Disclaimer: Yeah... sure... I own it all. is stoned

A/N: Our last chapter with twelve year old Niamh. So this chapter is mostly a filler with fluff and the closing of this part of the story. Oh, and please try to read the rather long notes after the chapter, it is of mild importance. Thank you.

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Hail The Conquering Heros!

Chapter Nine: Growing Up Amongst Males

Niamh frowned down at the thick book sitting in front of her, wondering if she truly needed to know the names of all these elves. It seems every single elf had to do something of mild importance. She muttered softly under her breath in Rohirric, cursing the book to Mordor. Brilthor looked up from his own book and smiled gently.

"Niamh, that wasn't very ladylike." The young girl looked up at him with a quickly placed innocent look and smiled.

"I'm sorry... but this is so much information to absorb. You elves have thousands of years to memorize this all. I only have a few." Brilthor laughed and took the book away from her. He motioned for her to go run around for a few minutes, sensing if she did not receive a break Niamh would grow bothersome. The young girl smiled even wider and jumped off the seat and ran along the path in the secluded garden. Brilthor had been teaching her lessons here for years now, ever since the first one. Niamh seemed to learn easily in the calm tranquility of the garden, blossoming under the care administered to her. Brilthor had come to look forward to the lessons with the Niamh, relishing in the small girl's never ending innocence. He was surprised when she sat back down after playing only for a few moments.

"What's wrong Niamh?" Brilthor was genuinely concerned by her lack of enthusiasm. He usually had to drag her back to her books with promises of games of tag.

"My stomach is uneasy." She frowned and looked up at her mentor.

"Did you eat something unusual today?"

"No... just some bread and fruit."

"Then it will pass soon. Let's get back to the lesson." Niamh grudgingly slid back onto her seat and frowned down at the book in front of her. She dutifully began to read where she had left off from, her mind wandering at times. Brilthor nodded, mostly to himself, and returned to his own book.

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After her lessons with Brilthor she ran quickly over to the archery field. She had a habit of running late but Calandil never made any mention of it. She had quickly changed out of her dress into more suitable clothing and grabbed her small bow. Now she was racing down the paths, knocking over various elves as she went. Niamh began to slow to late and collided with Calandil as he stood waiting for her. They both fell hard and no one made a sound. A random elf who was practicing next to them paused and looked over.

"Is everything okay?" Calandil sat up and pulled Niamh up to stand. He brushed off his clothing and patted her head before standing.

"We're fine." The elf nodded and went back to shooting arrows. Calandil smiled down at Niamh, noting her worried face, and laughed gently.

"Don't worry Niamh, I am fine... Little one you're bleeding." Niamh looked down and noticed the blood staining her pants. Pants she had just received this morning from Haldir. She pushed aside the thoughts of the possible staining it would leave as Calandil picked her up swiftly.

"I'm taking you to the healers."

"I feel fine Calandil."

"You're bleeding."

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Niamh sighed as Aradan, the healer, sat next to her. He had plainly told her what was wrong, and now he was conversing softly with the other healer who Niamh didn't know. Calandil had run off to find Haldir, leaving Niamh feeling bored.

"Can I go now?" Aradan looked over and shook his head. He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

"Your keepers would kill me if I did. You are fine. I'm just doing it for their benefit." And as if they had heard the conversation, Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, and Calandil rushed into the room. Niamh rolled her eyes as the four grown elves began to fuss over her. Rumil reached her first and sat next to her on the bed.

"Are you well? Calandil told us you were bleeding and I did not know what to think..."

"I'm fine." Orophin knelt next to the bed now and grabbed one of her hands, gripping it in his larger one. Haldir turned to Aradan and crossed his arms.

"What's wrong?" Aradan smiled and motioned for him to sit down next to Calandil, who was watching everything closely.

"Niamh is fine as she says..."

"Then why was she bleeding?" Haldir had stood back up, his face still holding it's worried look. Aradan sighed and sat down himself, knowing not how to exactly say the next few words. He wasn't sure how to say it easily and plainly enough and still be polite. He was saved by Niamh speaking up.

"I received my monthly cycle." Everyone turned to look at her quickly, their expressions ranging widely. Rumil had a sad look on his face, realizing that 'his' Niamh was growing up. Orophin's nose was wrinkled softly and Calandil looked ready to laugh. Haldir's face had turned stoic as he looked down at the smiling girl. He opened his mouth to say something but couldn't find the words he wanted to say.

"Oh." Niamh laughed and shook her head at their reactions. Aradan was having a hard time controlling his laughter as Haldir began to pace the room.

"So this means that..."

"I technically could bear children? Yes." Haldir stopped his paces with a very unelf like stumble and looked at her wide eyed.

"But you won't."

"No, not now of course. Not until I'm older." Rumil nodded and patted her head, his eyes still unable to hide his sadness. Haldir shook his head and walked over to the bed.

"I mean not ever."

"Why not?"

"Because you... you can't... I won't allow... I am unsure of what I mean." Haldir swallowed hard as he thought of some strange male taking Niamh away from her home here. He knew the way mortal men were and that's not what he wanted for her. Niamh's face softened at the concern in his voice and grabbed his hand.

"My future husband will have to pass your approval, yes?"

"Of course." Haldir said, nodding quickly. Rumil and Orophin nodded also, Calandil now openly laughing at their behavior. Niamh smiled and dropped Haldir's hand.

"Good, I wouldn't have it any other way." Aradan placed a concerned hand on Haldir's shoulder, gaining his attention.

"Let's go speak outside Haldir." Aradan lead the still confused elf out, leaving the others in silence. Rumil threw an arm around Niamh to draw her close. Orophin stood up and smiled down at Niamh.

"Well little sister, my wife is waiting. I am glad you are fine."

"Perfectly fine. Now go away." Orophin grinned and walked out. Niamh turned to Rumil was a bemused expression and poked his shoulder. He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head.

"It's hard to think of how much you have grown. And now you are beginning to turn into a young woman..."

"I'm still a child Ada." Rumil laughed gently at the stubbornness in her tone and shook his head. This was just another reminder of how quickly she was aging. It seemed with just the blink of an eye Niamh had aged years, leaving Rumil scared to look away.

"Sadly you are not. I must realize and accept that." Calandil cleared his throat as he began to feel forgotten about.

"I do not really have anything to go do, but I feel just slightly uncomfortable. I will see you tomorrow Niamh." The young girl smiled and waved, signaling that Calandil could leave. He quickly walked out and Haldir came in at the same time. His gaze fell on Niamh and his eyes softened.

"Are you in any pain?"

"Nope, I'm fine."

"Well, Aradan gave me a basic description of things and I will try to be understanding to your mood swings." Niamh laughed loudly at the sour expression on Haldir's face. Rumil also laughed at his brother's behavior and stood up.

"Don't worry brother. We will manage just fine, just remember not to make her angry." Haldir managed a small smile and reaching down, easily picked Niamh up. Ruffling her hair gently, Haldir led out the door with Rumil following behind.

"Let's go home little one."

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A/N: Yes, it has been ages I know. And yes, this chapter is rather weak. For that I ask for your forgiveness. I do have very suitable explanations of my long absence: school, health, time management, and my mother passed away. The last one messed me up for a long time (and I still am...). As much as I love writing... I hate forcing it. That is one thing I won't do. The reason you guys are getting this chapter was that is has actually been sitting mostly finished on my computer for a long time. I just tweaked it a bit.
Secondly, I mentioned this to one of my readers already, I am NOT the LotR fan I used to be. I'll will still pop open one of the books from time to time and randomly watch the movies when I'm rather bored, but it is nothing close to when I was first starting out this fic. I still love the characters and the story line, but it just isn't quitethere anymore. I am not 15/16 anymore. I turn 20 in August. I have grown and matured, and my interests have spread to other things. Talk to me for five minutes and you will know without a doubt that I am a HUGE Jrock fan. That is where all my money goes.

None of this means I'm quitting this story (which I assume many of you have thought previously many times). I feel an obligation to finish this. I was looking over my large outline the other day and smiled when I thought of how excited I was to write this. I don't quite have the same enthusiams anymore but I will try.

Feel free to ask my question regarding anything, tell me if my writing has turned crappy... I don't care. Drop me an email or pop on over to my livejournal. One day this will be finished... and it will be a very joyous day! Haha... to the few of you who are still following this, I thank you a million times. I don't know why you haven't abandoned me yet. I know I sometimes in the back of my mind Ihold out for some authors to randomly come back and write again.

I hope the next absence will not be as long, but I now know not to make you guys promises.