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: Here we go. Hopefully this was a bit better than the last chapter. I'm going to give Haldir's POV a shot. Let me know what you think! As a reminder any text in italics is in Elvish.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 5: The Understanding

Haldir's POV

"You should give her a moment to calm down" Haldir caught Legolas' arm as he jumped from his perch to follow Nina. Legolas kept his eyes trained on the girls retreating figure and Haldir had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at his old friend.

"I do not understand what I did," the prince's lost gaze finally left his sister as she turned a corner in the path. Sometimes Haldir wanted to shake the girl's defensiveness out of her no matter how understandable the wariness was.

"I believe she is tired of every new connection she makes seeing her as a curiosity. Rumil tried to explain why her age is so intriguing but I don't believe she fully understands the rarity of such young elves." Haldir sensed the ranger's eavesdropping and considered his words carefully. As private as she was, Nina would not appreciate him talking about her. "She has the experiences of an elleth many times her age. It's really something my sister should explain."

"Is she really likely to speak with me? She just ran from me for asking a simple question!" Haldir sighed. Perhaps he should call Orophin and Rumil and take wagers on how long it took their sister to get fed up with the stubborn ellon.

"Go and explain yourself. If she doesn't run then perhaps she'll be willing to acquaint you with her background. Either way, you couldn't possibly make a worse impression on each other." Haldir pushed him in the direction of Nina's retreat. "I'd try the garden. She spends most of her time there if we're not training or she's not at the mirror" Legolas shot him a questioning glance at that last fact and jogged off towards the trail.

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

Nina felt Legolas behind her even as his approach was silent. She was starting to love these elf senses even if they still left her head reeling more often than not. "What do you want Legolas?" She could have sworn she was clear that the topic was closed when she basically ran away from him. His persistence was clearly going to be an annoyance even if she suppressed a slight twinge of gratitude that he wanted to speak with her despite her behavior.

"I wished to apologize for my questions earlier. It is not my place to ask such things." She blinked in surprise but did not stop him. "If you will permit me I would also like to explain my reaction." Nina nodded cautiously and patted the bench next to her and gave him a tentative smile. "Haldir told me that the rarity of young elves has been explained to you. Here in Lothlorien you probably only have a handful of elflings in residence but what you must understand is that Lothlorien is one of the most powerful and protected haven's in Middle Earth. Elves can make the choice to have a child here and feel at least some sense of safety. Nina, Mirkwood is half overrun by the dark. We fight each day to protect our borders. No elf would bring a child into such a place. There are no children in my homeland; indeed the youngest of us is an ellon who just reached his 400th year. Even if you had 190 years instead of just 19 you would be one of the youngest people I'd ever met. You also look quite a bit more mature than an elleth of your years should; but such things are not my business and I will not pry." He watched her for any sort of reaction. Her face was blank but at least she wasn't running from him yet.

Inside Nina was bouncing two sides of an argument around. She'd known young elves were rare but Legolas has definitely put it in a harsher perspective. How could there be an entire kingdom without a single child? Should she tell him more about her aging before her arrival? Legolas was a good soul but should she trust him with her burdens? Was it even right to place that weight on another? As if she could hear the internal battle (which for all Nina knew she could) Galadriel's voice floated through her mind. 'The Prince is worthy of your faith my child. You will need each other for support many times over before the quest is complete. Tell him all you can without altering what will come to pass.' Sometimes she loved the eavesdropping the Galadriel was prone to. For such a regal lady she could be quite meddlesome though it was usually for the best.

Nina finally met Legolas' increasingly anxious stare and felt her desire to trust him overwhelm what little resistance she'd mustered up. "You are more than forgiven Legolas. My behavior was unworthy of me and it is I who should apologize. You could not know that my age is a… sensitive topic because you do not know me."

He smiled widely at her and she again marveled at how freely his expressions crossed his features compared to the Lorien elves for always teased her for her 'human expressions'. "If you are willing I would like to explain my circumstances though I will warn you that you'll very likely not wish to know me after I explain in full." How could someone as pure as this princeling forgive her willfully letting his companions die and overlooking tragedies all for some distant future that he could never see? 'Then bring him to the mirror after you tell him and make him see Nina' Galadriel clearly wanted this particular conversation to go as she planned it.

"I would love the opportunity to hear your story, little one" She raised an eyebrow at the nickname but considering he had at least six inches on her she decided to let it go and jumped into her story.

"I was born almost twenty years ago in another world after my mother was in an accident. She did not survive her injuries but the healers delivered me and my father took me home with him. He didn't talk about her much but I used to have a picture of her. Dad was overwhelmed taking care of a newborn by himself and hired Mary to help raise me. Just before my eighteenth birthday, the day we come of age in my realm, we were all in an accident like the one my mother was in. I came out of it with barely a scratch but I lost both of them to their injuries. I had no other family and the government was supposed to take me in but there is a special law that let's children come of age early if they meet certain qualifications. My father was fairly wealthy and I was almost finished with my primary education so I was allowed to stay in my home. I went on to a specialized training to be a healer and I'd been working for almost two years when I was pulled out of my world and into this one. Galadriel says the Valar chose me to fulfill a task. I told you before that there is no magic in my world. Magic, dwarves, elves, and all creatures that are not men or animals are simply faerie tales in my land.'' Legolas couldn't seem to keep himself from interrupting which Nina didn't really mind as she felt like some sort of exhibit being watched as she spoke.

"How can you say elves are only tales in your land when you yourself are of elf-kind?" He clearly hadn't understood what she meant earlier about aging as a human.

"Legolas, I aged as a human in my land because there are only humans where I come from. I was not of elf-kind at my birth. I went through a … transformation at the hands of the Valar and was entrusted to Galadriel's care." Legolas' mouth didn't drop open as a human's might have but he was passing into the shocked state she'd seen earlier when her age was made clear. At this point he actually knew more than anyone but Galadriel, Celeborn, and her brothers.

They sat together for several long minutes as Legolas processed all that she'd told him and Nina planned her next words with caution. "When did all of this happen? How long have you been here?" She could tell that those were not the questions Legolas most wanted answered but he wasn't sure how to ask what he really wanted to know.

"I've resided in Lothlorien for about three months. I've probably been declared dead by now back home" She said that last to herself but she saw Legolas start violently.

"Dead? Why would they assume you were dead? Surely someone will continue to search for you?" Nina looked at him pityingly. It had never occurred to her that elves were crippled slightly by their immortality but with each word Legolas spoke it became clearer.

"Legolas, humans are fragile. We had short life spans compared to most creatures in Middle Earth and we move on after tragedies faster than most. My friends from work and school likely reported me missing and my home and property were likely searched. If a human was lost in the wilderness for months they would die of illness or hunger, or would be killed by a wild animal. Humans where I come from are not hardened to the wilderness. My friends likely mourned my passing and may even remember me fondly from time to time but when you only have about eighty years to live you have to get past the pain of loss. I loved my father and Mary and I grieved for them for quite some time. I still miss them at moments when I want to tell them about something or get their opinion but the loss no longer crippled me after the first few months. The resilience of humans doesn't mean they care less but that the nature of morality will not let them be consumed for all time. Every day is full of life and joy and hope. Such a life bars one from the devastation after some time." She decided to omit the fact that she was likely cased as a potential suicide as she'd just drawn up a will but was for the most part being sincere in her explanation.

She'd lost him to the shock again. Perhaps she should try being more circumspect in the future…

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

Legolas couldn't help but stare at the elleth in front of him. She was so calmly explaining that her friends had likely abandoned her for dead. She was so unconcerned with the idea of death which so many elves couldn't even consider without discomfort. Was that what all mortals were like? Did they all feel so deeply but quickly as Nina suggested? What sort of impact would that have on her? An elleth who would live forever but would live each day fully and rejoice in being alive. She was the most amazing creature he'd ever encountered. His fascination with Galadriel's ward would get him nowhere though. She said she was here to serve a purpose. Would she return to her magic-less realm and her changeable friends when she completed the Valar's will? Realizing he'd been silently staring at the clearly uncomfortable woman he decided to distract her from his behavior with a question.

"Can you tell me why the Valar brought you here or is it secret?" Nina seemed pleased that he'd come back to the realm of consciousness and let out a relieved breath.

"There are events to come which I can alter. I know what is to come with the Fellowship's quest to destroy the Ring. Some hardships and tragedies must occur no matter how much I wish to alter them but I can at least save those involved a little suffering. Knowing that some deaths are needed to propel the story to the correct end is a burden I would not wish on my worst enemy and yet I refuse to save the one and endanger the rest." She looked down and he saw her trying to blink back tears. Legolas, like most elves, couldn't stand to see another in distress and wished to comfort her as he gently clasped her shoulder. She jumped at the contact but did not pull away so he slid his hand down to grasp hers and they sat in companionable silence until she had her tears under control.

Once it was clear she wasn't going to cry he spoke up, "I am sorry this burden has fallen on you. To see the future is always trying but to see the future of this dark business and be made responsible for our actions is unfair. How do you even know which events you are supposed to intervene in?" He'd heard of Galadriel's mirror but to his knowledge it only showed the viewer's future. Perhaps he had heard wrong or misunderstood.

"I make a decision about what I will do to change an event. If the event is a turning point I cannot find a way to alter it and still see the quest stay on track later down the road. If the event can be changed I find the least risky and least intrusive way to do it. Gandalf falling in Moria was a turning point. Indeed if I had managed to warn him of his impending fall he would have continued down the same path regardless. There is a raid that is supposed to happen in Rohan among the river communities. I will send word to the Rohirim in time to make sure the communities are defended. Such small events are all I can alter." She was looking down again, studiously avoiding his gaze. She was…ashamed? For what? Did she avoid his eyes fearing condemnation? True she'd probably see such things in the eyes of Boromir and perhaps the dwarf but he would never begrudge someone so weighed down by duty.

As if to voice her approval he felt the voice of the Lady of Lorien float into his mind, 'Nina will require your support and will in turn support you when you need it most. Just by being here she has already saved you from something that should have overcome you at the closing of the Fellowship's tale' the cryptic remark was disconcerting but he headed the Lady's advice and resolved to reassure Nina that his opinion of her had not changed.

"That must be difficult. I, again, am sorry it falls to you. This is not even your homeland and its defense is costing you much." Perhaps he should wait to ask what would become of her after the quest ended (either with the ring destroyed or back in the hand of its maker).

"You do not begrudge me for not sharing the information? You yourself will suffer much because I cannot share what will come to pass with you." She clearly has expected his anger rather than his understanding.

"I simply wish I could somehow relieve you of your burden but all I can offer you is my friendship. And even that will be tainted by my impending departure." She sighed ruefully but was caught off guard as she threw her arms around him and gave him a quick hug. He sat stunned for a moment before returning the motion.

"Your friendship is received with gratitude even if your path will make you… inconsistent. From what I have seen we will most certainly cross paths after you leave with the Fellowship." She paused for a moment and he could almost feel her making a decision. "I want to show you something. Come with me!" She grinned at him and tugged him up with her from the bench before taking his hand and leading him to a mostly concealed pathway across the garden from their bench.

The path was well worn, though thin, clearly not a busy walkway and Nina navigated the twists and gnarled roots of the forest floor with practiced ease. "Where are we going?" He couldn't help but question the inexplicably exuberant girl.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise," she teased. Her new lightheartedness was a welcome change from the somber conversation of the garden and he felt as though they'd come to an unspoken understanding that they would trust each other. They finally came to clearing and Legolas was shocked to see a completely clear perfect circle of grass only interrupted by a stone pillar supporting a wide basin. This was the Mirror. Nina released the hand he hadn't realized she had still been holding and bent to fill a pitcher with water from the stream at the edge of the clearing. She filled the basin and then pulled him to stand next to her.

"I'm going to show you what can happen if everything goes according to the path I've set. I can't show you anything about your coming journey but I can show you a glimpse of what will come if you are successful. It can be a bit disorienting the first time. Are you ready?" Legolas stared at her in disbelief for a moment before nodding. She was going to show him the future and didn't appear to even realize how precious the artifact she was leaning on was. There was no more time to think as visions filled his mind in fragments-

~Aragorn sat upon the great throne in Gondor next to Arwen who was clearly heavy with child. The white tree of the Kings bloomed. ~

~His father embraced him in a courtyard outside the Mirkwood palace's entrance and he appeared less burdened than Legolas could remember seeing him since the Mirkwood had been the Greenwood. ~

~Legolas himself stood at the window of a flet looking out on an unfamiliar view and turned as an elfling clung to his leg. He picked the child up and laughed as the blue eyed boy made to grab one of his braids. ~

The next moment Legolas was aware of was kneeling beside the mirror with Nina crouched in front of him, concern clear on his face. "The first time I looked in the mirror I felt like my head was splitting open. Are you alright Legolas?"

After a few harsh breaths he finally felt recovered enough to respond. "All of that will come to pass if we succeed?" He questioned wonderingly. She nodded smiling softly at him.

"The King returns to the White City, the light returns to the reclaimed Greenwood, the world is safer and there will be plenty of children born so you can stop being concerned by how young I am." The last was accompanied with a small laugh and Legolas couldn't help but join her. He could not shake the euphoria in his heart at what he'd seen and he truly had no wish to. This elleth had given him precious hope for the future of Middle Earth, their quest, and his own future happiness for that was surely HIS child in the vision and he would never decide to have a child unless he was to find his match and live in enough safety for the child. The darkness could end. And Aragorn would finally accept his place in the world. He did not understand how Arwen could be there though. Aragorn had said she'd sailed to Valinor.

"How is Arwen in the future I see? Aragorn said she was to sail west after we departed from Imaldris." He wondered if he could tell the Ranger. Would the news cheer the man or simply add to his worries?

"Arwen is in love, Legolas. She could not sail. She will stay in Rivendell and her fate shall match that of Middle Earth. She seems like an extraordinary woman. I can't wait until my path crosses with hers. But Legolas, you cannot tell Aragorn. He does not need to be concerned with more than he already is. Indeed all that I have told you and shown you must stay between us. You must promise me" Her earnest pleasing tone would have convinced him to agree to anything. Regardless he could see the sense behind the request.

"You have my word Nina. Perhaps we should rejoin the others. I got the feeling that Haldir was concerned you may try to kill me in a fit of anger." He joked lightly trying to bring her back out of the reserve she was falling back into. She cracked a smile and grabbed his and again to lead him back to the main paths. Once on the main passages Legolas no longer needed her guidance as he'd been to Lothlorien several times in his travels. Even so, he didn't release her hand.

-!-!-

AN: So there should be a new chapter up soonish. Let me know what you thought? Guidance and opinions are encouraged and taken into heavy consideration. Thanks for reading!