A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been leaving reviews I really appreciate it.

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It was a gorgeous night; the rays of the full moon came in through the small window and fell onto the floor of the dimly lit room. Melenia just lay in her bathtub relaxing. The past couple of days had been the most hectic, busiest days of her life. In between helping her mother and father plan their wedding and preparing accommodations for their countless guests that had starting arriving a week ago, she was in and out of several dress fittings and countless "socializing" sessions with many of the royal maidens that came from all of Middle Earth. "More like all out gossip feasts if you ask me," she thought disgustedly to herself. She had been forced to endure their company because it was her "duty" according to her mother. But now the wedding was over and everyone was happy. She would permanently have her father around, and the people of Aèrogar finally had a king. "Ah, finally," she let out a content sigh, "some peace and quiet."

"MELENIA!!!!" The voice boomed so loudly it almost burst her eardrums. Addela had discovered her.

"Oh no!" she groaned to herself. "Not now."

"Young lady are still taking a bath?" Addela shouted again.

"Yes Addela," she said hoping that maybe the old woman would go away.

"Well get out girl! You must get dressed now or you shall be late to your own ball! Your dress and shoes are all set out for you."

"I'm coming," Melenia finally said as she reluctantly climbed out of her tub and began drying her body with a towel.

"Faster Melenia, I know you are taking your time purposely," Addela said as she tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. Melenia opened her bathroom door and came out wrapped in a beautiful silk robe.

"You know, sometimes I wonder why I love you so much Addela. You're more like a warden than a caretaker." Melenia smiled at the plump old woman who was giving her all sorts of death looks.

"Time to get dressed princess," Addela said forcibly trying not to get angry at the princess, who she knew was only trying to get under her skin. She walked over to her and helped her don a breathtaking gown. It was made of a beautiful red silk material, and it had beautiful black embroidery tastefully placed on certain areas of the dress. A beautiful black stone that glimmered and shone adorned her skin where it was exposed by the v-neckline of the dress. It was a necklace given to her by Gandalf on her fifteenth birthday.

"It came from the Dwarves," he had told her when he gave it to her, "from the mines of Moria."

She then slipped on her black sandals, which tied around her ankles, and her hair was left down. Only a beautiful, ornate hairpin pulled some of the sections that fell around her face back.

"You look beautiful my girl," Addela said. She looked like she was beaming with pride.

"You must be imagining things old woman," Melenia retorted as she ran out of the room. "See you downstairs!" she yelled back when she was already down the hallway. Addela just shook her head as she made her way out of the princess' chambers and went down to the ball.

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"You're late," her mother said as she turned the corner of the hall and reached the Grand Ballroom doors.

"Sorry Mom," replied Melenia trying to sound as innocent as possible, "I just lost track of time."

"I'm sure young lady," her mother replied sternly but she could hardly keep a smile off her face.

"You look lovely Aiwe," Telodan said as he placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead and took her right hand into his. Cassia also did this and then took Melenia's left hand into hers. The doors to the Grand Ballroom were opened, and Cassia and Telodan led Melenia down the staircase as someone announced their arrival. The trio walked to the edge of the dance floor, and Melenia and Cassia bowed to each other then Telodan led her onto the dance floor. It was customary in the land of Aèrogar that the princess share her first dance with her father, and this was Melenia's first time doing so.

The Ballroom boomed with applause when they finished their dance. Melenia was now free to dance with whomever she wished, but with her that was impossible. Her plan was to avoid stepping onto that dance floor with anyone else. It was truly quite amusing to watch how she evaded all the men that practically threw themselves at her. Some weren't very forward so a plain "No" sent them packing, some persisted for a while but eventually her rudeness prevailed, and then there were some that took a little of what she called "maneuvering" to get rid of…

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"GO AWAY!!!" she shouted as she stormed out the glass doors of the Ballroom that led to the palace gardens. The obnoxiously, pompous Lord Deollyn was pursuing her. He was one of those that took that extra bit of maneuvering.

"Now, now Princess Melenia," he said catching up with her and grabbing onto her arm, turning her around in the process, "all I wanted was a dance." He finished with a sly smile.

"And you shan't have it you worm!!!" she yelled back as she pulled herself out of his grasp and continued to stamp her way through the garden. 'That's not very ladylike, what would our guests think?' she heard her mother's voice echo in her head, but the guests didn't think any less of her; in fact, they actually found her outbursts quite amusing, but not at all shameful.

He trotted up by her side trying to keep his temper in check for he was not used to a woman refusing him like this. "Princess I mean no harm, I only ask for a fair chance," he said trying to sound as sweet as he possibly could. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face him.

"Exactly. You asked and I answered," she said coolly, but fire was raging in her brown eyes.

"But you said no."

"Don't you get it you dolt!?! I don't want to give you a chance!" she yelled at him. And now he did something she had not expected him to do at all. He grabbed both her arms very harshly and pulled her very close to him.

"Don't you get you stupid girl," his voice was seething with anger, "I will have you whether or not you choose to have me." Although he was causing her much pain, she still kept her voice as calm and cool as ice.

"You have just crossed the line Lord Deollyn. I am no longer responsible for what I will do," and with that she kneed him in the stomach. He did not let go of her but his grip loosened, and she was able to free herself. She then punched him, and with one clean sweep of her legs he was lying on the floor in pain. "You got off easy this time my Lord. Next time you will not be so lucky." She turned meaning to continue walking in the garden but she stopped dead in her tracks when she turned around. A wizard and three elves had just witnessed the entire exchange and all had a wide-eyed look on their faces.

She composed herself and approached them, instantly recognizing her father and Gandalf, but she did not recognize the other two elves. One was dressed in a beautiful royal green tunic that was lined with gold thread, and he wore breeches of the same color. The intertwined band of silver on his head signified that he was royalty, and he truly did look regal. His platinum blonde hair neared on sliver and his eyes were a bluish gray that revealed much wisdom. The other elf wore a silver tunic that seemed to glow and gray breeches. His hair was also blonde but his eyes, which also seemed very wise, were an amazing sea of green. She had seen both of them earlier, and they had attended the wedding, they even held seats of honor. As she thought about it seemed quite peculiar that she had not been introduced to them earlier, but she was knocked out of her thoughts by the sound of their laughter.

"My Lords," she bowed, "I am so sorry that you had to witness that. I just had some business to take care of." All four men now smiled at her.

"Daughter must you be harsh with them?" he said sounding very amused.

"Sometimes that is the only way they get the point father," she answered with a smile. Gandalf just smiled and winked at her. When her habit of beating the admirers who wouldn't relent started, her mother had asked Gandalf to speak with her, and hopefully knock some sense into her. He only told her that when the right man came along she would know and in the meanwhile she could beat up all the wrong ones if she decided that they deserved it.

"Just don't let Cassia see you!" he told her. From that day she trusted him with so much but not all. Gandalf had her love to the end of the ages.

Telodan now turned to the two elves that were still smiling pleasantly. He motioned toward the one in green, "Melenia this is my dear friend Thranduil, King of Mirkwood." The king bowed gracefully. "Thranduil this is my daughter, Melenia, Princess of Aèrogar." She in turn bowed to the king.

"You have grown into a very lovely lady," Thranduil said sincerely.

"Thank you sire," she replied. Normally she would scoff at a compliment like this but this was no ordinary person, so she had to curb herself with all her might. Telodan's attention now turned to the other elf who was still waiting patiently. Melenia had felt very drawn to this elf; something seemed very familiar about him.

"Lord Anaran, this is my and Cassia's daughter, Melenia." Telodan finally said. Melenia bowed to the elf still unable to unlock her eyes from his. Then he turned to Melenia, "Darling this is Lord Anaran of Lothlórien…." he paused. "You might remember him…he is… your grandfather."

"Grandfather?" Melenia thought. Thousands of thoughts poured into her head at once. She was so very confused until it finally dawned on her. She had met him long ago…once when she was five. He stayed with them at the palace for a while as a guest. She thought he was a sweet, wonderful man then. It all finally made sense.

"Grandfather…" she said with a smile, "I remember you… that is why you seem so familiar…" She walked up the elf and gave him a soft embrace. She was not wary of him like she was of all other men. He was her grandfather, and she was completely drawn to his warmness. He took her hand and kissed it.

"It is good to see you little one. I am glad you remember me." A warm smile spread over his face once more.

Once the moment wore off she remembered what she had wanted to ask them. "What are you all doing out here in the garden?"

"We were discussing your trip to Mirkwood," answered Telodan.

"We're still going father?" she asked excitedly.

"YOU are still going," he said emphasizing his words.

"I'm still going?? By myself???" she asked as his words sank in.

"Yes darling, I can't travel now since I have just assumed the throne, and your mother and I thought it would be a very good learning experience for you." Melenia thought hard about what he just said. His word echoed through her head as she tried to sort out what she was thinking.

"Mirkwood? By myself?" she whispered but the ears of all four men picked it up.

Lord Anaran now interjected into her thoughts. "But before you travel to Mirkwood you will be coming to stay with me for a short while in Lothlórien."

"Lothlórien???" she asked obviously shocked.

"Yes," answered Anaran, "You do not have to come if you do not wish to, but I only wanted to spend some time with you."

"I would love to!" she blurted uncontrollably. "It's just…this is all so overwhelming…I would love to come with you grandfather. It would be my honor," she said, and once more she bowed. "But what of Mirkwood? Where will I stay?"

"If you do not mind princess you will be staying with me, at my palace," answered Thranduil.

"I do not mind at all your majesty. I just do not wish to inconvenience you."

"It will be no inconvenience at all. To ensure that you have a safe trip from Lothlórien to Mirkwood, I will send my son to pick you up and escort you personally."

Melenia was just truly overwhelmed by all this. She barely managed to drag out a thank you and a bow. Seeing his daughter's confusion and anxiety, Telodan decided to end the meeting.

"It is agreed then. One month at Lothlórien and three at Mirkwood." He smiled at Melenia reassuringly. "You had better back to your ball Aiwe, before your mother and Addela realize you are gone."

"Yes father," the princess answered with a glazed look on her face. As she made her way back to the palace she just kept repeating to herself, "Lothlórien… Mirkwood… by myself?"

When she finally disappeared into the palace Gandalf finally spoke up, "So when do you plan on telling her that she leaves tomorrow?"