Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the rings Argh… it hurts to admit the truth! Galadriel's not mine darn, Celeborn's not mine too double darn Oh whatever… but they are the wonderful creation of GREAT TOLKIEN! Wheeeee……

Author's note: This my first fan-fiction fidget-fidget, please bear with me if I make any silly mistakes! I hoped that my version of the love story between the two most breathtaking elves ever is of no insult to GREAT TOLKIEN and those Tolkien fans out there. Pls pls pls review and tell me what you think of it. Thanks lots and hope you enjoy. ( )

Chapter One: Menegroth, The Thousand Caves

"The defence at the Northern Gate should be stepped up." Celeborn tapped his finger at the map of Doriath, addressing his fellow subjects. "Galathil had also requested for an increase in patrols at the Western borders. The wardens of the Western Towers had sighted Orc companies recently. They are eyeing our Western Gate"

"My Lord." A voice interrupted.

Celeborn looked up and there at the door, stood a warden. "Yes?"

"Two figures had been sighted at the Southern border. They are heading straight into Doriath."

Celeborn raised an eyebrow. Two? Seldom do orcs travel alone or in pairs. Those cowards find strength in numbers and they dare not head straight into Doriath… "Orcs?" He questioned.

The warden shook his head, his brows furrowing. "I believe not, My Lord, though I am unsure for they are both hooded. Both are of slender and tall build. One is on a white horse while the other is on foot, leading it. It is unsure whether they are friends or foes."

Celeborn contemplated for a while and ordered, "Give word to the wardens of the towers to be on alert."

"Yes, My Lord." He answered and left swiftly.

Celeborn turned to his subjects and commanded, "Get your bows and arrows and assemble at the Southern Gate swiftly. We will go to the Southern Border now." He paused and then spoke, "These are evil times. Be they friends or foes, be on your guard."

The cool, green forest was shaded by rustling leaves above, allowing shafts of golden light streaming down through the gaps between. Artanis and Finrod crossed warm and bright fields and sunlit glades laden with wild spring flowers where the air was filled with the soft drone of bees and the flutter of butterflies, all busily flitting from blossom to blossom to burrow in or to elegantly sit and sip.

Artanis breathed in the scent of the woodland, and took delight in the aroma of the flowers and trees drifting in the air, the mild wafts gently caressing her skin. She liked this place. This place was a marvel to her senses, as she heard the bright singing of songbirds high in the trees, saw the winging of iridescent insects and felt the overwhelming growth of flora and fauna. It was a place of tranquillity and it settled her heart.

Like his sister, Finrod was also marvelling at the beauty of the Doriath woodland. He turned around and smiled at his sister who returned it warmly. He was glad to see her smile, it had been dark times and his sister's smile is something that is hard to earn. For a moment, he truly felt that perhaps, just perhaps, the Valar, though mighty and all knowing could be wrong in their prophecy. He heart lightened for a moment at the thought that it may be possible for the children of Finwë to truly find happiness in Middle-Earth. The lightness he felt did not last long. A sudden tension seized his body and jolted him to a sudden slowing of pace. He gave a quick glance to Artanis who caught his eye and nodded slightly. She too had felt that they were being watched.

A rustle so soft that it was barely audible was picked up by the keen senses of the Noldor siblings. Elves. Artanis thought. Their light footsteps are all too recognisable. The soft rustle faded into silence, and the siblings were aware of the chill in the air and the purposeful loudness of their footsteps in the deadly silence. Finrod knew that whoever had been watching them had already completed the circle and had them fully surrounded. He knew it would be futile to run or attempt to hide.

He pulled the rein slightly to catch the attention of Artanis and mouthed, "Halt." She nodded and cautiously reached into her cloak, her hand closing around an elven blade in apprehension. Getting his cue, Finrod halted suddenly and shouted a challenge to his stealthy followers, "Show yourself, wood elves!"

In a flash, a dozen of arrows were aimed upon them. Finrod and Artanis showed no signs of alarm and remained passive, unmoving and silent as they surveyed the company of Sindar elves who surrounded them and waited for the leader to show himself and speak.

They did not have to wait long. A voice that held authority rang in the midst of the company. "Who are you? Why do you step into Doriath, realm of King Thingol and Queen Melian?"

Artanis's gaze was drew to the Sindar elf who had stood out from the green clad archers and spoke with such authority. He was of tall and slender stature. A simple grey cloak draped over his shoulders, fastened by a silver brooch. Beneath, he wore a loose white tunic that gathered at the waist with a silvery grey belt and breeches. Yet, such simple clothing could not dim his lordly charisma. His straight ashen silvery hair laid beyond his shoulders, kept neat with two tiny plaits at the side, shining silver under the sun. His face was graven and stern as the blue-grey eyes beneath his silver brows beheld them. The bridge of his nose was tall and proud, giving him a princely air of pride and dignity. She knew that he was of no lowly status but she was not at all pleased with his hostile and proud manner.

"Is this the hospitality that King Thingol and Queen Melian have to offer to the children of the household of Finwë?" Artanis cried, her voice stern and unforgiving as she threw back her hood, letting her golden tresses shines brilliantly at the gentle touch of sunlight, announcing her full glory and her proud spirit.

For a moment, the Sindarin elves stood in marvel, beholding the golden rivulets cascading down her shoulders, enraptured by its brilliance. Artanis gaze fell on Celeborn, her sapphire blue gems piercing into his, challenging, but he boldly stared back into the endless depths of the jewels.

"King Finwë?" He questioned haughtily, his eyes never leaving the piercing ones of the Noldorin lady.

Finrod sensing the tensing situation quickly stood forward before his younger sister had a chance to retort. Anxious to ease tensions he gave a gracious bow and spoke, "Greetings, elven kindred. We are Noldor elves from Eldamar. I am Finrod, son of Finarfin and this is my sister, Artanis. We are of the household of King Finwë, the old friend of your king, Thingol Greymantle."

"Greetings than, descendants of King Finwë, I am Celeborn, kinsman of King Thingol." Celeborn returned the bow politely, but his mind still sharp with suspicion and doubt of the motives of these two strangers. "Yet, what brings a Noldor prince and princess into Doriath?" He darted a quick glance towards Artanis, returning her haughtiness with his.

"We seek audience with King Thingol." Finrod explained anxiously, being unwilling to engage in conflict. But his royal blood boils at the thought of being treated with suspicion and distrust by this dark elf. He raised his voice a little, suppressing his anger but voicing his displeasure. "Will King Thingol deny audience with his kin from the Western lands?" His eyes swept passed the company of wood elves, his gaze wielding the power and pride of a nobility.

"Will he?" He challenged, his eyes darkening. "For we are the children of Eärwen, daughter of King Olwë, his brother."

A moment of tensed silence fell between the Noldorin siblings and the Sindarin elves that surrounded them. Celeborn furrowed his brows, deep in thought of what should be done as he surveyed the two strangers.

Celeborn…Listen to me…

Milady? Celeborn's eyes widened as the voice of his queen, Melian the Maia rang softly in his head.

Listen to me, young Celeborn. Let them through…

But milady! Celeborn protested, they…

Celeborn… The voice in his head was patient, but persistent. Let them through… they are destined to come through my girdle. They are the kin of your king. Let them through…

Celeborn sighed. An order is an order. As you wish, milady.

Finrod sighed in relief when Celeborn raised his hand and the other elves withdrew their weapons promptly upon the signal. He shot a quick glance of assurance towards his sister. She nodded and eased her grasp of her blade, silently sliding her hand out of her cloak as if nothing had happened.

"Follow me, elves of Eldamar," Celeborn said with a tone of reluctance. "I shall bring you to the halls of King Thingol."

"My thanks." Finrod replied with grace. "And my sister's." He quickly added, when he noticed the contemptuous silence of Artanis.

Celeborn shrugged and said nothing, pretending not to hear the gratitude of the Noldorin prince. He turned his back swiftly on them and signalled to his fellow brethren to surround the two new comers. "Follow my lead."

Artanis had lost count of the time that had passed. It seemed to her that the journey to the halls of King Thingol was endless and that Celeborn was leading them nowhere. She knew that Celeborn was winding through the outskirts of Doriath, taking the long way to Menegroth in order to confuse her and Finrod so that they could not remember the way back in or out of the city. Secretly, she admired the wit of this Sindar lord, but was annoyed at his treatment towards them, the Noldor royalties of Eldamar.

The company came to a cave entrance in the depths of Doriath, and into the cave the river Esgladuin flows. Into the cave they went, and Artanis and Finrod were in wonder of the phantom lights that lit up the cave, little fires that drifted in the air, glowing brightly, so much to the likes of the fire-lit halls of Aulë in Eldamar. When out of the magical cave Celeborn turned to the southern banks of the river, and continued westwards, where at last a great rocky hill was in sight. They passed the two watchtowers standing by the great stone bridge, where the river Esgladuin bubbled under and there was the gate to the halls of King Thingol.

"Welcome to Menegroth, The Thousand Caves, dwelling of king Thingol Greymantle and Queen Melian." Celeborn announced proudly as they entered into another woodland, more beautiful than the one at the borders of Doriath.

Ancient were the trees in this place, their roots reaching deep into the earth. Their great girths were moss covered, and their branches spread wide, embracing others overhead. New life was burgeoning in the forest as thickets of young seedlings and saplings reached upward to get a bath in the golden sunlight.

Her eyes were drawn to the spectrum of flowers, blooms of white, gold, silver, crimson and violet, sprinkling like little stars on the grounds, nodding in the breeze, their scent drifting in the air. Nightingales flitted here and there, their lovely songs echoing through the forest, and Artanis thought, like the little winged creatures in Yavanna's garden, Lórien. Little animals could be heard scurrying up above in the tall, majestic trees and down among the soft carpet grass. Somewhere near, a small stream burbled and splashed, lucid in the clearness, as it sang and danced its way over the rocks to the mother river, Esgladuin.

Then they came into the inner courts of Menegroth. Finrod was astounded by the wondrous architecture of the pillars, all shaped in the likeness of the beeches of Oróme, all glittering in gold, girth, bough and leaf. Along the jewelled paths, were silver fountains burbling and water basins, where the birds took delight in bathing. He ran his hand at the detailed carvings of flora, fauna, beasts of air, earth and water on the walls and beheld the long tapestries that depict the stories of the Valar with a longing gaze.

"Wonder of wonders." He whispered to his sister who was now walking beside him after her horse had been taken to the stables to be rested, nodded. She was overwhelmed by the likeness of Menegroth to the lands of Eldamar and sorrow filled her heart.

"Menegroth is truly a place of marvel. It had captured all the beauty of the lands of the Valar." She whispered in awe.

Celeborn smiled, a little surprise for the Noldor lady had been silent all through the journey. "Indeed. King Thingol and queen Melian took great pains to fashion it after the Valinor."

Alas, they arrived at the very hall of king Thingol, and there sitting at the golden throne were the King and Queen of Menegroth.

Celeborn left the Noldor siblings and stood at the stairs that led up the throne, by the side of the Sindarin King. "My Lord, Finrod and Artanis, children of the house of Finwë, son and daughter of Finarfin and Eärwen." He announced.

Promptly, Finrod and Artanis stood forward and bowed deeply in homage. Awaiting to be addressed by the noble grey king.

"Western elves of Eldamar, children of the house of King Finwë, what had brought you to the lands of Middle-Earth, seeking counsel with me?" King Thingol spoke, his voice grave and deep, his grey eyes questioning. "Word had been brought to me that many Western princes had came upon my lands, eager for new realms of their own." He paused slightly. "Angrod, your brother had long spoken with me, but I gave them no lands and no welcome. For indeed, you had passed into my realm with my will only because you hold close kinship with me for being the children of Eärwen, my brother's daughter."

"Aye, we seek lands of our own and yet none we had find." Finrod answered. "We had come in need of help."

"We pray that aid will be rendered," Said Artanis. "By the bond that the same blood flows in our veins."

King Thingol remained silent, pondering their words but it was Queen Melian who spoke, "My love," Her voice husky and soft, like the wind blowing through the willow trees, whispering into the ears of her husband. "They had come in need of help, and help we shall render, for I perceive nothing of malicious intent in their minds."

King Thingol thought on the words of his wife. She was wise and had the gift to perceive the hearts of all who stand before her, if she had said so, that would be it. He nodded and turned to Finrod and Artanis, "By the kinship that we hold, and the good will of my queen, I, Lord of the Beleriand lands welcome both of you into my dwelling as my honoured guests."

"With great gratitude, we receive this honour." The siblings smiled and bowed.

"We shall have a feast tonight, for my heart delights at the sight of the children of Valinor. Long must I speak to you of the tidings of Valinor and the old bliss." Queen Melian smiled kindly upon them. "But for now, you must be weary from the journey. Please rest in the chambers that we had prepared for you. Now, Celeborn, will you not show them the way?"

"Yes, My Lady." Celeborn sighed inwardly as he turned towards Artanis and Finrod, "My Lord, My Lady?"

Finrod nodded, "Yes, please lead the way."