A/N: Hey, guys :) So, after watching the "Desolation of Smaug" (and it was just EPIC), I've decided to write my own fanfic about the "Hobbit" and I really hope you will like it. If you notice any grammar mistakes or if you want to add your own opinions and ideas, feel free, I do not bite.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I would, I do not own the "Hobbit"

The light of the lit torches illuminated the corridor in front of the closed door, making shadows appear on the stone walls that reminded someone of a cave. It was the only source of light, for the night outside was dark, without the stars or the moon breaking the midnight blue color of the sky. The scene around the Elf lord, who was pacing up and down, was sending waves of shudder through his entire body, making him fear for unpleasant news. He tried to keep his fears at bay, comforting himself that this night was to be a night of joy and happiness, for it was the night of the arrival of his first child. Though, the hour that grew late without any announcement, combined with the darkness that was surrounding the Woodland Realm, made him think that anything could go wrong. His eyes stayed focused on the door, as if he could burst it open with a mere glance, but it remained closed and silent.

'Av-'osto, mellon nin' Magor, his closest friend, who had come to stand by his side during the long waiting, guessed the lord's thoughts. The two of them had known each other for many years, they had been through many things together and Magor was the first person who had learned about his friend's marriage to Lady Malgelir. His presence next to Lord Aradhaelon seemed only natural at an hour like this and the latter was feeling very grateful that he was not alone.

Aradhaelon forced a smile on his face, attempting to listen to Magor's advice and calm his upset soul, but this smile soon faded and was once again replaced by the expression of pure agony, an agony that was even more obvious in his eyes, dark grey like storm clouds ready to open and let the raindrops fall. He thought about his wife and wondered how she was at the moment, and about his child that was coming into the world. When he wed Malgelir four years prior due to an arrangement between their fathers, he only felt affection and respect for her, thinking that it could not develop into something more. Yet, as time was passing, he grew to love her more than he had ever loved before, at a point where he missed her dearly even when he was away from her only for a few minutes. When he learned that they would become parents, he felt as if his life could not become more perfect, that he had everything he ever dreamed about.

If only everything would go well.

'Amin dele ten' he' he loudly said what he was thinking, taking a deep breath. 'Were you not feeling the same when your wife was giving birth to your daughter?' he added, remembering that night.

'Aye, I had the exact same worries with you, my friend' Magor admitted. 'But, then, my happiness when I saw Tauriel was bigger, because, after all this agony, I realized that everything was well. And the same will happen with Lady Malgelir, I am sure of it'

Aradhaelon nodded and the two Elves did not talk again. A deep silence fell in the area, which was interrupted only by Aradhaelon's soft whispers, his prayers to the Valar to be next to them and give him the blessing to see his long awaited child. He did not know how much time passed, minutes or hours, but, in a sudden, crying was heard from the room on the other side of the door. Aradhaelon stopped pacing up and down and stared at his friend with wide eyes, on the one hand relieved that the tormenting waiting was finally over, and on the other hand still unable to relax until he would hear the news. Only a few minutes later, Camaenil, the family's healer and their most loyal servant, came outside. When she saw the two men gazing at her, she smiled widely.

'My lord Aradhaelon, everything went very well' she merrily announced and her wise face was enlightened both by the shine of the torches and by her smile. 'The Lady Malgelir has given birth to a very healthy and beautiful little girl'

A deep sigh he was holding back escaped from Aradhaelon's lips as he returned the smile, staring towards Magor and forgetting his fears at once. One part of him still could not believe that he was a father now, not until he would see the living proof with his very own eyes. He turned towards Camaenil again, much calmer now, wanting to assure that Malgelir was also well.

'Camaenil, how is my wife? Did you tend to her? May I see her?'

'Lady Malgelir is also very well, like your daughter. She is only very tired, but this is nothing that can not be cured and a long sleep will help her' Camaenil willingly explained. 'You certainly may go to her, since she is also asking for you and wishes to see you'

'Hannon le' Aradhaelon replied and, after throwing a last, happy look towards his closest friend, entered the chamber.

It was illuminated with candles, which were throwing their gentle light all around, giving a peaceful and intimate atmosphere. The maids and ladies who had helped Lady Malgelir while she was giving birth, curtsied in respect at his enter and one of them wished him to see his daughter always happy and successful with her life. Afterwards, they exited the spacious room, leaving the family alone. Only then could Aradhaelon fully see his wife, who was lying down, her back resting on three pillows and the curls of her golden hair falling on them. Their eyes met, his dark grey ones with her green-blue ones, and they saw each other's feelings at their looks. She smiled towards him, a smile that warmed his heart and made her give the impression that she was glowing. He walked to her side and took a close look on the small bundle of cloth she was holding, with his own daughter laying in it. She was a tiny creature with a fair skin, short, black hair on her head and green-blue eyes, her mother's eyes. Aradhaelon caressed his child's cheek and she left out a small squeak, as if she wanted to thank him.

'She is beautiful' he whispered to not destroy the content silence of the moment and kissed his wife's forehead. 'Thank you, melda'

'No, melamin, I thank you' Malgelir whispered back and, as he sat beside her, she rested her head on his shoulder, holding her little girl even tighter. 'You gave me the greatest gift of my entire life and you can not imagine how happy I am right now'

'So am I'

After this small exchange of tender words, they returned back to their content silence, watching their child slowly drifting to sleep, with an innocent expression, unaware of the difficulties and the hardships of the world she was born into, feeling perfectly safe in the motherly embrace. She was leaving soft noises and the two parents laughed gently.

'I swear to everything I keep sacred, melda, I will not allow any harm come to you and our child' Aradhaelon promised and covered Malgelir's hand with his. 'I will always love and protect both of you, with everything I have'

Malgelir nodded, trusting his words and feeling very lucky that she had him next to her. She looked at the sleeping baby again and her life seemed completed now. The dream of a loving husband and a family had always been her dream and now it was fulfilled. She felt so relaxed and she did not want anything else in her life, only the happiness that overwhelmed her at the moment. With a gentle smile, she gave her daughter to Aradhaelon, who carefully placed her in the cradle next to the bed, and then leaned back on the pillows. Only seconds later, she was taken by a deep sleep with beautiful dreams.

The next day, the family's friends came to see the parents and their newborn daughter and everyone wished them the best. The first who arrived was, certainly, Magor, with his wife, Lady Nemirwen, and their own daughter, Tauriel, who was only six months older than the little girl who was cuddled in her mother's arms. Tauriel smiled at the baby and the girls' parents had the feeling that the close friendship Aradhaelon and Magor shared would be passed on to their daughters.

'Have you decided how you will name her?' Nemirwen wanted to know.

Malgelir looked at her husband and they shared a wide smile. They had decided about their daughter's name only the same day, when their girl woke up. It consisted of two names, with the second one being "Gweneth", due to Malgelir's healing abilities. The first one, though, the name she became known with, was a name that suited well to her, the hour of her birth and the feeling they had when they saw her for the very first time. A name perfect for the daughter of the night and the shadows.

Duvainel.

Their beautiful darkness.

As the years passed and the baby blossomed into an elleth, she proved to be a worthy owner of her name. The night was her favorite time of the day and, although she liked the moon and the stars, she loved the darkness that existed the night of her birth, the night without companions in the sky. Some were warning her parents that this was not a good sign, for it hosted the danger that the young girl would grow stubborn and they would lose her, but Aradhaelon and Malgelir were only shaking their heads at such words. They wanted their daughter to be happy, even if this meant that she was restless and eager for exploring. Besides, she was not alone, but had her two closest friends and faithful companions with her: Tauriel, Magor's daughter, and Legolas, the son of the Elvenking Thranduil, who were as adventurous as she was herself.

But this darkness started befalling the Woodland Realm, slowly and painfully. The trees were dying and the forest seemed as if it was sick, as if the nature was punishing them for a reason they could not understand. Foul creatures were lurking in its corners, from giant spiders to Orcs, despite the guards' attempts to hold back the dangers, and no one dared to enter the woods anymore. Duvainel knew this situation and a sudden wish to go away had started to burn inside her soul. She wanted to find what was happening and the forest was so ill, and she also wanted to travel around Middle Earth, to find out what laid beyond her home. She could not do it, though, for she was a woman and, although her father was tutoring her in archery and she knew how to defend herself, she knew that people were expecting from her to stay where she was and eventually wed and raise a family. This was going against her own dreams and she was praying for something to happen, something that would give her the opportunity she longed for.

Much to everyone's shock, this opportunity would be provided to her by an Orc. And, despite her previous wishes, she would beg that the events of this day would never occur.

Elvish words/phrases:

Av-'osto- Do not be afraid

Mellon nin- My friend

Amin dele ten' he- I am worried about her

Hannon le- Thank you

Melda- My beloved

Melamin- My love

A/N: Okay, everybody, that was it for now, hope you liked it :) Can't wait for your reviews and the next chapter will be up in a few days