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It had been two years since Tauriel and Kiliana arrived in Rivendell and one year since Aragorn left. Kiliana missed her "older brother" greatly but Legolas tried his hardest to fill the void. Normally with Aragorn gone, Legolas would've left as well but he had made a promise to the little girl and he wasn't about to break it. Of course he would've stayed without that promise. He found that he would do anything to make Kiliana happy.

It was a beautiful morning when Legolas met Kiliana in the archery range. She was still the size of a 5 or 6-year-old human girl but had grown even stronger in the last year. Kiliana walked down the hill with a huge grin on her face. "Good morning Legolas!"

Legolas couldn't help but smile back. "Good morning Lia."

Kiliana stopped in front of him and took her bow off of her back. "Are you ready to start?"

Legolas grinned at her enthusiasm. "Actually, no training today. We're going to do something different. Has your mother taught you to swim yet?"

Kiliana's eyes widened. "No!"

Legolas laughed. "Well, then I shall teach you. Come with me."

Legolas led her back up the hill and through the halls. They reemerged outside in a little known section of Rivendell. There was a dirt trail leading into the woods, lined with large trees and sunshine poking through the canopy, casting a light green glow on the area. The trail led them to a small and secluded pool that was completely surrounded by trees.

Kiliana looked around, her mouth agape. "This is beautiful."

Legolas nodded. "Very few know of this place. It will be perfect for practice."

With an excited nod Kiliana stripped down until she was left in her undergarments. Legolas too was down to his pants. He watched carefully as Kiliana waded into the water. It was the perfect temperature; not too hot and not too cold. Being short still, Kiliana couldn't go far. Legolas suddenly remembered the ledge that for an adult elf would put the water at their chest but would completely cover Kiliana. Legolas ran over just as Kiliana stepped off the ledge. He was fast but he felt like he was moving in slow motion as Kiliana submerged. His heart leapt into his throat as he jumped into the pool and grabbed Kiliana's arm to pull her above the water. She came up coughing and sputtering. "Are you okay?" Legolas asked as he checked the little girl for injuries.

Kiliana coughed out the last of the water that she had almost swallowed and nodded with a bright smile. "I'm okay."

Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. "I apologize. I had forgotten about that ledge."

Kiliana continued to smile, the droplets of water on her dark red hair glistening in the sun. "It's okay. Will you still teach me how to swim?"

Legolas grinned. "Of course."

Elsewhere in Rivendell the White Council was meeting for what would be the final time. After their customary greetings, Gandalf turned to Elrond. "My Lord Elrond, I heard that you acquired two new residents in recent years."

Elrond nodded. "Yes. Tauriel of Mirkwood and her daughter have been living with us."

"Just her and her daughter?" Saruman noted. "Where is the girl's father?"

"Deceased," Elrond answered. "Killed in the battle on the Lonely Mountain."

"Why does she live here and not in Mirkwood?" Saruman pushed.

"Lord Thranduil banished her after the battle."

"And I suppose her father was a Mirkwood soldier?"

At this Elrond hesitated. "Her father was Kili, grandson of Thrain," Gandalf answered instead.

"She is the last of Durin's line," Galadriel said from where she stood away from the table.

"What does that mean for us?" Saruman asked. "If the orcs were to discover this they will want her blood."

"That is why she will remain here," Elrond said. "She is of no threat to Sauron."

"No," Galadriel agreed, "but she will be important in the future."

"And what of the Ranger?" Saruman asked.

"Aragorn? He continues to deny his bloodline," Elrond reported.

"That might be for the best," Gandalf said. "The longer Sauron has no knowledge of Aragorn, the better."

"And the status of the One Ring?" Elrond asked.

"It has been swept out to sea," Saruman answered quickly. "Sauron will not be able to gain power." Gandalf watched his old friend carefully but nothing seemed to be amiss.

"We must continue to watchful," Galadriel warned. "Sauron has already fooled us once."

"I do not believe that we have anything to worry about," Saruman argued. "Without the One Ring Sauron is powerless."

The Council adjourned after a few more topics, although Gandalf was still somewhat suspicious of Saruman who immediately left following the meeting. Gandalf was still pondering this when Elrond approached him. "Would you like to see Lia? She is probably with Legolas at the moment. Those two are never far apart for long. I know that she would love to meet a wizard."

Gandalf smiled warmly, delighted that the little half-elf had found a happy home. "Another time," he promised. "There is one other thing that I must attend to."