Chapter 6

                  Artanis furiously paced her room.  She picked up a small book nearby and hurled it at the wall, ignoring the Elves that rushed in.  She glared at them.

                  " Let me be."

The Elves slunk away, murmerring among themselves.  Artanis finally plopped down in a chair, angry tears cascading down her face.

                  It seemed as if she sat there for hours before she felt two gentle thumbs wiping the tears away with soft whispers.  Artanis glanced up at Celeborn, seeing the gentle devotion in his eyes as he knelt beside her.

                  " I hate her," Artanis murmured.

Celeborn merely rubbed her back.

                  " Artanis," he began.

                  Artanis stood, pushing away his hand as she began to pace again.  She looked back at Celeborn and sighed.  He was still kneeling beside her now-empty chair, staring down at his hands.  She tottered to him, falling to her knees beside him.

                  " Forgive my sharpness.  I am just so angry.  How dare she!"

Celeborn took her hands, pulling them to his lips.

                  " She gave us no choice that I had not already contemplated."

Artanis let loose a heavy sigh, her shoulders falling.  Celeborn shifted so he could gaze into her eyes when she remained silent.

                  " You do not feel the same?"

                  Artanis' head shot up.

                  " Of course I do."  She ran a hand down his cheek.  " I just never thought me…that I."  She touched her heart.  " In Aman, no one thought I would ever settle down."  She fingered his robes.  " Find a husband."

Celeborn retook her hands.

                  " I do not know if it is also a Noldor custom, but among the Sindar and Teleri, before I may even ask for your hand, I must speak with the head of your house."

Artanis groaned slightly, yet good-naturedly.

                  " Finrod is the eldest, but let me go speak with him first."

Celeborn nodded.

                  " I shall tell Melian our intentions at least.  Maybe then, she shall give us a small time extension."

Artanis leaned over, capturing his lips.  She pulled back slightly, leaning against him.

                  " Im meleth le (I love you)," Artanis sounded the words out carefully.

Celeborn smiled, running a gentle handover her cheek.

                  " You are learning the language fast."

Artanis giggled softly.

                  " Tis the only phrase I know."

Celeborn laughed also.

                  " I do not mind knowing that.  Maybe I shall teach you no other phrase."

Artanis giggled softly, snuggling closer into him.

                  " I would not mind either."  A mischievous smile lit her face as she looked up.  " Only as long as you are my instructor."

A perfectly arched eyebrow raised on her lover's face.

                  " What shall I instruct you in?"

Artanis bit her lip with a smile.

                  " Need I remind thee?  My room is open for your lessons."

Artanis rose, pulling him to his feet.  With a smile, she beckoned him to follow her into her inner chambers, shutting the door with a smile.

~*~

                  Thingol stood before Artanis as she took a solemn oath.

                  " I, daughter of Finarfin."  He paused now and then, listening to her repeat it.  " Vow to remain true to my kinsmen of Doriath.  I shall never speak in the language of the Noldor, nor answer to it.  I swear to this by my life, for if it is broken, my life is what I shall pay."

Artanis stood taller as Thingol approached her.  He kissed both of her cheeks.

                  " To signify your assimilation into Doriath, you have changed your name to our language.  From this day forward, you are now Galadriel.  Your old names are a thing of the past, never to be used here or in any realm I control."

Thingol kissed her cheeks with a smile.

                  " Welcome, child."

Galadriel smiled at her great-uncle.

                  " Thank you."

Thingol returned the smile.

                  " And now you will return to your brothers?  I do not understand."

Galadriel could see Melian approaching from the corner of her eye.

                  " I shall tell them of my name change and such."

Thingol glanced at his wife, before back at Galadriel.

                  " I have also found that my Captain of the Guard has taken leave a couple days after you.  He is rather mysterious about the whys and wherefores."

Galadriel shrugged slightly.

                  " You will have to take up that with him."

~*~

                  Celeborn sat alone, scribbling in a tiny book.  He heard the footsteps and recognized them.

                  " My lord, why do you seek me out?"

Thingol turned around, surprised to have missed Celeborn.  Celeborn stuck the quill in his place in the book as Thingol sat beside him.

                  " I wished to ask you about the reason you are taking a leave for a week or two."

                  Celeborn looked down, almost bashfully.  He glanced up at Thingol.

                  " I am going to see Finrod."

Thingol's eyes showed his surprise.  Thingol rubbed his chin.

                  " I did not know the relationship had progressed so.  I need to watch you closely."

Celeborn smiled, with a dismissive shoulder shrug.

                  " You have had other things on your mind."

Thingol touched Celeborn's shoulder.

                  " I should not have let my watch on you fall lax, no matter how busy I am."

Celeborn just smiled.

                  " Thank you, sir.  I am honored by your concern."

Thingol sat beside him.

                  " Now, tell me about this relationship between you and the Noldo."

~*~

                  Galadriel threw another dress into her bag with a grunt.  She finally sat on the bed with a pout.  Celeborn entered with a wary look.

*By Eru, what is eating her?

Galadriel glanced up at him.  She motioned him to sit beside her.  Celeborn did as requested and was surprised when she leaned into him, burying her face in his chest.

                  " I do not want to leave."

                  Celeborn wrapped his arms around her.

                  " I will be there but a day after you arrive."  He tipped up her chin.  "I will be there for you."

Galadriel sighed.

                  " I am such a child."

Celeborn tugged on her wrist when she began to rise.

                  " And that is why I love thee."

Galadriel sent him a smile.  She leaned down, granting him a quick kiss.

                  " No go."  She began to shoo him out.  " I have to pack."

Celeborn turned and stared at the closed door.  He shrugged.

                  " Good-bye, Galadriel.  I have to head out to the North border today."

The door flung back open.

                  " You are leaving now?"

Celeborn nodded.

                  " I tried, but I have to lead my men.  There is no other way."  He took her hand.  " Good-bye, Galadriel."

Galadriel watched him go with a sigh and then turned back to her packing.  She sighed. 

*Suddenly Nargothrond seems to be a bad idea.