Hello! I just had to get another chapter out to you before my busy weekend starts! So here it is.

Fans of the book will know that Haldir was not killed off at Helm's Deep as Peter Jackson did to him in the movie. Thank goodness! We don't want to lose any handsome elves like that. LOL

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Lady of Lorien

Gilraen could hear the faint song of welcome coming from Caras Galadon and it filled her with joy to receive such warm greetings from the elves that would consider her their Lady. Gilraen happily joined her companions in song as they responded to the verses and the voices grew louder as they neared their destination. She looked around with new eyes at the mallorn trees and the streams they passed. Happy faces could be seen looking down at them from the flets above as old friends greeted each other after years apart. Fireal smiled and waved at an elf maiden who stood near the trail.

"Tis my sister, Solende," Fireal told Gilraen. Gilraen smiled and nodded at her in greeting.

The elves of Caras Galadon were gathered together in a crowd to greet them as they rode the final steps to the foot of Celeborn's home. Gilraen's eyes swept up the enormous tree that she remembered from the last time she was here. It was her Grandfather's home then. Now it is my home, Gilraen thought in wonder.

Her horse halted at the foot of the long spiral stairs which led up the ancient mallorn to her home. A groom held her horse steady and bowed to her when she gazed at him. The thought crossed her mind that she did not know the names of the elves which made up her household, except for Fireal.

"What is your name?" she asked the groom.

"Mahtan, my Lady," he said shyly and cast his eyes downwards. Gilraen looked at him and then looked at the others watching her. All cast their eyes downwards when she gazed directly at them. They were all so lovely, she pondered. When she had last been here her child's mind had not dwelt on the beauty of their persons. She remembered how frightened she had been at their silence and seemingly magical qualities. Now she felt a sense of belonging and connection that she did not feel before.

"You will care for my mare Mahtan?" she asked gently.

He smiled and nodded, "Yes, my Lady."

Another elf stood nearby on the bottom step and held out a hand to help her down. She clasped his hand and dismounted as gracefully as she could, being aware of all the eyes upon her. The elf that helped her bowed and said, "I am Lindorie, my Lady. I am chief steward to Lord Celeborn and now to my Lady of Lorien. Though we are saddened at Lord Celeborn's departure we are joyous that he has passed his legacy to one such as you. We honor Lorien and your noble lineage and we recognize you as our new Lady." Lindorie bowed once more and Gilraen bowed back to him.

"I accept your welcome with a grateful heart Lindorie," she said formally as it seemed to be expected. He offered his hand to her again and she stepped up onto the stairs. Gilraen paused and turned around to face the crowd of elves watching her.

She took a deep breath of air and smiled as she said, "I vow to hold true to the legacy of Lord Celeborn in that you may come to know me as I wish to know you." She bowed to them all and they bowed back to her. None of them left until Gilraen turned to ascend the long spiral staircase with Lindorie, Fireal following close behind her. Other members of her household stood to the side as she passed and bowed deeply. There were so many of them that Gilraen did not think it wise to stop and ask for all their names as yet. She would never make it to her quarters if she did!

You will get to know them all in time, Fireal reassured her in her mind.

Do not leave my side Fireal. I need you more than ever, Gilraen pleaded to her maid.

I will not my Lady, Fireal reassured her.

When they reached the top of the large flet, Lindorie said "I will leave you to your rest my Lady. It has been a long journey. Your rooms have been prepared for you," he indicated the beautiful flet just up a short flight of stairs to the right.

"Lindorie," Gilraen asked before he could leave, "you are the one who has been making decisions in Lord Celeborn's absence?"

"Yes, my Lady," he answered.

Gilraen's eyes fluttered in nervousness as she said, "Can I ask you to continue in that capacity while I learn what is expected of me?"

"Of course my Lady," Lindorie responded. "I have already been given instructions from a messenger sent ahead by Lord Celeborn before he set sail."

Gilraen was relieved to hear this. "Can I meet with you later? I would like you to tell me more of Lorien. I wish to learn of the things Lord Celeborn did for the people so that I may be worthy of his legacy."

"Yes, I shall be honored to tell you all I can," Lindorie replied. "You may find, however, that much of what you need to know has already been given to you."

Gilraen looked at him for a moment and nodded. "I will consider this. Thank you Lindorie." He bowed and she turned to ascend the last flight of stairs to her private quarters with Fireal.

She had been in Lord Celeborn's private quarters long ago but she could tell that the elves of her household had made some changes to befit a maiden. From fabrics to flowers to everyday implements, all were distinctly more feminine than she remembered. She smiled when she thought that Lord Celeborn must have told his messengers about her new title before he told Gilraen herself. "Oh Grandfather," she said, "you were right to tell me to come here. I feel at home."

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Legolas Greenleaf rode slowly through the forest towards southwestern Mirkwood, a place which used to be known at Dol Guldur. Once it was a place of evil occupied by Sauron himself before he returned to Mordor. After the fall of Sauron, Celeborn took Dol Guldur back from his servants and Galadriel threw down its walls and cleansed its pits of the evil taint. Now this part of Mirkwood had grown back to its former beauty and was declared an extension of the realm of Lorien.

Travelers through Mirkwood no longer had to avoid this part of the forest. Legolas looked around at the serene beauty of the trees and thought of how lovely it would be to ride here with Gilraen by his side. He had tarried overlong in his father's kingdom and now he was anxious to be on his way south, back to Ithilien and then to Minas Tirith where he knew Gilraen would be waiting. Now two day's journey through Mirkwood had brought him to the new haven at this once evil place.

He smiled as he saw the group of elves gathered near the stables. He knew almost all of them as they were now close neighbors to his father's realm. Many times Greenwood elves would cross paths with these Lorien elves during hunts or travels and they would share merry times.

"Ho! Greenleaf!" called out a tall blonde elf that had just emerged from the entrance of the haven.

"Haldir!" greeted Legolas happily. He hopped down from his horse and embraced his friend. "It is good to see you once again."

"And you," Haldir replied. "You journey south again?"

Legolas nodded. "I was hoping to stay here for a day but it seems you are leaving." He had noticed the commotion in the yard as a large party of elves were preparing for travel.

"Aye, we part for Caras Galadon," Haldir said as he led Legolas to a fountain for a drink. "We must greet our new Lady of Lorien."

Legolas looked at Haldir quickly, "What is this? A new Lady?"

Haldir nodded. "Celeborn has left for the west and has left his legacy to Arwen's daughter."

"Gilraen," Legolas breathed out softly, his mind jumbled in thought. Gilraen was now Lady of Lorien!

"Yes, that is her name," Haldir said. "They say she is very beautiful and very wise." Haldir's smile grew bigger as he said, "And she has yet no Lord by her side."

Legolas looked sharply at Haldir. "All you say is true, but the last may be yet remedied."

"I have forgotten how close you are to her father," Haldir smiled. "You must know Lady Gilraen then?"

"Yes, I know her," Legolas answer. Legolas stepped away from Haldir and looked around in thought. Then he swung his face back to Haldir and asked, "She is in Caras Galadon?"

"Aye, that is the news," Haldir said as he studied Legolas's face.

"I have changed my mind. I will not stay here a day. I will travel with you to Caras Galadon and pay my respects to the new Lady of Lorien," Legolas told Haldir.

A half smile formed on Haldir's face, "Does your father know of your interest in the Lady?"

"Why do you ask?" Legolas queried.

"A messenger has also been sent to Thranduil. I am sure he will part for Caras Galadon soon as well. Your brother yet seeks a wife," Haldir said.

"Gilraen does not love my brother," Legolas stated. "You part soon?"

"Within the hour," Haldir smiled. He could see that Legolas was definitely affected by Lady Gilraen. She must be beautiful indeed to catch the eye of Greenleaf, he thought.

"Then I am ready to go," Legolas decided as he turned to water and feed his horse for the journey ahead. His heart raced as he thought about Gilraen being in Lorien. She is much closer than he had thought! He placed his fingers into his travel bag and touched the jewels he was bringing her from his treasury in Greenwood. Only two more days and he would finally see her again!

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That evening as Haldir's party made camp, a rider came galloping in from the north. "Have you seen Prince Legolas pass your way?" he called out.

Legolas stood up from the shadow and walked into view of the firelight. "I am here Arminas."

Arminas leapt off his horse and strode closer to Legolas, "My Lord, your father bids you return to him."

"What has happened?" Legolas asked in concern.

"The dwarf, Gimli, he awaits you in Greenwood. He says he must speak with you," Arminas said.

"Is my father not on his way to Lorien?" Legolas asked. What was so urgent as to call him back? Why could Gimli not travel with Thranduil and see Gilraen? She would welcome him.

"Your father was about to journey forth until Gimli arrived. Now they all await you," Arminas explained.

"Know you what this concerns?" Legolas questioned. He did not want to leave now. Not when Gilraen was so close.

"He says it concerns the Princess Gilraen," Arminas answered.

"Gilraen? Gilraen is in Caras Galadon. I travel to see her now," Legolas said in confusion.

Arminas looked at Legolas in surprise, "But this is a request from your father."

Legolas turned and walked away a few steps and then walked back to Arminas. He did not want to make Gilraen wait any long. He did not want to wait any longer! An uncharacteristic frown formed on his face as he contemplated denying his father's request. He knew Gimli was looking to mend their friendship but he had to see Gilraen. It had been over a year and he had made her a promise.

"Tell my father that I go to Caras Galadon to see Gilraen. If he and Gimli wish to find me, they can find me there," Legolas decided.

"My Lord? You wish me to say those words to King Thranduil? His son bids him to come?" Arminas looked at Legolas incredulously. One did not tell a king to come to them, not even if you were his son.

"He was planning to travel to Caras Galadon already, was he not? He can bring Gimli along with him," Legolas stated. "Gimli will understand when he hears where I am going."

The elves who overheard the exchange looked at Legolas in surprise as well. Thranduil would not be happy with that reply. Haldir walked over to Legolas and Arminas and put a hand on Arminas's shoulder. "Surely Thranduil will understand the pull of his son's heart? The company of a dwarf is not as alluring as the company of the Lady of Lorien," said Haldir in Legolas's defense.

"I cannot say," said Arminas in disappointment.

"Explain for me, to Gimli and my father, that I will not disappoint Gilraen by leaving again when I am so close to her," Legolas said. "If they anger, then so be it."

Arminas turned back towards Greenwood without resting for the night. Legolas knew that his father would not be happy when Arminas returned without him but he knew he would not change his mind.

Haldir looked at Legolas and said, "Do you love your Lady?"

"Yes," he said as he gazed at the fire.

"Does she love you?" Haldir continued.

"She has told me so," Legolas answered.

"Then you have made the right choice," Haldir said as he clapped Legolas on the back and left him to his thoughts.

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Sorry to stop here but this is a good breaking point. I want to be able to put Gilraen and Legolas in Lorien together without breaking up the action so I'm ending this chapter here before he arrives.

Hope you enjoyed. Please let me know your thoughts!