No one ever asks about Arradril's life before Imladris.An Elf of sufficient wisdom who had lived during the First Age might piece together her sudden animation if someone mentions war machinery or the fire-breathing Urulóki; and her reaction to any discussion of Durin's Bane -- and correctly surmise that Arradril was one of the host of Nevrast that followed Turgon to Gondolin. There she served the House of the Swallow and eventually covered the retreat of women and children led by Idril Celebrindal.

Her history after the Mouths of Sirion is less clear, simply because of the sheer difficulty in getting Arradril to discuss herself. Somewhere along the way, she gained an alarming collection of concealable weaponry and formidable wilderness survival skills. And yet she is content to follow the orders of Lady Manadhlaer, quietly observing and memorizing the movements of others. Free with her aid to members of her House, she nevertheless turns cold and menacing when confronted with a traitor or an oathbreaker -- prepared to offer any resistance, and foil the plans of such persons at any turn.

Her stiffness begins to crack in the presence of a certain warrior of her House. Although Branalph served Finrod and Orodreth at Nargothrond, and did not enter Gondolin, something about him seems to comfort her -- and yet also challenge her in ways she had not predicted.