A/N Thanks for everyone who followed or reviewed :D This one is for you guys! I'm going to try and speed up the timeline soon. There's a lot of groundwork to lay, and I hope you'll bear with me as I lay it down haha. Once again, this is a take on Legolas's life, though sometimes we will be focusing on Hurin as I develop her more.

Sindarin - in italics

iell lín - your daughter

Hîr nín - my lord

imbas - a bread that I imagined, using the root im from flower, and bas meaning bread

ada - father

elleth - she elf

Mae tollen - welcome

Glass nín gen govaded - It is my joy to meet you

Ion nín - my son

mallorn - golden trees of Lothlorien

nanneth (lin) - (your) mother

Meleth nín- my beloved


"So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

-J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)

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1024 of the Third Age

"Elrond, she is only a child. A mere elfling who has not yet reached her 8th year. I believe that waiting would be prudent." Thranduil advised. "Our lands are in not so dire need that a youngling must be put in danger."

Elrond looked sternly at Thranduil.

"Hîr nín, a shadow is beginning to fall on Greenwood. Sauron is rising. His power grows stronger as he gathers himself and his armies. We must take heed. Galadriel has even given her counsel on this matter. This position does not even mean the child's life will be threatened."

"Can she not be trained more? Teach her to use a bow and a sword. Though it is not the endangerment that I fear. She must take to the country, travelling, and be separated from her family. This is not a small request." Queen Rían admonished.

Elrond looked with a piercing gaze at the King and Queen. "I only think of you, our people, and our protection."

CelebRían looked at him with tenderness and touched his cheek with her palm, "Think of Arwen. Would you ask this of her?"

Elrond stopped, and considered for a moment before answering, "I would ask her for her people. But I would not make the decision without her consent."

"Darkness grows in the borders. There is something stirring in Mordor, calling orcs and other foul creatures. They are growing more and more bold. I am afraid friend Thranduil that if you do not act soon, these woods will become murky, darkening the life-bearing green. I do not speak of only choosing to act on the abilities of Húrin, but of your own son as well. " Elrond continued gravely. "I know in my heart that he has a role to play in this. The path to preventing bloodshed is tread by the shrewd and the swift."

A tall elf, with silver hair and a gentle face, had been keeping curiously quiet during this exchange, following the speakers with his eyes. Now, he strode forward, commanding the attention of the others.

"Húrin is iell lín, I never wish her to see such times, where a sword is as needed as the songs we sing. But her future belongs to her and her alone. I would not stand against that future being given to her people, though I know it would be one of great sacrifice. That is a choice that she should make. Her years are few, but her heart is strong."

"Your words are wise Methedras. As ada of Húrin, we will abide by your counsel." Thranduil pronounced.

Just then, there was a knock of the door. Thranduil moved to open it, and Maeglin, Legolas, and Húrin filed in. Maeglin gave a swift bow towards Thranduil, who nodded at him, before he strode back out.

All eyes fell on the young elflings, and Húrin felt herself reach for Legolas' hand again for courage.

Thranduil strode forward, "Húrin," he bent down so he was face to face with the small elleth, "Mae tollen. I am King Thranduil of Greenwood."

She smiled, shyly, and nodded back to the king, "Glass nín gen govaded."

Her hand gave Legolas' a little squeeze, as if asking that was the correct thing to do. She received a small squeeze of encouragement in return. The king stepped back, taking his place by his wife.

Elrond then stepped forward, bending down in front of Húrin. "Hello little one. I have heard tell of you, that you are a tree singer."

Húrin cocked her head, "What do you mean?"

"You are able to speak to the trees youngling, can you not?"

A look of understanding came over her. "Oh…"

She considered for a moment before speaking.

"I do not know if you would call it speaking. I can feel their minds and am able to hear their response to my own. Though I now realize that the mallorn of Lothlórien are much different than the trees of this forest. I have sung to them for over a year now, and we have an understanding. They give their trust easily. They network, and I can hear one as freely as another. Here, there are many different kinds, ash, birch, oak, and the like. They do not network or share their minds as easily with each other or myself. I am also still new to them, and they are reticent to offer their sentience to me."

As she finished, she looked around the room and realized that everyone was looking at her with faces of either astonishment, wonder, or slight amusement. She shrunk back a little and looked at her father for approval that she had said the right thing. He nodded at her, smiling a bit, though the smile did not touch his eyes.

Elrond spoke with gravity etched in his voice, "Have you noticed anything else about this forest young one?"

She thought again for a moment.

"The trees are all unhappy I suppose you could say. I was surprised, because I know the Eldar always care deeply for the forests they live in. Then I believed it to be because there are few tree singers in Greenwood. But after spending some time listening, I think they feel as though something is...mmm…" she searched for the right word "growing? I think that's the best way to put it. They feel almost as though something is sucking the light the the elves have always bestowed on them."

Elrond glanced pointedly at King Thranduil, who was looking with concern at Legolas as Húrin was speaking.

CelebRían's eyebrows were knit together with concern, "Húrin, would you be able to tell if there were foreign creatures living in the woods, by speaking to the trees here at the palace?"

Húrin looked at him debating something in her mind, and then said slowly, "I'm not sure I can in these woods, but I am willing to try. I would need to spend time with them. Were we in Lothlórien, I could do so without hesitation."

Elrond nodded solemnly. "What you have Húrin, is a great gift. Many elves sing in the forests and can communicate with the trees. As you already know, the elves were the ones who first taught the trees to speak. But you, young one. To not even be of 8 years and have your consciousness open to so many living things is a wonder. Can you open your mind to other beings? It may have come for such a time as this."

"We cannot assume that." interjected King Thranduil as he glanced with warning at Elrond.

Húrin gave a panicked glance at Legolas before mumbling, "I can feel their presence but cannot communicate." as she dropped her eyes.

Legolas tried not to glance at her in confusion. There must be a reason why she would hide something from Lord Elrond. He felt it was not his place at the moment to reveal her.

He then looked around the council of elves with questioning eyes. He could feel there was a lot of tension in the room. There were meaningful and testing glances being thrown about the room by their elders that made both the elflings feel very uncomfortable.

Methedras stepped forward this time, "Húrin, Legolas," he commanded the attention of both elflings, "A shadow falls on Mirkwood. It is possible that Sauron, the dark Lord is rising. We have met as a small council to decide how we should meet this coming threat. You are both more important than you know. Iell nín, with your gift, no enemy could come into our forests without alerting you. You alone could keep the woods safe. Legolas, as a prince, and future leader of your people, we have been discussing whether you should be groomed for war. There are many paths we can take, and we must tread wisely. There will be time for training and the taking of positions later, the decision is and always will be yours. If it is Sauron, then he is still very weak, but as you have seen in the trees Húrin, some power is growing."

There was silence again in the room. Queen Rían gently brushed her husband's arm before kneeling before the elflings in front of Methedras.

"Have you the heart to take this up young ones? There is no shame in waiting until you are ready, for that is when you will be at your best." Rían asked with sad, solemn, yet loving eyes.

Legolas and Húrin looked at one another with evident indecision. How could their parents ask for them to make such a big decision? This must be very serious to have almost all three leaders of the elven kingdoms together. They didn't feel that important. It seemed like everything was happening much too quickly. If it was indeed Sauron, then this was not a threat to be taken lightly. But they were not even 20 years of age combined. What could they possibly offer to the thousands of years of wisdom that were in that very room? Much less, their people.

Húrin seemed to find great interest in the ends of her silvery hair and began to fiddle with it, her small face scrunched up in concentration.

Legolas looked down at his shoes for a while and then took a deep breath. He was the prince, he was a leader. He should decide first. He dropped Húrin's hand and stepped forward boldly.

"I do not feel ready." He stated, trying to inject his answer with as much confidence as he could.

The elder elves nodded in understanding, though Elrond's nod was longer in coming and much shorter and sharper in nature.

Húrin looked up at all the elves around her, and then at Legolas, who was standing with confidence, meeting the gazes of his elders.

"I also do not feel ready." She said softly into her hair.

"Though I would be interested in learning more of the forests, away from Lothlórien. That would make me more useful would it not?" She quickly added, still mumbling.

King Thranduil looked down at Húrin, "Of course young Húrin. Our house would be honored for you to stay with us as long as you are willing."

The elves nodded again, and the tension in the room seemed to dissolve. Húrin looked up at her father again, hoping once again for affirmation, and was met with a warm smile that spread into his whole face. She smiled to herself and adjusted her stance to try and look at confident as Legolas did.

"I believe that concludes our council for the moment." Elrond sighed. "Besides, the young prince should be getting ready for his celebration should he not?" He added with a smile.

Legolas started a little, in the intensity of the discussion, he had totally forgotten. He bowed before the elven council and tried to hurry out of the chamber.

"Take Húrin as well Legolas, we will be but a moment." King Thranduil commanded.

Legolas bowed again and took Húrin's hand again as he lead her out of the room.

There was silence again in the chamber. It continued to build as the elves mulled over what had just occurred.

Finally, CelebRían voiced the question they were all thinking, "When will they know they're ready?"

Elrond sighed, and a sadness came over his face, "I fear that it will be only after they have lost something of great value."

oo00oo


Húrin found herself being dragged down the hall at a rapid pace. Legolas's face was away from her, but she could tell that he was unsettled by what had just occurred. If she was being honest with herself, she was too.

She had never dreamed that her everyday conversations with the trees could be the subject of scrutiny in a war meeting. Her legs were slightly shorter than Legolas' and she found herself half running, half-walking to keep up with his quickened footsteps.

"Wait, Legolas. What just happened?" She stopped, bewildered. .

He turned to her with a grimace and gripped her hand tighter, pulling a little. She lowered her eyes, and then began to move her feet again, hoping that he would explain once they got to wherever they were going.

They turned corner after corner until Húrin was sure that she was hopelessly lost, and just when she thought that this palace must be larger than the entirety of Lothlórien, they stopped in front of a set of double doors.

"Quickly, in here." Legolas hissed as he all but flung her inside the room. Glancing furtively behind him, he slid in through the door and closed it softly behind him. Húrin stood confused, feeling very small and very disoriented.

Slowly, she turned to look at the room Legolas had brought them to. She blinked her eyes a few times, and realized that she was in paradise. Her very own version of paradise, though she had not realized that she longed for it to exist before this moment.

Before her stood a beautiful indoor garden, lit by the light of a tree in the center that seemed to glow like starlight, giving the room a soft glow. Overhead, an arch of purple flowers grew, hanging down like beautifully soft icicles that swayed as she reached up to touch them. There was a clear path, laden with carved white stone, leading to a small grove of what looked like tall bushes of star shaped flowers, deep yellow and flecked with brown like cinnamon. The area was so covered in plants that Húrin could not tell how the room was shaped or how deep it went in. There was a small stream, that also seemed to glow, giving off its own light as it tumbled from a small purposeful hole in the wall towards the back of the room. It wound around all the flowers, lighting up the underside of every bush and tree so that there was almost no shadow in the room. She looked back at Legolas with amazement.

"What is this place?" she almost whispered.

He smiled softly, obviously still perturbed by recent events, but he looked a bit more relaxed as he surveyed the room.

"This is my favorite spot in the palace." He responded, turning towards her, "You are not the only one who grows lonely in the company of older elves. It is meant as a garden for the Healing Rooms which are just down the hall. Many of the plants which grow here are rare and very useful for healing many different ailments. Though, I confess I do not know any of them or what they might be used for, I still enjoy their quiet company. We are not supposed to go in here, as we may accidentally harm some of the plants, but I thought it might be a good place for you, especially considering your…um" he faltered, "...gifts."

Húrin winced a little, and then turned back to look at the beauty around her. "How are we to know when we are ready? I did not mean for my speaking with the trees to turn into this. I do not know what is expected of me." She finished, her hand brushing a vine near her, as though she hoped the plant would reach out and comfort her.

Legolas walked up next to her and took her hand, also looking out into the garden, "To be honest Húrin, I do not know either. But more than that, I want to do what is right, and I do not feel like we are ready now. I think we have made the right choice for now. Do you?"

He was slightly worried to hear her answer, and though he stood by his decision, he did not like the idea that he had chosen for her, or forced her into anything hastily.

"I do." she sighed, and then smiled wryly. "I suppose, we are in this together then, Legolas?"

He smiled back at her and placed his other hand over his heart. "Indeed, my lady."

She looked at him in surprise and then began giggling, trying to smother it behind her hand. Legolas looked confused for a second, and then also broke out into a fit of laughter.

In between deep breaths, trying to catch her breath, Húrin chided, "You have seen me fall out of a tree and hang upside down, I hardly believe that you can address me as lady, my lord."

At that, he scrunched up his nose, "Yes, I think it is best if we avoid those terms." He then withdrew a little from her.

"Anyway, I must be getting down to my chambers to get ready. I have stalled long enough. Your rooms are down the hall from these, third door on the left. Do not let anyone see you here." And with that, he turned and strode out of the room.

Húrin watched him go, and then turned her attention back to the garden. She was slightly saddened that Legolas had not offered to help her explore it, but she was so excited to look around that it was a small loss. The very first thing she wanted to do was to talk to the glowing tree. She approached the tree slowly, reverently, and then placed her palm gently against its trunk. She closed her eyes and concentrated deeply, opening her mind.

oo00oo


Legolas hurriedly ran through the halls to his room. He would need to change clothes, properly braid his hair, and then wait for his ada and nanneth to bring him to the banquet hall as was their usual habit on such begetting days.

He continued to ponder the events of the day, wondering what it would be like to be groomed for war. All elves were trained to fight, study strategy, and to use weaponry, but it sounded more serious the way Lord Elrond had talked about it. He didn't really know how he felt about fighting in general. All life was so sacred to him, it didn't sit well with him at the moment. But then again, he had never met or seen an orc, troll, dragon, or any other being that actually wanted to harm him.

He dressed in the traditional garb of Silvan royalty, a long tunic of silver with the slightest tinge of blue. It was deeply embroidered and had a high collar that had a small rope gold thread clasp in the front. As for boots, he decided to just settle for some that weren't dirty, he did not have much desire to wear anything else. He then began to tend to his hair when he heard a knock on the door.

"Ion nín, may I come in?" Rían peered through a small crack in the door.

"Nanneth! Come, please." he motioned.

She stood behind him as he struggled to tame his hair into the braids he was forced to wear on special occasions. Rían calmly put her hands over Legolas' and stilled his attempts. She then began to slowly smooth his hair, untangle, and braid it. He placed his hands defeatedly in his lap and pouted.

"I don't understand why I have to wear these every year."

"Meleth nín, many are coming to celebrate you and the 10 years of life you have yet had. You would do well to honor them with small things such as this. For though an elf need not look well kempt to be of good heart, it shows that he is well loved when he is well presented." She smiled playfully. "It particularly makes them look warmly on nanneth lín, for who else would put up with the all your protests and squirms. It should be known that someone loves you well enough to care that you look like a princeling, my Legolas."

He laughed sheepishly, having realized his whining was a bit selfish. The last thing he wanted to do was to reflect poorly on his parents. Which is exactly why he was so worried about his decision to wait on his "grooming for war".

"Nana, am I being selfish?" He asked. "Not wanting to start being groomed for war. I do not even come of age for another 90 years. But, I do not want to disappoint ada or our kin. I do not know what to do, and I am afraid that if-"

He was stopped by warm tight hug from behind. Rían, her arms still encircling him, moved around to his front, clasping him on his shoulders.

"Do not allow fear to make your decision, nor your desire to please me or ada lín. Elves driven by fear or by the will of others often make hasty and immoral decisions. Let your desire to do good, protect your kinsman, and bring the world into peace sway your mind. Do not forget this ion nín."

Legolas nodded slowly. He did not fully understand, but he hoped to. He still very much felt fear and a strong urge to please his parents, but perhaps that was all the more reason not to rush into anything now.

"Come, let us go so we can begin the feast." Rían gestured towards the door.

They walked out of Legolas's room and into the hall. There, Thranduil met them, laying a hand gently on Legolas's head smiling at Rían. She smiled in return, her eyes only fixed on him, and brought her hand up to lay on rest on the crook of his elbow. The three walked together down the hall, their little family ready to celebrate together with their kin.


Húrin fussed, pulling her dress down, and fidgeting with her sash as she waited in the banquet hall. Her father, gently placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her, and she stopped messing with her dress. Though her hands would not stop playing with the front of her sash. She didn't mind dresses, they were comfortable, and she only wore them when the occasion did not call for being in the trees. She also thought the the mature Eldar ladies looked like sparkling starlight when they were robed in dresses. Her dress for this occasion was of a soft green, to honor the Silvan heritage of Legolas, with a muted yellow sash that hung in a V tied in the front. That was the part of the dress with which, she couldn't stop fiddling.

If she hadn't been agitated already, her conversation with Telperi, as the great silver tree inside of the palace had called itself, had made her even more anxious. She must speak to Lord Elrond. She had already told her father, but he had insisted that the news could wait until after the banquet.

Her eyes flicked to the great hall which Legolas and his family were to come from in the very front of the banquet hall and then back down to her hands. It was a bit hard to see from where her and her father were placed. They were not a family of prominence, and more than that, Húrin felt almost as though Lord Elrond and King Thranduil did not want to cast attention on them.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Legolas, King Thranduil, and Queen Rían emerged from the hall. Legolas looked quite different when he was well groomed Húrin thought. His hair, which had been wild and unkempt, now hung straight down on the sides of his face.

"My kinsman, I thank you for honoring my son with your presence today on the day of his begetting!" King Thranduil began, with cup raised, "We are overjoyed at your company and look to the future with great hope for Legolas' 10th year of life."

With that, everyone raised their glasses with a cheer. Legolas looked slightly embarrassed and slightly excited as he took in all of the faces that were turned toward him with merriment. Húrin wondered if he noticed whether she was there or not.

Her thoughts were quickly turned however, when she smelled a sweet smell coming from the kitchens, Before she had time to fully process, she saw huge platters of imbas being carted out and placed on every table. She looked up to see Legolas putting as much bread as would fit onto his plate. King Thranduil gave Legolas a stern look in vain, as he was too enthralled by the bread to notice.

Húrin smiled to herself and munched on the bread herself. She was still nervous and a little fidgety, but as she could do nothing right now, she decided to try her best to enjoy the feast. Most elves engaged most of her father, though several of the elves came over to fawn over her. It seems as though the other younglings that Legolas had mentioned were all male. They had not seen a child she-elf in quite some time and Húrin did her best to engage them with genuine enthusiasm.

This went on for a few hours and Húrin began to feel as though this banquet was never going to end. She looked up at Legolas, who looked to still be enjoying himself. She tugged on her father's sleeve and gave him a pleading look. He nodded his head slowly and then returned to conversation with another elf.

Húrin snuck out of the banqueting hall and walked through the palace until she was outside. As the mirth and merriment of the elves in the hall behind her faded away, she suddenly felt very alone, and very small. Staring up at the sky, she recounted the same constellations that hung over her home, tracing them with her fingers.

"Do you often look at the stars little one?" a voice asked from behind.

She started, and spun around. Lord Elrond was close behind her, also staring at the night sky. She relaxed a little, but not totally, his position was already quite intimidating to her. Combined with his intensity in the council, she felt rather uneasy around him.

Turning back to the stars, she answered, "I find them comforting. They do not change wherever I am, and are beautiful in their twinkling. I can always count on them to be there, same as they always have been."

Elrond gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "You seem to gravitate towards things that are steady young Húrin. Stars, trees, anything solid and immovable. Many men believe that their fate is determined by the stars. I do not believe that elves believe much the same, but it is a rather poetic notion. I find comfort in the strength of elves and men who choose good. Though I understand your feelings about faithfulness and consistency. I believe that it is because of your mother, is it not?"

Húrin widened her eyes for a moment in shock, before she closed them sadly. "I did not realize. Though I do find great comfort in things that do not change, that are reliable."

Her eyes then flew open again, with alarm. She turned quickly to look up at Lord Elrond, "Lord Elrond, you must listen to me! I forgot to tell you. I went into the healing gardens and met Telperi, the great silver tree that dwells there."

"The great tree bears the name Telperi? That is most interesting…" Lord Elrond pondered, gazing into the distance for a moment, then turned back to her, "Tell on Húrin."

"He says that great power has recently come to Middle Earth from over the sea. Telperi cannot tell whether they are for good or for ill, nor how many of them there are. Three have passed through his woods, and they spoke of others. One has resided here for a long time and the other is headed toward Greenwood as we speak! Telperi does not believe he knows that for which he searches, but is using an art in his tracking to find us."

Elrond looked at her gravely, "This is news of great importance Húrin, I must tell Thranduil at once. Do you know anything else about this newcomer?"

She shook her head, "Only what his companions call him."

"What is his name Húrin?"

"Olórin." she whispered back.

oo00oo


There it is! The second installment! Let me know what you think (: