Chapter 4-The start

Legolas had not seen Alexandra since the day they'd arrived in the Baggins household. All he had to do was go to her room and knock on the door, but the thought of conversing in front of Eowyn was not promising. He wanted to know what she meant when she said she was afraid.

"You look confused, laddy" said Gimli.

"I am in love, mellon"sighed Legolas.

"Ahh, with the lass who came here with you. Yer 'best friend'" said Gimli.

"That's right" said Legolas.

"Have you told her" asked Gimli.

"No" said legolas flatly.

Alexandra sat in her room, talking to Eowyn.

"So, your married?"Asked Alexandra.

"Yes...to a wonderful lord of Gondor" smiled Eowyn dreamily. "His name is Faramir. I met him while we were both on our death bed. It was romantic."

Alexandra nodded. "Very"

"what about you? Are you married? Or in love?" asked Eowyn.

"I am in love. But I have no chance. I don't think I'll ever marry."

"You love Legolas don't you?" asked Eowyn.

"Of course not" said Alexandra nervously.

"Its okay, I can tell. That whole 'best friend' thing is just a cover. Does he know you love him" Eowyn inquired.

"No! I can't tell him...I'm afraid that he doesn't feel the same." Alexandra said sadly.

Eowyn nodded "you'll never know unless you ask. He's a quiet lad, ere I was ever around him"

"What exactly did he do when traveling?" asked Alexandra lamely.

Eowyn looked at her hardly. "He was very important. Always fought, never complained. He believed in Aragorn very deeply. And he cared for those hobbits, and they're well being. After the coronation, he really wanted to go home. Aragorn told me. He got very gloomy at times."

"I missed him terribly. Though I had never told him that" Alexandra said Sadly.

"You should" said Eowyn wisely. "Now let us go down to the ceremony."

Alexandra walked out of the door the same time Legolas walked out of his.

Legolas smiled weakly, and they walked towards the Parlor. Gimli watched them and grunted.

Merrys casket was in the middle of Frodo's Parlor. Roses were on either side of it.

Legolas and Alexandra positioned themselves in the corner. Aragorn and arwen stood next to it. Pippin and kristina were right near his head, arms around eachother. Eowyn and Gimli stood against the west wall. Frodo ushered in Mina.

"Hello everyone. Thank you for joinging us on this unfortunate occasion." started Frodo. "Basically, tonight we must pay Merry our respects. You can walk up to the casket. Tomorrow night, you will share some memories about Merry to the rest of us. One the third night of grieving, we sing songs of reminding. The 4th night We stay with the casket the whole night. The final night, we accompany the casket to the burial place. And that is our final goodbye to our dear friend" Added Frodo sadly.

Pippin went up first. Frodo watched him say so many things, giggle a litt.e Then pippins face turned crushed. Pippin kept on speaking to his best friend. Everyone watched in sadness. Eventually he got up. Next was kristina. She was short, but very tearfull. Next came Mina. She didn't say anything. Just stared. Frodo watched her, he wore a depressed expression. Mina got up and looked at him. Frodo was unsure what to do. Mina took his hands. "Your turn"

Frodo nodded and went to the casket. He whsipered memories.

"You were so very brave. Thank you for coming with me. I don't know what I would've done without you." Frodo said. His friends face seemed frozen, in a peacefull expression. Sighing he rose.

Next walked Gimli, then Arwen. When it was Aragorns turn, he spoke very soft elvish. He rose with teary eyes. Eowyn then walked up to Merry. She cried freely.

"You saved me. I would've died if it had not been for you. I owe my everything to you. You funny little Hobbit" she added, smiling through her tears. Alexandra stayed in the corner, as Legolas went up to the casket. He spoke Sindarien to Merry.

"Namarie, mellon"He ended with.

Alexandra watched him with pitying eyes. She didn't know how to comfort this. It was not every day you saw an elf in greif. The only time she had been upset herself was when Legolas left.

Lastly was Gandalf. Who just stood the'yre with smiling whispers.

When the night was over, everyone went back to their rooms to prepare their memories for night 2.