Everything but Happiness

Chapter 4- Don't Leave Me

"Hærlethser! Who-what are you doing here?" Legolas gasped. Hærlethser glared at him. "I hate you," she said, turned on her heel, and ran away.

"How long has she been here?" Legolas asked her. "Why are you asking me? Ask her. She is very upset," she told him.

Merry looked up at the place where Legolas now stood, and saw Everson standing beside him. "Everson!" he called. She turned, and ran to him.

"Greetings, Merry. Let's go!" Everson said, grabbing his hand and leading him towards the clearing. Merry could hear Frodo and Sam chuckling behind him.

Once they reached the clearing, Everson smiled. Merry blushed. 'One down, she thought. Once they started to talk, she put on a faraway look, and hummed the song she had sung to him only a few hours ago. Merry just listened to her soothing voice.

"Merry! Merry, come on!" he heard Frodo calling for him. "Oh, it seems I have to go. Bye, Everson!" Merry said, jumping up. Everson stood also. "Wait, Merry."

Everson leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye, Master Merry." With that, she smiled and ran away, not looking back.

Merry stared at the place where she stood a few minutes ago. He was stunned. "She likes me," he whispered to himself, "She likes me!"

Merry ran to Frodo who was waiting for him. "Well, I'd say your in a good mood," Frodo said, at Merry who had a huge smile on his face. "She likes me! She actually likes me!"

"What?"

"Everson! She kissed me on the cheek! She likes me!"

"That- that's great Merry. Come on, we have to leave!"

Merry backed away. "L- Leave? You mean, Lothlorien? Forever?" he stuttered. "Yes," Frodo said, "We have to go. Aragorn said we have lingered here for too long. We must go quickly."

"No! W- We can't!" Merry cried. "Yes, Merry. You're life is in danger!" Frodo said. "We are in Lothlorien! With the elves! This is the safest place to be in Middle-earth!" Frodo shook his head. "The time of the elves is over. There are not enough elves to be sure of safety. Now come on!" Frodo said, grabbing his elbow.

"No!" Merry said, pulling away. "Merry," Frodo sighed. Merry turned and ran toward the clearing. He saw that Everson had returned, and was sitting down, humming. "Everson!" Merry cried, running into the clearing, "We- my companions and I- have to go. We are leaving. I don't- I just can't go!"

"Okay, calm down. Now, what did you say?" Everson asked. Merry repeated what he had said before. "And you don't want to go?" Everson asked, trying to keep calm, but couldn't keep from getting worried.

"Of course I don't want to go!" he cried, "I don't want to leave you!" "What?" Everson asked him, stunned. "I- I just don't want to leave you. I really like you," Merry said.

Merry then leaned forward and planted his lips on hers. The kiss lasted for a few more seconds.

Merry then broke the kiss. "I can't leave you," he said. Everson stared at him.

"I won't let you leave," she said, "Don't leave me." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. "Don't worry," Merry whispered into her ear, "I won't."

"I have an idea," Merry said suddenly, looking up and grabbing her hand, "Follow me."

Merry lead her toward Aragorn. "Aragorn. I have a request. I would like for Everson to join us on our journey. She is good with a sword, and has some experience with a bow. If she doesn't come, neither will I," he said. Aragorn looked at Everson. "Do you have a sword and a bow and arrow?"

Everson nodded. "Get them, and pack only things you need. But be quick about it," Aragorn said. Everson ran to get her things, returning with a bag and a sword on her belt, with bow and arrows on her back. "What is in the bag?" Merry asked. "Clothes," she said.

Aragorn lead them back to the others. "Everson- are you coming also?" Pippin asked her. She smiled and nodded. "Aragorn," Gimli began, "Four hobbits is quite enough. We can't handle five!"

"We need all the help we can get. Besides, she has some skill with a bow and a sword," Aragorn said. Everson smiled at everyone. Frodo whispered something to Sam then pointed at Merry and Everson, hand in hand. Merry and Everson realized they were holding hands, and quickly let go.

Pippin snickered. Merry glared at him. "Where is Legolas?" Gimli suddenly asked, noticing he was missing. "Oh, no! Hærlethser! Where is Hærlethser?" Everson cried, "I'll be right back!"

Everson franticly ran through the forest, but stopped. She heard Hærlethser shouting. She walked forward, then once hidden, she stopped and could see why she was shouting. Hærlethser and Legolas were shouting at each other.

"You left me!"

"I told you why! I thought you understood!"

"Well, you thought wrong! You said you loved me!"

Hærlethser turned around, crossing her arms. "Hærlethser," Legolas whispered, "I didn't want you to be left here, waiting for me to return. I was only thinking of you. Don't think I don't dream about you. I've missed you terribly. I can't remember the last time I've smiled since I left you."

He wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered something in her ear, making her smile. "I've missed you too," she finally said, turning to face him. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

Everson stepped forward, clearing her throat.

The two separated, turning to face her. "Legolas. Time to go. I will be coming also on your journey." Legolas nodded, giving Hærlethser a quick kiss, then left. "Hærlethser," Everson said, approaching her, "I'm going to miss you very much."

Hærlethser hugged her tightly. "I'm going to miss you, too."

Everson's eyes had tears in them. "I may never get to see you again."

"Oh, don't worry your little head," Hærlethser said, ruffling her hair, "You will."

They walked back to the camp together. As soon as they got there, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were packed, and waiting on the hobbits. Gimli was grumbling that hobbits could move silently, but slowly.

"Come on, Halflings! We must be off very soon," Aragorn said. Within a flash, all 5 hobbits were packed and ready. "That was fast," Gimli said, standing barely taller than the hobbits. Legolas mouthed an, I love you, to Hærlethser, who returned it with a smile.

Everson said her final goodbyes to the home she had known for 2 years, knowing she may never return. She walked along side Merry, the two holding hands. Everson soon started to cry silently, tears flowing down her cheeks. Merry wiped them away with his thumb, giving her a smile. She gave him a half a smile back.

"Don't worry," he said, "I'm here with you. Remember that. I'm always here."

Now, I know Merry married Estella. My friends rag on me about this. I just didn't think she had enough info to write about. Just wanted to get that out of the way before someone flames me.