Summary:

Many years ago, a young elfling was left at the feet of Gandalf the grey by a gravely injured elf mother, Adelia who pleaded with him to save the child. Gandalf heeded the request and placed the elfling Melian with the hobbits. There she grew up safely within the Shire. She lived peacefully with them until the day came when the war of the one ring began. In an attempt to help her dear friend, she joins in Frodo's quest, never knowing just what dark part she is destined to play in the war. She joins in the fellowship and makes friends in the strangest of ways. All the while discovering more of her past, powers, and the dark attraction Sauron holds for her. With friends both old and new she will have to find the strength to conquer the darkness growing within her and perhaps even discover something more amazing than she could have ever imagined. Legolas/OC

Author's Note:

First off I apologize if there are any discrepancies within the story. I have no doubt there will be things that won't be entirely accurate with both the books and movies. I have read all the books and watched all the movies but I am no expert on them. However, I will do my best and stick close with everything. I will be revising this story heavily during its progression. If I want I'll do it more than once if I don't like the way the chapters are later on. I am human so there will be mistakes but I will correct them as best I can so don't call me out on it all the time. I will also be going through the events in the movie.

YES this is a legomance and a tenth-walker story. If you don't like it then just leave. I don't want reviews pointing out those little facts. Is this a mary-sue? I don't think it is, but I think it's more in the readers' opinion sometimes on whether or not a character is a mary-sue. Point is like before, if you don't like it, then leave quietly. I do enjoy getting reviews from those who like the story since it keeps me motivated in continuing. I always welcome both critique and advice from others. It really does help. However any flames I get will always be ignored. They are unnecessary and I do not welcome them at all.

With all that being said I hope you enjoy the story!

Disclaimer:

Everything from The Lord of the Rings belongs respectively to Tolkien and I claim no ownership over it.

Prologue;

The beautiful, serene light of the moon cascaded brightly down upon the darkened world below. It illuminated even the darkest corners in the land of Middle-Earth that rested under its ever-brilliant light. With the full moon resting idly within the large ocean of stars everything seemed completely quiet in the large forest below. The peaceful silence that had once rested over the forest was shattered by an ear-piercing scream. It echoed throughout the forest, stirring any small creatures that may have been roaming about. The trees even appeared as though they became tense after hearing the chilling cry that seemingly came from nowhere.

Looking almost like a black blur passing by through the trees, a cloaked figure ran at great speed. A hood covered their face completely so they could not be seen and within their arms a small bundle was nestled tightly. Pained and distressed breaths fell from the lips of the figure as they ran. Their pace never slowed nor did their attention remain focused on what direction they took. They were simply trying to get away, it mattered not where they ended up. As the figure ran through the forest, they came upon twisted tree branches whose sharp edges tore and ripped at the cloak. It was nearly shredded by the time they arrived on a clear path again and by that point; locks of pure blonde hair already began streaming out from under the hood. Large spots of dark red were all over the cloak and an arrow was protruding out from the shoulder of the figure. The air around them was thick with the smell of blood.

The figure could not longer run at this point. It had already seemed like they had been running for days when not but a few hours had passed since the chase began. The cloak was nearly shredded at this point and the hood easily fell down, revealing the hidden face underneath. A beautiful elven woman with pure sapphire eyes that were cast downward worryingly on the bundle cradled within her arms. Ragged breaths came from the elven woman and slowly she had backed up against a tree and slid down into a sitting position on the forest floor. She no longer had any strength to stand, especially with the extra weight she carried.

"Hush my dear one…there is nothing to fear." She whispered soothing words of comfort when the bundle she held began whimpering softly.

Every word was difficult for her to speak and her face soon contorted into one of agony. Sharp pains shot through her body with every breath and movement she took. The horrible injuries she had sustained earlier were finally catching up with her. She could no longer run now. She didn't even have much time left as she felt the life draining from her with every second. She suddenly regretted ever leaving her home the way she had. That place had been her only protection and now she had made a careless mistake that surely not only cost her life, but her daughter.

Just a few hours ago, the elleth had been attacked by a band of orcs, who were after her daughter. She knew the reasons for the attack and dreaded what would happen if they found the two of them now. During the pursuit she had did everything she could to get away with her child and had been gravely injured in the process. Despite the wounds she had escaped from them with great haste and lost them some ways back in the forest. It would have all been for nothing if those monsters took her daughter now.

"Naneth…" A small, muffled voice sounded from the bundle.

"Shh…I am right here my little one."

The elleth whispered the comforting words as she cradled the little body safely within her arms. The pain she felt was beyond words but she pushed it all back so that she could remain calm for her daughter. She had to do something before it was too late. There was no way her child could survive out here on her own, especially with those orcs roaming about. She felt the tears cascading down over her cold skin and falling right onto the cloth that her two-year-old daughter was wrapped in. Slowly she lifted up one of her blood-covered hands and pulled back the cloak that covered the child.

Inside the bundle lay a little elfling, curled up with her fingers grasping onto her mother's clothing tightly. Her own sapphire orbs were now looking up at her mother through the dark locks of black hair that had fallen over her face. The elfling looked at her with confusion and fear swimming in her eyes. It broke her heart even more to see her daughter in such a state. As she gazed upon the child she could feel the grief weighing down on her heart even more. She should have stayed in Rivendell with her daughter. She would have been safe there somehow; they would have protected her if she had just spoken up.

It was her after all who was a danger among them because of the curse, not her child right now. She could have left alone but she did not have the heart to leave behind her little girl who resembled her dear love so much. Since his death she had already felt herself fading and the only thing that had kept her in this life all this time was her daughter. It no longer mattered now though. Her life would end tonight and her daughter would be left alone. Just the thought of what could occur only made more tears spring forth from her eyes.

"You will be fine…I promise." She whispered before pressing a kiss upon the elfling's forehead.

Just as the words came out of her lips she felt her heart sink as noises began surfacing from a distance ahead of them. Fear consumed her entire being once again at the thought of the orcs having caught up and surrounded her. She brought the elfling closer against her body and shut her eyes tight. She could only hope she was wrong and the noises were all in her head. However, they never stopped and footsteps began drawing in closer. Strangely what she noticed was that they were not the hard cruel ones of the orcs. These were much softer and calm than anything else. It wasn't reassuring but it gave her enough courage to open her eyes and look upon the being that had approached them.

"Adelia…?"

A gentle voice, that belonged to none other than Gandalf reached her ears. She wouldn't have believed it were true if she hadn't seen him standing there with her own two eyes. Relief washed over her completely at the sight of him. She had never been happier to see the wizard than right now.

"Gandalf…thank the Valar you are here…" She spoke nearly through a sob.

"Adelia what has happened to you?" Gandalf questioned her.

It was clear he was in shock at finding her and her elfling all the way out here. He hurried over to the elleth's side and once he was close enough he grabbed the cloak she wore so he could move it aside to inspect her wounds. Immediately Adelia grabbed his hand so that she could stop him. Her grip was tight and desperate, with her eyes reflecting the same emotions as she looked up at him pleadingly.

"I have not the time to explain. Gandalf…I beg of you…please protect my daughter. I fear my time in this world grows shorter with each passing second. I can no longer protect her."

Adelia was using every last bit of strength she could muster to speak and not burst into tears again. Her words were coming out slower and quieter than before. Her body ached to just let go but she refused, knowing she couldn't just slip away now. With careful movements Adelia loosened her grip upon her daughter and let her slip from her lap.

Standing beside her mother, Melian looked up when the hood was pulled off from her head. She could not understand anything that was going on and could only look at her mother in fear. She had never seen her mother look so pale and sad before, at least not since her father had died.

"Naneth…?" Melian uttered softly.

Adelia could feel tears forming in her eyes again and quickly pulled her daughter close so that she could embrace her tightly one last time. She stokes the elfling's hair in a comforting manner and whispered gentle worlds of comfort in elvish. It was the small things she had always done to comfort Melian when she was sad and it would be the last time she could do this. She gave her daughter one last squeeze before releasing her from the embrace and looking her over one last time.

"You must go with Gandalf my dear one. He shall protect you in my place so you must do as he says." Adelia whispered while placing a hand on her daughter's cheek.

"Adelia, I will not leave you out here when you can be helped." Gandalf spoke firmly.

For a second Adelia had closed her eyes and when she opened them again. Gandalf could see the sorrow that had built up within them. Weakly she had moved her free hand over the cloak and pulled it aside, revealing the large wound on her side that was still bleeding. He was shocked that she had made it this far with such a wound and was still conscious at the same time. A solemn feeling fell over him and he knew it was indeed too late for her.

"You see now? There is nothing that can be done for me. But there is still hope for her. You can not let them get her Gandalf, you can't let him find her." She pleaded after turning her gaze back down on her daughter.

"I will keep her safe." Gandalf promised. His eyes softened as he stared at the pain stricken elleth lying before him.

The wizard knew of her bloodline and what she spoke of. He was not surprised that the two of them were attacked just because of that one reason. If he couldn't save Adelia than he surely would save her daughter Melian. He would keep his word and abide by her last wish.

"Naneth…" The elfling spoke again, this time on the verge of tears her-self.

With a gentle smile, Adelia kissed her forehead once more before releasing her completely and lying back against the tree. "I love you dearly Melian…never forget that. I shall always be with you." She whispered with her last bit of strength.

Darkness began consuming her completely and she felt no need to hold on any longer now that her daughter was in safe hands. With her last breath she could only pray that her daughter would forever remain safe from this horrible curse. It was all she had ever wanted since the day Melian had been born. With a soft sigh, Adelia closed her eyes and remained unmoving against the tree.

"Naneth!" Melian nearly screamed when she saw her mother unresponsive right before her eyes.

Melian tried reaching out for her mother but suddenly felt her-self being picked up from the ground. Another cloak had suddenly been wrapped around her and she could no longer see her mother. Gandalf didn't wish for her to see such a sight any longer and quickly began walking away with her in his arms.

The wizard could already hear sounds coming from a distance and knew they had to leave, although it pained him greatly leaving Adelia's body behind in such a place. The elfling trembled in his arms and he could hear muffled sobs coming from her. He whispered some comforting words of his own and comfortably held the child against him with his free arm as he made his way back to his cart a few miles away.

His horse was waiting patiently there for him and by the time he had arrived her sobs had stopped and she had grown quiet. He looked down only to see she had cried herself to sleep. No doubt she had been exhausted by everything that occurred. Carefully he sat up in the cart without waking her and grabbed the reins from the horse so they could depart quietly. It would take a few days before he reached his destination. He hoped the journey would not be any more stressful upon the elfling. She had been through enough as it was.

X----------;

In the days that followed Gandalf found him-self becoming more concerned for the elfling than he would have thought. She hadn't spoken a word the entire time, but he couldn't expect much after her ordeal. He didn't push her to speak and merely helped her when she needed it. She was hesitant at first, but he gained her trust quickly enough. Her mother had trusted him and that was seemingly enough for her.

On the third day of their journey they had finally arrived at his destination. Melian was sitting beside the wizard; nibbling on a small piece of lambas bread that Gandalf had given her earlier. He had been trying to coax her into eating more and she had reluctantly taken it. Her stomach had begun hurting from refusing the food before and she didn't want to become ill. She had taken only a few nibbles from the bread every few minutes or so from what he had seen. Still he was hopeful that she would become more at ease when they reached the Shire.

The sun was just beginning to rise when they arrived in the Shire and from the hill they were on Melian could already see the peaceful place below them. It was nothing at all, like her home where she and her mother had lived. The pain coursing within her dimmed slightly and curiosity began taking its place. She had never seen a place like this before or the ones who lived in it. Her sapphire optics turned toward the old wizard once more with a questioning look held within them.

Gandalf only smiled softly in return and moved one of his hands away from the horse's reins so that he could gently pat her head. "This shall be your home now young Melian. You'll be kept safe here and away from the dangers that seek you out."

His reassuring words did not answer all the questions she had, but it did make her feel more comfortable. She knew he was telling the truth by the look in his eyes, there was no questioning that. In truth however she was still hesitant about being here. She turned away and looked back at the Shire curiously. This was to be her home now? She couldn't even comprehend such a thing. This would never be a home without her mother by her side. She was sure of that.

"My home is with Naneth…" Melian finally spoke for the first time in days.

She did not look at him when she spoke but Gandalf already knew the elfling was still hurting greatly. He realized it would take much time before she would feel safe again. Right now this was the best place for her and she would indeed be in safe hands here. He truly hoped that the darkness that had sought out her mother Adelia did not come for her later in life as well. The curse that moved through her family was said to follow them everywhere, but in his efforts he could possibly keep her hidden from it, at least for a time.

"Your mother wishes for your safety. For now this is the best place for you little one. Your mother would have wanted you to feel at home here." He told her softly.

Melian looked back at him for a brief second and didn't look convinced. She was just a young elfling who had no idea yet of what awaited her in this world. His words would not make sense in her eyes yet. Someday though, he was sure they would. He had promised Adelia he would keep her safe so he would surely be around for her when she needed him. Gandalf would not let this one suffer like the others had. He would make sure that she had a happy and peaceful existence in this place, no matter what it took.