Celeborn arrived in Imladris two days after the remnant of Elrond's host. With Gil-galad dead, Elrond had become their leader. Celebrian ran to her father and threw her arms around him. Galadriel walked slowly behind Celebrian, knowing what had caused his delay. Celebrian saw Daimo being drug behind him. She started to ask, but she read the look in her father's eyes.

"Ambush." Celeborn said. "He tried to kill me."

Galadriel looked gravely upon her son, but this time, her eyes showed no mercy or pity.

Celebrian turned and looked at him. "Tell me it's not true." She pleaded.

Daimo looked at her with utmost hatred. "It's true," he snarled. "And it's because of you." He spit at her feet. "Curse you, Saurawen. I curse you with all my heart."

Celeborn was furious. "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO MY DAUGHTER THAT WAY. HOW DARE YOU NAME HER IN SUCH A MANNER." He roared.

He drew his sword upon Daimo. Galadriel grabbed his wrist to stop him from killing him.

"No, lord. He has not been brought before a council to be charged with his crimes. If you kill him now, it would be as nossendegir, an act forbidden by the Valar."

Celeborn turned to Daimo. "Then you shall be brought before a council to decide your fate."



Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, and the family of Daimo gathered in a council. Daimo was brought before them. Celeborn stood before Daimo.

"You have been brought here today before this coucil for crimes against your family. Do you deny attempts to kill your father, and plots to kill your mother and sister?"

Daimo stared at him with cold defiance. "No."

Celeborn continued. "These crimes that you have admitted to are severly punishable under the laws of the Valar. If fully convicted, you will be sentenced to death."

Celebrian flinched at her father's sentence, but said nothing.

"We will now hear what the council has to say."

Elrond stood. "I healed the wounds that Daimo inflicted upon Master Celeborn. The wounds were made from arrows, which had been soaked in an orc- made poison. Had Celeborn not been promptly healed, he would most likely have died. I vote that Daimo is guilty of these crimes."

Erestor stood up. "I have known Daimo all his life. He was not gentle as a child and certainly not as an adult. I can remember numerous occasions in which his sister, Celebrian's life was put in danger because of his wickedness. It is my belief that on some of these occasions, Daimo himself was her attacker. Be it out of jealousy or no, Daimo despises his sister and his parents. I have no doubt that he tried to kill them. I vote guilty."

Glorfindel slowly stood, as if he didn't want to say what he had to.

"I trained Daimo in the ways of archery. I also trained him how to fix an arrow so it would quickly finish off an enemy. Looking at the arrows removed from Lord Celeborn's body, I have confirmed that theses are indeed the same arrows I showed Daimo to make. I now regret teaching such skills to Daimo, for at the time, I did not see the true designs of his heart. My vote stands as those before me."

Galadriel stood up as Glorfindel sat. "Never in my life did I imagine that I would have to decide whether my own son was to live or die. Never in my life did I imagine that my son would become so desperate for attention that he would seek to such resolves. He has commited the crimes because after Celebrian's birth our love and attention was directed morely to her. He was for a time, alone. I understand the reason for his anger, and cannot vote to see my son killed for a crime that wasn't his fault he commited. I believe my son is innocent of these charges."

Celeborn came again before Daimo.

"Look at me boy. You fired two arrows that hit me, nearly a third. You have admitted to desiring to kill also my wife and daughter. You stood here in blessed Imladris before your own sister and named her in foulness and treachery. You cursed her and your family. I vote that you are guilty. May Mandos have mercy on your soul."

Celeborn raised his sword to kill Daimo. Celebrian lept from her seat and stepped in front of her brother.

"No Father! Look at the situation in which you find yourself. Is it not hatred that led us here? How can you stand here and purpose to kill your own flesh and blood? Your son and heir? Nay lord; do not kill this wretched creature in front of you. Yes, what he did was wrong, but do not sink to the level of traitors and murderers. Not for him. Exile him, Father, but do not kill him I pray, for enough pain has been spread on his accord already"

Tears streamed down Celebrian's face, but she continued.

"Once some one told me that good people will always die in war, and that no one has the power to change that. So why add on the to the evil deeds of an evil plot? For though we cannot change such things, if we make the right decisions, we can stop them."

Celeborn lowered his sword. "You were always wise like your mother, and careful in your decisions. Very well, my daughter, you may decide the fate of your brother."

Celebrian faced Daimo. "Do not take wrong my intentions Daimo. For in what I do, I do not take any pity or put any belief in you, merely I do not wish to see my father become a killer just for your sake. So go, leave this place and run. But do not ever come back. For though I let you live and go free, I do not forget what I cannot forgive."

Daimo smiled. It was not the wicked sneer he had acquired, but the charming smile he had had since childhood. He tried to delude Celebrian.

"Celebrian, my sister, you are only too gracious and merciful. You just as easily could have had me killed, but you stayed true to the pity and wisdom I always loved in you. For you are my sister, and I care about you. I will someday make it up to you. Just name it and I will do it, sweet and clever sister."

He took the hem of her robes in his hands and kissed them.

"Get off me," she snarled. "I do this not of love for you but of love for my father. You hurt us and lied to us. Now go, go and die in the wild."

Daimo stood up. He pretended to be humble, but Celebrian saw right through him, reading the hate in his eyes. She stood face to face with her brother.

"Go," she said. "Go back with the filthiness of your kind, traitor. Go back to the foul confines of Mordor."

Daimo turned and fled the council. He was seen never again by any save Celebrian.