Chapter III

Once Gilauriel had refreshed herself, she wandered to the porch to breathe the free air.  Why did her true parents not keep her?  Why did the previous couple also give her away?  She could only guess that they had left her because of her blindness, but her real parents never knew.  Suddenly Gilauriel felt as though she had no purpose in Middle-earth because of her disability.

She found herself crying.  'Maybe I never should have been born.'

'That is not true,' came a friendly and reassuring voice.

'Gandalf?'

'Yes, child.  Everyone on this Middle-earth has a purpose in their life, whether for good or for evil,' he said gently, touching her shoulder.  'You just have not found your reason to live yet.  Come with me.  We can talk about it if you like, if you like.'  He led her back into the living room.

'Has everyone returned yet?' she asked as he sat her down on a couch.

'No; I came back because Elrond told me you heard of your past, and Arwen and Elrohir felt that something simply wasn't right.' Gandalf chuckled lightly.

'Gandalf, why did my parents abandon me?'

'They did not do that,' he replied.  'Their time here was over; their hearts were begging them to sail to the Undying Lands.'

'And to leave me behind?'

'That would have been the hardest decision they would have made before they departed.  You see, they also did not want to part with you because you had only been with them for but a few months, but they had no choice.  They had to leave their home.  Nothing would satisfy them anymore, save for your innocence.  But they did not want you to grow and see your parents forever unhappy.'

'This I understand now; but, then why would they leave me in the hands of Eluan and Gilaeren?' she pressed.

'They were a notable lord and lady.  Your parents had wanted the best for you, since they could no longer look after you.  But Eluan and Gilaeren's time were ending, too.  That is why they left you in the care of Elrond and Celebrían.  But you still have your three brothers to remember your parents by, do you not?'

'I had brothers?'

'Did Elrond not tell you?' Gandalf asked.

'No.'  She shook her head vigorously.  'Gandalf, please tell me about them!'

'Very well,' he answered, patting her shoulder.  'Your oldest brother, Haldir was a very good role model.  So good, in fact, that your other brothers, Rúmil, who is older than you, and Orophin, who is younger than you, followed his footsteps.  Haldir is now a Marchwarden of Lothloríen, in the favour of the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, while Rúmil and Orophin serve as guards.  I doubt very much that they would have forgotten their sister.'

She smiled.  'When did they leave Rivendell?'

'A few days before Eluan and Gilaeren left West.  We haven't heard of them since, but I am very sure that they would be ever joyful to hear that their sister is thriving and healthy, and almost as strong as they are.  They yearn to see their little Morningstar again.'

She laughed at his words, thinking of her newly heard of brothers.  Would they remember her, should she pursue to Lothloríen to find them?

'I would wish it to meet them again,' Gilauriel replied, nearly choking on her tears, trying hard to remember them.

'There, there,' Gandalf said gingerly.  'As long as your hope remains, you shall meet them again.'

The sound of the door opening as Elrond and his family, as well as Aragorn returning signalled the end of their conversation.  Gilauriel felt Gandalf's presence fade away as he went to Elrond for discussion, and called to Aragorn.

'Elfstone, I am terribly sorry that I did not come to meet you earlier,' she apologised to her brother, bowing her head.

'Dear Morningstar,' he laughed, taking her chin, 'to see your joyful face is enough to fill my stay with happiness.'  She laughed too, and he kissed her brow.

To Old Enough