"Celeborn, do not act in such haste." Galadriel warned her husband. "We have knowledge of this company, although our daughter does not. The One Ring is in Lothlorien as we have anticipated since it's departure from Rivendell. Galadhwen does not know the importance of those who seek refuge among the trees; she is young and foolish with little knowledge of the events of the world."
Galadhwen stood silently, fearing what was to come. "Galadhwen, may you recount to us the exact exchange between the travellers?" Celeborn asked, unimpressed by both his and his daughter's impulsive actions. Galadhwen meekly nodded and began to recite what she had overheard by the falls of Nimrodel.
"Understand husband the dwarf's sense of humour, unusual as it may be. They have no ill intentions concerning our kin but are here on the quest as Elrond warned us." Galadriel knew of the situation in it's entirety. She had knowledge of the Fellowship and could sense the presence of the Ring in Lórien. Celeborn indicated his understanding with a nod and Galadriel continued, "Haldir go with your brothers to fetch the Company. It would be wise to act as though you have not been sent for them but rather stumbled upon the group. Let them rest with you but I am unsure of the dwarf's character, be wary of him." She turned to her daughter, "Galadhwen, you did not see Mithrandir amongst the Company?"
"No mother, I did not. May I be excused?" Galadhwen asked. Upon receiving a nod of assent, she turned and made for a direction opposite to the way Haldir had gone. She would reach the Company before her kin as they had gone to collect supplies. She travelled quickly so as to not let her plans be revealed.
Haldir moved swiftly with his companions through the tress. He soon heard the murmurings of Nimrodel and the murmurings of the company. He climbed a tree, one he knew to have a resting place in it, to gain a better view of the Company. The talan was rather large and it would hold most of the travellers. Haldir supposed the cluster of trees surrounding him held the platforms also, meaning those not staying with him could rest in a nearby tree. He did not realise however that Galadhwen was hiding amongst the leaves of the neighbouring tree.
Night had fallen upon the Fellowship and it was decided amongst them that they should rest amongst the branches for the night. This was to the distaste of the hobbits but it was safer than sleeping on the earth's floor. They turned off the path and came to the tree the elves were waiting in.
Legolas caught a branch from above his head and began to swing from it before being told otherwise. He discovered the band of elves and began to converse with them in Silvan, to the annoyance of the rest of the Company. After conversing with Frodo and Legolas the Comoany were welcomed to rest with the elves in the tree and it's neighbour. The four hobbits were to stay with Haldir and his brothers, Rúmil and Orophin, whilst Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn and Bormoir sought shelter in the next tree. They were all given food and cloaks and a lantern to sustain them through the night.
Upon climbing the tree and reaching the talan, the four settled down and began to eat the food given to them by the elves. Galadhwen had climbed higher into the tree-top so as to avoid those below. She did not dare reveal her position, despite her want to meet the outsiders and her need of some food. The trees soon sensed it was too much for her. They started to draw attention to the spot where she was situated but none took notice of her, except from a weary glance Legolas cast upon the place. The tree realised it was not achieving his desired effect and it soon had her tumbling form her perch.
Galadhwen dropped to the talan through what seemed to be fathoms of leaves. The leaves had entangled themselves in her hair along with numerous twigs. She fell to the platform, alarming the elf, dwarf and men who sat there.
"I did not know that birds resembling elves fell from the tree-tops here." Gimli chortled. The wide-eyed girl in front of him began to shake with fear. Leaves began to rain around her covering her in leaves and managing to scatter some on the Company.
"Nor did I, Gimli, but it appears this is an elf; one who is mighty afraid at the sight of us." Legolas said, unsure what to make of the situation. Galadhwen had fallen not far from where the four sat and she quickly stood to her feet and curtsied to the men.
"Rather charming, is she not?" Boromir laughed. "She may not be able to stay in a tree or keep her appearance but she certainly has manners."
"I am most sorry to disturb you, gentlemen." She spoke in the Common Language. "I will not keep you any longer." This was met with a cry of protest from Legolas and Boromir; Gimli still was not fond of elves and Aragorn remained silent, observing.
"May I ask, fair maiden, what you were doing perched like a bird amongst the branches of this tree?" Legolas inquired. Galadhwen stared at him, unsure of what to do. Curiosity burned inside her yet the group frightened her. She had never encountered anyone outside of her kin. She began to move backward from where they sat before Aragorn motioned for her to join them.
She replied to the elf, "I was in the tree before you were and I did not intend to fall out. My tree through me out." A new found confidence began to find her as he saw the intrigued expressions on the men's faces. "May I ask, kind sir, what you are doing resting in my tree without permission?"
Aragorn chuckled at this reply and at the look of astonishment upon Legolas' face before he replied, "We sought refuge in these woods and have been permitted to rest here by Haldir."
Gimli interjected, "What exactly do you mean by calling this your tree? You are clearly not the Lady Galadriel for you are not fair enough, so how can it be your tree?" Galadhwen recoiled at the comment. It hurt that they could not tell she was the legend they had been discussing when she overheard them earlier.
"I am the forest and the forest is me." She replied simply.
All four looked at one another in confusion. It then dawned on Legolas who the girl was, "Lady Galadhwen?" She nodded slowly, letting them understand who she was. "I apologise for our behaviour. We do not intend to quarrel with you or your trees." He stood and bowed low to the girl, encouraging the others to follow suit.
"She does not resemble the legends, if that is who she is." Gimli muttered. He had been looking forward to seeing who the almighty being was but he found a timid, young girl instead.
"I am sorry if I do not fulfil your expectations." She whispered sadly. "I will have you know, dwarf, that you resemble all that I have heard about your kin. That is not something to be proud of." Legolas chuckled at the girl's remark, earning a glance of warning form Aragorn. "Who are you?" The latter was addressed to the group as a whole who exchanged glances before deciding on revealing their identities to the girl.
"I am Legolas, son of Thranduil and Prince of the forests of Mirkwood." The elf stated before introducing his companions. "This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, friend of the elves; Boromir, son of Denethor, Heir to Gondor; Gimli, son of Gloin, of Erebor. We are but four of the Fellowship of the Ring. Our entire company includes four hobbits and Mithrandir before he fell in the Mines of Moria." The four hung their heads in silence at the mention of Gandalf which confused Galadhwen greatly. She grew uncomfortable and sat cross-legged upon the wooden platform, picking the leaves and twigs from her hair. The four sat around her, watching and waiting.
She broke the silence at last, "We are kin then, are we not, Legolas?"
"Yes, we are Lady Galadhwen. Have you ever ventured to my homeland?" Legolas replied , not wanting to displease the girl.
Galadhwen looked up et the elf from where her nimble fingers had been disentangling the golden leaves from her golden locks. "No, I have never had the opportunity to do so. I am forbidden to leave Lórien, despite my asking, because of a fancy my parents have that my leaving would result in death for my kin, my trees and myself. It is rather absurd, would you not say so?"
"So it is true then," Aragorn said, "that you are who you claim to be. I thought that the legend of the daughter of Nenya was but that, a legend." Galadhwen nodded, implying the man should continue. "I have heard your tale many a time but no version has captured your essence. I also have visited these very woods many a time but never to chance a meeting with you."
"I have not met any who do not dwell in Lothlórien." Galadhwen sighed as she yearned to venture far from her home place. "You and Boromir are the first men I have met and Gimli the first dwarf. That however has not heightened my opinion of the dwarfish race" She glanced over at where the dwarf was seated, suppressing a giggle. "I must leave," she said suddenly, realising the time, "for mother and father will be searching for me. I bid you farewell and perhaps I will chance a meeting with you all again." She left as soon as she had come, dropping from the tree to the earth's floor.
The Company looked at one another, unsure as what to make of the situation. Boromir laughed, "The Lady was not what I had expected but rather more pleasant than a powerful, goddess-like creature." Legolas and Aragorn agreed with Boromir and began to discuss their impressions of the unusual girl.
Gimli sulked in the corner, "Fairer than Galadriel, " he muttered, "more powerful than the White Council. I do believe the legends have got it wrong. That girl is but a foolish child. You would assume that one such as her would be able to look after her appearance. She is a leaf covered mess of an elf." Gimli continued to mutter to himself before he and his weary companions found the long, sought after rest of sleep.