Hello my humans. I've decided to re-post my early chapters, since they're just soooo bad. I'm gonna burn the original, I swear. TMIFairy, thank you so much for letting me in on the knowledge that my early writing was shit. I'm not kidding, it really was. Anyway, here's the new and improved first chapter!
Thranduil, the Ruler of the Mirkwood Realm, was furious and miserable: A dangerous combination to behold. The few serving elves that were in the hall scattered, leaving a beautiful elleth before the king. By her side was an elfling, barely a year old and unsteady on her tiny feet. She clutched her mother's skirt as the king spoke.
"How dare you." His voice was thick with suppressed rage.
"I could ask you the same," the elleth growled.
"Get out of my realm, and take her with you," he spat, rising from his throne. The elleth drew back; the king's rage was worthy of many tales, but she stood her ground.
"So, you deny your child a life, condemning us both to die from the spiders?"
Thranduil faltered for a moment, then stiffened his resolve. "Whatever end you come to, Serpent Tongue, it is of your own making!"
The elleth bristled with indignation. "I am Laergulwen, Song of Sorcery, and I am proud to have ensnared one who is so mighty," she sneered, mocking the king's fury.
Thranduil's rage broke. He leaned in towards the elleth's face, eyes burning. The elfling whimpered as the king's golden hair swung near her face. "I would be only too glad to kill you myself, temptress, but I shall not. Your blood is not even worthy to be on my hands." Turning back to his throne, he raised a hand, conjuring a guard who took hold of Laergulwen's arms and began to drag her away. She screamed as the elfling was left behind.
"Tirnel! No!" Laergulwen cried, struggling to break free of the guard. Another elf appeared and caught hold of the child.
"Take them both away," Thranduil said quietly, seating himself in his throne. "Put them beyond the walls."
The guards nodded and dragged Laergulwen away, the elfling clinging to the arms of a guard. The last glimpse Thranduil had of his daughter was her golden eyes, so like her mother's, watching his own blue eyes as she was taken away.
Laergulwen fought against the guard's grip as she was dragged along, eyes wide and her body trembling in terror. To go unarmed beyond the gates was suicide. "Thranduil is at times unkind," the guard holding Laergulwen murmured. "I will give you a sword, though I doubt it will be of much help. It is not by my own will that I do this, Laergulwen. Be safe, if such a thing is possible." He shoved a sheathed sword into Laergulwen's hand, then took the elfling from the second guard, who had left so as not to see the elfling's frightened eyes for another moment. "You have named her Tirnel?"
"Yes," Laergulwen said. She was crying softly now. "I can only hope that she lives long enough to see the stars."
The guard nodded. "May the Valar protect you both," he whispered, then closed the gate.
Well! I didn't end up changing much, but I've done enough to improve it in my mind. Hope this is well received...