[Note for those following/who favorited this story: separating this preview out was part of a big May 2023 edit. There was some added in interactions between Legolas & Lossrilleth in Chs 5 & 6 to flesh that out a little more. A more substantial new set of reflections/inquiry for Lossrilleth about choosing to stay were added in Ch 14. Those were also played out to the end of the fic. My apologies if this was a confusing way to update. Appreciate your time & attention!]

Sneak Peek: Daughter of the Forest (now posted)

Reasons you might enjoy (& excerpt below):

*Baby elf & friends go on their first adventure – literally all OCs (including canon descendants) gamboling through post-canon Middle Earth, including off Tolkien's map into non-European territory

**Mirkwood family trauma drama while Legolas & Thranduil will get to work on their relationshit relationship.

*Tolkien's 'alternative history of England(/the world)' vision is played out by creating a post-canon Middle Earth centuries later inspired by various events & people in actual history

*The modern girl in middle earth character gets to live with the 'after' part of happily (for)ever after

**There will be some more Legolas & Lossrilleth fluff, because I unapologetically love them like that.

And some warnings:

** The next story is going to be grittier. We're leaving the safety of Valinor and getting dirty with the mortals in Middle Earth. That said, I am not George R.R. Martin. All chapters will have C/Ws posted at the top as necessary. READ THE NOTE AT THE END OF THE FIRST CHAPTER IF YOU WANT EXTENDED WARNINGS.

** If you hate 'other character' stories this won't be for you - but you're already here. It's been a long time, so only the Elves & wizards are the same. But our favorites have descendants...

Excerpt from Chapter 1: The Stolen Child

In her excitement imagining the valiant Men of old, the young Angharad failed to notice that the little boat had started to rock as each wave struck it. The tide was coming in. By the time she realized, she was floating on the waves close to the shore. She prepared to jump out, but the dark seals had returned, leaping at her if she tried to leave, forcing her back into the boat. The young Elf was overtaken swiftly. The selkies (for this is what they were) dragged their quarry away from the shore and onto rough waters.

The other Elf children had just started to approach her when the seals had attacked. They tried to follow her, but the selkies drove them back, hissing and slapping their great bodies against the water. One child waited no more and raced back towards the adults, screaming and pointing at the quickly retreating boat. The far-sighted Elves tried to catch sight of the floating object, but the sun was blinding reflected off the water.

"What is it?" one of them called out to the panicked child as he tried to reach them.

"It is Angharad!" the young boy shouted.

Legolas and Lossrilleth felt a hot dread wash over them. Both dashed for the water – Legolas diving in and swimming as hard as he was able. But the coracle was far ahead in the distance now. The gathering Elves watched in fear as the great door between their realm and the Straight Road back to Middle Earth bloomed wide, and then shut again. Lossrilleth released a scream that more easily could have come from a wounded animal than an Elf. Legolas tread water, watching the distant spot where his only child had disappeared into the aether with numb disbelief.

In ancient Quenya the great voice of Eru spoke to all, its power shaking the very teeth of those present. "Follow."

And to the Valar the creator commanded, "Find a way."

Legolas and Lossrilleth found each other and held each other, shaking. They were going back to Middle Earth.