Artanis watched from high on the short balcony overlooking the garden as her aunt's figure disappeared into the deep copse of trees. Lalwen had insisted that it was too hot to not try and find reprieve in the nearby stream. Artanis shook her head, drawing her hair over her shoulder. She felt a hand graze her bare shoulder. She smiled to herself, turning her head slightly as a figure came up close behind her.

"Galadriel." Celeborn breathed with a smile into her hair, brushing the strands to the side, "Dear one."

"My Lord," She replied, her skin tingling where he laid his palms on her upper arms.

"I have something I wish to discuss with you." He said quietly.

Artanis was glad she had not accompanied her Aunt to the stream after all.

Lalwen pinned the shoulders of her dress upon emerging from the stream. She wore the same gown she had on that morning while walking the gardens outside Menegroth. Braiding her wet hair back halfway down her shoulders so it would not be bothersome, she began down the green forest path humming with summer.

She had been listening to the thunder in the distance for quite some time and the rain had begun to come down steadily. After her short swim, she felt much more comfortable and was thankful she had made the trek, despite getting caught in the downpour. She skirted an unearthed root, lifting her skirts as she made her way towards Menegroth.

Halfway there, she paused. Slowing from her trot, she listening to the rustling, emerald trees. She sensed another presence somewhere in the forest.

"I promised I could seek you out."

Lalwen stopped in her tracks. She half expected who she would see as she turned. The elf who had plagued her thoughts since she had seen him last on the sparring grounds stood at ease in the path behind her. His white blonde hair was dripping, the dark green tunic he wore was completely soaked. She could only think how disheveled she must appear.

He kept his steady gaze on her face as he approached. His footsteps, though awkward from a minor limp, were silent. He stopped an arm's length away.

"I see your reputation as a hunter is not mere flattery." Lalwen replied with a slight grin, "Captain Beleg, I presume?"

"Yes, my lady." Beleg nodded.

"You failed to mention that you were in the King's service." She replied, suddenly very aware of how her damp dress must cling to her in a most unladylike way.

"And you failed to tell me that you were of such noble birth." Beleg answered lifting a brow as he took a step closer.

"I didn't see how it was relevant at the time." Lalwen answered, "I am not my family."

"There are some at court who would probably disagree with you." Beleg drew closer till he stood over her, "All the same, may I escort you back to the Halls of my King?"

Lalwen felt her breath hitch as he took her arm gently, not waiting for an answer. It was surprising to her as she was used to less forward men of the court.

"I suppose." She answered with a wry grin.

"Good." Beleg nodded, his eyes searching her face in a most presumptuous manner.

Lalwen wasn't sure whether she should be flattered or insulted by his aggressive attentions. They started down the path together, Beleg tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow.

"How is your injury?" She asked before she could stop herself.

A stilted silence followed, "I had hoped you missed my defeat yesterday."

"I only saw for a moment," Lalwen quickly added, berating herself for bringing it up, "Artanis feels very uncomfortable around Saeros."

"And for good reason, I suppose."

"What prompted him to cause you unnecessary injury?" Lalwen glanced over at Beleg.

He kept his glass green eyes ahead, a smirk playing at his full mouth, "I called him a dandy."

Lalwen snorted a laugh. Her hand flew to her face at such an uncouth noise. She was surprised to hear Beleg give a strong laugh from his belly at her reaction.

"My mother would have been horrified at that," Lalwen replied, laughter bubbling up from her throat, "She forbid me to laugh like that growing up."

"You did me no injury by it, I promise, my lady." He glanced over at her, his expression becoming less veiled as he studied her.

Lalwen looked down at the ground, unable to hold his gaze for long. She felt a surge of emotion she could not name fill her being. It was something brand new in her long life. Lalwen let out a breathy, nervous chuckle as they emerged from the wood. She let go of Beleg's arm and took a few steps forward, holding her skirts up as she did. She turned towards him, walking backwards as she did.

"Thank you for your company, Captain Beleg." She said with a nod.

Beleg stopped, perching his hands on his hips, "You leave me so soon?"

"I must get back to my niece." Lalwen replied with a shrug, "I am glad to have finally formally met you, Captain."

"As am I, my Lady." Beleg gave her a sincere, slight bow, his gaze never leaving her face.

Lalwen managed a nod in return before turning and running towards the halls of Menegroth. Her head was humming as she skirted down the silent halls, hoping she would not run into anyone who would think less of her so roughly dressed. She burst into the solar that she shared with her niece, their private quarters adjoining the large main room. As she came in, Celeborn and Artanis quickly parted from where they stood quite close. The awkwardness of her entrance made Lalwen momentarily forget the emotions she had just experienced.

"I apologize," Lalwen's face burst with heat, "I should have knocked."

"No, my lady!" Celeborn replied, his classically handsome face turning red, "I was just leaving."

With a pointed glance to Artanis, he made his way to the door, leaving the women to the sound of the rain outside. Lalwen looked back at her niece and lifted an eyebrow.

"I have something to tell you." Artanis smiled widely, moving forward and grasping her Aunt's hands in her own, "Lord Celeborn. He has asked for my hand."

Lalwen grinned, "Oh?"

"You guessed?" She laughed lightly, her fair countenance turning an exhilarated shade of pink.

"And you wondered why I insisted on swimming alone this afternoon?" Lalwen winked at her niece, "After he spoke with your brother, Ingoldo schemed with me."

"The betrothal will be announced this evening."

"Oh yes, the King and Queen are holding a feast to mark midsummer aren't they?"

"What shall I wear?"

Lalwen pursed her lips in thought, "Let us see."

After changing from her wet frock into a soft blue dressing gown of her own, Lalwen searched the depths of the chest holding their clothes the Queen had gifted them upon their arrival. Thankfully both women were of similar build giving them plenty of choice. Lalwen pulled a silver sleeveless gown that was bound high on the waist by a white gold chain. She held it up against Artanis.

"This should be what you wear," Lalwen glanced up playfully, "To match your true love's hair."

Artanis let out a giddy laugh, swatting her Aunt on the arm. Lalwen was beaming at merely seeing her beloved kinswoman so happy. Celeborn was more than she could have hoped for to wed her most deserving niece. Artanis took the gown from her, walking over to the fine brass mirror on the wall.

"Do you think he will like it?" Artanis asked, her tone so sweet and vulnerable it made Lalwen's heart hurt.

"I think he would love you in sack cloth." Lalwen said quietly coming up alongside her niece and kissing her on the temple, "But yes, I think it will please him."

Artanis drew into a quiet, dreamy mood. She sat patiently at their dressing table while Lalwen plaited back her lovely golden waves. Reaching up, she laid a hand on Lalwen's wrist.

"But will you be well? Living in these quarters by yourself?"

"Of course, dearest!" Lalwen laughed, "I have lived alone for most my life. Remember, I am the only one of my siblings who did not marry. It suits me."

"But Aunt," Artanis turned, taking her hands in her own fervently, "Have none of the King's court caught your own eye? Your own Sindarin Lord?"

Lalwen tried not to let her expression betray her thoughts. Two, in fact, had caught her eye and neither of them were great Lords. She wondered what her own older brother might say if Mablung or Beleg approached them as Celeborn did Ingoldo. Though Fingolfin was a judicious and non-discriminating man, he had always been particularly protective of his younger, unmatched sister. Such a wildling as Beleg would most likely set his concerns afire. The memory of the rough edged Captain of the north with his untoward stares left her breathless for a moment. Even the more gentile Mablung would raise some questions with the now High King of the Noldor. Lalwen shook her thoughts away.

"Do not fret over me." Lalwen replied, taking her niece's chin in her hand, "You revel in this time. This first blossom of love is to be cherished, so I'm told."

She made her way across the room towards the chest of clothing. Artanis kept her eyes on her.

"Lalwen," She said standing, "It isn't too late for you to give your heart to whom you will."

Lalwen sat up, shaking out a dark red gown made in a similar style to the one she had worn that day. The neckline, however, was actually an intricate weaving of fine copper and bronze wires. Blood red stones were inlaid in the fine metal work.

"I know, niece." Lalwen creased her brown in thought, "Now, do as I say and enjoy this evening for yourself."

The storm outside had abated by the time night fell. Artanis was radiant. It would be obvious to anyone who witnessed her that she was in love. Lalwen wore the red gown, the detailed metal work wrapping around her upper arms leaving the tops of her shoulders bare. She had worn her hair in a mass of woven braids half up on her head to stay cool throughout the night.

She studied her niece as she stood by the empty fire place waiting for Ingoldo and Celeborn to arrive as escorts. Her fine golden hair glowed as brightly as the incandescent fruit of Laurelin. Lalwen smiled quietly to herself. She jolted as a knock came at the door. Artanis looked over at her wide eyed and almost breathless.

"I will answer it." Lalwen replied evenly with a knowing look.

Confidently, she approached the door expecting to see her nephew. It felt as though her heart had burst up into her throat as she pulled the dark oak door open to see Mablung standing expectantly on the threshold. His broad impressive figure was clad in a dark green tunic interwoven with golden designs and bound at the waist with a thick, brown belt. His long silver hair was pulled half back from his face, the loose strand laying thickly down his shoulders. The way he looked at her, his gaze racing up and down her figure, made her feel cold and hot at the same time. She tried not to shiver as he gave her a broad, genuine smile.

"My lady, your nephew has asked me to escort you this evening."

Celeborn came out from behind him, winking at Lalwen as he passed towards Artanis. It suddenly became very clear to Lalwen that she wasn't the only one scheming with Ingoldo