Chapter I

'Gilauriel, my father would like you to accompany him for a ride in the woods,' Arwen told her friend one day.

Gilauriel smiled.  'Will you go with me?'

'Elrond said that he only wished for your presence,' Arwen replied sadly.  'But would you like me to accompany you to the stables?'

'I can manage, thank you,' Gilauriel replied, and bade her friend goodbye.

After living in Rivendell for many years, Gilauriel had most of the city mapped in her mind, and could walk almost anywhere from her home unaided.  She had also learned the many strengths an Elf soldier could do, such as horseback riding and archery.  With proper training and patience, Gilauriel had been able to lead a life that was enjoyable to her.

Halfway through the gardens, she ran into someone and fell to the grass.

'Watch where you're going!' scolded a male voice.

'I am very sorry–' she started.

'Can you not see?' the man went further on.

'Novarion!' came another masculine voice.

'Sir.'

Gilauriel felt a strong yet gentle hand help her up.  'I'm sorry, my lady.  I was not looking, I guess.'

'That is all right,' she replied, feeling the sting from Novarion's previous remark.  If on thing in the world caused her more pain than anything else, it would be others mocking her disability in sight.

'Is there anything I can do to make up for it?'

'What is your name?'

'I am Captain Faramir of Gondor.'

'Can you tell me which way is the garden stables?' she asked, nearly slapping herself for asking such a question.  If she was of Rivendell-folk, it was quite obvious that she would know where it was, but since her fall she had lost her direction, and Gilauriel wished more than anything that less knew of her loss.  She worried she would have to tell the man and his partner.

'It's that way.'

In her mind, Gilauriel was in tears.  She was going to have to tell them her secret.

'I-I'm sorry, my lord, but I'm–'

'Gilauriel!'  She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the familiar voice of Elrohir.  'There you are!  Ada has been looking all ever for you.  Thank you Faramir,' he said to the man, 'for caring my sister.  Come, he is waiting.'  She felt his safe hand slip into hers, leading her away.

'What about those two men?' Gilauriel asked.

'Faramir and his company?  They are just here for protection of our father, for now.'

'He seemed kind.'

'Yes, I know, muinthell-nin, but I think ada would wish it that you remain your secret silent in Faramir and his company's presence.'

Gilauriel nodded silently.

 'Gilauriel.'  She heard Elrond's warm voice, and immediately felt safe in his midst.

Elrohir stopped her in front of her horse Eärendil, named after her grandmother's favourite star, and feeling her way to the saddle she mounted.

'Are you ready?' came Elrond's voice.

Gilauriel nodded.  'Yes.'

'I will see you in time for after noon tea, Elrohir,' the Elven lord said, starting to lead his horse and Gilauriel's away.  Eärendil always followed the leading horse, knowing that his mistress was blind.

'Gilauriel,' Elrond said after awhile, 'time has passed and you have grown to become a wise Elf.  Now is a time where I can tell you the things I have kept from you all these years.

'Be prepared.  Some may be a shock to you.'

She drew breath.  'Go on.'

'You may not remember much from the time before you became blind because you were so young.  Celebrían and I are not your true parents.'

'No,' she whispered sadly, not wanting to believe it.  'Then who are?'

'I have not yet finished my tale.  Another Elf couple, Eluan and Gilaeren, have also cared for you, until you became ill.  Then they left to the West.'

'What you mean to say is I've had four foster parents raise me?' Gilauriel interrupted in disbelief.  'And I've never realised it?'

'Your real mother and father thought it was best that you did not know, but I felt that you may feel shut out from the world, especially now that you cannot see.'

Gilauriel was quiet for awhile.  'What were my real parents like, Ada?'

'Your father was a lord to the King of Gondor's service in his time; a well-respected Man.  Your mother, on the other hand, was a beautiful Elf, a maid to the Lady Galadriel, but they, too passed into the West long ago.  We think that because of this marriage you could not resist sickness.'

Gilauriel did not answer

'It may be hard for you, Morningstar, to hear of this at this age, for you have live quite a joyous life with my family, but take time,' Elrond said.  It still was not time yet to tell her the other half of this tale.  Gilauriel was already pained by this news.

'Ada, thank you so much for telling me this.  It means much to me,' she answered in return.  'I love you.'

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