Two Lothlorien's elves stepped forward making them be noticed by the fellowship and gestured them to follow them, Nìniel still clung on her father, she didn't want to be seen or heard by anyone, she was invisible as long she was quiet on him, Legolas whispers reassuring words to his daughter throughout the entire way to the sleeping area the elves prepared for them.
"We've prepared a shelter for you," the elves told them, "Rest in peace and when you are ready you are invited to join the lady for supper."
The Elves spread for them a pavilion among the trees near the fountain, some new clothing, and soft couches to sleep in, Gimli was the first one to take off his armor and throw himself on a bed, making it clear to the rest of them that he had claimed it, the hobbits sat on the floor taking out of their bags all the food they had, Aragorn sat relaxing, Boromir explored.
Legolas hesitated a bit behind them, Nìniel had turned from him to look at the new environment they found themselves in, he stood making her absorb the area and make her comfortable at the space, thinking that she would feel at ease being in an elven surrounding.
Quickly she turned back at him hugging him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"Ada, tur- mín glenn- na haust?" *Daddy can we go to bed?* Nìniel whispered holding her tears.
Legolas smiled a little as that was the only question the little girl had asked in a very awful long time. "hai, i adab a haust an ammen" *yes they made a bed for us*
"Nay" she whined softly "in haust… at bar" *in bed… at home* She was so tired, she felt overwhelmed by everything. All Nìniel wanted to do was go back to somewhere that was familiar.
His heart felt as it was stabbed, she was bagging him to return home, he wanted too to go back to his previous life, where he would wake up without worrying to lose his only precious daughter, return to his simpler life where his worries were to come back home in time from patrol only to meet his daughter and see her smile again.
A smile that sees less and less each passing day.
He wished too to go back home.
"An dú mín na post hi" *for tonight we are going to sleep here* he confessed
Legolas walked closer over the last couple of bed left, they were situated beside Aragorn's, He sat on the bed with his daughter
Aragorn decided to acknowledge her by smiling at her
The little girl hid next to her daddy
"Nìniel, cin tur-ped na Estel" *Nìniel, you know you can speak to Estel* he expressed his concern,
Nìniel didn't utter a word to him. Or to anyone. Aragorn felt like she lost all the trust in him, and it truly hurt him, it wasn't his fault on what had happened, it wasn't anyone fault, he tried to repeat that to himself, but he couldn't stop his doubts from growing into his mind.
Nìniel turned on the other side and looked confused at the other bed. she stretched to reach Legolas's ear "man post ennas?" *Who sleeps there?* she changed the subject.
"ha's an cin." *It's for you.*
"im post cin." *But I sleep with you.*
"eithel, theui baw i." *Well, they didn't know that.*
Legolas and Nìniel was the last one to take a bath, while the others already joined the elves for dinner in the great hall, Nìniel expressed him that she did not wish to join the others, Legolas accepted her wish, he already knew she wasn't going to open herself yet.
Their bath was silent, she was still glued to his side, he could see her tense and looking around often as if she didn't trust that place.
Legolas bent down and kissed her forehead and gladly told her that they were going to be safe and she could rest in peace, but she never really believed him.
She didn't trust anything anymore, as long as she knew: anyone could appear and hurt her friends or hide them as they did with Gandalf. They were mean ones and she knew no one liked what they did.
When they were all cleaned up, they wore some clean clothes and were sitting on a bench on the side of the great three.
"Ada." Nìniel whispered to her father and became nervous seeing once again the blond elf they met before.
Legolas was glad to see again his friend, he had hoped to have an opportunity to speak to him.
"heui ha's okaui. Tul- bo." *Hey it's okay. Come on.* Legolas tried to reassure Nìniel but pulled close to his father and hiding again.
"Suilad" *Hello!* Haldir spoke as he reached the pair, he was wearing a simpler gown, his armor and weapons were gone and in his hands, he had a silver tray covered by a lid.
"Man ceril?" *how are you?* He asked more to Nìniel, he wanted her to speak with him, the child didn't talk, so he went ahead. "Man ceril saig? *are you hungry?*
"Mín thír an aes " *Let's check out what's for dinner.* Legolas tried to get Nìniel to move a little.
he took off the top and Haldir had gotten them fresh fruit. "Wow thír nìniel! Loeb iav; reallui man. Ceri- cin anír- na trui?" *Wow look Nìniel! fresh fruit; looks really good. Do you want to try some?* he cheerfully encouraged his daughter to eat but her face had been buried in his shoulder since Haldir entered.
she was a little scared and shy around anyone who wasn't him and had a hard time being away from him, as though she were afraid she was going to lose him.
Legolas thanked Haldir, she hadn't fresh food in such a long time, he began to cut them up for him and Nìniel to eat.
Haldir was great with Nìniel, despite her refusal to meet his eyes or speak to him. But he couldn't understand what they went through. Legolas could tell he was trying his very best to remain patient.
As Legolas went back to getting Nìniel to eat, Haldir decided not to stall anymore and got the other reason why he was checking in on them. "does she speak Westron?"
"no..."
Haldir nodded glad of his answer, he could now ask, he bit his lip and asked "what is happening?"
"The ring of power has been found"
That was news to Haldir, It wasn't the answer he really asked, he was concerned more of the child, but the mission of the fellowship was really serious, It was going to change the course of the future, all middle earth depended on it, for the best and the worst, he just stood in shock.
But still, he didn't understand the involvement Nìniel had.
"but why you had to bring her on such a journey?" Haldir pushed forward going on with this dark topic.
It was difficult for Legolas to answer this question.
Legolas began to think back when his life began to change all over again. "It's the darkness" It was hard to Legolas to explain the horrifying events happening to him but he trusted Haldir and he knew he needed to open himself to someone he really knew from his childhood and Haldir was the one.
Legolas explained to him most of the situation, fighting hard to keep his voice calm for not alarming the little girl on his side, she didn't understand the conversation between the adults and she didn't really care about it, she just wished to be left alone with her father once again so she could have some food, she was so hungry, but she didn't feel safe until she was alone with her Ada.
Both friends looked with such despair in their eyes, Legolas has been put in such a position, each day getting closer to losing her. Tears slowly came out of Haldir's eyes thinking of his friend circumstance." such a tragic position to be put in, I cannot even imagine what that feels like."
The fellowship was together by the trunk of a great tree, preparing themselves for bed. Gimli was fast asleep, Aragorn sat a little away from him, and Boromir was by himself.
Legolas lifted Nìniel up onto the bed, watching as she crawled over onto the other side. She settled beneath the blanket. He pulled the blanket up over her, and watched as she buried her face in the pillow with a sigh.
That night the palace Within the trees echoed with the sorrowful singing of Elves, It was in both Quenya and Sindarin languages, that few could understand.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘ ༓ ∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
In gwidh ristennini fae narchannen, I lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen Mithrandir a Randir, u renniathach i amar galen
The bonds cut, the spirit broken, the Flame of Anor has left this World, Mithrandir, Mithrandir O Pilgrim Grey, No more will you wander the green fields of this earth
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘ ༓ ∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
"A lament to Gandalf," said Legolas knowledgeably.
"What do they sing about him?" Asked Merry.
"I have not the heart to tell you," responded Legolas sadly "For me, the grief is still too near." looking down at his daughter's eyes.
"I bet they don't mention his fireworks," muttered Sam "There should be a verse about them," then suddenly Sam burst into song but it sounded more like a poem "The finest rockets ever seen," he recited "They burst in stars of blue and green, Or, after thunder, silver showers, Came falling like a rain of flowers" he stopped "Oh, that doesn't do them justice," he muttered to himself, somewhat embarrassed, as he returned to his bed.
"Man mithrandir, baw amro- i calen?" *Why Mithrandir will no more will wander fields?* Nìniel asked quietly as she listened to the Sindarin part of the song.
He looked down at his daughter, lying down on her bed as he tucked the blankets over. Now, on the verge of sleep, with her little blue eyes almost glazed over with tiredness as she watched him, the questions were coming.
Sweeping back her hair from his face, he sighed "gondrath ho chil" *because he left* He told her.
"Manna ho glenn-?" *Where did he go?* She asked innocently.
Legolas bit his lip and exchanged helplessly look with Aragorn who was witnessing the interaction between the two.
He could only nod at his friend to encourage him
Legolas closed his eyes, trying to decide how to explain this to his child, he sensed that Nìniel needed to know.
"Valinor," he said softly "Cin rin valinor na-?" *Do you remember where Valinor is?* he asked her, with a gentle voice.
"mallo emel ha." * where mommy is*.
Legolas felt tears stinging his own eyes, threatening to spill over. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. "dae man" *very good*
"Mani theui tur-'t tul- rinn?" *but why they can't come back?* the child looked at him. her saddened blue eyes made his heart filled with sorrow.
"eithel. Theui're firn. Theui tur-'t tul- rinn" *Well... they're dead. They can't come back.* he simply explained, there were hard words to say but he needed to say them, he didn't want to lie to her or confuse her more than she already was.
He wanted to raise her with truth and patience, and even if there were hard times like that one he knew that he had to keep being sincere.
"tur-'t tul- rinn..." *can't come back...* she murmured, as though trying out the idea for herself.
"Vedui-Nìniel" *Listen Nìniel* Legolas explained "Mín tur- n- verui happui i mín a na n- hon, a na hon ir ho hi" *We can all be very happy that we had a chance to be with him, and to know him when he was here* he smiled faintly "mín gar- mín lór -o hon " *we still have our memories of him.*
Nìniel looked up at her father. " cin near?" *are you sad?*
Legolas gave a grim smile through his teary eyes. "Hai, ha's okaui man na n- near ir cin er" *yes, but It's okay to be sad when you miss somebody*
Nìniel nodded as though she understood, even though he was sure he had gone way over the child's head. "ha's tríw na n- near" *So it's okay to be sad* She provided.
Legolas brushed some hair from her forehead "hai," he said emphatically. "ha's tríw na n- near" *It's okay to be sad*
"Im am near" *I am sad too* she confessed "Im baw ha, ho's baw rinn- oiale?" *But I don't like it, He's never coming back?" Nìniel watched him again, studying his face as if looking for the trace of a lie.
"oiale" *never*
She nodded understanding "Maer Daw Ada." *goodnight daddy* She told him sweetly. "Im mel cin" *I Love you.* She told him through a sleepy yawn.
Legolas was caught off guard by the sudden change in subject.
"Maer Daw,Nìn" *Goodnight, Nìn* He smiled at her leaning on her and giving her a kiss on her cheek and covered her with the blanket once more.
"What am I going to do?" He asked, sounding helpless suddenly not unleashing his eyes from his daughter sleeping form.
"you did well." Aragorn assured him, as he put his hand on the elf's shoulder.
He shook his head, sounding rather emotional as he watched his friend. "This isn't fair on her."
"I know."
"She's just a kid, she doesn't deserve to-" He broke off, taking a deep breath.
"I Know" he repeated.
He shook his head "She's just a kid. She doesn't need all of this." For a moment, Aragorn suspected that he was going to cry "It's just not fair."
Aragorn bit his lip, unsure of what he could say to comfort him. "We will fix this." he assured him quietly, although, in his mind, he was unsure what they could possibly do.
However, Legolas watched his daughters' innocence.
"I should have been more careful." He spat out.
he leaned against the wall behind him, All was silent between the two for a moment.
"It's not your fault " Aragorn reassured quietly.
Legolas nodded closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. "I wasn't with her when it had happened, she was all alone, " He admitted. "she shouldn't have been alone, It is my responsibility to keep her safe and I failed " He added helplessly.
"Legolas..." Aragorn said in disbelief.
"We were playing when it had happened" He explained. "I let her go, and the next time I saw her, she was... ." He hesitated, emotion in his voice as he realized that, for a brief moment, he had failed again.
"it was not your fault." Aragorn assured him, with his hand on his arm comfortingly.
He shook his head. "I can't break, not in front of Nìniel She's not meant to see me break."
"We're all entitled to our moments of weakness." His friend reminded him.
He looked at him sadly "But our children get scared when they see that." Something that he had learned from his mistake.
Legolas turned away, walking quickly walking away from the fellowship, as tears slide down his cheeks.
The company watched him leave, Aragorn took a step to go after him but stopped deciding that it was the best for him to be on his own.
After going down the stairway he stumbled upon a waterfall the Lady of Light, watching the soft wall of water cascade down. Legolas paused in awe at the beautiful sight before him.
As he got closer the Lady turned to him smiling, acknowledging him, "would you follow me, Legolas Thranduilion?." She held out her hand.
Legolas looked up towards the Lady of the golden woods slightly bowed his head "I am sorry my lady."
"Do not apologize, young Legolas" she said with her calm voice, The lady of light walked towards some steps of a stare case and motioned Legolas to sit. and he did "what troubles you?"
Legolas looked into the Lady's eyes and gulped. he knew he couldn't hide his thoughts from her, she had the power to read anyone's mind and his secrets were futile from her"
"It's all my fault" he said with his voice cracking. "I would have been able to save her"
"There was no way you could have known that your kingdom was going to be attacked."
At that point, the younger elf could keep his sorrow anymore "I failed her," Legolas said between sobs.
"you have not yet failed her." Galadriel said placing her hand on his cheek, "there is still hope."
"what hope we have without Gandalf?"
"hope there is, your journey is not yet ended"
His sobs turned into breathless gasps for air, Galadriel lifted his chin, looking into his eyes. his eyes were filled with hope. he trusted her, he knew the power she had
"what will it happen to her?" He wanted to know, looking questioningly at the Lady
"very soon their mind will begin to merging into one" Galadriel explained drily "both of them will know their memories, thoughts and knowledge"
The news just hit him and they hit him hard. Legolas couldn't believe his own ears. His daughter was going to know him, she was going to know his malevolent thoughts, his corrupted way to see life. How was that even possible? Nìniel was still a baby. she couldn't know the evil side of life, she couldn't.
Legolas could feel the anxiety growing inside him. "Do you see hope for her?" he asked knowing that she had the ability to see things that may be.
The lady paused and looked at the young prince's eyes "There is hope" she said making Legolas sigh in relief
The chances of survival were so narrow that unless they took on Sauron absolutely perfectly, they lose. Every step had to be right, every possibility examined because if they don't get that shot right it's all over.
But of course, she didn't tell him.
Legolas stepped forward, "what do I have to do?" he said with grit in his eyes, his voice was more powerful and his skin less pale. he was willing to do anything to save her.
"Go south" she quickly said, she didn't speak with her usual tone, she was genuinely worried for the child as she was hers. "find the white wizard"
Legolas nodded understanding, Saruman was his only hope.
"Remember, the ring cannot stay near Nìniel still for so long"
Legolas lowered his gaze on the ground, knew what he had to do, he didn't want to leave his companions but saving his daughter was his priority, and if leaving them was going to help that he was willing to do it, no matter how hard it would be, he was going to save her.
"I know what I must do"
Galadriel nodded "Very well"
they looked at each other's eyes for a minute, both of them exchanging reassuring looks, praying that there is going to be a good end to the story.
"for now you are safe here, She will sleep well, he cannot penetrate theses trees" she added reassuring him once again.
That Night was the first night that Legolas could go into his deep sleep in weeks, from the beginning of the journey he had always had an elven rest, always alerted for his daughter, the exhaustion was getting the best of him and he was glad he could sleep serenity next to Nìniel without being hunted by his worst thoughts.
NEXT CHAPTER: Once Upon A Time