Disclaimer: I own nothing but Kaina and the plot. Ta-da!

Many thanks to JJAndrews , LilactheDryad, and the random guest. Sorry I haven't updated in forever! This chapter isn't as long as I would like it to be, but hey! It's a chapter!

Kaina had lost track of the days as she traveled with the strange race of people, but she could tell that they were nearing their destination by the relaxed statures of the individuals she had come to know over the brief period of time she had traveled with them.

Legolas came skipping up beside her, happy to be walking on his own two legs instead of riding with his father as he had been for the past several days. Thranduil watched them quietly from his horse, his lips tipping into a smirk as his son began to babble things to his new little companion.

"Kaina!', the blonde elfling greeted joyfully. "Naneth ped han ve resto Imladris nó i annûn!"

Kaina studied him for a moment, sensing his Force signature and trying to comprehend what he was speaking to her about. She knew the word naneth meant his mother, and Imladris was the place they were journeying to, but when it came to the other words she was oblivious.

Legolas watched her face for a reaction, pouting disappointedly when he received none.

"Sîdh dad, Legolas. Dín u-bedin edhellen.', Thranduil gently reminded.

The object of discussion was listening carefully, trying to understand their conversation, and letting out an aggravated sigh when she could not.

The Elvenking chuckled for a moment, but quieted when he saw Kaina stiffen. She was looking cautiously at a thicket, weighing something in her mind. Moments later Thranduil was amazed to see two of Rivendell's border guards step out of said bushes, greeting him in the name of their lord.

He could see that the guards' curiosity was piqued; even he had not noticed their presence until they had felt the need to reveal themselves. Lassiel exchanged a glance with him, her eyes begging for an explanation. But Thranduil did not have one to give. He shook his head at his wife, and allowed Elrond's guards to lead them to Rivendell.

Kaina caught her breath as the hidden valley came into view. The white stone that Imladris was built of sparkled brilliantly in the late afternoon sunlight as waterfalls spilled gracefully from the mountains, creating streams that ran into the beautiful city.

The sight was peaceful, reminding her of how Anakin had once described the planet of Naboo.

Anakin...

The feeling of betrayal once more ripped through her gut; she still felt the random phantom pains running through her midsection, recalling the sensation of being stabbed by the burning plasma of a lightsaber. Kaina repressed a shudder at the terrible events of several days ago, her heart still sore from losing her mentor and friends.

Legolas seemed to pick up on her grief where others hadn't, and he shyly ducked his head as he gripped her hand tightly in reassurance. His naneth watched amusedly, her lips twitching at her son's antics. Kaina giggled as Legolas caught his mother's eye and blushed deeply before quickly letting go of her hand and scampering off to join his father.

"Greetings, Thranduil, King of the Greenwood, son of Oropher!', Elrond welcomed, his hand sweeping outward from his heart in the traditional elvish greeting. "It gladdens my heart to see that you have arrived safely."

"I thank you, Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, son of Eärendil, for your hospitality."

The two elven lords stared at each other for a moment before they broke into smiles and greeted each other informally, acting as true friends instead of nobles.

"How have you been, my old friend?', Elrond asked after he had greeted his comrade's wife politely, gazing curiously at the brunette and blonde elflings that all but clung to Lassiel's legs. The girl especially interested him, as he had never seen an elf with brown eyes.

"I have been considerably better.', Thranduil complained as he motioned for Lassiel to follow him as he walked with the Lord of Rivendell.

"Oh?"

"Oh indeed!', he protested humorously, his face easing into a smile, and then a scowl as he remembered the conversation at hand. "The shadow has begun to creep into the Greenwood, Elrond. Orcs have made it past our borders; I believe they are coming from the old fortress atop Amon Lanc. There is an unwholesomeness that has made itself known there."

"This is troubling indeed.', the Noldor murmured worriedly. "I will—" He was suddenly interrupted as two identical blurs rushed past him, followed by a squeal from Legolas as the elfling was tossed into the air. Elrond shook his head in exasperation at his twin sons' behavior before continuing quietly with his conversation.

"Dan and Ro!', the son of Thranduil yelped happily as he was passed from the arms of one of Elrond's sons to the other.

"Hello, little greenleaf!', Elladan grinned happily as he once more whirled him around. "It has been quite sometime since I saw you around Imladris!"

"'Cause I live in Greenwood!', Legolas replied earnestly as he grabbed a lock of Elladan's dark hair and shoved it into his mouth.

"Legolas', Lassiel murmured warningly. "What did I tell you about chewing on people's hair?"

Legolas' eyes widened and he promptly spit out the tress, causing the youngest son of Elrond to cringe. There were a number of things that were far worse than an elfling's slobber, but the now-wet hair that laid uncomfortably against the skin of Elladan's neck convinced him otherwise.

"I apologize.', Lassiel sighed to her hosts. "I thought we might have broken that habit, but it seems that it returns whenever he becomes excited."

It was then that Elrohir noticed the slight movement that rustled Lassiel's skirt.

"And who is this?', he asked warmly as he crouched to his knees.

"Kaina! She can't 'stand' us!', Legolas chirped giddily from Elladan's arms.

"The word is understand, Legolas.', Thranduil reminded him patiently, pausing in his conversation with Elrond.

"She does not speak the language of her kin?', Elrond inquired, watching with raised eyebrows as his sons tried to coax the shy elfling out of her hiding place.

"Nay, she does not. Nor does she speak the common tongue. We found her near the borders of my realm, being trailed by orcs."

"That is strange indeed. Did you find her parents? Or perhaps her guardian?"

"No. She was alone and there are no elves living that close to the border.', Thranduil mused, watching the elfling as she ducked even further behind Lassiel.

"So you instinctively assumed that she had no parents within that area?"

It was slightly amusing to see Thranduil's shocked face, but he hastily schooled his expression into a blank look.

"No parent would abandon their elfling.', he muttered defensively. "And the trees spoke of no grave danger save the few orcs that we slew."

"Peace, Thranduil.', Elrond chuckled. "There is no reason to lose your temper."

He opened his mouth to retort but a scathing glower from his wife made him press his lips into a thin line.

"What do you suggest I do, Elrond? Her parents were obviously nowhere nearby or they would have heard the commotion.', the Elvenking huffed angrily, earning him another glare from his wife.

"For now, I would suggest that you refresh yourselves before dinner. Your wife seems to be growing impatient with our petty arguments, and I doubt Celebrian will be happy when she find that I argued with her guests within the first hour that they arrived.', Elrond deadpanned, though his eyes twinkled merrily.

"And after supper...', Elrond dropped his voice so that it was barely above a whisper. "We will speak of this elfling and decide what should be done."

Guide...

Naneth ped han ve resto Imladris nó i annûn— Naneth says we reach Rivendell before the sun sets

Sîdh dad— Calm down

Dín u-bedin edhellen— She does not speak elvish.