Disclaimer: I do not own LotR or anything else in Arda.

Author's Note: The title of this story is rough Sindarin for 'Daughter of the Elves.'

Yestarë, SA 3390

"Arnenion, we can't take her any further!" Limlanthir called to his brother. The golden-haired elf wheeled his horse back around. "We need to stop!" Limlanthir continued. "She needs more medical attention than we can provide!" Arnenion argued. "You ride for our halls. I'll stay here with her," Limlanthir proposed. "I am a healer as well as a warrior." Arnenion hesitated, then nodded and galloped away.

Limlanthir gently dismounted from his horse and lifted his mother to the ground. She groaned. "It's alright, Nana, it's me, Limlanthir, you're safe." "Lim," she gasped. "Baby…coming…now!" "What?" Limlanthir asked sharply. "You're not due for months now!" "Baby…will…die…with me…other…wise," his mother choked out. "Don't talk like that, Nana, you're not going to die," Limlanthir urged. "Fading," she said. "I…can…feel…it. Ah!" She cried out in pain. "Lim…you… have…to…deliver…baby!" "Yes, Nana," he said shakily, praying that Arnenion would arrive with the healers before then.

Unfortunately, two hours later, help had not arrived. He knelt at his mother's feet. "Push, Nana, push!" he urged. She cried out in pain as Limlanthir watched, able to do little. "I can see the head!" he exclaimed. "You're almost there, Nana!" A moment later, Limlanthir held a wailing baby elleth in his arms. "It's a girl, Nana, your first daughter," Limlanthir said. "Nana, you have to live, for the baby! What are you going to name her?" She was quiet for a moment, though breathing heavily. "I think…" she finally gasped, "I shall…name her…Laegriel." "Laegriel," Limlanthir repeated. "Fresh green princess. It's beautiful, Nana, just like her."

"I am…fading, Limlanthir," she said quietly. "Tell your father…and brothers…I love them. Make sure…Laegriel…knows as well. I…love you, Limlanthir. Navaer." She took a last, shuddering breath, and then was gone. Tears began streaming down Limlanthir's face. He mindlessly removed his cloak and used it to wrap his new baby sister up in. He rocked her gently as he moved to his mother's head and placed it in his lap. The baby soon fell asleep.

Not twenty minutes after she died, Limlanthir heard the thunder of many galloping horses. A moment later, Arnenion rode up with their father and brothers. Arnenion's two sons and Limlanthir's son were with them. "It's too late," Limlanthir said bleakly. "She's dead." "NO!" their father yelled, jumping off his horse and running to her side. "Lasbelin! You cannot be dead!" He began to cry. Limlanthir held out the bundle in his arms. "Ada…she gave birth just before she died. It's a girl. Nana named her Laegriel." "My only daughter…" he muttered, taking the babe in his arms and cradling her with practiced ease. "The only princess of Greenwood. Eriel. One of only two elvish princesses in Middle-earth." He looked down at her, examining her face. "She looks just like Lasbelin. Perhaps I shall call her Pînlass." "Pînlass Laegriel," Arnenion said. "No," their father said. "Laegriel Pînlass. As always, Lasbelin had the best idea."

Limlanthir's brothers had dismounted and were crowded around the baby. The youngest of them, Saelthelion, was already far into adulthood, with a son of his own. No one had expected Thranduil and Lasbelin to have another child. "She is very fair, for one so young," Arthothronn mentioned. "We may have trouble keeping the ellyn away from her when she is older." The baby was quickly handed back to Limlanthir. "Take her to my father's halls," his father ordered. "Arnenion, Hîralfirin, Saelthelion, go with him. Take the twins and Aergil. Tell your grandfather and your grandmother that Lasbelin has passed and I am grieving. If Cenedril wishes to come out here, Arnen, Al, and Sael will escort her. We will wait the customary week, then we will bring Lasbelin's body back to the Halls for her funeral."

It took much longer to reach the Halls than it should have, mainly because Limlanthir was unused to carrying a baby while riding. When they arrived, they went straight to the throne room and knelt before the king. "Oropher-aran," Arnenion greeted. "We bring tidings from our father, Thranduil Oropherion. Our mother, Lasbelin of Gondolin, is dead. She lasted long enough to give birth to a daughter, who has been named Laegriel Pînlass." "I am so sorry, Arnenion Thranduilion," their grandfather said. "May I greet my first granddaughter?" Limlanthir approached him and wordlessly held out the bundle. Oropher took it and looked at her for a long time. "She looks like Lasbelin," he said. "That's what Ada said," Saelthelion commented.

The doors flew open, and a dark-haired elleth practically flew in. "Lasbelin?" she demanded. "Where is she?" "She faded, Nananeth," Arnenion said solemnly. "She gave birth first." Cenedril quickly moved over to where Oropher held the sleeping baby. "Girl or boy?" she asked, peering down at her. "Girl," Limlanthir replied. "Nana named her Laegriel, and Ada is calling her Pînlass. Laegriel Pînlass. He said Nana had the best idea." "May I hold her?" Cenedril asked Oropher. The king handed the baby to her. "I can see why Thranduil is calling her little leaf," Cenedril mentioned. "She looks very much like Lasbelin did as a baby."

"Ada said that Hîralfirin, Saelthelion, and I are to escort you out to where Nana lies if you wish, Nananeth," Arnenion stated. "Please," she nodded, tears falling gently down her face. "I'll go get my cloak." She handed the baby to Limlanthir and disappeared. "You should probably take her to Tawarloth," Oropher mentioned. "She's still nursing Thalion, isn't she, Saelthelion?" "Yes, Oropher-aran," Saelthelion said with a bow.

Oropher nodded curtly. "He's a bit old for it, but it's a good thing. She can nurse Laegriel until she's weaned. Gwanûn, Gwanûr, Aergil, go tell all your aunts the bad news." The three bowed and left the room, just as Cenedril reentered. "I'm ready," she announced. Arnenion nodded. "Let's go." They all bowed to Oropher and left the room, leaving only Limlanthir and Laegriel behind. He also bowed, awkwardly, due to the baby in his arms. "I shall see you soon, Adadar," he said. "You're dismissed," Oropher agreed.

Limlanthir quickly left the room in search of Tawarloth. He found her, along with his wife and his other brothers' wives, in their embroidery room. The twins and Aergil had already arrived, and all the women were crying but Heleghiril, who never cried but looked close to it, and Ivorbaneth, who refused to cry because it ruined her makeup. "Is it true, Lim?" his wife, Aeladuial cried out as he entered the room. "Yes," he said, grief making his voice hoarse. "Nana is dead. I have a new baby sister, Laegriel Pînlass." He turned to look at Tawarloth. "Will you nurse her?" She hesitated a moment, then held out her arms for the baby. Limlanthir gently handed her over. At the change of hands, Laegriel awoke and began to cry. Tawarloth quickly hurried away to nurse her.

Aela came over to him and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug. Limlanthir let himself sink into her arms. He had been closest to his mother, of the eight sons. Of the eight, only he was a healer like she was. Arnenion was the Crown Prince. Belmethor, Tûrgelir, Baraglawar, and Arthothronn were warriors. Hîralfirin was practically a wood elf, spending all his time with plants and animals. Saelthelion was a scholar. Of all the children, Limlanthir had spent the most time with their mother. He would miss her dearly.

He gently pulled himself out of Aela's arms. She was watching him intently. "Will you fade?" she whispered in his ear. He shook his head. "Laegriel needs me. So does Arnen. If Ada fades…" She kissed him lightly. "I understand." She returned to her chair and picked up her embroidery once more. Limlanthir snagged a book from the bookshelf – he didn't care what it was – and sat down beside her. He opened the book, but barely made it a line before his mind drifted towards his parents and brothers and sister.

A moment later, Tawarloth was back, handing the baby to Limlanthir. "I think you're her favorite, Lim," she joked lightly. "She's done." Limlanthir looked around at his sisters-in-law. "Anyone else want to hold her?" he offered. A chorus of exclamations answered him.

The funeral for Lasbelin was very solemn. It had been two weeks since her death, enough time for dignitaries and emissaries to arrive from across Middle-earth. Elendil came from Arnor and Isildur and Anárion from Gondor. Dúrin IV came from Khazad-dúm, and Lossenhathel from Dorwinion. Celeborn, Galadriel, and Celebrían came from Lothlórien and Gil-galad, Elrond, and Glorfindel came from Lindon. It was the last that everyone was most excited to see. Cenedril had not seen her husband since he had died in the First Age, and the Thranduilionneth had never met their other grandfather.

Glorfindel had written to Cenedril as soon as he had returned to Middle-earth as an extremely powerful Elf-lord. He had told her of his return, and that he could not come to live with her and Lasbelin in Greenwood, as he had to assist Gil-galad under the orders of the Valar. Cenedril and Lasbelin had visited him once, when Thranduil had to make a state visit to Lindon. None of the children had accompanied them, though they all exchanged regular letters with their grandfather. Now, Glorfindel was finally coming to Greenwood. It was heartbreaking that the first time he met them would be for his only child's funeral. The Thranduilionneth all suspected that when he left, Cenedril would go with him. Her daughter was dead. There was nothing for her here now.

Thranduil, his sons, their wives, and their sons greeted everyone who arrived. Laegriel was only present to greet the last party, the one from Lindon. They politely paid their respects to their fourth cousin, Ereinion Gil-galad, then to their second cousin once removed, Elrond, then to their long-absent grandfather. Arnenion spoke first. "Le suilon, Glorfindel o Thlim Losglóriol, adar o Lasbelin, hervenn o Cenedril. Im Arnenion Thranduilion, ion-iarwain o Thranduil i Rínernil o Caleneryn i Beleg." Glorfindel smiled broadly, but sadly. "Gi suilon, Arnenion o Caleneryn i Beleg, ion o iell-nín. Mae g'ovannen."

Arnenion quickly, as quickly as one could with so many people, introduced the Thranduilionneth and their wives and sons. Lastly, he introduced the baby in Limlanthir's arms. "This is Laegriel Pînlass, given to Ada and Nana just before Nana died, brennyn-nín." "May I hold her?" Glorfindel asked politely. Limlanthir handed the baby over. "She is very sweet," he said. "But fiery. Her temper is short, and she will lash out in anger. But she is strong. And brave. Braver than most of the Eldar. You will be great one day, little one," he told the baby affectionately. "Is that a prophecy?" Saelthelion asked. Glorfindel though a moment, then nodded. "I believe it was."

The funeral was held the day after they arrived. Thranduil, Cenedril, Glorfindel, and Limlanthir were the chief mourners. The Thranduilionneth had decided, amongst themselves, that as Limlanthir was the closest to their mother among their number, it should be he who represented them in mourning. All four chief mourners were dressed in black robes, with heavy hoods and veils. If not for height differences, it would have been impossible to tell who was who. None of the men were short, but Glorfindel and Limlanthir were both extremely tall, though the younger was still shorting than the Balrog-slayer. Thranduil was an inch shorter than Limlanthir, and Cenedril was several inches shorter than him.

The body was carried into the court in a gilded coffin, borne by four silent pallbearers. These were the four warrior sons, Belmethor, Tûrgelir, Baraglawar, and Arthothronn. They all had tears streaming down their cheeks, but they did their duty as pallbearers, gently laying the coffin on pedestal and bowing to it. They then stepped back for the chief mourners to come forward. A mourner knelt at one corner of the coffin. Cenedril and Thranduil were audibly sobbing, barely upright from the force of their sobs. Limlanthir and Glorfindel both shook with muffled sobs. Everyone was very solemn as they paid their respects to the Crown Princess. The Thranduilionneth were all crying, except for Laegriel as she lay sleeping in Saelthelion's arms.

She woke up just as Saelthelion stopped by Lasbelin's coffin. "Na-na," she said in a small, high voice, reaching out to grab one of Lasbelin's slender fingers with a chubby hand. "Na-na. No, Na-na. No, Na-na." She repeated her chant, holding tightly to Lasbelin and not letting go, no matter what Saelthelion did. Thranduil stood from where he knelt beside the coffin and lowered his hood and raised his veil. "Pînlass, come to Ada," he said, reaching out to take her from Saelthelion. Surprisingly, Laegriel let go and reached for Thranduil. He took her in his arms and rocked her slightly. "Na-na go bye?" Laegriel asked, whimpering. "Yes, Pînlass," Thranduil cooed. "Your nana is going bye-bye. You'll see her again someday." "'Kay, A-da," she said, snuggling into his chest and falling back asleep. The ceremony was over shortly after. Thranduil kept Laegriel in his arms during the rest of it.

Two days later, all the dignitaries were leaving. Cenedril was also leaving, returning to Lindon with Glorfindel. "Navaer, Nananeth, Nanadar," Limlanthir said, again holding Laegriel. "Navaer, Limlanthir," Glorfindel said. Surprisingly, he had managed to learn all of their names in four days. "Navaer, Arnenion, Belmethor, Tûrgelir, Baraglawar, Arthothronn, Hîralfirin, Saelthelion. Navaer, Ivorbaneth, Aeladuial, Heleghiril, Gwiwileth, Silivren, Talagansell, Faeleirien, Tawarloth. Navaer, Gwanûn, Gwanûr, Aergil, Garamdir, Gladaraf, Seregollor, Longolf, Bellmeril, Thalion." He bowed lightly to each Thranduilionneth in turn.

Laegriel began to cry. "Nan-da, Na-na-na!" Both Cenedril and Glorfindel kissed her on the brow. "We will see you again, little leaf," Cenedril promised. "We are not leaving forever." "Na-na did," Laegriel said sadly. "We are not going good-bye forever like your Nana," Glorfindel said firmly. "We will come back. We promise, little leaf." "Bye-bye Nan-dar, Na-na-na," Laegriel said with a toothless smile and a small wave of her hand. Both smiled. "Bye-bye, little leaf," they said as they mounted up on their horses and rode away.