Chapter 11

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."— Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

"Lady Galadriel," Gandalf smiled, bowing gracefully at the beautiful Elf before him. He had not been able to speak with her after the Lady's encounter with Nina.

"Mithrandir, I had wondered when you would come to me." Galadriel smiled, though it didn't reach her blue eyes.

"Yes well, I had no idea that Lord Elrond had sent for you." Gandalf gestured to the Elf Lord that had brought him here not moments before as Elrond smiled knowingly. Galadriel opened her mouth to speak before a new voice beat her to it.

"He didn't. I did." The unmistakable voice of Saruman the White, most powerful of the wizards, filled the room as he stepped in.

"Saruman."

"You've been busy of late, my friend." Saruman shot a look at Gandalf that unmistakably implied that Saruman knew about the dwarves' quest. Gandalf sighed, knowing that this would be a long council meeting.

"Um…hey." Nina gave an awkward half-wave to the company of dwarves. She couldn't see it, but all of them smiled at her slightly.

"Hello lass, are you feeling better?" Balin asked kindly. Nina nodded.

"Yeah, I'm starting to get over the initial shock and am now moving into denial mode so…" She twisted her fingers nervously.

"You shouldn't be ashamed; you have a gift that can save many." Fili remarked as he smoked on his pipe. Nina smiled to herself, making a mental note to thank him later.

"It is not normal though, so you will forgive us for not warming up to it right away?" Dori spoke hesitantly, causing Nina to chuckle and nod at him.

"I'm still coming to terms with it myself so yes, I can forgive you." She gave a tight smile.

"You haven't been too much of a burden to us lass, and I do believe it is safe to say that we consider you almost part of the company." Bofur clapped her on the back joyfully. Nina laughed, sniffing slightly.

"Almost?"

"Aye, we won't let you in that easily." He joked. Nina laughed again and felt a familiar presence beside her. Dwalin clapped her on the back a little rougher than Bofur had, but Nina had already deduced that that was about as a friendly a gesture that a non-dwarf could get from Dwalin.

Soon all of the dwarves were around her and offering their own kind words in order to ensure that she stay with them on the journey. Nina almost cried of joy at it all, and wondered why she kept feeling the need to cry. Must be the monthly coming on, she thought wryly.

"So, would you consent to having someone sign a contract for you lass?" Balin finally asked once all the commotion had died down.

"Yes, I think I would." Nina beamed, blinking away the tears that had started to surface.

"Then pack your things, all of you. Gandalf will meet us in the mountains, but we must move." Thorin ordered. Everyone immediately started to pack their things, hurrying along with a newfound urgency.

"Did you have anything in your room?" Kili asked Nina as he gathered his own things. She shook her head, then stopped and nodded.

"I did," She answered, frowning as she tried to figure out how to get back to her room. Kili took her hand and led her up the stairs.

"What is it?"

"My book, my sketch book. I keep my drawings in it. It's one of the only things I put in my pack that Bilbo gave me." Nina replied. When Bilbo had chased after the company back in the Shire, he had been clumsy enough to bring one too many bags, and had given it to Nina. She kept in it only the sketch book, pencil, and a small knife Dwalin had insisted she carry with her.

"Good thing those elves didn't stick you in one of their fancy dresses, or we'd be waiting forever for you to get out of it." Kili grunted as he opened the door to let her in the room.

"Yeah, I guess so…" She trailed off, concentrating on where in the room she had left the book.

"Found it," Kili called from across the room, holding her pack with all of its contents in it.

"Thanks," Nina took the pack and slung it over her shoulder as she fastened her sword to her hip in its scabbard. "What?" She frowned when she heard Kili snort.

"That sword is pathetic," He grinned. "Too bad you didn't get an elven one like Bilbo's."

"Well beggars can't be choosers, now can they?" Nina retorted lightly as she left the room, Kili running to catch up to her.

"What does that even mean?" He mumbled to himself.

"Gone?" Elrond asked incredulously as Lindir, a servant elf, stood before him.

"Yes my lord, the dwarves are headed out of the front terrace and into the mountains." Lindir sighed, personally relieved that the rowdy dwarves could no longer trash Rivendell. He didn't even want to think about what they had done to the fountain.

"They're too stubborn for their own good…" Elrond trailed off angrily as he left the terrace, Lindir following behind him. Saruman sighed, leaving as well. Only Gandalf and Galadriel remained on the terrace, both deeply troubled after the meeting they had just had.

"The Necromancer cannot be allowed to regain his former strength if he has truly returned." Galadriel told the Wizard pensively as she looked away from him. Gandalf sighed heavily.

"I agree. But you and I both know that the Necromancer will be coming for Nina. He must know that she is destined to guard this world, and there is no doubt that he will try to corrupt her." Gandalf reasoned. Galadriel tensed at the mentioning of her daughter.

"The thought has plagued my mind ever since you revealed to us that blade," She gestured to the relic of Angmar on the table.

"She must be kept safe."

"I cannot keep her here, for her heart I can sense is with the dwarves. Mithrandir, Nina cannot return to the mortal world. You must ensure that she remains with the dwarven company for now."

"You will not train her?" Gandalf asked incredulously. "Your father trained you in order to prepare you for the task of guarding the light in this world, will you now deny your daughter that privilege?"

"She does not want it." Galadriel snapped, against her better judgement. "I have seen within her that she resents me as of now, and she wishes for nothing but to be away from me." She told him, anguish and hurt detectable in her voice. Gandalf approached her kindly, taking her hands in his.

"She needs time, she is mortal and young. Once she sees the situation with a clearer mind, she will not be so harsh." His smile was contagious, and Galadriel found herself smiling slightly at the old wizard.

"You will follow them?" She asked, subtly changing the subject.

"Yes."

"You are right to help Thorin Oakenshield," Galadriel sighed calmly. "But I fear this quest has set in motion forces that we do not yet understand. The riddle of the Morgul blade must be answered. Something moves in the shadows, unseen, hidden from our sight. It will not show itself, not yet. But every day it grows in strength. You must be careful, and so must my daughter." Her voice faltered a bit at the mentioning of Nina.

"I know that this is hard for you my lady," Gandalf squeezed her hands gently.

"She may not look to be her father's child sometimes, but she has his mannerisms. I knew him such a long time ago…" Galadriel sighed shaking her head, looking out into the breathtaking view of Imladris and thinking back on how she had gotten to where she was now. Gandalf sensed that their conversation was over, and began to leave.

"Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?" Galadriel called after him as he went. She had not forgotten about the small hobbit travelling with the dwarves.

"I don't know," Gandalf smiled, thinking of Bilbo. "Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, however that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness, and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage." Galadriel stepped forward slowly and grasped Gandalf's old hands as he had before, and smiled the most beautiful smile an old wizard could have ever seen.

"Do not be afraid, Mithrandir. You are not alone." Galadriel met his eyes with determination. "Ae boe i le eliathon, im tulithon."

Gandalf bowed to the lady gracefully, showing his thanks where words could not express it. Galadriel gave a soft, inaudible sigh and let herself slip from the wizard's grasp. She had to see Nina once more before she left for the dwarves. Galadriel knew that once the girl had left, it would be some time before fate would allow their paths to meet again.

"Nina, allow me one last time to speak with you." Galadriel called, her beauty causing the dwarves to be stunned into silence.

The company had been on their way to the Misty Mountains, ready to leave behind Rivendell. Nina sighed at the hauntingly beautiful voice as she heard it, and allowed Nori to lead her to the Lady. Galadriel's warm hand gently took Nina's, and began to lead her away from the dwarves. She had gathered enough from the elf to realize there was no arguing when she wanted something.

"We will continue on to the Misty Mountains, she can travel with Gandalf to meet us." Thorin reasoned, and the company put up little protest: they wanted to be out of Rivendell, and they were satisfied that Nina had a guide in Gandalf. Galadriel led Nina up many flights of stairs—at a pace too slow for Nina—before she finally said anything to her.

"You will leave with the dwarves, then." Galadriel spoke. It wasn't a question.

"I will." Nina replied as her mother paced about the room serenely. "I am."

"I wanted to give you something." She said, revealing a parchment-wrapped package on the table in the same terrace where she had met with the White Council only a few hours before.

"What is it?" Nina asked, hearing the crinkling of the parchment.

"A gift." Galadriel smiled slightly, thinking ironically how mothers in the mortal world never gave the gift she was about to give Nina. "You must know how to fight if you would ever survive this dangerous quest." She set a long sword in Nina's waiting arms.

"I already have a sword from the dwarves," Nina spat. Galadriel ignored the attitude.

"It will do you no good against a true enemy, this blade was forged by elves, and no Orc blade could possibly deter it. I wish that you keep it with you and claim it as your own." Galadriel practically ordered as she held the elven blade while Nina took out the one from the troll caves.

"Thanks." Nina mumbled as she held the new sword in her hand.

"It is named Macilril, meaning 'glittering blade.' It was made for only the pure-souled ones. Perhaps that is why I have decided that it would suit you." Galadriel explained, marveling at the fierce blueness of her daughter's eyes.

"Macilril." Nina repeated, testing the word on her tongue as she slipped the sword into her scabbard. "Is that all you wanted?" She stiffened.

"I had wanted to explain something to you before you left with the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Galadriel sighed, knowing that the subject may not be taken too well by Nina. "Being from the mortal world, I understand that this world has been made into something fictional?"

"Yes, everything here isn't real. I'll be going back home soon where I can forget all of this." Nina reminded herself.

"The dwarves' quest means nothing to you?" Galadriel frowned. "I had thought—"

"I don't care if the mountain never gets reclaimed. Ever. But these dwarves took me in when I needed them and I can't just tell them that I don't care about Erebor. I know that it's important to them, and until I can get home yeah I'll help them get it back if I can." Nina steeled herself for Galadriel's reaction.

"Then you know the fate of this quest." Again, it wasn't a question. Nina hung her head.

"I do."

"You can say nothing to the dwarves or to anyone. Only you and I know the ending to this quest, and you would alter the entire course of Middle Earth if you were to tell them anything." She told Nina sternly.

"But then I could save them—"

"No, Nina. Your fate is to protect and guard Middle Earth when the time comes. Their fate is to fall fighting for Erebor. To change this would throw everything else in this world into the balance, no one could save it. It is vital that you say nothing to the dwarves. Not to any of them."

"I understand." Nina nodded, her throat suddenly feeling very dry. "Any other bombs you wanted to drop on me before I head out?"

"Nina, you have a mortal father. I, as you can see, am not mortal. You must protect this world with your powers, but you must also know that you have a rare choice. My parents both were of elven blood, while only one of yours was. Not now, but in the future you will be given a choice."

"What is this choice?" Nina huffed, becoming irritated with Galadriel's mysteriousness. "Get to the point I need to leave."

"I cannot tell you now, but I had to warn you: whatever you decide will not only affect you, but it will affect every being in Middle Earth. Choose wisely when it comes." Galadriel replied, her voice growing quicker and more urgent. This made Nina nervous.

"What do you mean everyone?" She panicked. "I can barely figure out how to hold a sword, let alone make decisions for a whole world!"

"In time, you will understand and you will be ready. For now though, my daughter, I must leave you."

"Wait!" Nina called, thrusting her arms out as if to somehow catch Galadriel before she left.

"Yes?" Galadriel turned and answered hesitantly.

"Did you…did you love my dad?"

"More than life, more than anything. Your father was my home, and although I had to leave him for this world, my heart never did. We must make sacrifices for the ones we love." Galadriel spoke solemnly.

"But my dad wasn't in Middle Earth, how could your protecting this world affect him?"

"Perhaps you will see in time."

Then there was silence. Nina somehow knew that Galadriel was gone, though she couldn't tell how she knew. She felt a certain satisfaction in knowing that Galadriel loved her dad, and Nina smiled to think of her father. She felt a sick feeling as she thought of her father and sister, James and Madison. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of how Madison used to call her Nina Elizabeth whenever she was mad, and how it used to annoy Nina so much. She would give anything to hear it again.

"Nina, my dear?" Gandalf's old voice reached her ears. "The dwarves will be expecting us to meet them in the Misty Mountains in some time. We had better get moving." Nina nodded, wiping the tears quickly and letting Gandalf lead her out of the terrace.

"Yeah, we should."

"What were you doing up here, my dear?" Gandalf frowned down at her thoughtfully.

"Nothing." Nina answered too quickly. "I just wanted a moment to myself, with all that has happened."

"That can be understood, you've had quite a visit here in Rivendell." Gandalf chuckled.

"Yeah, I just want to put it all behind me now." Nina laughed easily. Gandalf nodded thoughtfully.

"I do fear that it will not be that simple for you."

Author's Note:

Whaaaat? What is the life-changing choice? Do you think Nina should tell the dwarves the ending of the story? Who should find out? Tell me in the reviews!

Soooo sorry for the long wait, my parents' 25th anniversary is coming up and we are planning a huge party...so writing sadly had to take a backseat. Buuut I'm back now and hopefully you all liked this chapter!

****ALSO THIS IS IMPORTANT im not sure if i answered this or not but I got a review about the whole "Galadriel already has a daughter (Elrond's wife)" and yes thanks for bringing it up! To anyone else wondering about it, I will not be leaving out Galadriel's other family (they're just not ready for the story yet...) and Nina could be considered her first or second daughter. Depending on how you look at it :)****