A/N: Hey everyone… I hope you like this chapter, it's my longest one yet. I have used a little bit of elvish here and I am not so sure of it's accuracy so please don't be too angry if it's really off. I tried to make it as accurate as I could…

Thanks for all the continued support everyone…

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"Hello Lothlórien!" Melenia shouted as she left her room. Several elves turned to see who was the source of the disturbance, but after realizing that it was none other than the princess of Aèrogar they just continued about their daily business. They had all become accustomed to the mostly Elven princess of a mortal realm that had characteristics of both races intertwined within her. She was playful, childish, mature, and strong all at the same time. At first, her little outbursts were strange, but now they were expected.

"Good morning fair elves!!" she continued shouting. She was certainly going to enjoy every single moment of her last day in the beautiful forest that surrounded her. After swallowing breakfast as quickly as she could, she went to wander the forest. She climbed trees, picked flowers, ran, sang, and just sat for a while. On her way back she could see that something was causing a great deal of commotion among the elves. It was certainly no commotion by human standards, but she had learned that Elven standards were very different.

As she made her way through the crowd she overheard some making remarks on the cause of it all.

"He is so handsome," came the voice of one maiden.

"I know, and so regal," replied her friend.

"I have seen his skill with a bow and arrow," said one soldier to the other, "he is a quite a force to be reckoned with."

Melenia could now see the backs of several elves, but that did not help her much because several of them had blond hair, The rest had hair that was different shades of brown. All of them had a bow and quiver full of arrows strapped to their backs. Some carried swords, and others carried the double Elven blades.

"Who are they?" she muttered to herself as she tried to get closer. An ever familiar chuckle filled her ears, and she turned around to face a very amused Anaran.

"I don't see what so funny." she said with a sour look on her face.

"Your bewilderment, my dear girl, is quite entertaining," he continued to laugh quietly.

"Who are they grandfather?"

"They would be your traveling party," he said with a smile.

"My traveling party? Oh, you mean they are elves from Mirkwood."

"Precisely." Just then two younger female elves who would've passed for young teenagers according to human standards trotted past them.

"Can you see him?"

"No, can you?" the other one answered in desperation.

"No," with that they both let out a dejected groan.

"Then we will just have to find another way to get a glimpse at him," said the second one excitedly.

"Prince of Mirkwood here come!!" they giggled as they ran off in another direction. Melenia just laughed at the little exchange she had seen and then turned back to Anaran.

"King Thranduil was serious about sending his son to escort me?" she asked as she fought the urge to continue laughing.

"Oh yes, he is a man of his word. Would you like to be introduced to him now?"

She threw another glance in the direction of the prince and his companions; they were on their way to greet Galadriel and Celeborn. "Later grandfather, now I would like to spend some time with you." A childish grin spread over her face as she grabbed Anaran's hand and pulled him in the opposite direction of the huge gathering.

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

She spent the remainder of the morning with Anaran. They talked about so much; he told her stories and gave her advice as she played around like a child. Later on he left her so she could say her good - byes to the friends she had made during her stay. After she had completed that task she went back into the forest to her favorite stream so she could have one last swim in it's pure waters.

She enjoyed herself so much, she hardly noticed the time. As she looked up at the sky she noticed that the sun had moved quite a bit. Then it finally struck her.

"Oh No!!! I'll be late to the evening meal, my LAST evening meal here!" she yelled out. She jumped out of the water, grabbed her boots that were lying next to a tree, and bolted toward her living quarters. Her black skirt and sleeveless shirt clung to her, and her wet hair was plastered to her back and face. To add to her discomfort, she was now running across the forest floor barefoot; something she was not used to doing. She paid no attention to her surroundings and was completely oblivious to others around her, so it was only inevitable that she would run into someone.

It hurt so much to make contact with somebody else at the that moment. She was running with great speed, and the person was obviously very strong. She bounced off him as if he were a brick wall, and landed ungracefully on the forest floor.

"Ow!" she groaned. She would've gotten up and given the man a piece of her mind, even though she was the one at fault, but then she remembered the evening meal once again. "Be polite Melenia!" her mind shouted. She quickly leaped off the floor, ignoring the outstretched hand of the man she had bumped into. As quickly as she got up she was gone, "I'm very sorry sir!!!" she yelled back as she continued the sprint to her room. "I am just in a hurry!"

"I could see that," the elf replied quietly as he and his friend looked at her retreating figure.

"I always thought that Lorien Elves were very fair and wise," his friend said with a smile.

"They are," replied the first.

"Well she is quite an odd one then."

"The world is full surprises," the elf said grinning widely as the girl finally reached her destination and ran up the stairs with such haste; she almost knocked someone down. "Many surprises indeed," and with that they continued walking.

"Did you get a good look at her face?"

"Not a very good one, but I think I would recognize her if we ever met again."

"I am sure you two are destined for another run - in soon…" The both laughed at that as they continued their walk to the dining area.

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

Melenia bolted into her room and quickly threw off her wet clothes. She dried herself off with a towel, and went to her closet to find proper attire for dinner. To her dismay the only thing that remained unpacked was a light pink gown which she grudgingly put on. "I hate pink!" she shouted to the empty room. "Any color but pink!" She quickly pulled her wet hair into a ponytail, pulled on her sandals, and was out the door as quickly as she had entered.

When she arrived at the dinner table, she quietly slipped into her chair which was situated right next to Anaran's.

"Where have you been little one? I was beginning to worry," Anaran said quietly.

"Sorry grandfather, I just lost track of time."

"You were swimming again."

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Your hair."

"Oh…" she replied suddenly feeling stupid.

The food was served and everyone ate merrily. At one point during the dinner, Anaran introduced Melenia to a beautiful young Elf maiden. Her eyes were grey, and golden brown hair framed her face and fell down her back. Her name was Eowadia; she had come with the party from Mirkwood. It was also revealed to Melenia that she was her personal assistant, especially appointed by King Thranduil. Melenia didn't like the idea of a personal assistant because to her it was almost another way to say "nanny", but she could not turn down the wishes of the king.

Soon everyone had finished eating and she longed to go for one last walk in the woods, but it was impolite to leave the table before Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn left. "From the looks of them, they don't plan on leaving tonight!" she thought to herself as she looked at the lord and lady, who happened to be involved in a very animated conversation that seemed would go on for all eternity. To keep herself occupied she reverted to studying the faces of all who were sitting at the table, a "hobby" she had developed after sitting through one too many formal dinners at Aèrogar. She started with the Lord and Lady, and made her way down the line until she finally came across faces she had not seen before, "Ah, so those are the elves from Mirkwood," she thought. They were involved in conversations of their own so she did not worry about being discovered gaping at one of them. She moved from one to the other uneventfully until she got to the end of the line. She realized that her last subject had beaten her to it and was already staring intently at her. Her brown eyes met his sapphire, blue eyes for a moment; a moment that Melenia was not prepared for. She gasped and moved back in her chair a bit; he just laughed lightly. Angry at being caught off guard she scowled at him which only seemed to amuse him even more. "That damn elf!" she muttered to herself.

"Grandfather who is that elf?" but Anaran's chair was empty. " He must have gotten up when I wasn't paying attention."

"He is the Prince of Mirkwood, my lady," sounded Eowdia from behind her.

"Stupid, stupid Melenia! Didn't you notice the family resemblance!" she thought to herself." She turned and took one more quick look at him, "He is?" she asked Eowadia.

"Yes princess, would you like me to introduce you to him?"

"No, no that is not necessary at all, and please no formalities. It is just Melenia."

"First of all, I can not address you without your title. It would be deemed too disrespectful."

"My dear lady Eowadia, do you really need me to order you to stop addressing me by my title or will you save me the trouble?"

"I am sorry my -- Melenia, I will not use titles anymore."

"Good," Melenia smiled.

"Now as for introducing you to the prince, I don't think I will be needing to do that," Eowadia said as she returned her smile and looked over Melenia's shoulder.

"Why not?" Melenia replied as she followed Eowadia's gaze, and to her shock and horror the prince had gotten up and was heading her way. "No, not now!!" she thought.

"If you'll excuse me Eowadia, I must be going," she hastily got up and excused herself quickly from the dinner table. "Heck with manners!" she thought as she quickly made her way into the forest.

Meanwhile the prince just stopped in his tracks and watched as the girl dodged into the forest.

"She truly likes to run," he said to himself.

"My granddaughter has never been one to sit still," answered Anaran. Legolas turned and looked at him with a radiant smile on his face.

"Master it is good to see you again," Legolas said as he and Anaran embraced. "Wait, did you say granddaughter?"

"Yes, my dear boy, that is the one and only elusive Melenia, my granddaughter. Have you been introduced yet?"

"Not quite my lord," replied Legolas with a smile, "not quite…"

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

The soothing sound of the running stream filled her surroundings. Birds sang softly and the crickets had just started their chirping. The sun slowly bade the world its farewell as night draped over the forest. Melenia sat on the bank of the stream and let her feet drop into the cool water. She watched the flowing water and then the setting sun. Thoughts flowed in and out of her mind. Memories attacked her and then everything was blank once more.

"I will etch this moment into my mind," she thought. "I will always remember your beauty Lothlórien," she said to the forest with smile, and the forest seemed to answer with its own vow of remembrance. It was very difficult for her to part with the woods that have been her home for the past month, but there was no escaping it. This was her last night in Lothlórien.

"We shall all miss you as well Melenia," a beautiful voice came from behind her. Melenia turned to see Galadriel standing behind her, glowing as usual. She quickly pulled her feet out of the water and stood up.

"My lady, I did not hear you approach." Galadriel smiled slightly at this.

"It seems that you have been lost in thought recently princess. Something troubles your soul. You have been troubled since the start of this week," she said matter-of-factly.

"I am just going to miss this forest, my grandfather, and all the elves here. It is very hard to part with things after they become so dear to you. Nothing else plagues me my lady," she said hoping that Galadriel would be content with her answer. "What are you DOING??" her mind shouted at her. "I know you have lied before but not to someone who can read your thoughts. Someone who can tell that you are lying!!!"

"Is that all?" Galadriel questioned. Melenia's mind groaned.

"No my lady, it is not," she said dejectedly while looking at the floor. She dared not look at Galadriel after she had just lied to her.

"Your memories disturb you. Particularly the one that overtook you during your contest with Haldir."

"How did you…you saw it?" Melenia asked with horror in her voice. Galadriel only nodded. "You must think that I am a horrible person. I am not fit to carry Elvin blood, or that of an honorable human." Her shame burned within her and manifested itself on her cheeks turning them a shade of pink.

"I have also seen the other memories that you have recalled this past week."

"You have?" her eyes grew wide with an emotion that neared on fear. She could feel a different kind of shame within her now. "Still, I am sure they do not justify what I have done," with that she lowered her head again so she could gaze at the floor. Moments later she felt a soft hand on her jaw, lifting her face up again. Galadreil was standing before her.

"He has left his mark on you. The scar runs deep within you princess, yet you have shown such resilience to wound. Your spirit is strong, so do not fear." Her voice sounded so reassuring; Melenia began to relax.

"I only fear that I will never be able to forget it. I have tried so hard to erase it from my recollection, but I can not. I find myself failing to change what I have become, and that also frightens me." A single tear had fallen from her eyes and was quietly making it's way down her cheek. "I cannot unlock myself…I cannot unlock my heart." More tears were starting to fall.

"The scar is not for you to erase, and you do not possess the key that opens the lock set upon your heart," she said as she wiped the tears from Melenia's face with her hands.

"I…I don't…"

"All things reveal themselves in due time. Do not trouble yourself, you will understand when the proper time arrives." She smiled a very warm smile at Melenia. She took her hand and placed something in it; actually, as Melenia passed her fingers over the object she realized there were two things in her hand. She opened her hand to reveal two beautiful chains, each holding a different charm.

"The jeweled bow and arrow are given to finest archers," Galadriel said as Melenia fingered the beautiful bow and arrow charm.

"I can not accept it my lady."

"It is a gift, you will know what to do with it."

"What about this heart?" she asked as she examined the other beautiful charm in her hand. To her surprise it turned out that the heart was a locket that was sealed very firmly.

"I request that you wear from now on, never take it off until it is opened."

"How can I open it?" she blurted. Then realizing what the lady must of thought at hearing that question, she added, " Not that I don't want to wear it; it is beautiful. I am just curious."

"You cannot open it for you do not have the key," she said with a smile.

"Then who does?" she asked as she furrowed her brows.

"To everything there is a season; it will be revealed when it is meant to be."

"But --"

Galadriel cut her off, "It is getting late. You should get some rest, your journey will be long and you will need all your strength."

"But --"

"Shhh…ava mahta melmë ya tulin ana elyë" Melenia just nodded under her powerful gaze. "I will see you tomorrow princess," with that Galadriel quietly slipped away.

Melenia went back to her room, her mind replaying her conversation with the powerful elf. She thought of the locket that was now draped around her neck, and the other chain that was in her hand. Galadriel's final words to her kept resounding in her mind as she tried to fall asleep.

"Do not fight love that comes to you…"

"I do not know if I can do that fair lady…" Her eyes finally closed upon her finally day in Lothlórien.