Imladris was on edge. They knew an invasion was imminent from Angmar but did not know when. Elrond's spies reported daily, but no signs could be seen of Angmar's armies on the march. That they would come was inevitable, they could only pray for time.
Legolas was growing homesick and he grew more eager by the day to return home. Thranduil's pleas for his son had turn's return had now turned to orders. Legolas must return to the Greenwood, and if possible, bring Celebriel with him.
What would Glorfindel have to say about that, Legolas wondered. The Elf Lord from the Blessed realm desired the hand of Celebriel, almost as much as he did. The Lord and Lady favored the match, but Celebriel would have none of it. She had no interest in a betrothal, to anyone, and that was frustrated both Legolas and his rival.
Legolas was gently pressing his suit, but he and Glorfindel knew that Celebriel would not countenance competition for her hand. One thing existed for her and one thing only, returning to Lorinand when Amroth departed from Middle Earth and taking up the rule of Lorinand.
"Why?" asked Legolas. He and Celebriel had been arguing and he challenged her, asking her why she thought Amroth would hand over his kingdom to her.
"Because Nimrodel will not marry him or give him children while they remain in Middle Earth. She watched his father march off to the war with a host of elves and few returned. She's seen the wars and strife here and wants to raise her children where they can dwell in peace.
"Amroth was greatly grieved when his father died, and angry. That is among many reasons why they both hate the Noldor. I am sure that she was instrumental in convincing him to evict them. They were angry when Mother and Father sent me to Imladris, I am sure it was not long after that they made up their minds to expel the Noldor. Amroth will not leave until he is ready and Nimrodel is willing to wait.
"He's made me his heir, I am the one he wants to guide and watch over Lorinand. I promised him that I will do my best to keep Lorinand safe and he knows I will keep my promise.
"All I want to do is return home, home to Lorinand. I belong there and nowhere else. I want to walk beneath the branches of the mallorns when they bloom in the spring. I want to smell the elanor and niphredil as they bloom in the grass. I would leave now if I were allowed, but I know if I tried to, Elrond would send someone would bring me back whether I wanted to or not.
One evening he found her near a little bridge over a brook. He wanted to say something, but she seemed pensive, caught up in her own thoughts. At last, she turned around and spoke.
"Legolas, I was hoping I would see you, we need to talk."
"Yes, we do, lady," he replied in a solemn voice. "Father has commanded that I return home. He does not want me caught up in the coming war. He has asked that you return with me, to keep you safe."
"I cannot go, but I was hoping that you would do something for me," she said.
"What would you have me do?" he suspected what it was but said nothing.
"Elrond will have to send me to Lorinand if he wishes Amroth's help. Can you imagine what the reply would be if he sent Glorfindel or Gildor, or any other of his household? Elrond would be a fool if he underestimated Amroth's hatred for the Noldor. He would not care if Angmar destroyed Imladris, the only thing he would see spared is me.
"Did you know that Mother and Father tried to convince him to let them rule Lorinand? They would have usurped his rule were it not for the fact that Amroth is stronger than they thought and popular with his people. It was shortly afterward that Mother, Father, and the Noldor left. They were no longer welcome if they ever were, so why should they stay?"
"Where did you hear that?" Legolas was skeptical, but Celebriel was not prone to exaggeration, what she said he knew would be the truth.
"Celebrian told me. Mother told her and asked her not to tell me, although she knew my sister would not keep a secret from me. I think she knew it was best if I did not hear it from her.
"Anyway, someone is going to have to go to Lorinand and ask Amroth for as many soldiers as he can spare. Father knows Thranduil cannot help if his kingdom is threatened. I do not blame him for that. So, word has to be sent to Lorinand and I am the logical choice.
"What makes you so sure that Elrond will consent to send you?"
Celebriel sighed, "Because he would be a fool not to and he would be wasting valuable time which he does not have. I am the direct link to Amroth, I am the only one who can persuade him to help us. I am ready to jump on my horse and ride south as soon as he relents."
"I am afraid I will not be going with you. Father wants me to return to the Greenwood while the roads are safe. I cannot afford to wait any longer. I want you to go with me."
"I cannot, you know I cannot, my journey will take me south, not north. Elrond is holding a meeting of the chiefs of the household tomorrow. Mother and Father will be there, as will I. I will make my case then, I want you to support me."
"I will wait one more day, then I will leave. I do not think you should r ide to Lorinand alone, Celebriel, if Elrond insists that someone come with you, I will support him. But that someone will not be me."
Legolas received the summons—Lord Elrond was holding a meeting with the heads of the forces of Imladris, along with the counselors. Everyone knew what the subject would be, the impending war, and the need for help in case Imladris was besieged, which was likely.
They met that afternoon in the great hall. Elrond sat in a chair carved with flowers and leaves and etched in gold. The counselors and Gildor and Glorfindel were seated at the great oak table, and the rest of the attendees stood behind them.
Elrond opened the meeting. "You know why I have called you, there is no need now for formalities. I put this to you, Legolas of the Greenwood, can we count on assistance from your father?"
"I do not think so. Angmar is far, yet too close for comfort. Father will do the best he can to protect his realm. I do not think he can afford to send you help at a time when he might need for help from you. I am leaving tomorrow, Father has summoned me and I must be there if he needs me."
The look on Elrond's face told him that was not what he had hoped to hear. Now there was only one possibility left and not the one he had hoped for.
"Thranduil cannot be blamed for wanting to protect his kingdom. We have only one choice then, we must send an envoy as soon as we can to Lorinand and ask them for help."
Celebriel could remain silent no longer. "You must send an envoy now, Master Elrond, for Angmar will be marching soon. You need to send me to Amroth, you know there is no other you can send. I am the only one he will not refuse. Amroth has no love for you, but for me, he will do this. I cannot see any alternative. The chances are you are going to be besieged and you will need help to break it. Send any other and you will fail. You know this. I am old enough and I am trained as well as Elladan and Elrohir. I know you would not hesitate to let them go into battle. Send me and you can count on Lorinand's help, if not, your pleas will go unanswered."
Elrond looked around him as if seeking advice. "I have considered what you said, but I am reluctant to let you go."
Celebriel was about to object when her father spoke up. "I am reluctant to let her go, Lord Elrond, but she may be right. Amroth will be more receptive to her than any other. He and Nimrodel bear a great love for her, even though she is a descendant of the High Elves. I know my daughter is reckless and foolhardy," at this Celeborn smiled at Celebriel, "But she is not lacking in courage. I know she will do her best to convince Amroth and he may be inclined to help us on her behalf."
Elrond looked at his hands, "I am loathe to do this, but I believe you are right. If it is Celebriel who asks, then I think we can count on Amroth to say yes. But I will not let you make the journey alone, you will travel with someone from my household—whom I will choose."
"Send Elladan and Elrohir with me, then. They are my kin, Amroth surely will not object to them." Please Elrond, she thought, please do this.
"I do not wish to send my sons, Gildor or Glorfindel will accompany you. They are hardened warriors while you and my sons are green and untried. Do not argue with me, it will do you no good," he said as she started to object, "I can always change my mind, Celebriel, do not try me."
So that was that she thought, perhaps half was better than none. She knew she could not leave unnoticed, she would have to go with an escort, but hopefully a small one. Angmar was concentrating on the north, hopefully, riders heading south would not be harassed. They would have to push their horses hard, and not linger in Lorinand but they would return in time to break the siege before the enemy could destroy Imladris.
She caught up with Legolas as he was returning to his room. "Do you have to go?" she asked, "Will you not go to Lorinand with me?"
"Lady, I cannot and well you know it. Will you not return to the Greenwood with me? I can keep you safe, Celebriel, the Greenwood is well-defended. Will you not put your wishes aside and come with me?"
"I cannot, Legolas, and you know it. I would try to remain behind in Lorinand, but I know they will not let me. I am doing what I can in the battle against evil, maybe I will be allowed to fight to help break the siege. And maybe I will fight, even if I am not permitted."
Legolas allowed himself a smile. "No one could thwart you, Celebriel, once you have made up your mind. I would not have met you otherwise. I almost wish I could be around to see it, but I will not. I am leaving early in the morning to return home, my home. I do not know when I will see you again, it may be a long time. I do not wish to say goodbye forever, but if you want to see me, you will have to decide where your heart lies."
She was there to make her farewells when he left early that morning. She did not want to beg him to stay but she could not help herself.
"You know who our enemy is, don't you? The one we call the 'Witch King'? He is the head of the Nazgul, not some simple mortal who has aligned himself with Sauron. How can you leave when this is what we face?"
"I leave because I must. I will ask you one more time, Celebriel, will you ride with me to the Greenwood?"
She shook her head. "You know I cannot, I am needed here. I will see you again one day, I hope, I do not want our goodbyes to be forever."
She watched Legolas ride off.
"What can I do?" she thought, "Do I please myself or do I spend my life pleasing others? Mother, you should have had a son instead of a daughter, no one would put such restraints on me then. I have a destiny, and I will follow it, but why why why does it cost me so much pain?"
When it comes to Lorien, it's a bit of a puzzle. It's hard to figure out what Tolkien was intending. On the one hand you have Amroth as king of Lorien, his father Amras was king before him but was killed in the war between men and elves.
Then you have Galadriel and Celeborn "ruling" Lorien. I don't think it takes much imagination to think that someone who was "king" would countenance having someone else rule his kingdom. And from what I've picked up in my LOTR lore, neither Amroth nor Nimrodel had any use for the Noldor
Then, during the siege of Imladris, you have Celeborn leading a host of elves from Lorien. For me this just didn't work so I decided to have Celebriel ride to Lorien to ask for Amroth's help. That was the only way I could piece out the puzzle. I will have Galadriel and Celeborn return after Amroth and Nimrodel leave Lorien. That's another thing I picked up that they went to Lorien because with the loss of Amroth, Lorien was "leaderless".
Tolkien was sometimes inconsistent and I don't think Chris Tolkien picked up on all of it while editing his father's writing, or maybe decided to leave it alone.