A/N: Wow! After a whopping ten reviews after I've posted (an only in two days! ^_^), I've decided to post again. Cybercookies to everyone who reviewed!

And now the moment you've all been waiting for... Chapter Five!

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Chapter Five: Laeras

Meryl stomped down the hallway. {How dare they?} she fumed. {Already I'm a burden to them!}

{But they're trying to help,} argued a voice at the back of her head.

{By prying into my past?}

{They know nothing ab-} said her conscience.

{Oh sure, they know nothing *now*,} Meryl shot back, {but they will try to find out.}

Meryl was so intent on her thoughts, she never saw where she was going. Her face was suddenly pressed against cloth, and she stumbled over a foot. She fell to the ground in a heap, her dress billowing out everywhere.

"My goodness," said a voice. "I am so sorry."

Meryl looked up to see the Elf who had sized her up at brunch. Her eyes narrowed. "Look where you're going next time," she snapped.

"I apologize." The Elf held out a hand to her. "At least let me help you up. It is the least I can do."

Meryl ignored the hand and struggled to her feet. She stood up and faced the Elf. He was about as tall as she was, only a few inches taller. His dark hair shone underneath the sunlight, and his grey eyes gleamed. He was dressed in simple clothes: riding breeches and a dusky blue tunic, with a long sleeved shirt underneath.

"Aren't you going to ask for my name?" asked the Elf.

"No," Meryl replied frostily. "I don't want your name. You're nothing but a washed up fool who thinks that he can snatch me as a date. I've dealt with too many boys like you." And with saying that she turned on her heel and walked away.

The Elf's voice followed her. "It is Laeras."

"I told you that I don't want your name!" yelled Meryl as she turned the corner and stalked out of sight.

Laeras was left standing alone. A small smile played across his lips. "She is pert. A very good quality in women, but rare to find," he said to himself.

He turned and walked away, the smile still stuck on his face. He turned around a corner and disappeared from sight.

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After that unpleasant meeting, Meryl had gone back to her room. A maiden had walked in and said that she was going to prepare Meryl's hair. Instead, Meryl had sent her away to find a tunic, breeches, and a sleeved blouse. She had grown tired of wearing her dress after only a few hours and she wanted to wear pants.

The maiden returned carrying a cream-colored, long-sleeved blouse, a dark green tunic, and brown breeches. Meryl quickly put them on, and sent the maiden away again. She viewed herself in the mirror.

"Not bad," she murmured to herself. "Good fit, comfortable, colors match my eyes..." She glanced down at her feet. "I only wish that I had boots. My shoes seem to have disappeared."

The door was pushed open and Dae came bounding in. He barked excitedly. Meryl, hearing him, turned around. "What do you want?" she asked him, kneeling down to scratch his ears. "Do you want to go outside?"

Dae barked again and ran out of the room, his tail waving from side to side. Meryl grinned and followed him, still in her bare feet. He led her down a corridor and ran through an open door.

Meryl stepped out and saw that there was a wooden pathway. She followed it carefully, so as that she wouldn't get a splinter up her foot, and found that she was now on a grassy lawn shaded by many trees that had been placed around the perimeter. Targets had been placed on the furthest end of the glade. Meryl figured that she was at the archery training grounds.

She spotted something on the ground. Picking it up, she realized that it was a branch. It was long and thin, with no knobs. It was perfect for throwing An idea crept in her mind and she smiled. "Dae!" she called. "Dae, here." She waved the stick in the air.

The black lab had been rolling around in the grass. When he heard his name his ears pricked. Standing up he saw what his mistress held in her hand. He dashed forward, barking excitedly.

"Sit," commanded Meryl. The dog quickly sat, his whole body twitching in anticipation. His tail wagged and he whined.

Meryl grinned. "Ready, and FETCH!" With the strength of a softball pitcher, she threw the stick across the glade. Dae was off like a rocket, chasing after the stick.

Meryl laughed at her dog's antics. It had been a while since he had gotten rid of some of his extra energy. Dae barrelled back, the stick clamped firmly in his jaws. He dropped it at Meryl's feet and sat, begging for her to throw it again.

Meryl picked the stick up again. Instantly, Dae sat up straight, his body shaking even more. "Dae, lie down."

The dog pushed his feet out in front of him and collapsed to the ground. He whined, as if saying, "Just throw the stick already!"

"Good boy Dae, now FETCH!" Meryl threw the stick even harder than before. It flew in the sky, landing in the trees. Dae took off after it, barking the whole way. His barking stopped, however, as he put his nose to the ground to search for the missing stick.

"It seems like he is having a pleasant time," commented a voice from behind Meryl. She turned around to see Laeras standing behind her.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

"Nothing, nothing at all," replied the Elf. "I was just taking a walk."

Dae triumphantly trotted back, the stick clenched in his teeth. As soon as he caught sight of Laeras, he dropped the stick and growled.

"Good dog," said Laeras. He stepped forward and held out a hand to Dae. "See? I am a friend."

The dog snapped at the outstretched hand. Meryl was suddenly suspicious. Dae was a good judge on character; there was something in Laeras that he didn't like.

Laeras jumped back, surprise in his grey eyes. "Well, I have never met such a rude animal!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hand. Meryl was happy to notice that there was a large mark, from being just bitten, forming on the skin.

"Good dog," she whispered, patting Dae's head.

Laeras paid no attention to what Meryl had just said. He was caught in his fury. "That beast should be killed!" he angrily said. "It is dangerous!"

"Oh *come on*!" cried Meryl. "It was only a bite! Many people have gotten bitten by a dog, and they haven't died." She crossed her arms. "I don't understand why you make such a fuss."

"A fuss?!? That animal nearly broke the skin!" screamed Laeras. He pointed at the growling Dae. "That thing is a monster."

His reply was a hard smack to his cheek. Meryl had punched him in the face with her right arm. "Now don't you go calling *my* dog a monster," she said fiercely, and punched him again. "Or there will be more where those punches came from."

Dae growled in agreement. Laeras was stunned. He put his unhurt hand up to his cheek. His eyes glimmered dangerously. In a flash he had Meryl by the throat. His grip was surprisingly soft, but he did put pressure on his hold.

"Hit me again," he told her quietly, "and you will not have a hand to hit me with." He gave her throat a warning squeeze, making her give a choked cry. She clawed at his hand, digging in with her fingernails. Anything for him to let go of her. He only grabbed her right wrist and smirked at her. She felt the oxygen escape from her lungs as she desperately tried to refill them. She glared at the Elf. How she would love to wring his neck at that moment.

Dae barked and leaped on Laeras. The Elf was brought to the ground, letting go of Meryl's neck in the process. Meryl fell to the ground gasping for air, taking it in deep sweet breaths. Laeras's eyes widened as he saw what he was dealing with. He grabbed at his sheath, looking for his knife. It wasn't there.

"Looking for this?" asked Meryl hoarsely as she pulled the knife from her sleeve. She grinned mischievously and began tossing it and catching it by the hilt. The blade caught and reflected the sunlight.

"Give it to me, you wench!" hissed the Elf, still pinned underneath the dog. "Or I will make you pay!"

"Dae, down," said Meryl, massaging her throat and ignoring the Elf. Her dog growled one last time, and reluctantly obeyed.

"What is going on here?" asked a voice. Meryl's head snapped up to see Legolas striding forward, along with Aragorn.

"My Lords," said Laeras while he stood up, "that wench and her dog attacked me!" he cried, pointing a finger at Meryl. "I was here minding my own business and-"

Legolas cut him off. "Do not speak any more Laeras. You will only tangle yourself even deeper in your net of lies."

"We have seen and heard everything," Aragorn said. "And if you harm a hair on the Lady Meryl's head-"

"Don't call me lady," Meryl interrupted, rolling her eyes.

"-then you will be punished as we see fit." finished Legolas. "Is that clear?"

"Yes, my lords," Laeras said dejectedly. He stood up and walked quietly away.

"Hey, wait!" Meryl called after him.

The Elf turned around, and barely saw his knife being flung at him. He ducked and the knife narrowly passed by him, slicing a few of his hairs off, and dug itself into a tree.

"Shame, I missed," said Meryl, shaking her head.

Laeras stomped over to the tree and pulled his knife out. He sheathed it and turned to the Last Homely House. As he stomped away, his mind was raving in anger, plotting all sorts of ways to get his revenge on Meryl. He muttered about having to trim his hair.

When he left, Legolas turned to Meryl. "Are you all right?" he inquired.

"I'm fine," replied Meryl with a slight wince. She stood up and turned to face Legolas, but kept her eyes directed towards the ground. She touched her throat with a finger, and cringed.

Legolas noticed this. "Lady Meryl," he said softly. "Look at me."

"How many times do I have to tell you? Do not call me lady!"

Aragorn stood by and was about ot intervene, until Gimli ran out. "Aragorn!" he called. "Aragorn, lad! I've been sent to fetch you! Lord Elrond wants to speak with you."

Aragorn sighed and turned to Legolas. "I must leave. Will you be able to handle this?"

The Elf nodded. Aragorn left with Gimli following, leaving Meryl and Legolas alone, with the exception of Dae. The latter sat on the ground and gave a whumph. The Prince of Mirkwood looked at Meryl. "Look at me," he said again.

"No," said Meryl stubbornly. "I won't. I'm fine."

She tried to push away, but Legolas grabbed her arms and turned her towards himself. He placed two cool fingers under her chin, and brought it up. The new light on her neck revealed forming bruises. He swore under his breath.

"Is it really that bad?" asked Meryl, staring up at the sky.

Legolas shook his head. "It is not as bad as it seems, but it looks painful. Are you sure that you are all right?"

"Look," said Meryl angrily, pulling herself away, "I'm fine. I don't need your healing, and I can take care of myself." She began to walk away. "Dae, come!" she commanded.

The dog looked up from where he was sitting and got up. He followed his mistress inside, with Legolas watching on. He stayed there for a moment, thinking about what had just taken place, and finally left.

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The room was dark. Laeras sat at his desk, binding his injured hands by candlelight. His bruised cheek throbbed in pain and he cursed. His hair was slightly shorter.

{That braud is so infuriating!} he thought. {And yet, it is another one of her charms.} He smiled in the memory of how her hair had just caught the sunlight; how her eyes gleamed dangerously. Even when he was choking her, her eyes were filled with hatred and anger. She was beautiful, there was no doubt about it. He must have her as his own; he'd do anything to get her. Even if it meant taking a life. He grinned evilly and began forming his plans. First the dog would have to go...

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A/N: Well, now that was freaky. What will Laeras do? This time, if you want to read chapter six, I want ten reviews! Mwahahahahaha! Now go review, or you'll never find out!!

And now, a time to answer my lovely reviews:

orlandozgurl113~ When I read your review for Chapter Three, I nearly fell out of my chair laughing! Luckily I was home alone... or at least I think -glances around with shifty eyes-

Forget Me Not~ Thank you for your advice. I'll try much harder. I wasn't sure if I was using the correct grammar or not.

Lady of Legolas~ Thank you for all of your reviews. I'm hoping that this isn't going to be a Mary-Sue also. But I'm not the one who controls this plot, it's my many muses, and Lij can be very persuasive...

Shinimegami~ Yay! You've posted! -runs around in circles yelling joyous nonsense- CRAP! I still need to go and read it! -runs off and quickly runs back- Okay, everybody go and read "The Silver Rider" by Shinimegami. -runs off-

Mabby~ Don't worry, Diet Coke does the same to me too. Lij can vouch for that, right Lij? Also, have you tried Caffeine-free Diet Coke? It's great for burping. ^_^

Yorun~ Okay! Here's you cookie already! -shoves a chocolate chip cookie in her eager friend's hands- NOW STOP BADGERING ME ABOUT IT!!