As we were making our way back I noticed a certain order among the elven guards. The She-elf and Alonnen were up front along both sides of King Thranduil, yet it still seemed the Elven King was leading everyone. The other remaining guards then trailed behind in two meticulously straight lines. As for me, I was past trailing, (oh yes) I was on my knees trudging behind. Keeping up with these guys was like a race between a slug and a cheetah with rocket boosters. I was a hot mess: and not in an attractive way.
It's kinda gross: the feeling of clammy skin, burning eyes, and thoroughly wet clothes. Sweat was falling directly from my forehead to my lashes: I kept on having to wipe my brow with the sleeve of my hoodie. I could feel my hair sticking to the back of my neck. Bad time for no hairband too… my hair's pretty long. That reminds me of another thing, why did they call me "ellon"? Doesn't that mean "male elf"? What, did my messy hair look masculine or something?
"Ahem."
I looked up.
"Oh. Hi."
One of the elf guards lagged behind for me. (Thank god, or else I'd be lost for sure.)
She was exotic looking. Even in her conforming guard uniform, her hair stood out; I've never seen such a vibrant red before. It went down to her shoulders in soft curls. Her eyes were intensely mint: the color of the forest.
"You must try to quicken your pace ellon." She said. The King and his league were already out of sight. She addressed me in a softer tone compared to what I had been exposed to. It had a kindness to it. I actually felt kind of relieved to be alone with her.
"I'm sorry. I'm not really used to this forest." I said sheepishly.
It was true too. This forest was particularly hard to navigate.
The elves skillfully covered every path to their kingdom. I'm talking fallen trees, leaves, bushes, everything… all to cover their footsteps (if they even left any). Sometimes I would look and question whether or not there was a place for me to step until I saw them walk through it. And they moved with ease. As for me, I was stumbling every five seconds while holding onto saplings and branches for balance.
It was bad.
"Also, why do you guys keep calling me ellon?" I asked as we continued "I'm not a male or an elf for that matter."
She suddenly stopped and turned. She looked at me with her green eyes funny.
"You are too an elf."
"What no I'm no-" My hands instinctively went to my ears. Sure enough, they were fleshy and pointed. Omigod they were POINTED. Then I looked down at my chest and slid my hands across it. Flat as a board. I nearly jumped out my skin. Even with wearing a sports bra I had some goods! I thought I just had a bigger adam's apple all of a sudden now this? AW MAN.
I stared back at her wide eyed "What's going on?" I whispered.
She looked at me funnier.
"I worry for you… uhm may I ask your name?"
I had to think fast at this one. My name's Elle. So what would that make me? Elleman? Dudelle? What, no. What am I thinking.
"El…Eldryn." I said as smooth as I possibly could. I hope it sounded ok.
"Eldryn, I am Cilivren. I fear you must have hit your head too hard. And they way you dress is so… strange. I will try and persuade Allonen and Lorelei to have you see a healer before you are questioned."
"Thank you but I- wait am I in some deep trouble or something? Why was that Allonen guy so salty with me?"
Her back was turned so I couldn't see her face as we trekked along but she answered.
"I don't exactly know what 'salty' is… but if you mean to ask why he is so suspicious of you it's because we were attacked not long before we found you. You were very near Dol Guldur."
Wow, great. I'm screwed. They definitely think I'm some elf in cahoots with the dark forces.
"Oook. But I'm not dangerous you see. I'm actually a female human, and I really need to get back home. My family will start to worry… I mean it's bad enough that I was found near that creepy place. You guys will let me go right?"
She didn't respond, or more of she couldn't, because we had made it to the gates of Thranduil's kingdom.
I couldn't help but gawk as the giant doors opened in unison. It let us into a place I've only seen on computer and television screens.
Mirkwood Kingdom
Living trees thousands of feet high supported the very walkways of Mirkwood Kingdom. The place was all stone: the bridges, the winding staircases, the floors and rooms. It was stunning. Sunlight poured in from above and reflected from surfaces below. There were vines and fauna everywhere. They seemed to mix with the stone perfectly and braid their way across exteriors to add elegance to the elven lands… I've not seen any other place more ethereal, more other worldly ...than this. Now that I was here, I realized just how very small my existence was. Even the water, which fell in small waterfalls above and pooled to fill creeks below, made this place a stunning dream come to life.
I was so immersed in taking in the place I didn't realize I was about to walk off the pathway of the bridge we were crossing. There was no railing so when I got the edge I realized I was looking at thousands of feet of land below.
"Oh SH-" I flailed my arms to force my weight behind me. And before I could register what came next, I was jerked with lightning speed back onto the bridge. I shook my head and saw Cilivren above me; she had grabbed my hoodie and slammed me on the ground.
"Be careful." She said.
I blinked at her trying to get past the pain. "Thanks for saving me…"
Suddenly I noticed a pair of boots came next to my head and looked up. Allonen was staring me down and commanded that I follow him. I got up on my elbows.
"Len Hannon (thank you) Cilivren." I whispered to her so Allonen wouldn't hear. Her eyes flicked to mine for second before she helped me up. They said
You're welcome and be careful of what you say and do now.
I wondered if she believed if I was really human (who knew a little elvish). Or if she was just worried of what would happen to me if I lost it with this jerk.
I got up and followed Allonen. I couldn't help but look back at her one last time though. I think I recognized her from somewhere…
And I felt like I was parting from a friend too.
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After a while, Allonen stopped by the gates of a closed off area. I followed him in and realized in a way it was like a prison. The place was entirely made of stone and cells lined various openings. Was this the place they locked Thorin's dwarven party in? Well, looked similar to it at least.
The place smelled wet and cold: like mold. I got some weird glances from other elves coming into the kingdom. The guards here though just eyed me with serious game faces. I'd rather have the strange glances.
"If you got something to say, say it. I've got nothing to hide." I said finally once we were in a room with all four sides of cold stone. There was a lamp hanging from the ceiling and torches of firelight along the sides. In the middle was a heavy stone table and matching chairs.
"Sit." Allonen said as he pulled a chair for himself. Two other guards were at the doorway.
There goes my escape route.
I sat down opposite to him, as far away as possible.
"What were you doing so close to Dol Guldur ellon?" He made "ellon" sound like he wished he could insert "freak" instead. I blinked, you want to go son? COME AT ME!
"I have no idea. Honestly I was taking a walk in my beautiful forest today when I found myself slipping and falling into Mirkwood forest. I was near that place by chance. If you don't believe me that's your own problem." I flicked my hair behind me and leaned back in my chair.
This guy tested my patience. Something about his pretty face irked me. Like what? Did he think he was better than everyone else just because he was a little hot? You're not Thranduil beautiful so you better step the hell down and respect others fool!
He looked at me straight in the eyes the whole time, searching for evidence of lying. (Not like he's gonna find anything)
"And other questions?" I said sweetly, which sounded weird because I was male so it came as a deep purr rather than something girls do to piss other people off.
He made a face. It was a half sneer, half look of disgust. Soo sorry to waste your precious time bucko.
"What's your name."
"Eldryn."
"Where are you from Eldryn?"
"Earth."
"Where is that?"
"Some other universe from this one."
He started to look angry. Well TOO BAD. What else am I supposed to say HAH?
"Quit joking around and answer the questions. The sooner you speak, the faster this process will go." He said through clenched teeth.
I snapped.
"Ok you want the truth? I'll give you the truth. You're being so incredibly rude to a stranger in these parts because like I said, I come from a place called EARTH which isn't on your maps because it's a different world. And up until a few hours ago, I was a happy content human WOMAN. I'm sixteen years old and my name is Elle. But I found once I got here I was a man and an elf so I had to then change my name and stop myself from completely freaking out. Oh, nice to meet you Allonen, when you didn't even ask for my name or at least try to understand you jerk of a guard. I swear, I know this place only by memory and film but I have never thought that an unentitled elf would EVER be as rude and degrading as you. I heard that your group was attacked not long before you found me, sorry about that but I had nothing to do with it ok?! So why don't you quit acting like I'm some evil atrocious orc, and start treating me with a little civil respect. You think you can manage? Hm?"
Sass mode engaged.
What now.
He was quiet as he took my words in. I could see from the corner of my eye the two guards outside shift uncomfortably. I guess my voice raised in volume every sentence I said. Not like I care, I didn't break eye contact with Allonen. After a moment he moved swiftly and got up. His back turned on me and he went over to the guards. He said something in elvish and they nodded. Before I could even get up I heard a clang and keys locking solid iron.
I had just been locked in. This went swimmingly.
Ok where's Bilbo with that ring?
I am so done.
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Hi guys! I'm thrilled to be writing this because it's really different in mood from my other fanfiction for Inuyasha. If you have anything you want to say feel free to pipe in. I hope you like it and will be interested to see what I have in store for the future. :D Bye for now!
