2.8.21 Update: Revising these old chapters before I post new content this week. New Chapter *18* coming this week!

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien.

AN: I didn't expect this to take so long to write. Sorry about the delay! Let me know what you think.

ALSO to avoid confusion from here on out anything in italics is elvish.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 4: Eight Weary Travelers

Instead of facing the mirror in the morning Nina took advantage of her open invitation to visit Galadriel's personal gardens. The sweet smell of flowers whose names she couldn't remember and couldn't even begin to pronounce surrounded her and Nina tried to let the scent calm her nerves. She'd been spending more time in the gardens of late. Galadriel had introduced her to a healer her second week after arriving and Nina was thrilled to push her many troubles aside while immersing herself in learning about Elvish medicine. The nebulous nature of her new race's magic was well beyond her understanding but the tangible and readily applicable knowledge of plants and their properties was fascinating. Already she could identify some basic herbs in the garden for reducing fevers, fighting infection, and causing a deep and dreamless sleep. The last of these tempted her each time she strode past the small pond in which the flowers flourished. Celeborn had come across her staring at the flowers weeks ago and had given her a sad smile. "It's best to leave that path untrodden Nina. It may ease your burden for a time but the things that move in our dark dreams always find us eventually." The Lord of Caras Galadhon was a calm and steady ellon, more distant than Galadriel had been but perhaps easier to find comfort with because of it. He often spent time in the gardens and was always happy to join her for her wanderings when they ran across each other.

Today Nina wandered alone trying to find a calm inside her that had fled the moment she realised her time to prepare to meet the fellowship was over. They were to arrive today. The mirror had given her enough to know that meeting the travelers wouldn't alter their course but she wasn't sure how to go about doing it. Haldir would likely take her to task for sitting around dreaming instead of taking action and Nina smiled at the thought. The ellon would be returning with the company today as well. Perhaps he and Lady Galadriel would allow her to accompany him in seeing to the Fellowships needs?

With that thought the young woman rose from the stone bench she'd been resting on (she still couldn't get her mind around how graceful her movements had become) and found the path leading towards the center of Caras Galadhon. The winding path opened suddenly onto a large natural staircase at the top of which was the gathering spot the Fellowship would meet Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Knowing she'd be unable to find the Lady unless Galadriel wanted to see her Nina set out to find her Lord. Sure enough, she stumbled upon the Lord of the wood speaking with a guard just below his and the Lady's flet.

"Mae g'ovennen hir viun!" She addressed him as he finished speaking with the guard, inwardly proud she'd gotten the greeting out with passable pronunciation.

"Good morn child. Are you not watching the mirror this morning?" Celeborn, as far as Nina knew, was aware of her entire story. He'd never brought up her past in their scattered conversations but then he'd seen the slight twinge in her countenance every time Galadriel or had spoken of her world or her transformation. Thinking of all the things she lost and all of the new trials ahead of her made Nina uncomfortable if they did not outright cause her pain.

"No my lord. The Fellowship approaches and I need to speak with my Lady." Celeborn smiled knowingly. Half the time he felt people came to him because his bonded was impossible to find.

"Well then I suppose we should begin our search if you wish to find her before the travelers arrive." He held out his arm for her to take and led her towards the stairs intent on starting at the lake. "Are you well child? I know this day has weighed on your mind since you came to us." Celeborn was markedly uncomfortable prying, unlike his wife, but even he could see the young elleth was distracted. Nina was of two minds regarding Galadriel's seeming omniscience. On the one hand the lack of privacy could be grating and she knew her turbulent thoughts and emotions were distressing to Galadriel. But it was also nice to just push a mess of half formed thoughts and feelings at her and not have to formulate the words that matched her state of mind.

"Everything here has been so peaceful for me. I just know that this is where the story begins to turn. Even with perfect foresight I could not be comfortable." She went silent again until the telltale glow of the Lady of Lorien caught her eye at the edge of the approaching water. "My Lady!" She called out and as always Galadriel's reaction was serene. Nothing surprised the ancient elleth in her own domain.

"Well met child. What is it that you and my Lord need of me?" The question was more of a formality really considering Galadriel had a fair idea of what Nina would ask. Celeborn, sensing he was no longer needed, bowed to the elleth and returned up the path towards the stairs.

"I would ask that you assign me to wait on the Fellowship when they arrive. They will not welcome an intrusive elleth unless I have a true reason to spend time with them." Nina was mildly ashamed to realize that she was… jittery. Ever since she had woken in her new form incidental human reaction had been lost to her; elves' emotions did not play so close to the surface as they did in mortals. This anxiety that would have been commonplace in her old form was most unusual and overpowering in her new body.

"Nina, you will of course be lent to the fellowship as their guide while they rest with us. Do not be nervous, my child. Stay true to your course and remember that your brothers and I are here to share what of the burden we may." Galadriel rested her hands on the elleths shoulders "Come. The Marchwarden has crossed into the city. We must meet our guests."

Galadriel kept hold of Nina's hand as they made their way to the gathering. At the edge of the clearing Nina relinquished her tight hold on Galadriel's hand to allow the Lord to take his rightful place at her side. Nina moved off to the side where she saw Rumil and Orophin waiting. They exchanged tense smiles before turning to the path where the footsteps of the travelers could be heard.

Eventually the company came into view. In the lead was Haldir and Nina could practically feel her adoptive brothers relaxing as she did at the sight of him unharmed. Immediately following her returned brother came the eight remaining members of the grief stricken fellowship. The hobbits were simple to identify by their stature and Nina immediately focused her gaze on the Halfling she identified as Frodo. 'I am so sorry, my friend, for all that is to come. If I could change it I would' she thought to herself and fought down the wave of grief that threatened to break her composure. Likewise Gimli was easily picked out. If his height and girth hadn't identified him the distaste on the faces of all the elves present except for Legolas would have been enough. Legolas was bowing slightly to the Lord and Lady as Aragorn did and both seemed to be struck silent in awe.

Boromir, Nina noticed, was shaking slightly and looked as though he might be ill at any moment. 'Of course, his mind is being taken by the power of the ring even as we stand here.' She tore her gaze away from the doomed man ashamed that she could not alter his fate.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight that are here yet nine 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. "Celeborn addressed the fellowship as Haldir came to stand by his siblings.

Galadriel showed a small pang of sadness that her bonded was to find out this way but she had instructed Nina not to share anything that could possibly change the future. The fellowship needed to believe Gandalf was dead. "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow. "

Celeborn's gaze pierced Nina even as she stared down at her feet. The Lord was angry with her. She could feel the hurt in his stare even as Legolas told the tale. "He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."

Nina was shocked into paying attention by the venom in Legolas' voice. He was showing his hurt and anger in a manner that no elves she'd met thus far did. Was it because he was an ellon of the Woodland realm or that despite his nearly 3000 years he was still fairly young in elvish terms?

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." Nina saw the Lady repress what may have been the beginnings of a smile as she turned her gaze on the dwarf, "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands love is now mingled with grief." Celeborn didn't share his Lady's apparent confidence.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." The question was addressed to his Lady as well as the little elleth hiding behind her adoptive brothers. Celeborn's focus caught Legolas's attention and he snuck a glance at the elleth who held the Marchwardens elbow familiarly.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace. Haldir and his sister will ring you to a place you may rest." Galadriel motioned to the two elves before she and Celeborn turned from the company in a clear dismissal.

-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!-!

"If you will follow us, we will get you settled." Nina approached the fellowship carefully and motioned to the staircase before leading the way, assuming Haldir would bring up the rear. Her sensitive ears picked up the hushed conversation between Merry and Pippin without difficulty and she struggled not to laugh.

"I'm starving! Do you think these elves have anything good to eat?" That had to be Pippin, ever the brash Took.

"If you're so concerned why don't you ask the pretty lady or even better the stone faced elf that tried to shoot us earlier!" Merry was clearly exasperated with his young companion. His comment intrigued her 'Haldir tried to shoot them?' Not only did that sound unlike Haldir in that he rarely 'tried' anything without success and the hobbits were clearly unharmed but also he wasn't prone to aggressive behavior unless it was teasing or training her.

Deciding to break the ice just a little she called out to her brother in elvish "You tried to shoot the Halflings? Did you miss or were they simply too swift for you?" Her tone was teasing and she heard a chuckle from Aragorn at her words. A quick glance over her shoulder showed smiles on the faces of the Ranger, Legolas, and her brother. Mission accomplished.

"They're certainly more swift than you sister. Are you still limping from the hit Rumil got on you?" Haldir teased back at her and she quickly assessed her gait to make sure she wasn't actually limping from the large bruise on her calf.

"That traitor! He promised he would keep it between us. Well if he can break confidence then I suppose I should tell you that when we were at the archery range yesterday he and Orophin were so distracted by Lady Anaith walking by that they both completely MISSED their targets." Times like these when her emotions ran high were easier to speak the complicated tongue. She'd read something about that in her world. People exhibited more skill in foreign languages when tired or mildly intoxicated because it lowered inhibition and their vocal chords were more relaxed.

The full throated laugh surprised her as it was Legolas not Haldir. She turned to meet his gaze. "I suppose that's no great surprise. Your brothers never did have a hand for the bow. Must come from all that lazing about you let them do Haldir" Legolas teased Haldir much to Nina's surprise. She hadn't thought about how well the two knew each other. In fact it was a bit sad that so many people knew her 'family' better than she did. The melancholy took over and she dropped out of the conversation letting the ellons tease each other about their battle prowess.

Aragorn quickened his pace a bit to catch up with her when he saw her expression cloud over. "What troubles you m'lady?" He'd switched to the common tongue which Nina was beyond grateful for. Despite her outburst she was still barely a novice in terms of speaking.

"Many things and almost entirely out of my control. I am sorry; do not take my troubles upon yourself. You've suffered a great loss. I did not know Gandalf but I know much of him. He would be proud of how you lead the company in his stead." Nina managed a weak smile at Aragorn's dazed expression.

"Your accent is strange m'lady and you do not resemble Haldir for all that you claim each other as siblings. From where do you hail?" Aragorn's curiosity was clearly going to be an issue especially as she could practically feel the rest of the company listening to their conversation.

"My name is Nina, I am most certainly no lady." She rebuffed the tile as all the posturing had started to wear on her. Considering her words for a moment she continued "I am not from Lothlorien or indeed from any land you are familiar with. I am a guest of the Lady's and have had the unfortunate luck of being adopted by Haldir, Rumil and Orophin." The last she said with a smile as she heard Haldir huff.

"We only took you in because no one else would have you" Haldir called to her from the rear, clearly teasing. "When you first arrived you kept getting lost and couldn't even speak the language of your people- not that you've gotten much better mind you." Nina stuck her tongue out at him. "And you have all those strange mannerisms. You're quite the oddity sister."

By now the whole company was chuckling (even Gimli who was clearly uncomfortable and Boromir who was trying very hard not to stare at the chain around Frodo's neck) and Nina was pleased to see that they were coming up on the pavilion by the lake which had been set up for the Fellowship's foreseen arrival. Once she saw to it that the Hobbits were fed and that the rest of the men were comfortable Nina motioned to Haldir that she would be back in a moment and swiftly made her way towards the path that would lead her to her flet. She'd had enough of the dress and quickly changed into a pair of cream colored leggings, a brown tunic and soft brown leather boots. She made her way back to the lake and paused at the edge of the clearing. Making a snap decision she climbed the great white oak which hung over the pavilion and settled herself among its branches to watch the fellowship.

She was spying, yes, but she justified it as more of a fact finding mission. Any information she could gather could help her interpret the future in the mirror. The fact that she wanted to watch the hobbits fool around like children or Boromir and Aragorn banter about the beauties of Gondor or perhaps just the sheer sight that was the Mirkwood prince was irrelevant, or so she told herself. Nina had grown so accustomed to the Lothlorien elves that even Legolas was a foreign oddity to her. He did not hold as much reserve as Haldir and she saw mischief and mirth lingering in his eyes as he watched his companions as if he was holding in a great deal of humor for their sakes. As she contemplated the prince his eyes flicked up to hers and grew in surprise before he rose and gracefully scaled the tree to join her in the branches.

"And here I thought Lothlorien elves only went into trees if there was a staircase" he teased as he settled next to her. She noted the eyes of Aragorn and Haldir flicked to them once or twice before dismissing the tree-bound elves.

"Ah but you forget that I am not in fact a Lothlorien elleth. When I was a child I spent much of my time climbing and falling out of trees. My father used to jest that I must be part squirrel." She smiled to herself at the bittersweet memory. She wasn't sure what had prompted her to share that with an ellon who was basically a stranger.

"What is it like? Your homeland?" His sincere interest was not unusual but instead of rebuffing the question as she usually did she decided she may as well answer it as truthfully as she could. After all, the future of the company was essentially in her hands. They were going to have to learn to accept and trust her eventually.

"It's so different from these lands that I don't know where to begin. There are cities so large it takes a day to cross them on foot. The forests of my homeland are much less grand than Lothlorien of the woodland realm and much younger. There are markets where goods from many different lands are sold every day and despite great oceans and deserts the peoples of my home are very much connected. In fact, the man with whom I used to work was from across the sea. If you think my accent is strange you should hear his. I suppose the strangest thing for you about my home would be that we have no magic in our lives. We use technology in its place but there are no sorcerers or speaking trees or ships that sail to undying lands." The words rushed out of her so quickly she wondered if he caught them all. Speaking of home after so long was cathartic and she found herself less grieved by it than she'd expected.

"You sound as if its loss pains you. Why leave your home if you loved it so?" She could tell Legolas was intrigued and simply wanted to keep her talking in hopes of gaining any more insight into her mysterious foreign land.

"I recently discovered I have the gift of the sight. With no other seers in my home there really was no other choice. I will always miss my old life, my people, my profession but there's nothing to be done for it at this point." She forced a sad smile and averted her gaze from the ellon.

"Your profession?" He prompted. She paused a moment digging for the best 'Middle Earth' explanation before replying.

"I was… I suppose you'd call it a healer. In my land there are really two kinds of healers. There are doctors and nurses who work in… houses of healing where people can go to be helped and then there are paramedics and field medics who go to where the injured or sick people are and do as much as they can to help on their way to the house of heeling."

Legolas studied her for a few moments without speaking. "Was this profession dangerous?" His tone seemed mildly disapproving and Nina decided to nip that overprotectiveness in the bud.

"Occasionally we were in unsafe situations but Legolas many women in my world work in what many here consider men's professions. A girl I knew from my childhood schooling was in a combat zone with our army before she was even twenty and she was less than a year older than I am-"at this Legolas appeared to freeze. His eyes were trained on her but it was like he wasn't even seeing her. "Legolas….Legolas…" She called his name a few times before signaling Haldir for help. Her brother was up next to them in a flash and his arrival appeared to snap Legolas out of his stupor. "Are you alright?" She asked as he continued staring at her but had resumed blinking and breathing regularly.

"Nina, how old are you?" Haldir grinned at the winded expression on Legolas' face. He remembered being just as shocked at this particular revelation.

"She's yet to reach her twentieth year my friend. It's startling isn't it? She looks as if she's an adult but she's really no more than an infant." With that comment Nina pushed him out of the tree remorselessly. Haldir's eyes went wide for a moment in the air before he gracefully landed on a branch below and chuckled as he climbed down the rest of the way. Aragorn's attention was firmly on them, she could see from the corner of her eye.

"Legolas, in my land there is no magic, there is no immortality. I aged as a human before I came here. Lady Galadriel assures me I will likely look as I do now for the rest of my now-eternal life. I am not a child and I will not allow anyone to treat me as such." She dropped out of the tree as she felt her inner agitation surface. "Haldir, I need to speak with the Lady. I'll be back." Her tone was stiff as she all but ran towards the path that would lead her to Galadriel's garden. Even if the Lady wasn't there she could take peace in seclusion and perhaps take a peek into the mirror if her senses returned to her.

AN: I know this is short and the wait has been super long by my standards. I'll have another chapter up in a day or two (hopefully one that is better written and longer).

Does anyone want to see more points of view? I'm not ready to try out Legolas' yet but I think I could try Aragorn or Haldir or maybe even Pippin? Let me know if you want it and I'll give it a shot.

Mae g'ovennen- well met

hir viun- my lord