It was early in the year, but the elves of the Greenwood were hunting deer for Thranduil's table. The deer were still lean from the deprivations of winter, but some of the young stags had fared better than the others and possessed sufficient meat on their haunches to provide a suitable meal.
The hounds ran ahead, baying, and the elves followed on foot, laughing and calling as they went along. A hunt, after a long winter's wait, was a cause for celebration.
A young buck had been separated from his companions, and the hounds were close on its heels. Celebriel nocked an arrow and let it fly, finding with satisfaction that she had hit the exact point on the back of his neck that brought him down. Legolas reached the deer before her, and cut its throat, and soon it lay still on the ground.
He felt the muscles on her harm, "You are a good shot, perhaps even as good as me. Who taught you how to use a bow with such skill?"
"Haldir, of the army of the Golden Wood," she replied, "He used to make me practice until my arm was sore, but now I'm glad he did. I have tried to practice every day since I left Lorinand, I do not wish for my skills to wither away from lack of use."
"Then you shall practice with me, perhaps not every day, but I promise it will be often. I trust he also taught you to use a sword?"
"Yes, but he was not the first," she said dreamily, "Glorfindel of Elrond's house taught me when I went with Celebrian for her marriage. I prefer the bow because you do not need to be close to your target, but a sword comes in handy when you run out of arrows."
"I imagine it does," he laughed, "But for myself I prefer a knife. Tell me, would it surprise you to learn that some women in the Greenwood, though not many, fight alongside the men?" He smiled at the look on her face, "Yes," he said, "It's true. Not many choose to, but it is not forbidden here." No wonder you were so unhappy in Imladris, he thought, not to be able to follow your passion.
She lowered her head and said, "The Noldor do not allow the women fight, and I do not know why. We can be killed by the sword so why are we not taught how to defend ourselves with one? Amroth encouraged me to learn all I could. My parents never did, but knew it was hopeless to try to stop me if I was determined. I knew my cause was in vain, so I took refuge with the army, or with Amroth and Nimrodel. My mother would chastise me for not spending time with them, but I didn't care."
And would you really have given me Finrod's sword, Mother, or was that only another lie?
Legolas took her hand and squeezed it. "I am sorry that it was so hard for you, but perhaps you do not give your parents enough credit. They always want what's best for you, but it takes time for any parent to understand when a beloved child's aspirations prove to be different from what they had hoped. But be of good cheer! You are here now, and no one will try to hinder you from following what you believe is your true path!"
She looked at him, tears in her eyes, and smiled. What did those tears mean, he thought, does she regret that fought her parents so, or that she chose to leave Imladris so quickly, or what? She is not so easy to read on one hand, but on the other she makes it so clear what she wants. She is still young, and her future is open and surely not yet determined. I think Father may be right, she will find our home a welcome refuge and may for a time not be so eager to leave.
The elves sat on the ground and drank red wine as the stewards dressed the deer, preparing to bring it back to Thranduil's kitchens. The entrails had been removed and given to hounds who were now greedily devouring them. But suddenly, one stopped and lifted his head, listening. He began to howl and soon the others had abandoned their treat and were howling in a chorus with them.
"Someone is here," said Legolas and stood. Celebriel followed him and he put his arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly. Who is it, I wonder, thought Celebriel, and soon she could hear the familiar sound of silver bells on a saddle, a sound that she knew well.
The hounds master hushed his hounds, and they stood obediently, their hackles still risen but now they were quiet. Glorfindel rode into the clearing with his four companions and they brought their horses to a halt, waiting.
"I am Glorfindel of Imladris," he said as a courtesy, and waited for Legolas to acknowledge him.
Legolas nodded his head slightly in recognition. "You are far from home, what brings you to Thranduil's halls? We have not received an emissary from Elrond for a long time."
"I have come to bring the Lady Celebriel home, at the request of Lord Elrond and her sister Celebrian."
Celebriel gently disengaged herself from Legolas' arm. "Then you have made your trip in vain, Glorfindel, for I do not wish to return. I am of age, if I wish to remain here that is my prerogative. Elrond and my sister have no say in what I do."
Glorfindel knelt before her, "It is the wish of the Lord and Lady that you return. Surely you do not wish to disobey them."
But I do, she thought, if Thranduil permits, I intend to stay here.
Legolas took her hand, "She is under the protection of my father, it is his say and her wish that must count. It is not the word of the Lord and Lady that is law, nor the word of Elrond, this is Thranduil's kingdom and is ruled by his will."
Glorfindel rose and looked the younger elf in the eyes, but Legolas did not waver. "I am sorry that you made your trip in vain, but the lady chooses to remain here for now. Come back with us to my father's halls, and rest yourselves and your horses for a few days before you return. I am sorry that you will have to inform the Lord Elrond that the Lady Celebriel will not be returning with you. You cannot force her to leave and my father and I do not wish to. Come Celebriel," he said and she turned to follow him.
And so it is settled, she thought, I will stay here until I return to Lorinand, whenever that may be. For now, the Greenwood is my home, she thought triumphantly.
Glorfindel and his companions were treated as honored guests. He was seated next to Thranduil at dinner that night while Celebriel took her place next to Legolas. On the surface nothing seemed wrong but Celebriel could feel the tension between the two elf lords.
So, who will be the winner of this contest? Thranduil seemed to her like a coiled spring, his energy very apparent, Glorfindel was mighty amongst the First Born of Elrond's house. That her fate was yet to be decided in his eyes was obvious.
Legolas could feel her apprehension as she watched the two elf lords depart from the table together and disappear into Thranduil's study.
"Do not worry," he whispered to her, "Father will not let you be taken against your will. Come, there is something I want to show you, something wonderful and magical. Let us walk together under the stars."
He took her hand and they wandered amongst the long corridors until they came to the great door that led outside. Though her eyes were sharp, she could not have picked out the way they now followed, but he guided her surely and steadily through the trees until they came to a great clearing.
The stars of Elbereth pricked the night sky, casting a vague, gentle light. Legolas disappear then returned, carrying a lit torch. He used it to light several torches that sat in holders on the tree trunks, causing the clearing to come to life.
They were in a great circle which contained sawn off pieces of tree trunk that must have served as seats. A great fire ring sat in the center, and at one end was a carved wooden throne that must have served as Thranduil's seat.
"Oh," she breathed in wonder, imagining how it must look when the fire had been lit and Thranduil's people were seated around the fire.
Legolas put his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "This is where we feast when the cold of winter ends and spring has grown warm. Soon we will feast here in honor of you, for the Lady Celebriel has come to stay. Imagine what this looks like with the fire, and my father sitting on his throne with spring flowers in his hair. There is a cook fire behind us where we will spit and roast the stag we just caught. Our merrymaking will continue until the first light of dawn streaks the sky."
His breath was warm on her neck and she felt herself tense, and he could feel her stiffen in his arms. "What is the matter, my lady?" he asked, "Has no man ever held you before? Have you never been kissed, my lady of Lorinand?"
"No, never," she answered, her voice barely audible and he laughed. "So the maid of Lorinand has not been kissed? No? It is sad that one so young and lovely should not know of these things!" He lay his fingers gently on her cheek and turned her around so that she faced him. And gently, oh so gently that he would not frighten her he put his lips to her, briefly, just long enough so that she would feel them before he released her.
She felt her heart begin to beat faster and faster. She did not know that such a thing was possible. She stood trembling in his arms, not knowing if she should stay or flee. Of course she could not find her way back, he knew that and knew it well, but had he been prepared for the effect the touch of his lips on hers would have?
He tightened his arms around her and kissed her again, not wishing to frighten her but not yet ready to let her go. He knew she was afraid, he could feel it but he brought his lips down on hers again, then without warning let her go.
"Come," he said, "We must go back." She followed him, not willing to trust him or herself to remain at her side. This was something that she had not been prepared for. Fight a duel, kill an enemy yes, but not this. She would be thinking of his kisses the rest of the night and perhaps beyond and she cursed him for knowing it.
Glorfindel and his companions chose to leave the next day. He talked to Celebriel alone and away from the elves of the Greenwood and asked, "Are you sure that this is what you want, my lady?"
Before she could have answered firmly, "yes, this is what I want, I am sure of it," but now she could only say, "There is nothing for me in Imladris. Family, yes, and a few friends, but I cannot live the life I wish under Elrond's roof." This said, she walked away from him not looking back. Whatever the future held for her she would now find it here.
Legolas appeared out of the shadows and grabbed her hand. "There goes your chance to leave, lady, will you not take it?
She jerked her hand out of his grasp. "I would not leave and you know this for a fact. I am not going back, there is no going back, not now, not ever."