As Artanis had gone away to her room, Celeborn realized that he still not knew the result of the proposal. The proposal.

Eru, what if she had answered "Yes."? What would he do then? Leave the palace to try and forget her? Or- or stay and see her everyday, as a secret admirer, only longing for her smile and her grace? He knew he would stay. Just the thought of a life without even seeing Artanis…

"Stop." he suddenly spoke to himself sternly. "Stop torturing yourself, and if you want to know how the proposal went, then go and ask Galathil!"

So he stood up and went to Galathil's room.

"Enter!" his brother yelled, as he knocked on the door.

And as Celeborn saw his brother sit on his bed, eyes staring in the distance, tears in his eyes, he knew Artanis had refused.

"Galathil, what's…"

"Artanis has refused to marry me."

Galathil's voice was strangely flat, as if he did not know what he was saying.

Celeborn sighed and sat down next to his brother. He felt so happy- so happy… But guilty as well- especially when Galathil began to cry.

"I loved that girl, Celeborn. I loved her… She's the first girl I've ever loved."

Celeborn laid an arm around his brother's shoulders and said- for he knew Galathil was expecting some comforting words-

"Maybe- it was just too early. Oh, come on, Galathil. Maybe she-"

But Galathil resolutely shook his head.

"She has taken her decision. I know it. She isn't the person to go back on a decision. If she says that she can never love me, then I believe her. She isn't meant to be mine."

Celeborn nodded.

"Maybe she isn't. I do not know." he said honestly. "I have had a disappointment too."

But his brother did not ask what it had been. He just stared at the wall, with big, sad eyes. So Celeborn didn't tell him about his proposal.

And as he left his brother alone, he felt like he just had to say it, and –before closing the door behind him- he turned around and said

"I have proposed to Eleniel."

And he turned away and left.