AN: So this is where it starts to get interesting, eh? I had lots of fun with this one...and in case you feel it necessary to punish me for my ending, Haldir here is quite a good shot with his bow *motions to Galadhrim standing behind her with a wicked grin* Now go. Read.

Chapter Eight:

Current Mood: apprehensive

Current Music: The Mummer's Dance- Loreena Mckennitt

Today went well. I was several officers short this morning after the party last night, and Haldir was nowhere to be found which, I assume, had something to do with the amount of wine he'd had. It's good to finally see him loosen up a little.

I had a good talk with Doran last night about Ameron and the way things are going. He seems to think I did the right thing, although is somewhat upset that our marriage is ending. I told him that the idea of being on my own for once is rather appealing. All my life I've been with others, whether it was my parents, my tutors, my crew or Ameron. I like the idea of being able to do what I want for a change.

We seem to be making good time to Mirkwood. Much quicker than usual. Tamar estimates we should be there by nightfall, and we're already passing the south of the forest now. I hadn't expected to be there until tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not sure if I want to go early or not. Travelling through Mirkwood is risky enough, travelling after dark is something else entirely. Maybe I'll ask Haldir what we should do, since he will be coming with me, after all.

Mirien stood at the bow of the ship as always, watching the last rays of Anor disappear behind the mountains to her left. She watched the approaching forest with an unexplainable feeling of dread or, perhaps not so much dread as uneasiness. Her thoughts constantly dwelt on her parents and what they would say when she explained what had happened between her and Ameron. She shivered when she thought of what her father would say, but straightened, telling herself that she is now a grown elf. The time for obedience of parents' wishes has passed many years ago. She would approach the conversation as an adult, and demand they see her in the same way. She took a deep breath, as if finalising the decision.

"You seem tense," she heard behind her. She almost jumped at the sound, but managed to control the reaction. As calmly as she could she turned to look into the intoxicating silver gaze of Haldir, standing several feet behind her. 'Since when did I think of his eyes as intoxicating?' she wondered, but as they locked with hers, she realised she didn't care. Then, remembering he'd spoken first, she struggled to answer.

"I...I'm fine," she said lamely, berating herself for being caught off-guard, especially by the Galadhrim. By his expression he didn't seem convinced, but mercifully changed the subject anyway.

"The view is beautiful," he said. She smiled immediately and turned back to the darkening sky with a nod.

"Yes, it's my favourite time of day," she replied, clutching the handrail for support, trying desperately to get back her usual calm. "I always come here if I can help it, to watch Anor sleep and Ithil wake." Haldir came to stand beside her, joining her in her evening ritual. After several moments of uncomfortable silence, she turned to speak, stealthily backing away as she did.

"We will arrive at the dock soon," she said, pointing ahead for emphasis. "It's just up beyond that outcropping," she motioned to a bit of land that was, from their present angle, seemingly in their path. "We'll drop anchor there and you and I will go ahead while the others prepare for unloading our cargo."

"Cargo?" Mirien smiled mischievously.

"Lorien and Mirkwood are great trading partners, but I thought you already knew that," she said. He nodded, seemingly embarrassed at his lack of knowledge.

"And you said we would be going alone? After dark? Is that not dangerous?" A sudden smirk twisted her features.

"You're not afraid, are you?" she teased. He seemed a bit taken aback at first, but returned the grin with one of his own.

"Of course not. You?"

"Not at all."

"Well good."

"Good." She paused, looking back at the forest, trying hard to really not be afraid. "The dock is well within the defended southern borders," she said, more for her benefit than his. "We will most likely be met by a scouting party who will assist in the unloading of our goods." Haldir nodded at this. "And besides," she continued, "you said that your message is of great importance. Would you not wish to take it to the King with all haste rather than await the rest of the crew?" Haldir nodded again, but then another smirk graced his features.

"Pretty convincing arguments," he said with mock seriousness, "but really, you could have just asked if you wished to be alone with me rather than arranging something so dangerous." Mirien stared at him in a mixture of confusion and offence before, seeing the jest for what it was, responding with a grin of her own.

"Ai, Haldir," she said sweetly, "this is my ship. I don't need to make excuses if I wish to have you to myself!" They stared at each other for several seconds, as if trying to decide between them if the light-hearted joke was allowed between two such as them. Then all pretence crumbled with the sound of their laughter.

Several hours of playful jesting later, as the stars shone bright and clear above the cool water, the dock was at last sighted. Preparations were made immediately for landing and the ship that was just moments ago quiet and peaceful was now alive with movement and the sound of orders being given and friendly jibes being taken. At last they came to a halt, and Mirien re-emerged from her chambers armed and carrying a pack for their hike to the Northern Kingdom. Haldir was just strapping on the last of his weapons as she approached.

"So, explain to me again why the dock is so far from the city," he stated, more than asked. Mirien began checking her own weapons as she spoke.

"First of all, it's not safe to have a port too close to the heart of the city, lest the Corsairs decide to use it to invade the realm. Second, this is the closest the Anduin gets to the woods. If we were to sail further north we would have to trek across open ground before reaching a single tree. Believe me, this is the only suitable place for this." Haldir nodded as he acknowledged the information for a second, or perhaps third time that day. He still didn't like that they were on the edge of the border.

When the two were ready, Mirien said a fond farewell to her crew before she and Haldir walked down the ramp for the woods. As they entered the thick forest, Mirien's heart began to sense that not all was as it should be. She couldn't explain what was wrong, but knew it was important, and her hand strayed to her sword at the realisation. They had travelled silently for nearly half an hour on the elven path from the dock before Haldir voiced what she hadn't been able to put into words.

"Where are the scouts that were supposed to meet us?" he whispered, as if raising his voice would cause the trees to collapse on top of them. His words gripped her heart like an icy chill. 'Yes, where are they?!' her thoughts screamed. She stopped short and looked around. They were quite a distance away from the ship, and so yelling or running back would not be an option if they were to be...

Then she saw it. High above them, threaded between the branches of several nearby trees was the biggest spider's web she'd ever seen. She swallowed thickly and slowly unsheathed her sword, gripping the hilt tightly in her now sweaty palm.

"I don't think they're coming," she whispered, and when she turned to Haldir beside her, he saw naked fear in her blue eyes. Then he heard the hiss behind him.