It was still about two hours from daybreak, but the princess had already awoken and could not go back to sleep. So she decided to prepare for her day rather than sit around and do nothing for hours. Her attire for the day was already set out on a chair. "Curse all carriages to the Dead Marshes!" she said as she looked at dark green dress and golden sandals in front of her. They were a gift from King Thranduil along with the carriage she would be riding during her voyage to Mirkwood. "If it were not for that damned carriage I would not have to travel wearing you!" she yelled at the beautiful garment that was now in her hands. "But how can I refuse the wishes of the king," she added with a sigh. With a couple of swift movements she changed out of her night gown and into the dress. She moved in front of the mirror, adjusted the dress, and put her ringlets up in a high bun that looked very intricate but was far from it. She took one final look at the barren room that had been her home for a month, "Till we meet again dear abode." She bowed and exited it hoping that one day her path would lead her to another stay in the room.

She climbed down several stairs and then abruptly stopped and sat down. "Ok Melenia, so you have a couple of hours to kill… what shall you do?" she asked herself. So that is how she stayed for a while, pondering on whether she should wake her grandfather, seek out the Lord and Lady for one last talk, walk in the woods, or just stay where she was. More ideas occurred to her but nothing seemed very appealing, until she heard someone walking past the tree. Giving in to her curiosity, she climbed down a few more steps so she could see who it was. "I figured it would be him," she thought to herself when she finally saw who it was. She ventured down more steps so the elf could see her.

"Do you ever rest Master Haldir?" she asked with a certain haughtiness in her voice as she continued her descent toward him.

"No my lady, do you?" he returned with a smile.

"Well… no, I suppose I don't"

"Then we have something in common."

"Most elves do not need much rest my lord," she said very seriously.

"How would you like to join me for a walk my lady? You could expend a little of your vast supply of energy and I could expend some of mine," he said as a grin spread across his face. Melenia looked up at the sky, daybreak was near and she would be leaving soon, "It will not do us any harm," her mind stated but she still hesitated. "Oh come on Melenia loosen up, he's an elf not a man! Just let it go this once…please…" her mind begged of her. Haldir could sense her hesitation. "It is okay princess, do not trouble yourself," he said as he pulled back his extended arm.

"I would be honored to walk with you Master," it sounded very forced, but she actually brought herself to say it. She did not take his arm and always made sure to keep about a foot's distance between them as they walked, but she still did it. She climbed over a wall within her and faced the world outside. Of course she would soon run back to safety behind the wall, but it was still a step. It seemed as if it had been ages since she even dared to peer over the edge of her beloved wall.

Lady Galadriel saw all this and smiled. "You will be free princess…only if you let your flame burn…" she said as a slight smile spread over her face.

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

Haladir and Melenia had a very pleasant walk; it actually left her quite surprised. Just as she started to enjoy herself, the sun bade the world a good morning.

"Well it seems that you must be departing soon," Haldir said. Was that sadness that she heard in his voice? She quickly dismissed the thought.

"Would you care to walk me to Lord and Lady's quarter's so I could bid them farewell?" She did not think that his smile could grow any brighter or grow any bigger, but at that request it did.

"Why of course my lady! It would be my pleasure!" Joy overflowed from his voice as he spoke.

As she said her final good -byes to Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, the parting actually became very real. Tears actually came to her eyes as she embraced her grandfather tightly.

"I will see you soon you old elf!" she blurted between sobs.

"Of course you will little one, do not cry. We will meet sooner than you think my little angel." He hugged her rubbed her back hoping that she would soon calm down.

"But I love you grandfather… they cannot take you from me now." Somehow her grip grew even stronger, but she stopped crying.

"Little one, as long as I am in your heart then I am with you."

"So you will never leave me…" she looked up at him and actually smiled.

"Exactly, and we will be reunited sooner than you think," as he said this he looked over her shoulder and saw the prince of Mirkwood standing a little distance off watching the scene unfold. "I think that it is finally time that you and someone else were officially introduced." She turned her head and saw her grandfather waving the prince over to where they were standing.

"This had to happen sometime," she muttered to herself as she watched the approaching figure of the prince.

"Melenia, this is Legolas, prince of Mirkwood." The prince bowed gracefully.

"Prince Legolas, this is Melenia my granddaughter and princess of Aèrogar." Melenia returned his bow with one of equal grace and poise. Their eyes locked when she finally raised her head. Cold, brown ice met warm, blue fire, each trying to penetrate the other, but both failed miserably. Anaran watched as the two tried to invade each other's thoughts. "It seems that they have both met their match," he thought with amusement. They certainly would have continued in this state for some time if they had not been interrupted.

"Prince Legolas!!!" rang a high, feminine voice.

All three turned to look at the group of maidens who were waving madly at the prince. Legolas turned to Melenia and Anaran, and for a brief instant Melenia thought she saw irritation on his face. A face that seemed to be devoid of expression from the very first moment she laid her eyes on him. "If you will excuse me my lord and lady, I must go bid the maidens farewell." He turned and strode toward the maidens who were beaming with joy.

Melenia turned to say something to her grandfather but only found Haldir when she turned around. "Melenia, before you leave I have one final request," he said eagerly.

"Yes Haldir," still taken aback by his unexpected appearance.

"I ask that when you decide to give men a chance, you will think of me, my dear lady."

"I assure you, IF I ever make that decision, you will be one of the first on my mind." She hoped that she had sounded believable as she watched the elf smile with pleasure and bow to her. " I am sorry Haldir, I don't think such a thing will happen," she thought sadly as she watched the brave warrior walk away. She stood there looking after him for some time, thinking of really nothing in particular, yet still lost in thought.

"Princess, are you ready to go?" came a voice from behind her. She turned to find an ever ready prince Legolas and company.

"Yes I am," she said firmly as she ignored his extended arm and walked past him over to Eowadia.

"Ready to go Eo?"

"Yes Melenia."

"Good!" She waved at her grandfather and the Lord and Lady of the wood one last time before she and Eowadia followed the rest of the party that had already started making its way through the woods.

"Ava mahta melmë ya tulin ana elyë, Melenia," said Galadriel one final time as the princess faded from her sight.

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

She was truly a sight to behold to many of the elves traveling with her now. Nothing but a child to them, yet she showed such strength. Here she was embarking on journey she had never before taken. She was with absolute strangers yet, she showed no fear or hesitation. Many of the soldiers accompanying her found her to be exceptionally beautiful; in fact, Melenia did not have features they came across everyday which made her all the more intriguing. Of course none tried to approach her because the princess seemed to have this wall of defenses all around her. The intensity of her eyes alone were enough to set back a horde of goblins.

As the journey progressed she talked to some here and some there, which certainly helped lift the unease many felt around her. She seemed to enjoy the company of Eowadia most of all, yet she avoided the company of the prince as if it were a plague.

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

"Eo, can I ask a question?" she asked as she gazed out the window of the carriage. Eowadia followed the gaze of the princess only to find it resting on Legolas, "So another one has fallen!" she thought with amusement.

"Let me guess, you are interested in the prince and are wondering if he is sought after by many?"

"What?" Melenia asked with sheer horror in her voice. "No!! I was only going to ask if all maidens were ga -ga over him like the ones in Lorien were? Trust me when I tell you when I AM NOT interested in him!!"

"Really?" asked Eowadia with a mischievous tone.

"You have a lot to learn about me Eo… I have never been interested in anyone."

"Never say never, people change," she said very matter-of-factly.

"I think I know myself well enough. Wait, do you fancy the prince?" she asked with a grin.

"No Melenia, I have my eyes set on another," she smiled sheepishly at the end of the statement.

"I know!!! Téril!!" Melenia shouted excitedly.

"How did you know?" Eowadia asked with true surprise.

"I am a master at observation."

"Please do not tell."

"I would never, your secret is my secret Eo," she said as she smiled warmly.

"And yours are mine as well."

"I can see that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship Eo. Now about the prince?"

"Maidens fall at his feet. It is quite amusing to watch if you ask me, I get a few laughs out of it."

"Then there shall be comic relief during my visit after all. I only fear that it will be too short for me to witness much of it!" They both erupted into laughter at that.

All the elves just looked at the carriage with dumbfounded expressions on their faces.

"They certainly seem to be getting along," said Téril after a long silence.

"I know," replied Legolas.

"Her ability to ignore you is just eating at you isn't it?'

"Not precisely, she intrigues, but not for the reasons you would think."

"So why does she draw you attention?" asked Téril as he grinned.

"You know she wanders away from camp by herself at night. She has been doing it ever since we have left Lorien."

"Where does she go?"

"I do not know Téril, she is quite an odd one just like you said."

"Maybe it is your mission in life to find out my friend." He smiled one last time at Legolas and rode ahead leaving the prince with his thoughts.

No, Legolas did not find our princess attractive and it would be quite some time before he did. His curiosity was certainly not spurred by her avoiding him at every bend in the road. He saw something hidden behind the wall of ice, yet he could not figure out what it was. That was his driving force. The mystery behind the wall. "Ice princess indeed," he thought.

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

King Thranduil opened the letter from his dear friend Telodan eagerly.

Dearest Friend Thranduil,

I have been informed that Melenia is now on her way to Mirkwood. I have thought long about this and conferred with Cassia, and we have decided that three months with you would be deemed much too short. So, if you would have her, I will ask that you keep Melenia with you a bit longer. I leave the amount of time up to your discretion.

~ Telodan

"Good," Thranduil said with a bright smile, "that would be just perfect."

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

A/N: Hey thanks again for all the continued support from everyone…your kind words keep me going and they also give me ideas… I wasn't going to have Haldir be attracted to her but it seemed to be a good place to show how firm she is in her anti - men belief. Thank you all!