For now I might upload the chapters rather quickly, but after the fifth chapter, I'll be writing from scratch (as in not copying from a notebook from years ago), and I won't be able to write every day.
I realized I never really clarified the time frame. This is set after the Hobbit, but it doesn't really follow the books/movies. The Ring quest does come into the story later on, which is the point where I had stopped writing, but I don't want to do another 'insert person into the Quest' story, so I'm going to try something different. That will also slow me down a bit when I get to that point.
Also, on the subject of reviews, I will say I love getting them. Especially if you have problems with something. Many times I don't realize there are plot gaps until someone asks about it. I feel that helps me to build these stories to be even stronger.
Without further ado, here's Chapter 2.
Several weeks after my fleeing of Rivendell, I arrived at the outer rim of the forest of Mirkwood, which once was known as the Greenwood. I slid off Meleth and told her to stay safe, releasing her into the forest while shouldering my packs. I looked into the wood and started walking.
Sometime later, I climbed into a tree and looked out over the canopy, watching the sunset. I sat on a branch and pulled my hair into a braid that reached my hips. Several strands escaped from the rest and framed my face. I dropped from the branch and continued East. I heard a sound and froze, perking my ears.
'What was that?' I thought. Another twang sounded. I slipped silently through the trees until I found the source of the noise.
A tall elf stood in a clearing. He had shoulder length blonde hair and ice blue eyes. He stood with a bow in his hand, a quiver on his back. He was reaching back for another arrow, his eyes were trained on the target he was shooting.
'Who is he?' I thought. 'Is he a soldier of Mirkwood?' I saw his eyes narrow as he let loose another arrow.
"I can hear your breathing." He said, his voice soft, much like how I had told off the women who gossiped about my pain. I gave a small smile and stepped into the clearing, holding my arms open to show that I was unarmed. "What is an elf of Rivendell doing in the woods of Mirkwood? Do you bring news?"
"Though not my intention and purpose, I do bear news of orcs roaming more and more through the lands of Rohan." A lump grew in my throat, but it did not show on my face or in my voice.
"You bring grave news. Although I admit to being curious as to your intention and purpose of your visit." He turned to face me, glancing over my blue wool dress. "Your clothes show wear. Was your journey long?"
"My reason and purpose here are mine alone. I longed to leave Rivendell for a time and found myself on the path to Mirkwood with my uncle's blessings. I am Kirlin, daughter of Hakim and Parma, niece of Lord Elrond." I curtsied.
"I am Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm." I gave a small smile and curtsied again, but gave a lower curtsy, proper of the elf's station.
"It is an honor to meet you, Prince." I said, my voice soft.
"Come, I shall introduce you to the Court." Legolas held up his arm for my hand. And I should have expected such an offer, being the niece of the Lord Elrond of Rivendell made me practically a princess in all but title, but I gave a small shake of my head.
"I beg pardon, but I am here to escape the gossip. Living in Court will cause unwanted attention. I wish to stay hidden from the nobles of Mirkwood." Legolas's eyes held curiosity, but his face was still pleasant.
"Then come dine privately with my family, away from the eyes of those who wish to speak ill of you." I hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to lay my hand on his leather clad arm.
"Then I shall accept. I would love to meet the royal family of Mirkwood." I smiled at Legolas. His eyes were still curious as we walked through the forest, but he politely spoke of everything but my reason for being in Mirkwood.
"Do you bear any other news from Rivendell?" Legolas asked.
"Aye, we have sent a troop of soldiers to help the elves of Lothlorien to keep the orcs at bay. We have lost…too many, but most have returned to use safely."
"We grieve those who are lost." Legolas said mournfully.
"Some of ours have left for the Grey Haven. My uncle sees dark stirrings from Mordor." I shook my head softly. "Many say it is not possible for such darkness to occur. My father has gone to Lothlorien to speak with the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. He hopes to be able to bring peace to this dark rumor."
"You bring sorrowful words. Is there naught something the elves of Mirkwood can do?" Legolas asked. I raised my left hand to trace my left ear as I thought.
"It may be foolish to try anything so soon. We must tread carefully until we know what is really the cause of these dark tidings." I glanced around at the forest around us. "These trees are old. I will have to listen to their stories whilst I am here."
"Do you know how much time you shall spend with us?" Legolas asked. A city was forming from the trees, blending in perfectly with the nature around it.
"I know naught of the amount of time I shall stay in this realm. I know not how long it shall take me to erase this pain in my heart." The curiosity was back in Legolas's eyes. We soon arrived at the forest hall of Mirkwood. It was more of a system of caves just beneath the surface, locked tight at the gates.
"Legolas, who is this lovely she-elf that you have brought before me?" Another lithe elf with a golden circlet on his head asked as Legolas and I walked into the throne room. I curtsied low to him, knowing him to be the king of the Woodland Realm.
"My name is Kirlin, daughter of Parma. I hail from Rivendell with the blessings of my uncle, Lord Elrond." I said.
"Welcome, Lady Kirlin, to my hall of Mirkwood. I am Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm. You have already met my oldest child. This is my younger son, Lenwe." He motioned to an elf who looked a lot like Legolas, but with a bulkier build.
'The whole family is handsome. I wonder where the Lady is.' I curtsied to Lenwe. He smiled kindly at me. I gave him a shy smile back. 'Legolas and Lenwe are quite fetching.' I frowned. 'Haru was as handsome as these two.'
"May I ask why such a beautiful lady of Rivendell has graced my home?" Thranduil asked.
"I have suffered a deep loss at Rivendell and it pains my heart to be there. I soon found myself on the road to Mirkwood. I wish to live here until my heart pains me no longer." Thranduil nodded, a sympathetic smile on his lips.
"Have you news from Rivendell?" He asked. I repeated what I had told to Legolas. The King nodded, rubbing his smooth chin.
"These are interesting tidings indeed. I shall send a courier to Lord Elrond." He clapped his hands once. "But now we dine!" He offered his arm to me. I curtsied once more and laid my hand on his arm. Legolas and Lenwe followed us as Thranduil led me to the dining hall. "Now tell me, little one, what was it that you have lost that has lead you to so much pain that you were forced to leave your home?"
"The wound is still too fresh. Perhaps once your kingdom has healed me of my sorrow, I will be able to speak of my heart's pain."
"I pray that your pain will heal quickly, but that you will stay longer."
"I thank you for your kind words." We entered a room. I was pleased to see the beauty of a simple dining room. "Your home holds much beauty where one would least expect it." I said as Thranduil pulled a chair for me.
"It is a compliment indeed when an elf of the fair Rivendell compliments a dining hall!" He laughed. I sat down gracefully. Lenwe followed and sat on my left as Legolas sat to my right. Thranduil took a chair across from me.
"Shall we be joined by others?" I asked, curious to see the lady who brought up two handsome elves such as Lenwe and Legolas.
"I am afraid not. My two daughters are currently in the care of Lady Galadriel." Thranduil said.
"They may come in contact with my father then. I shall ask him if your daughters are as beautiful as your sons are handsome."
"I do like to think so, though my boys seem to attract more attention than my girls." Legolas chuckled at his father's words.
"Father, you flatter Lenwe and me, however, I do believe that dear Adeline is much more sought after than either of us." Legolas said, chuckling. I saw a light red tint to his cheeks and I giggled, amused that he was embarrassed.
"I will have to be the judge, then." This time I saw both brothers blush. "What of the lady of the hall?" All joking left the table. All faces turned serious.
"We, too, have felt the pain of loss." Thranduil said.
"I am deeply sorry. No one, human, elf, or even dwarf should feel such pain." I bowed my head. "How do you bear the pain?" I whispered.
"We live to bring honor to her name." Thranduil said. I smiled lightly.
'Haru…'
After we ate, we moved to a music room.
"Do you play or sing?" Thranduil asked as Legolas picked up a flute and Lenwe picked up an unfamiliar wooden instrument with a long neck with strings. He placed it on one leg and plucked at the strings with his right hand, placing his fingers on the strings on the neck.
"I am adept at the lyre." Thranduil held one up to me and I drew it close, plucking a few strings. A melody formed from the tuning notes.
"Where are you planning to live during your stay?" Thranduil asked as Lenwe joined my strumming. Legolas soon joined with a counter melody.
"I am sure I will find a suitable place to stay."
"Nonsense! You shall take a room in my hall!" Thranduil laughed. My fingers paused for a second, but returned to plucking.
"Kind sir, I came to Mirkwood to get away from gossipers and rumors." I said, trying to keep my voice pleasant. I didn't want to insult the king by refusing his kind offer, but I knew that if I resided in a hall with nobles, then the truth of my visit would surface.
"We shall keep you hidden, then! You'll be free, of course, to roam about the realm, but you shall have a room in one of the rooms in the hall where my family resides." He clapped me on the back. "I'm sure my sons would not mind keeping such a beautiful lady such as yourself company." Legolas's playing faltered and he smiled.
"It would be our honor." The older brother said. I smiled and trilled into a more common song.
"Then it would be rude of me to reject your offer."
"Wonderful!" I smiled and felt in my heart that I had made the right choice to come to Mirkwood.