A/N: Yes, I know… 800 years is a long time… but once again, they are Elves, and the times apart from each other will prove an important plot point as the story continues. Also, it may seem like everything is closing up and they will live happily ever after, but this story has a long way to go, and will be far from happily ever after for a long while. Also, I had to add a little Legolas in here (next chapter)… just my homage to the Elf who initially made me crazy over Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 17- Lothlórien: A New Realm (Of Possibilities)

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1 Mettarë 1981 of the Third Age

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As she sat upon her mare, watching the scenery slowly pass her by- too slowly for her tastes, but for the first time in her life, she felt as free as a bird flying and swooping about the azure sky. For the first time in her life, she did not have to worry about her father showing up announced, or having to worry about what he might do knowing that her grandfather had sent his granddaughter to a foreign land without her father's approval. She did not have to prepare herself for the inevitable meeting and argument of her father riding in and demanding her to go back to Mithlond. For the first time, she would be allowed to do what she pleased when she wanted (within reason, of course), not having to worry about what the gossip about Mithlond might be, or the consequences of actually being allowed into her grandfather's council, only to be reprimanded by her father.

Aye, she was free… and she could not wait to see Elladan.

She was so excited about this excursion that she had barely even noticed the pain in her rear end for traveling so long on the back of a horse. But that was brought into painful realization when the horse beneath her lost her footing a rock and faltered slightly. It was a jarring motion, causing her bruised tailbone to strike roughly against the horse's back. She cringed slightly, but readjusted herself and hoped that did not happen anymore in her trip. After all, they were just entering the thick lining of huge trees that was Lothlórien.

She heard a laugh beside her and glanced up to find her brother riding beside her, "Perhaps you should walk the rest of the way in, Silaerín."

"I am fine," she replied.

She noticed Galdor turn to glance at her with a knowing smile, and he said, "My lady, you should listen to those who have traveled on horse many times before."

Silaerín rolled her eyes and blushed slightly, "I am fine."

Her grandfather, who had been particularly quiet this entire journey, besides his normally quiet and reflective nature, looked between her and Galdor for a moment. He said, "She gets her pride from her father."

"Or from you, Iauradar," she said with a smile and glanced ahead of them again, the trees slowly becoming thicker as they neared the apex of the realm. Despite the thickness of the canopy of trees, however, there were golden rays of sunlight still passing easily though the leaves. But there was something odd about these trees, she noticed. As the sunlight shone through the branches and bounced from leaf to leaf, they gave off a warm, golden glow. And it was only then that she realized these trees really had golden leaves and silver-colored bark.

Her viewing of the strange trees, that she had only heard about in tales, was interrupted when she became aware of a slight movement on the long, thick branches. Before she could distinguish that they were only very well disguised wardens, three Elves dropped from the trees easily and surrounded them. Two handsome, dark-haired peredhil and one silver-blond Silvan edhel to be exact. The blond looked to be one in charge, that certain feeling of power and arrogance radiating from him. There her eyes only stayed on him for a moment, and met the piercing grey ones of her love and his brother. It would seem that they were unprepared for her visit, however much the excited smiles on their faces betrayed their eyes. And she could not blame them for that, it was a shock she was even here without her father.

The blond Elf smiled and bowed to her party, as did the others, but the blond one probably bowed more specifically to Círdan, and righted himself, "Welcome to Lórien, Lord Círdan. We have been sent by the Lady Galadriel to show you toward Caras Galadhon."

Círdan nodded his head, and sighed, "She acts as though I have never been here before."

Silaerín laughed at the remark he made under his breath. Sometimes it was those short one-line comments that provided her with the best laugh. That was what she enjoyed about her grandfather the most. While being very old, very wise, and very powerful, he never quite lost his biting sense of humor. He glanced back at her, and smiled, "Perhaps you would like to walk along now, instead of injuring yourself more so?"

She needed no prodding now to walk along beside her horse, and easily let herself off of her mount's wide back. And Elladan was there to catch her as she landed on her feet. It was almost odd to feel his hands on her again, though they be there in a platonic way, but perhaps it was only because every time they touched it was full of peculiar sensations that she had not yet gotten used to. How could she anyway? She had spent two evenings with him as something more than a friend, and that was hardly long enough to warm herself to the fact that these sensations with an ellon were normal.

Throwing her arms about his neck, he pulled her to him and embraced her closely. It was easy to forget that they were surrounded by others who were watching the entire scene, once she was within his arms. The entire world could crumble around them and she would not care. It had been almost nine hundred years since she had last been held by him, and by anyone's account, that was a horridly long time to be without this simple feeling. She pulled back from him and smiled brightly, "Did you know that I was to travel with my grandfather?"

"I had not one inkling," he replied. "However, my grandmother insisted I come out with Haldir to escort the Falathrim party into the city."

Silaerín laughed and stood slightly on her toes to kiss him quickly. He smiled against her lips, and kissed her back gently, only to receive an annoyed, albeit slightly laughing, clearing of someone's throat. Then the voice spoke, "While it is a joy to see you two together again, we do wish to make it to Caras Galadhon by the next loa."

Elladan pulled away from her and glanced toward the High Elf sitting atop his large white horse. She already knew that it was her grandfather who had said that, but that did not lessen her embarrassment by any amount. "I am sorry, my lord."

Círdan laughed good naturedly, and turned back as the company started out once again. Elladan took the reins of her horse to guide it along as they walked. She chuckled to herself, "If I were you, I would be quivering in fear. You have just been scolded by the great and mighty Círdan."

"That is nothing," he replied. "You forget I have been scolded by the great and mighty Galadriel. That is something I never wish upon anyone."

She smiled, and glanced up at him, "I would never wish to experience that either."

Elrohir finally decided to make his way back to them, and as they walked, came beside her and easy scooped her up into his arm for a long hug. "I thank Elbereth that you have come! Listening to him complain about not having you with him grew old the instant we passed out of the Havens. And then his moping… it was as though he had nothing better to do. I almost committed a Kinslaying of my own."

Silaerín giggled, "I have missed you as well, Elrohir."

He chuckled, "I have missed you for other reasons as well, but at least he will be quiet for a short while."

"It has truly been that horrible to listen to your brother?" she questioned, glancing at Elladan. It was clear that Elladan was not the least bit pleased that his brother was telling her about all of this. "You should have made him come to Mithlond then. Eight hundred and eighty-two years is a long time to listen to that."

Elladan scoffed at that, but said nothing. Elrohir nodded his head, "I should have, but when would he listen to his twin?"

"I would hope he would if it had to do with his love," she said and glanced at Elladan again. His face was impassive.

The company walked along for a while more in silence, making their way toward the city rather quickly… for what she had suspected would take awhile anyway. She had not been prepared for the true beauty that was Lothlórien. It was as though she was once again a young Elfling, for her first time, gazing upon the waterfalls and dales of Imladris, but this time for the unbelievable characteristics of the hugely round and tall trees. So tall and sturdy were they that it seemed there were dwellings built within the branches, with many staircases curling around the trunks, small bridges placed about to connect the trees together. From her spot at the bottom of the city, and looking up, it appeared an intricate maze of paths that could potentially result in her getting very lost.

It was certain that each Elven realm was a treasure in their own reasons. Mithlond was special for the beautiful white sand and crystal Sea, and Imladris for its effervescent colors, raging waterfalls and the feeling of renewal one received being there. She could add Lothlórien to her list as a treasure for its odd trees and wonderfully puzzle-like construction. Now she just had to visit Eryn Galen to complete her visions of all Elven realms still in Arda.

"It is a beautiful realm, is it not?" she heard Elladan say from beside her.

Silaerín smiled, looking at him, "Every Elven realm is beautiful for their certain qualities."

"Aye, I would have to agree with that," he replied, and leaned into her. "Except the thing I found beautiful about Mithlond was not the white beaches or warm climate."

"Oh really?" she asked, giggling at him.

An Elf came to them then and bowed his head slightly, "My lord, may I take the horse from you?"

"Please," Elladan replied and handed off the leather straps to the Elf. The ellon said nothing more and walked away with the horse, as did a few other stable hands with the rest of the party's mounts. He offered his arm to her, and she took it gladly as they were ushered toward a set of winding staircases by the blond Elf who had led them here. As they climbed the stairs, he said, "The Elves here are very conscious of propriety. I find it odd almost, but that is only because of living in a realm where we rely less on propriety, and more on friendship."

"Perhaps they only act as such because you are their new rulers' grandchild?" she said thoughtfully.

He shrugged his shoulders, "I think it is a combination of that, and also because they are not sure how to act now that my grandfather and grandmother are Lord and Lady of Lothlórien. They are used to living under a king's rule."

Silaerín nodded her head, "True."

They walked again in silence, and came upon an open landing at the foot of the large dwelling she imagined to be the palace that was once Amroth's. There stood, in all their omnipotence and beauty were Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, dressed in their normal whites and gold. As Celeborn was wearing not circlet upon his brow, the Lady wore an intricately woven one of gold and mithril. They first greeted Círdan in a slightly solemn manner, as they did her brother and Galdor. As Elladan had purposely made sure to stay behind the others, she was last to be greeted by them. And not surprisingly to her, she felt the same unbelievable nervousness she had when she first met the High Elves so long ago.

She glanced at Elladan who only winked and chuckled slightly, as he obviously felt her tense as they walked closer. Silaerín scoured quickly before turning to the Lord and Lady, and curtsying politely to them. She quickly felt fingers beneath her chin to turn her head up to them. And as that time so long ago, it was Galadriel who stood in front of her with the same knowing, but warm, smile.

Galadriel placed a hand to Silaerín's cheek, looking deeply into her eyes. The Lady spoke softly, "You have matured, and yet you are still the same as I recall in Imladris. You have that same pure heart as the Elfling, and yet you are wise to the world."

Silaerín knew not how to reply to that comment, but she did not have to as Celeborn stepped beside his wife. He gazed down at her, as though he were inspecting her, "My grandsons were not jesting when they spoke of you upon their return to Imladris."

She hoped that the blush was not too apparent on her cheeks, even though it felt like her face was on fire, and also that the others around them would not hear so much of that. And then she felt the slight nudge in her mind and heard Galadriel's soft words in her head, "Be not embarrassed, pen neth. He is only most pleased that at least one of his grandsons was found a truly wonderful, pure blooded Telerin elleth. He is very proud of his familial heritage."

That made Silaerín laugh, never expecting to hear those words from Galadriel… the grave elleth she usually was. Celeborn glanced at Galadriel, as though he knew that she had communicated something to Silaerín, and shook his head. Galadriel smiled, and said aloud, "You all must be weary of your travels. It is a long voyage to take on horseback from the Havens. Our maids and butler will show you to your respective talans."

With that, Galadriel and Celeborn bowed their heads slightly to dismiss them. A few handmaidens emerged from the side and took each of the newly arrived Elves toward the staircases, though no one came to her. She glanced at Elladan and smiled, "I suppose you are showing me to my talan?"

"Aye," he replied with wolfish grin and offered his arm to her again. He showed her along the paths, up to a high talan, near enough to the palace that the glowing light from the inside shone onto the shady portion on the outside of the talan. She stepped inside the talan, and looked around the front room, sparsely, but elegantly, decorated in ornate chaise lounges and a high-back chair. The early afternoon sunlight came through the windows and the opening to the right of the room where the gauzy white curtains billowed from the wind.

"I would show you back to the bed chamber," Elladan finally said, coming up behind her and placing his hands on her hips. He placed his lips to her neck, "However, I fear that if I were to do that, I would not make it out."

Silaerín chuckled and turned around to face him, kissing him, "That is a wise choice. You probably would not."

He smiled, "I have missed you."

"It does not even compare to how much I have missed you," she said, looking into his eyes. "Why did you not come back to visit me in all those years?"

"My excuses are not worth me saying and wasting your time, meleth," he replied, placing a kiss to her forehead. "All I can say is that we have been very busy with the increased threat from Moria and Dol Guldur. We have been riding with the Dúnedain, as you know."

"I know," she said and sighed, glancing down at his chest. "But all that time?"

Elladan sighed heavily, raising her chin so that he could look into her eyes, "I knew I should not have stayed away for so long… I thought it was weakness to want to not be without you all the time, but then I look ahead and I realize that we will continue to spend great amounts of time apart, especially with the shadow ever-growing when I will be out fighting even more. I thought it would help me to stay away from you for these longexpanses of time, so I did not have such adifficult time leaving when again we should meet."

Silaerín reached up the cup his cheek, "I love you, Elladan. I am not angry, I have only felt alone without you. I suppose that would be expected, if you were gone for even a year."

He nodded his head and kissed her again, "But while you are here, I fully intend to make up all the time lost."

"I do like the sound of that," she said.

"We will not be expecting your father?" he questioned.

"Nay, he will not come, as he stayed to see to the business of the Havens, but he knows that I am here," she answered. "I did not sneak away this time."

"Good," he said. They spent a few more moments life this, until he pulled away from her. "Elrohir and I agreed to a little contest of skills with Haldir and his brothers this afternoon, though it has grown to include others. I should be going or they will disqualify me."

"Haldir?" she asked.

He chuckled, "I am horrible at remembering to introduce people. Haldir is the March Warden, and the one who came to show your grandfather to the city."

"Oh," she said. "I had thought him important, but I had no idea who he was."

"My grandparents speak highly of him, and from what I have seen, I would agree with them," Elladan said.

Silaerín pushed away from him and glanced toward the door, "You should go if you are expected. Perhaps once I find Arwen, I shall be down with her."

"She has already committed herself as score keeper," he laughed.

"That is a little bias toward her brothers, do you not think?" she asked.

"Aye, but that is only if she has forgiven us," Elladan replied.

Silaerín eyes him suspiciously, "What did you do?"

"I shall leave that for her to tell you, but I will admit it involves an ellon," he said and walked toward the door. He paused and glanced back at her, "The rest of the household may turn out as well."

"I will be down shortly," she smiled, and waved her hand as he stepped out of the talan and shut the door. Silaerín let out a small sigh, and glanced around the room again. This would be a wonderful experience.

1 Mettarë- Day before the Elven new year, or like our New Year's Eve. Last day of the year were generally not that big of a deal for Elves, but in this story, and in this year, I am making it a new yén (144 yrs in which Elves counted by, because they liked counting by twelve's) as well.

Iauradar- grandfather

Edhel- elf

Loa- sun round

Pen neth- young one

Meleth- love

Eryn Galen- Greenwood. Thranduil's realm, though referred to as Mirkwood later on in the Third Age because of shadow in Dol Guldur.