out of hiding in case the evil lord sees them and wishes to turn them. Where they dwell is not known by any but their folk, the last time they called they asked about a child. I assume this child was lost. It has been long though since any spirit has heard from them." Naiad said and Celebfaer's hope dropped, for if the spirits had not heard from her people, then maybe Arwen was right and there was in fact none of her people left.

"What news then flows along the water?" Celebfaer asked, trying not to show how upset she was about the lack of news of other fairies, a trick that she had been able to learn from Galadriel.

"The evil lord's faithful servants were washed away some six days before and scattered they were though not killed and they travel back to the evil lord as we speak. The water is stirring as ill news is beginning to make it foul. Though evil flows now through some waters forevermore others are trying to cleanse those waters to no avail....." Naiad continued on for some time and Celebfaer took it all in, asking questions occasionally to see if there was anything she could do to help or to make some things that the spirit said a little clearer to herself.

Eventually the Naiad had nothing left to tell Celebfaer, though she was glad that the spirit had given her as much as she had.

"Though there is no more news through the water, the wind blows long and hard, maybe there is more news to be had from the wind spirit."

"I shall try him next, thank you dearly for the information you have gathered, it will be of some use, I should think."

"It is good to hear from the lost ones again. Though I notice your hurt there are ways to cleanse it."

"My wings? You know of them."

"I can feel your every thought and emotion and although you give me your full attention you worry about your people and your wings that you desire to cleanse. It is difficult to do and most that lose the use of wings give up for the road is hard. There is a pool of water on the highest peak from which a waterfall comes. The water at the bottom of the fall has grown foul over the years, though the water in the top is where one needs to bath the wings for as long as it takes to cleanse them. Though no being dares to try the climb, not even an Elf would dare. Up in the Grey Mountains this pond is on the top of Withered Heath. It is too dangerous for you now, you need to build up your strength before you can try. And I see a great journey ahead of you before you can indeed try." Naiad said.

"But I will try one day. I cannot go back to my people with my wings in this state. To them a fairy without wings may as well not be a fairy." She said and Naiad nodded then jolted as though disturbed from a deep sleep.

"Someone comes." She said. "Farewell, and do not hesitate to call for help or news of any kind." She added, then Celebfaer said some words softly and Naiad was able to dive into the water and disappear, but still Celebfaer whispered and spoke the words that would end the call properly.

When she was finished, she opened her eyes then turned around to see Arwen.

"I thought you would be here spirit child." She said and Celebfaer smiled at her friend.

"You know my favourite places in Rivendell. It is good I shall not be here too long then. What brings you in search of me?"

"Legolas was a bit dismayed by the way you left and he asked me to come and speak to you to see if it was something he had said. He dislikes people being angry or having ill air between another being and himself, whether it is Man, Elf or Hobbit. Dwarves he still dislikes anyway, but so do most Elves. Did he say something to upset you?"

"I am not Elf, Man, Hobbit or Dwarf and my people are never offended. I just wish your father would let me tell people what I am so then I could avoid difficult situations."

"What situations?" Arwen asked curiously.

"The Hobbit suspects I am no Elf. Legolas does not believe in an Elf that cannot dance and it is only a matter of time before other Elves realise that wearing a cloak is not usual. In Lorien they accept me because the Lady does and they do not question her. So, if the Lady says I am an Elf, then I am an Elf." Celebfaer replied and Arwen nodded.

"It is best that no one knows what you are or else they would be scared. Most folk be it a Hobbit, Man, Dwarf or Elf believe that Elves have the most power and grace in Middle Earth, with the exception of Wizards. Fairies are not known to many of these races, only the wisest Elves and some Wizards know of their existence. Aragorn is the only Man that knows what you are and what that means. When the time is right and if you embark on this quest to Lorien with the Company, then they may have to be told, although it will only come about if it must. You do understand that do you not?"

"Yes Arwen." Celebfaer said and suddenly she yawned. "I am sorry, my journey from Lothlorien must be catching up with me, I think I shall go and rest."

"I shall walk with you back to your room, then tell Legolas that all is well." Arwen said and Celebfaer thanked her friend.

So, they walked up to Celebfaer's room, through the breathtakingly beautiful gardens of Rivendell. Once they made it to her room and were standing in front of the doors, Arwen wished Celebfaer a pleasant sleep, then departed.