Her mother Mithredriel stood waiting with Celordel for Celandiel. 'We must go now, my Morningdew.'

'Mother, would it be possible if I could marry someone I love?' Celandiel asked in a small voice.

'I know of whom you are thinking,' her mother replied stiffly. 'You wish for Legolas Greenleaf Prince of Mirkwood to be your wedded. But his father dislikes you because you are a half-Elf, which is completely contemptible. I forbid you to near that forsaken Elf again.'

'He is not - '

'I agree with our mother,' Celordel said quietly. 'As shall you. His father has gone quite beyond his love for Elves. Half-Elves should be treated equally! Legolas does not deserve a wife as loving as you. Perhaps it will teach his father a lesson by grieving his son.'

'Do not fret child,' Mithredriel smiled. 'We are returning to the village of where your father once lived. His best friend's son is none other than the infamous Frodo Baggins who has until recently completed the task for the One Ring. Because of him, the creatures of Middle-earth can roam peaceably again. He is quite a gentle hobbit, if I do say so myself.'

'We shall see,' Celandiel murmured sadly, feeling as though she would never be happy again.

~*~

The air was silent as Andraste, Haldir, and the archers rode towards Mirkwood. Inside, Andraste was bursting with delight. At long last, she had found love at heart.

'Who is your father?' Haldir finally asked.

'Lyrnthel son of Thranduil. I am his first and only child,' Andraste said shyly.

'And you love archery as he does?'

'Yes! I am among the archers that he commands,' she replied.

There was an uncomfortable moment.

'Would it - ' Andraste started.

'Do you - ' Haldir at the same time began. He laughed. 'Perhaps you can speak first.'

'Well, I wanted to ask whether.' she trailed off.

'I suppose it will be easier if I spoke first,' Haldir sighed, smiling. 'Do you love me?'

'How can you say it without being ashamed?' she asked, astonished.

'Ashamed?' he laughed. 'Why would I be ashamed about love?'

Andraste blushed. 'I always am.'

'There is no need to be ashamed of your true feelings,' Haldir said, stroking he cheek. 'I saw in your eyes that you loved me the first time I met you.'

'I must be foolish to love someone who is much wiser than I,' Andraste said softly.

'No; you chose well - too long have I wondered Lorien alone. I have desired company for quite some time after my brothers Rúmil and Orophin passed away in the great war not long ago,' Haldir replied quietly, the happiness drained from his voice.

'I am sorry,' she breathed. Andraste took his hand. 'The War of the Ring had also taken the life of my mother, who commanded the archers with my father.'

Haldir smiled sadly, and quickened the pace of his horse.

~*~

'It may be a month and a half's journey to the Shire,' Galadriel said. 'For this, my maids and I have prepared clothes and food, for I trust that though peace can be found throughout Middle-earth, many still service the will of Sauron.'

'Thank you,' Mithredriel said gratefully. 'We shall remember the Lady of Lothlorien and her good deeds for ever.'

'My lady,' Celandiel spoke in a soft voice. 'May I ask for one more request?'

'Name it.'

'Take good care of Legolas. I expect I shall not see him again.'

'So be it,' Galadriel smiled. 'It grieves me also to tear your love with him apart, as it has grown strong in the few days, but it cannot be helped. In turn, you must take good care of yourself, for Legolas would have more peace if you do not harm yourself in any way.'

'I will,' Celandiel whispered, her voice faltering. She could not bear it leave her Prince behind forever.

As her family turned to leave, she heard a familiar call.

'Celandiel! Wait!' Legolas cried.

'Legolas, please, do as I say and do not come to look for me,' she replied softly when he came to her.

'Celandiel, as my parting gift to you, I want you to have this.' The Prince pressed his Greenleaf pendant in her palm. 'Keep it for me, until I meet you again.'

'Legolas,' Celandiel sobbed. She could find no other words to say, and Legolas understood. He knelted and embraced her, kissing her lips.

'Namarië, Celandiel Morningdew,' he whispered in her ear. 'I will miss you.'

'And I you,' Celandiel managed to say before being engulfed by tears.

'Celandiel! Meddle with him no longer,' her older brother said sharply, disturbed that the Prince of Mirkwood was taking long in saying goodbye. He took her arm and pulled her from their hug.

'Let go of me, Celordel!' the young Elf gasped, trying to stop him from pulling her away, but his grip was no match for one as delicate as she.

'Have you not heard what our mother said? She forbade you to near that wench! Now obey it!' Celordel ordered, and she helplessly followed her brother to her mother's pace, looking back until she could see Legolas's face no longer.

That night Celandiel did not sleep well, for she thought of Legolas constantly. She missed his fair Elven face, his voice, and most of all his love for her. The separation would change her forever. But as days passed on, Mithredriel often told tales of Hobbiton and the Shire to her children, and Celandiel thought less of the Prince, wondering what hobbit-holes looked like.

The company travelled west for a month, keeping an even pace, and when they had entered the outskirts of the Shire, winter was waning. Spring had come, and Celandiel no longer remembered Legolas.