THE FORGOTTEN

Kith and Kin of the Galadhrim

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings.

Author's note: This chapter is going to be the last chill chapter for a while, because as soon as we leave the Golden Wood, we're going to fly! Not that I don't intend on showing what Lothril did, but have you ever read the books but only the Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli chapters? It's a WAY shorter book if you only have that. But in the meantime, we've got this happy little chapter that is probably a little nerdy self-indulgent and for two reasons. 1. I don't buy the narrative that Elves are cold, distant, aloof, and insanely formal all the time. I wanted to give a glimpse of a functioning, regular folk elven family. In this story, Legolas' mom was just folk, and when she met Thranduil he was just folk and supposed to be just passing through, and even though Legolas has one grandpa that wound up a king, the other one is just an Elf who works a trade. 2. I also wanted to give a little teaser for the cross over fanfic 'She Was So Normal', and this seemed like a pretty darn good place to put it.

The next morning Lothril awoke and heard the sounds of the wind in the leaves and birds singing and elven voices joining them. She had had such lovely dreams last night! Of her and Legolas in wooded places together, exploring… she was having trouble disentangling dreams from memories though. Elvish memories, she was finding, run very vivid, and so do their dreams, and often their dreams are their memories, but sometimes not and one can have something more akin to a human dream, but it is much more vivid and realistic in look and feel. For a brief moment she wondered if this caused confusion for Elves and made a note to ask either Legolas or Galadriel about it. She had not spent too much time with Galadriel yet, but she was finding her to be warm and caring.

Outside her room she heard Legolas stirring and remembered they were to go meet his grandparents today. Suddenly she was grateful she had met so much of his family in Mirkwood. It definitely took the pressure off of the whole 'meeting the family' thing. Judging by what Legolas had said, she already met about half of it. She got out of bed and hastily dressed and got herself ready for the day then went out into the kitchen where Legolas was sitting at the table with a cup of tea.

He stood and came over to her and took her hands. "Good morning, my love!" he greeted and gave her a kiss. "Did you sleep well?"

She smiled. Right away memories sorted themselves from dreams and waking was suddenly better than sleeping. "Good morning, and yes I did. Did you sleep well also?"

"Yes, but waking was better. I have made some tea, would you like some before we leave?" he asked.

"Tea sounds nice, but I would like breakfast before we go," she said.

"I found a lovely little place not far from here where we can get breakfast, if you are interested. I thought it might be nice to explore the city as we head over to see my kin," he replied.

"Oh! That does sound nice. Do they have tea?"

"They do, if you are impatient to start out," he replied.

"If you are done with yours, let us start out. And if our friends are awake, we can tell them and keep going," she added as she slid on her shoes.

They headed out the door and down and over towards the pavilion where their friends were and saw they were all up and about and getting ready to sit down and eat. Casually Legolas and Lothril strolled up and after a round of polite good mornings, Merry said, "Would you both like to join us for breakfast this fine morning?"

"Thank you, but we must decline," Legolas said. "I have kin here we are on our way to visit."

"Kin?" Merry asked.

"Yes, my grandfather and grandmother along with some of my uncles and aunts and several cousins," he answered. "We only stopped to say good morning."

"Ah, well, we certainly would hate to keep you from seeing family," Merry said.

After another round of good mornings, Lothril started to walk off and Legolas looked at Aragorn and said, "Tell the Dwarf we are going to become betrothed. And the young Hobbits too. I am sure they are in on the scheme."

Legolas said it in Sindarin so both Aragorn and Frodo understood him. Frodo snorted a laugh into his morning tea and Aragorn smiled and chuckled.

Something that had surprised Lothril a little was that Caras Galadhon was, in fact, a city. As they went along she found herself marveling at seeing things like shop signs hanging out over doorways, or things like bakeries, pubs, inns, tea shops, dance halls, and street vendors. However, unlike other cities she had been in, this one was filled with music and the sound of the wind in the trees and singing. No car horns, no sound of heavy trucks or construction, no sound of trains or airplanes. She much preferred the sounds of life in Caras Galadhon to the sounds of a city back home.

Legolas caught up with her and took her arm and they headed to a little place about fifteen minutes' walk, at least for them, away from the pavilion. They were both rather hungry, and they had decided before they got back the absolute last thing either wanted to do was breakfast with the Fellowship and answer nosy hobbit questions. Though, Lothril did suppose at some point Sam would have had enough of it and kept Pippin and Merry in check, but – no. She just couldn't bear the thought. This was all still so new to her. She wanted time to let herself get familiar with the idea of being in a romantic, emotional relationship with Legolas. In so many ways, it seemed like the most natural and obvious thing in the world, but in other ways, it seemed like some sort of dream. Being with him was as easy as breathing and as euphoric as dreaming. Everything about it felt as new as creation and as comfortable and familiar as a favorite old t-shirt.

"You have a thoughtful look. What are you thinking about?" Legolas asked as they went along.

"I was just thinking about yesterday," she answered.

"And what do you think about it?"

"That it was quite possibly the best day of my life. Certainly the most perfect."

"Oh? And what made it so perfect?" he asked, eyes twinkling and his grin stretching wide.

"Can you not guess?" she replied.

"I would prefer to hear it from your lips," he replied.

"Everything," she replied.

"Tsk, tsk! That is not an answer! Tell me, what made it so perfect?" he coaxed.

She made her funny little face as she tried to decide how to answer then at last said quietly, "You. You made it perfect. The weather was nice, the picnic was pleasant, but you made it perfect. Being with you is always perfect. With other people I always feel as if I am performing. Even with close friends and family, I always feel like there is some expectation I have to meet; but with you – it is effortless."

He stopped walking and kissed her then resumed. Lothril said nothing, but smiled. "Being with you is perfect and effortless for me also." They chatted about this and that for a little bit, then Legolas commented, "Your manner of speech has changed."

"Has it truly?" she asked.

"Indeed. Before you would have asked, 'Has it really?' or just 'Really?', but just now you asked 'has it truly'."

"Oh," she said thoughtfully. "I suppose my former manner of speech may return in time, or when I return home. I blame my new mode of speech on being in Valinor so long."

"Your elvish has changed as well," he commented.

"Yes, I expect I picked up some older modes of elvish while there."

He nodded and was going to make a comment but paused then said, "There is our friend Renee. It looks as if she is alone. Should we go join her?"

"Indeed, or at the very least, give her our greetings," Lothril answered. They quickened their pace and caught up with the mortal woman. "Hello, Renee!"

"Oh, hello Lothril, Legolas," Renee greeted with a smile.

"What brings you out on such a fine morning?" Legolas asked.

"Well, Aranor has a couple wounded soldiers to attend to, and Haldir was sent back to the northern border with some troops. Something about him being a ranking officer and the other one for their platoon or squad or whatever it's called is already up at the front. He said he should only be gone a couple days as he's basically dropping off soldiers then returning. Anyway, all that to say – I'm alone for a couple days and I'm hungry, and I fancy one of those fruit tarts they sell over there," she said, pointing to a shop maybe thirty feet away. "They've also got a fantastic tea that's kind of fruity and herbal that I am absolutely in love with!"

"We are on our way to breakfast ourselves. Would you mind if we joined you?" Legolas asked.

"Not at all! I'd be grateful, actually. I'm starting to get some elvish words and phrases down, and goodness knows everyone here has been very helpful, but it's still a struggle," she answered.

"Then we shall be more than happy to help you," Lothril said.

"What's this place called, anyway?" Renee asked.

"Seed and Sparrow," Legolas replied.

"That explains the cute little bird on the sign," she commented. "And the menu, now that I think of it."

They went inside and found it was busy, but not particularly so. They found a table near the window and sat down in full view of the treed city. A server came up to them and spoke and Renee asked her companions what he said.

"He said this morning they have apple and raisin tarts, sweet spice bread with honey, jam, and butter, eggs, toast, seed cakes, and cold ham," Legolas said.

"That's what I thought he said," Renee said with a smile. She looked at the server and said carefully, "Basgorn orf, len hannon. Oh yeah! A suithlas. Len hannon." She looked at Lothril and Legolas and said, "Did I say it right?"

"If you wish for the apple tart and tea, yes," Lothril answered.

Renee smiled. "Oh good!"

"You are improving. Soon you shall not need someone to aid you," the server said to her.

Renee's brows knit together and she half muttered what she heard back to herself, trying to figure out what he said. After a second she turned to her companions and asked, "What did he say? I only caught 'You are – Soon-not-need-aid you.'"

They looked impressed. "He said you are improving and soon you shall not need someone to aid you," Legolas said.

She looked at the server and said, "Thank you, but I am sure I shouldn't get on so well if you all weren't so patient."

Legolas translated it for her and the server assured her it was a delight to hear even broken elvish from the lips of strangers. Swiftly he took the orders of Legolas and Lothril and then hurried off."

"Thank you for translating for me," Renee said. "I'm getting there, but it's still a fair amount of charades we have to play when I reach the end of my limited vocabulary. And I'm still a bit hazy on elven sentence structure."

"What is charades?" Legolas asked.

"It's a game where one person acts out something like a word, phrase, emotion, or so forth without speaking and the other players have to guess what they're trying to say," Renee answered.

Legolas smiled, "We play that!"

"I had a suspicion," Renee said. "The first time I tried it I was surprised at how well we got on." She rubbed her forehead. "You know, my brain hasn't been this tired since my linguistics classes in college. Working on another language is hard work."

"Yes, I remember when we first moved north and began trading with the peoples of Dale and Lake Town," Legolas said. "I had not ever heard the tongues of men before and it took me some time to speak comfortably in it. At least by that age though, I had learned Silvan and Sindarin and some Quenya, so I had some practice. They are nothing like this language, but it still was helpful," Legolas said.

Renee nodded. "I studied – well, another language in college, and even though this and that are nothing alike, I know what you mean by it being helpful. Once you have practice learning another language, it gets easier the next time you try it."

"What level is college?" Legolas asked. "Is that what you were in at school when I fetched you?"

Lothril shook her head. "I was in high school. College comes after that if one wishes to pursue it."

The server came with their drinks then returned a couple minutes later with what they ordered.

"It still amazes me that there are elven cafes and restaurants," Renee said after the server left. "Well, tea shops, taverns and inns, I guess."

Lothril commented, "That is because the books did not go into the commerce of elven kingdoms. It surprised me as well when I learned of it here. Though, I did not travel much within Thranduil's realm, and Rivendell is but a single estate."

"It was more common when kingdoms like Beleriand and Gondolin still stood. We have a few in my father's realm. In the days when our kingdom covered the whole of the forest, there were more of these things, but it is no longer safe to travel far and our people live mostly within our protected borders," Legolas said. "Here though, the city is the center of trade within the realm, and anything brought in from beyond the borders come into the city first and then goes out from here."

"Truly, you have these things in Mirkwood?" Lothril asked.

Legolas nodded. "If there had been more time between your arrival and our departure, I should have taken you out to show you more of my father's realm. As it was, you did not leave the palace grounds until you left."

They fell into a companionable silence as they ate. After a little while Lothril asked, "Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?"

Renee took a sip of her tea then answered, "Nothing in particular. I play guitar back home, and Haldir's wife was kind enough to loan me her lute, so I thought I might spend some time figuring it out. I figure if I get painfully bored or lonely, I could wander down towards where the Fellowship is staying and see if they would mind some company."

"They would welcome your company, I am sure," Legolas said.

"Then I might. Will you two be there?" she asked.

"No, actually. I have family here and we are going to go visit them. I have not seen them in a very long time," Legolas said.

"We? So you are going too, Lothril?"

"Yes, I am," she answered.

Renee gave her a smile and said, "I wondered the other day if you two were an item."

"An item?" Legolas asked, looking from Renee to Lothril.

"If we are two people who are romantically interested in each other," Lothril clarified.

"Then yes, I suppose we are," Legolas replied with a grin.

"How far is your family from here?" Renee asked.

"I have not been there, but as I understand it, they are more towards the edge of the city. We shall probably spend a couple days there. If we had known you would be without your translator these few days, we should have stayed here, but I have already sent word to them and they are expecting us by this evening," Legolas answered.

Renee shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. The best way to learn a language is to dive in and try using it. And as for any potential boredom – I can always go visit the Fellowship, and there's an inn not far from here where there's always music and I can go spend some time. I remember vaguely reading something about elven minstrels, but I must say, it's a pretty fantastic experience."

After they finished their breakfasts, Renee told them both to hurry along and not worry about her and they parted ways.

Not being in any particular hurry, Legolas and Lothril set off to see his family at a casual stroll.

"Whose house shall we be visiting?" Lothril asked.

"My grandparents insisted we stay with them, but as I understand it, they, my uncles and aunts, and my cousins all live next to each other," he answered.

Lothril only nodded in answer. They walked for some time before they reached the carved door of a beautiful house built on a flet, with a bridge connecting it with other houses in two other trees, but all on relatively the same level. She thought the house looked roughly the same size her parent's house, but it was hard to tell as Galadhrim houses seemed to be built in either crescent or round shapes, depending on high or low they were on the tree. Some seemed to spiral up the side, some seemed to go all the way around the trunk. This particular one seemed to be more or less a gentle crescent shape, and the door seemed to be in the middle of it. Legolas barely had a chance to knock on the door when it was opened by an elf with silvery blond hair and grey eyes.

"Legolas, it is so wonderful to see you! And I see you have brought the lady. But come in! Come in," said the elf with a warm smile, standing aside and gesturing for them to enter. They went inside and stood in a wide hallway and as soon as the door was shut, he gave Legolas and a warm hug and said, "It has been so long"

"Grandfather, it is wonderful to see you as well! May I introduce to you my beloved Lothril. Lothril, this is my mother's father* Celebdir," Legolas said.

Lothril curtsied and said, "I am honored to meet you, Celebdir."

He bowed in return and said, "I am honored to meet you as well. Come, allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lassethuil."

An elven woman with golden blonde hair and keen blue eyes curtsied and said, "Welcome both of you to our home. Come Legolas, let me see how the years have been to you!" She took both of his hands in hers and looked into his face. "Such strong hands and keen eyes. You must be an archer. Though there is sword play in your hands as well. Alas for these days! Would that you could have kept your hand to the harp string and not the bow string."

"Mirkwood is dark, and more oft then I wish I must use my bow, but I find time for the harp also," Legolas replied with a smile. "I am sorry I am no minstrel though."

Lassethuil shook her head, "And I had such hopes! I had hoped your mother would marry one, so he could sit and sing for his wife and his mother by marriage," she said, breaking into a smile. "But then she fell for your father and I gave way in hopes one of her children would do so. And your father is such a noble elf, how could I say no? And now I find my grandson a prince, but no minstrel. Ah well. Perhaps your beloved Lothril shall sing for me?"

Legolas laughed, "I see now where mother inherited her sense of humor. I shall play and sing for you to the best of my skill for hours, I promise. Lothril may sing for you also, if she has a mind, for her voice is fair but she does not know many of our songs. She hails from a strange land and their songs are strange and hard to render rightly into our tongue."

Lassethuil and Celebdir looked confused at this. "From whence does she hail that songs are not in our tongue? Surely her mother tongue is not Quenya," Lassethuil said, looking Lothril over anew.

Lothril shook her head and smiled, "It is a long tale, and I am sure you must wish to catch up with your grandson and not listen to the tales of strangers."

Celebdir replied, "Nay, you shall surely stay a couple days at least! We shall have time for a tale or two. Come and sit and let us get to know each other better. Surely the tale of how Legolas comes to name as you his beloved shall at least touch upon your tale. Let us start there."

Celebdir gestured towards the sitting room. There was a fire in the stone hearth and a couple of soft looking upholstered chairs and a couch facing each other, all of which were grey wood and green. The wooden floor between them had a large woven rug that had a leaf and vine pattern and a low table resting on top of it. Small tables of carved wood sat beside each chair and either side of the couch, and the cream colored walls had hangings of needle point and landscape paintings. On the stone mantle of the fireplace were a series of small framed portraits. Lothril recognized portraits of her hosts, Thranduil, and Legolas' mother, and Legolas' uncle and aunt she had met in Mirkwood, but there were three other ones she did not recognize, one of which was a very young looking elf.

"Are those family portraits?" Lothril asked.

"Indeed," Lassethuil answered. "Celebdir painted them." Lothril and Lassethuil went to the mantle. "These are of us, plainly," she said, pointing the two portraits in the middle with a grin. "Here is our son and eldest child and his wife and children. And this is our second eldest and his wife and children who live in Mirkwood, and this is our daughter and husband King Thranduil and I believe you know who that is," Lassethuil said, pointing to a young elfling on the end. Lothril was impressed by the incredible accuracy and realism of each painting. Carefully she studied the painting of an elfling Legolas. Yes, she could definitely see how the bright eyed, mischievous looking elfling had turned into the elf she met. "How old was Legolas when this was painted?"

"Around fifty years old," Lassethuil answered. "Now come, sit and you and Legolas tell us of yourselves. How did you meet?"

"Yes, how did you meet? You do not look like a Silvan elf," Celebdir said, reentering the room and setting down a tray with mead and sweet bread on it. "And help yourselves. We know our daughter's husband must stand on ceremony with his position, but we are not so noble a house that we demand formality with family."

"Indeed, I am not Silvan. Of that I am fairly certain," Lothril said as she accepted a proffered cup. "But I cannot be more specific than that."

Her reply seemed to surprise them a good deal. Not know? How was that even possible? Looking thoroughly bewildered and wildly curious, Celebdir said, "There is a strange tale wound 'round you. Perhaps you ought to start at the beginning."

Lothril turned to Legolas and asked, "Where should you say my tale begins? With the dreams or with the captives?"

Celebdir and Lassethuil looked a bit shocked at the word 'captive' but said nothing.

"Start with the captives so your tale may be told in order from first to last," Legolas suggested.

Lothril nodded and began telling them about the captives of Melkor and how they came to be in her old world and how she was their descendent. She explained her dreams and then the appearance of Legolas at her school and her debate about whether to go with him or not. "So, I opened the window and began to climb down, but being more human than elf at the time,"

"And wearing clothes designed for sitting still and not climbing," Legolas interjected with a grin to Lothril.

"Yes, decidedly ill-suited to climbing, I fell and was caught by Legolas. With some help, I mounted his horse and we rode towards the light from which he hailed and I found myself riding towards the eastern border of Mirkwood near the edge of King Thranduil's realm," Lothril said. "Perhaps you, Legolas, ought to take the story from here."

"As you wish," he said and continued the narrative. He explained how he and his father had been given dreams as well, the rapid changing of Lothril and how her name then was Jennifer, her request for him to name her and how his doing so caused him to realize how much he truly cared for her. He brought the story all the way up to when he wrote them and so ended it.

"That is a very strange tale," Celebdir said. "So then, Legolas, your father does not know of your feelings for Lothril?"

Legolas shook his head. "Not yet."

"I hope he shall not have any objections," Lassethuil said with a half frown.

Legolas heaved a sigh. "I believe I have had the same thought as you, though at my age, he could hardly forbid it. Even so, I should like his blessing."

"In any event, I approve," Celebdir said. "And I well imagine your mother will too when she finally learns of it."

"Thank you, grandfather. That means much to me." Legolas replied.

"Now, if you shall excuse me, I shall go prepare lunch," Celebdir said, standing.

"I shall help you, if you will permit me," Legolas said.

Celebdir waved his hand and said, "Perhaps tomorrow. If you came from near our Lord and Lady's hall, then you have walked a fair way and earned your leisure."

"Besides," Lassethuil added, "I cannot show you your room if you are in the kitchen." They stood and Lassethuil led them across the hall to the other half of the house. "Here is your room, Legolas. It was your mothers. She took most of her things with her when she married your father, but there are a few things yet in there from her younger days you might find interesting. And this is your room, Lothril. If you desire to wash up, the washroom is just there."

They thanked her and she turned back towards the kitchen. Still standing in the doorway, Lothril asked, "Legolas, why should your father object?"

Legolas paused a moment before he answered. "The only objection he may have that I can see, is that you are so young and so unfamiliar with our ways."

"So, he might not mind if I am a peasant?" Lothril asked, half joking.

"What? Certainly not! If there was any hesitation on that score, it would be a fear of you not understanding how our kingdom works more so than your heritage. Indeed, my grandfather was of no particular consequence when the Silvan elves asked him to be their king. He had led some of our people to Greenwood and was a leader in that regard, but he was of no particularly great and glorious house. And even if that were a concern, I would only need to remind him he married a Silvan elf himself."

Lothril nodded. "I cannot say I should blame your father if he does have hesitations. But perhaps if we meet again he shall see what you have seen and have his concerns assuaged." She paused then added, "You are only half Sindarin then?"

Legolas nodded. "Not exactly half. As far as it goes, Celebdir's father lived in Beleriand and had him there, but then Celebdir decided he wanted to travel east again and live amongst his distant kin on his mother's side and so returned and married Lassethuil. So truly, my mother was half Sindarin, half Silvan but always considered herself Silvan, and my father is wholly Sindarin, so I am three-fourths Sindarin and one fourth Silvan."

"Out of sheer curiosity – what do you consider yourself?" Lothril asked.

"Legolas Thranduilion," he said with a laugh. "I do not much worry about it. I know most of my blood is Sindarin and most of my habits and speech is Silvan. I have never let any of it bother me. Come, let us rejoin my kin and get to know them better."

"For one who has not seen his grandparents in roughly two and a half thousand years, you certainly seem to know a bit about them," Lothril said as they walked back towards the other side of the house.

"Of course! My mother spoke of them often."

"And what do the lovers speak of in strange tongues?" Lassethuil asked as they approached the sitting room.

"That is there business," Celebdir called from the kitchen. "You have just met Lothril and we have not seen Legolas in half an age. You do wrong to tease them after so short an acquaintance!"

Lothril laughed, "Nay, I do not mind it! You remind me greatly of my own grandmother. I dare say, should she ever lay eyes on Legolas, she should not hesitate to tease him immediately."

"I believe I should like your grandmother," Lassethuil said with a smile and a wink. "And I promise, you may keep your secrets if you so choose. I shall take no offense. Legolas, you promised you would play and sing for me and I have brought out my instruments so you may do so at your leisure."

Legolas laughed, "I believe I am now at my leisure. You have waited long enough to have me play and sing for you." He went over to the wall where she had lined up a fair assortment of instruments on their respective stands. Legolas picked up a harp and gave it a strum as he sat down in one of the chairs. It took him a minute to tune it and then he began to play and sing. By the end of the fourth song, Celebdir was standing in the doorway wearing his apron and wiping off his hands with a kitchen towel.

"Beautifully done, Legolas!" Lassethuil said, smiling.

"Indeed! And your timing is excellent for lunch is ready," Celebdir said.

They adjourned to the next room which was a cozy little dining room with a large window that looked out through the trees. The table was laid with thrown plates and cups that bore a delicate mallorn leaf pattern. The meal was laid out down the center of the table and Lothril thought it all looked wonderful and smelled even better.

They were seated and began to eat. The meal was scrumptious, the conversation better. By the end Lothril felt nearly as comfortable with them as she did her own family. Legolas seemed to be enjoying himself immensely and was very glad that he was able to spend time with his kin. His grandparents declared that there were plans of breakfast with his uncle and aunt and cousins in the morning, should they be agreeable to it. Legolas mentally asked Lothril if she was game and she said she was, and so they agreed.

After lunch Legolas and Lothril insisted on helping with clean up, and after that they all went out a side door and up some stairs onto a rooftop balcony. Celebdir and Lassethuil brought up a harp and a lute and a pipe. They played and sang for a good long while, Lothril even able to join in on several of the songs.

After supper and when the moon was high and the stars bright and they had long been merry Lothril declared herself in want of sleep, and after assuring everyone several times that they should carry on without her if they so wished, she went to her room. She laid there for a while hearing the fair voices and instruments and was glad that Legolas could see his family again after such an incredibly long time. She was a little tired, but in truth she wanted to give him time alone with his family and she wished for a little solitude herself. She hadn't had a moment to herself since she left Rivendell, and she had a good deal to think over.

She was up a good long while thinking things over, so long in fact that she heard Legolas softly singing as he walked to his room and went inside. She drifted off and had dreams of her time in Valinor and awoke before dawn feeling rested and her mind clear. She arose and washed and silently made her way to the kitchen in search of a kettle and some lunch. What she expected was to find a dark and empty kitchen. What she found was kitchen full of lights with pots and pans set on the fire, the kettle looking ready to sing, and Celebdir with his sleeves rolled up to his elbow and his hands up to the wrists covered in flour and working dough.

"Good morning, Lothril! You are up early. Did you sleep well?" he asked, only glancing up from his work as he began shaping the loaves.

"Good morning! I did, thank you. I am surprised to see you up," she replied.

Celebdir smiled, "Breakfast does not make itself, and today it shall be a large one for many mouths."

"How many shall be here today?"

"Joining us shall be our son and his wife, their children and their husband and wife, and their three children, our great grandchildren. All told, thirteen of us shall be present." He answered, wiping off his floury hands.

"That is quite a gathering. Shall there be room?"

"The table in the dining room can be made bigger, and we shall bring in some of the chairs from in here." Just then the kettle began to sing and Celebdir pulled it off the fire and pulled out two tea cups and asked, "Would you like some tea?"

"In truth, I came here with no other intent."

Celebdir chuckled quietly. "I feel the same way. You are welcome to stay here and enjoy it or go elsewhere if you prefer solitude with your tea."

"I shall stay I think, if you would not mind the company."

"I welcome it!" Celebdir said as he poured the hot water into a tea pot.

She stayed for a while drinking tea and chatting with Celebdir as he pulled a blind baked crust out of the oven and slid in his loaves of bread.

Half an hour or so later Legolas joined them at which point Celebdir gave Legolas a cup of tea and then kicked them both out of the kitchen and told them to go enjoy the morning while he worked. They went outside and sat looking out over the morning.

"Did you have a nice time with your grandparents last night?" Lothril asked.

"I did," Legolas smiled. "It has been too long. You could have stayed though if you wished."

She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "I wanted to be alone for a little while. I haven't had a moment of solitude since Rivendell."

They talked and drank their tea and after a time they saw a small band of elves walking up and singing.

"There is the rest of my kin!" Legolas said, jumping up and leaning over the railing. "Greetings kin! It has been so long a time!"

"Greetings Legolas!" They replied. "Half a moment and we shall come join you!"

"No need, I shall join you!" he returned and leapt over the balcony railing and landed lightly on the path in front of them.

There was a round of greetings and hugs and then Legolas turned and waved for Lothril to come down.

"Very well, but I am not jumping," she replied, and gathered up their cups and saucers and hurried downstairs, tossing a quick, "They are here!" to Celebdir and Lassethuil as she went through the kitchen. Quick though she had been, everyone was already crowding into the house and Lassethuil followed Lothril out to the entryway and began greeting everyone. A round of friendly introductions were made and then Celebdir came out of the kitchen and announced everything was ready. Everyone filed into the dining room, and Lothril wound up being in the middle of the group with Legolas. The table was extended and the whole middle was covered in food and drink. Everyone sat down and breakfast began. The whole thing reminded her of family holiday meals she had had growing up. Legolas had met his uncle and aunt a couple times before, as well as his first cousins, but his first cousins once removed (his cousins' children) he had not met, so there was a good deal of his extended family getting reacquainted with him as the youngest members were getting to see the family member they had long heard about but had not met. Of course, none of them knew Lothril at all, so after breakfast as everyone was helping to clean up, they began asking Lothril about herself, which quickly turned into a string of questions about what it like where she was from, what she thought of Middle-earth and specifically Lothlórien, and so on. By late afternoon, Lothril had been well accepted into the family, and everyone promised that they would show up for the wedding as long as they were given enough notice in time to arrive.

It almost felt like a holiday, as they had a large dinner as well and then afterwards they went up to a talan that was above the house but facing his cousin's house and there was a walkway connecting it to his house. There they played music and sang until late into the night when the songs began to turn more quiet and contemplative and some decided it was time to sleep and began saying their good-night's and asking how long they planned to stay. Legolas glanced at Lothril and they had a quick and silent conversation then Legolas told his relations they would stay three or four days. They were all sad to learn they weren't staying longer, but understood that whatever business had brought them there couldn't wait indefinitely.

After everyone left, Lothril and Legolas headed towards bed, but as they headed towards their rooms, Lothril put her hand on Legolas to stop him and said, "There is still a little more time before the Fellowship shall leave. If you like, you may stay here and be with your family a while longer. I need to return to practice certain skills with Galadriel that may help me with my task."

Legolas gave her a curious look, "It is still strange to me how quickly you have gone from a simple elf maid to a powerful one."

"How do you mean? I have done nothing I had not done before. Except pin you wrestling."

"I can feel it at times. When we are alone and you let your guard down with me. Before when we were in Rivendell, I would at times see glimpses of things that reminded me of the great elves who live there, but I thought perhaps it was an echo of your forebears coming through. Now I think perhaps it was the beginnings of your power."

Lothril gave a half frown, "I suppose it may have been. It is hard to tell as so many things happened at once."

After visiting with his family for a few days and despite Lothril's instance that he could tarry longer, they left early on the fifth morning, and by mid-morning Lothril was on her way to meet with Galadriel and Legolas was exploring Caras Galadhon with Gimli. Despite the fact he had been greatly annoyed with the dwarf some days before for prying into his private life, he found he was growing fond of him anyway. Though he and the dwarves of Erebor were neighbors, he had never bothered to get to know them beyond their business dealings and decided it was time he did.

Meanwhile, Lothril made her way up to house of Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel, or as she was attempting to think of them, Adar-adar and Naneth-adar. This wouldn't be her first set of not-related grandparents that she had, but this was certainly the most unexpected ones. As she walked along the suspended pathway, she wondered what sort of relationship Elrond had with them. Obviously, they were at least somewhat close or at least friendly as he had gone out of his way to mention he had adopted her.

Then of course, there was Celebdir and Lassethuil. They had told her she was welcome to refer to them however she wished, and though she generally called them by their names, she did once or twice try out Adar-naneth and Naneth-naneth just to see how it felt. It was a little awkward, but not as much as she thought it might be. She did find it adorable though that Legolas would call them Ada-na and Nane-na** and thought if she saw them again, she might try those names out. They generally fit better with how they felt. What was strange to her was how very different they felt from Thranduil. Thranduil was so… so… grandiose and aloof and downright intimidating. Not that she wasn't used to tall, large people. In fact, she reckoned he was actually shorter than her grandpa by an inch, but her grandpa didn't dominate the entire atmosphere of the room just by walking into it. He had toned it down a little once or twice, like that one evening when they were all listening to music and singing and such, but she could have sworn at the feasts, even though there were dozens of Elves present, he was the party and the party lived and died by his whims.

She made a quick mental note to ask Legolas about when the Dwarves stumbled into their merry making. She had a suspicion all the sudden that half of the ire the king showed to Thorin may have been due to his groove being thrown off more than anything else. Suddenly her mind was playing out scenes from the Emperor's New Groove and she wondered how she didn't see the connection before. Cultural differences be damned; Thranduil was Kuzco. No, Thranduil would party and drink Kuzco under the table and look immaculate and cool as a cucumber while doing it. She suddenly realized there was no way on earth she would ever party a quarter as hard as Thranduil. She knew she couldn't keep up with Legolas and she strongly suspected his father was the master partyer in the family. As she walked she frowned, realizing a good, hefty chunk of the reason this was true was because she was too serious. Why was she always so serious? Why couldn't she ever let her hair down? Suddenly it dawned on her she had never actually just cut loose and lost herself in a moment. The utter and absolute closest she had ever gotten was in Mirkwood, which was still spent with her carefully studying dance steps and though enjoyable, felt like she was trying to keep up all night, and Caras Galadhon when she actually confessed her feelings to him and kissed him. Yup. That was it. She was a wild one.

She shook her head as she realized her train of thought was derailing rapidly. With a deep breath she focused and returned her thoughts to the house she was approaching. She had things to do today and had a lovely week or so relaxing and enjoying herself. Now she needed to practice some new skills with Galadriel and Celeborn. Learning them without a body was weird. She was able to pick up on everything very easily, but then she did not have a body to work with. One or two of the Maiar that had taught her told her it feels very different doing things in a physical form. Not necessarily harder or easier, just different. If she was going to go up against any stronger-than-herself opponents, she wanted to know and have mastered those skills. Hence her visit with Galadriel. Her brother Finrod had all but boasted as he told her to practice with Galadriel.

Ah yes, Celeborn and Galadriel. What to make of them? She had had only a couple encounters, all of them brief, only one of them resembling anything informal. This was one of the rare moments where she actually wished she hadn't read the books or watched the movies. Movie Galadriel was very aloof and ethereal, book Galadriel was mysterious and a little sad. Then there was the one she had met. A bit aloof, maybe, or was the word formal? But she was very hospitable, gladly helping out the Fellowship and herself, and very kind and considerate. Her mind whirled with these thoughts as she walked along and soon she was at the door of their house, which was actually just behind and slightly above where the Fellowship had met them. There were guards that blocked the path leading up to the hall and their house, and as soon as she approached they stepped aside and let her pass.

A servant met her at the door of the house and escorted her into what Lothril figured was essentially a sitting room or parlor. She hadn't been in this room before. It had large windows looking out over the treed city with soft white curtains tied back with silvery grey cords. The walls and floors were wood, but the floors look like they were simply polished mallorn and the walls were painted a pale blue. They were hardly to be seen though as the room was hung with numerous tapestries and weavings with bright colors depicting anything from attractive vine and floral patterns to clearly heraldic symbols and one that Lothril realized was a family tree. One wall though was entirely stone and in it was a large fireplace. There were several comfortable looking chairs and couches in the room with rugs in front of under them, all of which seemed to be pointing towards each other and the fireplace. Galadriel was sitting in a chair near the hearth playing a harp. When the door opened, she set it down and invited Lothril to sit in the chair beside hers.

As soon as Lothril was sitting comfortably the Lady said, "The servants tell me you and Legolas have been gone the last few days."

"Yes, we have done a little exploring and visited his grandparents," she replied, feeling a little unsure of where this conversation was going. For a brief moment she had that strange dreading feeling one gets when summoned to the principal's office for no apparent reason.

"Where did you and the prince explore?" Galadriel asked.

"We went back to Caras Galadhon and picnicked," Lothril answered, still feeling a certain measure of dread mixed with guilt of the principal's office.

"The servants were concerned when you both did not return for supper as they had not packed things for it, but the guards inform me you both came back quite late," Galadriel said with a knowing smile teasing her face.

"We got carried away with conversation."

Galadriel's smile stretched wide. "Love is like that."

"Is it that obvious?" Lothril asked, feeling an immense sense of relief. Oh good! Candy, not detention.

"It always is," she replied. "I take it you and Prince Legolas have now spoken and come to an understanding."

"Yes, we wish to become betrothed as soon as possible, though I am sure I cannot guess when that will be," Lothril answered. This conversation was starting to feel almost chummy.

"Have either of you written to King Thranduil or your father Elrond about it?" Galadriel asked.

Lothril shook her head. "No, we have not had the chance." She paused a moment and quickly debated laying out her thoughts to Galadriel and decided she might as well as she did not have really anyone else she could confide in about it. "Galadriel, naneth-adar, I am not sure this is necessarily prudent, but there are very, very few with whom I dare share certain confidences. I have strong cause to think if Frodo succeeds, it will be near our New Year, and if he does, that will find Legolas and I in Minas Tirith. I know I must return to my old world, and I have a suspicion I will return before I have a chance to return to either Rivendell or Mirkwood. However, well – Legolas explained our betrothal customs, but I would like to give him a silver ring before I leave, even if we are not formally betrothed. I do not know how long I shall be gone and I would very much like to give him something. Should my doing so be offensive?"

"Given the circumstances, I think Elrond would be understanding, and I think King Thranduil might be as well. Do you have a silver ring?" Galadriel asked.

"No, and I must work out some way to get one," she said with a thoughtful frown, thrumming her fingers on the arm of the chair.

"There is a jeweler near here who is very talented. His name is Echadir. Tell him you are my granddaughter and he shall make you whatever you wish."

"Thank you! Thank you very much, naneth-adar," Lothril said. This was definitely a grandma move.

"You are welcome, granddaughter. Now, I believe you said you wished to practice certain skills with me today?"

Lothril nodded and took a deep breath, "Yes, a few skills actually."

Translation:

*mother's father – in elvish, grandparents are referred to as 'adar adar' (father's father), adar naneth (father's mother), naneth adar (mother's father), or naneth naneth (mother's mother). For as much as I greatly appreciate the lack of confusion such wording eliminates, it is a bit tedious and clunky to read and write mother's father all the time, especially when we don't term it that way in English. So, I went ahead and introduced Legolas' grandparents with that wording because even if you were introducing your grandparents in English you would likely make the distinction of which side of the family they were from (ie: this is my grandpa on my mom's side), but after that I used the good ol' English words 'grandpa/ma, grandfather/mother'.

**Nane-na (Nah*neh-nah)– So… I sat around for probably an hour, all told, trying to figure out some sort of shortened version of Adar-naneth and Naneth-naneth. Because seriously… I don't care how rapidly elven children develop language skills, there is still going to be hot minute where the elfling is sitting there going Ada-da-da-da and Na-na-na-na. There is also going to be a shortening of names like 'grandfather' and 'grandmother'. So, I came up Ada-na and Nane-na, and Ada-da and Nane-da.

In a related side note, having Legolas bounce around a bit with how formally he refers to his family is somewhat intentional. I tend to refer to my grand/parents differently depending on context. I decided with Legolas being a prince, it was more than a little likely he often had to refer to his father as 'The king' or 'your highness/majesty' or 'his grace' and such related terms, probably even 'King Thranduil' time to time. Though I have it set up that he is living with a couple of aunts, uncles, cousins, and so forth, there would still be varying degrees of formality necessitated between the king, the prince, and the rest of the family. At least some of the time. So even though I have in my head that he's pretty close to his cousins, he still is separated a little from them by virtue of rank. In reality, Lothril is going to be the one and only person he can use the most casual and intimate of familial terms with without worrying about crossing social boundaries because as soon as they are married, she will be a princess. As it stands she is a lady because she was adopted by Elrond (which, in case you didn't know – he was the heir apparent to Gil-Galad and could have been the high king of the Noldor but decided against it as there were so few left after the war. I'm taking a wild stab in the dark here, but as nobody seemed to know who wielded elven rings, my guess is one of the reasons all the remaining elves seem to have mad respect for Elrond is 1. Because he freaking earned it on his own and 2. They all know he was heir apparent to Gil-Galad and honestly made the humble integrity move.).

Also, totally and utterly random – I had a principal in high school would randomly give out candy. Like, if you went to her office for any reason outside of majorly, majorly screwing up, she'd hand you the candy jar. In fact, she'd often walk around with it and just randomly hand you a piece. I know a lot of kids didn't like her because she actually enforced the rules, but legit – she was awesome. Anyway, in case you were dreadfully confused as to why Lothril would think 'Candy! Not detention.' It's because I had that principal, and as I was already invoking the dreaded 'principal's office' feelings…