Disclaimer: What is the point of the disclaimer? We all know I own nothing... and I have nothing that's funny and witty to say.

Overview: Ok, Lothlorien, three brothers, a little human girl, unidentified flying objects, fluffy parts, and gaining depth.

To my reviewers: Half of y'all are anonymous... makes me wonder. Either you really are a member and are ashamed of my story... or I dunno

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Hail the Conquering Heros!

Chapter Three: Big Meeting With the Scary Lady

You never really understand why something happens when it does. They say the Valar work in mysterious ways. You can't really comprehend why it's happening to you. And some things are gifts in disguise.

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Niamh woke up feeling warm and safe. She opened her eyes to see Haldir was still sleeping. Sitting up slowly, she gazed at his peaceful face. Panic filled her, and she runs out of the room screaming. Niamh whips around a corner and runs straight into a wall, or so she thought.

"Niamh what's wrong?" Rumil looks down at her shaking form.

"Haldir's dead!"

"What?"

"Dead!"

"...How?"

"His eyes are open!"

"Oh Niamh, elves sleep with their eyes open."

"What?" Rumil grabs her hand and leads her into Orophin's room. He pointed at the lump in the covers. Niamh tiptoes over and glances at Orophin.

"Orophin, are you dead?"

"No.""Are you sleeping?"

"I wish."

"Oh." Niamh leaves his room and runs back to Haldir's room. Haldir was now dressed for the day and had braided his hair. He raises an eyebrow at Niamh.

"Why did you run from my room screaming?"

"You were dead."

"I was?"

"Uh huh, but then you were sleeping."

"Ok, yes... go get dressed now, you have things to do today."

"Like what?"

"You will begin your tutoring sessions with Brilthor, and later you have a meeting with Galadriel."

"The big scary lady?"

"Yes, now go get dressed before I become annoyed."

"You seemed annoyed already."

"Maybe because I am..."

"I like Rumil better than you."

"How wonderful. Write a book about it. Will you go get dressed now?" Niamh skips away to her room and finds what she calls a "pwitty pwitty dressy." Putting it on and tying her shoes, she thinks about her nightmare. She remembered the faces, the shouting, the...

"Niamh, are you dressed?" Rumil asked from behind the door. She runs over and opens it, throwing her arms around his leg. He then proceeds to walk to the kitchen, dragging her along. She quickly lets go of him and runs to the table. The smell of fresh bread had called her.
Breakfast passed quickly. There wasn't mush talking, mostly eating and elvish. Niamh was slowly finishing as the three elves began to clear the table.

"Niamh, wash the dishes this morning," Haldir said from behind her. She whirls around and shakes her head. Haldir nods. Niamh sighs and walks over to the bucket of soapy water on the counter.

"I can't reach." Haldir picks up a chair and places it in front of the bucket, "Wash."

"Can I sing while washing?" Haldir just rolls his eyes and walks away. Niamh rolls up her sleeves and begins humming. After a minute she begins to sing a little rhyme her brother taught her.

"If you have to dry the dishes
Such an awful boring chore
If you have to dry the dishes
'Stead of going to the store
If you have to dry the dishes
And you drop one on the floor
Maybe they won't let you
Dry the dishes anymore."

Haldir glanced at her sharply as she finished the little rhyme and held a cup dangerously outward. She turned and smiled at him and dried it off and placed it on the shelf. She runs to Haldir and throws her arms around his middle.

"Are you having a good morning?"

"Yes."

"Are still mad at me?"

"No."

"Do you hate me?"

"No."

"Can you say more then one word at a time?" Haldir breaks into a rare grin a swings the little girl up into his arms. Niamh giggles with delight and grabs onto him. He carries from the kitchen and towards the door.

"Time to go to your first tutoring session Niamh."

"Why?"

"We plan to teach you elvish."

"Oh."

"And if you do well, and when your older, you just may be taught archery."

"Really? Yes!" Niamh jumps out of Haldir's grasp and runs out the door. On the way out she pecks Rumil and Orophin on the cheek, "Bye! See you later!"

---
"So, who's going to tutor me again?" Niamh asked, glancing up at Haldir. They had been walking through the city for some time now. Every once in awhile Haldir would stop and speak to someone. Most seemed to be his soldiers. All of them would smile kindly at Niamh. Maybe they weren't so bad.

"He's one of my wardens. His name is Brilthor."

"Oh...his name is funny."

"I'm sure he would love to hear you say that."

"Say what?" Haldir and Niamh turn to spot an elf walking towards them.

"Brilthor, this is Niamh," Haldir said while nudging her forward. Niamh gazed at the ground, feeling suddenly shy. Brilthor knelt down in front of her and reached for her hand.

"Hello Niamh. You look beautiful today." Niamh glanced up at him and giggled, "Hello... are you to be my tutor?"

"That would be me. Now let us allow Haldir go relax, we don't want him to be grumpy later now do we?" Niamh fervently shock her head and gripped Briltor's hand tighter, "Ok! Haldir, I got to go learn now, will you be okay by yourself?"

"I'll be fine. And I don't want to hear any bad reports." Niamh simply waved and skipped down the path. Brilthor had to intervene a few times to guide her in the right direction. Haldir gazed at their retreating backs for a moment before walking away.

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Brilthor led Niamh into a beautiful garden. Flowers were blooming everywhere, birds sang, and a little fountain sat at one end. He motioned to a table near the fountain. Niamh walked over and sat down; Brilthor remained standing.

"Niamh, I thought that maybe today we wouldn't begin learning the elvish language. I was hoping to get to know you better. I want to be your friend and teacher." Niamh glanced up at him with wide hazel eyes.

"Okay." Brilthor sat down at the table and looked at her, "How about you tell me a little about yourself."

"My name is Niamh Laune and I'm from Rohan. I like horsies, and flowers, and cookies, and doggies, and yummy milk..."

"Err... Niamh... How do you like our city, Caras Galadhon?"

"Where's that?"
"What?"

"Caris Galodome?"

"Do you mean Caras Galadhon?"

"Yeah, that's the one!"

"It's the name of this city."

"Oh... I guess that makes sense."

"...How do you like the city Niamh?"

"It's nice. The trees are really big... like this," Niamh stretches out her arms, "And elves are really pretty. You are too Brilthor. And it's peaceful, there are no monsters. But there is the big scary lady."

"Who's that?"

"Galadriel."

"Oh... would you like to play a game?"

"What kind of game?"

"It's called hide and seek."

"I used to play that game with my brother, but you will win, you're an elf."

"I'll make sure to walk loudly."

Haldir walked into the garden to see a strange site. Brilthor was running as if his life depended on it, and Niamh was chasing him, threatening him with a shoe.

"You come back here you big baby!" Niamh cried as she chased the fleeing elf. Brilthor pretended to be tired, allowing her to tackle him.

"I surrender!"

"Now you have to do whatever I say. And your first order is to... get Haldir!" Niamh jumped off Brilthor and ran at Haldir. Being too surprised to react, he too was soon tackled. Niamh sat on his stomach and looked down at him smugly.
"I win!"

"And what do you win?"

"A hug!" Niamh holds onto Haldir in a tight hug while he stands.

"Niamh, it is time to go see Galadriel."

"Oh... that's no fun..."

"I know you find her scary, but you have to talk to her. Lord Celeborn will be there too."

"Who's that again?" Haldir sighs and tells her to say goodbye to Brilthor. Niamh gives him a hug too. Haldir picks her up and carries her from the garden.

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Haldir led Niamh to the biggest tree she had seen in the woods. And there was also a never ending spiral staircase going around it.

"Do we have to walk all the way up there?"

"Yes, it's not that far." Niamh made a face and sighed. She followed Haldir reluctantly, wondering why they had to walk up that far. It would take a million years. Time passed very slowly.

"Haldir... how much farther?"

"Not far."

"Okay..."

"How much farther now?"

"Not too far."

"How about now?"

"Niamh..."

"Sorry."

Twelve steps later...

"Now?"

"Niamh!"

"Excuse me!"

Fifty steps later...

"Haldir..."

"WHAT!"

"My legs are tired... I'm sorry..." Haldir stopped walking and turned to Niamh, "Niamh, why didn't you sat anything?"

"I didn't want you to get mad at me..." Haldir picked her up and she climbed onto his back, "Come on horsey!" Haldir laughed and began walking quickly up the steps.

"Niamh, I wouldn't have gotten mad at you."

"Sorry..."

"There's no need to apologize."

Time seemed to pass more quickly while riding on Haldir. He kept telling her silly stories of him and his brothers while they were growing up. Apparently, Rumil had a bed wetting problem when he was young. Soon they reached the top and were on a huge talan. It was beautiful. Niamh realized that this had to be the Lord and Lady's area. Lady Galadriel herself came descending down a stairway in front of them. A glow was emitting from her, and Niamh was in awe. Lord Celeborn followed behind her, talking to an elf. The elf bowed to his Lord and Lady before leaving. Haldir set Niamh down, and she hid shyly behind his back. The Lady Galadriel walked towards her.

"Niamh, I hope you have had a pleasant stay here." Niamh nodded and stepped out from behind Haldir. He nudged her forward slowly, and Niamh dropped into a clumsy curtsy. This caused Galadriel to smile softly.

"That is not needed child. Come, sit with me. We have much to discuss." Galadriel sat down in a chair and Niamh sat next to her. Haldir was about to tell her that she was in Lord Celeborn's chair, but the Lord himself shook his head and took another seat. Haldir followed in example.

"Yes Niamh, how have you enjoyed your stay so far?" Niamh glanced at Celeborn,

"It has been very nice. Everyone is kind... Lord... How do you say your name?"

"Celeborn."

"Celeborn?"

"Yes. So you are fine staying with Haldir and his brothers?"

"Oh yes! They are the greatest!" Galadriel looked at Haldir and smiled softly at his own smile.

"That is good to hear. So, you wouldn't mind staying with them for a longer period of time?"

"Well no... but, you can't get me home?" Celeborn didn't answer. Galadriel touched Niamh's arm slightly, "You do not remember anything?" Niamh turned innocent eyes to Galadriel, "Remember what?" Galadriel sighed and stood up.

"Niamh... You ran from your home. Your older brother helped you escape. Do you remember not what you were escaping from?"

"...No..." Galadriel sat down next to the girl again. She grabbed her chin softly and forced Niamh to look at her, "I mean... yes..."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"It's scary, and makes me sad."

"Niamh, nothing can hurt you here." Niamh glanced at Haldir, who nodded.

"My family lived in a small village of Rohan, in the West Emnet, near the Entwash. We were not close to Edoras, there weren't many soldiers around to help us. One day, it was my sister's birthday... Everyone was so happy. There was a party, everyone from the village was there. She turned five. I remember telling her I was still older, it made her cry. My momma got mad at me.

Soon after that, around the time everyone started going home, a scary sound floated through air. Everyone got scared and started running. I remember people were screaming the word 'orcs'. I didn't know what an orc was...yet. My poppa made us all go inside. He ran for his sword, I didn't know he had one. My momma told my brother, Haleth, to go get the horse. I just stood there, I was scared. My brother came back. There screams and yells coming from all around. There was pain in the screams. We went out the back door. My momma told my brother to get on the horse. Then she put me on behind him. Then...then...poppa... he was hurt, really bad. A scary thing stuck its sword in him. Poppa fell down, blood was coming from him. Momma screamed. Then she was about to put my little sister on the horse infront of Haleth. But, something, an arrow, hit her. She and Morwen, my sister, they fell. And Haleth made the horse run really fast...

We rode for a long time. I don't remember where we went or how long we rode for. Haleth made sure I ate the little food we had. After a long time, we came to point where we saw a forest far far in the distance. Then Haleth pulled me off the horse and told me to hide in a bush. He told me to be quiet, and to not come out for any reason. The scary monsters had come again. He tried to lead them away. I don't know what happened to him... A day I later a came out from the bush and I started running for the forest I saw. I don't remember much. But I was hungry, and tired, and sad. I got in the forest and walked quietly then. And then the next thing I know Haldir finds me," Niamh finishes and breaks down in tears. She runs to Haldir and jumps into his arms.

"Niamh..."

"It's not fair! Not fair!" Haldir held her close and looked at Galadriel and Celeborn. They both were solemn expressions.

"Niamh, would you wish to remain here?" Niamh turns to Galadriel, "Can I?"

"Of course. I believe you have had a hard day, maybe you can convince Haldir to carry you home." Haldir stood up, nodded to his Lord and Lady, and carried Niamh from the room and down the stairs.

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Niamh woke up in her room. She sat up and listened to the sounds in the flet. She could hear the three elves she lived with speaking to each other in elvish. She stood up and walked out into the main room. All three stopped talking when they saw her.

"Is it dinner time yet?" Rumil walked towards her smiling.

"You slept through dinner... Do you want me to find you something to eat?" Niamh nodded and skipped into the kitchen. Rumil watched as she pulled out some bread, honey, and milk. She sat at the table and began to shove things quickly into her mouth. Rumil was soon joined by Orophin and Haldir.

"Niamh," Haldir began, "We want you to know that we are glad that you will be staying with us."

"Really?"

"Of course," Orophin said while sitting down, "You are now like our little sister."

"You aren't going to pick on me are you? Haleth did."

"Of course not, now you finish up and go to bed. It's pass your bed time." Niamh responded by sticking her tongue out at Orophin.

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Haldir was awakened by something small slipping into his bed. Haldir turned over.

"Niamh?"

"Huh?"

"You are okay?"

"Yes. I just got scared sleeping alone."

"Then why didn't you go bother Orophin or Rumil?" Niamh sat up and threw her pillow at Haldir.

"Because you make me feel safe." Haldir pulled her into his arms and let her fall asleep.

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Another chapter done. I think this is the longest one so far. I'm not quite sure if I will use the next chapter I have planned. DO YOU want another chapter with her young, or do you want her to age a little?

So no preview for next time. insert evil laugh

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Nenuial