A/N: I've decided to just do this chapter from Celegorm's perspective. It shouldn't affect the length much, and the next chapter will just be Mireloth's view.

Celegorm admitted to himself that he was ill prepared for this night. Most women regarded all of Feanor's children with fear and loathing, with good reason. None would openly show it, for fear of the wrath of the middle sons. Ladies would simply stay away from Celegorm as they did in the past. Celegorm wondered if Mireloth detested him, accepting his invitation only out of fear. He doubted it. If Mireloth did strongly dislike him, she hid it very well. No, she had acted more like a giddy maiden when she accepted. She would not be so happy if she learned of his past deeds. When Mireloth did, she would likely reject Celegorm outright.

Celegorm felt the bitterness rise in his throat again. Where would he be if he had not taken that damned Oath? I would be home, he thought, I would be wed, have children, and not have to see my brothers and friends torn by swords and axes every day. Celegorm had long since given up hope of joy in Arda. No, he would take what pleasure and comfort he could, if any was to be found. Celegorm knew that Eldar were not meant to be alone. He thought back to his mother, who he had often turned to for counsel in happier times. "Everything happens for a reason, Tyelkormo. Sometimes Eru makes the reason clear, more often not. Every deed, word, and emotion has some sort of purpose." Nerdanel had often said this to her third son when Feanor punished him for some obscure reason. She understood his heart more than any other, even Maedhros. Even if his mother was gone from him, her words gave Celegorm hope. Something had placed Mireloth in his path, for good or ill. Celegorm would follow fate where it took him, to whatever end.

Celegorm went to the place where his brothers were relaxing before their meal. To his relief, the twins made some attempt at looking presentable, changing into less grime-laden clothes and taming their unruly red hair. "You are going to escort our guest here?" asked Maglor.

"I am. Will everything be ready when we return?" replied Celegorm.

"It will. Don't worry, brother, all of us will conduct ourselves as princes of the Noldor," said Maglor, shooting a pointed look at the twins.

Celegorm managed a chuckle, and left to escort his lady. There was only a short distance between the Feanorians' tent and the healers' area. Celegorm was surprised to see Mireloth already waiting for him. She was quite fetching, in that pale blue gown and simple pendant. Celegorm offered his arm, and she accepted. To fill the uncomfortable silence, Celegorm said the first thing that came to mind. "You look lovely tonight."

"As do you, Lord Celegorm," she replied, a little shakily.

She's just as nervous as I am, Celegorm thought. Celegorm felt Mireloth stiffen slightly when they entered the Feanorians' tent. Clearly, she was unused to the presence of so many males outside of a healing tent. Maedhros welcomed her, and bid her sit between Celegorm and Maglor. Celegorm worried that Mireloth would be too intimidated by the rest of his unruly family to say anything to any of them, but he was proven wrong. As soon as Mireloth got over her initial shyness, she readily joined the Noldor lords in conversation.

"Just out of curiosity, Lady Mireloth, how many of us have you had to patch up after a battle?" asked Maglor.

"Two, I believe. Yourself, and Lord Curufin," replied Mireloth.

"And she did a most excellent job. I can actually work at the forge again without pain," said Curufin.

"Well, getting burned was your own bloody fault. Most of us wouldn't try to spear a dragon while standing right in front of it," joked Amrod.

"Forgive me for trying to be valiant."

Mireloth was even speaking to him without any hint of fear, which sent a long- missed feeling coursing through him: happiness. His elation vanished, however, when the twins proposed a toast over dessert. "To Lady Mireloth, the jewel of our brother's heart." Surely Mireloth would despise him now. What lady would accept a son of Feanor? Celegorm glanced over to Mireloth, who was looking at him strangely. "Jewel of your heart?" she whispered. Celegorm could not force himself to meet her eyes. Maedhros noticed his reaction, and gave the twins an icy glare. Celegorm wanted to get out of the tent as soon as possible. "Lady Mireloth? Would you join me outside for a moment?" he said, keeping his voice low. Mireloth nodded, and followed Celegorm out of the tent, into the more open area behind the tent. As soon as they were out of earshot of the rest of Celegorm's family, he stopped. Celegorm could not meet Mireloth's eyes when he spoke. "Forgive my brothers if they offended you. They rarely know how to restrain themselves around ladies."

"I was not offended. In fact, to know that you and your family think so highly of me…" Mireloth paused, as if unsure of how to continue. "Did your brothers speak the truth? Is that how you hold me in your heart?"

"It is."

Celegorm immediately wished he had not said that. He had never been good at admitting things, especially matters of the heart. When he could find it within himself to look Mireloth in the face, he found the same look that she had given him back in the tent. "You are not angry?" he asked.

"Not…angry. Confused, perhaps," she replied.

"Then you will not reject me?"

"No. But nor will I accept you. You still frighten me, Lord Celegorm."

"Then allow me to make amends for my actions. What must I do to regain what I so rashly destroyed?"

"Nothing. This is not something I wish to think about now."

"I will leave you in peace, if that is what you wish. Much as it would pain me to do so," sighed Celegorm.

Mireloth shook her head. "I must be getting back to Avarion. He is probably worrying about me now."

Celegorm offered to escort Mireloth back, but she refused, saying she would be fine on her own. Celegorm watched her go until she was out of sight. Then he sat down in the cool grass, brooding over what Mireloth had said. So this is what my rashness has cost me, he thought. Perhaps he should just give it up, and try to get through life knowing what he had lost. He knew in his heart that he could not. Curufin came and sat down beside him. One look at Celegorm's face told the whole story. "It didn't go well, did it?" he asked.

"Not in the least," replied Celegorm.

"Look, you made a mistake. A big one. And now you are paying for it."

"Why are you acting like Maedhros? I don't need another father."

"Do you love the girl?"

"With all my heart."

"Than do all that you can to win her, even if it takes until the end of Arda itself. And, I think I could help you in that area."

Celegorm regarded his brother with more than a little curiosity. "How so?"

"Just come with me. I have an idea."

Celegorm broke into a grin. Perhaps his cause was not entirely lost.

A/N: Man, what started as a little editing evolved into this monster. Forgive me for the poor quality of the last version…it will be the last time I ever rush through a post.