Everything in italics is Sindarin

Strider looked up, as he heard a strange sound. He had been out scouting all day and was just about to return to his camp when the odd noise caught his attention. There should have not been another living soul for miles, except for the packs of orcs that he had been trying to clear out from the little holes in which they seemed to have dug into, like ticks on a dog. But it was not the sound of orcs he could hear; the Ranger slowly making his way back through the densely packed trees; his feet barely making a sound, as he moved across the fallen leaves that littered the forest floor. Stopping as he saw a lone orc, sat next to the small, yet quickly flowing river, where he had been getting his fresh water. Yet it was not the sight of the orc that concerned him; for since leaving Imladris and taking to wandering the lands as a Ranger, he had come face to face with a number of the vile creatures. More of them than he could actually recall, if truth be told. So, no, it was not the orc that was making his heart beat a little quicker; it was the crying little bundle, wrapped in pale swaddling, that lay on the floor next to the fire that the orc must have started, that was doing that. It obvious to the young Ranger that the babe, was most likely to be the orc's next meal; or at least it would have been if he had not come upon the scene. Strider slowly reaching for his bow and quickly notching an arrow as the orc screamed at the poor, frightened child, to stop its wailing. The projectile making its way through the air and landing in the back of the orcs head, with a rather pleasing thud. Strider rushing forward as the foul being's body, slumped to the floor. His rough hands, calloused from years of wielding bow and sword, picking up the babe as carefully as he could; his eyes growing wide, as the now quiet little one, looked up at him.

It was an elf, a little elleth to be more precise. A child of such beauty, that even he, after all his years living in the kingdom of the peredhel Lord Elrond, still found that his breath had left his body. A broad smile making its way onto his lips, as the little female reached out from under her swaddling and took his finger in her small hand. Strider feeling a strange sense of peace wash over him, as he and the child just looked at one another. The Ranger overcome by an amazing sense of care, a sensation of love, as a warmth from the tiny elf, made its way through his body; Strider kissing her atop the head, before moving her under his coat; shielding her from the sudden gust of cool wind, that had made its way through the trees, before quickly making his way back to his own camp.

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Strider made his way into Imladris with Sam, Merry and Pippin in tow. All the hobbits desperate to know whether the elven maid, Arwen, had been able to save Frodo from the wound he had received from the morgul blade; and as much as the Ranger wanted to know that too, there had been one person that had been in his mind, since he knew he would be making his way back to Imladris.......the little elleth that had had found all those years ago.

After he had found her that evening, he had taken her back to his camp; searching through the few belongings that he carried with him, in hopes of finding something for the child to eat; and then the next day, he had taken her out, in a vain hope that he might come across her parents; but there had been nothing and no one. Strider knowing that he just couldn't leave her; that given the love that he already felt for her, he knew that he had to take her with him. The Ranger deciding to give her the name (Y/n), before he and his new charge had continued on their journey.

He had kept (Y/n) with him for as long as he could; but it had come to a point when he had realised, that despite how much he would hate himself, she needed more. Life on the open road, not the best for a babe; so, the Ranger had made a trip to Imladris; explaining to the elven lord how he had come across the little being. Asking Elrond if he would care for her, as he had once cared for him. The son of Eärendil, readily agreeing to the request; and so, she had lived in the elven realm ever since. Strider always making his way back to Imladris for any special occasion that the child that had taken to calling him, her father, would have. And this visit, taking the hobbits to the Last Homely House in the east of the civilised lands of Eriador, just happened to coincide with his daughter's fiftieth birthday. The beautiful elleth, still some years from being considered an adult in elven terms, but she was now no longer the little girl that he had saved.

"Estel.........." A familiar voice called out. The Ranger smiling as he saw two ellons making their way down the long staircase towards them. Lord Elrond and Lindir greeting him as he and the hobbits stood in the main courtyard.

"My Lord Elrond, Lindir.........." Strider replied, placing his hand over his heart and bowing.

"You are all welcome........." Elrond continued, now addressing all of them.

"Lindir here will take you to see your friend........." The peredhel added, before either Sam, Merry or Pippin could ask. The three hobbits looking to the Ranger, who nodded before they quickly followed after the dark haired ellon. Strider about to ask about Frodo; but Elrond spoke once more.

"Do not worry, Frodo is alive and doing well. Arwen got him here just in time; and though he will never fully recover from the wound, he is no longer in danger........" A small smile pulling at the corner of the Ranger's lips at the lord's words.

"And yes, (Y/n) is waiting for you. She was afraid that you would not be here for her special day, despite how much we all tried to reassure her. I told her that her father would never miss such a big occasion. Though if it were not for Elladan and Elrohir keeping her busy with her training, I am sure that she would have ridden out to find you, herself." Both Elrond and Strider chuckling at the notion of the young elleth striking out on her own to find the Ranger. Both well aware that it was something that (Y/n) would and could most certainly do.

"You will find her in the training area with my sons.........." The ellon added. Strider nodding and thanking the man that had been like a father to him; before making his way to find his daughter.