A/N: Well, school has started... . I would rather stay at home and work on my lovely ficcy-poo... WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!?!? Great... now I'm going insane.

On with the fic!

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Chapter Nine: An elfling named Nessa

Legolas led Meryl down a hall. "I would first look in your room. That is were Dae is most comfortable, nay?" he asked. "Maybe that is where Elrohir has taken him."

Meryl nodded her head. "It's worth a try."

She dashed down the hall, with Legolas following her. She rounded a corner and ran down the corridor. A soon as she stopped in front of her door, she threw it open.

Liselle was inside, cleaning up a bit. She looked up. "Oh, hello mi-- Meryl. I thought that you were at brunch. Shall I leave and come back later?"

"No, that isn't necessary. Carry on Liselle." Meryl was devastated, but kept a straight face. Where had that idiot taken Dae? She softly closed the door and faced Legolas. "They're not in there, let's go." It took everything she could, to keep her voice from cracking.

Legolas put his hand on Meryl's shoulder. "It will be all right." He thought for a moment. "I have another idea. We should go to the House of Healing."

Meryl's face grew skeptical. "The House of Healing? Why would he take Dae there?"

"Do you want to find your dog or not?"

Meryl nodded. "Of course I do! What kind of a question is that?"

"Elrohir might have taken him there for the healers to look at his wounds, so we might as well take a look."

Meryl slowly nodded. "I don't know the way, so you'll have to lead."

Legolas went down the hall, with Meryl following. Occasionally he would look over his shoulder, to see if the girl was actually keeping up. At one point they passed by Gimli, who was strolling down the halls.

"Legolas, lad!" he called. "What's the rush?"

Legolas didn't reply, he just ran by. Gimli reached out and caught Meryl's arm as she ran past. "Lass? What in blazes is going on?! Elrohir just ran by saying that he was looking for you. He seemed intent on finding you."

Meryl's eyes widened. "He was?" She turned to face him and grabbed his shoulders. "Quick, which direction did he come from?"

"Lord Elrond's chambers, but won't you please tell me what is-- where are you going?!" he cried.

"Legolas!" called Meryl as she ran down the hall. The Elf stopped running and turned around. "He's in Elrond's chambers! Where's that?"

"Follow me!" said the Elf as he turned around and ran by Meryl and turned a corner.

"Thanks a lot Gimli. Gotta go. Bye," Meryl said hurriedly before taking off after the Elf.

Gimli was left there standing by himself, being utterly confused. He shook his head. "I wonder what that was about. No matter, the lad'll tell me later." He walked on, whistling a tune to himself.

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Meryl had resorted to chanting inside her head once again. {Please let him be okay. Let Dae be okay.} Her legs were growing tired quickly, and her throat was dry. It was hard to even swallow, for the dry sides would rub against each other, which felt very uncomfortable.

Legolas was up ahead, running by Elves who would jump out of his way, thus making a clear path for Meryl. She smiled and made a mental note to tease him about that later. And then on a second thought, scratched that note.

{I can't have them get too close to me,} she thought to herself. {It's the only way.}

She followed Legolas down the hall and saw him turn a corner. She summoned all of her strength and began to run faster. She turned a corner, and ran smack into Legolas, who had stopped in front of a door next to the corner. They both fell to the ground in a heap.

"Why did you stop?" growled Meryl as she stood up, brushing herself. She glanced at Legolas, who was still on the floor.

"Because we are here," he replied and he too, stood up brushing himself off.

The door opened and Elrond peered out. "What the devil is happening- Ah, Lady Meryl. You have arrived. Is Elrohir with you?"

Meryl shook her head. "No, he isn't. Let me in! Where's Dae?" Without an answer, she pushed past the Elven lord and ran inside.

The interior was much like an office. A table stood at one wall, littered with parchment and an ink bottle. A quill lay unused on a piece of parchment. Shelves filled with books were on the opposite wall. Almost all were written in Elvish.

Meryl glanced around, downcast. Then she perked up when she saw a door. "Dae!" she called. "Dae!"

Sure enough, a whine answered her. She ran through the door, and came upon Dae on a bed. He lay there, a helpless look in his eyes. His makeshift bandages had been changed and he now donned fresh white ones.

"Hey Dae," said Meryl gently. She went over to the bed and sat next to him. She began stroking his ears. "How're you doing?"

His tail thumped against the bed and he pricked his ears. At that moment, Elrond walked in with Legolas. The latter went over to the bed and began petting the dog. He noticed that Meryl had relaxed greatly since he had met her in the hallway.

"I heard that you got yourself in trouble Dae," he told the Lab, "so I came right over."

The dog whined and licked Legolas's hand. Meryl smiled and rolled her eyes. She turned to Elrond. "What's the verdict, Doctor Elrond?" she asked.

"His wound is not terrible, and there was no poison on the arrow. He will be just fine after a few days of rest. His bandages will need to be changed once daily, however," The Elven lord replied, ignoring her quip.

"Thank you Lord Elrond," said Meryl with a large smile. "Thank you."

At that moment, Elrohir walked in. "Good! You have found where I had taken him. I was looking for you, Lady Meryl."

Meryl stood up and went over to Elrohir. Before he knew what she was doing, she hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much Elrohir. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know what I should have done to help him. You're a real hero."

"I am no hero, my lady," replied the Elf.

The teenage girl released of him and went back to the bed. She sat down next to Dae and said, "Alright Dae, you've heard the man. You're going to be just fine. Let's go back to our room."

"Lady Meryl," joked Legolas, "where is my hug?"

"You got yours already!" retorted Meryl. "And don't call me lady. Dae, come."

The dog glanced at her and reluctantly jumped off of the bed. Meryl went to the door and walked through, with Dae limping behind. They walked out of Elrond's chambers and began making their way back to Meryl's room.

"She took that quite well," remarked Elrond.

Legolas and Elrohir shook their heads. "Nay she was not taking it well earlier," said the latter. "She was terrified for him when I came across them on the path. When I began bringing him here, she used almost all of her strength just to keep up with me."

"And when I met her, she was frantic on finding him when Elrohir left them behind," added Le6...PÄold her that0ould help her, she hugged me out of sheer relief."

Elrond nodded thoughtfully. "All I can say is that she really seems to love that dog."

Elrohir nodded, as did Legolas. Elrohir left, and the Prince of Mirkwood turned to leave, but Elrond stopped him. "Legolas? There seems to be something on your mind. Would you care to tell me?"

Legolas turned to face the Elven lord. "Meryl told me the story of how Dae was injured by the arrow, and I was thinking..." His voice trailed off before he took a deep breath. "What if the arrow was not intended for Dae?"

"But intended for the Lady Meryl?" Elrond said gently.

Legolas nodded. "But, who would be her enemy? Who would want her dead? She wouldn't know, her memory is lost for the time-being."

"I do not know Legolas," replied Elrond. "I will consult Lady Galadriel. Maybe she would know."

Legolas nodded again, bowed, and left the room, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

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Meryl went down the hallway, with Dae at her side. The black dog limped along, but gave no sign of discomfort. Meryl would keep glancing down at her dog, just to see if he was all right. They passed by many Elves, who smiled at her. She would merely nod back at them and continue on her way.

She turned a corner and continued down a corridor. She was finally beginning to find her way around the Last Homely House, a feat that made her glow inside with pride. She wasn't the best with directions, and usually at home, needed somebody to explain them when she was going to go somewhere new.

Home.

Meryl's eyes filled with fresh tears, but she shook her head. {No Meryl!} she screamed inside her head. {Don't think about it. You'll only make it harder on yourself. Remember your promise!}

Dae stopped and looked up at his mistress. He whined worriedly. Meryl looked down at her dog with wet eyes. If he didn't act like it sometimes, he really was a very intelligent dog. Andrew did a superb job training him when he was a puppy... No! *Don't* think about home!

There was a voice from behind Meryl. "My Lady!"

Meryl turned around to see Laeras coming towards her. She glared at him underneath tear-filled eyes. "What do you want?" she snapped.

"I merely wanted to apologize for what I did before. I tried to catch you at the feast-"

"Which apparently was the same feast you were banned from!"

Laeras was taken aback. "How did you know?"

"Let's just say that I have my ways," retorted Meryl. "Go away, and don't come near me again."

Dae growled menacingly. Meryl placed a hand on his head to calm him down. "Come Dae, let's go to our room." She turned around and began to walk away.

Laeras ran to keep pace with her and caught her arm. "Please, just listen to me."

Meryl whirled around and socked him in the cheekbone. His head snapped back and he let go of her arm. He brought it up to his cheek, shocked that she had hit him in a public place. He hadn't thought of this. Many Elves had seen this, and they had stopped and stared.

"I've already had a bad day," snarled Meryl. "I don't need you to make it any worse. Go away, and if you know what's good for you, stay away from me."

Laeras's grey eyes exploded in anger. Just as soon as he was about to step forward, to make his move, a loud voice interrupted, "What seems to be the problem?"

It was Elladan, or Elrohir. One of the two. Even though Meryl had been with Elrohir only minutes before, she still couldn't tell them apart. She guessed that it was Elladan, for Elrohir would still be in his father's chambers.

"Nothing's wrong," she said, surprising herself with her voice. "Nothing at all." She surprised herself even more by turning away from the Elves, and began walking down the corridor, with Dae limping at her side.

As she walked by, she could feel many eyes boring into her back. She also heard some Elves whisper behind their hands.

"The nerve of that girl! Hitting a respectable Elf like that."

"She's from the race of Men. No doubt she is a savage. They all are."

"If I were you, I would keep my little ones away from her. She's dangerous."

Meryl turned a corner. Since she wasn't wearing a dress, they must not have recognized her as the "Lady Meryl." They must have thought her as a passerby or somebody like that. She glanced around herself. This hallway was empty, and she walked silently down it. Dae whined and Meryl looked down at him. "I guess I shouldn't have done that Dae. Not in front of all of those Elves."

"Well, *I* think you did the right thing!" came the bold announcement.

Meryl stopped and looked up, and began looking around for the source of this comment. Her eyes fell upon a small elfling, who was standing behind her. She had long auburn hair, and inquisitive brown eyes.

"What do you mean I did the right thing?" she asked softly. "I hit him. They're calling me a savage."

"He deserved it!" said the elfling heatedly. "I saw him grab your arm, when you told him to leave you alone. He deserves every punch you give him."

Meryl smiled. "What's your name, little one?"

The elfling glared at her. "I am not little!" she stated.

"I apologize, what's your name?"

"Nessa. What is yours?"

"Hello Nessa. My name is Meryl."

Nessa's eyes widened and she quickly dropped into a curtsey. "My Lady! I did not know it was you. If I had known I would have-"

Meryl held up a hand. "Do not call me a lady, because I'm not one. If you want proof, well you just saw what I did to that Laeras back there."

Nessa giggled and stood back up. "That is true."

Dae limped over to the small elfling and began licking her face. Nessa giggled and bent over to pet him. "Hello! And who are you?" she asked the dog.

"That's Dae," replied Meryl. "He's my dog, and one could say that he's a very close friend."

Nessa looked up from petting the black Labrador, but he hand kept stroking him. "What do you mean?"

Meryl smiled at the elfling. "Well, I don't have very many friends here-" she started to explain, but Nessa cut her off.

"What about Prince Legolas? He escorted you to the banquet, did he not?"

"I wouldn't call Legolas a friend..." said Meryl. "He's just an acquaintance. Neither of us had a partner, so they just put us together."

Nessa blushed. "I had heard that you two were lovers. I apologize, my lady."

Meryl gave a snorting laugh. "Us? Lovers? Well, I could see why they would say that. I bet the hug I gave him in the hall would also boost that rumor a bit."

"You hugged him?" Nessa's look was unfathomable. "What made you do that?"

Meryl suddenly grew uncomfortable. "Well you see, earlier this morning Dae had been hit by an arrow while we were on a walk. Elrohir had came along and took Dae to his father. Unfortunately, humans don't run as fast as Elves, although I did try-" Meryl grinned at the giggling Nessa. "-Elrohir told me to slow down, or else he would have to bring me in as well. I did, and then I soon lost track of him.

"When I arrived, I was frantic on finding Dae. I couldn't find him anywhere, and then I saw Legolas. I told him what was happening, and he said that he would help me look. I was so relieved, I hugged him."

Nessa nodded. "I see. So that is why you are limping," she said to Dae, whose tail was thumping against the floor. "I thought I noticed that." She looked up at Meryl again. "Would you like to come with me?"

Meryl was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"

"You said that you don't have very many friends. If you don't have any friends, I could be your friend. I could introduce you to some of my friends too."

Meryl smiled at the elfling's thoughtful words. "I would like that very much."

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A/N: And that wraps up Chapter Nine. I would like to announce that this is your last chance to submit names for my nameless hedgehog, so leave me a review with the suggested name and I'll add it to my list. Next chapter you get to vote out of the five that I've chosen.

Remember to review and I'll give you a Kudo!

By the Lion's Mane,

Leo