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Híthien clenched her small fists, the knuckles turning white as her nails bit into her palms. The air around her felt charged, prickling with tension and the sting of unshed tears. Her face was a mask of defiance, brows furrowed, her chin held high as she stood in front of the small crowd of elflings, each face filled with the sharpness of cruel amusement.Their whispers wove through the crisp autumn air like a blade slicing through soft fabric, the words stinging more than she would ever let on.“_ Half-elf.”; The boy sneered, his lip curling as he looked her up and down as if she were a stain on the otherwise flawless elven world.Another girl, taller and older, rolled her eyes with a smug smirk.“_ You don’t belong here.”; She hissed. “ You’re not really one of us. Just… half.”The words hit Híthien like stones, their weight settling into her small, thudding heart. But she straightened her shoulders, summoning every ounce of strength she had to keep her voice from wavering.“_ I am as much elf as any of you!”; She shouted, her voice sharp and ringing out over their murmurs.Her words brought only laughter, a harsh, mocking sound that made her feel smaller than ever. Her cheeks burned, but she held her glare steady, her eyes blazing. She wasn’t about to let them see her crack, no matter how much their laughter clawed at her insides.“_ You think you’re like us?”; The older boy stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he met her defiant gaze. “ You’re just pretending.”Before she could react, he shoved her hard, sending her stumbling back.Híthien’s boots slid over the leaf-strewn ground, and for a brief, dizzying moment, she thought she might fall. But she caught herself, her stance unsteady yet resolute. She gritted her teeth, fighting back the hot tears that pricked her eyes.She wasn’t going to cry, wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction.But her chest ached from the strain, a knot of frustration and hurt tangling tighter inside her with each passing second.The others laughed again, and Híthien’s heart pounded. Her pulse was loud in her ears, drowning out their voices, but she could still feel the weight of their scorn. She stood her ground, refusing to back down, even as the hurt burrowed deep into her bones, settling into a quiet, smoldering rage mixed with sorrow.Híthien's face twisted with a mixture of hurt and anger, and she felt her hands tremble, no longer with fear but with fury. She was done taking their words in silence. If they wanted her to be different, she would show them exactly how “different” she could be.“_ Pretending?”; She spat, her voice sharp as flint. She looked each one in the eye, her glare unwavering. “ I don’t need to pretend to be better than you—looks like I already am.”The laughter stopped for a moment, the older elf boy’s face flushing with annoyance. His friends looked on, surprised at her boldness. Híthien smirked, letting the smallest spark of satisfaction shine through as she added.“_ If this is what being 'full elf' is, I’d rather not be one of you.”The girl closest to her, seething at her retort, stepped forward.“_ You think you’re clever, don’t you?”; She sneered. “ But words don’t make you one of us.”“Oh, you’re right.”; Híthien shot back, taking a step closer, her chin raised defiantly. “ Because I’m already more than you could ever be.”The group shifted uneasily, their expressions hardening. The older boy, his pride stung, scowled down at her, then suddenly swung a hand toward her shoulder, trying to shove her off balance. But Híthien was quick, swatting his hand away and glaring back, daring him to try again.Before he could push her again, she pushed him first, surprising even herself with the strength of her shove. He stumbled, and his friends gasped, their shock momentarily silencing them. But the silence quickly turned to sneers, and one of the taller boys stepped forward, shoving her back harder than before.Híthien’s feet slid, and she lost her footing.She felt herself fall, the ground rushing up to meet her as she tumbled onto the cold, unforgiving earth. Pain shot through her hands and knees as they scraped against the rough stones and roots beneath her, and for a moment, the world tilted as she tried to catch her breath.The laughter returned, this time louder, crueler, echoing around her. She blinked back tears of pain and fury, refusing to let them see her break, but the sting was too sharp, her bravado cracking under the weight of it all. She tried to push herself up, but her hands trembled, the taunts growing louder, harsher, until they seemed to echo in her mind, cutting deeper than any bruise or scrape could.Híthien scrambled to her feet, her scraped palms throbbing, but the fire in her chest burned hotter than the pain. She clenched her fists again, her nails digging into her already bruised skin. The laughter stung her ears, but she squared her shoulders, forcing herself to stand tall as she glared at them.“_ You think I’m just going to lie down and take it?”; She shouted, her voice rising above their mocking taunts. Her voice trembled but held strong, laced with defiance. “ I don’t care what you call me—I’m as much a part of Rivendell as you are!”“_ Oh, really?”; Sneered one of the taller boys, crossing his arms with a haughty tilt to his chin. “ You think you belong here because someone took pity on you? You’re nothing but a half-breed, no better than a stray dog we took in.”Híthien felt her blood boil. She stepped forward, her voice nearly a growl.“_ Say that again.”The boy’s eyes narrowed, a smirk playing at the edge of his mouth as he took a step forward.“_ Half. Breed.”; He repeated slowly, savoring each word like poison on his tongue. His friends chuckled, egging him on, and another girl added.“_ It’s true! You’re not one of us. Just look at you—only half of what you should be. You’ll never be a real elf.”The words cut deep, piercing through the walls Híthien had built to protect herself. But she wasn’t going to let them see her pain. She lifted her chin, her voice trembling with barely contained fury.“_ I may be half-elf.”; She shot back. “ But at least I don’t need to tear others down to feel important.”The boy’s face twisted in anger.Without warning, he lunged at her, shoving her with enough force to send her stumbling back again. She barely managed to stay on her feet, her chest heaving with rage. She lunged back, her small fists swinging as she caught his shoulder. He pushed her harder, and she staggered, her body bracing for another fall.But then, a commanding voice cut through the din like a blade.“_ That is enough!”The group froze, their eyes widening as they turned to see who had spoken.Standing a few paces away, with eyes as hard as steel, was Legolas. His usually calm face was carved into an expression of fierce protectiveness, his jaw clenched, and his gaze colder than winter’s bite. Híthien’s heart leapt, relief and shame mixing as she looked at her father.He had seen everything.Behind him stood several older elves of Rivendell, who had clearly heard the commotion and came to investigate. Their expressions ranged from stern disapproval to surprise as they took in the scene.The boy who had taunted her shifted uncomfortably under Legolas’s glare but attempted to defend himself.“_ We were just… talking.”; He muttered, his bravado fading.“_ Talking?”; Legolas’s voice was icy. He took a step forward, towering over the boy. “ From where I stand, it looked more like intimidation. And you…”He added, his gaze sweeping over the others.“_ Dare to speak of my daughter as if she is less than you?”One of the older girls stammered, trying to muster an excuse.“_ But… but she’s only half—”“_ Half of what?”; Legolas interrupted sharply, his voice dangerous. “ Are you so insecure in yourselves that you feel threatened by a child? A child who has done nothing but defend herself against your cruelty?”His gaze pierced each one of them, lingering on the boy who had shoved Híthien.“_ If any of you think yourselves more honorable for such behavior, then you are greatly mistaken.”The boy swallowed, his face paling.He glanced at his friends, seeking support, but they were already inching back, avoiding Legolas’s penetrating gaze.Híthien looked down, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. She wanted to shrink away, to be anywhere but here, but Legolas knelt beside her, his face softening as he took her small hand in his. Gently, he turned her scraped palms upward, examining the cuts with tender care.“_ Are you hurt melda?”; He asked quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper.Híthien bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears that had threatened to spill for so long.“_ No… maybe a little.”; She admitted, her voice small. She glanced up at him, a mixture of relief and shame in her gaze. “ I’m sorry, Ada… I tried to… I didn’t want to let them….”Legolas shook his head, a gentle smile breaking through his anger as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.“_ There is nothing for you to apologize for, Híthien.”; He murmured. “ You stood your ground with courage, even when they tried to break your spirit.”He straightened, facing the group once more.“_ Let it be known that Híthien is my daughter, bound to me by more than blood or birth. If anyone in Rivendell has a problem with that, they may answer to me.”The older elves standing behind him gave subtle nods of agreement, their disapproving gazes fixed on the group of children. Embarrassed and chastised, they quickly dispersed, their earlier bravado evaporating under the weight of the reprimand.Once they were gone, Legolas turned back to Híthien, gathering her into his arms. She let herself sink into his embrace, the tension finally melting away as she clung to him, feeling safe at last.“_ Let no one make you doubt your worth, Híthien.”; He whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her brow. “ You are more than enough. And you are exactly where you belong.”His gaze softened as he took Híthien’s small hands in his. Her palms were scraped and raw, her fingers trembling as he gently turned them over, his expression shifting from worry to an almost pained tenderness.“_ Híthien… Melda…”; He murmured, his voice so soft, so full of care, that the walls she’d been holding up all this time crumbled in an instant. She looked up at him, eyes wide and brimming with tears she could no longer hold back.A sob broke free, and then another, and before she knew it, her face was buried in her father’s neck, her small frame shaking as she cried. The anger and hurt she’d kept hidden, the humiliation of every cruel word they’d thrown at her—all of it came spilling out in gasping breaths.
“_ Th-they called me… they said I was only h-half… B..Breed…”; She managed between her sobs. “ They said I d-don’t belong here.”“_ Oh, Híthien.”; Legolas breathed, his voice thick with a sorrowful anger as he wrapped his arms around her, gathering her close. He lifted her effortlessly, cradling her against his chest, and one hand came up to stroke her tangled hair, the strands soft but knotted from the scuffle.He murmured to her in Elvish, words of comfort and strength, his lips brushing against her forehead as he held her tight, his heart aching with her every tear.“_ Shh, my little one…”; He soothed, pressing gentle kisses against her temple, her damp cheeks, her brow. “ You belong here. You are part of me, and you always will be. Those who speak otherwise do not know true strength or love.”Híthien clung to him, her fingers curling into his tunic as her sobs grew softer but didn’t stop.Legolas felt his own anger simmering, a fierce protectiveness blazing within him as he remembered the taunts, the hateful words thrown at his beloved daughter. He pressed another kiss to her forehead, and the tenderness of the gesture seemed to calm her just a little, her breaths slowly evening out as his steady presence surrounded her.“_ They had no right to speak to you like that.”; He murmured, his tone laced with steel as he glanced back to where the other children had fled, their mockery now a cowardly silence. He wished they were still there so he could remind them, forcefully, of the harm they had caused. “ To hurt you—to speak such words as if they understand what it means to have courage. They are the ones who should be ashamed, Híthien.”Sniffling, she looked up at him, her cheeks tear-streaked, a small hiccup escaping her.“_ B-but they said… they said I’m not like them… that I don’t belong.”Legolas drew her closer, pressing his cheek against her hair.“_ You are more than they will ever know, my daughter. They cannot see beyond their own ignorance, and that is their loss, not yours.”; His voice softened again, a warm and unyielding comfort. “ You are my child, Híthien. You are strong, kind, and brave. Do not let their words make you doubt your own heart.”His hands gently wiped away her tears, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks with the utmost care. He tilted her face up, his expression filled with love as he looked down at her, his blue eyes fierce yet tender.“_ You are enough, just as you are. Half, whole—whatever they say, it does not change what you mean to me or who you truly are.”And then, slowly, Híthien’s sobs began to ease, her breaths growing steadier as she felt the strength of his words seep into her heart. She nestled closer to him, her head resting on his shoulder, and Legolas continued to stroke her hair, untangling it with gentle fingers as he murmured words of reassurance and love.“_ You are loved, Híthien.”; He whispered, kissing her forehead once more. “ By me, and by all who know your true heart. And I will always be here to protect you.”As her tears dried and her breathing slowed, she looked up at him with wide, vulnerable eyes.“_ Promise?”Legolas smiled, the fierce protectiveness in his gaze softening.“_ Always, my little one. As long as I live, you will never be alone.”Cradling her against his chest, he held her as she finally found peace, the shadows of her pain fading under the warmth of his embrace, knowing that, in his arms, she would always be home, whatever happened.Legolas carried Híthien all the way back to their quarters, her small arms wrapped tightly around his neck as if she feared letting go. She nestled against him, her face still streaked with dried tears, and every now and then he felt her little fingers clutch his tunic as if seeking reassurance that he was truly there. He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, murmuring softly in Elvish, his words soothing her like a lullaby.When they arrived, he set her down on a cushioned chair, kneeling in front of her and gently brushing back a few stray strands of hair from her face.“_ Stay here, little star.”; He murmured, his voice low and comforting, slipping into the Elvish term of endearment he reserved for her. “ Let me get what I need to tend to your wounds.”Híthien nodded, her wide eyes still glistening with the remnants of tears, but she didn’t let go of his hand. Seeing her hesitation, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, meeting her gaze.“_ I won’t go far, my love.”; He promised, a soft smile gracing his lips. She relaxed, releasing his hand slowly, and he rose to gather a basin of warm water, soft cloths, and ointment for her scrapes.Returning to her, he set everything down and dipped a cloth into the warm water, squeezing out the excess before gently bringing it to her cheeks. His touch was featherlight, the strokes tender as he wiped away the last traces of dirt and dried tears from her face.
As he worked, he began to hum an old Elvish lullaby, his voice low and soothing, each note like a gentle caress, easing the lingering tension from her small, tense frame. He continued in Elvish, whispering as he dabbed at her scrapes.“_ Tolo, hên vuin… Hithlain nin.”Come, dear one... my mist-wrapped star.Híthien’s eyelids fluttered, her breaths slowly evening out as her father’s voice and touch surrounded her with warmth. When he began cleaning the scrapes on her hands, she winced slightly, and he paused, giving her a reassuring smile.“_ Just a moment more, little one. You are so strong, so brave.”She looked up at him, her gaze searching his face.“_ Am I?”; She whispered, her voice still shaky.“_ Yes, Híthien.”; He replied with absolute certainty, his voice soft but firm. “ Stronger than they could ever understand.”He kissed her hands, one after the other, before applying a gentle layer of ointment, his fingers moving with the utmost care. Once he finished tending to her hands, he set the basin aside and reached for her hairbrush, his gaze warm as he held it up.“_ May I brush your hair?”; He asked softly, knowing that this small ritual had always calmed her when she was upset.She nodded, a tiny smile forming on her lips as she settled back. He began working through her tangled locks, taking his time to untwist each knot with gentle fingers, his hands moving slowly and carefully. Every so often, he murmured in Elvish, telling her stories of the stars, of the strength and beauty within her, filling the silence with love and comfort.
As he worked, she reached up, her small fingers brushing against his wrist, clinging to him as if drawing strength from his touch. She was still a little shaky, her fingers gripping his arm each time he paused, as though needing reassurance that he was there. He let her hold him, feeling her fragile trust in every touch, every small movement.When he had finished brushing her hair, he dipped the cloth in warm water once more and gently wiped her cheeks again, though they were already clean. The small gesture made her smile a little as he cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing over her cheeks.“_ There.”; He said, his voice tender, his eyes full of love. “ All better, my strong, beautiful girl.”Híthien’s gaze softened, and she leaned into his touch, her voice barely a whisper as she asked,“_ Will you stay with me, Ada?”Legolas nodded, wrapping his arms around her once more and drawing her into his lap, letting her nestle against him as he held her close.“_ Always.”; He murmured into her hair, pressing a kiss to her brow. “ You will never be alone, hithlain nin.”My mist-wrapped star.They sat like that for a long time, her breathing finally evening out as she let herself relax completely, safe in the warmth of his embrace. And as she drifted toward sleep, his arms around her, he whispered once more in Elvish, promising her that she was loved, that she was his heart, and that no one would ever take that away from her.