Celandiel once lived in the safe haven of Rivendell; today her family would journey East to the Woodland Realm. No one, not even her closest brother, would tell her why.

'Muindor-nin (my brother),' she pleaded, looking at Celordel, 'tell me why are we to leave behind our home?' But Celordel's eyes filled with tears. He placed a hand on her shoulder. 'Time will soon tell, and you will come to know of it.' He said no more.

Nine days they journeyed, feasting upon lembas and pure water from Rivendell's many springs.

Again she begged for reason to leave their refuge. A servant summoned for her, and he said in a hushed voice, 'Hiril nin (my lady), your family's leaving of Rivendell bears ill-fated news to you. Do not be too hurried to find of what it is.' And he hurried away.

'What has my family against me?' she thought, munching a wafer of lembas.

Soon they were arrived in Mirkwood. The King Thranduil himself and a young Elf were there to greet them.

'Welcome to Mirkwood,' the King said. He presented the Elf. 'This is my youngest son, Legolas, Prince of the Mirkwood Elves. Right now, my other son and daughter, Lyrnthel and Lethiniel are on a hunting expedition,' he added evilly.

The young Prince bowed to Celordel, and reached for Celandiel's hand to kiss it. 'It is a pleasure to meet you both. Mirkwood and its inhabitants have aged. No longer do Elves as yourselves dwell here, save for me.'

Celandiel smiled. 'May we find joy in each other.'

Legolas was about to speak more, when a carriage adorned with jewels and symbols (that told others the Elf inside was of high rank) stopped in Mirkwood's entrance.

'Calatalai has come.' Thranduil announced to the new-comers. A she-Elf, far younger than Celandiel, stepped out.

'Who is she?' Celandiel breathed, awed by the young Elf's beauty. She had sapphire blue eyes and golden hair.

'My father and the Lady of the Wood had an agreement: peace between the Elves as long as I am married to her,' Legolas replied grimly.

'She is of Galadriel's line!' Celandiel murmured in admiration.

'Yes,' the Prince said sadly. He left them to greet her.

'Come,' a voice said. Thranduil had approached them. 'These two's love shall not be disturbed.' He eyed at Celandiel angrily.

'Hir nin (my lord),' Celordel replied stiffly, 'my sister would not have loved your son, had she known of their betrothal.'

'Well then,' Thranduil went on, still glaring at her, 'I shall take your family to your home. Come.' He left.

Celordel and Celandiel followed, though she was reluctant to leave Legolas. A guilty thought roused in her heart.

~*~

Calatalai quietly slipped out of her quarters to breathe fresh air and wander the woods. Suddenly she spied the Elvish girl she had seen earlier singing a song of Eärendil. She had ocean blue eyes and slightly curled soft brown hair. The Elf was indeed beautiful.

'What is your name?' Calatalai asked, strolling up to her.

'Celandiel,' the Elf replied timidly. 'What brings you to Mirkwood?'

Elladen's daughter grinned foolishly. 'I'm to marry Prince Legolas.'

'How fortunate you are. I once dreamed one day I would marry someone of such high rank.' Celandiel sighed deeply.

'Perhaps, should you like to marry one of much older age than you.'

The Perian-edhel (half- hobbit, half-Elf) shrugged. 'Our age is unlike that of the race of Men, whom wither as their years pass on.'

Calatalai smiled.

Unexpectedly, a nearby bush rustled. A she-Elf stepped out, her bow bent. 'What business is it of yours to wander about the woods?'

Celandiel, being sharp-witted replied, 'What business is it of yours to break our conversation?'

'Your words are strong, foreigner,' the Elf marveled. She straightened her bow. 'My name is Andraste Emeraldpetal, daughter of Ithil.'

'Legolas' brother?' Calatalai asked.

Andraste nodded. 'Come, we must flee from Mirkwood. My fool of a grandfather has challenged war against the Men of Minas Tirith, and now they are swarming in the forests. I must as for the help of the Lorien archers.'

'But my parents-' Celandiel started.

'Everyone has relinquished this realm. We must hurry!' Andraste disappeared into the trees. Calatalai and Celandiel quickly followed.

Legolas then appeared from nowhere. 'Hurry! The Men soon will launch an assault on us!' Arrows were flying above them.

'If I had known was approaching, I would have brought my bow with me!' Celandiel muttered angrily.

Calatalai stopped to look at her. 'You know archery?'

'Yes. Why?'

'You do not seem to be an archer.' An arrow skipped past her foot.

'Hurry!' Legolas called. To Celandiel, he whispered, 'Your mother should have your bow when we have reached the boundaries.'

~*~

As though nothing could be worse, Celandiel's mother had not taken her treasured bow.

'It will be lost, I'm afraid,' her mother said sadly.

'No!' Mother, Celordel gave it to me! It was his most prized possession!' Celandiel screamed, unaware that her friends were staring at her.

Her mother shook her head. 'There's nothing you can do now.'

'Then I shall return to our house and search until I find it.' With that, the young Elf disappeared into the clearing.

'Celandiel, come back!' her mother cried in anguish.

'We cannot leave our friend in a dangerous place like this!' Calatalai whispered urgently to Andraste. Legolas nodded. 'You two stay here. I shall pursue after her.' He, too, was then swallowed by the trees.

'Please, Valar, grant them safety,' Calatalai prayed.