NOTE: Apologies for the long absence, I haven't had any good ideas for a chapter since the last posting. Plus, I've been occupied with life. Anyway, I've decided to change this story. I'm thinking of a trilogy. Hopefully by the next few chapters you'll see a new summary indicating this. Enjoy, and looking forward to your reviews!

Small Surprise

Early the following morning, before anyone was awake, Celebrindal was debating on whether or not she should speak with Prince Imrahil herself. The shock she had received last night still had not worn off, and she was somewhat irritated that she had been led on to presume something that was not true. Not only her, but also all the Elves had assumed the same thing. It was not difficult not to presume that, by Imrahil's actions.

For an hour she debated silently about speaking with Imrahil or not, until, standing it no longer, she left the castle to go to the gardens outside. Perhaps some fresh air would help.

"Lady Celebrindal."

The silver-haired maiden turned at the sound of Imrahil's voice, and her cheeks flushed.

"Good morning to you." she managed to say evenly.

"And a fair one to you as well, I hope. A little early, is it not?" he said.

She nodded.

"But I am accustomed to rising early because of my Lord and Lady's twins." she replied.

"Ah, yes, I do forget you are looking after their daughters." he told her.

They stood for awhile silently, gazing out over the high walls onto the sea. Not a single cloud was in sight, leaving the sapphire sky clear. Small white dots indicated the gulls flying high above, their occasional cries piercing the dawn.

"I was hoping to speak to you alone." Celebrindal said at last.

She was looking straight at him now. A small smile flickered across his face.

"I had anticipated you would. I realized that my actions were not valid, but I must confess that I lost myself when I gazed upon your beauty. I courted you for my son as I would court for myself; that was the basis of my actions, to find him a wife suitable even for me." he told her. "But I meant no ill or malice at all."

"I must say that when my Prince spoke to me last night of this…proposition…I had expected you to be the suitor, not your son. After all, what gave cause for any to think otherwise, considering your actions? Then I wondered for some time if you were doing this to toy with me, but I thought not, as my Prince does not befriend people of that nature, unless he is deceived. And you do not appear at all to be of that sort. I feel that I have been betrayed in a very small but deft manner. I have lived all my life in the halls of Thranduil, and this is my first true contact with Men, so forgive me for not anticipating and understanding your ways. But I do not think it was a very wise move." she said. "I beg your pardon, Lord, for speaking to you this way, but I am hurt a little."

Imrahil stood silently as she spoke and a small chuckle escaped him when she finished.

"If only I was in my son's place! Celebrindal, you are a remarkable lady, and there is more to you than meets the eye. Verily, Legolas spoke the truth when he said that you are much wiser and knowledgeable than most and that your place should be on the throne. I did not appreciate his words until now. You made me realize many things, and I thank you for that. And do not apologize for your wise council, for at times even a Lord must be reminded of his place. Nay, I should be the one to apologize." he told her.

"Ernil Legolas said that about me?" Celebrindal whispered.

Imrahil nodded.

"Indeed he did. Without you being at his side, and Lady Síriel's side, they would be lost. They depend on you so very much. You may not realize it, but you are an integrally important core of his life. He regards you as a dear sister, not a handmaiden." he said.

A bell rang somewhere from the castle.

"If you excuse me, Lady Celebrindal, I must be off to a council."

And he left hurriedly, leaving Celebrindal alone, with tears shining in her eyes.

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The dining hall was crowded as the people made their way to an empty table. Legolas and his wife pushed their way to the high table, each clutching a baby firmly to their chest. Imrahil was already seated, and a handful of his courtiers surrounded him. He nodded his head in greeting to Legolas and Síriel. They returned the greeting.

"Have you seen Celebrindal?" Síriel asked suddenly. "She is not here."

"I have not seen her at all this morning." Legolas said. "This is strange."

"She was out in the gardens earlier." Imrahil supplied.

"Perhaps she is in her room, then. I will go to her." Síriel said.

Legolas laid a hand on her arm.

"I will go." he told her.

Legolas had read from Imrahil's eyes and what he did not say that something was keeping Celebrindal away. It was unlike the maiden to not even have been seen by her Lord or Lady. The Prince had a few ideas of what could be keeping her.

He reached her room at last. The door was closed, so he knocked gently three times. When she did not answer the fourth knock, he opened the door softly, calling for her.

"Celebrindal, are you there?" he called out.

He found her on her bed, weeping softly into her hands.

"Celebrindal, what is wrong?" he asked.

She lifted her head slowly.

"It is nothing, my lord." she whispered.

"Surely it must be something if it keeps you in your room weeping." he said gently.

She closed her eyes and turned her head in his direction.

"I spoke with Prince Imrahil this dawn." she said.

"And you agreed?" Legolas asked.

"I gave him no word at all; I neither agreed nor disagreed."

"Then why are you weeping so?"

She opened her eyes very slowly, her lips trembling.

"He told me you think of me rather highly, that I am like a sister to you, that without me you and Lady Síriel would be lost." Celebrindal said inaudibly, eyes shining.

"And this is true." Legolas smiled graciously. "You recall how I entrusted you with my plans, how I often consulted you for your advice? I would not be blessed with Síriel and our lovely daughters if it were not for you. And for you to leave the palace, your own land, and to journey with us here, I highly value. So many sacrifices on your part, and you wonder why I think of you rather highly Celebrindal?"

"But I do this from my love for my friend Síriel, and for my love for you as my Prince."

"And we both appreciate this, myself especially for having the wonderful wife I have. I must admit that you have a place in my heart as a sister for all that you have done, and I am unsure of how to repay you for all your kindness."

Celebrindal flushed.

"Take care of Síriel well, my brother." she said.

"That I will do, sister." Legolas replied, embracing her. "Come now, the morning meal is ready."