Author's Note: Here is my fourteenth chapter! Finally, my writer's block is gone! Thank you all so much for your patience and your wonderful reviews. I know this chapter is short, but I promise to make the next one longer. I would also like to say a special thanks to my beta Dragonfly32, for her excellent help! Thanks again everyone! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.

Chapter 14 Introductions

I followed Haldir deftly through the woods to the heart of Caras Galadhon. Over the course of the months I had learned to move swiftly and quietly, my feet no longer catching on the undergrowth that crawled over the ground. My movements were graceful now. I had finally perfected the art that was known to so many of my kin. It was the season of autumn and the leaves of the mellyrn had begun to turn gold, reflecting the delicate rays of sunlight that trickled down through their boughs like a waterfall. My soul seemed to grow lighter as I ran, casting off my worries concerning Haldir's relatives. I assured myself that they would be kind and gentle, as Haldir and his brothers had been. Perhaps we could even become good friends. A smile soon worked its way onto my face and I felt carefree once more, a most wondrous feeling. Ahead of us I could hear ecstatic greetings being exchanged between the Imladris elves and their kin. I saw Haldir smile as well, his eagerness to see his family clear. Without a word we both sped up, reaching the clearing quickly. Several beautiful white horses entered my gaze immediately, their coats glistening with health as they stood silently, munching on the sweet grass. A group of Imladris elves where standing nearby, their eyes scanning the crowd for familiar faces. The Lord Elrond had arrived with his daughter, Lady Arwen, and they in turn were being greeted by Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. In sight of such a crowd I instinctively took a step back behind Haldir, fiddling with the hem of my tunic.

Rumil and Orophin soon joined us, their warm faces ever cheerful. It took a few minutes for us to find their Aunt and cousin, during which we moved slowly through the clearing. Suddenly, I heard Haldir gasp beside me.

"There they are!" he cried pointing to an older elleth and a young maiden, who were both dismounting their horses.

"Haldir!" the older elleth rushed forward and into his open arms. "Oh mae govannen, my dear nephew." She pulled back from his embrace momentarily to look him over. I had to admit that she was quite a pretty elf, with long blond hair and a delicate countenance.

"Aunt Ethuil!" Haldir grasped her shoulders tightly, bending forward to kiss her cheek gently.

"My nephew," Ethuil's voice was soft, almost awestruck, "the March Warden!" Haldir chuckled quietly before embracing her once more. Rumil and Orophin had moved back to stand besides me, smiles fixed on their faces.

"Rumil, Orophin," Ethuil craned her neck to see behind Haldir. "There you are, still standing in your brother's shadow I see." The two elves murmured greetings, seemingly unfazed by her remark.

"Haldir! Rumil! Orophin!" another ecstatic voice joined in as the young maiden rushed forward, tripping on her skirts.

"Cousin Hirien!" Rumil called, still smiling, as the silver haired elleth bounded into his arms. I watched, moving back further now as she greeted them in turn, showing equal affection for each. Her cool gray eyes then fell upon me and she squealed.

"Haldir who is this?" she questioned, ignoring her Naneth's irritated glance. Now, my beloved was beaming as he turned and reached for my hand. I grasped onto his, my grip tight with nerves.

"Aunt Ethuil, Cousin Hirien, it is my utter joy to introduce you to my dearly loved Elenwen," he proclaimed loudly.

"Mae govannen," I said awkwardly, raising my hand in greeting. "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." The silence was deafening. I stood quietly as Ethuil looked me over, her eyes darkening greatly as they met mine.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too, Elenwen," Hirien said finally. And to my great shock she wrapped her arms around me as though I were family. Ethuil, remained stoic however, her expression never changing.

"Well, we are quite exhausted from our long journey," her tone was brisk now as she spoke. "Perhaps you could show us to our lodgings."

I stayed behind with Rumil and Orophin, watching as Haldir led the ellith away, chatting happily with them all the while. The glade was emptying out, the Lorien elves moving to their dwellings with family and friends. We stood in silence for a few moments, not knowing quite what to say. Orophin finally broke the stillness however, with a jest.

"Aunt Ethuil always favored Haldir," he said jovially. "After a few thousand years of her stinging comments, we have learned to ignore them." All three of us laughed, not because the joke was particularly humorous, but because we wished to break the tension which had settled over the tiny clearing.

"I do not think she likes me either," I mumbled.

"No, no," Rumil shook his head. "She does, I'm sure of it. It always takes Aunt Ethuil awhile to warm up to elves she has just met. As soon as she sees what a lovely maiden you are, I am sure you two will become fast friends."

"Aye," my reply sounded more confident then I felt. I had seen the look of disapproval in her eyes, much like the one I had often received from my Naneth. But Haldir seemed quite pleased with her arrival and I would not put a damper on it. "I suppose I should retire to my flet as well," I said, trying to appear content. "Your Aunt will no doubt want to have dinner with me. I think it would be best if I changed out of this dirty old guard uniform."

"Yes," Orophin said, "for unfortunately Aunt Ethuil puts much store in one's clothing."

Mae govannen: Well met

Elleth: Female elf

Ellith: Female elves