Again, my deepest thanks to all those reviewing this work. I'm very flattered and grateful.

There was about four or five chapters left for this fiction, but last week the plot bunny in my head paid me a little visit and sent me a little twist to consider. I'm very excited about where I'm going to take this and I had to revise my outline for the remainder of the story. So I'm pleased to say that there will probably be approximately a dozen more chapters coming. I'll speak a bit more about this after you've read this chapter. Enjoy.

Celeborn's Legacy

The morning arrived when the long journey back to Minas Tirith would begin. First all the travelers would be going to the Grey Havens to bid farewell to Lord Celeborn as he left for the west, the undying lands. Then the travelers would continue on, first towards the east as far as Bree. Here Elladan, Mendir, Teslan and the other Rivendell elves would continue east to Rivendell, while the King and his party would continue south. As they passed the over the ancient lands of Ost-in-Edhil, the Lorien elves would turn east and cross over Caradhras to reach their home once again. Then the King's party would enter the Gap of Rohan and on to Edoras for a stay with King Eomer and Queen Lothiriel. After a visit, the final length of the journey would be made to Minas Tirith.

All had been informed of these plans and as Gilraen thought on the gradual departure of all those she had grown to love, her heart became heavy. She wished that Minas Tirith lay in the middle of the Kingdom and not so far south.

It was a very large party of elves and men that left Annuminas on a warm spring day shortly after Gilraen's sixteenth birthday. The whole city had turned out to bid them farewell and safe journey. Gilraen's sadness lifted a little with their warm smiles and friendly waves. The north kingdom steward and his family would now oversee matters of the north in behalf of King Elessar.

Through the Old Forest they traveled and camped on the first night. Gilraen couldn't help but hover near Celeborn as she wanted to spend as much time with him as she could before he departed. That evening in her tent she wept in her mother's arms. "I don't want him to leave," she despaired to Arwen.

Arwen stroked the back of her head as she held her and said, "It is difficult to say farewell. I know how you are feeling Gilraen. I, too, had to depart from many I loved."

Gilraen dried her tears and look at her mother. "That is true. Your mother, your father … I wished I had known them before they left."

Arwen smiled and patted her cheek saying, "Perhaps someday you will know them."

Gilraen knew that her mother was referring to her choice. She had been presented with the chest containing the scrolls on her birthday and now everyone seemed to wonder what she would choose. There was no hurry to choose, this she knew. Arwen had not chosen for three thousand years. But times seemed different now then they had been, at least it appeared that way to Gilraen's young mind. Many elves were now departing Middle Earth for the west, leaving men to rule the lands.

"Mother, do you ever regret your decision to become mortal?" Gilraen asked.

Arwen smiled softly at Gilraen, love shining in her eyes, as she said, "The sweetness of these times, with your father, with my children, can never be matched again. If I could dismiss all the years before I met your father and only live those in which I've known him, I would consider that a life well lived. I have no regrets Gilraen. How can I when I have been so blessed?"

Gilraen hugged her mother to her once more and said, "I will be very sad when you and father die. I would be happier knowing that you were frolicking on some distant shore."

"Who is to say that we will not be?" Arwen said. She pulled Gilraen back to look on her face again. "You must trust in what Iluvatar has planned for all of us. You must accept what cannot be changed as part of what should be."

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Elfwine rode behind Gilraen and the party of Lorien elves. He realized that she wanted to spend time with Lord Celeborn before he departed and so he kept his distance. Riding behind he could see the regal and graceful way in which she sat on her horse as she rode next to her Grandfather. He could barely tell the difference between her and other elves riding on all sides of her. He was beginning to feel the words in which Celebrian had carelessly said to him. 'She is not like you. She is like him.'

As much as he hated to think about it, Celebrian was right. Gilraen was very elven. It was not only her looks, but also her manner. There was only one difference he could find. When Gilraen had kissed him she was completely passionate, something he did not feel the elves were. At least, within the limited knowledge he had of them, this had seemed true. He had not witnessed passionate embraces between the elves, even during his time in Rivendell. Mayhap they wait until they are alone, he pondered.

A part of him was happy that Gilraen would be parting from the elves and returning to a city of men. Perhaps she would become more like a woman and less like an elf maiden if she spent more time in Minas Tirith or Rohan for that matter. Once Lord Celeborn was on his way, he planned to woo Gilraen with renewed zeal. He smiled at her back as he imagined how much fun this journey could turn out to be.

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When the travelers came to the top of the rise which led down to the Grey Havens, Gilraen gasped with the beauty of the city by the sea. The sun was setting and the water glowed and reflected the beautiful buildings on all sides of the inlet. Gilraen paused at the top of the rise and drank in the scene. She gazed far out to sea where the sun was almost touching the surface of the water and she tried to imagine the far off land that Celeborn would be sailing to. Her own heart filled with longing and warmth as the sinking sun seemed to be calling out to her, follow me…"

Many others were struck with the beauty of the sunset and it was slow going down the paths towards the city as the travelers kept gazing at the tranquil beauty. When they descended lower, Gilraen spotted a very tall and mystical looking elf standing in the center of a large courtyard. She turned her head towards Lord Celeborn and asked, "Who is he? He is unlike any I have ever seen before."

"He is Cirdan, Lord of the Grey Havens and wisest of the Sindar. He is of the first elves Gilraen. His people did not cross over to the west with the others. They waited on the shore and grew to love the land and sea. When the Valar returned to take them across the sea, they refused to leave," Celeborn explained.

"Then he is even older than you Grandfather," Gilraen said in awe.

Celeborn smiled and said, "Yes, much older. He is the oldest elf on Middle Earth. Someday soon he shall sail west however. For thousands of years he has watched as others sailed off to the west in ships that he had built, never experiencing it for himself."

As the royal family and the elves entered into Cirdan's courtyard, all dismounted and bowed low to the High Elf. Cirdan inclined his head to each one in turn. When he reached Lord Celeborn he held out his hands to clasp him. "My old friend," Cirdan said. "It is well to see you once again."

Cirdan looked at Gilraen and said, "This must be the one you have written me of, Princess Gilraen."

Gilraen bowed low and said, "I am honored to meet you Lord Cirdan."

Cirdan now clasped Gilraen as well and searched her face with his wise old eyes. "Yes… yes…" he said as he seemed to be examining her, "this is a wise choice." He released her and Gilraen looked at Celeborn in question. Why had Cirdan said such strange words? What choice was he speaking of?

But Celeborn did not look her way as they all were being led to their quarters for the night. His ship would not sail until dawn.

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That night, Lord Celeborn, Lord Cirdan and the King and Queen were holding a private council with each other. Gilraen paced nervously on her balcony overlooking the sea and kept glancing towards the House of Cirdan at the top of the cliff. What were they discussing that was so secret?

She was also nervous for another reason. She had been anxiously awaiting Radagast since they had left Annuminas. She had hoped he would join them during their travel but he had not shown himself yet. Lord Celeborn was to sail in the morning and if the wizard did not appear tonight then her plans would be for naught.

"My Lady, will you not come to bed?" Fireal asked from the balcony entrance.

"I do not know if I can sleep tonight Fireal," Gilraen answered with a distracted look.

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With the first light of dawn Fireal helped Gilraen dress and they hurried down to the gathering crowd at the docks. Gilraen breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Radagast waiting there already and he smiled at her as she approached. "It is ready?" she asked.

"Yes Gilraen, all is as it should be," Radagast replied.

Gilraen stood to the side and waited as Celeborn and the few elves who would accompany him said their farewells to her family, many exchanged silently with long gazes.

Finally Celeborn looked around the crowd until his eyes fell on Gilraen. Gilraen vowed to herself that she would be brave at this parting. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat when he said, "Gilraen, come forth." Her steps felt heavy as she made her way to her grandfather.

When she reached him he raised his arms and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Grandfather, I…" she began. But Celeborn's voice overpowered hers before she could finish.

"Wait Gilraen, there is something I must say, something for all to hear," he spoke loud and clear so that the authority in his voice could not be mistaken. Gilraen felt suddenly puzzled. What was happening? Everyone fell silent as they prepared to listen. Gilraen glanced at her parents with a question in her eyes and saw them smile at her.

"I wish it known," he began, "that I leave my legacy to you, Gilraen. All that has been mine here, on Middle Earth, now belongs to Princess Gilraen." Gilraen gasped at the unexpected gift. "This includes," he continued before she could speak, "my title as Lord of Lorien. From this day forth Princess Gilraen shall be the Lady of Lorien if she so chooses to accept it."

Gilraen looked frozen with surprise as she stared wide-eyed at Celeborn. Lady of Lorien? He was giving her his realm! Her face swung to those of her parents who smiled widely at her. They already knew! This must have been what was discussed in secret last night, she thought. She looked around at the surprised, but smiling face of Eldarion and when her gaze fell on the Lorien elves she was startled to see them bowing to her. Gilraen seemed to have lost all capacity for speech as she looked back at Celeborn.

Celeborn placed a tender hand on her cheek and smiled gently at her while he said, "Are you really so surprised Gilraen? You are of my bloodline and you carry my knowledge." When she still didn't speak he said, "I know you feel that you are young for this title, but you are also wiser than you realize. You do not have to reside in Lorien if that is your choice. You may return to Minas Tirith for as long as you wish. But know that Lorien is yours now and those that reside there will serve and protect you if you decide to go there."

Gilraen shook her head and said, "But… how will I know what to do?"

"Dear child, already there are very capable elves I have place in charge of most matters. They will continue to oversee things in your absence. And if you decide to reside there, they will aid you in any decisions you need to make if you so ask it of them," Celeborn said tenderly.

"I do not know what to say Grandfather," Gilraen replied. "Never have I expected such a thing."

"It is but another path you may choose to take, if it is your will to," Celeborn smiled. "Now I must set sail for the west."

Gilraen was so distracted by this new turn of events she almost forgot her own gift. "Wait!" she suddenly said. "There is something I wish you to take to Valinor." She looked around to Radagast who now stepped up to her side and bowed. From within his robes he withdrew a jeweled box. Gilraen took it from his hands and gave it to Celeborn. Celeborn looked at the box carefully when Gilraen said, "It is a gift to Yavanna."

"Yavanna?" Celeborn looked at her with an amused look. "You make an offering?"

"No, I only wish to return that which was taken long ago," Gilraen stated. "Long ago when the light was taken from her two trees and Feanor refused to let her have a jewel in order to restore the light. He took his jewels here to Middle Earth and left Valinor without the glimmering beauty of Yavanna's trees."

Celeborn looked at Gilraen in wonder, "This was the stone which caused you so much grief. It was a Silmaril?" Gilraen nodded. Celeborn slowly opened the lid and the magnificent white light came pouring out in all directions causing the crowd to gasp with surprise at its beauty. Then he shut the lid and looked at Gilraen in deep thought.

"Radagast has removed the curse, Grandfather," Gilraen explained as she could see the concern on his face. "The sons of Feanor now dwell with Mandos. It is time for the light to return to Valinor, where it truly belongs."

Celeborn looked at Gilraen and said, "Your name shall be sung throughout Valinor in praise for this great gift." He walked the few steps between them and embraced her as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "You have made my last years on Middle Earth more precious than you know." He stepped back and looked into her eyes, pouring all his love out for her from the depth of his being. They stood there saying their silent farewells until he turned and walked slowly onto the waiting ship.

From the ship's deck he turned and bowed once more to the onlookers and then retreated inside. Gilraen stood still and watched as the ship began to move and sail out of the inlet towards the endless sea. Yesterday she had thought that this moment would be very difficult for her and that she would cry and feel deep sorrow. But she did not cry. She felt warmth and happiness in her heart for having shared these years with Celeborn. "Be happy Grandfather," she whispered as the ship faded into the distance.

When she finally turned around, she noticed that her family stood behind with smiles on their faces. The King and Queen inclined their heads and grinned at her, happy at the surprise they knew she would receive this morning. Eldarion said, "Well, sister, you are the first of us to have your own realm!"

"Yes, well, father is not old enough to hand over his kingdom to you yet Eldarion," said Celebrian. They all laughed at her jest, but Gilraen was not in a jesting mood.

"I think I need to rest," she said distractedly and she left to head back to her quarters, Fireal trailing behind her. The Lorien elves all bowed to her as she passed and she hurried her steps. She needed to be alone and let all of this settle within her. Lady of Lorien? Indeed!

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Originally I had only planned the giving the Silmaril to Celeborn when he left. The giving of his legacy and title to Gilraen is part of my new plot that I mentioned and I'm very excited about the ideas I have in regards to this new turn. I hope you'll find it enjoyable too.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know! Thanks