'There it is!' Andraste cried, pointing to a clump of trees. 'We finally are here.'

There was an eruption of cheers from the Elves, but it was quickly put out by a group of archers with their bows bent.

'Lorien archers,' Andraste began. 'We seek your help, as war is raging in the heart of Mirkwood.'

'But how can we choose to believe you?' one archer asked. 'Who sent you?'

'My father, Lyrnthel son of Thranduil King did,' she replied boldly.

Calatalai stepped in. 'Fellow archers, do you not remember me? I am the Lady's great-granddaughter Calatalai Midümiel, betrothed to Legolas.'

'My humble regrets,' the archer replied, 'but the Lady wishes that you do not return until you are married and settled with your husband.'

'Then we are not to enter Lothlorien?' Andraste said carefully.

'No,' he answered, 'you all shall wait until our captain, Haldir, returns.'

~*~

'Legolas!' Haldir said, shaking him gently. He looked up towards the house in the tree. 'Galadriel! I need your help!'

Immediately the Lady of Light rushed down, her skirts billowing. 'What has happened?' She gasped when she saw Legolas. 'Take the Prince up to my quarters now!' she ordered Haldir. Galadriel turned to Celandiel. 'What can I do for you, my child?'

'If you allow it, may I please stay by Legolas' side?' she asked softly. 'He saved my life. I also have a scratch that may need tending to, and I have much to tell you.'

'Come then,' the Lady of the Wood smiled. 'I shall take you to him.

'As they ascended the stairs, Galadriel noticed the pendant on the she-Elf.

'What is your name, child?' she gently asked.

'Celandiel, my Lady,' Celandiel replied.

'A beautiful name, no doubt, but how did you come by Legolas' pendant?' Galadriel said.

'Is it really his?'

The Lady nodded. 'At birth, Elf couples come to me so I can Name them and grant their immortality. I remember every Pendant I give to each Elf, and how it was forged.'

'I'm sorry my Lady, but I myself do not know how I came by it,' Celandiel said.

'No worries. It has come to me that its importance that you have it may be the reason why you healed so quickly, and why Legolas passed out.'

'I don't understand.'

Galadriel smiled. 'Come, we shall go to Legolas to explain, so that both of you will understand.'

Entering Galadriel's home, an Elf-maiden suddenly came to them.

'Hiril nin,' she said, 'do you want me to see to Prince Legolas?'

'Yes Calatelien,' Galadriel answered. 'But first, I would like you to meet Celandiel.'

'Saesa omentien lle (pleasure meeting you),' Calatelien said. 'I am the twin sister of Calatalai, Legolas' soon to be wife.'

'What coincidence,' Celandiel smiled. 'I have recently met her in Mirkwood. I wonder how she is. Do you usually stay by your great- grandmother's side?'

Calatelien nodded. 'I enjoy her company, for she is my guide and helps me throughout my life. You seem downtrodden. What is it?'

'Would it be possible to be your friend?' Celandiel finally asked.

'But you have befriended my sister. I normally would not be her friend's friend, simply because she is the evil one of our sisterhood.'

'She has not been that way when I met her.'

'You will soon find about it. It is possible that she may be plotting against you, or back-talking about you,' Calatelien replied. 'I am sorry.'

'Please, our friendship will make my stay in Lothlorien a much more pleasurable one,' Celandiel pleaded.

'I will, but do not take my words of my sister too lightly. You shall see her wrath upon you very soon.'

'Calatelien, you may see to Legolas, please,' Galadriel interrupted. When the Elf had gone, she turned to Celandiel. 'Calatelien speaks with great wisdom, but some may be nonsense. Even I have not seen Calatalai in such a way. Come.'

When they approached the Prince, he had awakened and was talking to Haldir.

'Haldir,' Galadriel said, 'go back to duty. I see a group of Elves that would like to enter our woods.' The archer obeyed.

'Celandiel,' Legolas said weakly, smiling. 'How is your wound?'

When Celandiel couldn't reply, Galadriel said, 'Perhaps it would be much easier if I explained it. When a half-Elf is in distress, and a pure Elf is near, an extremely rare ritual is performed. The pure Elf's immortality pendant would glow, and they would feel a desire to take it off and put it on the half-Elf. But sometimes, where love becomes part of the life- saving, a kiss is made to seal the agreement of allowing the half-Elf to share the immortality, as they do not have it, and both Elves can then share the necklace as a reminder of that agreement.'

'I never knew that would happen,' Legolas replied thoughtfully. 'I was worried that Celandiel would die, and I didn't care what happened to me.'

'Lle mela amin (you love me)?' Celandiel asked quietly. Legolas did not answer.

'But why would I have weakened?' the Prince, instead, asked.

'By allowing Celandiel to wear your necklace, it took your energy to heal her, but weaken you,' Galadriel replied calmly. 'Look at your shoulder, Celandiel.'

She slipped her neck seam down her shoulder to peer at it. There was no trace of a blade-wound.

'You see? The necklace helped you in healing your shoulder,' Galadriel explained.

Celandiel immediately dropped to her knees.

'Celandiel, what is the matter?' Legolas said, alarmed.

'Why do you do this for me?' she said softly. 'You risked much energy to allow me to arrive safely in Lothlorien!'

'But I am perfectly well! A few days in bed and I will be fine.' Legolas stroked her hair. 'I did it because.I love you.'

Celandiel quickly stood up. 'You are you marry Calatalai, Legolas Greenleaf, not me.' Her voice shakened, but was firm. 'I will not take my friend's intended.' She pressed the necklace into his palm. 'Rest well, Legolas, and may you heal quickly.' She left immediately.

'Celandiel!' the Prince shouted. He struggled to leave his bed, but Galadriel held him back.

'You must remain in bed, your Highness,' she said quietly. 'There is not much you can do now.'