Note: I'm back. Usual thoughts of not owning anyone but Merenwen. I'm going to try and update as often as school will allow, considering the large amount of readings I have to do for classes. Movie verses and scenes in this chapter. Enjoy!

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Merenwen sat on a rock overlooking the eastern exit from the mountain, scanning the surrounding area.

She had continued to follow the group after accidentally giving herself away to Legolas. She had not spoken to him since that incident; he'd simply let her follow. Although, in one of her many nights of sleeping in a tree, she awoke to find flowers placed in her lap. And in another instance of when she could not sleep, she heard an elvish voice singing that comforted her. Merenwen knew that Legolas was still concerned for her, despite the fact that he had first obligations.

When the Fellowship found that Saruman's spies were watching their original choice of travel, they attempted to take the Pass of Caradhras. But Sauramon had sabotaged that route as well. Unlike the elves, the rest of the Fellowship could not simply walk on top of the snow, so they had to change course again. They instead chose to travel through the Mines of Moria. Legolas may have been reluctant about going through the mines, but he went anyway. Merenwen, on the other hand, refused to go through the mines after the group. Instead, she climbed over the mountain, and waited for them to appear on the other side.

She heard yelling and looked down at the gateway in the mountain. Eight members of the Fellowship came out of the mines. Gandalf was missing. She looked at the group curiously. The hobbits were openly crying. The man from Gondor, Boromir was his name, was trying to keep the dwarf, Gimli, from going back into the mines. Legolas looked stunned and confused about something. A feeling of dread hit her heart – Gandalf would not be coming. Aragorn wiped orc blood from his sword.

"Legolas, get them up."

The elf looked back at Aragorn then reluctantly went over to the hobbits. He put a tentative hand on Merry's shoulder.

"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir yelled.

"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien." Aragorn went over to Sam and pulled him to his feet. "Frodo!"

Frodo, farther away on the hills, heard his name being called. He turned and looked back, a tear running down his cheek.

Merenwen was shocked. She looked at Aragorn, not believing he couldn't give them a moment. Her heart went out to Frodo, for she knew he was close to the wizard. But what happened was beyond her reach.

After a few minutes, the group started to move toward Lothlórien. Merenwen waited until they were away from the mountains and closer to the forest, before she moved away from the mountains herself. She wanted to give the group some time to themselves as well as time to reach the elves before she showed up.

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By the time Merenwen reached Lothlórien, the Fellowship had met with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel and were taken to rest. Moonlight shone through the trees as she walked through the night forest. She did not bother with keeping her bow ready, for the woods were well guarded. Also, she was kin and did not want to look like she would cause trouble. However, once she came closer to the heart of Lórien, she found herself facing a group of elves with their bows trained on her. She raised her palms, showing she was unarmed.

An elf stepped forward. "Merenwen?"

She bowed, touching her hand to her heart and sweeping it outward. "Suilannad, greetings, Haldir."

Haldir waved the elves he was patrolling with off, signaling them to move on. Soon, he and the she-elf were left alone.

"It is good to see you again, mell nín, my dear," he said, embracing her.

"As it is you. Things have been busy here, I see."

"Lórien does not only have the Lady's enchantments to keep the wood guarded."

The two elves walked on.

"What brings you to Lórien, Merenwen?"

"Legolas Thranduilion. He came with a Fellowship of eight, which was originally nine."

"Yes. We have heard of the news of Mithrandir. I myself was there to hear it. It is unsettling."

"It is a fell deed that this had to happen to the Fellowship."

"Yes. But, tell me, you said the son of Thranduil brings you here."

Merenwen nodded. "Yes."

"How, precisely, do you know that he is here?"

"I followed out of concern for him," she answered, looking down at the ground.

Haldir looked at her for a second. It was a few minutes before he spoke again. "Was that wise?"

"It was at the time. You make it sound like I did something awful."

"Merenwen, in our kin's eyes, you are young. You have your life to live still. What would make you follow on such a dangerous journey?"

"I love him. I would follow him to the ends of Arda if I needed to."

Haldir was a little surprised by the declaration Merenwen had made. The last time he had seen the she-elf, she was on her way of leaving Mirkwood with no intentions of returning any time soon. What had made her changer her mind so suddenly?

"He knew you followed?"

"Yes."

"And he allowed it?"

"He knew he could not have stopped me."

"I for one would have sent you back. You have no business being involved on such a journey as this group is making."

"Haldir, he would not have stopped me from doing what I would. And he knows that. Now, could you please take me to him?"

The Marchwarden of Lothlórien looked at her again, fully concerned. But he saw the love in her eyes and his heart softened.

"Fine. But you realize that Lady would see you first, for she is weary of outsiders traveling through Lórien."

"Of course. I would have been surprised if she hadn't wanted me to see her first. Lady Galadriel is wise."

Haldir nodded, no further explanation needed. "While we are on our way, you are going to tell me what you have been doing with yourself since I saw you last."