Lúthien gazed up at Tirithon as they passed over a short but intricately carved bridge and under the sweeping arms of a weeping willow as they crossed over a small stream. He'd just made a passing comment about the beautiful day, and honestly Lúthien couldn't agree more. The atmosphere of the elfin city as they continued to walk was nothing short of enchanting, as was his company. It was somewhat surprising that a guard, who was very likely able to kill a dangerous enemy without hesitation, had such a soft and soothing voice. She found it was far too easy to be lulled by his voice as he had to repeat a question before she realized she was being spoken to directly. She nodded to him as she mentally shook the sleepy cloud that had settled in her head away. Maybe it was more than just his company and voice. Perhaps it was the steeping tranquility of the entire city that soothed her heart and mind.

"I love it here." She responded to him honestly. He had asked if she had enjoyed her stay in Rivendell thus far. "I have come to adore everything, from the smallest tree to Lord Elrond, himself. There is a charm to this place that could heal even the most weary of hearts."

Tirithon smiled down at her with warmth and kindness. "That is why Rivendell has long been considered a refuge for those weary and oppressed with goodness in their hearts. My lady, it is the reason Rivendell first came to be. Lord Elrond created this city as a sanctuary here within the protective recess of the Misty Mountains."

Lúthien was fascinated by this information. It was no wonder she was not turned away when she first came to Rivendell. It was made for those in despair, those with no where to turn. More than ever, she admired the goodness of Lord Elrond's heart. They walked on and Tirithon continued to tell Lúthien of Rivendell's history, eventually telling her a little of Lord Elrond's history as well. It was hard to talk about one without speaking about the other. Lúthien could not deny that the Lord's history was as confusing as it was long. It was filled with people and places she'd never heard of before, and his tale was impossible to fully comprehend unless you knew well of all the people and places in it. However, she was content to listen and learn even a little more about the man she came to admire. Something that did peak her interest was to learn that Lúthien, the elf maiden she was named after, was Lord Elrond's great grandmother. She knew he was a descendant, but had not thought he was that closely related to the Lúthien of legend. It was almost like knowing somewhere beyond a river grew a rare flower, then crossing the river and stumbling over tree roots to find the flower growing in the shadow of that tree. In your mind, you had believed the journey would be much farther.

She could suppose that her confusion was due to the long lives of elves. In one generation could pass many thousands of years. The idea that Lúthien's life had passed uncountable centuries ago was indeed true, but the fact that her great grandson still lived in excellent health only served to remind her of her differences when compared to the elves. She'd never seen her grandparents. They'd all passed before she'd even been born into the world. She'd been thinking on all of this when a familiar building brought her abruptly from her musings. Tirithon led her through the ivy covered archway that marked the path to the front entrance as she turned to question him.

"Tirithon, why have you brought me here?" She asked as they approached the front door, which had already been opened by a familiar face.

"My lady, Lord Elrond has called for you." He spoke, nodding a greeting to the lady holding open the well made front door of Lord Elrond's home.

Lúthien looked surprised for a moment, wondering what possible reasons Lord Elrond could have to call her to his home once again. "Do you know why?" She asked, looking up into Tirithon's handsome face and brilliant blue eyes.

He simply shook his head as they stopped at the door beside the fine elfin lady that continued to hold the door. "That, I cannot tell you, my lady. I know only that he request your company." He said, releasing his hand from her back and taking her hand in his to his lips, gracing a chivalrous kiss upon her knuckles. She flushed faintly at the gesture and he simply smiled as he spoke again. "Again, our meeting as been all too brief. I must leave you, now. Lady Siriowen will see you to Lord Elrond." Lúthien could only nod dumbly as before, the tingle of his kiss still lingering on her hand. "Perhaps we will cross paths again soon." He suggested, stepping back as he prepared to take his leave.

Lúthien smiled and nodded more vigorously. "Perhaps." She replied, her smile brightening her features as she watched him turn and begin to walk away.

"It is good to see you once again, Lady Lúthien Arwen." Lady Siriowen said with a smile, causing Lúthien to turn her attention as she was led into the home by a delicate hand on her upper arm.

Lúthien's bright smile was then offered to the lovely elfin lady as she was guided through the halls. "As it is wonderful to see you again, Lady Siriowen." She paused. "Tell me, would you know why Lord Elrond would seek me out?"

Lady Siriowen smiled down at Lúthien in a motherly fashion. "Though I am not obliged to say, I do believe it has something to do with Gandalf the Grey."

Lúthien immediately perked. "You say Gandalf the Grey? Is he here?" She questioned eagerly, barely keeping the butterflies rising in her abdomen in check.

Lady Siriowen simply chuckled at Lúthien's anticipation before nodding. "Yes. I am to bring you to Lord Elrond's study. They were waiting on you there."

Lúthien's apprehension doubled. "They are waiting for me? Do you know what about?" She asked, her brows furrowing in worry.

Lady Siriowen's hand tightened comfortingly on Lúthien's upper arm as she gave her a sad, but reassuring smile. "That, I cannot say. I know not the nature of this meeting."

Nodding in response, Lúthien accepted the fact that no one could tell her why she was sent for other than the Lord himself. At least she now knew it had to do with Gandalf the Grey, but she still had no idea what awaited her. She knew nothing about the man named Gandalf, other than the fact that she'd heard his name as a whisper in a dream that caused her to seek him out. In a thought, she was chasing a phantom. Now that she was about to face that phantom, the reality of it finally struck her and she began to question herself. What if she had misinterpreted her dream? What if she was really to go to Rivendell and warn them against the one named Gandalf? The urge to run struck her heavily as Lady Siriowen stopped her before a solid oak door carved with trumpet flowers and vines. Lady Siriowenknocked, and astern voice called for them to enter. Before Lúthien could stow her fears, she was led inside. Lady Siriowen did not enter with her.

As the door was closed behind her and she found herself left alone, she took in the cozy atmosphere of Lord Elrond's study. Towering all around her were shelves upon rows of books and scrolls. Maps of Middle Earth colored the walls, and Lúthien's mouth went unchecked as it fell open in wonder. Holding books upright and in place were intricately carved statuettes sitting at the end of incomplete rows of books. Other, larger carvings littered the room. Some were large enough to stand on their own as a centerpiece. One that caught her immediate attention was that of a warrior in full battle garb astride a rearing stallion also donned with battle armor. The attention to detail in the expression alone was enough to make one believe they could almost read the warrior's mind as he was about to forge into battle. Reaching out, she traced along the lines and folds of the polished stone, suddenly wondering not only how it was carved to expertly, but also how it was brought there. It looked to be incredibly heavy. So intent on the furnishings of Lord Elrond's study was she that she jumped and almost squeaked in alarm as a voice called out to her.

"Lady Lúthien Arwen, we are over here."

Acknowledging the voice, she followed it with restrained curiosity. Maneuvering her way through the veritable maze of bookshelves, she rounded into an open area. She openly awed at the plush furniture set before a beautifully crafted fireplace and mantle. She'd never seen padded chairs before. Before the fire rested a padded bench seat she would later learn to be called a 'sofa'. On that seat sat Lord Elrond and another. She recognized him immediately from earlier that day and heard in her mind Elrohir call out his name.

"Mithrandir..." She whispered, her shock complete. This was the hunched old man that had nearly been run over in today's race. Surely he could not be the Gandalf she saught...

Both men standing to greet her properly, the old man gave her a merry smile. "Ah, so you've heard of me." He spoke, his voice a plethora of warmth and kindness. "I dare say you should believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see, young lady." He joked.

Lúthien just stared in a whirlwind of emotions. Would this rickety old man bring her the answers she was seeking? "Are you," she began, hesitant to ask lest she make herself a fool. She tried again. "Are you Gandalf?"

Gandalf just chuckled warmly. "Indeed, I am. And would you be the lovely Lúthien Arwen?" He asked, his good nature comforting her as much as she could be at the moment. She was terribly lost. She had no idea where to begin speaking to this elderly stranger, and no inkling other than her strange dream that he could even help her.

"I have been speaking to Gandalf about what you have told me thus far, Lady Lúthien, and he is most intrigued." Lord Elrond spoke, solving her momentary dilemma for her. "We would both like to hear more about these strange experiences of yours. Please, take a seat." Lord Elrond encouraged, gesturing to a padded chair set close to the sofa. She took the seat before them and looked from one to the other with slight anxiety. Would they finally be able to tell her what it all meant? Would it be an answer that she wanted to know?

"Please, start from the beginning." Gandalf encouraged.

Lúthien took a deep breath and began to recall her tale from the day she and her parents fled from their home. However, before she could begin to describe the riders, Gandalf cut her short.

"Young Lúthien, please start from the very beginning. Start with your earliest childhood memories, and what your parents have told you from when you were too young to remember."

Lúthien now understood. He wanted her whole life's story, not just what led her to Rivendell in search of him. Taking another breath, she started again, beginning with her parents' struggle to bear a child and ending with her arrival in Rivendell. She told of her youth and knowing from an early age that she was very different from other children. She told of her parent's high regard for elves and the respect for them she was raised with. She told of her favor in her village for healing people, plants, and animals. She tried to explain her understanding for animals, how she could know their thoughts, and at times almost swear she could hear them speak. There were times she could hear her name clear as day to the point that she would respond before looking to see who had called her. Many times, there had been no one around but creatures of the forests or her horses in the stables. Sometimes she thought she might imagine it all, sometimes even hoped it. Her parents had worried for her when she'd told them about the voices calling her name. They'd thought either that she was being pursued by those with ill intent or her mind was faltering. She had stopped telling them after that, and they'd passed it off as simple childhood imagination.

She told them about how she feels. She explained how when someone is ill with something she's never experienced before, she somehow knows the thing that will help. She told how it's not real knowledge that leads her, but a form of intuition. She explained about the feelings of fear she experiences when danger is near. She told of her dreams, the horrible creatures, the golden ring, and the horrible flaming eye. She spoke about the pain she felt from her dreams and even the time when a reoccurring dream of the flaming eye would not release her, and how she was pulled from the dream by Gilleth to find herself in blood that did not seem to be hers. She finished by explaining to Gandalf that it was in her dreams that she learned his name and that she should seek him in Rivendell. After she had stopped speaking and her throat was slightly hoarse, Lord Elrond and Gandalf looked at each other seriously. They began to converse with each other in Elvish, and Lúthien was disheartened to wait in the dark about their thoughts and feelings until they finished. However, she had no choice. She desperately needed answers, so she was compelled to sit and wait.

"What would you make of such abnormal abilities, Mithrandir?"Lord Elrond asked, eyeing over the old man seriously. He had his suspicions, however he wanted Gandalf's opinion, first.

Gandal stroked his bearded chin as if in deep contemplation. "It would seem to me the work of magic."

Lord Elrond nodded. "I had suspected as much. I must speak with my daughter concerning this matter. I have a feeling Lúthien's current predicament has much do to with Arwen's actions some twenty years ago." He spoke seriously, glancing at the lovely young girl that regarded him with nervous anticipation.

"So you believe Arwen has enchanted Lúthien, then?" Gandalf asked casually, easily believing that this human girl could have been charmed by elfin magic.

Lord Elrond squared a gaze upon Gandalf that left no question he was very certain of what he was about to say. "More than that, Mithrandir. If my suspicions are confirmed, Arwen may have done more than simply enchanted her. She very well could have gifted her with our magic. By the blood of the very lineage whose name she bears, Lúthien may be blessed."

"You think her legacy flows that deeply still within Arwen?" Gandalf asked casting his scrutinizing gaze from Lord Elrond to Lúthien and back again.

"I am sure as the sunrise." Lord Elrond responded somberly, turning with Gandalf to look at the subject of their conversation.

"What should we tell her?" Gandalf asked, nothing how Lúthien squirmed nervously under their duel gaze.

"Nothing." Lord Elrond replied, earning him a raised brow from Gandalf. "First, let me speak with Arwen. Then, we decide from there."

Gandalf nodded, acknowledging Lord Elrond's words. He hoped that this meeting would not take a great while longer. He had spared only a fleeting moment for the young, comatose Hobbit thus far before the Lord had called for his audience. He had failed him at the Prancing Pony. He owed it to the young lad to stay vigil at his side until he finally awoke. His heart still ached for poor Frodo.

Cerulean Sage

"Well that's another complete chapter of Lúthien. Don't know what to say about this chapter except that the odd circumstance surrounding Lúthien are finally starting to come together. Now her strange abilities will start to make more sense. Also, yes... Lúthien (the original Lúthien ) is indeed Lord Elrond's great grandmother. Lord Elrond was borne of Elwig, who was borne of Doir Eluchíl, who was borne of Lúthien. Contradict this and I'll slap you with about 6 pages of information that will prove my case. Also, there's a reason I switch from calling Gandalf to Mithrandir. When the elves speak to him or of him, he is Mithrandir, unless they are speaking to Lúthien about him. In Westeron, his name is Gandalf the Grey. In Elvish, it is Mithrandir, which means 'the grey wanderer'. Lúthien speaks Westeron, so they refer to his Westeron name when speaking to her. Hope you all enjoy. NOW REVIEW! It's a shame that out of over 1 thousand hits on my story, I have only 26 reviews."