Aleiana slowly started to wake up. She became aware of someone leaning over her. She opened her eyes to see an old man standing over the bed, hand extended as though about to rouse her from sleep. Aleiana sat straight up startled. The man yanked back startled and put his hand to his heart, stared at her for a few seconds, then shook his head. She became quickly aware of Legolas by the door holding a small candle. He looked at Gandalf and shook his head he spoke to Gandalf in a quiet whisper, something she didn't understand. Aleiana looked back and forth between the two then looked at Gandalf. "Um, excuse me.but. what's going on?" Gandalf looked down at her and smiled. His face was gently illuminated by the candle, making him look old, wise, and at the moment, almost loving. "Training." Aleiana looked at him confused. She looked at Legolas again then back at Gandalf, and cocked her head to the side, not sure she was comprehending what she heard. "Training?" Gandalf shook his head, "No time for this, get dressed, quickly and quietly. Well wait outside the room for you. Don't bother with anything fancy, something that will be easy to move in and all right to get dirty. You might want to consider braiding your hair quickly, it might get in your way." With that he turned and left the room, Legolas put the candle on the bedside table and followed Gandalf, closing the door behind him.

Aleiana felt confused. It couldn't be much more than one in the morning, and they didn't want her to wake anyone up. She got out of bed and quietly splashed water in her face to wake up. She found a small package her father had left next to the bed. Inside she found some leather clothes, mostly different shades of green, some brown, and even a little silver. The clothing had many layers; after she was dressed she figures she looked more like a forest elf than anything else. (From what Legolas had told her about them.) She quickly braided her hair and moved silently out the door. She followed Gandalf and Legolas, who kept to the shadows and made no sound as they walked, down the stairs and outside.

Waiting for her were Elrond, and her father. Her father smiled when he saw her, his face warm and welcoming in all of the confusion. She walked over to him. "What's going on?" He smiled, took her hand and started leading her towards one of the fields away from the castle. The elves and Gandalf went ahead of them. Leonard gently pulled her to the side and looked into her eyes, his face almost troubled. "Your almost 12 right?" Aleiana nodded. "Well, with that age comes responsibility, and the ability to defend that responsibility." Aleiana frowned. "I don't understand." Leonard shook his head, "I know, and I'm not going to try and make you yet. You must listen to me though, and you must try to understand. Any word spoken here will never leave here, and be talked of to no one, except for the elves understand?" Aleiana nodded, feeling a sense of dread coming over her, as though to be told something you don't want to know. Leonard leaned down on his knees so he was eye level with her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I didn't think this was a good time to tell you this, but Celeborn said it had to be done now, the shadow is stirring. I don't feel its right yet, but you've got to know." Aleiana shook her head. "Know what?"

"Your not our daughter."

"What?"

"Hear me out. You are not our daughter, nor or you of our race. You're not human, you are Elven; Sindarian, like Legolas and Thandruil. You were given to me for protection. I can't explain now, you're not old enough yet. But you are being hunted for, I am forbidden to speak of by whom. You must learn to defend yourself, for I will not always be able to. That is why they are here. They will come for every summer for several years. I love you like a daughter and I will continue to treat you like one of my own, Until Elrond says you are ready to be on your own. You must trust me, and you must never speak of this to anyone. Understand?"

Aleiana felt more confused than before, and felt as though something had been torn apart from the inside. She quietly nodded. Leonard kissed her on the cheek, and quickly led her to the opening field from the brush. ----

Elrond, Legolas and Gandalf were waiting for her in the field. All of them seemed to be quite alert, and instead of normal robes, with the exception of Gandalf, they were wearing what looked like training garb. By the look that Leonard gave Elrond, this had all been planned.

Leonard walked Aleiana into a circle drawn into the dirt, Elrond walked into the other end; he then drew a small sword from his belt. Aleiana stood frozen to the spot not sure what to do. Gandalf walked over to her and handed her another sword, similar to Elrond's. Elrond then instructed her in how to form a sword-fighting stance, then how to thrust, parry, and block. Elrond made her go over the steps over and over again until she got them right, then after a couple of hours decided to try and spar with her. After about an hour of that all they had accomplished was Aleiana nearly falling asleep standing up six times, dropping the sword five, having trouble with the sword because of its weight, and almost accidentally stabbing Elrond. Afterward the two were fitted with heavy leather to be used as a sort of protecting padding. After that, Aleiana dropped the sword even more, couldn't duck out of the way because of the bulky armor, and had exceeded running away in terror behind Leonard at least ten times, these things provided to be quite humorous to Legolas.

After that they decided to try archery, which she seemed to be quite better at. With Legolas carefully instructing her she managed to hit the target, not in the center, but at least hit it about twenty times. When they finished the sky was starting to lighten, Leonard looked surprised. He quickly grabbed Aleiana and started to pull her towards the house, he quickly called back, "Thank you greatly my friends! We must go, the hour of dawn comes when the raven awakes, we will see you again soon! Cuio Mae Mellon!" Elrond slightly bowed back in response.

Aleiana was exhausted, Leonard made her change again before he let her climb down into the covers, she was asleep before her head touched the pillow.

*************************

Aleiana was scolded harshly for refusing to get up till past noon. When she saw the elves wide-awake and helping Leonard with something on paper, she wondered if they ever slept. The same routine passed for several weeks, Aleiana was allowed to sleep three days a week, and practice the rest. She started becoming much better at what they taught her, and they seemed pleased by her progress. Everything seemed to be going well until one morning while she was being instructed in needlework.

Lessian burst through the doors and ordered the teacher out. Nenya looked startled. Lessian stormed over to Aleiana and bent down so she was eye level with the girl, she snatched the needlework from her and sat down, her dress billowing out around her. She stared at Aleiana with icy eyes, when she talked her voice held no welcome, but matched the cold tones of her eyes.

"What have they been teaching you!"

"I'm sorry mother, they have not been teaching me anything."

"Don't you lie to me, don't you DARE."

Aleiana felt terrified, she looked over at Nenya with a plea of help on her face. Nenya Quickly tried to stop the feud. "Mother, they have done nothing to her."

"Don't you get into this girl! What have they done!"

"They have done nothing!" Aleiana insisted, feeling terror overcome her, Lessian was acting like a mad woman.

"I saw they taking you out last night! And the night before, and the one before that! You didn't come back until almost dawn! WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN TEACHING YOU!!!!"

"They've been showing me that stars! That's all!"

"YOU LIE!" Lessian looked outraged, her voice was making the walls vibrate. "Get out." She said suddenly to Aleiana. "GET OUT NOW!" Aleiana ran just as Lessian tried to grab her, she fled out the doors, down the stairs, and outside. She kept running, until she reached where the horses were."

*********************

She stopped as she reached the fence. She grabbed the fence and leaned against it, catching her breath.

"Mae govannen."

Aleiana looked up startled. Legolas was sitting on top of the fence a few feet down. He smiled at her with a look of welcome. His expression changed as he saw her face. He jumped down gracefully and walked over to her. He looked down at her with an expression of worry. He gently took her hand and started pulling her toward the forest. He stopped at a fallen log, where he sat at pulled her next to him. He gently wiped a tear away from her eye with a corner of his sleeve. "Trenar."

"What?"

"Trenar." Legolas pointed to her mouth then to himself. She looked at him confused. He shook his head, thought for a moment, then pointed to her, her mouth then again to himself.

"Trenar enni."

Aleiana guessed that he might want her to talk to him. "Do.do you want me to tell you what happened?"

"Tencace."

Aleiana guessed he meant yes. He couldn't understand what she said, Elrond had already told her that, so what harm could it do. She told him of what had just happened, he listened attentively his face never making an expression. She told him more afterwards, everything, the way Lessian and Cerine treated her, the way they disapproved of everything she did, how they seemed to hate her. He listened quietly, she figured he was being polite. She finally leaned her head against him exhausted emotionally. He gently put his arm around her, trying to help her feel better. He stopped and looked at her, then tilted her head so she looked up at him.

"Merin sa haryalye alasse."

He looked over at the house suddenly, he gently took her hand again and led her towards the house.

*****************************************

Legolas led her into the dining room, where Lessian was talking with Elrond. She looked aggravated when she saw Aleiana. "Where have you been? I was calling you for the last fifteen minuets!" Her expression changed as she saw Legolas. "Hello Legolas! I think as you say, Mae Govannen?"

Legolas smiled, "Mae Govannen, Nai Valaraukar tye-matar." Elrond looked shocked. Lessian smiled confused. "Um, what did he say?" Elrond was staring strangely at Legolas. "He said.He said that he's pleased to see you." Lessian smiled, well I am glad that you are enjoying your stay, If you excuse me, I must go and get ready for dinner, I will be back shortly." With that she quietly walked off.

Elrond walked over to Legolas and gave him a firm look. "What did you say that for? We're guests here." Legolas just glared after Lessian. Aleiana looked back and forth between the two. "Um.Master Elrond?" He looked over at her, "I'm sorry but you said he doesn't understand English." Elrond shook his head, "He understands some. Very very little, some phrases he understands, welcome, why did you do that, exc. Exc."

"I have a question."

"Yes?"

"What did he just say? The Nai Valar thing, I don't know those words." Elrond gazed disapprovingly at Legolas. "He said 'may Balrogs eat you.'" Aleiana felt confused. "What's a Balrog?"

"I'll tell you when your older. Excuse us we need to find Gandalf." With that he grasped Legolas's shoulder and dragged him with him. Aleiana felt more confused than she did before.