Hi everyone. Sorry for the wait. I've been working on other writing projects as well. Thanks to all of you who have sent reviews. They mean a lot to me. And thanks to those who remind me when I'm overdue for another chapter, LOL. Your comments do turn my attentions back to this story!

I think this chapter will give you strong hints as to where I am taking this. But there may still be surprises along the way. There are chapters where I need to impart more plot information and then there are the chapters where there is more action/romance (Those are the most fun to write and I promise you that there will be more of those coming up!).

Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please let me know!

A Year Too Long

Summer came swiftly and passed in days of pleasure for Gilraen. She rode often with Elfwine, Eldarion, Mendir and Teslan. They picnicked in and explored the nearby terrain of Annuminas. Always Elfwine would watch her closely for any sign that she may find favor in him. He knew of her longing for Legolas but he also hoped that perhaps now that the wandering elf was gone, Gilraen would finally realize that Legolas was not the right choice for her after all.

A very pleasant surprise came in the middle of summer with the arrival of Samwise and Rosie Gamgee and their children. Gilraen was pleased to see hobbit children and she was a very attentive listener at the story telling evenings of Samwise. His tales were different from those told by Merry and Pippin when they had come to Rivendell. There was also something very different about Samwise Gamgee. Gilraen remembered how light hearted and joyous Merry and Pippin had been. With Samwise she sensed a deeper sadness beneath his friendly veneer.

Whenever Samwise would finish one of his tales everyone around him looked satisfied and pleased with the entertainment he provided. But Gilraen would sit and look at Samwise as if she expected more, more than he would tell. When others would walk away, Samwise would lose some of his cheer and become quiet as if struck. One such time, while Gilraen was observing him carefully, he caught her gaze. Gilraen was surprised to see that Samwise did not put his happy face on for her but continued to show her his sadness.

Every evening Gilraen would climb the tower and gaze to the east while the sun set behind her. At this time of the day she would imagine Legolas as he was the day that he left as he turned to look at her on the small hillock in the distance. She would close her eyes and feel the soft summer breeze on her face and make a wish that he would hear her, that the breeze would carry her thoughts to him wherever he was.

One evening as she reached the top of the tower, she emerged to find Samwise there looking off towards the west. She saw the same look of longing on his face that she felt each evening. She tried not to disturb him, but before she could make her way to her favorite spot Samwise had turned around and said, "Hello Princess."

Gilraen changed her direction and came to stand next to the hobbit whose head just cleared the top of the wall. "You miss him," Gilraen stated simply.

Samwise continued looking west as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Aye, I do," he said softly. "Telling these tales once again has put Frodo back into my mind."

Gilraen put her hand on his shoulder and said, "You will see him again."

Samwise looked at her and said, "That is what he told me before he left. But it seems like so long ago that I fear it was not real. I fear that no ship will come for me when it is my time."

Samwise watched Gilraen close her eyes as if she were listening for something. When she finally opened them again she looked out to the west and said, "You shall sail to Valinor Samwise Gamgee. I see this. When you reach the shores of white sand and sparkling stones you will find Frodo waiting for you. But you will be older than you are now. It is not time for you to leave yet." Gilraen turned her face back to Samwise and saw him smiling softly.

Gilraen turned and walked towards the east of the tower and gazed with her own longing. Samwise followed her and now stood looking east as well. "What is it you see for yourself Princess?" Samwise asked.

Gilraen's face filled with sadness as she continued looking east and she said, "I cannot see for myself. My choices would be much easier to make if I already knew my future. My gift serves others and not myself."

"Well perhaps it's not so good to know the end of a tale before it's been completely told. You're young Princess and your adventure is just beginning," Samwise said. "And what seems impossible right now might not seem that way in a year. There will be times when life is so sweet that you just want to keep that moment forever. And there are times like these, when you long for something that seems far off. But it's been my experience that hard times do pass eventually and those happier days tend to come around again. That's just the way of things."

Gilraen looked at Samwise and smiled, "I know now why you're called Samwise." The old hobbit blushed and grinned back at her.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Elfwine had noticed Gilraen's evening vigils on the top of the tower and it always made him wonder what went on in her mind. When he saw her up there looking to the east he felt as though there were many things about Gilraen that he did not understand. She was such a mystery in some ways and in other ways she was all he ever wanted. They had become good friends over time and spoke of many things together. But whenever Elfwine tried to steer the conversation to matters of the heart, Gilraen would become quiet or she would quickly change the topic.

One such evening as Elfwine sat having a pipe near the stables, he spotted Gilraen up on the tower as usual. He watched her and wondered about her when a girl's voice said, "She is thinking about him."

Elfwine turned his head to see Celebrian standing a little behind him. "What have you been doing Kitten?" Kitten was now the nickname he used for her ever since he found out that she was the one who put numerous cats in his room while he slept. But that was just one of her many pranks. She had also put berries in the bottom of his boots one time causing a very squishy and wet surprise for him when he dressed that morning. Another memorable morning was the time she had put honey on his brush which had turned his brown locks into a sticky mess.

Elfwine had begun noticing a pattern to her pranks in that she seemed to do them while the whole household was asleep. One evening he decided to rig a surprise for Celebrian. Over his door he hung a bucket of water and had tied a tipping rope to the latch of his door. Sure enough in the wee hours of dawn he was awoken to the surprised scream of Celebrian standing in his doorway dripping in shock and surprise. He only laughed and said, "I guess kittens do not like water." She had turned and fled in shame of being discovered and ever since then she had ceased her pranks on Elfwine.

Now she just contented herself with covertly spying on him. Ever so often Elfwine would spot her following him but he always pretended that he did not see her. He believed the girl must be very bored to find his doings so interesting. So he was not surprised to find her next to him this evening.

"I have only been giving treats to the horses," she said in answer to his question. He nodded and continued smoking his pipe and gazing up at Gilraen. It is ever only Gilraen he looks at, she thought indignantly. She had been trying everything lately to appear more grown up. Each morning she had her maid dress and groom her carefully. In the dining hall she made sure to sit tall and conduct herself with the best manners. She made sure to walk and not run like a child when Elfwine was around. She spent much time at the stables and at her riding hoping that he would comment on her devotion to horses. But it was only Gilraen he saw. Celebrian knew her sister was beautiful, but she also knew that she was too. At least, she would be when her woman's curves arrived, she thought. Each day she would look in the mirror and see only the smallest signs of change. It was not happening fast enough for her.

She felt sad tonight as she reflected on all her efforts to have Elfwine notice her. She knew that as long as he thought about Gilraen, she would never be noticed by him. She sat herself down next to him and sighed. Elfwine glanced at her and then back at Gilraen.

"She thinks only of Legolas," Celebrian said again, hoping to sting him for his indifference to her.

"I know," Elfwine said quietly and let out a long stream of smoke.

"Then why do you keep trying?" Celebrian asked boldly. She knew this was not considered a 'proper' question for a young woman to ask. She knew she was overstepping the boundary of privacy. But among all the King and Queen's children, Celebrian was the one most likely to stretch the rules of propriety.

Elfwine grinned slightly and shook his head. She was a bold one, he had to admit. She was much like him in many ways. Elfwine did not like mincing words himself and he understood the need to speak one's mind. He was not used to seeing such qualities in well bred maidens however. "You would not understand," he said. "Someday, when you have felt the stirrings of love, you may know the answer to that question."

Celebrian sat up straight as if insulted. "Perhaps I do know about love," she said pointedly.

Elfwine grinned at her and shook his head once more, "You are young to feel such things yet Kitten."

Celebrian's quick temper bubbled to the surface to the point that she was no longer being careful with her words. "She is not like you. She is more like him! You waste your time with her because she will never love you the way you want her to!"

Elfwine looked in surprise at her for her angry outburst and her words struck at him more than she knew. Celebrian saw the hurt look in his eyes and she covered her mouth with her hand in shame. Then she quickly jumped up and ran back to the tower scolding herself for not acting more like a lady would. This was not what she wanted to happen! Everything had turned out badly! She ran up the stairs to her room and told her maid that she was not feeling well and that she would not be joining everyone in the dining hall that evening.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

As autumn days came, Samwise announced that he would be leaving for the Shire with his family to prepare for winter. Gilraen was sad to see him leave and she was even more disheartened when Gimli announced that he would be going to Rivendell for the winter and then back to his home when spring broke. Gilraen had felt that as long as Gimli was here, Legolas may be drawn back to Annuminas as she believed that the elf and the dwarf had always enjoyed each others company greatly.

On the day that Gimli had chosen to leave, Gilraen had sought him out for a few private words. "I will miss you Gimli," she said. "I hope that your path will take you back to Ithilien in the near future."

"Don't worry lass," Gimli smiled, "I've got wandering in my bones now. I'll be heading south again after I've spent some time with my people."

"Do you think… you'll meet up with Legolas?" she asked tentatively.

Gimli grew somber as he said, "I hope so lass. I have much mending to do with him and I hope he realizes that I don't have thousands of years in which to do it in." Gimli looked at Gilraen's face and understanding dawned on him. "You're worried you'll never see him again?"

Gilraen looked at Gimli and nodded, "I know I seem faithless."

"You have no reason to be. If he said he would come to you in a year, then that's exactly what he'll do. I have never seen him break a promise to anyone. And…" Gimli now smiled, "I have never seen him make such a promise to a maiden before."

Gilraen looked at him in hope and a grin began to form on her face as well. "Are you saying Master Dwarf that I am special?"

"Ah dear girl, you have always been special," Gimli smiled fondly. "If I see him along my travels, is there anything you would have me say?"

Gilraen looking away and thought for a moment. Then she said, "Tell him that I think of him everyday."

"And?" prompted Gimli with a silly smile.

Gilraen blushed as she said, "And tell him that I love him."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Winter hit hard in the north and everyone in the village spent many days inside to escape the frequent snowstorms. Those that dwelt in the King's tower also occupied their selves with indoor tasks and activities. Gilraen and the other ladies of the household spent much time perfecting their embroidery and replenishing their wardrobes. Gilraen also had one more occupation in which she placed her time: her lessons with Celeborn.

More and more Celeborn had requested Gilraen's presence in his rooms and he would spend much time sharing his wisdom and answering her questions about anything he knew. In the midst of winter she finally found out why he was so insistent on meeting so often. On a stormy day she came to him and sat across from him in front of the fire when he announced, "Gilraen, it is time for me to leave for the west. When spring comes and you leave for the south, I will go to the sea and make my final journey."

Gilraen immediately felt bereft at his words even though she had known that he would not be going to Minas Tirith, she had hoped that he would be traveling with them as far as Lorien. At least then she would know where he was. At least then she would be able to see him again if she chose to visit. But going west, that would be final. She would not see him again. She felt her eyes watering as she said, "No grandfather, please don't leave yet. I still have much to learn. I need you. There are many who still need you."

He looked at her in sympathy and said, "Child, there is not much more I can teach you and all that have sought my wisdom can now seek it from you. With time your gift will grow ever stronger and you will know things that even I cannot comprehend. I sense that with you Gilraen." Gilraen bowed her head in sorrow and listened to him. "Remember when I told you that I would know when it was time for me to leave? Remember I said that I would listen to my heart?" Gilraen nodded silently. "My heart is telling me that I must leave now Gilraen. I have finally completed what I was meant to do."

Gilraen looked up into Celeborn's face and asked, "You have? What was it Grandfather?"

"You, Gilraen," he smiled. "I was meant to pass on the ancient wisdom to you and now I have done so."

"Galadriel foresaw this? Before I even existed?" Gilraen asked in wonder.

"Yes child, she was very gifted with the sight," Celeborn answered, "as you will be some day."

"Did she see anything else about me? About my future?" Gilraen wondered hopefully.

Celeborn studied her face and then said, "You speak about your choices? About who will be your husband?"

Gilraen let out a small laugh as she should have known that Celeborn could guess her thoughts. Celeborn smiled at her as well and said, "I forget how the young dwell on such things." Then he sobered up and looked closely at her expectant face. "I will not take your choice away from you Gilraen. You will learn nothing about yourself if I lay your path out for you. There will be many choices put before you and choosing for yourself will make you stronger."

Gilraen sighed and said, "Can I ask you about something else then? Perhaps related to my choice?"

"You may ask, but I will only answer if it is helpful," Celeborn stated.

"I know that I am to make a choice of whether to be mortal or immortal. I ask you this grandfather, for Eldarion is choosing to be mortal. And then I see Elladan and Elrohir both leaning towards mortality as well. What wisdom is there behind this? I cannot see it yet and I would like to understand it," Gilraen asked.

"You feel a life that does not end is preferable?" Celeborn asked.

Gilraen nodded. "There would be time to do everything in life that you would want to do. You would not sadden anyone with your death," Gilraen stated. "And you could be with your beloved forever."

"This questioned has been debated for ages Gilraen," Celeborn answered. "And I can tell you what my beliefs are after much thought on this. It is said that Iluvatar created men to have shorter lives as a gift to them."

"A gift?" Gilraen was very surprised at this answer. "I do not understand."

"No, my dear child, I do not expect you to understand. Not yet, for you have not lived long enough for the joy and spirit of youth to fade within you. You see, men live their lives with the fervor and ambition to make their situations all that they desire because they know that they only have a short time in which to accomplish all they want to do. Elven youth also have this spirit but it fades with time as the years stretch forward and our lives become an eternity of contemplation and discovery. An elf thinks nothing of spending a hundred years learning the language of a flower. A man would not spend a minute doing so because it would not be worth his while."

"You do not feel joy any longer?" Gilraen asked with a worried frown.

Celeborn smiled gently and said, "I did not say that. I feel joy now because I have had the pleasure of sharing this time with you. There are moments of joy for all elves. But there can also be years of silence. You must decide which life most suits you Gilraen. Perhaps you do wish to learn the language of a flower."

"There is much I wish to do," Gilraen answered.

"There is one other belief about the fates of men and elves," Celeborn said. "It is also said that because men have short lives, Iluvatar has granted them the right to dwell with him when they die. Elves must go to the Halls of Mandos and will not join Iluvatar until the End. We are bound to the Circles of the World until the End comes and only then may we join the Ainur and perhaps man as well before the throne of Iluvatar. But that is what the wise have spoken of. No one can be sure of this."

Gilraen nodded and said, "Thank you grandfather. You have given me much to think on."

"Gilraen?" Celeborn said, interrupting her thoughts. "I would ask one thing of you."

"Yes?" she answered.

"When you decide on this matter, do not decide because of your choice of husband. Your decision should be made with only the consideration of what would suit you.

"I understand Grandfather. But if I chose to be elven, then I will surely see you again in Valinor," she smiled.

Celeborn smiled back at her, "Yes, that would be true. But there is still much you could do with your time in Middle Earth. Again dear child, do not base your decision on me or anyone else besides yourself."

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When the snow of winter had almost melted, the preparations for the long journey south had begun in earnest. Gilraen's heart ached for those she would have to leave. Not only would she part with Celeborn, but Elladan, Mendir and Teslan would be returning to Rivendell. Only the thought of finding Legolas waiting in Ithilien kept her from complete despair.

On her balcony one morning she watched as a little bird twittered on a nearby branch asking her for a song. She sang a few verses but her mind was filled with the upcoming journey and she could not keep her tune. Then she spoke to the bird and said, "Will you find Radagast for me? Tell him I wish to speak with him. It is important." The bird whistled and flew off.

It wasn't until five days later that Gilraen saw the wizard standing on that same balcony in expectation. "I am glad you have come," Gilraen said. "There is something I wish to do. Listen carefully."

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Coming up: Gilraen's surprise and the journey home begins. Can Elfwine turn the tide of Gilraen's affections before they reach Rohan? Stay tuned (LOL)

Please review this chapter and I'll promise to try to type faster! Hope you enjoyed it!