Their walk had been good for them both, Legolas had finally gotten away from the emptiness of his room and Melannen had been able to, for the first time in along while, speak her mind to someone who would listen. Legolas' mood had improved, not only because he was astoundingly cleaner but because he knew he was not hated by everyone, that someone actually cared.
Afterwards Melannen had gone to her room and rested for a few hours, mainly just to pass the time until Remnul came. She had known the Lorien Elf for many years and for the past seven they had been viewed as 'a couple.' Though he had not yet popped the question, Melannen doubted not that he would. Any day now.
Currently she paced the under the trees in the garden that had watched Legolas and her laugh just hours before. Though she was still troubled by the idea of Legolas' abuse. Who would do such a thing? She had no idea.
Suddenly she heard a slight rustle in the trees behind her, she whirled around to find Remnul smiling at her. "Remnul!" She ran into his arms and he placed a kiss on her head.
"Suilad, meleth nin." (Hello my love)
All Melannen could do is smile, she had not seen the Elf since he had left to Mirkwood, soon though she had followed him. "It has been too long since I saw you last, Remnul, but you still find the strange pleasure of sneaking up on me." She laughed.
"Aye, it has been too long for many things." before she could respond his lips crushed hers in a passionate kiss.
"Remnul . . ." Melannen said, slightly annoyed that his response to seeing her was reaching for her dress, not showing his affections some other way. Then again, this was the slightly rougher Remnul, not the silent Legolas she had become so familiar with. She tried again, "Remnul." this time her tone was slightly sharper, though he paid no heed to it, but just fumbled with the ties to her dress. "Remnul! Stop it!" she nearly yelled shoving him away and pulling her dress sleeves back up.
Anger flashed in his grey eyes. "Do you prefer the company of a madman?" he hissed venomously.
Melannen knew she did, but she didn't want to lose Remnul forever, "No."
"Then why do you recoil?"
"We are in the gardens of Mirkwood, this forest has many eyes." she lied, though she could feel someone watching, it bothered her.
He thought for a moment, "You minded not in Lord Celeborn's study nor Rivendell, why now?" He feinted hurt.
"It is not proper."
Suddenly he grabbed her wrist violently and gripped it tightly in his large hand, bruising her skin. "Do not lie to me, Melannen!"
She whimpered in fear of him, but she was helpless. He slapped her hard across the face with the back of his hand, "Remnul. . ." she pleaded with him, but he would not relent.
"You will obey me!" Now he slapped her again and threw her to the ground. Melannen tried to back away but he pinned her down and began to rip at her clothing, incoherent of her pleading.
Suddenly Remnul felt himself knocked backwards onto the ground. He only saw a dark flash as his attacker came and him again and punched him in the face, causing his nose to break. When his attacker rushed towards him again, Remnul reached out and pulled the Elf down to the ground and punched him repeatedly before ripping off the hood to the stranger's cloak.
"You!" he screamed as he hit Legolas again and again. The golden-haired Elf was able to slip from Remnul's hold on him, but the other Elf was more burly and far stronger than the Prince, and soon Legolas found himself flying through the air before he collided with a tree, pain searing through his body. Before Legolas could regain himself, he felt the cold metal of Remnul's sword under his chin. "I should have killed you a long time ago, Thranduilion." The larger Elf threatened.
Melannen lay helpless on the ground, screaming, knowing she would see Legolas die. Then she remembered the dagger that Remnul had given her a few years earlier, though she was not a warrior, she always kept it in her boot. Now she remembered it. Withdrawing the blade she silently crept up behind the large Elf and before she could think to do differently, she thrust the cold metal into Remnul's back. The Elf screeched in pain before he crumpled on the ground, cursing Melannen. Then he died.
Legolas cautiously got up and walked over to Melannen, who had a look of disbelief on her face. "I killed him, Legolas. I did not want to, I don't want to kill anyone."
The Prince smiled kindly at her, "He should not have lived, the way he treated you, and me."
Melannen looked at the Elf beside her, "You mean, he . . . he was one of the healers that . . . abused you?" Legolas nodded.
"I knew he was trouble, that is why I followed him out here, to make sure you came to no harm by him." Legolas took her small hands in his own, "You have done nothing wrong."
"But you are a warrior, you kill all the time, how can you say that?" she said, tears forming in her eyes.
Legolas shook his head, "I do not wish to kill, I kill because I have to."
Melannen laughed, "Yet you come unarmed, mighty warrior."
"I was hoping it would not come to this." Soon Melannen found herself in a familiar position, with her head resting on Legolas shoulder, yet this time it was she that was crying.
"There are punishments for my actions." she whispered between sobs.
"No, no. My father is the King, he, I am sure, can make exceptions." he whispered into her hair, running his fingers through her light-colored locks. "Shhh."
Melannen trembled at the feeling of his warm breath tickling her skin, but Legolas did not seem to notice.
Author's Note: Thank you reviewers!!!! The plot thickens! And sorry, kind of a cliffie there. I'm bad about that :)
