The trip back to LothLorien was filled with much confusion for Aletriel. Her mind was

clouded with thoughts and memories that she had long ago forced herself to suppress.

The touch of his hand, a kiss, the way he smelled of the forest. And then that long ago morning that Thranduil had arrived in Rivendell, he had not seemed pleased. That night she and Legolas spent much of the night and into the early morning hours together holding each other and staring up at the stars. He said he never wanted to leave her. The next morning Legolas was gone with out a word, she had not heard from him since. Aletriel knew Thranduil had been displeased with Legolas being involved with her. Though he liked Aletriel, Thranduil had other plans for his son.

Years had passed and somehow these still felt like fresh wounds.

Aletriel spent the rest of the trip going over in her head what she had said to Legolas, and couldn't get the image out of her mind of him standing on the balcony as she was leaving Rivendell. Finally, they reached LothLorien, as she arrived her brother met her. He had seen her approach from the flet where he was keeping guard. " Aletriel, I was surprised to see you

coming back so soon. Has something happened, are you well?"

" Yes Haldir all is well, I decided to cut my visit short that is all." said Aletriel

Haldir could see that, that was not all, but he decided not to press the matter.

" I am glad to have you returned" said Haldir.

"It is good to see you brother, I did not mean to be short with you." Embracing him.

" I am glad to be home, I missed it that is why I returned early, nothing more."

Trying to reassure her brother, but failing. He knew her too well.

" I would very much like to go rest, I am weary from the journey" said Aletriel

"Yes, of course. I must get back. I left my flet unattended." said Haldir

"Always watching from the trees, aren't you" she said smiling up at her brother.

She was not at all weary, but had not wished to continue the discussion with

her brother in the reason for her early return. Her heart was lighter as she walked under

the leaves of the mellyrn. The beauty of Lorien never escaped her. She loved the trees and

used to climb them as child, pretending to be a guard like her brother. Galadriel

tried to teach her more feminine ways, though Aletriel knew her Aunt had seen her own battles, Galadriel also believed in propriety. Eventually Galadriel had won, and now that Aletriel was older she enjoyed the beautiful gowns and putting her hair up with flowers and braids. Aletriel

knew she would have to see her Aunt tomorrow. She did not wish to discuss her return any further today, though she knew with Galadriel there wouldn't be much to explain. She would already know. As Aletriel reached the stairway that led to her telain she was met by Soloern. She could not avoid him this time, he was waiting at the base of the stairs. "Aletriel, how was your journey?" He always had a twinkle in his eye.

"It went well, I am glad to be home." said Aletriel trying not to sound annoyed. It seemed she would have no peace today.

"Well, all of the Galadrium is glad to have you back" said Soloern smiling genuinely at her.

"Thank you, you are much to kind. But, I was just going to get some rest. I am a bit weary from

my journey." said Aletriel

" Yes, I can imagine. I have only been to Rivendell once myself. Beautiful place, but of course

you would know that. I was there quite a long time ago, before Lady Celebrian sailed to the

Undying Lands. But I would very much like to go back for a visit and..."

" Soloern" trying to politely interrupt him, and thinking of the only thing that might end the idle

talk he was trying to make " why don't we discuss this further tomorrow, we will take a walk."

Smiling brightly "Wonderful idea, you should get some rest my lady. I will call upon you

tomorrow." Aletriel smiled to herself, there could be worse things than taking a walk with

the young elf. She could still be standing on the stair listening to him struggle to make idle

conversation. Soloern was pleasant company after all, and it had won her the peace she so

desperately desired. Aletriel ascended to her room. She did not come out until the next morning,

when she knew she could not wait any longer to see Galadriel. Aletriel greeted her Aunt with a

warm embrace and smiled at her. " It is good to be home" she said.

" The journey did not go as you had expected" it was more a statement than a question.

" An old wound has been brought back to the surface, has it not?" Asked Galadriel.

"Yes. I did not know he would be there, I was startled and I did not dream

that he would seek me out to speak with me, but he did." Aletriel said looking down " I did not

know what to say, so I just spoke my heart. I now wish that I had not. I am so confused." she said

looking at her Aunt who was listening intently. " Legolas knows that he hurt you. Perhaps guilt is what led him to seek you out, or perhaps seeing you again stirred something that he had long tried to forget." said Galadriel

" I do not think so" said Aletriel doubtfully, then remembering " Arwen said something to me, something about that visit affecting my future, and that you and Elrond knew this. What did she mean? What does my future hold?" Said Aletriel

"Knowing the future would affect the course of it. The future is not for you to know, not yet

Aletriel." Said Galadriel " But know this, the world is an ever changing place and changes are

coming that will affect us all in every corner of it. Be prepared, for it will certainly affect you as

well."

Aletriel left her Aunt feeling even more confused. But certain that she had not stirred anything inside Legolas. She decided to walk to the pond nearby, it had an inviting patch of shaded grass. She sat down and leaned her head back onto the base of the tree, and closed her eyes to try and clear her mind. After a few minutes she felt a presence nearby. She opened her eyes to see Soloern standing there leaning against the tree holding a small bouquet of niphredil. "You looked so peaceful, I hope I didn't disturb you." he said, then holding out the flowers " I brought these for you, my lady."

Seeing Soloern, Aletriel came to a decision. She wasn't going to waste another minute

pondering what had happened. Or thinking about what could have been. She had not stirred

any emotions in Legolas, he had simply been trying to appease his own guilt.

With that done she was sure she would hear no more from him.

She then turned her attention to Soloern.

" Thank you." She said taking the flowers, he gave her his hand to help her up.

Smoothing out her dress, she then asked. " Shall we take our walk."