A/N: Hey everyone thank you all again for reviewing!! The chapter below was going to be longer… I was going to completely wrap up her stay in Lothlórien but there is still just a little bit I have to add before she leaves. I was going to add it to this chapter but I am running low on time… I promise you all that Legolas will be in the next chapter and in the rest of the story from here on in…I just need to establish a couple of more things about Melenia before they meet. I also would also like your opinions on something…

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Melenia spent the most of the next three weeks or so exploring Lothlórien with Anaran as her guide. The more time she spent there the more she fell in love with it. "Elves are truly delightful creatures," she thought to herself. She spent time mostly with the elven maidens and sometimes she would talk to a male elf, but not for long, for it was the not a very Melenia - like thing to do. Her grandfather was one the kindest men she had ever met and not too many of those came across her path, so she spent much of her time with him as well. The more she knew of him the more she loved him. She mostly enjoyed the fact that her every step was not carefully monitored and watched. She ran as she pleased, practiced weaponry and the art of combat when she wanted, and she sang when she felt like it. Her spirit soared. Although the princess truly was an odd sight and experience for many of elves, they were intrigued by her. So it was very likely that the princess would acquire some characteristics during her short stay in Lothlórien, but she would not leave without leaving her mark as well.

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It was the morning of her the first day of her last week in Lothlórien. The sun greeted her eagerly beckoning her to leave her bed, and like a servant would his master, Melenia obeyed. She left her soft bed and walked out onto the balcony of her room. The air was fresh and cool, and a soft breeze wrapped around her. If this was to be her last week in Lothlórien, she would certainly make the most of it. She quietly walked back into her room pleased at the fact that she could not hear her footsteps. She was determined to hone in and concentrate on the skill of being light-footed like all other elves, and she was succeeding. She pulled out a silver tunic and gray leggings from her closet and put them on. She pulled her hair back into simple braid and then she pulled on her boots.

"I think that I shall start this morning off with a little combat practice." She walked over to the table where all her weapons lay. There were her bow and arrows, she was not particularly fond of them; then lay her double elven blades, which she loved using; and last of all her sword, her favorite weapon. But the sword was not there this morning. "Haldir!" she said out loud. She had tried getting it back from him for the past three weeks, but he always coincidentally left it in his quarters and was too busy to get it at the moment. "Mental note to self Melenia, get your sword before we leave!" With that she grabbed her blades and was out the door.

She made her way to the practice fields and found a suitable spot. She stood quietly for a moment, breathed deeply, focused her mental energies, and then finally withdrew her blades. She started twirling them around her body in a intricate pattern. The blades flew with quick precision, over her head, close to her body, and then very far away from her within quick instants. Anyone close to her would have certainly lost a limb, but she was almost one with the blades now. So she was certainly paying no attention to her surroundings or else she would've sensed someone approaching, another skill she had been practicing in Lothlórien.

Her routine came to an end and much to her surprise someone behind her was clapping. She slowly turned around to face the figure that has obviously been watching her.

"Well done princess. You are very well trained in many aspects of combat."

"Thank you Master Haldir, my mother taught me" she replied with a voice devoid of emotions. "But what brings you here at this time in the morning? Surely you must have some business to attend to." She had not intended to sound rude but even she noticed that her coldness was uncalled for.

"I came to claim my promised practice time with you princess," he replied warmly, ignoring the cold tone the princess was using with him.

"I made no such promise, my lord."

"I know but I thought that perhaps you would change your mind."

"I don't think I will."

"As the lady wishes," he bowed and walked off to another area where it seemed he would practice by himself. When he was a couple of meters away he unsheathed a beautiful sword from his scabbard. Melenia gazed on it and then it finally struck her, she felt like fool for realizing it so slowly.

"Master Haldir I believe that is my sword you have there," she said as she walked up to him and stood in front of him.

"Well I believe you are right my lady," he said with a smile on his face. She waited for him to continue but he would not.

"I would like it back Master Haldir… but it seems to me that you have no intention of returning it to me."

"I will return it to you but you must defeat me for it," he said very calmly.

"Defeat you for it?" unable to keep her emotions from showing on her voice.

"A simple contest is all I ask. That way you have an opportunity to retrieve your sword and I get a some sort of practice with you."

"Are all elves this cunning and observant?" she asked knowing he would understand exactly what she spoke of. "Damn you Melenia!!! Everyone has been seeing through you lately. You are losing your edge you fool!" her mind shouted at her.

"Not all of us my lady," he smiled slightly. What could she do now? Her pride would not allow her to say no, and her beloved sword was being held from her.

"I accept your challenge Master Haldir." she held her head up as an anger burned through her and flowed out in her voice. It was an anger that she just could not control. It would always be her bane in life.

"Very well, this way my lady." With that he turned around and led Melenia to another area of the practice fields. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she realized they had arrived at an archery field. Haldir then turned to her and explained the rules of the contest. They would each shoot one arrow at the farthest target and the one with the arrow closet to the center would win the sword. He would go first.

Feeling of nervousness and dread were now overflowing in the young princess. "Not the bow and arrow!!! Anything but the bow and arrow!!!" her mind screamed.

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It was a bright morning such as this one. A fifteen year old Melenia had already awoken at first light. She would not miss her chance this morning; she would carry out her plan. She dressed in a usual dress form her closet, took her bow and arrow with her, and made her way to the palace's archery fields. "He will be there," she told herself quietly.

She was right. The vile creature of man was there practicing, all alone. She walked on until she was about thirty meters from where he was standing. It would not be long until he noticed her presence.

"Dear Princess Melenia," he said with a malicious grin on his face, "you are quite a lovely sight in the morning. What brings you here?"

She did not answer. She only picked up her bow, notched an arrow into it, and pointed straight at the man. Her eyes met his and the lustful fire that was in his eyes turned into a jumble of confusion. He searched her eyes for answers but saw nothing except for a cold fire that burned with determination.

"Princess… what are you…" he would not finish the sentence for an arrow had just pierced his chest and was now making its way through his heart. Melenia watched with disbelief as the man fell to the ground.

"NO!!!!!!" her mind screamed. "I only meant to shoot him the arm. Scare him a little, teach him a lesson, I did not mean to…to…" She opened her mouth as if to scream but no sound came out. She turned and ran for the palace walls. She would go to her tree.

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"Princess? Princess Melenia?" Haldir's voice ripped her out of her memory and back to the present. "It is your turn princess," he said handing her the bow and an arrow. She took them and only nodded. "This is not the time to plague over memories," she thought to herself, "snap out of it!!!" She turned to the target. Haldir's arrow was lodged right in the center. She pulled her arrow back and released. It hissed through the air and finally it hit the target, splitting Haldir's in half.

Although he knew that he could have easily done that to her arrow if she had gone first and he would have gone second, he would let the princess have her sword. He turned to her and smiled, "To the victor goes the spoils my lady." He unsheathed her sword and held it out to her. As she reached for it he pulled it back once more. "My lady I would like to ask one question before you take your precious weapon."

"Yes, please proceed," she answered regally.

"Was it your mother also who taught you to shoot an arrow?"

"Yes my lord it was."

He just smiled and finally handed her the sword. "Then I have practiced with you after all, for you see I taught your mother all she knows."

"Thank you master," she bowed.

"Thank you dear pupil."

"If you would excuse me now, I am not feeling well." Her memory now stabbed at the back of her mind like a sharp dagger.

"Very well."

She retreated back to her room and stayed there for the remainder of the day finally falling into a fitful sleep.