A/N: This is my first Silmfic. It's about the story of Celebrian, daughter of Galadriel. Please R/R.

~Nienori

Dreams of a Distant Sea


Chapter One

The Sun was already beginning to shine through the uppermost branches, signaling Celebrian for the rebirth of a new dawn.

She opened her eyes slowly, and breathed in the dewy scent of the grass that served as her bedding. Birds chirped softly and glided effortlessly above her before disappearing into the tall branches.

The mournful sound of a harp filled her ears. Celebrian glanced over at the musician and saw him bent over his instrument, letting his arms and fingers create a haunting melody.

His mother had left the shores of Middle-earth the day before.

Celebrian had felt pity for him, but her mother told her not to, for there was nothing but peace in Aman and there could be no suffering under the protection of the Valar.

"The Blessed Realm," Celebrian would always say to her. "You must tell me more about it." Yet it seemed the more she asked for a story, Galadriel would get a far away look in her glimmering eyes, as if she wanted to grasp something in the past that she would never get a hold of. Thus would Celebrian falter and leave her mother to her own memories of a time when she walked the lands of Valinor.

Although she knew Galadriel suspected, Celebrian kept her own longing for the Sea to herself. She thought it ridiculous to think of such things when she was yet a fairly young elf-maiden without knowing much of the burdens of the earth.

And yet the distant horizon was ever present in her dreams. She would not seek it now, but she could never ignore her heart's yearning.

Celebrian passed by the lone elf silently. Morning mist clung to the hem of her silver dress, and as she walked it slowly floated up, weaving through her golden hair to the lit sky and disappearing above the forest. The Elf continued to play a lament that echoed from tree to tree.

A sudden ringing of laughter broke the melancholic atmosphere, and as Celebrian looked to her right two young Elf girls ran towards her, one ahead of the other.

They stopped when they reached her and one of them curtseyed low. "The Lady Galadriel would like to see you," she said.

Celebrian was led by the two maidens past tree after tree until they reached the main part of the City of the Galadrim. This part of the realm seemed a little more shadowed than the other parts, but it was not threatening for light illuminated throughout the city. Crystalline lanterns cast a soft glow high above the branches of the trees.

To reach her mother's great hall Celebrian had to ascend a winding path of stairs circling the great tree. When she reached the delicately carved door at the top she opened it slowly and peered inside.

Galadriel and her husband Celeborn were the first elves she saw, both radiant, fair, and regal. They were seated in chairs at the center of the table, and a stranger clad in travel gear sat across from them, clutching a mug of mead.

Galadriel was the first to notice her daughter, and she stood up in one motion to welcome her in. Celebrian clipped inside. Celeborn and the stranger stood up at once also.

"Here is Elrond Half-elven from the North." Her father said, introducing the stranger whom whe had locked her gaze with as he turned completely around.

His eyes were the color of the Sea at twilight, and Celebrian could not force herself to turn away.

Yet a sudden sadness drew over her, and she felt that meeting this Elf would create a new emotion she hardly ever witness: despair.

For in those eyes of Elrond Half-elven of Imladris held the power to capture Celebrian's heart, yet also had the will of suffering.

And Celebrian felt the world shift.