Note: Happy Birthday to me! I'm updating as a birthday treat for everyone! It's been rather busy at school lately. So Enjoy. (Usual disclaimers here.)

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Pale moonlight and the lights of Caras Galadon shone through the great trees. The lights enhanced the enchantment of the elven realm in the forest. The elves of Lothlórien were singing a lament to Gandalf. The Fellowship, save the already asleep Gimli, listened to the eerie song, but only Legolas and Aragorn could understand it.

Legolas walked by the hobbits in a niche in the base of one of the great trees. He stopped and listened. "A lament for Gandalf."

"What do they say?" Merry asked.

"I have not the heart to tell you." He looked back at them. "For me the grief is still too near."

Sam muttered, making his bed. "Bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them."

Legolas walked on to where he was settled in a tree by himself as Sam began to make up a verse about Gandalf's fireworks. He climbed the tree easily. Once he reached the platform, he sat, leaning against the tree and looked out at the beauty of the forest. He felt at home but at the same time, he felt discontent. His thoughts wandered to Merenwen for the first time that day. He wondered where she was, how she was, what she was doing, when he would see her again.

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Haldir pointed to a tree. "He should be up there. The rest of them are on the ground."

"Thank you," she said before starting toward the tree.

"Merenwen."

The she-elf turned and looked back.

"Be careful. They should be dealing with their grief. And though you are not royalty like he is, I know you may feel as privileged. Do not think he will abandon his duty."

"I should not expect him to, Haldir. We have known what the consequences of the other are. But I need to see him. I can tell that he needs me."

"Go then." He placed a hand over his heart and crossed it over to rest on her shoulder. Merenwen did the same. "We will meet again soon?"

"I stay as long as Legolas stays, so I do not know."

"Very well. Go."

Merenwen gave a short bow before walking back to Legolas' tree. She climbed up to the talan and looked around before pulling herself up. Legolas sat against the great tree, looking to the side. He did not notice her until she stood next to him.

"I have heard it all."

He turned and looked up at her. He did not say a thing. He just stood and embraced her, holding on tightly.

"I did not know when I would see you again. Are you all right?" He looked her over.

"I am. What of you? Mithrandir?"

"I shall be fine. After the mines, I was thinking I wouldn't see you again."

"You, my dear Legolas, went through the mines with eight others. I went over the mines by myself," she answered, taking off her weapons and setting them aside near Legolas'. Then she took the cloak Legolas had left in Rivendell out of her pack. "You left this in Imladris."

"Keep it, for you have worn it thus far. I am grateful that you brought it back, but what's mine is now yours."

"Thank you," she said, putting it back in her pack. Then she began to take off most of her travel clothes. "You know, I am grateful you left your cloak. It gave me a piece of you to be close to when I could not be close to you."

"I am glad I left it for you then," he answered, watching her with interest.

Soon, Merenwen was down to her long white tunic and leggings. Both elves fit easily into their softly lit surroundings.

"I am weary and would refresh myself. I will make haste and return."

"It matters not. Vanimle sila tri. Your beauty shines bright."

Merenwen looked back at him and smiled.

When she returned some time later, Legolas was looking up at the stars. Again, he appeared not to notice her at first.

Merenwen sat down in front of him and looked up at the sky, wondering what he was looking at. "What is it?"

"Eärendil is bright this night," Legolas commented. "It makes my heart glad to see it that way." He wrapped his arms around her, encouraging her to rest against him. He looked at her face, which was free of dirt, and ran a hand through her long dark hair that was freed from its braid. "Still beautiful."

Merenwen blushed some. "My dear prince, I do not understand why you still desire me after all the problems I've caused you over the years."

"I've grown attached to you. I could not feel the way I feel about you for anyone else. Even if we have had some instances in the past, it does not matter now."

"I am not royalty."

"That does not matter to me. I think of you as such because I love you that much." He kissed the top of her head.

She caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. "Tell me of your journey thus far."

"You have been watching. You've seen everything."

"No, I have not. I merely followed; I know not the extent of these doings."

"You are sure you would know?"

"Yes."

"All right. Where to start…"

Legolas proceeded to tell Merenwen about what had happened so far. She listened patiently, nodding and saying few things. She eventually fell asleep in his arms, listening to his story.