And so it went for two years. Two years I spent in that damn library learning Quenya. The first classes were the most complicated. Luniteria made me work all day and at times I didn't see the natural light of the trees for more than a week. But otherwise life with the elves is cool. The food is great, the few people I met are nice. And even though I'm grumbling, Luniteria has helped me a lot these last two years and my Quenya level is finally acceptable, some words are still unknown to me but I can approximately have a conversation. Even if I understant more that I speak Quenya. Today is the big day according to Ilia. I don't know why but surely something special is going to happen because she keeps saying that I have to be all pretty today. It looks like I'm going to be adopted, so I have to be as presentable as possible. lol.

"Ilia. What's going on today that makes you so... uh..."
"Happy?"
" word had escaped me."
"Well my dear Leya, today Lord Manwë summoned you and even though I don't know the reason why he wants to see you, it seemed very important!"

I nodded and let her comb my hair. Hair that miraculously had grown much more than normal and was no longer dry and damaged like before. I'm sure it's something in their shampoo. Their elven shampoo... I need to bring back this shit if I can come back home one day. She did my hair while continuing to babble but I had long since stopped listening. Manwë... I haven't seen him in a while. In fact, I haven't seen him at all since he brought me here. So if I'm going to see him it must be really important. But what is it? I really don't know. Once Ilia had finished, she accompanied me to a door I had never seen before and wished me good luck before leaving me alone at the door.
I knocked and waited for permission before entering. Inside stood Manwë and a couple. When he saw me enter, he gave me a big smile and beckoned me to come closer.

"Come on Leya, I need to introduce you to some people."

I approached slowly, as the couples turned to me and the elleth gave me a sweet smile and you could see a maternal halo surrounding her, the ellon with his blond hair radiated a mage-like beauty and you could see by their attire that they were not normal elves, but elves with a high status.

"This is Finarfin and his wife Eärwen."

Good. At least I avoid the cliché of 'I'm being adopted by Fëanor and Nerdanel'. But Finarfin and Eärwen remain too close to this part of the tree for my taste. But I don't think I really have a choice.
Manwë approached me and put his hands on my shoulders before lowering himself so that our eyes were at the same level and interrupted my thoughts.

"It's been two years since you arrived here and... it can't be said that I've been the best host. Two years where I haven't had the courage and time to visit you. That's why we are here today. To introduce you to whom you will be residing for a while."

I frowned. Manwë gives me to Finarfin and Eärwen as one gives a kitten that one cannot keep anymore?

"I... must go?"
"I know it must be complicated to leave what has been your home for two years... But... Finarfin and Eärwen will be able to give you what I can't. Love and companionship in a welcoming home. Will you agree to live with them for a while and then when I can and if you want to, you can come back here. To me."
"If I can... uh... come again. Then okay."
"Great."

He stood up and let Eärwen come up and talk to me. She's really beautiful with her almost snow-white hair. She took my hands in hers.

"My child, I would be happy if you would come and live with us. Our house is not as big as anyone else's but it is comfortable and the city were we live is one of the most beautiful. My three sons have their own houses and no longer live in the family home, but my last child. My daughter. Nerwen is still young and when we told her that we might have a guest for a while at home, she jumped for joy and I don't hide the fact that if you come, when we arrive, our whole house will be prepared to celebrate your arrival."

Arg. She puts me in a position where I can hardly refuse to come. Galadriel or rather Artanis jumped for joy when she knew that I might come! And if I don't come she will be disappointed because she prepared a party for my arrival for nothing. I... can't refuse to meet and live with Galadriel. Even if she is only a child.
I clasped Eärwen's hands and her smile widened, understanding that I had taken my decision.

"I... want to come."
"Oh thank you Leya!"

Eärwen took me in her arms and gave me a big hug. The first one in a long time. I gave it back to her and she joined her husband who was smiling at me too.

"Welcome to the family Leya. You can call me Arafinwë if you wish."
"Okay. Thank you Eärwen and Arafinwë."

Manwë approached me and placed a hand on the top of my head.

"I am glad that you accept Leya. I am sure that young Artanis will be filled with great joy when she hears the news of your coming."

Then he turned to Arafinwë and Eärwen.

"When do you plan to leave? Not that I am driving you from my home, but I must know if I am preparing a room for you."
"We will leave when Leya is ready."

All turned to me, waiting for my answer.

"I don't have much to pack. So if you want we can leave in about thirty minutes."
"Take your time and let us know when you're ready to go."
"Okay. I'll... go pack my bag then."

I quickly exited the room before walking quickly to my room. Ilia was waiting for me there, my bag already close.

"Sorry Leya. I knew what was going to happen and I couldn't help but pack your bag. I'm so happy you found a family! And I've heard nothing but good things about Lord Finarfin and his wife. They are such nice people."
"Yes I could see that."
"And I could visit you too."
"Yep!"

I hugged her and she hugged me back. Ilia had been my closest friend since I had arrived here. The only one, in fact. Because I hadn't been around many people. Just Ilia and Luniteria. But she had been with me all this time, helping me to get used to living here, teaching me the history of Aman (even though I already knew some of it) and helping me to smile in my moments of low morale.

"Thank you for everything Ilia. Thank you so much."
"But it was normal Leya. Helping each other is what friends do!"
"Yeah"

We stayed like that for a few minutes before separating. I saw her discreetly wipe away a few tears before turning to me with a big smile.

"Here, take this. I know it's not much but let's just say it's a memento of the time we spent here."

She placed a ribbon in my hands that was the same white as the walls.

"Thank you Ilia. I will keep it for a long time. Could you... make me a braid with it?"
"It would be my pleasure!"

She invited me to sit on a chair and stood behind me before starting to braid my hair. After about ten minutes, she was done and let me admire her work.

"Thank you Ilia. I should have asked you to teach me."
"Don't worry, I'm sure I'll teach you. Come on. Now you have to get out of here."
"Okay. Bisou!"

I grabbed my bag and ran to the room where Manwë, Arafinwë and Eärwen were waiting for me.

"I am ready. We can go."
"Perfect, let's go then, we have a car waiting."

I hugged Manwë goodbye before following Arafinwë and Eärwen to an upgraded carriage of sorts. And once we were comfortably settled, Eärwen began to tell me about their city, Alqualondë, the Haven of the Swans. She told me about the sandy beaches, the water and I told her that I used to swim a lot and I hoped I could continue. She assured me that we could swim and that she and Artanis would be very happy to go and enjoy the water with me. Then Arafinwë joined the discussion and I discovered that he was a real chatterbox. He told me about his family history and then talked about strategy. How to manage troops. Even though they had no problems and there was peace. And as he saw that I was not uninterested in him, he offered me to learn the job of a strategist. I accepted his offer because even if I didn't understand everything he told me, learning to lead troops can still be interesting. You never know. And it would keep my days busy. At the same time I asked to continue to receive Quenya lessons and they assured me that they had already taken care of that. Then a comfortable silence set in and as I watched the scenery pass before my eyes, I felt myself slowly falling into the arms of Morpheus.

French Translation:

Bisou = litteraly Kiss but you have to understant it See ya or Love ya.