A/N: I am really sorry for not updating anymore, I have been struggling with health problems and I am not motivated to keep going because it's hard for me to write every sentence because I do not know well English and I spend a lot of time to write every phrase and making sure its correct and writing elvish isn't helping either.

I really wish to be able to write faster what's on my mind but spending hours to correcting every sentence it's very frustrating. but I will try to do my best for the few people who asked me to continue, I really want to make you happy.

I'm really sorry if I can't write very well, this story is full of emotions and I can't make it perfect!

I only ask you to support me with messages and review to keep motivating me to work hard for this story, I care a lot about this story and I would hate to abandon it

It is thanks to the last few reviews that gave me the strength to write this chapter.

The sunlight stabbed their eyes as they finally reached the end of the Mines, collapsing heartbroken on the rocky hillside outside of Moria.

Boromir was holding an angry Gimli preventing him from entering the caves again. Sam, Merry, and Pippin sat in a huddled heap trying to comfort each other.

Legolas, couldn't bear the sight of his daughter crying before him, he didn't want her to witness the raw truth of reality, she didn't deserve such pain, and yet here they were, he had failed her, Gandalf was dead, he was their only hope to save her, now there was nothing more he could do to save her, Sauron had won, he had lost.

He fought to hold back the steady flow of tears he was sure would fall soon. She couldn't really die, could she? There were so many things she hasn't done yet, he thought, and she was so young, not even fifty.

He carefully placed her down the boulder floor and wandered off a little way feeling disoriented, devastated and hopeless, he couldn't protect her anymore, he was lost.

Nìniel felt her father releasing her, she laid in the cold stone ground, curled up in the fetal position panting hard.

eyes shut.

Dreaming to be back at home, feeling the warm love of her family smiling at her.

She missed her grandfather, even tho he was always severe to her and made her feel recluse each time he spoke to her, but she missed the simple act of hugging him or his distinct odor.

She pressed the side of his face deeper into the cold stone, curling up into a tighter ball.

Her entire body writhed with every breath. She wanted to run back to her father, but she was too scared to move, she thought if she moved, those creatures will return and hurt them again.

"Legolas! Get them up!" Aragorn commanded as he cleaned his sword.

"Give them a moment! For pities sake!" Boromir cried.

"By nightfall, this hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up!" Aragorn reached a tearful blond hobbit and lifted him "On your feet Sam" he patted him on the shoulder.

"Legolas?" he called him, but the elf didn't answer, his eyes fell on the child figure on the floor, alone without anyone, that give Aragorn suspicion, "Legolas!" he called once again but he didn't have a reply, he studied the elf's face from distance.

The elf was spaced out, grief etched across his face, he was confused, he wasn't himself.

"no" he whispered under his breath before running to him fearing that he was falling into grief.

As devastated as Aragorn was, as scared and worried for the future now more than ever, he knew Legolas hurt more, he reached his friend, the shock over the situation still written upon his face.

He touched his hands, they were cold "Legolas, please no"

Legolas looked him with weak eyes. no expression.

The ranger shifted closer him, Legolas didn't even have to say what was it about, Aragorn knew.

"Legolas please, don't leave us," he said looking at his pale face "be strong for her"

"Estel, I..." he choked on his words, closing his eyes he continued, "I can't go through with this."

Aragorn bit his lip and crouched down in front of his friend, his eyes were filled with pity as he looked at the elf, and saw the pain and fear he was in.

"there is nothing we can do anymore" Legolas sniffled, his voice was low almost as a whisper, while he tried not to break down. Battling a war in his mind.

"do not say that" he grabbed his cold hands and stared him deep in his saddened eyes as they filled with tears "I know the pain you must be going through. And I know how scared you are, I'm scared too. we all are. but right now she needs you more than ever"

"Estel..." Legolas said pleading, tears now pouring down his face.

Aragorn shook his head "You can not leave her like this, Not now."

Legolas's eyes met the floor, unable to stare him straight in the eye.

"Look at her"

Legolas swallowed back the feeling of tears and shifted his gaze towards Nìniel lied, still upon a high group of ragged rocks, the curled shape of her body made his stomach twist in guilt.

How dare him leaving her alone in a moment like that, he felt useless, he wasn't able to protect her and keep her safe, now she was alone on the rock crying to herself.

Aragorn placed his hand against the side of Legolas' face, bringing him to look back at him. "I promise you with my life that she will stay with us," he said with determination in his voice, but his eyes still filled with empathy "she can pull through this. But not alone. She has been so strong, stronger than anyone her age should have to be. And now, you have to be strong. Be strong like her, Be strong for her, Promise me"

Legolas looked into Aragorn's eyes for a moment. He then breathed in deeply, his breath shaky and staggered. "I promise, on my life," he said quietly.

Aragorn nodded and stood up, watching as grief overwhelmed his companions, while he was frozen, numb with shock, All was left was a broken Fellowship, he examined everyone, then saw Frodo walking across the hillside, far from them "Frodo!" he called him.

Frodo stopped walking and turned, tears rolling down his face.

Legolas slowly got up, he was not going to leave that day, he had promised Aragorn and even himself to not leave Niniel alone.

Legolas sat down next to her and wrapped her into his arms, Holding her huddled, shivering figure against his chest, he ran his hand over her back and tried to calm her as best as he could.

Nìniel wept openly and her sobs stabbed Legolas, making his own soul cringe in guilt.

"Heui," *hey* he whispered as she sobbed "cin tríw, mel?" *are you okay, sweetie?* he stayed with her in his arms while her cries began to lie down.

Nìniel couldn't say anything, her words had vanished, she wanted to go home, she clung to her father, burying her face in his chest.

Legolas rubbed her back, even dropping a kiss on her tumbled head. "Ha's okaui. Ha's okaui, glís." *It's okay. It's okay, honey*

The child was in shock, that much was obvious and Legolas couldn't see her daughter face anymore, the pain of knowing that she will be soon be gone was slowing killing him, he forced a smile and caressed her cheek.

"Okay, okay," he soothed as Nìniel clung to him "im gar cin." *I've got you.* hugged her tighter. "im gar cin, glís" *I got you, honey.* he pressed a kiss to the side of her head and the child began to cry in earnest. "Lle tyava quel?" *Are you okay?*

Legolas ran his hand over her soft long hair. "Glís, Lle tyava quel?" *Honey, are you okay?* he repeated. "tur- cin dangweth nin?" *Can you answer me?* he rubbed her back until she finally looked up, her big blue eyes wide and shell-shocked.

"Ada. Tur- mín glenn- na bar? *Daddy. Can we go Home?* Nìniel quietly whispered. she felt overwhelmed by everything. All Nìniel wanted to do was go back to somewhere that was familiar.

Legolas bit his lips, he wasn't sure what to tell her, they were not going back, but how could he lie to his crying daughter? "We will go somewhere safe" he quietly admitted.

His heart sinks as she cried as she realized that they were in fact not going home.

Eventually, they all calmed enough to raise from their spot, devastated they looked at each other for support, the fellowship never felt more united yet separated at the same time.

Aragorn watched the scene before him. father and daughter clinging to each other and crying for some happiness that was denied to them. It was sad and heartbreaking. But he couldn't do anything about it.

The only thing he could do was to take them away from that place.

He led the remaining Fellowship away from the rocky hills, down the road from the Gates.

They ran swiftly across a meadow into the woods of Lothlorien. Legolas' carried Nìniel in his arms as she refused to be on her feet after what happened and Legolas understood her, she had seen far more than a child could; now he needed to get her into the woods. He wanted her to feel safe among the trees. Hear them sing.

No one said a word throughout the journey not even Nìniel, which preoccupied Legolas, he tried to ask her simple questions but she never replied, He was furious of what had happened and he couldn't do anything to avoid it.

She was a child scared and confused.

Once in Lothlorien, they walked quietly and carefully, looking around them.

"Stay close young hobbits." Gimli said holding Frodo's arm "they say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An elf witch... of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell! And are never seen again" he explained as he allowed his fear to slip into his voice.

Frodo could hear her voice in his head. He shivered as she told him of the evil he carried.

"Well here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily," said Gimli, a smug smile escaped onto his lips "I have the eyes of a hawk and ears of a fox" Gimli jumped as he saw the arrow that was aimed at his face.

For the first time ever Legolas froze, he wasn't expecting an ambush, his mind was somewhere else that he didn't hear anyone around him, at that moment he didn't know what to do, he was surprised, with an arrow aimed on him he didn't have much choice than keep his daughter in his arms and hope for the best.

Aragorn stepped in front and held his hand up in peace, the fellowship wasn't physically and mentally ready for a battle.

A blond elf step forward "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."

As soon Legolas heard the familiar voice he rushed over him in joy and landed his hand on the mysterious elf's shoulder in their gesture of well seen.

Haldir was a great friend of Legolas, they had known each other for thousands of years, they had always helped each other in the best and worst days, he was at Legolas wedding he was there the day of the great battle of Mirkwood, he fought near him when Niniel was born and he was near him when the Lady died.

"Glassen a chened le" *It is my joy to see you* Legolas genuine spoke from his heart.

Haldir looked fondly at his friend, remembering the memories they shared together, the best and the worst, then his eyes fell on the child in his arms, he knew well who she was, he had not seen Nìniel since the day he left Mirkwood, back when she was still an infant, but in an elven eye she was still a baby, Haldir didn't understand why Legolas would bring her so far away from home, the world was a cruel and dangerous place and it wasn't like to Legolas to bring her out from his safe real.

Legolas had always been so protective over her and was unlike him to bring her in such danger.

He cleared his head from his concerned and welcomed the visitors.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion" *Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil* Haldir greeted him, even tho he was his friend, he was still a prince and Haldir was acting in the name of Lorien, he must answer in royalty.

Haldir felt like he had to acknowledge the scared girl. He couldn't simply her, after all, she was a princess. He moved forward and tried to be as gentle as possible.

"Mae govannen, Niniel Legolasiel" He spoke softly again to the princess.

She didn't respond. She stayed stiff by her father's side and kept her face buried in his side. "Nìniel, -yes's teréva ana dangweth" *Nìniel, it's okay to answer* Legolas whispered. she frantically shook her head.

He understood she was still shaken by the situation, he didn't push her to interact with anyone, he give his friend an apologetic smile.

Haldir tried to put a hand on her back but she flinched away, He was surprised by the child behavior but understood how afraid she was, he understood she might have seen the real cruelty of the world.

But yet again he didn't understand why his friend took her away from their kingdom in such a young age.

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien" *Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien* Legolas said relief and more relaxed.

Haldir nodded and turned to the human "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen." *Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.*

Aragorn bowed in courtesy, he felt too more calm in the presence of an elven kingdom.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!" Gimli interrupted bothered.

"We have not had dealings with the dwarves, since the dark days," Haldir said coldly repelled by him.

"And do you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" *I spit upon your grave!* Gimli attacked verbally.

Aragorn slapped his hand on Gimli's shoulder "That! was not so courteous!"

Haldir simply ignored the dwarf and turned his concern look back on his daughter's friend "Whui cin tog-hen hi?" *why you brought her here?*

Legolas lowered his eyes at the ground opened his mouth but closing it quickly, he wasn't ready to talk about it, not after what happened to Gandalf, eventually, he wanted to tell him, but not at that moment, he just wanted to rest.

Haldir noticed his friend struggling to answer "Heime, -yes's teréva, tye care- vamme gav ana nyár- me s" *Hey, It's fine, you don't have to tell me*

Legolas smiled softly, a bit guilty and ashamed and ta the same time relief that he didn't have to answer "hannon-lle" *Thank you" he signed quietly.

Nìniel peeked her head out to look at the elf talking to he father, she only noticed his blond hair and some arrows in his back, before he noticed her and their eyes locked, quickly she hid her face back on Legolas' neck, pretending they haven't seen each other.

Legolas stroking her hair to comfort her as she buried back in his neck. He kept her grounded. As long he was by her side, she could remain strong.

Haldir gaze rested on the fellowship, he didn't want them to linger more, he hands Legolas could reconcile afterward in a more private way "Come, she is waiting." he said leading them into the deep of the forest.

The fellowship trailed after Haldir as he led the way towards the South, a Large Hill raised out of the woods. Upon the hill raised many mighty Mallorn Trees, taller than any other, Nìniel couldn't help but stare in awe at the loveliness of their surroundings.

It Gleammed in the low rays of the late afternoon sun of green, gold, and silver.

"Caras Galadhon" he said as he looked towards hundreds of large trees "The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light" Haldir announced, sounding quite proud of his home.

To the east of Caras Galadhon, the Woods of Lorien ran down the pale gleam of Anduin, the great river. Beyond the River, the land appeared flat and empty, formless and vague, until far away, it rose again like a dark and dreary wall. The Sun that lied on Lothlorien had no power to enlighten the shadows that lied beyond.

The moon slowly began to shine high in the sky while the stars twinkled and the whole of the area surrounding them was lit up by bright blue lights that reflected of the wood of the building as if to make them glow.

The broken Fellowship started their journey towards the top of the Elven staircases. As they began to get higher up, coming across some more houses which were in the trees and built against the side of the great trees.

The group was lead before both Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, The lord stepped forward to greet the guests. His hair was long and silver, his face grave and beautiful, with no sign of age upon it. Next to him stood Galadriel, the Lady of the Elves. She had hair of deep gold and timeless, unsurpassed beauty.

Once again the fellowship found themselves complete awestruck at the beauty of the woman in front of them.

Aragorn touched his head reverently in greeting. The rest of the Fellowship stared in awe.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here." Celeborn said looking at the pair of father and daughter, Legolas couldn't stand the harsh glare he got from the Lord so adverted his eyes and looked towards the ground "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone." he then moved his gaze back at the fellowship "Nine that are here yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."

Galadriel's eyes wandered over to those who were strong enough to look into her sparkling blue eyes. "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow" a look of sorrow coming over her lovely face.

She looked at the Elven Prince great sadness filled his eyes, much more than an elf could bear, she could sense his struggle to keep strong, he was physically in pain.

"He has fallen into shadow"Legolas bega "He was taken by both shadow and flame," he spoke which made narrowed his dark blue eyes with such anger that the Lady of light had to divert her eyes from his. "A Balrog of Morgoth For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." his voice and manner seeming bitter at least to Nìniel's ears.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose" Galadriel spoke in the wizard's defense, before talking in his mind "Do not let the death of Gandalf fill your heart, Legolas. There is still hope for free Nìniel from the great evil, do not fall in grief. Even now there is hope left" The father looked up into he slowly began to shake and his breathing suddenly started to quicken as he tightened his grip on her daughter.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." Celeborn asked.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife," Galadriel spoke once again. "Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." The Lady then turned and faced Boromir. He returned the stare but his eyes were burning with fear.

"Yet hope remains when the company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled." She let her eyes wander to all those that were facing her "Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil." She eyed the father and daughter "Tonight you will sleep in peace"

NEXT CHAPTER: Lothlòrien