"You are staring at Lord Elrond," Maegwen murmured into Celebrían's ear as they traversed the corridor of the elegant palace on their way to the rooms that had been assigned to them. She and Celebrían would share, as always, and Haldir would be housed in the same corridor. Galadriel and Celeborn would have quarters on the Eastern side.

"Am I?" Celebrían asked, winking at Maegwen. "I really think he has barely noticed me. I am not certain he even knows which of us is which."

This surprised Maegwen. "Really?"

"He seemed to have a moment of panic when we were introduced. But let us not tell him... great amusement may be had from this if my suspicions are correct."

Maegwen chuckled. "I love you when you are wicked."

"I love you all of the time."

Walking behind them, Haldir made an impatient sound. Maegwen glanced at him and saw the look of irritation on his face. She thought about the attention Celeborn had paid him over the journey, which had not escaped her. Some of the time, she thought smugly that it would do him some good to deal with the formidable interest of the Lord of Lórien, but this afternoon she had nearly felt sorry for him. On the plus side, it took Celeborn's attention away from herself, for which she was grateful. She knew the shoes in which Haldir was walking.

"Whispering is rude," he said in a low, arrogant voice.

Maegwen found the comment ironic, as he was clearly trying not be overheard by Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn, who were far ahead of them in the passageway now. Lord Glorfindel, Councilor Erestor, and the rest of the welcoming party had left them when they entered the palace. "We were not speaking of you, Haldir, so you need not worry," she said.

Haldir frowned at her sourly, then looked away, disgust stamped over his handsome face. Maegwen silently shook her head. She realized in that moment that his arrogance was a cover for his unease. He was nervous, she thought. He had something on his mind besides finding a bed partner. Or maybe that was what was on his mind. She saw him stare straight ahead, past them, and saw Celeborn looking back over his shoulder. His blue eyes burned straight into her, though she thought his gaze was fixed on Haldir.

She glanced at Celebrían and bit her lip, but there was a sadness in the young Lady of Lórien's eyes, and an understanding. Maegwen knew then that her friend was not blind to the ways of her father. She wanted to say something reassuring to Haldir, but it was hard to think of anything kind to say to the annoying Elfling at all. She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"Stop staring at me," Haldir muttered.

"I was not staring at you," Maegwen grumbled, turning back around.

"He did not mean you," Celebrían said softly. "Haldir… would you like me to speak to him?"

She meant Celeborn. Maegwen turned to look at Haldir again and saw his ears and cheeks had flushed. He lifted his chin and did not meet Celebrían's eye.

"My lady—"

"I do not fault you," Celebrían said gently.

"I beg of you… say nothing. I would not have him think I am carrying tales to the impressionable ears of his daughter," Haldir said. "I will do whatever I must to please my lord."

"Ah, then without a doubt we will be hearing your cries of pleasure through the wall tonight," Maegwen said, her voice tinged with sarcasm, but then she looked at Celebrían, slightly mortified that she had spoken thus.

"You are probably right," Celebrían said. A wicked smirk crossed her face and Maegwen wondered if there was not another layer to her, one that even though they had been close all of their lives, she had not yet penetrated. "My father is known to be the best lover in the Golden Wood. You should be honored, Haldir."

"It is not an honor I desire," Haldir snapped.

"Then perhaps you should have stayed home," Maegwen said lightly.

"And miss the chance to see Imladris?"

"Is it worth the price?"

"You may pay that same price," Haldir sneered.

This time Celebrían indeed looked at him sharply. "Very well, this has gone far enough. I will see to it that that neither of you is forced into any act you find distasteful, even if it means we sleep three in a bed with myself in the middle."

"I would not mind that in the least," Haldir said, grinning broadly.

Celebrían laughed. "Do not mistake my offer. I am to be saved for the King of Mirkwood, you know."

"This corridor is endless," Maegwen sighed, but then she realized that Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn had stopped walking and were waiting for them.

"I trust you will find the room satisfactory, ladies," said Lord Elrond, opening the door to the chamber.

Celebrían and Maegwen preceded the others into the huge, ornate chamber. It was laid out with a bed upon a dais, a marble dresser set with toiletries, a large armoire, a table with chairs enough for a dozen, and a shelf filled with books, to which Celebrían went immediately, exclaiming her pleasure.

"I trust that some of these are your work, Lord Elrond," she said coyly. Maegwen silently shook her head. She saw the attraction Celebrían held for the Lord of Imladris even if her friend knew it not yet herself.

"One or two, perhaps," Elrond said, raising a sharply pointed dark brow at her. Maegwen watched his eyes travel over her friend and was secretly pleased. It seemed Elrond was noticing Celebrían's great beauty for the first time. "There are many more in the library, which you are welcome to peruse at your leisure. I have also arranged a few items from my personal seamstress, which you will find in the armoire. If they do not suit, I will send her to you immediately."

"Tomorrow," Galadriel said, smiling gently at her daughter. "I am certain whatever you have provided us will be fine, Elrond. And now we must all bathe and dress and prepare for the splendid feast that Erestor has no doubt been arranging for days."

"Indeed, he works very hard," Elrond said. "If the room will do…"

"It will do nicely," Celeborn said. "Now, if you will show us where we may deposit Haldir, I would like to go to my own chamber. I need a bath… and I imagine you will want one yourself, Elrond."

"Yes. I have placed him right across the hall," Elrond said, leading the other three out, leaving the two girls alone.

"I am not sure which elf I pity more greatly," Maegwen sighed, smiling at her friend. "King Thranduil, who will never have you, or Lord Elrond, for whom you have obviously set your cap."

Celebrían grinned back at her. "But is he not fine? He is wise, and clever, and reserved. What a change from you and Haldir!"

Maegwen laughed and kissed Celebrían on the mouth. "No, I have never been reserved, that is true. I think you simply find Elrond a challenge."

"I am anticipating the challenge of watching him in the bath," Celebrían said mischievously. She left the bookshelf for the armoire and opened it. "Oh, Maegwen, look. These are beautiful!"

The cupboard was indeed filled with a large selection of lovely gowns. Maegwen was glad that she and Celebrían were the same size, though she was three inches shorter than her lady, for the gowns would fit both of them admirably.

"It is as if he knows you already," Maegwen said dreamily, "Look, these colors are all those you prefer—purple and blue and red."

Celebrían pulled a gown from the closet. "I would see you in green, Maegwen."

"It is lovely," Maegwen said. "Do you think we shall be allowed to take them back to Lothlórien, or must we leave them here when we go home?"

A sadness crept into Celebrían's eyes. "I will not be going home. I will be going to the home of my husband."

"Mirkwood…"

Determination replaced the sadness. "Or perhaps it would not be so bad to stay here."

"And I will stay with you," Maegwen said.

"I hope that you shall," Celebrían said, "But promise me this. If your heart ever leads you down another path, you will follow it."

"My heart will never lead me away from you!"

"And if I fall in love with Thranduil?"

"Then I will go with you to Mirkwood."

"They say it is a horrid place, dark and filled with orcs and spiders."

"I do not fear orcs and spiders… or living in a cave."

"A cave! Oh, Maegwen. Let us hope I can convince Lord Elrond to keep me for himself. I want so badly for us to stay in Imladris."

"Mirkwood is closer to home."

"I do not mind the distance. Now, come. We must change quickly, for I wish to see Elrond bathe."

"I thought you were jesting with me," Maegwen said, her eyes rounding.

"They say he has a hot spring hidden in his garden, where he bathes even in the winter. Surely we can find it and spy upon him without being seen—"

"Spy upon who?" Haldir asked from the doorway, arching a dark brow.

"How dare you enter our room without knocking!" Maegwen said, glaring at him.

"The door is open, and I have not entered it. I merely stand upon the threshold," Haldir pointed out.

"Is there something which you want?"

"I wished merely to inform my lady that her father asks us to be prepared to play the harp at tonight's banquet. I thought we might practice, if there is time."

"There is time," Celebrían sighed.

"Are you certain you might fit it in between bathing, dressing, and…spying?" Haldir asked, smirking.

Celebrían smirked back at him. "I have a better idea. You will accompany me in my spying."

Haldir looked mortified. "I will not—"

"You will," Celebrían insisted, lifting her chin.

"I should go straight to your father," Haldir said.

"Do so, if you like, but I fear he will find another use for your tongue besides carrying tales," Celebrían said.

Anger flared in Haldir's expression, but after a few moments he controlled it, and Maegwen grudgingly admired that he did not rise to the bait. "I know how to get to the hot springs," he said.

"You do?" said Celebrían.

"Lord Celeborn asked me to meet him there after the banquet. He gave me explicit directions," Haldir said, his tone crisp and hollow.

"Then you will take me there now, and in return I will find an excuse for you not to meet him."

"Celebrían, you must not do this," said Maegwen. "What if Lord Elrond should catch you!"

"It is worth the risk. Now please, pretty Maegwen, will you not stay here in case anyone should come to look for us? I would have you make my excuses."

"You know I will do whatever you ask. Besides, I have no desire to watch Lord Elrond myself."

"How I love you. Now Haldir, wait outside for a moment while I change, and then we shall go." Haldir grinned and opened his mouth, but Celebrían laid a finger across his full, soft lips. "Do not ask. You may not watch me change!"

"I was not going to say that," Haldir insisted as the lady pushed him out of the doorway and closed the door in his face. Celebrían turned back towards Maegwen, smiling.

"Yes he was," they said together.