A/N: Thanx to Michiru for being the only one to review.... so very VERY sad. I'm thrilled you all care. Anyways, I think this is a fic that I'll keep around for a while and maybe actually FINISH a story for once. hardy har har, that's not going to happen. Anyhow, everything you recognize is Tolkien's, anything you don't is mine. OK? Great. On with the second chapter.... ~Morgaine of Ithil~ R&R!!

An Elven Story

Chapter Two~ Introductions

Nilulmaien nervously clutched Avarthon's arm as they entered the Great Hall where the celebration was taking place. Avarthon squeezed her hand reassuringly and led her to the far end of the chamber. It was decorated with soft white lamps, silken drapes that fluttered in the evening breeze, and silver accents in every corner. Most of the guests wore light colored gowns and tunics and each Elf's fair hair was adorned with pins crafted by the Elves.

Nilulmaien looked about herself feeling slightly out of place for she was the only Elf in all of Lorien with dark hair, like that of the Rivendell Elves. She noticed that they were close to the end of the chamber. On this end was a raised dais on which where placed two silver and white thrones, decorated with leaves and small white flowers. The thrones of Celeborn and Galadriel. She turned to Avarthon and spoke quietly.

"Avarthon, why are we so near to the Lady? Will she not be preoccupied with the celebrations and other, more important guests?"

He laughed softly. "I've arranged for an audience with the Lady Galadriel. You are one of the 'more important guests'. Are you not pleased?" he asked her teasingly.

Nilulmaien made a soft noise of displeasure and tried to compose herself. Straightening her back to appear taller and pulling her hair off of the front of her shoulders seemed to please Avarthon because it showed him that at least Nilulmaien had a little respect. She composed her face and mind, knowing that the Lady was known to freely enter the minds of others. Avarthon led her to right before the thrones, where the Lord and Lady of the Wood were now seated. They bowed their heads as the royal couple turned to look at them.

Immediately Nilulmaien could feel her mind being opened up and looked into. It was Galadriel. She looked through her childhood memories, and seemed amused by the story of her scar. She moved through her past quickly and reached the present. Then, though Nilulmaien did not know how, Galadriel looked into the future of Nilulmaien's mind. What she saw there was a great sparkling silver light, and she seemed satisfied with this. Nilulmaien had tensed, realizing that the Lady had gone further than Nilulmaien herself could go.

Peace, child, do not fear me. It was the Lady Galadriel, speaking to her through thoughts. We have much to do, and it seems that we have little time. Peace, and do not speak of this.

Nilulmaien realized that it was over, and that it had taken only a fraction of a second. Avarthon raised his head, as did Nilulmaien, and the couple stood to address the people gathered for the celebration. Celeborn brought up his right hand to quiet the mass and began to speak to the people.

"We honor tonight the Valar," he said. "Let us celebrate them with feasting and dancing. It will be night of great joy and..." Celeborn continued to speak, but Nilulmaien's thoughts drifted off.

She wondered what the Lady had meant. She would not speak of it as she was told, but that did not mean she had to forget it. As the evening progressed, she enjoyed herself, but at any quiet moment, her thoughts would return to Galadriel's cryptic message. She was thinking about it again when she noticed that Celeborn was approaching her. Nilulmaien had never feared Celeborn, though she had never met him. Celeborn smiled as he came nearer and offered his arm to her.

"It is rarely that you come to such events, is it not, my lady?" he asked politely, and she nodded in response. "In that case, I would be very much pleased if you would dance with me but once." Nilulmaien took the offered arm and they headed out to the dance floor. Celeborn was a talented dancer and led Nilulmaien gracefully across the floor. The dance was a lovely waltz and Nilulmaien found it easy to keep with the tempo.

"Galadriel informs me that you were brought here by your tutor, Avarthon," Celeborn said. "She also tells me that you are an important guest, and truly, an important part of our community." At this, Nilulmaien was confused and corrected Celeborn.

"No, my lord, you must be mistaken," she replied, "I am no important person. Perhaps you have mistaken me for another?"

Celeborn laughed at this. "I am certainly not mistaken. You are Nilulmaien, yes? Then it is you indeed that I speak of. I think that you are shy of your role, or perhaps you have yet to learn of it. Yes, that is correct, you do not yet know where to go. Very well, I will lead you."

Nilulmaien was extremely confused by now and did not quite understand what he was talking about. The song ended at that moment, and Celeborn led her to the area where Galadriel was standing, conversing with Avarthon in quiet tones. Nilulmaien noticed wearily that as soon as they were in earshot, the conversation stopped. This had been a pleasant enough evening so far, but it was very strange. Avarthon and Galadriel turned to look at Nilulmaien as she approached and shared a conspirational smile.

Galadriel came up to her and took one of her hands in her own. "It is much easier to understand now," she said to Avarthon and Celeborn with a small smile. Turning to me she continued, "There is a great amount of work to be done. It is not yet clear to me where to begin. I am sure, however, that all will be ready soon enough. Go now, the celebrations are over. Rest peacefully and in the morning, we shall have more answers for you."

After this, Avarthon escorted Nilulmaien home and then returned to speak with Galadriel and Celeborn. Nilulmaien moved slowly to her room and prepared to take at least an hour or two of rest. As her mind fell away into slumber, her thoughts remained on the strange events of the evening. Her dream was peaceful and she dreamed of a beautiful, sparkling light and sweet silver melodies.

A/N: Not quite how I wanted to end this chapter.... anyway: I have no idea if Elves dance, or if Galadriel can look into the future of a person's mind. So don't try to yell at me for that. And another thing, I have no idea how the Elf age system works, but basically, my version is that if an Elf is 1500, that's 15 in human years (just divide by 100). Also, thought I should mention this, I suck at translating English into Elvish, so anytime you read that two Elves are talking, they are talking in Elvish. duh. The next chapter will be short, but after that, all these mysterious thingies will be more understandable, I promise. Read and Review!!! ~Morgaine of Ithil~