Once at the field we began to test each otherÕs skills. ÒLets see. Whoever can shoot 20 arrows closest to the center of the tree wins.Ó said Legolas, trying to find a way to make show he was better than her. ÒAs you wish.Ó We both proceeded to shoot 20 arrows at the center of the target. Once we finished, we realized we had shot them all in the center of the target. ÒLooks as though it is another tye.Ó I exclamed. ÒCongradulations, no one has ever even tyed my skill of the bow.Ó As we congradulated each other i noticed that the sunwas begining to become low in the sky. ÒWe should return to the palace and get ready for the feast.ÓI said. I was unsure as to why i was dissapointed to leave. ÒYes. Well, shall we?Ó he asked me holding out his arm. I took his arm and we began to make our was back to the palace. On our was back we talked of our indevidual homes and other things. We were almost all the way back to the palace when we were intercepted by a male elf with long brownhair, and cold unfriendly eyes. He roughly grabbed my arm and pulled my toards him. ÒMaria. What are you doing with this elf?Ó he said this as though she was his and that he had the right to her. ÒThis is Prince Legolas, of Northern Mirkwood. We are coming back to prepare for dinner.Ó I said as coldly as i could, trying to mask the fear he puts in my heart. ÒWell bid him good day for i will be escorting you to your room and to dinner.Ó ÒYou do not own her!Ó said Legolas angrily. He noticed the fear behind my words, and he felt an obligation to protect her from the harm this elf might bestow appaun her. ÒI have already been promised that she will grace me with her presince to dinner, and I shall escort her to her room as we still have much to discuss.Ó ~~~~Legolas~~~~ I knew this was a long shot. What if she would rather go with this elf instead of me? I doubt this greatly for she seemed very frightened. ÒIs this so?Ó asked the elf. To my releaf she spoke, ÒYes it is, now unhand my arm before I make you.Ó Maria said with bitterness in her voice. However instead of letting her go he pulled her closer and said in a slight whisper that i could hear. ÒYou will tell him he may not escort you, for you will come with me to dinner. And afterword I will teach you what I do to those who disrespect me.Ó Maria began to tremble with fear for she did not know what to do. ÒUnhand her. Now.Ó my voice came out in a deadly whisper. ÒShe dose not wish to go with you, and you shall not force her to go anywhere with you.Ó ÒAs you wish, your highness. I shall have a discussion with you later, Maria.Ó and at that he threw her hand asside and walked off. As he did Maria let out a sigh of relief. ÒThank you very much, your highness.Ó she said bowing slightly. ÒPleas call me Legolas.Ó I said. ÒIf there is anything I can do for you to repay the kindness you have shown me, do not hesitate to ask.Ó as she spoke I could see her wrist was very read and had a slight bruse. ÒHow hard did he take your wrist? It looks painfull.Ó I was concerned for even though I barely knew her I feel as if I am drawn to her. ÒTis fin. I shall liveÓ she said this with cencerity so i blieved her. ÒWell there is something I would ask of you. Would you grace me with your presince down to dinner?Ó I asked hoping the answer would be yes. ÒOf corse.Ó she said. Most of the walk to her room was in scielence untill we came to her door. ÒWho was that elf that has treated you so poorly?Ó I asked. ÒHis name is Erebor. He is the son of the captan of my fathers guard. He has taken a liking to me and wishes to make me his. However I shall never like him for he is crule. He has asked for my hand many times but every time I refuse and he becomes more and more crule. It scares me to think of what he may do to me one day.Ó she said this and i could sense fear in her words. ÒWell I promise to shield you from him.Ó I said in all sencerity. ÒShall I come and escort you to dinner, once you are prepared?Ó ÒIf you wish. However I shall warn you that Erebor shalnÕt be happy. He will attempt to frighten you off. And if he dose I shall not hold it aggenst your character for I fear him as well.Ó she said. ÒI do not think he will frighten me away.Ó I said ÒWell then I shall see you when you return?Ó she said ÒYes. You shallÓ *A/N: i know this story rely sux, so i could rely use some reviews!!! Please dont flame me cause this is my first fic and i wat to try to make it a good one!! REVIEW!!REVIEW!!REVIEW!!REVIEW!!REVIEW!!REVIEW!!REVIEW!!REVIEW!!