A/N: We all know that Galadriel and Celeborn only had one daughter, Celebrian and possibly one son, (depending on which of Tolkien's many books you are reading.) but since this is an AU story … and mine … play along – just for the fun of it.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Chapter 2

The Plan Revealed

Dawn came and after breaking camp, Aragorn and Legolas continued their journey to Lothlórien, finally reaching their destination in middle of the afternoon. The Lord and Lady greeted them warmly and after they had all exchanged the customary courtesies, Aragorn and Legolas were ushered to a flet where they relaxed on comfortable cushions. Refreshments were brought and they ate enthusiastically as they been eating only the typical travel rations for many days.

Finally, when the two travelers had been refreshed, Lord Celeborn began explaining the reason for their summons.

"Estel, what we have to tell you may be somewhat unsettling - I only ask that you listen to what we have to say with an open mind."

When he saw Estel nod his head in assent, he continued.

"The elves have known that this conflict with Sauron has been coming for a long time and have always had every confidence that the bloodline of Isildur would survive and would be a significant force in the dark times to come. What does have us all worried, however, was the possibility that you would either not want to accept the responsibilities that would come to you or, Eru forbid, that you would not survive until the time came for you to assume the throne."

He looked to his mate, the Lady Galadriel.

"I had foreseen the untimely death of your father, Arathorn and so before his death, a plan was devised in the eventuality that you would either not accept the crown of Gondor and Arnor, or that you, like your father, would be assassinated."

Celeborn continued.

"It was decided that the greatest hope for you and for all the free peoples of Middle Earth was to have a second being in reserve. If you refused the crown or died untimely, this being would be established as your heir or, if you had accepted the crown, and had a child too young to rule, this person would act as regent until the child came of age and could rule on his or her own. Although the bloodline of this being would not be as 'pure' as your own, they would still be the only other living descendent of Isildur in any degree."

Lady Galadriel looked deeply into Estel's eyes, almost willing him to understand and accept what she was telling him.

"The greatest chance for success of this goal would be to unite the two greatest bloodlines in the history of Middle Earth, that of Elros, the first King of Númenor, and my line. If all went according to plan, this child when grown, would possess all the strengths of the Dúnedain as well as the power and wisdom of the elves."

"We had to work quickly," Celeborn continued, "and so, before Arathorn's death, two years before his assassination, we approached Arathorn and the Lady Gilraen with our plan. There was to be a mating between Arathorn and Celedriel, our second daughter."

Seeing the stunned look on Estel's face, the Lady Galadriel laid a comforting hand on the young Ranger's arm.

"Estel, do not think poorly of your parents, for both were determined to do whatever they could to ensure the safety of all the peoples of Middle Earth. Neither your father nor your mother wanted to see their world covered in darkness nor its people consumed by the evil that Sauron was creating. Your father knew he would never live to wear the crown but he knew, deep in his heart, that you would."

Celeborn poured small glasses of wine for the four of them and after he had once more seated himself, continued with the conversation.

"The child was born two years after you and for a time was raised by the elves here in Lothlórien. However, as the best thought out plans sometime do, things started to go awry from the beginning. First, the child was a female, something neither anticipated nor foreseen by any of us. Secondly, when the child was four years of age, she was kidnapped by agents of Sauron and for many years, was hidden from even the far seeing eyes of my dear wife. By keeping the child from us, Sauron had hoped to turn her into a pawn for his own ends."

Galadriel sighed deeply.

"At about the age of 11, the child managed to escape her keepers who had abused her in unthinkable ways, and somehow made her way back to Lothlórien. It was Captain Haldir who discovered her kneeling next to the grave of her mother who had been brutally murdered in front of the child at the time she was taken. The young elf was feral and unmanageable and it was only through gentle persistence that Haldir was able to gain her confidence and trust. She had no social graces, no self-esteem and refused to have anything to do with anybody, elf, human or otherwise.

Over the years, she has changed although she will never be what she could have been had she been raised by the elves. Nonetheless, we believe that she is ready to become what she has always been destined to be and to that end have arranged for her to be fostered at Imladris by Lord Elrond and his family."

There was silence for some moments then Estel turned to his Grandparents.

"Why was I not told of this a long time ago? Why did you not have enough confidence in me to know that I could handle this information? Do either of you understand what it would have meant to me over the years to know that I had blood kin - a sister?"

Galadriel started to answer him when a commotion broke out nearby. Celeborn turned to Estel and Legolas and sighed.

"To know her is to love her."

The voices of elves could be heard arguing with someone. Then a female voice could be heard above the others.

"I will NOT wear a gown!"

"But my Lady, your Grandmother wishes for you to wear this - she had it made specially for your introduction!"

"I told you I will NOT wear a gown! I would rather be introduced naked than wear that! What if I have to fight? How am I going to do it wearing that?"

A somewhat shocked, elvish voice could be heard exclaiming, "My Lady - please put that back on!"

Lord Celeborn, who had a twinkle in his eyes, looked at Haldir. "Haldir, if you have any influence with the Princess at all, would you see to it that she does not arrive here without clothing?"

Haldir nodded and left and as he passed Estel and Legolas, he rolled his eyes.

Things were about to become interesting.

TBC