The evening went relatively well, considering that the dwarves and the elves did not kill each other that evening.

After two hours, Elenwë could no longer stand still. She had to move.

She went to the painting corridor.

A stone statue was holding a stone tray with pieces of Närsil, the sword that had cut off Sauron's finger and taken the Ring from him.

A huge painting showed the scene. Isildur held the sword up, triumphant.

Elenwë turned away from the sword and approached a large painting.

Celebrían, Elrond's wife. The woman who had raised her as her own daughter.

She put her hand on the canvas.

With her heart clenched, she moved away from the painting.

She walked away without realising that Legolas was not far away, sitting in an armchair.

Legolas looked at the painting and read "Celebrían, Lady of Imladris, wife of Lord Elrond - Joined the White Shores in 2510 3A."

He then followed the young Elenwë, who seemed so strange to him.

She entered a relatively dimly lit corridor and could not hold back an exclamation of surprise when two arms grabbed her.

-A!

-Are you afraid of me?

Elenwë relaxed and answered:

-Of course not, but I hadn't seen you. You surprised me.

-Well, well, well, well. Forgive me, then.

-You wanted to speak to me, Ada?

-Mae. Elenwë. Mankoi lle uma tanya? (Yes. Elenwë. Why did you do that?)

-I... don't know. I had a feeling. I knew I had to go.

-Did you think about your old father?

-To tell the truth, just before I accepted, that was the first thing I thought of. I know you're disappointed in me.

-No. I'm sorry you're leaving, but you've never disappointed me, Elenwë.
Detholalle. (It's your choice) And I respect it. You were destined to join this community, I saw that.

-But why do I wonder...

-You will have an important role to play. I'm sure you will.

-Hannon him, Ada. (Thank you, Papa.)

Elrond hugged his daughter tightly.

He whispered:

-I shall miss you, Elenwë.

-I shall miss you too.

-Will you come back?

-I can't promise you that, but I'll try.

-You'd better. I don't want to lose you like Celebrían. At least not so soon. You're still young, and six centuries isn't enough time for an elf.

They stood there, unaware that Legolas, in spite of himself, had heard the whole conversation.

Elenwë sang a song and Elrond quickly joined her.

Their melodious voices rose up into the starry sky.

Legolas shivered. Elenwë had a splendid voice.

Uich gwennen na 'wanath ah na dhín.
You are not bound by loss and silence.
An uich gwennen na ringyrn ambar hen.
For you are not bound to the circles of this world.
Boe naid bain gwannathar,
All things must pass,
Boe cuil ban firitha.
All life is doomed to fade away.
Boe naer gwannathach.
You have to go, and yet you are not without hope.

Elrond and Elenwë remained for a moment in silence. The last notes of their song echoed deep in the Rivendell valley.
The Lord of Rivendell spoke with these sweet words in mind.

-Elenwë, I must join our guests. Losto Mae.

-Losto Mae Ada.

Elrond hugged his daughter in his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead.

He left the room silently, leaving Elenwë alone, leaning against the balcony railing.

Thranduil's son approached her and also came to lean against the railing.

Without looking at her, he said:

-Mara Lomë, wen Elenwë. (Good evening, Lady Elenwë).

-Mae Govannen, Legolas, Thranduilion. (Nice to meet you, Legolas, son of Thranduil.)

-Mae Govannen.

They didn't say much more. Apparently the Black Forest Prince was not very talkative.

In fact, it seemed to the young elf that he was rather cold although courteous.

After all, this did not bother her.

At times, especially in the evening when the moon and stars appeared, Elenwë liked to think in silence, soaking up the calm of the night.

Elenwë looked discreetly at Legolas.

He was tall and strong, although rather thin. He had beautiful blue eyes and long blond, almost white hair.

In the moonlight his hair formed a silver river on his shoulders.

She looked away and closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Legolas had decided to observe her. Elenwë was a splendid elf who looked a lot like Arwen. Rather tall, although smaller than him, she was slim. Her eyes were grey and her hair black. She had a pale complexion on which the moonlight seemed to be projected.

He contemplated the valley.

He was intrigued. Why did she want to come with them? She was a woman. More than that, a lady among elves. She looked delicate and distinguished.
She loved her father and this place. She was very young for an elf.

As Legolas didn't want to ask himself any questions on that beautiful night, he isolated himself.

He didn't hear Elenwë slowly leave the room and go down into the gardens just below the balcony. She quickly put on an outfit consisting of a brown tunic reaching to her knees and black tights. Slightly high boots with flat soles.

She took a few steps, weighing her sword with her right hand.

When she came close to a beautiful tree, she made some technical movements.

Suddenly, her sword met another one.

-Oh, it is you Aragorn! You surprised me! Didn't you stay with the others?

-I needed some fresh air, my dear!

-Perhaps I am disturbing you?

-Not in the least, Elenwë. As long as we're here, how about a little duel?

-Yes, it would be the revenge of the revenge of the revenge of the revenge of the duel the other day!

They laughed and Legolas, in a high position, suddenly paid attention to them.

He saw them warning each other.

He was strong and quite fast.
It was very agile and lively.

This duel quickly became a real technical dance.
Subjugated, Legolas recognized that he was far from being as good, and yet he was several centuries old.

But Legolas was an expert in archery. He could easily aim just three hundred metres away and up to half a kilometre he could hit his target.

The two swordsmen continued for a long time until Aragorn disarmed the elf.

Elenwë surrendered.

-I have lost, Aragorn. Let us stop here for today.

-You are very strong Elenwë, probably the most formidable opponent I have met.

-It is fortunate for you that I am on your side then!

-Yes! Poor Glorfindel is no longer a match for you!

-HOW IS THAT?

Glorindel had just arrived near them.

Elenwë, smiling, thought: "When you talk about the wolf...".

-Can't I defend myself? Is that what you mean by Aragorn?

-I am not implying, I am saying! This one answered with aplomb.

-Aha! You will pay for this!

As Elenwë's laughter reached Legolas' ears, Glorfindel threw himself on Aragorn and they began to fight nicely.

After a while she interrupted them.

-All right, children! Amin autien rath. (I'm going to bed.)

-What a meal, wen Elenwë. (Rest well lady Elenwë) The elf and the Dúnedain replied.

A few minutes later Legolas stayed on the balcony.
The air was soft and he felt good, soothed.

It had been a long time since he had been here.
Last time he was still a child and his mother... was still alive at the time.
But she had been killed. By orcs.
From that day on, Thranduil never came out of the caves that made up his kingdom.

He had also lost his father that day. Thranduil had never recovered.