((Author's note- Oh dear Valar, my many apologies. I was so busy in my painting, that I forgot to add a few more chapters to my little story. So sorry, may I be struck with a hundred arrows as my punishment.))

Nilwen gulped silently as the fair elven prince stepped forward and took her pallid hand in his. His touch was that of a radiant sunbeam falling inaudibly upon the morning tide. She wanted to turn and run, but her dress would make an escape somewhat difficult. He gently kissed her hand at his eyes met hers. Legolas' eyes seemed to pierce though hers searching for answers. Nilwen shut her eyes to avoid his incisive ones. 'Dear Valar, I want to run. But where?' She scrutinized the near trees for a safe refuge. There was a low golden branch hanging nearby, or there was the lake bridge. Nilwen felt the Mirkwood prince lift her delicate face up, which she had looked down rather shamefully earlier. 'That's it, Galadriel is preoccupied at the moment, I'm getting out of here.'

With that she turned on her heel and accelerated towards the bridge. She didn't bother looking at the astonished guests, who were all standing aghast at her egress. 'Ha, now try and catch me you stuck up git.' She laughed under her breath as she hastened across the overpass. Nilwen looked crosswise over to the dancing greens. A certain elf caught her attention. 'Firith? Dancing with whom? Oh I must see this one up close.' She reassigned herself to an out of the way location while she detected the new elf. He was tall and handsome, and seemed to be somewhat entranced by Firith. Nilwen sat on the lush grass watching the pair sway and swirl with the music.

"Nilcoirewen?"

Nilwen jumped up astonished. She watched as Legolas made his way towards her.

"I am sorry if I frightened you, but I wanted to know why you ran from me. Do I dispirit you in any way?" he asked apologetically.

"Oh no my lord, I just did not feel comfortable in your presence. I am not worthy for your attention," she lied.

"You are quite deserving of my company. Tis why I requested to converse with you tonight."

"I am most regretful to announce that I cannot accept your invitation tonight, I am tending a wounded archer, and he needs my assistance. Please understand my lord, I will embrace your proposition, just on a later night. You will be staying in Lothlorien for quite a while. Perhaps within the next few days."

"I await our next meeting then."

"Of course my lord."

Nilwen fled over the ground as swiftly as a doe. She could feel her heart leap up in her throat as she ascended the stairs. She opened the door to find the archer not in bed. 'Where is he?' Two powerful arms grabbed her around her waist.

"Got you milady!"

Nilwen giggled and squirmed. Alkcorion brushed a stray hair out of her face. He laughed at Nilwen's frail struggles to get free. Then an unexpected blow from behind forced Alkcorion to the ground with a loud crash. The maiden rushed to his side then looked to the assailant. A tall hooded elf stood aggressively; then strove to exert another one against Nilwen's delicate frame. By this time, she was tired of being surprised, forced, and frightened. She leapt up and pulled a knife out of her boot, as was the custom of male elves, and rushed upon the attacker. Nilwen rammed, ungracefully I might add, into the elf and forced the intruder onto their back. She straddled the torso and threatened the elf's life with the dagger at the throat. A laugh came from under the cloak. Not an evil, but a surprised chuckle. Nilwen yanked the hood off.

((Author's note: Oh I am so bad, bad author bad. Special thanks to LeopardDance, thank you for encouraging me, as well as those lovely e-mails I get from my friends. Please continue to REVIEW and I shall hope to have the next one up as soon as I get, oh let me say, 2 new reviews. (In the least) Take care to all))