Author's Note:

Suggested by I luv Milarion 1201, who wanted a fic between Celeborn and Galadriel.

Feel free to review or PM me more suggestions if you have them. :)

Doriath,

First Age.

He sat beside me upon the large rock with such utter ease as if he had all the time in the world. I study him carefully, not wanting it to be too obvious as I do so. Tall, broad-shouldered and silver-haired, he resembled Oropher to a great degree, though the latter had golden hair instead of silver, and seemed calm like a flowing river. Celeborn, on the other hand, seemed fierce, like a flickering flame in danger of being blown to a great fire. He was dressed in light blue riding garments, while I opted for light green garments. He was looking away, studying the sunset as the colors of the sky above changed color. We were both acutely aware of the guards that had followed us, hidden amongst the trees, not intruding but were still intruders nevertheless.

"Why have you brought me here?" Celeborn asked, his voice suddenly breaking the silence that had stretched between us. His voice seemed loud against the soft singing of the birds as they greeted the coming twilight.

"You were the one who led me here." I returned, tearing my eyes away from him as I studied the sunset. The shards of alternating red and orange of the sky reminded me of the stained glass windows in Tirion, which decorated the palace walls. The lord sighed beside me.

"No more games, my lady." He said, his voice sounding weary. I sober, realizing that this was not the time for a jest. A pause stretched between us, while I considered how best to answer him. He waited patiently but I found no words to give him a suitable reply, so he finally sighed. "I tire of this, Lady Alatáriel."

I only inhale, briefly closing my eyes. Decades have passed since we had first met. A playful banter had ensued, and to this day I do not know why I ever returned his remarks. But for all the bantering and conversations I found myself silent. Why had I brought him here indeed? I had no answer, though I would admit that his presence brought me comfort. The answer, however, eluded me as it did him.

Much to my silent disappointment, taking in my silence for so long, Celeborn sighed and hopped down from his perch.

"You and I are both young." Celeborn said, offering a hand to me. I studied it. It was long-fingered, pale, with a swordsman's calluses on his knuckles. I looked back at him. "You are proud, almost arrogant." I bristle at his words, but his knowing glance, piercing like the Ice that we had crossed, stopped my words. And his further words stopped my thoughts completely. "And I am far too cautious." Numbly, I accepted his hand and he helped me down. I shook my skirts to remove what dirt stuck to them, mind still not comprehending what he had just said. He offered me his hand once again and he led us back to our horses. I was tall, so I needed no help in mounting my horse. I was not my cousin, Írissë, who would ride her horses even bareback. I preferred the sidesaddle, more so for the reason I was brought up that way than having tried any other form of riding. And as I have said, I needed no help, but Lord Celeborn held on to my horse's head as I mounted her. Patting her neck, he turned and got onto his own saddle, reining in his eager stallion as he did so. His effortless actions returned my thoughts back to me.

"What did you mean cautious?" I ask, my voice sharper than I originally intended. Celeborn looked surprised, turning his head to study my face. I held my head high, back straight as I had been taught in all my life in Aman. Then Celeborn's face curved into a smile, much to my surprise and he shook his head ruefully.

"Do you know my kin, Lord Oropher?"

"I believe I have had the pleasure of meeting him at court."

"He believes what King Thingol believes." He spoke.

I stiffened at his words. Celeborn only laughed lightly and shook his head.

"Where is the young lady who first laughed and teased? You have become proud, your heart encased in a ring of ice, afraid to let others know how much their words hurt, when they look upon you and see only your Noldorin heritage."

"If I have changed then you may place the blame on your king." I replied, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "I cannot speak the language I was born with, nor can I walk through his lands without one or another look at me and whisper while I pass them. Safety he offered and yet here I feel like a bird encaged rather than set free. My people are at war and yet we receive no help from your king."

"You said so yourself that you had not come here for war." Celeborn said looking down at the reins in his hand. "But come! You misunderstand me. Oropher does not blame you for the Kinslaying that took place in Alqualondë. Rather he worries for me."

I stare at him in open curiosity now. For so long I had kept the visage of a proud, cold noblewoman to survive the court that his words confused me and I lost my demeanor. Seeing my look, he added, "Beauty has great effect on the hearts of Ellyn, my lady." I could barely ponder on his words that he turned his horse and prodded him to a canter. I followed, wondering whether I heard him right.

Twilight was near when we returned to the palace. He dismounted first. Again, he held my horse's head as I got down from the saddle. He gave the reins of both horses to a nearby groom and offering his elbow; he led me up the steps of the palace.

"One thing has troubled me greatly." Celeborn said suddenly and I glanced at him curiously. He led me to one of the indoor gardens, stopping where the woodland flowers were in bloom. He had let go of my hand.

"The question is, my lady," Celeborn spoke. I looked at him and suddenly took a step back, the grin on his face charming and his glint in his eyes most often the type I had seen from time to time in the eyes of his kin Lord Oropher and his son Lord Thranduil, when they were up to one of their mischiefs. His grin became wider and he took another step towards me. I stood my ground, for I was not the type to back down. He smirked. "Well, it is more of a curiosity, really, that you move around court without a single care as to what others speak of you and your people behind your back and yet you take whatever is necessary to make sure I think otherwise. It goes to saying something, does it not?"

With that, he bowed with a flourish over my hand and walked away, leaving my thoughts churning.

Author's Note:

I am actually quite happy with this. Not too shabby for the first time in writing in first person.

Good? Bad? Let me know!