Note: Usual disclaimers - don't own anyone but Merenwen, but in this chapter I also made up Legolas' friends.

Special thanks to everyone who keeps reading and even reviewing, especially amrawo, whose kind words made me glad I decided to post this story! You guys are all so brilliant.

I'm also updating today with two chapters. I'm going away for the weekend, and I want to compinsate people who are reading for my absence. I'll update again when I get back, but for now enjoy!

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Merenwen caught up with the group fairly quickly. Elves moved quickly, especially when they were by themselves. Also, the Fellowship was only a few hours ahead of her. Merenwen knew she was probably overly worried, but she could not help herself. She did not want to be left behind. She was worried about Legolas, and at the same time she was very confused about why she felt the need to follow.

She followed the group for days as they traveled south from Rivendell, always keeping herself farther back so she would not be seen. Her elven ears and eyes were always open. When the Fellowship stopped to camp, she was not far away. When they slept, she was close by; most of the time in a near by tree.

Merenwen thought a lot, for there was nothing else to do. She thought about Legolas, past memories, and about her parents. She did not like to think about them very often, for she did not remember much about them. And that in itself disturbed her. All that she could be certain of is the fact that they left her when she was young, when she wandered into Mirkwood. She felt at home in the forest of old trees.

Her first encounter with another elf occurred while she explored the huge forest. The spiders had not taken hold of the forest to the range of northern Mirkwood, so she was relatively safe. In her wandering, she heard a light laughter above her. When she looked up, she saw nothing, but a light tap on her shoulder resulted in her first meeting with an elf with golden hair. The elf stood in front of her with a curious and playful attitude that did not suit her.

"Who are you?" asked the elf.

"Who inquires?" Merenwen responded.

"A good question, but I believe I asked you first." The elf stood with his hands clasped behind his back in a regal manner.

"I still see no reason to tell you. So leave me be." She turned away and started to go on.

The elf moved faster than she was ready for and stood in front of her again in the same manor. "I'm sorry, but did you just turn your back on me?"

Merenwen continued on, but the elf followed her.

"Not in the mood for conversation?" He grabbed her arm. "I would suggest answering my questions."

She stared at him, then her gaze went to his hand on her arm. "Remove your hand from me."

"What would you do about it?"

Merenwen swept his feet out from under him and pinned him to the ground in one swift movement.

"Very nice. Very well done," the elf laughed from beneath her. "This is very interesting."

"What?"

"We've just met, and I've already fallen for you."

"Who are you?"

"Well, I am never asked that question often. You are not from around here." It was a question as well as a statement.

The shock of the statement hit Merenwen with surprising force. She abruptly released him, falling back onto the ground. The elf stood, brushing himself off.

"I do not know."

"How can you not know? You look like an elf from this forest, though."

"I really would not know."

"Are you playing a game with me?"

"No! I swear I am not sure of anything anymore!" she cried, tears starting to form in her eyes.

He looked down at the she-elf and his playful attitude dissolved, being replaced with an aura of seriousness. This elf was not one that he could toy with. She would not take it, and he would not want to harm her in any way. He held his hand out to her.

"Come. We shall go to see my father."

She hesitantly took his hand and he helped her up.

"What is your name?" she asked again as she stared into his eyes.

"What is yours?" he responded, gazing back at her.

"Merenwen."

"Legolas, son of Thranduil – lord of the elves of Mirkwood."

Royalty was standing in front of her. Merenwen made the connection quickly and tipped her head. "Forgive me, lord. I did not know. I have been wandering for some time, and I do not remember much."

"It is well. I'd rather I was not noticed. Then we'd be realized missing," he smirked, turning and imitating a bird's call.

The next thing Merenwen was aware of was three elves materializing out of the trees.

"Legolas found some new kind of game. We shall be famous when they see its beauty."

Merenwen blushed some, and Legolas rolled his eyes.

"This is Rienand and the other two elves are Tinêl and Cúran. These are my friends. They will not harm you." She nodded hesitantly. "Mellyn nín my friends, we must return to Lasgalen. I shall tell you the circumstances on the way."

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