Gandalf stood among Legolas and Elrond, baring the child in his arms. Gandalf knew as he stared down at the infant, she was to be as special as the old elf had foretold. Elrond fought the urge to stare at the sleeping beauty. Then, there was Legolas, and as much as he tried, he couldn't keep his eyes off her. Her beautiful brown hair fell perfectly, her fair skin almost reflected the moons light above them. Legolas pushed the elven silk further away from her as it was wrapped around her so amorously.
"She's beautiful," he said aloud causing Gandalf to grunt in agreement. "what are we to do with her?"
"You've asked the right question, Legolas," Elrond spoke, closing in on Gandalf and Legolas to get a better look at the child. "she is in danger wherever she is to lie her head."
"And there is no way she can stay in Rivendell?" Legolas looks up to the wizard who solemnly shakes his head.
"No." Gandalf grumbles. "But I do know a fellow in whom I have great amounts of trust,"
"And who is this?" Elrond wonders. "We cannot just hand this child over to any fool,"
"This hobbit is no fool." Gandalf tells Elrond. He thinks for a moment, pondering other options. "Elrond, nobody will expect the child to end up in The Shire."
"Nobody will let an elf be brought up in The Shire, Gandalf," Elrond says. "Not without controversy."
"And I suppose you have a better idea."
"Raise her in Rivendell," Elrond insists. "give her to a maiden who knows not of the truth," Gandalf and Legolas listen closely to Elrond. "keep everyone in secrecy and let the child lead a normal life, for a little while anyway. We are the only three who knows where the child will end up."
Legolas knew that this was not up to him and so he kept quiet and watched Gandalf as he considered. Gandalf thought about the child growing up in Rivendell, and then he thought about her growing up in The Shire. In Rivendell, she would slip under the radar. She would be thought nothing more of than a child given she's not discovered. In The Shire, not only would she be the Elf in a hobbit's world, she could be an outcast. She would never reach her full potential.
"I'll make you a deal, Elrond," Gandalf finally reached a decision. "bring her back to Rivendell."
"Under what circumstance?"
"See to it that nobody knows anything more than she was found in the woods outside Rivendell." Gandalf says to Elrond who gives a slight nod. "And if she is discovered or put in any imminent danger sooner than she cant protect herself, I will escort her to The Shire."
"Very well." Elrond agrees.
"And if I cannot make it, see to it that Legolas escorts her." Gandalf gives Legolas a sharp look. He gives a quick nod in Gandalf's direction and Elrond took a step forward, taking the child from Gandalf, cradling her small, frail body. "Her name, what is it?"
"Estel," Elrond says after a moment.
"Hope." Legolas smiles lightly. Gandalf grunts and nods.
"Goodbye, Estel." Gandalf lays a hand on her tiny head, bidding her farwell before taking his leave.
