Elrond rode out to meet the party from Lothlórien accompanied by a small retinue which included Erestor and Glorfindel as well as several others chosen by Erestor. He had left Thranduil behind in the palace as he felt it was only appropriate that the introduction to Celebrían not take place in a field after the elves of Lórien had been riding for several days and would no doubt be wanting proper rest and refreshment. They had only a small party as well, he saw, and he was beginning to wonder if this would make for a better Winter Festival or a worse one. He had expected a large gathering but it seemed Celeborn and Galadriel had brought with them only one other elf maid and elf youth besides their daughter.

Elrond realized with no small embarrassment that he was not sure which of the two girls was Celebrían. He really ought to recall. He had met her once, long ago, even if he had scarcely paid her attention at the time. Apparently he had paid even less attention than he thought he had. Well, hopefully Galadriel or Celeborn would present the pair of them to him as a formality and he would be spared from admitting the truth.

Both girls were lovely, with their long golden hair and willowy figures, and similarly dressed in the traditional robes that elves of Lórien favored. They were white and hemmed with gold, not as fancy as the clothing he favored himself, and Glorfindel looked like a downright dandy in comparison. At least the elves of Lórien did not appear as shoddy as Thranduil had when he arrived. Elrond had sent his tailor to create something suitable for the Elvenking so he might make a good impression on Celebrían.

Elrond was not sure how Thranduil really felt about the idea of taking a wife. In fact, his response had puzzled the Lord of Imladris.

"I think you are far more in need of a wife than I am, Elrond," Thranduil had said.

"Why do you say that?" Elrond had replied, frowning.

"Is it not obvious?"

"Not particularly, no."

"Well to begin, Erestor could obviously use some assistance in running your household. I really regret that he stole Glorfindel away for the afternoon."

"I am certain you will see all you desire and more of Glorfindel while you are here," Elrond sighed. "And Erestor has no trouble running my household when you are not here to make excessive demands on him."

Thranduil threw his head back and laughed. "If you think I should consider this girl, then I will. I trust your judgement."

"Why does that make me suspicious?"

Thranduil considered for a moment, and just as Elrond had thought he was going to answer him seriously for once, a messenger had come into the great hall and told him that the party from Lórien had been seen crossing the fields towards Imladris. Erestor had also appeared to inform Thranduil that a room had been readied for him with the appropriate number of pillows.

Elrond had sent off the Elvenking to rest before dinner, though in his opinion Thranduil was not the sort of elf who needed a rest at all. Erestor had insisted that he and Glorfindel go out to meet the Lord and Lady with Elrond, and a small retinue. The Chief Advisor was as surprised as Elrond to see the small size of the party.

"I bet you are relieved," Glorfindel said, smirking at Erestor.

"We have ordered too much wine," Erestor muttered. "Then again, Thranduil is here…"

"Do not speak ill of Thranduil, please," Elrond sighed as they drew nearer Galadriel and Celeborn.

"He really is only in need of a little guidance," Glorfindel said. "That and a new wardrobe."

"Guidance?" Erestor said.

"And will you offer him some, Lord Glorfindel?" Elrond asked.

"Only in regards to his wardrobe. He will seek other wisdom from you, Elrond."

"If Thranduil requires a new wardrobe, it will cost more than had he brought all of Mirkwood with him for wine and food," Erestor said.

"Well, you saw him. He does need one," Glorfindel said sensibly. Secretly, Elrond was inclined to agree. "Not everyone can dress in black all the time like you do."

"Have you a problem with my wardrobe?" Erestor asked icily.

"Actually, black suits you," Glorfindel said mildly.

Elrond raised an eyebrow, for this was not something he expected to hear from the War Councilor at all. He wondered if Glorfindel threw himself on top of Erestor, ever, and kissed him the way he had tried to kiss Elrond that morning. Elrond found the thought disquietingly erotic and resolved to put it out of his head before he embarrassed himself in front of the Lord and Lady.

Their party met the Lórien party and everyone dismounted in order to perform the elaborate series of respectful gestures that were for some reason that no one could recall necessary when elves of station encountered each other. Erestor adored this sort of protocol and offered his welcome with enthusiasm.

"May I present my daughter Celebrían, and her companions Maegwen and Haldir," Lord Celeborn said, flourishing his hand in the direction of the three very young elves. Unfortunately his flourish was not grand enough for Elrond to be able to tell which girl was which. Ah well, he would count on Erestor to figure it out, seat them properly at the banquet, and tell him later.

"It is my great honor to welcome you all to the Rivendell Winter Festival," Elrond said. "Tonight will be the welcoming feast, merely the first of many great banquets for your pleasure during your stay. If you have any special requests, my Chief Advisor, Erestor, will be happy to fulfil them for you."

"I shall probably require extra pillows," Celeborn sighed, sounding slightly disdainful. Elrond felt his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I fear that King Thranduil has already taken all the extra pillows we have to spare," Erestor said.

"Perhaps Lord Glorfindel will lend me his, then," said Celeborn. He gave Glorfindel a carefully manufactured look that indicated he was not simply admiring the cut of the War Councilor's clothing and that he might be hoping that Glorfindel would share the pillows more than lend them.

Glorfindel looked at Celeborn with an expression that Elrond could not read. It was rare for Glorfindel to be unfathomable, so it caught Elrond's attention. He knew that Glorfindel did not care for Celeborn, but he had never sought the root or reason for this dislike. In this moment he wondered if something had happened between them which Glorfindel had kept close to his heart.

Erestor smirked slightly. "Glorfindel is indeed known to be generous with his pillows," he said.

"You might find Erestor's more comfortable, for they are rarely used," Glorfindel replied, turning his attention to the Chief Advisor.

"Very well, then," Elrond interrupted before the conversation could become any more sordid. "Let us continue to the palace, for I am certain that the ladies are tired and would like to rest."

"Oh, we are not tired at all, my lord," one of the young maidens said enthusiastically. "We are quite eager to see Imladris. After all, we have read so very much about it." The other maid added her agreement and the young Haldir looked equally interested, though he was making the greatest effort of the three to maintain some sense of protocol.

"There will be plenty of time for touring tomorrow," Galadriel told them gently. "We shall need the rest of the afternoon to bathe and prepare ourselves for the banquet Lord Elrond has so generously prepared for us. We should not like to insult his hospitality."

"I could never consider such kind enthusiasm an insult, my lady," Elrond said.

"I know that, my dear Elrond, but still, I must insist that exploration of your home wait until tomorrow."

"As you wish, Lady Galadriel."

The party remounted their horses and Glorfindel took the lead, staying carefully ahead of the party. Celeborn tried to ride up beside him, but Glorfindel spurred his horse on so he was so far ahead almost to be lost from sight. The protocol was rapidly deteriorating, Elrond saw. Erestor fell behind with the two young ladies, who either had many requests or were drilling him mercilessly with questions about the palace. Erestor looked a bit overwhelmed. The young elf Haldir trailed even further behind, as if he were not eager to arrive at all. He wore a slightly sullen expression.

Elrond rode beside Galadriel, questioning her politely about the journey. He tried not to glance over his shoulder at the girls. Galadriel smiled at him in her mysterious way and answered him just as politely.

"Elrond!" Celeborn called. He was a way ahead of the party, having tried to keep up with Glorfindel and failed. Elrond excused himself to Galadriel and caught up to the Lord of Lórien to see what he wanted. "I think your War Councilor dislikes me," he said.

Elrond felt compelled to make excuses for Glorfindel. "I am sure he is just eager to get back to the—"

"Perhaps, but it seems not that way to me. I had rather hoped he might entertain me while I was here, but if he is going to be so rude, I shall certainly not put him out."

"I will speak to him, Lord Celeborn, if you so desire. And let me apologize for him. I do not know what has gotten into him," Elrond sighed.

"Never mind. I have brought my own entertainment, as it is. Turn around and have a look."

"At…what?"

"Haldir. He is succulent, is he not? He has barely reached his fiftieth year and is completely untried... yet eager. Ready."

Elrond turned around and looked. He had barely paid attention to the youth before, but now, feeling almost sorry for him, he examined the lad. He was beautiful, but beauty was common enough among elves. He did have an enticing face, with icy eyes, a rather sharp nose, and soft-looking, full lips. He looked to be tall and fit, but Elrond was not stirred. Well. Not much.

"What does Galadriel think of him?" he asked pointedly.

"Galadriel says that the future holds much for him. He will be a great warrior and respected among our people. I intend to bind him to me to insure his loyalty when that time comes."

Elrond nodded, secretly feeling sorry for Haldir.