Celebriel breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the clearing where their horses waited patiently. All she wanted to do was be free of this Mirkwood, as she now thought of it, with its black shadows, smoke, and the aura of an evil presence.

The party started to head back to Thranduil's realm, but after a while Celebriel started to turn off and began to ride away from the party. Legolas brought his horse to her side, grabbing hold of her reins.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, "Why are you trying to leave?"

"Amroth has to be warned," she answered simply, as if surprised that he had to ask, "There is a ford at Rhosgobel and I will cross the river there then approach Lorinand from the North. Lorinand must be warned, the sooner the better."

"Do you not think Amroth knows, or at least suspects?" Legolas asked, "Even from Lorinand he must be aware of what is going on across the river."

"But he has not seen what we saw, there is a great evil growing that will threaten my beloved home. I will go to Amroth and tell him what we saw."

"Celebriel it is too dangerous, surely you know this? Father will send messengers to Amroth and let him know what is brewing. We have hidden paths that will us from the Greenwood to Lorinand that you do not know about." He saw the look of dismay and defiance on her face, so he softened his voice, "Please, there are those who can do this more easily than you. We will tell Father what we saw and he will make sure that Amroth is told. Come, the sooner we return home the sooner this can be accomplished."

"But that means precious time lost. He needs to know now, every minute may count. I have to warn him." She had no wish to give in but was growing unsure of herself.

He sighed. "I do not wish to do this, but I will bind your hands and lead your horse myself if that is what it takes. I am not going to let you ride into danger. Think, Celebriel, if the enemy had wanted to invade Lorinand it would have done so. There is nothing we can do, for now. We have learned what he—or one of his minions—is up to, that is more than we knew before. You could be killed, or even worse, kidnapped. Please be reasonable."

She lowered her head and sighed. Returning to Thranduil's realm was the last thing she wished to do. She wanted to cross the Anduin at the Rhosgobel ford, then ride south to Lorinand. She could take back her place in Amroth's guard and resume her watch upon the borders. She could go home, at long last, return to the people that she loved most.

If she were alone she could do this but she was a member or Thranduil's household now and out of respect she must defer to Legolas, though the cost was her pride. Perhaps the time would come when she should leave the Greenwood and return to Lorinand—her birthplace, her birthright, and her home. There was clearly a threat that was coming but the elves would be able to do nothing but keep a watch on the Dark Tower. She did not want to disappoint Legolas or Thranduil but even though they had provided a refuge for her but the time was coming when she would have to leave.

Legolas watched her, seeing the conflicting feelings that displayed themselves on her young face. She still possessed the rashness of youth, she had yet to grow and mature and acquire the wisdom that would come with age. He had been young and eager once but time had taught him patience—and how to discern when action was appropriate or it was time to wait.

You are young, Celebriel, he thought, I cannot make you understand what you will come to see as you get older. I pity your having been wrenched from your home, and I know that behind this is the chance to return to Lorinand and your friends. But now is not the time.

"Come," he told her, "Let us go home. There is more to learn than we have discovered. We do not even know who, or what, is responsible. I know it is hard for you but you must be patient."

"I have been patient for over a thousand years," she replied, "I do not think I can be patient much longer. I will return with you, but the time is growing close when I will leave the Greenwood. I feel something calling me to action. The world as we know it has changed, Legolas, the enemy is upon us, I feel it."

Legolas was drinking wine with his father. He had reported everything that had happened, including Celebriel's attempt to leave. And her words about the enemy.

"The world as we know it has changed, the enemy is upon us, I feel it," mused Thranduil as he repeated her words, "If she is right, our world is about to change. Tell me son, who do you think is responsible for the raising of the tower?"

"hI would guess one of the Nazgul? Perhaps their leader the Witch King? It would be within his power to accomplish such a task. But the Nazgul disappeared when Sauron was defeated."

"Was Sauron defeated, my son?" Thranduil refilled his glass, "There are some who hold that he was not even though his ring was taken from him by Isildur."

"So he is not…" Legolas began, "But that cannot be."

"Think, Legolas. Celebriel is the daughter of Galadriel, the most powerful of the Elf Kindred n Middle Earth. It is said that she was born the moment of the deaths of Gil-galad and Elendil—and while her mother wore her ring. Who knows how much power she had inherited from her? I imagine that she has the foresight of her kin. And perhaps the knowledge her mother carries."

"So she knows, or at least suspects who build the tower and furthermore she would be aware if Sauron has risen, or is preparing himself."

"That is why, my son, I have pushed you to marry her, think what a weapon she would be for our kingdom. And the prestige of …"

"She is not going to marry me, Father," Legolas said wearily, "I know this without having to ask her."

"Yes," said Thranduil, "I believe you are right. It is too bad, she would be a good match for you. I believe young Celebriel knows her destiny and it will not be with us. I will not keep her against her will, but I ask only one thing of you: when she leaves you go with her. I can spare you for a while. She may yet change her mind, she is still young."

"If she will even let me go with her, Father, which I fear may not happen."

"Tell her you wish to go with her as a friend, to offer her your help if she will accept it. But beware of staying too long, the enemy bears a deep grudge against Imladris and the Noldor who lent their help to Elendil. I think she may suspect something will happen and therefore returns there to help in the fight."

The following spring Celebriel received word from Elrond that the Lord and Lady had come to dwell in Imladris for a time. And her presence was requested for they missed their daughter.

"How much have they missed me?" she asked Legolas, "After all, they are the ones who sent me away in the first place. Why have they not missed me until now?"

Legolas put his arm around her shoulders. "You are still angry and that is to be understood. But they are your parents and they love you. I will tell you a secret, if it will make your journey more bearable, I will come with you. Father can manage without me for a time, we are keeping a good watch on the southern border. There may be trouble in Imladris and provide an opportunity to prove yourself in battle."

She knew the truth of his words. There were rumors that the Witch King was establishing a kingdom in the Iron Hills. "Angmar" were now being spoken of by even the Wood Elves, though they might be safe from the Witch King's reach.

If she wished to see her parents she would have to take leave of Thranduil soon and return to Imladris, otherwise the road might prove impossible. And to have Legolas with her would be a comfort. She had come to depend on him and his guidance. She did not love him—at least she did not think she did—but he was a dear and valued friend. If Thranduil would give him leave she would indeed wish for Legolas to travel with her.

As if in anticipation she was summoned by Thranduil that night. He sat in his study reading, looking at maps but his purpose was known only to him. He looked up at her and smiled, "Pour yourself a glass of wine, my dear, we have to talk."

He motioned her to a chair and she sat, waiting. There was never the discomfort with him that she always experienced with Elrond. He was the leader of Elves and Men but in Thranduil's kingdom, he did not matter.

"I hear you have received a summons from Imladris, what do you wish to do?"

She slouched down in her chair and sighed. "It has been so long since I've seen my parents that I am no longer angry at them, or at Elrond and my sister. I have discovered that I miss my family even though I have been happy, very happy, here. I do not know that I wish to leave, but if I must, this is the time to do it. War is coming, I can feel it. I do not think that it will touch the forest kingdom," or at least I hope not, she thought, "But the enemy will have his eye on Imladris, as well as the kingdom of Arnor.

"I have spent many years training to be a warrior and if war does come this will be my chance to prove myself," she added.

"There are those of us who have expected that war is coming to the North. If nothing else, the tower in the southern reaches of my kingdom is proof enough for me. You will be safer here than if you return to Imladris, are you sure that this is what you will choose to do?" Thranduil looked at her as if waiting for her reply.

"Yes, it's time. Lord Elrond may try to keep me from the fight, but I will not let him deter me," she clenched her fist with one long fingered hand, "I have to prove to him that I am capable, that I am ready. Surely he must know I am not made to sit in the women's quarters and weave and spin. He would have married me to Glorfindel a long time ago if he had had his way, but I am not marrying anyone, not yet."

And I would marry you to my son, but for now you will not have him, if ever, thought Thranduil, the best I can do now is to send him with you. If he can persuade you that we would not try to change you as no doubt Lord Elrond would wish to. But you have one desire and one desire alone, to rule Lorinand, this I can tell.

The following day Celebriel's escort was gathered and they began their journey to Imladris. They were far enough south that they would be safe from Angmar, nonetheless, the journey had to be made as quickly as was possible.

This journey was different from the one Celebriel had first made. There were no unknowns, no voices, yet the party felt a certain unease. If the enemy had established a stronghold in the north, it was possible to run into raiding parties that had no purpose other than to harass and kill travelers.

The elves traveled for as long as they could during the day and into late evening. Double watches were set, and Legolas was ever vigilant, expecting trouble but hoping not to find it. And he was never far from Celebriel's side.

One evening as they were nearing their journey's end, Celebriel heard the familiar sound of the tinkling of silver bells.

"What is it?" Legolas asked her and she turned and smiled.

"Elrond has sent out a party to escort us for the last of our journey. It's Glorfindel, I recognize the bells on the saddle and bridle of his horse Asfaloth."

As the party came into view Legolas felt his heart sink as Glorfindel dismounted and Celebriel ran to him and threw her arms around him.