"DaerAda! DaerAda!" The clear voice of the Elfling broke through the golden silence of Lothlórien. "Where are you?" She demanded, looking behind a silver mallorn trunk.

The Lord of Silver looked out from behind a tree and Arwen gave a cry of triumph, running forward to wrap herself around his leg. "I knew I could find you!"

Celeborn laughed, wrestling her off his leg to put her upon his shoulders. "Indeed you could, little Evenstar!"

"I want t'go down to the Nimrodel." said Arwen, idly tangling her grandfather's silver hair.

Celeborn smiled and set her on her feet. Summer afternoon was in the Golden Woods, and the soft wind stirred amidst the leaves and lifted the heat. The grass was green beneath their feet, the niphredil grey-green. "Shall we go then?" he asked, holding her tiny hand in his.

After a moment of silence, Arwen lifted a solemn little face. "DaerAda, I've been thinking."

"Have you now?"

Arwen nodded. "Yes. DaerNana sometimes spoke of Nimrodel, but I want to know who she really, really was."

"We do not know much of Nimrodel." replied Celeborn. "Save she was fair, and a dancer."
"Was she a Nolde?" asked Arwen.

"I do not know." answered Celeborn truthfully. Arwen frowned, putting a finger in her mouth to absorb this. "Why not?" she asked at last.

"I do not know a lot of things, tithen-el."

"But you have lived very long." returned Arwen. She looked away, and then back again. "Where did you live afore Lothlórien?"

"I dwelt in Doriath for a time."

Arwen's grey eyes grew round, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Was that where Lúthien lived?"

Celeborn ducked under a low hanging spray of golden leaves. "Indeed it was."

"Did you ever see her Nana?"

"Many times. Queen Melian was a Maia, a spirit from the Blessed Realms. It was from thence she came and thither she has returned."

"Will I see her?" asked Arwen.
Celeborn chuckled. "Maybe you will, little one. She is now in the gardens of Lórien and Esté."

"Tisn't this place named Lórien too?" asked Arwen once more.

"Yes, sometimes it is."

"So why are there two places named Lórien?"

Celeborn was forced to reply that he did not know this either.

"You don't know a lot of things, DaerAda." said Arwen sweetly, clambering down the bank of the Nimrodel. "But Elladan does. He knows everything. He even knows why there are two places named Lórien."

"Really."

"Yes. He said that Lord Irmo was so jealous of the Golden Woods he named his place after it too." answered the Elfling innocently. "DaerAda, can I wade? Nimrodel wouldn't mind that, would she?"

"No, I suppose she wouldn't, but your mother might." replied Celeborn dryly. Arwen shrugged. "Sometimes Nana and I go swimming together. I think it's fine. Will you hold my shoes, please?"

Celeborn obediently took the shoes and sat down on the bank while Arwen splashed around, staying in the sun-warmed shallows.

He was lost in memories, recalling vividly the first time he had taken Celebrían down to the Nimrodel. Fearless and strong-willed, she had raced along the bank and instantly dived into the pool. "DaerAda!" came Arwen's insistent voice and he opened his eyes. "Yes?"

"Can I go swimming?"

"I think not." said Celeborn firmly. "Not today, at the least. Put on your shoes and let us go back."

"But it's so warm." moaned Arwen, nevertheless pulling her shoes on.
"And I never said it wasn't. But you are not dressed for swimming." replied Celeborn. "Give me your hand, Evenstar."

"DaerAda," announced Arwen at last. "I love you."

Celeborn looked down in surprise, wondering what had prompted this. "I love you as well, Arwen." he said, kneeling till he was level with her. She threw her arms around his neck at this, and refused to let go. "Carry me…..please."