Belberien did not enjoy a happy childhood - and for an elf,childhood lasts a long time.  She excelled in none of the arts and skills one associates with elves.  Her voice has always been deep and somewhat discordant and her singing has been cruelly compared to the cawing of a craban and nor did she show that facility with language which might have inspired her to write beautiful poetry - indeed, her speech was often direct to the point of bluntness.  She showed no interest or proficiency in playing any musical instrument, nor did she acquire the knowledge of healing herbs and plants which might have led to a future as a healer.  As she approached maturity her father and mother became increasingly anxious about what the future might hold for their only daughter.

Belberien herself took to wandering alone along the woodland ways surrounding Elrond's house and it was on one such walk that a stranger approached her, a beautiful elven lady in a flowing gown of scarlet and green.  Without the formality of an introduction the lady took Belberien by the hand and asked her to walk with her a little way.

"Why so sad, young one?" the lady asked.

" I do not belong here," replied the girl. "I am not beautiful, I do not sing or play, My body is clumsy and my speech is rough and rude - surely, I am not fitted to keep company in this Elven court."

The lady took Belberien by both hands and reached to examine the silver necklace, decorated with semi-precious stones, hanging at Belberien's neck.  "A pretty thing, and finely crafted too," she said.  "How did you come by this?"

"It is of my own making" replied the girl.  "Oft times I have crept away from the merrymaking to pass the time alone in the workshop of the silversmiths and jewellers.  I love to polish and cut the rough stones rejected by the crafters - imperfect though they are there is still a beauty to be revealed."

The lady placed her hands on Belberien's shoulders and smiled.  "Heed your own words well, young one," she said.  "You say you are clumsy, yet I say you are strong; you speak plainly yet I sense you are honest; you say you are not beautiful yet you have an eye for beauty that can transform the plainest stone.  You are indeed worthy of this place and I believe you care deeply for all those who dwell here.  Go, Belberien, discover and be true unto thyself"

And with that the lady left Belberien alone, standing and wondering in the glade.