Of the many glades that were to be found throughout Lothlórien, none was quite as beautiful as the favoured retreat of Lord Celeborn. The tranquil and secluded stand of trees held great appeal, but the real charm of the setting was the small pool of deep, clear water at its heart. The golden leaves and branches of the mellryn that formed the canopy offered little shade over the water, thus allowing Anor’s bright fingers of light to dance across the surface making it sparkle as if the very stars had been imprisoned in the clear depths. In Ithil’s soft, pale light the surface of the pool was as a black mirror, reflecting the jewels that shone in the darkened night sky. Although Celeborn did not consider the glade, or any part of the Golden Wood, to be exclusively for his own use, the Galadhrim chose to view it as such out of love and respect for their Lord. No one, except Galadriel, visited there unless at his invitation.  

The Lady of the Wood often accompanied her husband when he chose to bathe in the refreshing coolness of the pool. Since she preferred the warmth of the hot springs, Galadriel was more than content to simply sit among the sweetly scented flowers that grew scattered throughout the soft grass and enjoy the warm evening while she waited for Celeborn to complete his bathing. Putting aside the small garland of nephredil she was idly weaving, she took a few moments to savor the powerful beauty of the keeper of her heart

Celeborn lay back in the water, allowing his body to float at the whim of the current as the ripples of the barely moving liquid washed away the tensions of the past few days. The glossy black surface of the pool was a stark contrast to his pale creamy colored skin as he drifted, singing softly to the stars that shone brightly, even in the light of the full moon. He gracefully tilted his head back, and then stood slowly to allow the cool water to comb his long silver locks back from his face, causing tiny rivulets of water to flow down his back from the silken tresses that clung to his wet skin.

Galadriel sighed with pleasure at the sight that she loved so well of the strong, muscular body, covered with droplets of water glistening in the pale moonlight, and she allowed her feelings of desire to be carried across the water on the sweet song of her love for him. She was rewarded with an endearing smile as Celeborn turned to face her and held out his hand, wordlessly asking her to join him. His disappointment on feeling the silvery tinkle of laughter that was her wordless refusal lasted but a fleeting moment. It was quickly replaced by a tingling sensation down his spine caused by the sensual warmth of adoration as Galadriel’s eyes beheld the handsome form of her lover as he walked slowly to the shore.

A feeling of melancholy cast a shadow on her good mood as the carefree calm that she sensed from Celeborn reminded her of a time when they had both been much younger, newly in love and less burdened with responsibility. Sometimes she longed to experience that kind of freedom again, and sought to do so, however briefly, in the cherished privacy and intimacy of the small stand of mellryn.

“Would you like me to comb your hair?” she whispered into Celeborn’s ear as she gently squeezed the excess water from the silky silver tresses.

“Need you ask? You know how much I enjoy it,” he replied, taking a moment to brush his lips over his beloved’s before he donned the plain cotton tunic and breeches he wore of a night.  Galadriel retrieved the comb from amongst Celeborn’s previously discarded clothing and knelt behind him where he sat on the blanket, his eyes closed in anticipation of the pleasure of her touch.

With the ease of one who has performed the same task on many previous occasions, the silver hair was soon once more smooth and completely free of tangles. In an act of pure whimsy, Galadriel picked up the garland she had been weaving and placed it on the silver head in front of her.

“I crown you, Celeborn, King of my heart,” she laughed playfully. Celeborn’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he caught her hand and pulled her into a tender embrace.

“Then, by royal command, my Queen must kiss me,” he whispered as he sought her lips once more for a sweet kiss that spoke of the passion in their hearts.

“What is it?” asked Galadriel as she felt Celeborn suddenly stiffen slightly in her arms.

“Someone approaches,” he answered turning slowly to look into the trees behind him. Elvish eyes easily spied the young one standing beside the tree, his eyes averted from the intimate scene.

“Ai, Legolas, I hoped you would find your way here, come and join us, we have much to discuss,” invited Galadriel, speaking  in her usual enigmatic manner and causing Celeborn to raise an eyebrow in inquiry as she sounded not at all surprised to see Legolas there.

“Please forgive the intrusion, my Lord. I was merely seeking a more secluded place to bathe than the pools near our pavilion, and became so enthralled by the starlight, that I did not realize I had come this way,” explained an extremely embarrassed Legolas.

“There is nothing to forgive, and you need not feel embarrassed, for surely you have seen such displays of affection before?” queried Celeborn, in a slightly teasing manner and not in the least perturbed by the young one’s presence.

“Ai, but Adar usually accused me of intruding, although Nana always insisted I was not,” he answered with a smile of happiness invoked by a fond memory.

“Rest assured that you are welcome, and you are to bathe here whenever you wish,” offered Celeborn as he lay on the blanket and casually rested his head on Galadriel’s lap.

“Thank you, this is a beautiful glade, and except that the trees are mellryn rather than beech, it reminds me of one at home,” said Legolas wistfully as he sat on the edge of the blanket.

“There are many lovely places among the trees of Mirkwood,” commented Celeborn, laughing at the surprised look on Legolas’s face.

“You have been there, my Lord?” the young Wood Elf asked eagerly. The fellowship had already been in Lothlórien for several weeks, but this was the first opportunity Legolas had been given to speak with Celeborn as his distant kin rather than Lord of the Galadhrim.

“I have visited Thranduil on several occasions since the Last Alliance, and as I recall, the last time I was there was when you were but a babe in arms. You have grown to be as fair featured as your Adar, but I sense that in spirit you are more akin to your sweet Naneth,” Celeborn informed him as he studied the young face more closely.

“I have been told us much by those who knew her,” agreed Legolas, unable to prevent his heartache from casting a shadow in his eyes as he recalled waving farewell to his beloved Nana as she headed West. Even knowing that they would one day be reunited did not help to ease the pain of their parting, but over the years, he had slowly become accustomed to the hearing her music from afar.

“It has become too dangerous for messengers to travel very often between our realms of late, so perhaps you can tell me how King Thranduil fares in these uncertain times?” asked Celeborn.

“Adar admits to being greatly troubled by the increasing activity of Orcs and other dark creatures, especially to the north, to those of us close to him, but as King and leader, he has no wish to arouse fear in our people. Our defenses must be reinforced, so the border patrols have been ordered to report back more frequently, and the weapons master has been instructed to see to it that the armory is well stocked,” replied Legolas, as he absently traced circles in the grass with a twig. His attempt to hide the true depth of his concern was futile.

“I sense your heart is greatly troubled,” said the Lady of Light as she gently lifted Legolas’s chin so that she could gaze deeply into his eyes.

“My grief for Gandalf is still fresh in my heart,” he said. It was not a lie, nor was it the whole truth, as Galadriel easily discerned.

“As it is for us all, but there is something else weighing on your mind. What causes such a deep frown to crease your brow?” she asked her voice full of concern.

“I have pledged my bow to protect the Ring bearer, but my mind is now unclear as to whether I should remain on this path, or return home. The slaughter of Gimli’s kin in Moria awoke a fear in my heart that the forces of the Dark Lord are more powerful than I thought them to be. I fear that Mirkwood may suffer the same fate,” he explained, casting his eyes downwards to hide both his fear for his home, and the unshed tears for the deaths of Gimli’s kin.

“Ai, the forces of the Shadow are powerful, but not so powerful as the Wood Elves and their King. Do not forget that Thranduil is a seasoned warrior, who has faced this enemy before. He will not allow the Dark One to take his realm,” Celeborn said with confidence as moved to the young Elf’s side and placed a fatherly arm about his shoulders.

“And when the time for battle comes, Lothlórien will not be idle. We will cross the river and lay siege to Dol Guldur,” added Galadriel with grim determination. “You must make your own choice, but do not forget that all will come to naught unless the ring is utterly destroyed. Now that Gandalf has fallen, Frodo will need the help of those who remain to complete his task.”

“Your words have eased the ache of fear in my heart and I know now that I must continue on the quest, for I would see the ring destroyed and Middle Earth rid of the Dark Lord,” Legolas declared vehemently.

“That is well, for it is not only Frodo who needs help; Aragorn is also unsure of his path, and takes not kindly to having leadership forced upon him,” commented Celeborn with a wry grin up at Galadriel.

“No matter that he would wish it otherwise, he must eventually embrace his destiny,” she stated tiredly.  Celeborn and Elrond had already discussed the uncrowned King with her at length, and on numerous occasions, and they all knew that the final choice was Aragorn’s alone.

“I believe his spirit has the majesty and the strength of the King he was born to be, he has but to look closely in a mirror to see that he will become a great  ruler,” said Legolas, surprising his elders with his perceptiveness and the affection in his voice as he spoke of Aragorn.

“Then perhaps it is best that you accompany him and Frodo, so that he may see his reflection in the wisdom of his friend’s eyes,” suggested Galadriel with a warm smile that was returned in kind.

“Ai, I will do as you ask, my Lady,” replied Legolas with a respectful bow of his head.

“I can not control the path you must follow. All I ask for the moment is that you allow the serene beauty of this glade to soothe your troubled heart and calm your fears.”

“Thank you, I would be pleased to do so,” said Legolas looking around and sighing with delight at the beauty of the setting.  

“Come, Celeborn, let us leave young Thranduilion to his bathing,” she said playfully pushing his shoulders from her lap in an attempt to make him stand.

“An excellent suggestion,” agreed Celeborn as he collected his other clothes and bathing goods before offering Galadriel his arm. As they reached the trees at the edge of the glade, they glanced back to see Legolas already waist deep in the pool.

“Tell me my love, do you think the Quest will succeed? Will the ring of power and its Dark Lord be destroyed?” asked Celeborn as they walked back to Calas Galadhon at a leisurely pace.

“It is difficult to see what will come to pass, but I believe Sauron will finally be defeated. The bearers of the Three as well as the One will sail into the West, and yet I will still be alone,” she whispered, more to herself than in answer to the question, she had already sensed that Celeborn would not be sailing with her. Feeling the hidden sadness in her words, Celeborn stopped walking so that he could draw his wife into the comfort of his arms.

“Celebrían awaits you there, and I promise that I will join you both before long. I am aware that regardless of what happens in the days to come, our time here is ending. However, like Thranduil, I am also loathe to be leaving my beloved forest. As the bearer of Nenya, you may feel alone as you told Frodo, but do not forget the other ring you wear. I am with you always,” he said kissing the simple gold wedding band on her finger.

“I know and I understand. Your love for this world lies deep in your heart, and just as your love for me is part of your soul, so is my love for you part of mine, now and forever,” she said as she lightly traced his cheek before reaching up to claim his lips in a passionate confirmation of her love.