It was difficult to stand in the White Lady's presence. There was an unseen brightness about her that was almost painful, but Fairlain stood nonetheless and listened with wonder to the Lady's words.
"I have seen you from afar, young one," She said. "I have seen the evil you faced and did not submit to. I have seen, too, the love that was poured out on your behalf...in both full and half measure." Galadriel stepped close to the young hunter and with a gentle touch lifted her face to look directly into her eyes.
"I do not know if the choice of your Sire was right or wrong, but it is woven into the fabric of the worlds both seen and unseen that we are given freedom to choose..."
Was that a wistful smile that appeared so briefly on the beautiful face?
"...and that we must accept the result of our choice."
She continued, "But this has caused you pain, and made you draw away from the part of yourself which should have given you strength and joy." She paused. In that brief moment of silence, it seemed as though the air itself vibrated with compassion
"Know this, Faerlhain of the three races, that I, Galadriel, hold you as kin. Let none say that you are anything less than what you are...a child of Love. You are free, as are all creatures of Light, yet I would hope that you will stay with us a little. Learn that we of the Eldar have not entirely forgotten joy, and there is much beauty and strength to be drawn from the wisdom here..."
She smiled.
"The choice is yours, though...gather that which is yours back to you with our blessing, and know that you are most welcome in this place. Will you stay with us?"
Fairlain nodded, her eyes full of grateful tears.
