A/N: I know that it's been too long since I've last updated... My computer really sucks. It nearly deleted this whole story, in fact. Also I was a little too lazy to go and post it. You know, if you really do want me to continue, you can always give me a kick in the pants to get me to update. And now for the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: With the strength of ten thousand Uruk-Hai, Leo climbed to the top of Mount Doom and proclaimed for all to hear, "I DO NOT OWN LORD OF THE RINGS!" And there was much rejoicing.

And now for the next installment!

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Chapter Seven: The Hall of Fire

"The Hall of Fire?" questioned Meryl as she stepped away from Legolas. "What's that?"

"It is a place where you will hear many songs and tales- if you can stay awake. Except on high days, it usually is empty and silent, and people go there who wish for peace, and thought," explained Legolas. "There is always a fire there, all year round, and there is little other light."

Meryl nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Elrond, his sons, Arwen, and Aragorn left the room and went down the hall and everybody followed them. The doors were wide open and they went across a vast passage and through other doors, until they came to a further hall. It was actually the hall that Meryl had passed by earlier that day.

Elrond entered first and began walking towards the seat that had been prepared for him. Aragorn, Arwen, the twins, Gimli, and Legolas followed. The latter motioned for Meryl to follow, and she hesitantly joined them at the soft chairs. She was seated at Elrond's left, with Gimli next to her. Arwen sat at her father's right.

The elvish minstrels began playing beautiful music. Soon, the entire hall was packed with sound. Slowly, the hall filled with Elves, who sang merrily along to the music. As soon as Meryl got used to the tune, she hummed along.

The next song was one Meryl knew and she began singing along:

Gil-galad was an Elven-king.

Of him the harpers sadly sing:

the last whose realm was fair and free

between the Mountains and the Sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen,

his shining helm afar was seen;

the countless stars of heaven's field

were mirrored in his silver shield.

But long ago he rode away,

and where he dwelleth none can say;

for into darkness fell his star

in Mordor where the shadows are.

The ballad continued for some time until it was finished. After that were some songs that Meryl didn't know, until Elrond silenced the hall.

"It is tradition," he announced, "for a guest to share a song from where they come from. Tonight the Lady Meryl is our guest, and it would be a great honor for her to sing a song for us."

Meryl's eyes grew wide. Sing a song? But she was supposed to have no memory! What could she do?

Thinking quickly, she slowly stood up and made her way to stand in front of the fire. She turned to face the crowd, and took a deep breath. "It is an honor to be asked to sing. Although I have hardly any memory of my past, I can barely remember a song that I loved as a child." She took another breath and began to sing:

When the dark wood fell before me

And all the paths were overgrown

When the priests of pride say there is no other way

I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see

Though you came to me in the night

When the dawn seemed forever lost

You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me

By the deep well of desire

From the fountain of forgiveness

Beyond the ice and the fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Though we share this humble path, alone

How fragile is the heart

Oh give these clay feet wings to fly

To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart

Lift this mortal veil of fear

Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears

We'll rise above these earthly cares

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me...

Meryl softly finished the song, with tears collecting at the corners of her eyes; this song reminded her so much of Brian and his death. She almost missed the room burst into clapping. The girl sadly smiled and swept her skirts into a somewhat graceful curtsey. She quickly returned to her seat and fell into it, closing her eyes.

"Lass?" There was a touch at her shoulder. She opened an eye and saw Gimli. "That was beautiful my lady, but the song seems to sadden you."

Meryl wiped her eyes. "It's nothing, just a little smoke in my eyes. That's all."

The Dwarf's dark eyes were worried, and he was suspicious that she wasn't telling the whole truth, but he let it go. He sat back in his chair and turned his attentions back to the front.

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Hours passed and there were still performers that needed to perform. Many times Meryl felt her eyelids droop, but she would rub her eyes and keep watching. At one time, she glanced over at Elrond and was surprised to see that he was still awake, and he was smiling. Gimli had long since fallen asleep, and his snores would echo throughout the Hall of Fire. Many Elves would glance disapprovingly at him, while Legolas and Aragorn only sighed and shook their heads.

Legolas stood from his seat and went to kneel next to Meryl. "Try having to dwell in the same camp with him on the journey to destroy the One Ring-" He inclined his head towards the snoring Dwarf. "Many times we thought he would bring the Orcs to us by the volume of his snores," he whispered.

Meryl stifled a laugh for she was certain that she saw Legolas wink. They began talking. On an impulse a while later, she looked up and to her right and saw Arwen smiling at her. The Queen of Gondor seemed to be somewhat triumphant. She was confused for a moment, but went back to talking to Legolas.

In the middle of their conversation (somehow they began talking about how difficult it was to tell a male Dwarf from a female all because of the beards), Meryl suddenly yawned. Legolas noticed this. "Are you growing tired?" he teased.

Meryl nodded. "I wouldn't say tired, but I am getting a little sleepy."

"Allow me to escort you to your rooms," Legolas said as he stood up. He bowed to Elrond. "It has been an honor to attend tonight's festivities," he said. "I will escort the Lady Meryl to her room, for she is growing weary, and is about to fall asleep."

Elrond nodded. "I understand. May sleep come to you swiftly," he told Meryl. "I thank you for honoring us with your presence tonight."

Meryl was about to protest that she could stay a little while longer, when her eye caught a bruised Laeras, with bandaged hands, making his way towards them. Somehow she knew that he was going to ask her to dance with him, or something like that. She quickly stood up. "I shall see you in the morning," she said briskly. "Goodnight Elrond."

She quickly began walking to the doors, with a surprised Legolas in pursuit. "My lady!" he called.

Meryl ignored him and kept walking. Legolas caught up with her and kept pace as they walked through the doors and down the hall. "My lady," he said. Meryl ignored him again and walked on. At a second thought he tried again, "Meryl."

Meryl stopped and turned to face him. "There, that wasn't so bad, was it? You're learning."

"What was the meaning of that?" he asked. "You nearly insulted the Lord Elrond back there!"

Meryl glared at him. "*He* was coming, so I decided to hurry up and make my escape before he got there."

"Who was coming?"

"Who do you think?" She lifted up her chin. Legolas was surprised to see that the bruises that had marred her skin were gone. Slowly, he began to understand.

"Laeras?" he asked. "He was there?"

"Ding ding ding! You got it right! Johnny, what's his prize?" Meryl said sarcastically.

"I do not understand what you just said," said Legolas, "but he should have not been there. Aragorn and I banned him from attending."

"Well, I saw him," said Meryl stubbornly. "And I would be happy to go to bed now, and forget all of this."

Legolas offered his arm and Meryl took it. They began making their way down the corridor, with nobody talking. At one moment, when they passed the gardens, they heard somebody speak.

"You may return to the Hall of Fire, Legolas. I will escort the lady for the rest of the way."

They turned to see Gandalf leaning against a pillar. Meryl was surprised to see him; he wasn't there a moment ago. Legolas was equally surprised, but replied, "I am sorry, Mithrandir, but I intend to see her to her rooms."

"Then you can wait here, while the lady and I take a little stroll in the gardens. I must speak with her."

"Could this wait until morning?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Hello!" interrupted Meryl, both turned to look at her. "I'm not invisible. You can talk to me too, instead of over my head."

Gandalf smiled. "Of course. I need to talk with you, Lady Meryl."

"About what?"

Legolas mentally rolled his eyes. First she wants to be talked to, and then she has to cock off. If she kept up like this, she'll never get an answer. He was brought back to reality when he heard Gandalf's reply:

"It is a private matter."

Meryl considered this. "Alright, I'll take a little walk with you. But remember-" she jerked a thumb towards Legolas, "-my Elven friend over here has very keen senses. If he detects anything wrong, then he'll be over there before you can say 'hot tamale.' Understood?"

Gandalf nodded and smiled. "Although I do not know what a hot tamale is, I promise not to do anything."

He turned away and began down the path, with his staff in hand. Meryl followed him a few feet away, still feeling that he knew something about her, and that just made the creeps come back. Legolas was left leaning against the same pillar that Gandalf was leaning on earlier.

The moon had long since risen, and it dwelled in the sky, casting white light in the gardens. Gandalf led Meryl to a bench that stood in front of a sparkling fountain, and sat down. "There, here's a good spot to sit."

Meryl stared. He led her all this way just to sit on a bench? The fountain made the only noise.

Gandalf noticed that Meryl still stood, and he patted the spot next to him. "Come sit, child. I want to talk."

"About what?" repeated Meryl as she slowly went over and slowly sat.

"Your past."

Meryl shot up as if she sat on a hot coal, and began raving. "My past? Is that what it's about? I'll tell you something: I remember nothing. Okay? Nothing. I have no memory of anything. Get it? Got it? Good!" She turned and began to stalk away.

"Sit back down Merylin Elizabeth Issacs!" thundered Gandalf. "I'm not finished with you!"

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A/N: Oooo. An angry Gandalf. What will he do? You'll find out when I next update!

The song that Meryl sings is not of my own creation. It's called "Dante's Prayer" and it belongs to Loreena McKennit. The song that the Elves sing is "The Fall of Gil-galad" and it's owned by Tolkien.

Also, my little hedgehog still remains nameless. I need more names you guys!

Remember to review!

By the Lion's Mane,

Leo