*I EDITED CHAPTER 1 & 2. ADDED A GLOSSARY AS WELL*

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Ages in this chapter are the following :

Ivriniel - 63

Imrahil - 55

Aeardîs - 45

Elphir - 23

Erchirion - 20

Amrothos - 16

Lothíriel - 11

Chapter 3: T. A 3010

It was not even three months into living with her aunt that Lothíriel heard the news. Her uncle had just released Amrothos from his two-month campaign with Boromir and considered it a success in improving morale. Therefore, he had decided that Elphir would now join her cousin Boromir in one of his campaigns near Osgiliath. Since Osgiliath was so close to the Anduin river, Elphir's sea-longing symptoms wouldn't act up and, to quote her uncle, "He would then not be a burden to Minas Tirith's finest captain while being able to make use of his gift for the benefit of Gondor."

Her brother had been tasked to leave before dawn in the next few days, leaving Lothíriel with little opportunity to say goodbye to him.

'As if I would let a little thing like not living with my family anymore, stop me from saying goodbye to my brother!' Sneaking her way into the stables, Lothíriel perked up when she heard Elphir's voice nearby.

"Brother!"

She smiled, as she threw herself into his arms, she was so glad that she wasn't too late.

"Thíri? What are you doing here dressed like a kitchen maid?... and why is your face so dirty?"

Peering up at his face, Lothíriel smiled proudly at how surprised her brother looked.

"Convincing right? I...er borrowed this from one of the scullery maids and pulled my hair back in a simple, messy bun. Once I added some ashes to my face no one looked twice as I made my way here!"

Elphir sighed deeply as he gently pushed her away. Crouching down so their eyes were level, her brother scolded her firmly, as he wiped the dirt off her face.

"Lothíriel, you are a princess of Dol Amroth, you can't just do things like this. You don't just represent yourself through these actions, but the entire family. Remember that before you decide on any more hair brain schemes of yours next time."

Smile fading, Lothíriel felt herself hunch in at his words, as she lowered her gaze to the floor.

"Yes, brother. I'm sorry."

He sighed once more before planting a tender kiss on her forehead and pulling her in for another hug.

"Even though what you did wasn't proper...I'm happy I saw you one more time before I left." Lothíriel felt his grip tighten before he pulled away to give her a small smile, "I'll miss you Thíri."

Sadness filled her heart, as she stared at his tired looking face. Grasping his shirt, Lothíriel pleaded for him to change his mind about leaving.

"Elphir do really you have to go? Don't you have to get married soon?"

Gently untangling her hands from his shirt, her brother pulled away to finish adjusting his saddle.

"The wedding is still a few months away, and the campaign will only last for two. I'll be back home before you know it."

Handing him his oilskin cloak, Lothíriel continued to try and talk him out of going.

"Aunt Ivriniel says you should be trying to get to know your bride first before going off on campaigns."

Her brother side-eyed her in annoyance, before continuing to adjust his things. His actions grew more rigid as his voice got a little louder.

"As heir, there are certain duties I can't put off no matter how much I would like to, besides…"

Lothíriel inched closer to him as he paused to glance at the north tower of their castle, then towards the direction of the shipyard, before turning back to check the straps of his saddle.

"…I'm sure Lady Eirien won't even miss me."

"Brother?"

He shook his head before sliding onto his horse.

"It's nothing…do not worry about it. Now, go back to our aunt's house Thíri, before anyone notices that you are gone."

"Wait!"

Biting her lips nervously, Elphir turned the horse to face her, as she curtsied deeply before saying the traditional farewell.

"Safe travels brother. May your joys be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as foam."

Giving her a proud look at her words, Elphir finished the blessing.

"And may you find peace of mind, dear sister, wherever you may roam."

Beaming at his words, she gave another curtsey as he again looked away towards the direction of the shipyard. Giving his head one last shake, he smiled down at her before making his way to the rest of the troops.

Lothíriel watched silently as Elphir made some final rounds before departing the city. She felt herself grow colder as her brother and his men faded off into the distance.

'Why does this feel like the calm before the storm?' she wondered, slowly walking back to her aunt's house. A sudden noise startled her into hiding behind a pillar, as she peered at who was making their way down the path.

Amrothos, returning from his morning excursion with the sailors, was cheerfully whistling and breaking into song as he jogged towards the castle.

'Thank the Valar, it's just Amrothos.' Sighing in relief that it wasn't someone important, Lothíriel straightened and walked out from the shadow of the pillar, opening her mouth to call out to her brother.

Feeling herself freeze at the sight before her, Lothíriel swallowed painfully as she tried to grasp some understanding.

Amrothos had stopped jogging and was staring up towards the north tower, watching as Lady Eirien brushed her hair from the window. She seemed to be blind to her brother's intense gaze, as she stared off into the distance. Amrothos eyes roamed over her face, with a look that made Lothíriel's heart drop to her stomach.

'That gaze looks…hungry.'

Shaking her head in denial, Lothíriel slowly made her way back into the shadows of the pillar. Just as she had hidden her body from sight, she accidentally stepped on a dry twig, causing it to loudly snap and catch Amrothos attention.

"Who's there?!"

Covering her mouth with her hands, Lothíriel stayed as still as possible, as her brother began to move closer to the pillar. Her heart was beating wildly in panic as his footsteps got louder.

"Amrothos? What are you doing?"

'Erchirion!' Relief flooded her in waves at the sound of her brother's voice.

"I thought I heard something…"

Holding her breath as Amrothos voice grew louder, Lothíriel prayed that Erchirion would call him back and away from her spot.

"Probably just a small animal. Come inside for breakfast, naneth and adar are expecting us."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lothíriel heard Amrothos walking away.

"Yeah…I am starving."

Her knees lost all strength at the sound of the door closing behind her brothers, as she slid down the pillar and onto the floor.

'What-What was that?'

Slowly pulling her hands away from her mouth, Lothíriel wondered on what exactly she had just seen.

'That look on his face…I've never seen him make that face before. C-could Amrothos be…'

Dread filled her as she recalled Elphir's odd behaviour during their talk about his future bride.

Elphir paused to glance at the north tower of their castle, then towards the direction of the shipyard, before turning back to check the straps of his saddle.

"…I'm sure Lady Eirien won't even miss me."

'No…it can't be.' Slapping her hands against her cheeks, Lothíriel shook her head vigorously. Swallowing against the nauseous sensation in her stomach, she continued her journey back to her aunt's house.

'There is no chance that Amrothos could be … that he would…'

Unable to finish her thought, Lothíriel prayed to all the Valar that there was some mistake and she was misunderstanding the situation.

'If I'm right…if what I saw is what I think it is … then I pray that my family survives this upcoming storm.'

With the weather turning colder, Aunt Ivriniel moved her monthly tea parties from the garden to a beautifully furnished room that faced the seaside, giving the ladies who visited a beautiful view of the sea's horizon.

Lothíriel's naneth had sent word that she would be joining them for tea that afternoon, causing the castle servants to bustle as they prepared everything in record time. Unfortunately for Lothíriel, her joy at seeing her naneth again faded as soon as she realized that she had brought Lady Eirien with her.

"Welcome Princess Aeardîs, Lady Eirien, it has been far too long." Her aunt greeted them both while curtsying, silently prompting Lothíriel into following suit.

"Please good sister, there is no need for formalities today. After all, in a few short months, Lady Eirien will be my new daughter."

Her naneth looked elegant in a sea-blue gown with delicate pearl buttons along the fitted sleeves, underneath a voluminous sideless surcoat of rich dark blue silk patterned with silver embroidery. Her hair was pinned back in her favoured formal hairstyle - braided and encircling her head like a crown, with not a hair out of place. The silver circlet she wore for less formal occasions gleamed against the dark braid.

In contrast, Lady Eirien was clearly influenced by her time in Minas Tirith and the more subdued hues that the court there favoured; she wore a dove-grey gown with a high collar and elegantly embroidered sleeves, with a darker grey brocade surcoat over it. Her hair was elaborately braided in an updo and partly covered by a dark grey veil. While the look was still flattering to Eirien's figure, Lothíriel couldn't help but notice that it was a far more modest cut and style than the dress she had worn to the dinner all those nights ago.

"And how have you been settling in Lady Eirien? I hope you haven't been too lonely since Elphir left."

Her aunt gave Lothíriel's naneth a pointed look, even though her question was directed at Lady Eirien. Judging by the long-suffering look on her naneth's face, Lothíriel guessed that this has been a point of contention between them since her brother had gone off to Osgiliath.

"Oh no, milady. Princess Aeardîs has been kind enough to instruct me in the mornings and Prince Amrothos has been kind enough to give me short tours around the city. Lord Erchirion has been a wonderful chaperon to these tours, of course." She said, taking a graceful sip of her tea before continuing, "And the other Ladies of the Court have warmly welcomed me to their dinners and tea parties. To be frank, I've been far too busy to be lonely."

Though Lady Eirien was all politeness and grace, something about the look in her eyes made Lothíriel question the sincerity of her remarks.

'With eyes so cold and expressionless, she appears more like a beautiful doll.'

"Excellent, busy hands keep trouble at bay, as my late father used to say." Praised her aunt, smiling broadly at Lady Eirien.

"And how have you been, Thiri? Your adar and I miss you." Naneth's warm eyes banished Lothíriel's dark thoughts and brightened her mood once more.

"I have been fine, naneth. Aunt Ivriniel is an excellent teacher and taskmaster. Under her tutelage, I have even managed to improve my gift!" Lothíriel preened under the attention her naneth and aunt were giving her. Both wore expressions of pride and fondness at her words.

"My, that is an impressive accomplishment. You must be excited to be learning under Lady Ivriniel, considering your gift." Lady Eirien smiled beatifically at her over her teacup. "It's only right that the next great matchmaker of Gondor be taught by the current one."

Lothíriel vaguely heard her naneth agree with Lady Eirien, as she gripped her teacup tightly. Subtly taking a breath, she reminded herself to hold her temper, that Lady Eirien had not said anything new, for every noble who found out about her gift mentioned the exact same thing.

"Actually, I am not sure if I wish to be a matchmaker at all. I know my gift would be considered a great boom in such a position, however – "

"Nonsense! What else would you use your gift for? Surely this is what the Valar want of you, why else would you be blessed with such a skill?"

Her nails bit into her palms, as Lothíriel tried to maintain a courteous smile. Her naneth had turned her head to ask Lady Eirien's opinion on the various gifts that their family had, missing completely the flare of anger brewing under Lothíriel's skin.

"I am honoured to enter such a blessed family of course. I just believe since we are all servants of Gondor, that our skills and talents should be used where they will bring the most reward to our people."

"You are absolutely right, Lady Eirien. I have a similar belief myself and have always encouraged the growth of my children's gifts in hopes that they'll be able to use it in their duties as prince's and princess of Dol Amroth."

Lothíriel blinked back tears of frustration as she saw her naneth agree with Lady Eirien. Her heart hurt to see how close they had become, as she watched them both share a smile and continue to make small talk. Lothíriel bit her lower lip, fuming with anger as Lady Eirien's eyes grew warmer and softer the longer she spoke with her naneth.

'Breathe Lothíriel, just breath. Don't lose your temper, don't make a scene. Focus.'

Lowering her gaze to the pot of tea before her, Lothíriel tuned out her naneth's and Lady Eirien's conversation and focused on her breathing.

"-of course, my husband's gift is only able to be used during sparring and in the battlefield- "

"-yes? I've seen Prince Amrothos use his gift in one of my tours around the city. He reached into a pile of oysters and pulled out the one with a beautiful pearl inside- "

'Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in- '

A weathered, old hand gently grasped her fisted hands and soothed the pain absentmindedly. Lothíriel looked up to see Aunt Ivriniel, stare unsmilingly at Lady Eirien and her naneth, showing her displeasure at their words. Her eyes were silver when she turned her gaze on Lothíriel, her eyes seeing Lothíriel's relationships with her naneth and future good sister.

Lothíriel noticed her aunt's demeanour turn colder and more rigid as she stared long and hard at Lothíriel's strings. Seeming to have come to a decision, Aunt Ivriniel interrupted her naneth's chatter.

"Ladies, will you two be staying for dinner? I will be having the cook start preparations shortly."

Her naneth and Lady Eirien both startled at the sudden question, before noticing how much time had passed during their talk.

"Thank you Lady Ivriniel but I'm afraid Lady Eirien and I are expected back for dinner." Her naneth smiled and stood, prompting all of them to stand as well.

"Yes, thank you, my lady, for your company and the delicious tea." Lady Eirien gave a perfect curtsey, once again wiping all emotion from her eyes.

Her naneth embraced Lothíriel fondly as she spoke into her ear.

"Remember Thiri, to have the traditional bridal gift ready for inspection in three months time. Lady Eirien's parents will be the ones to decide if your gift meets their approval."

The traditional bridal gift, given to the bride by the sisters of her future husband. The only guidelines being that it must be made by the giver and given on the day of the wedding. Due to Lothíriel's age and status, it was expected that her Aunt Ivriniel aid her in the making of the gift.

'Is that why you agreed to have me stay with my aunt till the wedding, naneth?' she puzzled while returning the embrace.

A few minutes later, and Lothíriel was once again alone with her aunt.

"Don't take their words to heart, child. While your naneth is far more understanding than other people who have married into our line, even she doesn't understand the relationship we have with our gifts." Her aunt brushed her stray curls away from her face while giving her a sympathetic look. "Only someone who has been burdened as we have can truly understand our struggle with them."

Leaning into her aunt's hand, Lothíriel wondered if her naneth truly meant her words. After all, she had been the one who had cautioned her as a small child to not wish so strongly for her gift, due to the burden it could be.

"Aunt, do you ever wish to run away and find a secluded place away from other people?"

Her aunt pulled her into a warm hug as she laughed her reply into her ear.

"Why do you think I only host tea parties?"

Lothíriel was not against making the traditional bridal gift, per se. She had already gotten approval from Lord Túon and Lady Cílel to play an original piece on her harp, so long as it was appropriate for the wedding. Now, normally Lothíriel would have no trouble making up an original piece, as it was her favourite pastime. However, considering that the theme of the song must be centred around love and Lothíriel does not like the bride-to-be; the process has been slow going.

'Thank the Valar I do not have to sing as well.' She mused, plucking half-heartedly at her harp's strings.

"What a sorry sounding tune. Is that the piece you are playing for your brother's wedding?"

Her aunt smiled at her from the doorway, before entering further into the room and making herself comfortable with another harp nearby.

"Of course not. I am just lacking inspiration, Aunt Ivriniel," Lothíriel admitted.

"Shall I play for you, my dear? Perhaps inspiration will strike you as you listen to me play."

Nodding in agreement, Lothíriel closed her eyes as her aunt began to play "The Lay of Nimrodel", a popular piece to sing with a small group of musicians at court. The song had been introduced to the court by a previous Princess of Dol Amroth, whose gift had been the ability to hear songs sung throughout Arda. She apparently went mad trying to write down and translate all the songs she could hear, and her writings are hidden away in her adar's private library. This song was never completed due to her growing madness, but the tune became popular and was still being sung to this day.

'Back then, our gifts were much stronger than they are now. It wasn't uncommon for many princes and princesses of our family to be consumed by their gifts and die in madness.' Lothíriel knew that the possibility to get consumed by her gift was very small, after all, it had been many generations since the last prince was consumed by his gift. With every marriage to a lesser bloodline, the weaker their gifts became, to the point that her Adar feels that their powers will only last for a few more generations before being completely lost.

"An Elven-maid there was of old, A shining star by day: Her mantle white was hemmed with gold, Her shoes of silver-grey. A star was bound upon her brows, A light was on her hair, As sun upon the golden boughs In Lórien the fair"

Lothíriel closed her eyes as her aunt's husky and low voice washed over her in waves. Her aunt did not have a fashionable 'bell sounding' singing voice; still, there was something about it that kept a person hypnotized to hear more.

'No wonder Lord Denethor allows Aunt Ivriniel to sing in his court.'

"Her hair was long, her limbs were white, and fair she was and free; And in the wind she went as light as leaf of linden-tree. Beside the falls of Nimrodel, by water clear and cool, her voice as falling silver fell into the shining pool. Where now she wanders none can tell, in sunlight or in shade; For lost of yore was Nimrodel and in the mountains strayed."

The mystery, more than anything else, was what kept this song so popular. Lothíriel had heard many a noble family try and claim that they are descendants of Nimrodel's children. That the House of Dol Amroth was not the only family descended from elves. Mithrellas, the elf whose blood gave her family it's gifts, was Nimrodel's companion and had gotten lost the woods of Dor-en-Ernil, where she was found by Imrazôr, father of the first Prince of Dol Amroth, who married her.

"The elven-ship in haven grey Beneath the mountain-lee, Awaited her for many a day, Beside the roaring sea. A wind by night in Northern lands Arose, and loud it cried, and drove the ship from elven-strands Across the streaming tide."

'The legends claim she was never seen again by man or elf…I wonder what happened to her.' Lothíriel mused, softly playing the harmony to the piece.

"When dawn came dim the land was lost, the mountains sinking grey Beyond the heaving waves that tossed Their plumes of blinding spray. Amroth beheld the fading shore Now low beyond the swell and cursed the faithless ship that bore Him far from Nimrodel."

'Elves are said to be some of the most skilled sailors in the world, how strange that they would fall prey to not prepare for such a brutal storm.' Lothíriel picked up the tempo as the piece changed into a more dramatic melody.

"Of old he was an Elven-king, A lord of tree and glen, when golden were the boughs in spring, In fair Lothlórien. From helm to sea they saw him leap, As arrow from the string, And dive into the water deep, As mew upon the wing."

'What love he must have felt, to plunge into such dangerous waters for a chance to see her again.' Lothíriel faltered slightly, before picking up the harmony once more.

"The wind was in his flowing hair, the foam about him shone, afar they saw him strong and fair, Go riding like a swan. But from the West has come no word, and on the Hither Shore, no tidings Elven-folk have heard, Of Amroth evermore."

Sighing softly as the last notes vibrated into the silent room, Lothíriel looked at the calm expression on her aunt's face.

"Tragic isn't it? How two people so in love couldn't be together in the end. Grief drives people to do terrible things."

Nodding in agreement, Lothíriel reflected on the tale. All she knew of elves was what she had learned from her governess and eavesdropping on her brothers with their tutors. They all spoke of how wise, graceful and otherworldly the Firstborn were; but in tales like these they appeared, at least to Lothíriel's eyes, painfully human. Yet something about Nimrodel's tale didn't sound right to her. No matter how many times she had heard this story, something about it had always felt incomplete.

"Aunt Ivriniel?" She waited till she had her aunt's full attention before finishing her question, "…was Nimrodel truly never seen again?"

Lothíriel swallowed quietly as the air suddenly got thick with tension. Her aunt had a look of distaste as she mulled over Lothíriel's question.

"It would have been better for our family if Nimrodel had truly disappeared after she went through the White Mountains. Perhaps then we wouldn't have gone through many years of learning about our gifts through trial and error."

Curiosity flashed through her, as Lothíriel was gently pulled away from her harp and down the corridor towards her aunt's room.

"Aunt Ivriniel…?"

"It's time I told you the true tale of our ancestress and her husband. It is a story passed down in our family from mother to daughter for generations."

Entering her aunt's room, Lothíriel noted how modestly it was furnished, though the materials and furniture were of high quality. Standing by the bed, she watched as her aunt pulled out rolled up embroidered tapestries, Laying each one on top of each other on her bed.

"Your mother, while a kind woman, was not born into our family so she was never told the tale." her aunt continued, stroking the image of two beautiful elf-maids dancing in a golden wood.

"No men in our family ever learn this tale, as it has been a kept secret since Gilmith, daughter of Mithrellas. She swore to her mother to never tell her father or brother the truth of her disappearance and the fate of Nimrodel."

Leaning forward, she noticed that the tapestry's background was decorated with small precious gems, beaded to highlight the splendour and wealth of what could only be the famous elvish kingdom, Lothlórien. The trees had fine threads of gold woven into it with small green gems decorating the leaves. The flowers on the forest floor were small red and blue gems woven intricately into place. One elven maid had hair the colour of starlight, with a dress that looked to be made of moonbeams, the younger, on the other hand, had hair the colour of gold with a dress that captured the colours of the sea.

'This must be Nimrodel and Mithrellas.' She mused, gently reaching out to stroke a corner of the tapestry. It was old but well cared for.

Looking up to her aunt's smiling face Lothíriel asked, "But I though Mithrellas disappeared after the birth of her daughter Gilmith?"

"No, she didn't but that's how the story is remembered." Pulling two chairs closer to the bed, Aunt Ivriniel beckoned Lothíriel to sit. "Listen closely child, for this is the true tale of Mithrellas and Imrazôr…"

Back in the days when Mithrellas lived in Lothlórien, she was one of the many elven maids who served the greater houses. The one she served had a daughter named Nimrodel, who lived by the river. She chose Mithrellas to be her close companion, as she was the youngest of the elven maidens and was very naïve about the world. Her innocence was endearing to Nimrodel and soothed her when the darkness of the outside world grew too great. Mithrellas flourished under her guidance and became like a treasured sister or daughter to Nimrodel.

During this time, she had met the Elven King Amroth in one of her walks by the river, where he fell desperately in love with her and became her most ardent suitor. While Nimrodel loved him, she could not stand to marry him in a world where the growing darkness was tainting everything she loved. She was sensitive to the state of the world, and one day fled the city in fright with Mithrellas, when she sensed a great darkness awakening nearby the city. Her fear led both her and Mithrellas to the edge of the Fangorn forest, but the magic and wildness of the woods made her hesitant to enter it. Collapsing in grief, Nimrodel wept bitterly at the knowledge that there was nowhere for her and Mithrellas to run away to. King Amroth found them there a few days later, Nimrodel still staring into the Fangorn forest and Mithrellas trying to soothe her mistress. Her beloved was so moved by her grief that he swore he would bring her to the Undying Lands and revoked his kingship in the process. Amroth chose some faithful retainers to bring along their journey, while Nimrodel solely chose Mithrellas.

Their journey went smoothly, with Mithrellas noting that with each passing day Nimrodel grew happier. She led the group in song and answered Mithrellas's questions on the sea, for Mithrellas had learned to love all bodies of water while serving Nimrodel. Unfortunately, these times of peace and happiness could not last, for one-day tragedy struck the group while they were travelling through the White Mountains. A great storm brought down the mountain, splintering the group until Mithrellas found herself alone. Frightened and upset she somehow managed to escape the mountains and continue the journey. Her fondest wish was that she would be reunited with Nimrodel once she arrived at to Edhellond, the port city in Belfalas. Before she could reach her destination, she got lost in the woods of Dor-en-Ernil.

Wandering for days, with dwindling hope, she came across a Númenórean, named Imrazôr. He led her out of the woods and was her companion on her way to Edhellond. At first, he frightened her with his stern demeanour and quiet ways, but soon she grew to find comfort in his steady presence. On their journey, she managed to coax out of him that he was a Prince of Belfalas and that his land had recently changed their name due to the death of an Elven King nearby. Horrified at such news, Mithrellas begged for more detail from Imrazôr; he told her of the tragic tale of the King waiting for his love on a ship that was swept away into the sea by a terrible storm. Unable to be separated from his love, the Elven King had jumped from the boat and attempted to swim ashore. Unfortunately, he never made it, as the waves were too powerful, and his strength had failed him. In honour of his death, the closest hill was renamed Dol Amroth. Making haste to reach Edhellond, Mithrellas asked the few elves still at the harbour what had happened to King Amroth and found proof that Imrazôr's tale to be true. They asked her if she wanted passage to the Undying Lands, as another boat would be ready in about one year's time.

Unable to decide, she instead returned to Dol Amroth and asked Imrazôr if she could remain his guest till her mistress found her way to Edhellond. She truly believed that Nimrodel was still alive and would find her again. Agreeing to host her for a time, Mithrellas explored the human city with wonder. Nimrodel had always been disdainful of humans, blaming them for the growing darkness and aiding the evil to grow in the world; but with each passing day that she explored and learned in Dol Amroth, Mithrellas began to question the wisdom in her mistress's words.

The seasons passed and Nimrodel still did not appear, yet Mithrellas did not worry; for she had fallen in love with Imrazôr and had decided to marry him. His life was so much shorter than hers and she did not want to miss whatever time they had left together. Cornering him by the sea, she discovered that Imrazôr had long fallen in love with her but had been unwilling to tie her down to be with him. Finding her love returned, they married quickly and ruled for many seasons in peace and happiness. Eventually, she bore him a son, Galador, who would later become the first Prince of Dol Amroth. He was Mithrellas pride and joy, for she had believed that no child would come out of her union with Imrazôr. Her happiness doubled when a few years after, she became pregnant with a daughter, whom she named Gilmith. Her children had inherited her elvish blood and with-it special abilities that she named "gifts". Mithrellas had begun to discuss with Imrazôr on how to train their children when Nimrodel finally appeared in Edhellond.

Maddened by the knowledge that Amroth was dead and that there were no more boats going to the Undying Lands, Nimrodel beckoned Mithrellas to come with her on another journey to find a way across the sea. Torn between the love for her family and the love for her mistress, Mithrellas begged Nimrodel to allow her to stay in Dol Amroth. Furious at being denied, Nimrodel called upon the Oaths she had sworn to her house, that Mithrellas would be in her service till the day came Nimrodel had no more need of her. Unable to go against her Oath, Mithrellas begged her mistress to allow her to return to her husband once they found a passage for Nimrodel to take across the sea. Moved by the love she still bore for her favourite companion, Nimrodel agreed. Too heartbroken to say goodbye to her husband and children, Mithrellas made plans to sneak out into the night, under the cover of the new moon. Gilmith, however, caught her as she was escaping the castle and learned the truth about her mother's journey. Promising her daughter that she would be back in six months time and getting her daughters word that she wouldn't tell her father or brother, Mithrellas left and met with Nimrodel at Edhellond.

When Mithrellas left the castle, she took all joy and life with her; Prince Imrazôr buried himself in his work and training Galador into being the next prince. Galador and Gilmith struggled to find ways to master their gifts and wrote down all their successes and failures for their descendants. As the years went by and her mother didn't return, Gilmith never found the courage to break the promise she had made to her mother. Gilmith never saw her mother again after that night, no matter how many years passed she never appeared again. On her deathbed, she decided to tell her brother's daughter, in the hopes that her mother would return during her niece's lifetime and someone in the family would know the true tale. As the story was retold over the years, it developed into a family tradition among the women of the family, passing it down from mother to daughter for generations.

Aunt Ivriniel's voice softened as she finished the tale, revealing the last tapestry in the pile. An old woman was holding the hands of a much younger woman, in a beautifully old-fashioned bedroom. The blue and black gems in the background helped make the setting look even more forlorn, though the faint sparkle when the sun hit them just right, changed the mood to one of faint hope.

"My aunt, long dead before Finduilas was of age, made these for me," A wistful note filled her aunt's voice as Lothíriel watched her stroke the fabric fondly, "She had a sea-touched gift, which allowed her to scry using salt-water. She could only see into our family's past, so her gift was deemed useless by the ruling Steward at the time."

Lothíriel shifted closer, as they both began to put the tapestries away and roll them up for easy storage. Placing them into a chest under her aunt's bed, Lothíriel noticed that there was another chest hidden there.

"Using her gift, she became the family scribe and created many tapestries of our history. I was gifted with the tapestries that depicted the story of our elven ancestress and the father of the First Prince of Dol Amroth," she smiled down at Lothíriel before closing the chest shut, "and now dear niece, I am giving them to you."

Eyes wide in disbelief, Lothíriel wondered what she had done to deserve such a gift.

"Your gift is like my aunt's; she found great comfort in creating these beautiful pieces for the family. Perhaps they can inspire you in creating a love song worthy to be played at your brother's wedding."

'Right. The bridal gift…' With all that had happened Lothíriel had forgotten the reason her aunt had told her all this was because she had been struggling creating a love song for the wedding.

Thanking her aunt for her generosity, she followed the servants carrying the chest, to her current room. As the servants hung the tapestries on her wall, Lothíriel noticed her harp laying next to her bed and not in the music room.

'Aunt Ivriniel can be so kind, I must remember to make something in return as a gift of gratitude.' Smiling fondly, she made her way into her chair and tuned the strings before facing the tapestries once more. Picturing the story of Mithrellas and Imrazôr, she began to play.

Glossary:

Arda – The World

Dol Amroth - Capital of the province of Belfalas in Gondor, a combination of Dol "head, hill" and the name Amroth, hence: "*Hill of Amroth".

Lothlórien - 'Dream flower', the land of Galadriel.

Gondor - The name Gondor was likely adopted from the lesser people's terminology and translates from Sindarin as "Stone-land", from the words gond, "stone", and (n)dor, "land". Gondor received its name because of the abundance of stone in the Ered Nimrais, and the usage of it in great stone cities, statues, and monuments, such as Minas Tirith and the Argonath.

Edhellond - An Elvish haven in Belfalas, a compound of Edhel "Elf" and lond "haven".

Minas Tirith - 'Tower of Watch', the great 'home' of Finrod, a fort built on an island in Sirion and intended to command access into Beleriand from the North

Undying Lands - "Undying Lands" seems to be a name that originated among Men. The Númenóreans, especially, envied the seemingly endless life of those who lived in these regions. The Undying Lands, which until that time had been part of the World, were removed forever from the reach of mortal Men, though the Elves could still sail West and come there, if they would.

Adar - Father

Naneth – Mother

Valar – The Valar are a group of immensely powerful spirits guarding the world on behalf of its Creator; they are sometimes called Gods (as when Valacirca, q.v., is translated "Sickle of the Gods"), but this is strictly wrong according to Christian terminology: the Valar were created beings.

gifts – refers to the powers/abilities manifested from the blood of an elvish/human union

Sea-touched gift – refers to abilities tied to the sea/water

Sea-longing – Symptoms that arise when a bearer of a sea-touched gift is away from the sea for too long.

Traditional Bridal Gift – A wedding gift to the bride by the sisters of her future husband. The only guidelines are; that it must be made by the giver and given on the day of the wedding.

High Lords of Gondor – Prominent noblemen with the most influence and wealth in all of Gondor.

Ladies of the Court – Noblewomen with influential families, great wealth and status who influence fashion, politics and marriages