A/N: I apologize for grammatical errors, but English is not my native language, if you see errors, please tell me.
It was the first time that Níniel had ever left the Woodland Realm, Legolas was heartbroken to make her leave home, she was still an infant, the first time he left home he was 50, and he was still young.
The Mirkwood forest was a dark and dangerous place, even for the warriors, that's why Legolas took with him about twenty elven warriors to protect the princess.
Legolas didn't let Níniel talk to the trees or leave the horse; he always kept her in his safe arms.
They rode to Rivendell with the fastest horses they had, not stopping, elves didn't need to rest, so when humans take three days to reach the Kingdom they made it out in one day, the only elf who slept most of the time was Níniel.
Níniel was overwhelmed by the breadth of the world, she lives four years of her life in the wooden castle, when she left the weeks she saw for the first time a wide open plain, where the sun was hitting and the wind was blowing, she never felt so much wind and sun in her life.
Strangely no one attacked them, even if Legolas could swear that they were at a distance of attack of the spiders, they had got too much near them, but no one attacked
They slowed the horse when they were in the distance to see Rivendell.
Rivendell was located in eastern Eriador at the edge of a narrow gorge of the river Bruinen, but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the Hithaeglir or Misty Mountains.
Legolas gave a gentle nudge to wake Níniel up, she was sharing the horse with him, she was in front, resting her head on his arms with he held the reins.
"Tiria Imladris" *look, Rivendell* he said, then looking at her face, he wanted to see her reaction on seeing another elven kingdom
Níniel looked up at the elven city, it wasn't like her home, this was more open, and she felt homesick.
Legolas rode in the entrance and dismount, as he was helping Níniel down he found that they were surrounded by the Rivendell's elves, and in front of them, there was Elrond.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion" *Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil* Elrond greeted them then looked at Nìniel, trying to hide his surprise he smiled at her "Mae govannen, Nìniel" she hidden behind her father shy.
"What brings you here my friend?" he asked as he looked at the child, the last time she saw her she was just a week old and it was a delight to see her grow healthy.
"I need your aid" he said worried, Elrond knew it was something important, and secret.
He took them to the Healer house, on their way there Gandalf joined them, it Legolas took his child it must have been something important, while they walked there Legolas told them everything that happened, from the attack to the fact that they haven't got attacked.
Once in the building Gandalf requested Níniel on the bed for exanimate her, she was lying on the bed shirtless, around her there was Elrond, her father, and the gray old man.
"avorn gond" *hold still* the wizard said that he started to mutter a spell with a slow movement moves his hand on the child's chest, she holds her father's hand with tears in her eyes, she didn't know what was happening, she was surrounded by strangers and shirtless, luckily Legolas never left her, he always gave her smiles to reassure her.
Gandalf looked sorrowful at Legolas "are you sure it was blue?" he asked
The blond elf nodded "glowing blue light in her veins"
Gandalf turned to the child "losta-lle ar ar Kwentra edhel?" *you were sleeping and you talked to an elf?* he asked again to the child who nodded again, he didn't want to believe what he knew.
She then reached for his beard and touch it, she never saw a beard before and it was strange to her, when she touched it she did a disgusted face make everyone smile.
"Mankoi lle caela fîn thîr?" *why you have hair on your face?* she asked
Gandalf than looked at Legolas, giving a disappointed look, what does he teach her?
"ta fang" *It's a beard* he explained "Anfangrim gala-fang" *some people grow beards*
"Lavan mae" *even animals* she unconsciously insulted him, everyone couldn't help it but smile, she then sat on the bed "bad iest" *I want to go* she said bored
"Dartha" *wait* Gandalf stopped her "er-aníra, awra-lle gond?" *One more question, were you hit by a stone?*
"oltha-uuma" *I do not remember* she told him "er bach-lle elu" *but he had something blue* she confirmed
Gandalf stood in silence before he whispered "dulethri"
Elrond turned to face him in shock "that is impossible, only two Istari can make one" he said surprised "Radagast could never have helped Saruman make it"
"I do not think they made it," he said looking at the window "there are other Istari in Middle-Earth"
"The blue wizards" Elrond realized
Legolas finally decided to step in, Istari were important affairs "What do you mean?"
"It means my friend when we thought we were ahead, something pulls us back" he looked at a sleeping hobbit on a bed not too far from them "The ring must be destroyed"
"What had happened to my daughter?" he asked
"It is clear to you that Sauron and her have a connection now" he started "but it will not stop here, a dulethri it's a powerful stone created by two Istari, it has the power to keep a part of someone's soul and to attach in a living being" he looked at Legolas's helpless face "I think that she was a plan all along, Elf bodies are the most strong, and they can live for thousands of years, but the dulethri do not affect them because they are immune to every sickness, but a child elf," he looked at Nìniel's confused look on the bed "they are weak, they are like humans, they can get sick"
Legolas gave a suffering face, he found hard to breathe, his heart was beating fast and the heat of his body left him.
"Ada?" Níniel rested a hand on his cheek "ring-lle, adar" *you are cold, father* she said
Legolas rest his hand on the top of his daughter's and closed his eyes, stealing her heat and taking her love.
"There is still hope" Gandalf added as he saw his friend falling into grief "You have my help"
Legolas looked up at him trying to find the bright side, he didn't want to die in grief, he had to stay alive and fight for Níniel.
"You can bring her back?" Legolas asked again
"Of course I can" Gandalf half lied and then smiled at the princess "Off you go now," he said joyful, try to not bring any suffer to the father, he will never tell him the full truth to him, it will kill him.
The older watched as Legolas picked his daughter up and left the room before speaking.
"Only the white wizard can break the spell" Elrond started "And Saruman you tell me has betrayed us"
Gandalf nodded
"Saruman is coming for the Ring" the elf continued "Do you think he knows that Sauron is getting a new body?"
"He will learn soon," Gandalf said "The ring is what he wants; he will try to stop Sauron's process"
"You think you can convince him to break the spell?" Elrond said confused
"He is the only one who can," the wizard said
"Gandalf, we both know that it will not happen he will try to get her," the Lord said without saying that he meant to kill her.
"I must take her to Isengard"
"And the ring to Mordor," he said "your is a dangerous plan Gandalf" he sighed "taking her and the ring to Saruman, convince him to join you and take them to Mordor so the ring and the spell shall destroy"
Gandalf nodded "dangerous indeed," he said looking at the hobbit on the bed "but it must be done"
"The Hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil," Elrond suggested taking him on the mission
"It is a burden he should never have had to bear. We can ask no more of Frodo"
"Gandalf, the Ring cannot stay near Níniel"
"We must move quickly," Gandalf said
"The time of the Elves is over- my people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we're gone? The Dwarves? They hide in their mountains seeking riches. They care nothing for the troubles of others"
"It is in Men that we must place our hope."
"Men? Men are weak" Elrond said as he walked into his library "The race of men is failing. The blood of Numenor is all but spent. It's pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of men the Ring survives. I was there Gandalf. I was there three thousand years ago" he looked at the window "Isildur kept the Ring. The line of kings is broken. There is no strength left in the world of men. They're scattered, divided, leaderless. "
"There is one who could unite them, one who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."
"He turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile."
Legolas watched his daughter ran and played in the stone yard of Rivendell, He stood by the balcony not too far, he was thinking of everything, he trusted Gandalf, if he said that he can release her from Sauron than he trusted his word, but yet something was bothering his mind, what if he couldn't do anything, will Sauron keep talking to her?
why it has to be his baby? she was still young, he would die for her, he would do anything to free her from the evil, but why it had to be her? he repeated to himself, why wasn't him instead?
He looked around the city, every elf was looking at her smiling, but they didn't know what she was going through, an elven child was rare, why Sauron had to ruin such a treasure?
"Legolas?" he heard a familiar voice behind him, he turned to find his old friends Aragorn and Arwen.
They had heard of some visitors but when they saw the dwarf they thought it was them the friendly visit, they didn't know it was Legolas.
They walked to each other and with a smile, they rest their hand on the other's shoulder "Mellon-Nin" Aragorn said as he shakes his friend.
Legolas than turned to the lady and bowed and she did the same to him.
"What brings you here?" Aragorn than said surprised.
Before he could reply, Arwen stepped closer to notice the child elf, who was trying to climb a three to grab an apple "she has grown beautiful" she said
Aragorn confused and surprised to see the child stepped closer to watch her better, he didn't have the sight of an elf-like his friends had "why did you bring her here?" he asked "the path is very dangerous"
Legolas didn't want to tell him the truth of Níniel, it was too early to tell him and he didn't want to alarm the elves in Rivendell, every elf can hear very good, anyone could hear them "shadow had fallen on us" he simply said with a sad and soft tone.
Aragorn knew it was something more but he didn't want to press.
Legolas looked back at Níniel; she was sitting on the grown exanimating the apple she grabbed in a suspicious way.
"dihena-nin" *excuse me* Legolas said as he rushed to his daughter, followed by the curious pair.
"glinna tîr-lle ?" *what are you looking at?* Legolas asked Nìniel
"caûn" *A snail* she said as she extended her hand to him to see the small creature on her finger, it was the size of a nail
"Rad-lle ias?"*where did you find it?* he smiled at her
ne-cordof" *in the apple* she than throw the fruit she was holding with disgust
He laughed and starched himself to grab a new apple from a branch, he exanimated for worms before hand it to the child.
Legolas than looked at the pair who were near him, he saw as Níniel ran behind his lap for protection " sin Estel a Arwen in Imladris" *these are Estel and Arwen of Rivendell* he said looking at her cute face
Legolas knew his daughter was shy, he didn't push her to present herself and be something that she was not, he accepts it, just the way she was.
"gala-lle beika" *you have grown so much* Arwen said as bent on her eye level.
Níniel looked up at her father not understanding why she said that "hir- ammen onnen-lle sain" *they had visited us when you were just born" he told her
"oltha-uuma" *I do not remember* she said making everyone laugh, she just looked them confused
"neth-lle oltha" *you were too young to remember* Legolas told her softly
Níniel studied the stranger in front of her, there was Arwen, she was the first female elf with dark hair that she seen other than herself, and then looked at the man, she was confused, his ears weren't like hers, she then pulled her father's tunic, making him bent.
She covered her mouth as she spoke to his ears "Mankoi gar- hon lhaw daedelu" *why he has strange ears?*
Legolas laughed making Aragorn suspicious, Arwen listened to what she said but acted like she didn't but she couldn't help but smile, she got back on her feet and turned her head away from everyone.
"hon ava Edhel" *he is not an elf* Legolas explained softly "fair hon" *he is a man*
"Uuma sui fang" *I do not like his beard* she said louder "hon sui ingem fair" *he looks like the old man*
Aragorn opened his mouth, taking the insult he just got; he looked at Legolas who couldn't hide his amusement.
"She did not mean Gandalf, right?" Aragorn asked hopefully.
"I believe she did," Legolas told him as he pets his daughter rewarding her for what she just said.
Aragorn turned to Arwen "you do not think she is telling the truth?" he joked.
The lady smiled "she is a child" she excuses her.
They then turned when they saw servants carrying food, Arwen and Aragorn knew it was for an occasion, Elrond never orders that much food for lunch.
"Frodo has woken," Arwen told them realizing "we are going to have a feast"
"Who is Frodo?" Legolas asked.
"He is a Hobbit, he had a quest to bring" he hesitated "an important thing here"
Arwen turned and look at the royal father and daughter pair "I shall lead you to your rooms so you can refresh for the feast"
They haven't take a bath from the day that Níniel talked to Sauron and it was a long time for elves for not wash, they represented the Woodland elves, and they cannot show themselves in those terrible conditions.
Legolas and Níniel were in the bathroom of their room, Legolas was sharing the bathtub with Níniel, they were facing each other, he had already washed their hair and now they were enjoying the water. "Uuma sui fang" *I do not like beards* Níniel continued with the story making Legolas laugh, he could stay days listening to her when she doesn't like something.
"Delu gwaur" *It felt dirty* she described Gandalf long beard "ar thosta" *and it was smelly* she looked at Legolas "amin lhind uuma lle, amin dan mib-lle"*I am glad that you don't have one, I will never kiss you* she said
"Amin lhind uuma, amin dan dâf ben mib-lle" *I am glad I don't have it too, I would never miss a kiss from you* he said before pushing himself on her and gave her a kiss on her wet cheek, he heard her screaming and laughing as she tried to pull him away, she then jumped out of the tub and ran naked on the other room laughing
Legolas couldn't help but laugh too at the sight of her body running away. He then got up from the bath and grabbed a towel and wrapped around him, then grabbed another one and followed her, he found her on the bed, rolling to dry herself on the new clean blankets.
"Níniel!" Legolas said hopelessly as she laughed not caring that she was doing something wrong, Legolas never had the heart to yell at her or scold her, even if she did something bad.
He grabbed her naked body with the towel and shakes it to dry her, once she was good enough he handed her elven dress, that was giving to her from Rivendell and then god dressed him in the tunic they had given to him.
After he made his warrior's braids and combed Nìniel's hair, he finally reached the hall.
The hall of Elrond's house was filled with folk, Elves for the most part, though there were a few guests of other sorts, as such Hobbits and Dwarfs, Elrond, as was his custom, sat in a great chair at the end of the long table, and next to him on the one side Gandalf.
In the middle of the table, against the woven cloths upon the wall, there were Aragorn and Arwen
Níniel looked at the races she had in front of her, one species were short and hairy and the other ones only short
"Uuma tir" *do not stare* Legolas told her gently
"mani tay?" *what are those?* she said raising her hand to point but Legolas was quick enough to stop her before anyone saw her.
"Finne sarn Gonhir" *the hairy ones are dwarves* he said
"Uuma sui aduadar" *Grampa do not like them* she said
Legolas nodded "ar hae periannath" *and the other ones are Hobbits*
"Gûl ammin aduadar sui" *now I know why grandpa do not like them* she said "fang gar-lye, haeron ingem fair" *they have beards, they have more beard than the old man*
Legolas laughed "fuir-lle" *you are correct*
They then saw an elf entering the hall, without being noticed by the guests he walked to Aragorn and said something to him, he then got up from the table and walked away.
The feast ended, Elrond and Arwen went down the hall, and the company followed them in due order.
They entered a hall, it was no tables, but a bright fire was burning in a great hearth between the carven pillars upon either side.
As Elrond entered and went towards the seat prepared for him, elvish minstrels began to make sweet music. Slowly the hall filled.
Elrond went forward and stood beside the silent figure. "Awake little master," he said with a smile.
The dark figure raised its head and uncovered its face.
"Bilbo!" cried one of the hobbits.
"Hullo, Frodo my lad!" said Bilbo, they hugged each other like they didn't saw each other's in years, the started to talk telling each other their adventures.
Aragorn then came back in a rush and jumped into Legolas, he noticed the hurry of his friend and asked "Where have you been, my friend? Why you ran from the feast?"
Strider looked down at him gravely "Elladan and Elrohir have returned out of the Wild unlooked-for, and they had tidings that I wished to hear at once"
Legolas nodded, he hasn't seen the twins since his arrival, he was glad to hear they were fine.
He then excuses himself and walked to his foster father to tell the important news he had.
Later that night the old Hobbit, named Bilbo, sang the song of Eärendil.
By the end of the song the elves was smiling and applauding, while the hobbits and some dwarfs had fallen asleep, Legolas looked down at his daughter on a chair and had noticed that she had too fallen asleep.
"It is difficult to keep awake here" Legolas heard Bilbo saying Frodo.
He smiled to himself and picked Níniel in his arms, and excusing himself he left to his rooms, he then laid her in the bed under the covers and rested near her.
*･゜ﾟ･✿･゜ﾟ･*
Níniel found herself in the dark familiar place.
"Mairon?" she asked as she saw a dark figure
The figure stepped closer to reveal him, it was Sauron.
"amin heria oltha bain" *I has having a beautiful dream* she said smiling at him, hoping to make him smile too, but he was standing there, looking her in her eyes.
She was scared he was mad at her, but she didn't understand why she lowered her head and kept herself from crying
"Manke naa lle?" *where are you?* he said with an angry voice making Níniel whimper.
"sì amin" *I am here* she said not understanding the question
"UUMA CAEDA-NIN!" *DO NOT LIE TO ME!* he yelled sending a sharp pain in Nìniel's head.
She yelled and cried.
"Manke naa tanya autien?" *where did you go?* he send another pain to the child "Amin dambeth!" *answer me!*
"Dihena, golas amin er" *Please leave me alone*
"Manke tanya uanui-lle?" *where did they hide you!" he growled "NARA-AMIN!"*TELL ME!* he sent another pain to Níniel
*･゜ﾟ･✿･゜ﾟ･*
Legolas was lying on the bed next to a sleeping Níniel, he noticed her twitch.
"Sut naa lle umien?" *Níniel, are you fine* he raised his head to have a better view of her.
Her eyes were forced shut and her breathing hard, he turned her on her back and shaken her, but she never woke up, tears were starting to roll her eyes, she was in pain.
Legolas' heard war beating as fast as it could, without hesitation he ran to the balcony and yelled for help
"ELROND, COME PLEASE!" He then ran back to the bed and shake the girl, but she never got up.
Within seconds Elrond and Gandalf rushed in, followed by the curious hobbits, but Aragorn was there to take them away from the scene, the wizard went to see Niniel's condition, with his fingers he forced open the child's eyes, they were black as the night, Legolas's heart stopped when he saw them, what was happening to his baby? He rests his hand on her head and murmured a
"There is nothing I can do," he said "she is in contact," he said as he sat on the chair nearby "we must wait, a connection can't be longer than some minutes"
"Gandalf! She is in pain!" Legolas yelled worried
"Nothing is going to happen to her" the wizard reassure him then turned to Elrond "go get some herbs, she needs them when she wakes up" and with that Elrond silently left
Gandalf knew that Sauron was hurting her, but how could he tell him, his heart could not handle it, elves were so weak in heart, they could easily die in grief when it matters their children.
Legolas silently lay next to her and hold her, it was the only thing he could do, he cold her tightly in his chest as her body fidget in pain.
Legolas raised his head to Gandalf "promise me you will help her"
Gandalf watched him, he couldn't promise anything, he feared to fail and be forced to kill the body, the child, he couldn't do the spell for saving her, only a with wizard could do it, but Saruman had betrayed them, if he couldn't convince him to do the spell it was the end for Níniel.
He knew Saruman was using Sauron only for have his ring, he wanted to destroy Sauron, and the news of him finding a new body would scare him, he would rather kill her or help her.
"You have my word Legolas Thranduilion," he said
Moments later Elrond came back with the herbs, and behind him was Aragorn, the ranger had a confused and worried face, and he stood in the back as he watched.
"Ada?" they heard the voice of the child in Legolas's arms
"Hai, amin sinome" *yes, I'm here* he whispered as he stroked her hair, trying to sound confident and brave for her.
"Amin tessa" *hold me* she whimpered as she buried in him more, resting her head on his chest for hear his heart beats.
"Hai" *yes* he said, holding her, making her feel safer as possible "Amin sinome" *I am here* he told her
she cried, and Legolas notice that she was pressing her head too hard on his chest, she was in pain "gur pân uma" *does your head hurts?* he asked, he felt her nod in his chest, he then looked at Elrond giving him the hint to prepare the medicine.
Aragorn and his father began preparing the drink for her, Legolas watched as his friend, not knowing what it was happening, was still helping, he was worried about her as much as he was.
"Mani marte?" *what happened?* he asked her
"Pân amin Mairon" *Mairon hurt me* she hugged her father's body "herth manke amin" *he asked me where I was*
"nara-hon" *did you tell him?* asked Elrond worried
"nay" *no* she shook her head "bad-hon bâr nara" *he said he went home*
"He attacked Mirkwood "Gandalf realized
"Who is Mairon" asked Aragorn confused
"I think it is time to call a council," Gandalf said told Elrond, who nodded in agreement
"What is happening?" Aragorn asked again confused
Elrond didn't answer him, he silently walked to the child and made her drink it, then he gave a look to Gandalf and his son to follow him, they needed to talk about the situation, Aragorn needed to know.
"You must stay close to her" with that he left with everyone leaving Legolas on the bed with Níniel.
NEXT CHAPTER: The Council Of Elrond