Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings or characters, they belong to JRR Tolkien. I only own my Original Characters and story idea.

Authors Note: "* *" means they are speaking in Silvan. And age jump a couple centuries :)

I walked across the beams that held the flets in place, a habit that Naneth doesn't like. I've lost count of the times I've been caught by her, she's given up trying to stop me. I don't know why I do it…most elves can't balance themselves as good as I can when walking on the beams. I smiled as I reach the end, with a light jump I spiral downwards and land neatly on my hands and feet in crouching position. Than I heard someone clearing their throat behind me.

"*Little Leaf, what are we going to do with you?*" said a low voice.

I spun around, "*Rúmil! You frightened me.*"

He laughed, "*Serves you right, how many times has Lady Galadriel told you not to walk on the beams?*"

"*More than I'm willing to admit to Big Brother.*" I grinned, "*What brings you to this side of the Golden Woods? I thought they had you on post on the North end?*"

"*Orophin sent me to look for you.*" Rúmil replied, "*But I do not know what for.*"

I grimaced, "*I hope he does not want me to help on the guard, it's so boring. I know why you all train but you never get any action, no one comes close to here, besides some hobb-goblins and a goblin once.*"

He smiled, "*Well for most of us we like the serenity and isolatedness of being on the Guard. Besides we keep sharp by shooting hobb-goblins, the ones you are so fond of.*"

I wrinkled my nose, "*Yes, it is fun taking their heads off but that's beside the point. So are we still up for fishing later? You promised.*"

"*Of course when have I ever broke my word? I could use some downtime with my Little Sister,*" he replied, "*Its been a while since we went fishing, last time I believe you, Haldir and I went?*"

"*That was centuries ago,*" I complained.

Rúmil laughed, "*Run along now Little Leaf, don't keep him waiting or he just might put you on the Guard for being tardy.*"

I waved him off than I took off running back to the garden, where Orophin usually meets me. I stopped and fixed my hair, making sure it was all in my hair tie.

"*I do wish you would wear your hair down like the rest of the Ladies.*"

I gracefully walked through the trees, "*No, it always gets in the way when in combat or training, it's more practical.*"

Orophin shook his head, "*You are not in combat or training all the time, and look at you! In a warriors tunic, what happened to the day clothes Van put out for you?*"

I made a face, "*That dratted old thing? I only wear day dresses for special events, I don't wear them for counsel meetings either. So why today of all days-*"

"*You are impossible Little Leaf,*" Orophin cracked a rare smile, "*However the reason why I called you here was not to discuss your choice of clothes but you are needed for the council meeting. Rather a Nanny position.*"

"*So you got Rúmil to get me just to tell me that they need me to look after an elfling? Where's Arwen? She would be more qualified to look after an elfling. I'm better at fighting and-and Guard duties than being a Nanny.*" I sighed, "*Who in the bright stars brings their elfling to council meetings anyway?*"

He cleared his throat and looked at me, "*We are host to Lord Elrond and his company.*"

I felt my eyes grow big, "*Elrond is here? Where are they meeting? I did not know he still had an elfling, I thought Arwen was the youngest?*"

"*Lord, Elrond Little Leaf. Have you not been listening to any of my lessons, how can I make you into a respectful Lady if you do not try to learn the proper titles.*" He sighed, "*I've taking up too much of your time you may as well go, there is no time for you to change. Go now Little Leaf, to the meeting hall.*"

"*Yes ok, will I get a chance to meet El-Lord Elrond? I have something to ask-*"
Orophin gave me a look, I put my hands up, "*Okay, okay I'm on my way, I'm going I'm going.*"

I walked down the path past a group of maids.

"*Lady Leafling!*" said a sharp voice, "*That is not what I laid out for you this morn.*"

I glanced at them, "*I know it's not, but I didn't want to wear that. I'm perfectly capable of picking out my own clothes. Now please excuse me, I must get going.*"

Van sniffed at me before turning around. I stuck my tongue out, making the maids laugh. I quickly took off before she turned around.

"*You little brat!*" she hollered at me.

I laughed, as I jumped off the garden level to the next. I landed neatly on my feet and hands, than I heard someone clear their throat. I rolled my eyes, why oh why do I have horrible timing…

"*Little Aunt, haven't you learned yet?*" Arwen laughed.

I sighed as I stood up, "*You would think so, Rúmil caught me earlier. These eyes just don't pay that much attention anymore.*"

"*You should get them out of the clouds than Little Leaf, you will be able to see a lot more,*" she said.

I laughed, "*Yes I suppose, I have to go though. I have an assignment, Orophin and Ada will not be please with my lateness.*"

She nodded, "*Yes well I must be going too, My Father wants to meet with me later and I must get ready. At your leave Lady Leafling.*"

"*Oh must we? I suppose I better get use of this…you may take your leave, Lady Arwen.*"

She smiled and ruffled my hair, "*You will get use to it, just practice.*"

I bowed than took off at a brisker pace, I hope I am not late; I do not want a tongue lashing again. I neared the meeting hall just as Orophin arrived.

"*Right on time, just as expected,*" he said.

I stopped in my tracks, "*What are you doing here? I left you in the garden-*"

"*Yes, yes if I said I were meeting you, you would have delayed. Lord Celeborn,*" he bowed, "*Lady Leafling is here now.*"

I quickly bowed and went to stand beside Orophin. Ada nodded at us.

"*Thank you for getting her Orophin, you are dissmissed. Lady Leafling would you be able to watch over Lord Elronds ward?*" he asked.

"*Yes my Lord, I will be able to,*" I recited, "*What is the wards name?*"

"*He is right here,*" he reached around him and brought out a small elfling, "*This is young Master Estel.*"

I smiled at him, "*Hello Little Master, I am Lady Leafling. I'll be watching over you today.*"

"*Hello Lady,*" Estel said quietly.

Ada smiled, "*Now I'll leave you two, I'll sent Orophin to find you when the counsel is done.*"

With that he left, I smiled down at Estel, who meekly smiled back.

"*So what do you like to do?*" I ask him.

"*Why are you dressed like that?*" he questioned.

I looked amusedly at him, he blanched.

"*I-I-I am sorry I-I didn't mean-*"

I laughed and put my hand on his shoulder, "*Not to worry, I get asked that a lot, what do you know about Avari?*"

"*Whats that?*"

I gently led him to the pathway that led to the gardens, we reached my favourite spot and we sat down.
"*Avari House of Warriors is where I am from.*"

He looked at me, "*Than why are you here? Are you visiting?*"

I smiled sadly, "*Avari were a strong race of East Elves, they lived in all sorts of places. But they moved around a lot, in their travels they met many unfriendly creatures, so they learned to fight.*"

His eyes grew big, "*Really? I thought they knew how to fight already.*"

I smiled, "*They knew how to fight but they mastered the art of fighting. They trained to use the bow and steel, but there were some who were not able to use both; so they became masters of one craft and taught others too. From young to old, male to female everyone knew how to defend and offend. For many centuries they lived in peace, moving from place to place.*"

"*Did they have a Lord and Lady?*" he asked while he cuddled into me.

I smiled, "*No they had a King and Queen, they were descendants of The First Elves. There were three different groups, just like how there are there different races of elves today. But the only royal elf left is the King of Mirkwood. I met him and his son once when I was an elfling, I challenged Lord Aman, his son to a duel.*"

He tugged on my arm, "*You didn't!*"

"*I did and I won,*" I smirked, "*Just barely. I won Amans respect that day, which is a high honour. Have not seen either one since that day, how many centuries ago.*"

We sat there watching the stream sing as it flowed down the rocks. The birds sang a chorus in the background.

"*So about the King and Queen?*" he questioned.

"*They ruled for a long time until a darkness came over the land, one by one they fell into the darkness and became dark creatures. Fearing for their lives the King and Queen fled with a handful of Avari, the ones that survived. They hid for many, many years, in that time they had a baby girl but the darkness found them. They had nowhere to go, they sent a messenger with the baby to Lórien, who hid the baby in a hazel tree. She grew up there, learning to fight just like her kindred learned so many centuries ago.*"

He looked at me wide eyed, "*You're the baby aren't you? So you're a princess?*"

I laughed gently, "*Yes but I'm not ready to take the responsibly just yet, there are many things I want to do before I take my…crown.*"

"*You're all alone. Me too,*" he said quietly, "*Lord Elrond is raising me because something happened to my real parents. He says when I'm old enough he'll tell me what happened.*"

I looked at him, his dark hair fell below his ears, his bright grey eyes were full of wonder. I ruffled his hair, "*You're a cute kid.*"

He laughed and said something in another language.

"*What did you say?*"

"*Im sorry, you don't know the Common Tongue?*" he asked.

I shook my head, "*I understand a few words I guess, there was this goblin who spoke that.*"

He glanced at me, "*A goblin! Where did you meet a goblin?*"

"*I fought one, a long while ago when I was on The Guard. I had help but I killed him, since than I've been wanting to travel, become a ranger,*" I explained, "*Its one of the many things I want to do before I become a princess. How do you know the Common Tongue?*"

He paused, "*Lord Elrond speaks it, he thought it would be a good thing to know. To be able to talk to Men, other Men besides me.*"

I ruffled his hair again, noticing this time his ears the lack of any point. I turned to him.
"*Could you teach me? How to speak the Common Tongue.*" I asked.

He looked startled at me, "*Why? Is it for when you become a ranger?*"

"*Yes, I would like to communicate with others besides elves, if you do not mind that is,*" I said sheepishly.

He smiled, "*Sure I'll teach you, but it will take a while.*"

"*We have lots of time, counsels take a very long time,*" I laughed, "*When those Old Elves start talking they do not know how to stop.*"

I sat there laughing at myself, "*At least I can introduce myself without insulting anyone and ask for directions.*"

Estel laughed with me, "It is interesting that you can understand more Common Tongue than speak it. Like now, you can probably understand everything I'm saying?"
"Yes…I can," I smiled, "…all I…need…practice."

"Is practice," he corrected, "I'm sure there are others here who speak Common Tongue and are willing to help you."

"Yes," I laughed, "*Yes my big brother can, even so…*"

I paused, "I…want to…learn by myself...so I won't need…help. That way…I can become a…Ranger sooner. I have a…name picked out."

"What is it?" He asked excitedly.

"Longshanks…it is a name I picked…when I was an elfling…when my brother and I played…Rangers, he was Strider. But you look more like…Strider than my brother."

"Strider, now that's one ranger I wouldn't fight, that's for sure," he sighed, "It would be so amazing to become a Ranger with you, me and you big sister against the world."

I grinned and ruffled his hair again, "I am not against the world…I just want to be a part of it."

I sat there quietly thinking of really becoming a ranger. I could do it, I have the skill and now I can speak the Common Tongue. With practice I could be fluent, I have yet to hear about a female ranger but than again I have never heard of a female warrior. I yawned and stretched out, Estel snuggled into my side and closed his eyes. I smiled and felt my eyes get heavy, I dozed off for a while until I felt something move beside me. I opened my eyes and looked down, Estel was deep asleep, lightly snoring.

"*Little Leaf?*" someone whispered.

I looked up, "Yes?"

"*How long-wait, what did you just say?*" exclaimed Orophin.

"*I mean yes?*" I quickly said.

"*Where did you learn Common Tongue? Wait, Young Master Estel?*"

I nodded, "*Yes, he taught me. I understand more than I speak right now. Orophin, I been thinking, I want to leave with Lord Elrond. Travel with him than go off on my own, become a Ranger.*"

Orophin frowned, "*You have responsibilities you have to fulfill Lady Leafling.*"

"*But she is right Orophin,*" said Ada as he came around the corner, "*She has learned everything we have taught, it's time for her to learn on her own. I do not want her to leave but, she feels like she must. So she will.*"

Just than Estel popped up, "*So big sister is coming with us? Really!*"

I shook my head, "*I shall never believe you are sleeping again Estel but yes if Lord Elrond bids it, I will accompany you for a while. Than go off on my own.*"

A low thud on the ground made all of us jump, Haldir smiled apologetic, "*I over heard everything, I been waiting for this Little Leaf. For the day you go off on your own, especially now that Lord Elrond is here, I know that's what you want to ask him.*"

I frowned at him, "*How did you know I was going to ask him something?*"

"*Orophin and I talked earlier, here,*" he handed me a bag, "*A present from us, your big brothers.*"

I stood up and took the bag, opening it I took out a deep grey traveling cloak with hood, traveling boots and gloves, I felt my eyes tear up.

"*To keep you safe and warm, it's the least we can do for you,*" replied Orophin, "*I wish I could keep you here and continue to teach you all the things I know. However you will do well.*"

"*Thank you, everyone, I-I do not know what to say,*" I sniffed, "*By the way you are all carrying on, you make it sound like I'll be gone forever.*"

I hugged everyone, saving Ada for last, "*What will I tell Naneth?*"

Ada chuckled, "*She knows you are leaving, she'll see you than.*"

"*I'll make you proud,*" I whispered.

"*You already do,*" he whispered back.

Authors Note: A BIG thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, liked and followed my story! You all made my day! Sorry about the age jumping but it's necessary you'll find out why next chapter :) I hope I didn't throw anyone off from switching from Elvish to Common Tongue, I was going to warn about that but I didn't want to have a spoiler. Alright I'm thanking everyone again and see you all next update, that is when the ball gets rolling, see ya!