Note: The usual disclaimers.

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The Fellowship stayed in Lórien for a while. Merenwen stayed as long as Legolas stayed, who, in turn, stayed as long as the Fellowship did. The elf was hardly seen with the Fellowship while in Lórien. He spent the majority of his time with the elves, especially Merenwen. They took their meals together, but that was about it.

Legolas and Merenwen went out to walk in Caras Galadon one afternoon. The sun was out among the trees, creating an enjoyable atmosphere, despite the dire situation.

"You know we will be leaving tomorrow."

"Yes, I know."

"Will you do something for me?"

Merenwen looked at him. "What will you have me do?"

Legolas looked at the ground and back at her. "Go home to Mirkwood."

She frowned. "What?"

"Go back to Mirkwood. Please."

"Why do you want me to go back there?"

"The road will get more dangerous. I do not wish to have you follow any longer."

"Why do you say this? Do you think I can not take care of myself?"

"No. Sauron's forces are mounting within the east. If you follow, you may be killed."

"I will not. Let me come with you."

He shook his head, taking her hands in his.

"But Mirkwood is in the east as well…"

"There will be protection for you there."

"But –"

He held up a hand for her to stop her protest. "Please, do this for me. I do not ask much of you. I never have. But this is important. I feel you will be safer there. You will not feel out of place, and you will not be made to sit idle. Do what you wish, so long as you do not leave the realm. All I ask is that you tell my father of the situation. Tell him I am well, and help him if he desires. It is a small thing I ask of you. I know your concern, but you must understand the concern I have for you."

Merenwen looked at him with shame, all he wanted for her was the best, and she would have none of it. She felt terrible about putting him through so much. She wanted to follow him, but she would do this for him. Despite her wishes.

"I will go."

Legolas could not believe his ears. She actually listened to him for once. And agreed no less. "Excuse me?"

"I shall go back to Mirkwood for you. You have only wanted the best for me, but I was too stubborn to see it. I am sorry, meleth."

"Do not be sorry. If you were not who you are, who would I have fallen in love with?"

She smiled sadly as he caressed her cheek.

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Merenwen stood on the talan she shared with Legolas. Leaning against the tree, she looked out at Lothlórien. The Fellowship would leave the next day and again she would lose her love to the quest. She sighed heavily.

Legolas climbed onto the platform and looked around. Merenwen stood at the edge of the flet. He went over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention. "Is something troubling you?"

"No."

"Merenwen…"

"'Tis nothing."

He pressed his lips in a tight line. "Why do you not tell me? It is too easy for me to tell if you lie."

"It is none of your concern, Legolas."

"What does not concern me?" he asked, becoming worried.

"The situation."

"What situation?"

"The way things have been strained between us."

"Mer, please. Tell me what has become strained."

"You know not?"

"No." Legolas ventured a guess when he noticed the way her arm was wrapped around her midsection. "Is it a child?" He tentatively placed a hand over her stomach.

Merenwen sighed. "No, meleth. We have spoken of this. You know well enough that this is not a time to bring a child into the world."

He shook his head. "It is not."

"And I desire no child." She turned to face him.

"Ever?"

"Not anytime soon. Neither do you. And there could be none without both our consent for the spirit. Maybe one day."

"So, if that is not the strain between us, what is?"

"I am tired of losing you. Every time we meet, every time I find you, someone has to leave." She looked directly at him. "And I tire of it."

"What are you saying?"

"I tire of not being with you. I want things to be as when we were young; when we were never apart."

"But it can never be like that again."

"You know what I mean. Legolas, the sorrow is getting to me. I am becoming tired, and living without you is wearing me thin." As if to prove it, her outward glow was dimmed significantly.

"Do not give into the grief. Do you understand me? Do not give in." Legolas gave Merenwen a shake to emphasize his point.

"What else would you have me do? You understand the grief around you, and it will only get worse. I am not as strong as you are."

"That is not true. You are strong, as strong as I, if not more."

Merenwen shook her head in disagreement.

"No?" He grasped her chin in his hand and tilted her face up. "You are stronger than you think. You have been on your own for so long. You've followed us quietly of your own free will."

"Except for the branch," she mumbled.

He smiled. "Except for the branch. But that was because another elf was walking in the same forest. And you made it here by yourself under the threat of orcs. I know you are capable of protecting yourself without fault, meleth."

Merenwen thought briefly. She knew she was strong. But when it came to matters with her and Legolas, she was weaker than she wanted to be. She just wanted to give into him and let him be the stronger one, but he wouldn't allow it.

"Now, do not tell me you are not strong, for I do not wish to hear it." He turned away from her.

"You have no idea what it is like to not be able to do anything! What it is like to be alone all your life, and not be able to help the one person or thing that matters when the chance comes."

Legolas looked back at her with spite. "I have no idea? Do not dare tell me I have no idea what it is like."

She walked toward him. "You do not have any idea what it is like! Little privileged prince, you had no idea and you will not have any idea."

He met her halfway and glared at her. "Just because of my lineage, it does not mean that I do not know what it is like to be alone."

"Please. You had a father – you had someone. Do not compare yourself to me."

"I am not the one who is comparing the two of us. But if by some chance it happened, there is no way I would be so bitter and cold-hearted about it."

Merenwen stared up at him. She would never have pictured her only love calling her bitter and cold-hearted. She wondered why she was even arguing with him. But before she could stop herself, she reacted. She smacked him – one of the only times in her long life she'd ever hit him. "Never call me bitter or cold-hearted again."

He recoiled for a second. First, she'd hit him, which she never did, even when she was really angry. Second, he heard his own words thrown back at him. Did he really call her bitter and cold-hearted? When did everything change so much?

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Even though Galadriel's power was strong in the woods, he could still feel the anger of the Ring. It could not speak to him – or anyone – here. But it still carried with its presence an aura that disturbed everything.

Just as Merenwen was about to walk away from him, Legolas grabbed her arm and pulled her toward himself. At first, she was shocked, then she started to struggle and push against him.

"Let me go!"

He simply wrapped his arms around her and held her, waiting for her to stop struggling. After a few minutes, she ceased resisting, but occasionally pushed against him. She started to cry.

"Mer…Shh." He stroked her hair in an effort to comfort her, feeling her tears soak his tunic.

"Do you really see me as bitter and cold-hearted?"

"No. That I did not mean. I was angry and it just came out. But you are right – I do not fully know what it is like to be alone. But you are not alone – you have me." He looked down at her.

She looked up into his eyes, her cheeks wet with tears. She silently realized that they were acting like fools. It was not how they normally acted. Something was playing with them.

"We never act this way. Why do we now?"

"This journey affects everyone. Even those who are not in it."

She touched his cheek. "I am sorry I hit you."

"It is well, nín mîr a'mela, my beloved jewel."

Merenwen looked down and noticed the wet spot on his shirt where her tears fell. "Your tunic."

"It needed to be washed."

She laughed some at his joke. "Can you forgive me? I did not mean what I said. It was petty and out of anger. I do not know where it came from."

"I do. You were frustrated."

"What of you?"

"What of me?"

"You also look distressed. And my frustrations have no doubt not helped you at all deal with yours."

"What do you ask of me?"

"Tell me what you fear from this quest. What disturbs you?" Merenwen walked away from him and sat down on their bed among the blankets.

Legolas gazed at the ground, thinking about her request. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything."

He took a deep breath. "Frodo has such a burden to carry, and Gandalf has passed into shadow. The battle for the Ring will only become worse, engulfing Arda. I have you to worry about, not to mention being the Fellowship's eyes and ears. All the reliance is on me to keep watch. The hobbits are hopeless at times. The dwarf is annoying. And the humans… Ai! I am desiring to go to the Undying Lands now to escape this," he finished harshly, sitting next to her.

Merenwen found his hand and looked at him. But he kept his eyes trained on the floor.

"You cannot go to the Undying Lands yet. You will not leave without finishing your task, nor would you leave without me, feäthalion, strong spirit."

Legolas looked at her.

"The Fellowship needs you. Can any of them see or hear a being from leagues away? No. You, my prince, are important to them." She traced his pointed ear and followed his jaw line, making him shiver some. "Legolas, you represent the elves. Who better to represent us than you? As for me, do not worry. I am trying not to worry excessively about you. You could do the same for me."

He looked at her, the wrapped an arm around her, kissing the top of her head.

"What would I do without you?"

She shrugged. "I know not, meleth. I was wondering the same." She looked up and smiled at him.