Okay, I really don't know how this one's going to turn out, as I didn't write this one up first, I'm in the middle of my annoying Computer Applications class with a retired Marine Major, and I'm half dead because it's only 9:50 in the morning.

Sorry everyone for the long wait between Chapter Four and Chapter Five! Glomps to everyone who reviewed or read. If you've read and didn't review, please review!

And I have been reminded that I am to do a disclaimer.

Disclaimer…don't own, don't sue. (Between me and thee, if I did own, I'd have Legolas as my boyfriend instead of being single!)

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Chapter Five: Departure and First Battle

She sighed. They weren't out of the boundaries of Imladris, yet, so she didn't expect an attack, but Mithrandir insisted upon assigning watches.

Probably a wise move. Get us used to it before it's really necessary, so we won't jump at every odd sound that is made in nature, she mused.

She and Legolas had first watch.

"So, Legolas, tell me about Mirkwood," she said in the High Elf tongue, thus ensuring privacy. Even though everyone else was asleep.

Or so she thought.

"Well, what do you want to know?" he replied.

"Is it beautiful there, or is it as it's name implies? Murky and dark," she shot back.

His eyes flashed a warning. She grinned mischeviously and he shook his head.

"Mirkwood is… beautiful, in a sense. Not as beautiful as you, though," he said.

She blushed. "Flatterer," she muttered. "Thank you for the compliment, Legolas. Now, back to the subject. If me and you are going to share watch the entire length of this trip, don't you think we should get to know one another?"

"Yes, I would think so. What else do you want to know?"

"Why are you ugly and what was your mother thinking when she dressed you this morning?" she teased. Her dancing eyes gave her away before he could really get angry.

"Probably the same thing your father was thinking. Royal marriage. A Prince of Mirkwood and one of the Princesses of Imladris."

She winced. "Nice aim, Legolas. Very nice aim. How did you know that was one of my sensitive topics?"

"I didn't. I apologize."

"No need. I earned that one. However, what are your thoughts on royal marriages?"

"I think that they shouldn't be allowed unless the two in question love each other. Making a marriage just to secure diplomatic ties is beyond stupid. It's cruel."

She smiled. "Indeed it is. And because Elves are immortal, the marriage is for forever. I don't think that I could deal with that. Living with someone I was forced to marry. It makes no sense at all."

"I agree."

-x-

Frodo listened to the two Elves in his party.

What in Middle Earth is possessing them to talk about royal marriages? he mused. But I do give Merel credit for an excellent insult, even if she was just teasing Legolas. Who has ever been able to tease Legolas, I wonder?

He shifted and looked at the both of them. They met his gaze and she shook her head, smiling.

"Did we awaken you, Frodo?" she queried in Common.

"No, I've been awake the entire time."

She shot a glance at Legolas who merely blinked. Then, she laughed.

"I see. Well, come and join our conversation, then. Might as well make yourself useful, no?"

He had to grin. "Might as well. Your company is better than no company."

Legolas choked as he restrained his laughter at her expense.

"I see," was her reply. "I guess that makes sense. Now, tell me of your home. The… Shire, wasn't it?"

"Yes, ma'am, it was."

He began to enthusiastically talk about the Shire until she stiffened. "What is it?"

"I'm… not sure. Something's not right," she whispered. Then, she obviously recognized the sensation because she hissed, "Yrch!"

Legolas was immediately alert, bow and arrow ready.

"Frodo, awaken Mithrandir and Aragorn," she ordered, preparing her own bow, hand in quiver.

-x-

She recognized that hideous scent that the yrch emitted. Yrch and wolves.

She shuddered.

"Scared, Merel?" Legolas queried.

"Yes!" she replied. "Honest to goodness scared. You like having scared people around you?"

"No. I just hope you're not so scared that your aim will be horrible. You have a limited amount of arrows."

She made a rude gesture. He grinned.

Mithrandir tapped her shoulder. "What is it? Frodo awakened me and said 'yrch.'"

"Orcs. Wolfriders!" she clarified.

"And you recognized this on scent alone?"

"Yes!" she shouted, reverting to Elfish, as the first one entered the camp and she shot it down.

Legolas got the next three in quick succession. She glared at him, then at Aragorn and Mithrandir.

"Man's intervention would be appreciated right about now!" she yelled. "Middle Earth to Estel and Mithrandir, you foolish men!"

Suddenly, one was in her face. Close enough for her to feel and smell it's breath.

She knew she was about to die.

-x-

Legolas saw the wolfrider in her face and felt panic. Instinctively, he aimed, praying he wouldn't hit her.

He succeeded.

His arrow hit the orc on the wolf's back dead in the heart and his second one hit the wolf in the leg, making it weak enough where she could draw her sword and kill it mercifully.

The yrch eventually retreated (after Mithrandir set a few trees on fire) and Merel fell to her knees.

I thought she was going to die. That is unacceptable, he realized, suddenly unhappy.

-x-

I thought I was dead. I knew I was dead. Why did he save me when he had more than enough on his part? This is most confusing, she mused, tired.

"Nicely done, Merel," Aragorn said, patting her shoulder.

"Thanks, Estel, but I nearly died. If it hadn't been for Legolas, I would have died. I was yelling at you and Mithrandir and nearly paid dearly for it. That's not a 'nicely done,'" she said in Elfish, upset at herself.

"You only revert to Elfish, so far, when you desire privacy or you're stressed. However, you did well, for your first battle."

She snorted. "Thanks for the compliments, Estel. My first battle was nearly my last."

"Calm yourself, Tindómerel," Mithrandir replied, entering the conversation. "Legolas, see what you can do. Aragorn and I will take watch now."

She nodded gratefully and walked closer to a wall of shadows.

"What is haunting you, Merel?" Legolas queried, joining her.

"My parents. Elrond didn't tell me who they were, though I asked ere we left. I guess I'm mad at him and them. He didn't know that I knew that I wasn't his real daughter, so I couldn't dance around the bush to get him to slip up on who my parents are. Then, there was that orc in my face. I knew I was dead, Legolas. Facing death for the first time makes you wonder if you can do it a second time and escape. I want to live to see the Undying Lands."

She heard his smile in his voice.

"As do I. However, if we die, it is for a worthy cause. The One Ring must be destroyed. Otherwise there will never be peace in Middle Earth. The Elves can't leave until we can be sure that there will be something akin to peace in Middle Earth. You know that. That's why we were placed here," he sighed. "We may not like our duty sometimes, but it must be done. It is our fault that the One Ring was made, you know."

"The Elves were deceived! We are immortal, not infallible!" she protested.

He nodded. "You're right. Now, you need to sleep. Otherwise you won't be fit for anything tomorrow. Go on," he said, as if prodding a child. "Aragorn and Mithrandir will watch over us for the rest of the night."

She smiled at him and nodded. "Very well then, Legolas. Let us rest."

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Well, I hope this meets the standard of the rest of my chapters. I don't really plan on Chapter Six taking so long to type or upload, but I do promise to try to update at least once a week. And if I can't, I'll add a note at the end of the last chapter uploaded.

Love to my readers and reviewers!

Ivy Raine