He found Celebrian walking through the woods of Imladris. He called her to him.

"Come, walk with me."

Celebrian walked alongside Elrond.

"Is there something you wish to say, Lord Elrond?"

"I thought you might need company."

Celebrian laughed. She couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same for her as she did for him. All at once, he turned to her.

"What is it?"

"Something I can't explain," he said softly. He lowered his head to hers and kissed her.

"You are rude, son of Earendil," she said, mockingly.

He tried to take her hand but she pulled it away.

"What's wrong," he asked, "Have I upset you"

Without answering, Celebrian turned and ran. Elrond stood there, still feeling the kiss burn on his lips.



Celebrian sat on her bed, staring out the window. Her mother's voice stirred her from her reverie. She'd been dreaming about the day in the forest with Elrond, now two months past. She still wasn't sure why she'd turned and ran. Her mother sat next to her on the bed.

"What is troubling you, my daughter?"

"Nothing."

"Celebrian, for two months now you just haven't seemed yourself. Are you ill?"

"No, Mother."

Celebrian shifted her eyes to avert her gaze from her mother's.

"Celebrian, talk to me." Her mother's voice seemed morose and fearful.

Celebrian looked her mother in the eye. "It's just that..." Celebrian sighed ruefully.

"It's just what?"

"I think I might be in love."

"Oh?" her mother's mischievous grin caused her to blush. "With?"

"Promise not to tell?"

"I promise not to tell."

"Do you swear it?"

"I swear."

"Master Elrond."

Galadriel fought the urge to giggle.

"Don't tell Father."

"I swore not to tell."

Celebrian smiled. She could still see an impish glint in her mother's eyes.

"What's so funny, Mother?"

"Just thinking of all the new things I can tease you about," her mother said.

"Don't you even..." Celebrian warned.

Galadriel smiled and hugged Celebrian. She loved her daughter beyond all ends of the world. Part of her was glad her daughter had fallen in love. Celebrian had been devastated after Nimrodel's disappearance. Now she had something to take her mind off the pain. Then a horrible thought struck her. What if Elrond dies in the war? She couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer so again. She held Celebrian to her. Celebrian smiled and hugged her back.