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Chapter Two: A Good Deed
Although Feren had promised Lindir the Lyre of the Elvenking, he well knew that obtaining said lyre would be no easy task. The Elvenking loved the lyre more than he loved his own son and, when he was not playing it, would wander the halls, clutching the lyre to his chest, a haunted expression in his eyes. When he was not doing this, he kept the lyre locked in a glass case in his Royal Chambers. That, decided Feren, would be the opportune time to attempt theft of the lyre. He didn't exactly treasure the idea of tackling Thranduil and snatching the lyre from his regal hands.
"Ooff!" Lost in his reverie, Feren had not paid attention to his surroundings and walked smack dab into Galion the butler. The only two servants of the Elvenking picked themselves up, brushing the dust from the floor off of their humble robes(they were humble indeed, for the Elvenking had no wish to be outshone by those in his employment).
"Sorry 'bout that," said Feren. He flashed the butler a brilliant grin.
"Your apology is accepted,"groaned Galion. He was quite a few years older than Feren, and had found his fall to be more painful than that of the muscian's. "But please," he added. "Refrain from running in the halls."
Feren didn't think that he had been running, but he decided against pressing this point. "What're you up to?" he asked, noticing Galion's unusual hairstyle. The butler was sporting a ponytail in the place of his usual loose locks.
"I'm mopping the palace floor," sighed Galion. "Every floor in every room. His majesty wishes to be able to see his reflection wherever he walks. I'm not complaining, but I wish that he would hire a younger elf to do some of the heavier work. My back isn't what it used to be."
"Poor Galion," said Feren, shaking his head in sympathy. "If only Tauriel were here..."
"I don't think she'd do," said Galion regretfully. "I'd hate to subject a lady to this kind of work."
Although Feren often enjoyed teasing Galion, he also had a large degree of fondness for the overworked butler, and would often help him out in his spare time. Since he wasn't doing anything important at the moment, Feren decided that now was a good time to lend Galion a hand. After all, Galion was known to be quite talkative while working, and he could have some important information regarding the king's lyre-habits. Galion knew almost everything about Thranduil, and his input in this quest could prove most useful.
"Don't worry, old bean. I'll help you out," said Feren most charmingly.
"Oh, would you?" smiled the butler. "You have my gratitude." With that, he handed Feren a mop and bucket, the mop handle cracked and the bucket slightly leaky. "You can have the good mop. I'll start here, and you can start on the other side."
Feren looked towards the other side of the room. He was immediately struck with dismay. This room was the entrance hall, and Thranduil had built it to impress visitors. It was huge- yards and meters long. Feren groaned. He would have to mop for hours just to get within shouting distance of Galion. He hoped that this good deed would be profitable.