Note: Hi, evryone. Here's the next chapter. As usual, I don't own anything here - accpet for Merenwen and her parents - otherwise I would be rich and famous.

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Merenwen walked with ease and the carefree nature of youth around the horses and elves, although the journey was a sad one. She was with her family and a group of elves making the journey west to the Grey Havens to sail over sea. They had recently left the great forest of Greenwood, called Mirkwood as of late by men, behind them and had not stopped for rest or camp since light was still upon the land.

It was dark, night having fallen a while ago. But it was of little hindrance to the glowing elves that were easily adapted to seeing in the dark, as well as being illuminated by their natural glow.

"Merenwen, I wish to speak with you."

The young elf turned to the voice addressing her and strode calmly back to where her father was walking beside her mother, who was seated on a white horse. She looked up at her mother of Noldorian decent before looking up at her Silvan father. Although she loved the forest like a wood elf and took after her father, Merenwen had her mother's Noldorian appearance.

"Are you agreeable to making this journey?"

"Yes, Ada."

"I know you are leaving all that you have known behind, but it is for the best that we leave Arda. Times are not as kind as they were in ages past. But I wish to know your feelings."

Merenwen took her father's hand and patted it, understanding showing in her light eyes. Though she was still very young by elven standards, she understood far more than she was given credit for.

"I know, Ada. I understand. Worry not." She smiled up at him.

Aerandir smiled at his daughter as he watched her stroke the mane of her mother's horse.

"Things will be well in time," Nienna said to her daughter. "And you have us."

"I know, Nana, mother. But I sometimes wonder if I will always just have you."

Nienna smiled knowingly at her daughter's words. She caught a brief glance at her husband before answering.

"Time will tell. Though I do not foresee a problem, mell nín. You will be loved as we love you. I am sure of it."

Merenwen smiled thankfully at her mother. After that, all hell broke lose when a nightmarish scream rang through the night.

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After a few moments of utter helplessness, Merenwen awoke with a cry.

"No!"

She looked around her room, expecting her mother or father to come and check on her.

"Nana? Ada?"

Then she remembered. They were not there – they were gone. She was in the royal palace, and had been so for some time.

She sat in her bed for a moment before throwing off the bedclothes. She got up and went to the door of her room. Creeping silently through the halls, her feet automatically set her path as she tried to shake away her latest nightmare.

Merenwen hesitated upon coming to a set of doors she'd often walk through in the middle of the night. However, she couldn't be alone after another nightmare. She was often incapable of it. She opened a door and stealthily made her way in, moving to the doors of the sleeping chamber and entering quietly. She padded over to the foot of the bed and watched, waiting for the figure sleeping to stir.

Legolas felt the presence of someone intruding on his dreams and he slowly regained his senses. He looked toward his doors before examining the rest of his room before his eyes landed on Merenwen at the foot of his bed.

"Merenwen?" He propped himself up on an elbow while rubbing his eyes with his free hand.

She looked down at the ground, refusing to meet the prince's eyes just yet. She felt bad about going to him when she had bad dreams, but there was no other she felt comfortable with after such a dream.

"What is wrong?"

She shifted uncomfortably.

"You must tell me. I cannot help otherwise. You usually do not sleepwalk into my room in the middle of the night." He smiled teasingly. "Right?"

She shook her head, finally looking up into the sleep-clouded eyes.

"Was it another nightmare?"

"It was," she answered, fiddling with the sleeve of her nightgown.

Legolas knew how nightmares plagued her dreams as of late. He sat up against the ornately carved head of his bed among the pillows and motioned for her to come over.

Merenwen wanted to go to him and be comforted, but she could not move. Usually when she awoke, she immediately went to Legolas because she felt a connection with him. Now, however, she was starting to feel guilty about frequently waking the prince.

"Are you going to stand there all night?"

"No. I'll go." She turned to leave. "I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep."

"Wait." He leaned forward to stop her, his tousled blond hair spilling over his shoulders.

She turned back toward him and he motioned for her again. Finally, she climbed up onto the bed, sitting cross-legged and facing him.

He leaned back, waiting patiently.

Merenwen sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It wasn't like before."

"Your dream?"

"They said things would be fine. They said things would be better!"

"You cannot fault them. Not everyone has the gift of foresight. They did what they thought was best."

"And now they are gone!"

"Tell me more of this dream," came the calm request.

Merenwen gazed past him, focusing somewhere on the wall. "It was unlike the others. I saw them; I spoke with them. It was not just images of death." She turned her face away as she felt tears start to run down her cheeks, leaving new trails in their wake.

Legolas understood why she was crying, but he did not like seeing it happen. He reached for her hand, redirecting her attention. She looked at him for a second before moving over to him and curling against him as she cried silently. He put an arm around her and tried to comfort her with his presence.

"I know your pain, Mer," he ventured, trying to offer helpful words laced with her nickname. "I know what it is like to lose ones you love." This particular nightmare seemed to have more of a hold on her than the others. And it wasn't healing with his presence.

"No, you don't," she said through a sob.

He looked away, seeing things in the past and feeling a stab of pain. He had lost his mother when he was still young and it was still painful, but thankfully he still had his father.

"I do not know what it is like to lose everyone, but I know the pain of losing a mother."

She quieted some and listened to his words.

"It does not stop hurting, but the pain does fade. I know that much."

"When does it fade? When do you stop feeling so lost and hollow?" she asked, pleading with him to make it stop.

Legolas looked down at her and his heart wrenched at what he saw. She looked up at him as innocently as a doe being sighted in on by a hunter.

"I know not. Not all are the same."

Merenwen sighed heavily and stared across the room blankly. She sniffled quietly.

"Merenwen, listen to me." He urged her to look at him.

She straightened and sat up, turning to face him.

"It will get better. I promise. In the time you've known me, have I lied to you?"

She shook her head.

"So there's no reason I would start now. And you are not alone. My father and I, as well as many others, are here for you. Do not be afraid."

She bowed her head slightly and touched her fingers to her forehead out of reverence and thanks to the prince.

He ignored the formality and instead drew the she-elf into his arms. He kissed her forehead gently.

"You have a family now. We may not love you as your parents did, but we will love you none the less."

Merenwen froze in his arms. The words of her dream came flooding back to her. You will be loved as we love you… Her breath caught in her throat.

"Mer? Are you well?"

"Yes," she said a bit too quickly. "I am sorry. Something from my dream came back to me."

"Do you wish to tell me?"

She thought for a second. "No. I'd rather keep it to myself."

Legolas frowned slightly. He wished she could tell him what caused her pain. But he'd consent with her wishes. "If that is what you wish."

"It is."

"Then I shall ask no more of you."

"Thank you, my lord."

He sighed and released her, letting her ease away some before he spoke. "Merenwen, for the thousandth time, please do not call me 'lord.' I am just another elf," he said, reclining with his arms under his head and glancing over at her.

"An elf who is the prince of Greenwood," she answered.

"It is but a small part of who I am."

"Well, either way, I am thankful for your intrusion on my wanderings."

He smiled. "Can you rest easier?"

She nodded.

"Good. Get some sleep then."

"Thank you," she said before moving to the edge of the bed.

"Are you not sleeping here?" He captured her hand and gave it a gentle tug toward himself.

"I should not disturb anymore of your sleep."

"You do not. I could not in good conscience send you away. I never have. Stay."

Merenwen studied him, seeing the admirable qualities in the elven prince. She nodded curtly before settling back against the pillows and crawling under the covers.

"I should not rely on you so much to chase away my nightmares, Legolas."

Legolas looked over at her, meeting her gaze. "In time you will not need to. Until then, I am yours to rely on. And I always will be. Always."

She moved a bit closer until their heads were resting together. "Thank you."

He smiled and found her hand under the covers, holding it tightly. "Sleep. Tomorrow brings a new day."

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I know I am evil! Please don't hurt me - I manage on my own! But I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to show some of the background of Legolas and Merenwen before she decided, since it's such a big decision not to mak lightly - especially by the elves.

So sadly, there's only a couple more chapters left. Until next time.