Disclaimer: I do not own J.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy or his characters. I only own my own characters created for this fanfiction.

Note: I don't know enough elvish to write it so anything that is spoken in Sindarin will be in italics and bold.

Chapter 1

"My Lady!"

A young elf with blond hair braided on the sides combining into one ran through the golden forest of his city as he headed for the center. Spotting the large tree, he ran up the steps without stopping, pushing aside the guards, all the while keeping his precious cargo safe in his arms.

"My Lady!" he shouted as his tired and battered body finally made it to the talan (1).

There, on the far side of the talan where two thrones were perched sat the elf's Lord and Lady.

"Rumil. Why have you come back? You were to accompany Caladwen to Imladris." Celeborn said.

"…I bring grave news. I wish it was not I that had to bear this burden, but..." the elf, now identified as Rumil, lowered his head. "Lady Caladwen has fallen…"

The Lord and Lady of Lothlorien took in a sharp intake of air.

"No…" The female elf, the Lady Galadriel, grieved as sorrow made its way onto her features. "My dearest daughter…!" crystalline tears managed to escape Galadriel's eyes as Celeborn took his wife's hand in his own.

"I am sorry. I have failed to protect the Lady. We were ambushed by a band of orcs on our way to Imladris. The stress caused Lady Caladwen to go into labor and…" Rumil stepped forward and held out his precious charge.

In his arms was a bundle of soft blankets. Now that their attention had focused on it, they heard soft breathing and saw the blankets move with each breath.

Celeborn and Galadriel instantly got up from their seats and quickly walked towards Rumil. Celeborn was first to reach out to move the blankets to reveal a small elven face with blonde hair. The child opened its eyes to reveal soft blue eyes, the color of the wide blue skies. Galadriel reached out and took the child into her arms.

"My…granddaughter…!" Galadriel whispered, tears streaming down her face as she brought the child close. "Oh how you have your mother's eyes. My poor child…!"

"Thank you, Rumil. For trying to protect our daughter and for bringing our granddaughter back safely." Celeborn said as he took hold of his wife and eyed the child lovingly. "For though we have lost one loved one, we have gained another."

Rumil bowed deeply to his Lord and Lady before leaving them to themselves. Celeborn and Galadriel retreated to their inner chamber with the child. The little elleth gurgled and giggled as she stared up at her grandparents, reaching with her little hands towards their faces. Galadriel smiled through her tears.

"What shall we name you, little one?" Galadriel smiled at their little hope.

"Eldarwen." Celeborn smiled.

Once they were in their room, Galadriel sent one of her handmaidens to retrieve the old cradle that she once used for her two daughters, Celebrian and Caladwen. But all of a sudden, Galadriel sat down on their bed while the child still rested in her arms, her eyes focused on something far away. Seeing this, Celeborn sat down next to her, his arm around her shoulders in worry, knowing full well that Galadriel was having a premonition of what may happen in the near or far future.

"What is it, melethnin (2)?" Celeborn asked.

"The one ring has been found…" Galadriel whispered hoarsely.

Celeborn looked at her in surprise and dread.

"The world is starting to change… No one is safe now…" Galadriel said. "And dear Eldarwen… She has yet to play her role in this…"

"You mean to tell me that our granddaughter will part of the one ring's struggle?" Celeborn asked, as his worry started to escalate.

"Yes. Though that time is still far off. But until then, we must prepare her."

Galadriel looked down at the innocent face, free of any knowledge of the evils that are about to plunge the world into darkness.

"Our little light..."

(1) Talan – the flat areas in the trees of Lothlorien where the Lorien elves make their homes.

(2) Melethnin – My love

I have been getting into Lord of the Rings lately and have decided to write a story while working on my other ones. Please review!

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