Melenia walked slowly through the trees and took in the sights and sounds of the incredible forest. It was good to finally feel the firm earth beneath her feet; they had been riding for days now. Lord Anaran had told her that they would enter the forest without their horses. When she had begun to ask about what they would do with them, he told her not to worry; they would be taken care off. She pondered over this for a short while but then she let it slip out of her mind as the forest engulfed her

There was strange serenity setting over her and the rest of her small company. Many seemed to be very joyful at returning to their home, others seemed lost in thought, but all of them seemed to be content herself included. Ideas and thoughts stopped flowing through the caverns of her mind ,and she surrendered to a state of quiet wonder and amazement at her surroundings.

"Welcome Melenia…" a strange voice ran through her mind and the words echoed softly. This startled the princess very much, but she remembered that she had entered the realm of powerful Lady Galadreil. She smiled softly to herself at this thought. For some reason the presence of Galadreil made her feel very secure. She cleared her mind once more and continued her peaceful walk. She let herself slip all the way to the back of the group, and slowed down to allow some space to grow between them and herself. She resumed her observation of the forest, but her instincts and guard were still on very high alert.

They continued for another fifteen minutes when the princess abruptly stopped, unsheathed her sword, which had been strapped to her back, and turned around to meet another sword that was only a few inches away from her. A cold fire and rage burned within her as she met eyes with the person who seemed to be her attacker. Within instants she used her sword to flick the warrior's sword out of his hand. She roughly backed him into a nearby tree.

"Who are you and why do you attack me and my companions?" she growled fiercely at the blond elf she had caught.

"Your granddaughter is skilled with a sword Anaran," the elf spoke coolly to the very surprised Anaran, who had just arrived at the scene of the minor scuffle. She marveled at how he kept his composure when he could be so close to his end.

"She has learned from her mother," replied Anaran warmly. Melenia was very puzzled now. As she turned her head very slowly so she could look at Anaran, she felt her sword being ripped out of her hand, a sharp pain at her side, and finally tree bark against her back. The elf had reversed their positions and now her very own sword was being held to her neck.

"My lady, when in battle or a duel do not lose your concentration for anything," He smiled a slight smile, "or else you could end up worse off than you are now." To her surprise, he released her from his grip and sheathed her sword into HIS scabbard. He stepped back and slowly bowed to her. "Welcome to the woods of Lothlórien princess. The Lady of the Golden wood has been awaiting your arrival." He turned to Anaran and greeted him. The look of confusion on Melenia's face seemed to grow more intense by the second. Anaran just chuckled at this.

"Little one, this is Haldir. He is the captain of the guard here in Lothlórien and a good friend of mine." Melenia just furrowed her brows.

"He is not a very honorable elf," she spoke as if he was not there. "One just does not sneak up on people like that," she said firmly.

"My lady, it was certainly not my intention at all to frighten you or hurt you in any manner. I had merely been out here on patrol when I saw you and your company. It is my job to protect the forest, so I just wanted to take a closer look. I did not know you would have such a reaction to my sword being drawn. Please accept my apology." He looked so sincere and he spoke so well; he was also a friend of her grandfather's. "He is friend not a foe you fool, accept the apology," her mind echoed.

"Apology accepted Master Haldir. In fact I should be apologizing to you. I should not have attacked as I did." she said calmly and quietly. She even added a smile at the end.

"Your reaction shows that you have been trained well, do not apologize for that., but your inability to keep your concentration shows your lack of experience. I would very much like to train with you during your stay with us." She did not reply so he continued. "I think it would benefit us both very much my lady," a smile played over his lips as he finished his final statement. All the while Melenia was fighting to keep her composure. He had complimented her, insulted her, and then was he actually implying that she needed his HELP!?! "I need NO man's help!" her mind yelled but she remained quiet.

Finally she spoke up, "We shall see Master Haldir, we shall see. As for now let us not tarry any longer. We do not want to keep the Lady waiting." She smiled again at the end of her statement and continued walking past her grandfather and Haldir. The group also resumed their walk now. This time she moved to the front and walked with some of the elves that had been with her on the journey. Anaran and Haldir walked further back and chatted happily.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The rest of their walk through the woods went by uneventfully, until finally Melenia was pulled out of her daydreams by a beautiful glow that kissed her face like the rays of the moon. They had finally arrived.

Haldir led her and Anaran to a large tree that did not look like a tree at all. It was so majestic it seemed to have become something greater. They went up a long spiraling staircase, and the higher they went the more Melenia could see of hers surroundings. There were elves walking about carrying on with their daily business, but they all seemed to glow. The light that filled their home bathed them all with a surreal serenity. They finally reached a platform, and Melenia was greeted by one of the brightest lights she had ever seen. It was so bright she almost had to shield her eyes, but she did not. As the figure that seemed to be the origin of the light descended down a short flight of stairs, she could see that it was indeed Lady Galadriel accompanied by Lord Celeborn. The Lady's beauty was beyond words. Melenia did not know where to start. Her golden locks feel like a water fall and her blue eyes burned with a cool fire. Lord Celeborn, as well, looked amazing. She could not remember ever coming a cross a creature who looked as regal as he did.

"Welcome home Anaran, it is good to see you," Celeborn spoke. "Even his voice is regal," thought Melenia.

"It is good to see that you have arrived safely," Galadriel said. Her voice echoed beautifully through the sweet air of Lothlórien. She turned her head slightly and looked at Melenia. "Welcome to our home Melenia, princess of Aèrogar."

"Thank you my lord and lady," Melenia said with utmost respect as she bowed. "I truly appreciate you letting me into your land."

"You are welcome here as long as you wish princess," Celeborn replied.

"Thank you my lord."

"You must go rest now, for I know your journey was long and tiresome." Galadriel said. "We will shall talk later princess, after you have rested. I much desire to speak with you." Galadriel now spoke straight into Melenia's mind. The lady smiled slightly and then she and Celeborn retreated up the stairs.

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A/N: I know my chapters are somewhat short but I'm trying to make them longer. Hopefully my next chapter will be up soon… Thanks to everyone again for reviewing I Really Appreciate your continued support. Again, any input is very helpful… so you know what to do…review!!!