Chapter IV

            'What did you tell her?' Elrond asked again.

            'I simply told her the matter concerning her brothers,' Gandalf replied calmly.  'My lord, you can't shut her away from the world when she already cannot see.'

            'She already took the news of her parents quite deeply,' the elf lord retorted.  'She should not have to carry two troubles in herself, Gandalf.  She's still a young Elf.'

            'Young indeed.  Gilauriel is most wise beyond her years, persevering much to love her life without her sight.  Think of all the accomplishments she had done that many Elves in Rivendell could not have done.'  The White Wizard sighed.  'I believe that she ought to know more of her past, seemingly since she had forgotten much of it.  She is old enough to make her own decisions, after all.'

            'Yes, I know,' Elrond replied heavily.  'But as she is my youngest child, I take joy in caring for her, because she is still young at heart, unlike Arwen and her brothers, who have matured long ago.  But with this newfound discovery of her childhood, I worry that she will want to see her brothers again.  I do not want her to go.'

            'Because you worry for her, do you not?' Gandalf said gently.  'There is no need to worry.  If she wanted to meet Haldir in Lothloríen you could take her.'

            'I do not have the time to do so, Gandalf,' the Elf-lord said.  'I must stay here to govern Rivendell in my place.'

            The wizard was quiet for a moment.  'Would you trust Faramir and his company to take Gilauriel, then?  He informed me that in a few days he will be departing to Lothloríen.'

            'I suppose I could consider this,' the Elf said thoughtfully.  'But his father was a mad man.  What if he – '

            'Do not frighten yourself, my lord, and besides, that was long ago; his father has long died, and he is under the care of Faramir.  No wrong he will do now.'

            'I shall think about it then, mellon nin.'  And that was that. 

            Elrond stepped out of the room were they had counsel and Gandalf quickly followed.  Gilauriel was talking contently with Aragorn, sharing news between them.  Celebrían had gone with Arwen to prepare for the ball that would later follow from the feast.  The twins had gone for a short ride.

'How are you two faring?' Elrond asked, reaching to touch Gilauriel's shoulder.  'Have you two caught up between each other?'

'Ada, Aragorn –'

'Lord Aragorn, Gilauriel.  Remember your manners,' Elrond reminded gently.

'But he is my 'brother' Ada, why can't I call him simply by name, but by title?'

'She has a point, Ada,' laughed Aragorn.  'Go on and tell him.'

'Aragorn said that his city name Minas Tirith is white.  May we visit it one day?'

Elrond did not answer for a moment.  Clearly the child wanted to see the White City, yet she had not her sight.  Yet she truly believed she could see.  Not wanting to spoil her happiness, he replied, 'We shall see, child.  I, myself, would like to see the White City again, too.'

Aragorn smiled, and said to his sister, 'Go upstairs and prepare for the dance, little one.  Your brother would like you to display your elegance this night.'

Gilauriel smiled.  'And I will.'

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