Their journey to Rivendell was uneventful. On the way, Gandalf told Calen about the elves and their history.
"Lord Elrond is the master of Rivendell," he told her when they were just hours away. "He has two sons; Elloden and Elrohir, and two daughter; Arwen and Tatiana-"
"Wasn't she the one my father rescued?" Calen interrupted.
"The very same."
"I get to meet her?"
Gandalf laughed. "If you see her, yes. She might not be around, though. It's hard to tell where she is nowadays. Just so you know, there's a bit of tension between her and Elrond."
"Why?"
"I don't know. It could be anything," the wizard lied.
"Oh," Calen said, wondering what this elf girl must be like.
"Here we are," commented Gandalf when they came to a sharp turn in the path. "Just around the corner. You go first, Calen."
"Why?" she looked at him suspiciously.
"The first time you see Rivendell you should see all of it, not some of it and then my back," he explained.
Calen laughed as she nudged Fe. They rounded the corner and she stopped short, gaping in awe.
Before her was a beautiful, lush valley surrounded by steep mountain slopes laced with waterfalls. Mist from the falls wafted into the air, creating a shimmering curtain over the towering green and silver trees. Large structures and buildings were scattered in a purposeful manner. Calen noticed that they were built to allow the trees to continue growing in their original locations; there were places in the floors, roofs, and bridges that had been cut away in order to provide enough growing room. There were no windows and only a few doors, and the outer walls on the buildings were little more than pillars of elegantly carved wood..
"Oh, glory," she whispered.
"Wait until you get closer," said Gandalf as he passed.
They rode down a narrow path and under a detailed archway. When they came to a little courtyard, two elves came and took their horses. Calen looked behind her shoulder as Gandalf led her away.
"They'll be fine, Calen," the wizard assured her.
"Ahhh, Gandalf. You are early," said a deep, slow voice.
Calen looked up and saw a tall, regal looking elf standing erect and patient on the steps.
"Lord Elrond," Gandalf acknowledged.
"Who is this?" Elrond asked, looking at Calen.
She knew it was coming even before Gandalf said anything.
'Don't say it, don't say it...' she thought to herself.
"I present to you Calen Alatariel, Green Lady of Rohan," Gandalf said, gently pushing her forward.
'Said it,' she muttered to herself.
"Actually, it's Calen. Just Calen, please," she said.
"No, no," Elrond insisted. "Welcome to Rivendell, Lady Calen Alatariel."
Calen sighed.