Disclaimer: This is getting pointless.

A/N after the chapter.

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Hail The Conquering Heros!

Chapter Eight: Days of Despair

Niamh's eyes fluttered opened and for just a moment she thought she was at home. Niamh thought she had those soft blue blankets pulled tight around her, her head resting on her favorite pillow. For a moment she thought she could smell Rumil cooking breakfast, hear Orophin singing as he dressed, and hear Haldir complaining about something, as he always did.

But after that moment, reality rained down on her in cold despair. She wasn't at home. Actually, Niamh was sleeping in the bleak comfort of Indis' guest room, everything unfamiliar. Summoning all her courage, Niamh got out of the bed and pulled on one of her dresses. Indis wouldn't allow her to wear anything else. Niamh had no idea how she would be able to climb trees in a dress without ripping it. After quickly running a brush through her hair, she quietly walked into the kitchen. Indis turned away from the breakfast she was making to give Niamh an overly sweet smile.

"Sit down dear, breakfast is ready." Niamh threw herself into a chair and watched as Indis placed a plate down in front of her. She quickly ate the fruit and ran out the front door, escaping before Indis could give her work to do. The day before, as Niamh could remember, had been a utter nightmare.

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Niamh swung her legs idly, chewing on an apple, and enjoying the serenity of her surroundings. This was much better then being hunched over in an uncomfortable chair, mending clothes. Niamh just prayed Indis would not find her. She threw the finished apple core over her shoulder and settled back against the trunk of the tree before closing her eyes. She allowed herself to relax, just listening to the sound of the breeze flowing through the branches. A sharp jolt to her forehead broke the calm.

"If you fall asleep in a tree, you could fall out and die." Niamh opened her eyes to glare at Calandil, who was standing on a branch below her.

"Thanks." Calandil grinned and swung himself up so he now sat across from her.

"Hiding from Indis?"

"Yes, now please leave. It's easier to spot two rather than one."

"You're no fun."

"I'm not trying to be."

"You must really miss them then..." Niamh's death glare eased away at the elf's statement.

"What do you mean?"

"You are never this mean." The words hung in the air like a fog, choking tears from Niamh. Calandil's eyes widened as the young girl began to sob.

"I'm sorry Niamh! I'm only stating what I have observed!" He quickly pulled her into a warm hug, mentally scolding himself. Humans were such fragile creatures, especially the young ones. It was a lesson Calandil was still learning. He gently rocked the young girl in his arms as she cried into his tunic. As Calandil ran his fingers through her hair he noticed the lack of tangles and tightened his hold on Niamh.

"You combed your hair today." Niamh pulled away and looked into the elf's blue eyes. She smiled gently at the concern she noted. In a move that surprised the elf, Niamh threw her arms around his neck and laughed.

"Thank you Calandil. I feel I shall not miss them as greatly with you here." Calandil ruffled her hair and looked over her shoulder. His eyes fell on the approaching figure and was struck with an idea.

"Niamh, why don't we go hide by the archery field? It seems your keeper is looking for you." Calandil nimbly climbed down while holding Niamh and began walking in the opposite direction from which Indis was approaching.

"Do you think she will look for me there?"

"I doubt it. You are not there often, even when you follow Haldir around." The continued their walk through the woods in silence, Niamh clutching the elf's hand tightly in her own. She begins to softly hum one of the songs that had been taught to her in lessons, a silly song meant for children. Calandil smiled and had to restrain himself from humming along with her. In a few minutes they had reached one of the many archery fields, except this was by far the largest. Niamh's eyes immediately fell on Brilthor, her tutor of sorts, as he let an arrow fly towards the target.

"Brilthor!" She cried as she latched her arms around him. He was unusually surprised and smiled down at her once he got over the slight shock.

"Hello Niamh. Are you supposed to be here now?"

"Calandil brought me. Is that alright?" Brilthor looked over at the smiling elf and nodded.

"I don't see why not..."

"Yay!" Niamh sat down on the grass in between the two elves. She watched wide eyed as both consistently hit the center of their targets. She was used to the ever seemingly superiority of the elf race, but had never truly paid attention to archery. It had a habit of boring her. All one did was stand and shoot. Niamh watched as Calandil notched another arrow and spoke.

"Can you teach me?" Calandil let the arrow go, hitting his target, and raised an eyebrow in her direction.

"Do you truly wish to learn?" Niamh nodded and grabbed Brilthor's leg to help her stand. She clasped her hands together and looked up at Calandil with pleading eyes. The look always worked with her ada.

"Yes truly! Please Calandil!" Calandil laughed and nodded. Niamh began to jump up and down excitedly as he walked off to gather a bow she could hold in her small hands. He returned momentarily and handed the bow to her, which she excepted solemnly.

"Ready for your first lesson Niamh?" She nodded slowly as she began to wonder if she knew exactly what she was getting into.

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"My arms are falling off!" Niamh cried mournfully to Calandil as he led her back toward's Indis' home. They had spent the remainder of the day practicing archery. At first it had been fun, but Niamh quickly learned that Calandil was a hard teacher. He claimed this trait came from being under Haldir's command for so long.

"You are just sore. We will hold our next practice the day after tomorrow..." He trailed off as they noticed the angered looking Indis walking their way. Her expression was one of unmasked fury and Niamh trembled slightly, clutching Calandil's hand tightly.

"Where have you been? You had work to do Niamh. And Calandil, you surprise me." Calandil gently squeezed Niamh's hand and looked at Indis.

"She is allowed to have fun."

"She is under my care and she shall do as I say." Idis grabbed Niamh's hand and dragged her away from Calandil. Niamh waved to him sadly and tried to match Indis' pace.

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Memories of the past few days ran through Niamh's mind as she stood waiting at the gates. Indis had forbidden her from playing with Calandil and Brilthor, even going as far as not letting her attend lessons. Her neck ached from constantly bending over articles of clothing to mend. Niamh grimaced as she remembered all the other rules that had been enforced on her. She particularly hated the early time at which she was forced to go to bed. Niamh spared a glance to her left and found Indis staring off into the distance. She had never figured out why Indis volunteered to care for her. Niamh watched as a smile spread over Indis' lips and Niamh turned to see the cause. Her heart practically broke at the sight in front of her. She was about to break into a run when Indis' hand fell on her shoulder.

"Stay put Niamh."

"I don't want to! You can't make me!" Niamh shrugged the offending hand off and launched herself into Rumil's arms. He was clearly ahead of the others who were returning from patrol as everyone else were a good many feet behind him. Rumil swung her up and hugged her tightly. It had become a tradition for her to go meet any of the brothers when they returned from patrol.

"Have you fared well Niamh? You seem pale." Niamh wanted to cry at the concern she heard in his voice.

"I am much better now. Staying with Indis has been less than pleasant." They both looked over at the topic of conversation and Niamh noticed the smile Indis still wore on her face. Niamh also noticed her eyes were resting on the approaching Haldir.

"Ada, let me go to Haldir!" Rumil laughed lightly and set her down. She quickly broke into a sprint and barreled into Haldir, sending them both to the ground. A few tears fell as his voice called out to her.

"I see I have been missed."

"Of course you silly elf!" Niamh cried into his tunic and wrapped her small arms around him. Haldir smiled and stood back up, carrying her over to where Rumil watched with an amused expression.

"It's always good to be welcomed home brother."

"Yes it is Rumil, especially by a certain young lady." Niamh smiled at the both of them and Haldir continued to carry her as they walked. Haldir paused in front of Indis and Niamh glared at her expression.

"Thank you for watching our Niamh, she means everything to us." Indis' pleasant expression dropped slightly and she nodded.

"Of course Haldir. Think nothing of it." Haldir simply nodded and began walking again while Rumil gave Indis a pointed look. He then hurriedly caught up with the other as they walked back home.

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A/N: It hasn't been a year this time. You can't see it, but right now I'm hanging my head in shame. I could never truly really abandon this story, so please hold out faith. Though I do test it often. Niamh will grow up in either one chapter or two. It depends on how much writing it all turns into before then... so we shall see.

You should all thank a certain reviewer for kicking my ass into writing this story again. That really shook me, I felt bad. She had a very interesting (I will not say how accurate) idea for later in the story...ha... Feel free to throw ideas at me. I have this whole story planned until the very end... that I am still debating. But hey, you may give me some inspiration.

Thank you if you are reading this... and leave me a review. Damn, it's been a while since I asked for reviews. Until the next update (and I will make no definite promises on when exactly that will be.

I wonder how many of you I have lost due to the long absence? I will find out soon I suppose.

Nenuial