Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR. I only know what I know from The movies and other fanfictions... deal with it.

Pre-Fellowship, but not by much. Let me know about mistakes, this is my first fanfiction. Please review and let me know what you think! Criticism is welcome.

I ran, and not gracefully, which is rather uncharacteristic for an elf. I was quite lost considering I have before left my home in Rivendell, and I could only pray to Valar that I was somewhere near Lolthlorien.

And just what could a young-ish she-elf traveling alone during times of unease and unrest mean by such an excursion? That I am an absolute idiot? That I was most definitely tossed from a tree when I was a young elfing? Those may be true, but honestly, what would you do if your parents were leaving you, an only child, behind while they were planning to set sail for Valinor? And to have that not be the end of it, but to make the situation even more incredible horrid to decide that because of their leaving, they were planning an arranged marriage for you with an abominable elf Lord who deemed himself "Lord of the Ladies"?

Undoubtedly this narcissistic elf is extremely well off, which must be the only reason why my parents would arrange such a travesty of a betrothal. They want me to lead a comfortable life so they feel slightly less orc-ish for leaving me for the undying lands. However they seemed to forget this infamous Lords... well infamy.

I ran away from home and set out for the any elf realm that was far away enough from the groping hands of the "Lord of the Ladies". I left all my belongings behind along with a note that merely said, "Gohena amin". I figured by the time the sea calls to me we all might be able to forgive each other. But not now. I am not feeling too forgiving for now. I never wanted to marry for anything less than affection and my parents were more than willing to throw all chances of future happiness for me. What other choice did I have?

So here I am, somewhere near (or else I am completely screwed) Lothlorien, somehow scantily-clad when I was properly attired when I left my home, running for my dear life from a deranged rogue elf. Clearly Valar seems to hate me. I have been traveling for a number of days I haven't bothered to count to escape the clutches of "Lord of the Ladies" only to now be pursued by this creepy elf that obviously plans to do a lot more than to only mentally undress me. I was terrified, and because this sick elf can hardly be considered company, I am also terribly alone. I had managed to throw this elf, let us deem him "The Creeper", off taking my path to the stream nearby and from there into the treetops above. I probably have only gained an hour lead, but the Golden Wood of Lothlorien's outskirts seem to lie ahead.

Exhausted, I sat down on a limb and began to pluck the small rounded leaves and short twigs out from the tangled mess that only a few days before was my long auburn waved hair. I let out a sigh when I realized that until I had a bath, there was not much more I could do. I let my hand fall into my lap as I lead back against the trunk. My breathing quieted a little. How was I a magnet for the bane of the male elf-kind? I mean, I am no Arwen after all- not that I am an unfortunate-looking elf (if that is even possible). My hazel eyes darted to my pale, slender form, but upon finding nothing of intrigue there, rolled in a very unlady-like fashion. I don't think I would ever understand what some elves saw in me.

I looked down towards the wood on my left to have a small pillar of smoke, only a mile off, meet my unsuspecting glance. Evidence of civilization at last!

"Oh merciful-" was all I managed to exclaim before I fell out of my resting tree out of mere surprise. "- Valar you suck, no offense..." I finished in a mutter. I laboriously picked myself up from the unforgiving ground below and wiped off the blood that was threatening to sully my dress even further. Was I now a sight for sore eyes? Most likely. Did I have time to care? Of course not. For low and behold, when Valar opens one door, he slams a window in your face. The Creeper had found me. He stood maybe 50 yards away, and even from that distance I could see the twisted malicious look in his eye. I silently cursed myself for losing track of time in that stupid tree as I took off in the direction of the smoke. My only hope of being saved.

I soon realized that I had no idea what I would find once I raced towards this camp fire. For all I know it could be Orcs. Or even worse the "Lord of the Ladies".

I was sprinting back for towards the stream, checking over my shoulder to calculate the distance between me and a terrible fate when I tripped and suddenly found myself in an unbreakable grasp with a blade looming over my throat. My eyes clenched shut at the unexpected contact as I carefully turned around to face my attacker. The Creeper was just behind me, did he magically appear before me just now? I must be going mental. I hesitantly pried one eye open to look upon the face that belonged to the hand that held this knife. Dark brown, dangerous eyes glared at me. Huh. I thought the Creeper had blue eyes...

I opened my other eye and then sucked in a quick, hollow breath.

I had found civilization and this handsome elf is definitely not my potential rapist. But now it looks like I have found my potential killer. Honestly Valar, why don't you just smite me and get it over with instead of torturing me with all of these terrible foes. I peer down at the knife that was being held even closer to my neck and back into the face of my capturer. His beautiful elf face was distorted with anger and... embarrassment? My first thought was of my clearly indecent attire. It was rather tattered and torn, if you can imagine, with the kind of luck I had. He probably was shocked to see a lady dressed in such a way. But as I glanced down a caught a glimpse nearly naked elf before the iron grip tightened on my arm and the knife drew a few drops of blood. I hastily averted my attention to his face again. Oops. It appears as if I had intruded on someone's bath time.

He was looking over my shoulder as he swore under his breath. He released his hold on me, which surprised me for a second time in one day. And of course I fell out of this surprise. It seems like my bath-buddy didn't even notice that he had practically shoved me to the ground. What is it with males with no manners? Why do I invariably run into them?

"Traitor," this fearsome elf snarled, "You are banished from these lands. Be gone!"

"Haldir, it seems you have found something that I would like very much to be returned to me." The Creeper purred throwing a glinted glance in my direction. I gulped uncomfortably.

"Well unfortunately for you, I care nothing for what you would like. And it is Marchwarden to you, you filth." This Haldir character spat.

The Creeper sighed and put his hand out in a reaching gesture, "Just hand the lady over and we shall have no qualm."

They advanced towards and circled around each other leaving me momentarily forgotten in the background.

"I will hand over nothing to the likes of you. Especially not a lady." Came the frosty reply from the Marchwarden.

"You can have your turn with her when I am done. Do not fear, Haldir! You know I never had a problem with sharing." The Creeper laughed gaily.

"You sicken me" was the only reply that the Creeper received before Haldir deftly dealt a blow to the Creeper's head with the hilt of his blade. The rapist slumped to the ground and succumbed to unconsciousness.

The handsome elf stood there silently for a moment before he seemed to remember the cause of the unpleasant encounter. Namely, me. He turned and briskly walked to where I was sitting unceremoniously on the forest floor, yanked me up to my feet and resumed the same position, pre-Creeper encounter. So once again I had a knife to my throat. Mind you he was kind enough to position it on a different mark, as to not deepen the cut he already made on my flesh. I furrowed my brows in frustration and asked him if this was a traditional custom for greeting lady-travelers.

"You don't look like a lady." Came his clipped retort.

I frowned. "That is not very nice." He certainly was no charmer.

He simply raised his dark, pristine brow.

I made to step back to explain myself when I tripped on Valar-knows-what behind me dragged the Marchwarden down with me. My back broke both our falls. "I really need to stop falling" was what crossed my mind just as I heard a throat clear from my side. The Marchwarden and I both look over to see an elf smirking in our direction.

"Haldir… I did not mean to interrupt, but we make for the home within the hour." Laughed the elf, who quickly skipped back the way he came.

"What is he laughing about?" I asked annoyed. I was seriously getting really weary of the male gender. They either try to rape you, try to kill you, or just laugh at you! The audacity of them all is enough to make me swear them off for good.

I only received an even more powerful glare- if you can believe it. He lifted himself up and hastily dressed himself by the side of the stream.

Then it dawned on me. We were caught red-handed in what appeared to be a passionate embrace. With the both of us less than decent. Well… that happens sometimes, right? You know, I actually don't think it really does… Oh Valar, you really do hate me, don't you?