Galadriel was stunned--both in that there was a dog suddenly biting at her hair and then that her arms were abruptly filled with another elf. There is a pause, then, however brief, before she recovers and remembers herself--when she does, Galadriel's expression blooms into something truly joyous and she wraps her arms tightly around Merrill, folding her into an embrace nearly as enthusiastic as Merrill's own.

"Merrill! Mae govannen'!" Galadriel all but shouts, her surprise spelled out in every facet of her voice. "I have not dreamed to see you here! Have you been here long? Did you travel far?"

Galadriel shifts and draws back just far enough to stare at Merrill's face. Her hand, without pause, sweeps the younger elf's hair back and rests on her cheek.

"Tell me you have not been caught up in the human conflicts that litter these lands."