A/N-Sugoi! Thank you for all the reviews everybody! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Responses:

Hilde Stohl; Yes, actually, I have my own site, marstemple.com And I am planning to put up artwork from the contest. (that is, if I actually update for once…) Descriptions? Uh, for who?

Kool Person; Yes, Laeglass is the Sindarin way of saying Legolas. It's found in the appendixes. It says that Thranduil changed Mirkwood's name to 'Eryn Laeglass,' Wood of Greenleaves,' or something like that. ^^

CrimsonKitti; *glare* It IS written as corner to the mouth!

Arwen; *smiles* How the heck did Thranduil end up with an Elven ring? Have you read the book? I don't know if I should list who has them all, but I can assure you that Thranduil never has had, doesn't have, and never will have the third Elven ring!!!!! How, you ask? Well if you wait a while it is written in the next couple chapters. Have I read the book? Why yes, I've read all of them, thank you for asking. Yes, and I agree with your assurance that Thranduil never had one of the Elven rings. I know who has them all, and my story plot reveals it in the end. However, you must remember this is FANFICTION. I know Thranduil never had the ring, but I wrote it so. Why? Because it is my story. I don't think you even read the story, did you? As you reviewed on the first chapter only. Also, wouldn't it have been smart to leave your email address so I could get back to you to explain? Hm, I wonder…

Elenial; Thank you for your kind way of putting things, unlike SOME other people…*cough* Once again, I do know that Gandalf had the last ring, don't worry, it'll work out! *smile* Just please bear with me, and read till the end, ne?

Trepadatio; --; Yeah, I know, they should have stayed. But they were getting in the way of the story. Other characters: *fall over*

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Shiara was now almost wishing that she had not followed Legolas. As she walked, she became more and more increasingly aware that eyes were watching. The forest was tense and suddenly stuffy; knocking her breathless with fear. It was the morning of the third day away from the halls of Mirkwood. They were nearing the edge of the forests, she could tell. The air carried a stale scent of leaves and the atmosphere felt dead. As she was a wood-elf, it felt strange to be outside forests.

So far, everything had gone well; Legolas appeared to not have any idea that Shiara was behind him, and no enemies had appeared. Despite that, her bow was notched and ready, and her knives that Galier had given her were within reach. Also, Shiara glued herself to Arod's side, gaining comfort from the steed's quivering flanks. It reminded her that there was someone with her.

Shuddering, Shiara hurried forward in Legolas's wake.

That night, she camped close to the king, almost right behind him. Shiara didn't bother starting a fire as along with him seeing, she was not hungry. Though she felt warm as elves did not feel the cold, she wished for a warm fire to blow away the darkness and chills of the night. Wistfully, she glanced at Legolas's fire, which looked cozy and inviting.

Sitting down with a grumble, she muttered to Arod, who was contentedly munching grass next to her, 'Why did I follow him anyway?'

As soon as the question left her lips, her eyes traveled to the tall figure pacing 'round. She unconsciously smiled as the fire illuminated his fair face, glinting off his hair and accenting the stormy pools of grey. As Legolas walked, he softly sang old songs and tunes, not knowing that someone else listened.

{Ai!} Shiara thought. {If only you knew how much! How much you mean!} Smiling sadly, she turned to the horse and stroked his velvet side. 'I suppose it is silly of me, to think that there might be any chance—' She clenched her fists, willing the thoughts away. The steed snorted softly, pushing warm air against the elf's ears. 'Go then, Arod my beauty,' she said. 'Eat some more, but wander not, for you shall get lost.'

As Arod turned and left, Shiara turned her gaze back to Legolas. His fire was now put out, but she could still see the silhouette of his body against the night. She could hear his words now, 'To the Sea, to the Sea! The white gulls are crying,'

Over the years, her close friendship with the prince had burst and bloomed in her heart, until the maiden realized that it was a full-blown love, and every time they were separated, she wished to cry. 'Four seasons, four seasons I waited for you!' she whispered harshly. 'Such a long time in my mind! In Mirkwood, everyday, I sat and watched the horizon every sunset, in hopes that you would return, until I finally gave up. Only then did you return, as if mocking my impatience, and now you leave yet again, expecting me to stay behind? Ha! King Legolas, you make me laugh!'

Shiara rocked back and forth on her heels, shutting her eyes. 'Ai, melethor! So long, so long it has been since I wished for the courage to call you that! Shall I ever gain that chance? Must I always have to be content with mellon?'

From her hiding place she dimly heard Legolas sing a new one, and she sat up as she recognized the words.

'An Elven-maid there was of old,

A shining fire by day:

Her mantle green was hemmed with gold,

Her shoes of silver-grey.

A flame was bound upon her brows,

A light was on her hair

As sun upon the golden boughs

In Eryn Laeglass.

Her hair was black and long and thick,

And proud she was and free;

And in the wind her feet moved swift

As the leaf of linden-tree.

Shiara! Shiara! they called to her by night.

The messenger is leaving, leaving

Leaving at dawn's first light;

And then she wept, for she was grieving, grieving.

Shiara! Shiara!

Beside the fires of Mirkodel,

By flames hot and bright,

Her tears as falling copper fell

Into the burning night.

Shiara! Shiara!'

'Why is he singing that?' Shiara mumbled through a daze. 'That is our song…'

~~~~~

Flashback mode

'Now, nin iell, do you know where you come from?'

The little elven maid shook her head side to side. She was seated in the lap of Queen Lelendil, dressed in dark green gown that she had been given. Her previously soaked hair had been dried and brushed till it shone by Lelendil, with Legolas sulking nearby, after he had been shooed out when the girl had been given a hot bath.

'Do you know where your mother and father is?'

She blinked and cringed. 'I don't know!' she cried. 'I don't know, they didn't come back!' Curling up into a ball, she hid her face as Lelendil quietly stroked her cheek.

'Sh, shush, you are safe. Nothing will harm you here…'

Later, the young elven girl woke up from a troubled sleep, to find grey eyes staring at her. Yelping, she scooted backwards in the bed only to find that it was Legolas blinking at her in confusion. He was sitting on Lelendil's lap. 'Nana,' he tugged on his mother's sleeve. 'Why is Shiara so afraid of me?'

'Perhaps,' said the Queen's musical voice, 'Shiara is tired. She has had a strenuous day with all her troubles. Sleep, nin ion and let her do also.'

Sighing empathetically, the prince bounced to the bed next to Shiara's. 'Sing a song nana!' he insisted.

'If I do so, you must sleep,' Lelendil said. Tucking the blankets around Shiara, she said, 'I will sing you the song of the Lady Nimrodel. Remember Legolas, she was mentioned in your lessons today if I am not mistaken.'

'An elven-maid there was of old / a shining star by day / her mantle white was hemmed with gold / her shoes of silver-grey…'

Lulled by the voice, she was nearing sleep when Legolas interrupted. Irritated, she didn't really listen when he said, 'Nana, Nimrodel is very tiring to listen to every night.'

'Then what would you wish to listen to?' Lelendil asked patiently.

Shiara felt irritated. She was just about to fall asleep! What a bother this prince was! Then her eyes widened as a hand landed on her head. It was Legolas! Indignant that he should touch her like that, she was about to shake him off when he said, 'Nana, there should be a song about Shiara! She shall be my fairy queen, and as king, I demand that a song be sung in her honor.'

Smiling, Lelendil said, 'Why do you not sing your own song for her ion?'

The young prince turned back to his charge and stroked her hair has he had seen his mother do. She tensed, but then relaxed has he continued.

'An Elven-maid there was of old,

A shining fire by day:

Her mantle green was hemmed with gold,

Her shoes of silver-grey.

A flame was bound upon her brows,

A light was on her hair

As sun upon the golden boughs

In Eryn Laeglass.

Her hair was black and long and thick,

And proud she was and free;

And in the wind her feet moved swift

As the leaf of linden-tree.'

Legolas had a pleasant voice for one so young, having inherited his mother's sweetness, along with his own steady firmness that kept the beat. Shiara soon fell into a peaceful slumber as Legolas sat by her side, singing even as her breath grew even; making sure she did not have nightmares.

And Lelendil smiled, as she watched the prince sing his fairy to sleep.

End Flashback

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As Shiara sat, lost in thought, she did not hear nor see the dark figures that loomed against the trees behind her. They grew closer and closer to the unsuspecting elf. It was as she was trying to decide whether to reveal herself to Legolas that two filthy hands clamped over her mouth, choking back a scream. Then, something hit her on the back of her head, and everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N- MUHAHAHAHA!!! *grins evilly* Another cliffhanger! *notices glaring crowd* Eep! Yes, I know it's really short, but I had to get this part up! Don't worry, chapter 8 won't take that long to come out, ok? So, ah….*gulps* Aerial sprite, don't kill me!!! *whimpers in fear* I dun wanna dieeee!!!! Minna, I promise to get the next chapter out soon, ok?

Melethor – love (male) ion – son mellon - friend