Author's note: Chapter 3 up. Much quicker than I expected but that's not a bad thing! So everyone is off doing their own thing but eventually they'll all come together and who knows what craziness will happen! Please let me know thoughts and comments!
Chapter 3:
Two days into his journey, Legolas and his company were making good time. They had only encountered a minor delay, and an odd one at that. Upon hearing gruff voices and swords clashing Legolas signaled to stop.
They had been traveling parallel to trade routes and roads but within the forests to take advantageous from the cover of trees. He quietly moved to the edge of the tree line and saw three hobbits being robbed and harassed by a group of five vandals. The men were clearly overpowering the hobbits, taking advantage of their superior strength and stature. It was not the nature of elves to meddle in affairs not their own, but Legolas had already set his mind to helping the unfortunate little men (perhaps, though he may not have known it, due to the influence of a fiery she elf friend).
"Is it wise, my lord?" A guard who had followed him whispered.
"We shall not tarry long," Legolas responded, notched arrow already in place. He knew his guards could easily subdue the shaggy men in a matter of minutes—which wouldn't delay them significantly.
An arrow flew and firmly pinned the collar of the leader's shirt to a tree sturdy trunk, effectively restraining him. The man cried out in surprise and his friends turned to see who the new foes were. The hobbits were also surprised but quickly picked up their belongings and ran to their cart trying to get away. More arrows flew and disabled the other men leaving them mostly uninjured, though the same could not be said of their pride.
"Show yourself!" the leader bellowed angrily, ripping his tunic to free himself. His eyes widened and his face paled considerably upon seeing the elves effortlessly run forward and begin to bind their hands and feet.
"These roads are meant to provide safe passage for all," Legolas said, not bothering with stating his titles for this filth. "Do not forget that, or you shall meet a fate worse than this." The elves left the men tied around a robust trunk, helpless and defeated. He turned around to see the young healer-warrior elleth, Mavina, and another guard hauling back one more struggling man.
"This one was trying to escape, but he did not get far!" She said triumphantly.
"Did you defeat him yourself?" Legolas asked, surprised and secretly proud.
"She did!" the guard with her affirmed, "I saw it with my own eyes. I saw her go after him and pursued. By the time I arrived she already had his hands tied!" Mavina smiled proudly.
"Well fought," Legolas complimented her and secured the man to the rest. "I believe our work here is done," he said and they disappeared back into the woods.
As they left Mavina heard the men grumble and argue with each other. "Were those elves? One was a pretty little thing. Aye, and she got you tied up you fool!" She turned away, a small smile playing on her lips.
Once she caught up with the group Legolas called her forward, curious about her. "Your friend said you fought well."
"It was nothing," she said, not wishing to make a big deal out of the whole affair. "He wasn't swift or intelligent. Training with the other recruits is more challenging than this."
Legolas laughed, "That is good." He wondered how to ask about her calling without being to forward. He knew he could outright demand her to tell him but disliked imposing his rank; so they fell into silence again. He then remembered something which drew his attention. "I saw the knots you used to bind him, they were very unusual. Where did you learn them?"
"I invented them," she said simply. "In my training as a healer there were often times we needed to reduce pressure to an area by decreasing blood flow to it. We had to use a variety of bandages and rope for this purpose. One day, using nothing but old twine, I found myself making a knot with three loops, two large ones and one small one, which could easily be tightened by adjusting the small loop. I found no real use for it until now, I suppose."
Legolas was impressed. This elleth, not even a fourth of his age had already surprised him more times than most. Finally he said, "When there is time, you must show me how it is done."
"Of course! I would be honored, my lord," Mavina said excitedly, trying to maintain a collected composure. Legolas smiled to himself and continued on dashing through the forest, quiet and unseen.
Meanwhile in Mirkwood, two days had passed with no sign of any incoming wine from Laketown. Thranduil was displeased as he spoke to his council.
"Did I not request the preparations for the festival be completed by today?" His voice was smooth and icy: dangerous.
"Yes, my lord," an elf named Noruinif responded, "We do not know why the Laketown merchants have not delivered by now. However, we have sent councilman Faervel to investigate. He should return with news within the hour."
"He better not disappoint me yet again," Thranduil said coolly. He turned his attention to his other advisors, discussing less important but nonetheless essential matters of the festival. In the midst of their discussion on the courses and timeline of events the master entered.
"Camaenor," The king said, acknowledging the unexpected arrival. Camaenor was an old and respected elf who had legendary skill with the forge; he was responsible for many of the great swords of Middle Earth and made personal artefacts for the king.
Camaenor bowed deeply and set a wooden chest in front of the king. "My liege, I have spent many days in the forge to craft these humble gifts." He opened the chest and brought out an elegant silver circlet with a singular white stone, starlight, in the center. It lay on a dark blue velvet cushion, bringing out its elegance, and he presented it to Thranduil who stared at it with great pleasure. Before Thranduil could speak Camaenor continued. "I have also crafted a new sheath for your great sword. I hope you will find both to your liking." He knew Thranduil treasured his sword greatly and did not need a new one; but an elegantly gilded sheath would please him, especially since he had also embedded the gleaming white stones along its length. He too handed this to the king who took it gently, as if it were fragile.
"Where did you get these stones?" He asked suddenly, looking at the smith directly.
"There are not many left, only small ones, unremarkable on their own. However, for some time I have been carefully placing them together, piece by piece, to create a larger stone fit for your majesty."
"This is an exquisite gift, Camaenor. Your talent remains unsurpassed. I thank you." It was rare to see Thranduil express any sort of genuine emotion, but this was such an occasion.
"It was my honor," he said, bowing, and taking his leave.
Thranduil was now in a remarkably much more pleasant mood, though in his eyes a great sadness lingered. Those beautiful stones reminded him of that which he wished he could forget but would forever remember. It reminded him of the anguish which haunted him every moment of every day of his immortal life, and the futility of trying to forget that which he loved above all else. He remembered her perfection vividly, she lived on in his memory—more glorious and radiant than ever before, and his features softened ever so slightly.
"Leave me," He said to his royal guards, "I wish to take my walk." His council left quickly as Thranduil came down to look upon his kingdom. He felt reinvigorated; he wanted to see his fine kingdom again, just as it was in happier times however long ago.
Tauriel was on patrol when Faervel rode through on his horse headed toward Laketown. He went alone and decided it was best to follow; though all elves had battle training she didn't think he could hold off an ambush of orcs or spiders. She put her second in command in charge and ran in pursuit—weaving through the branches gracefully, almost as if her feet would take flight. Once they had cleared the river she decided to make her presence known to him.
"Faervel!" she called, jumping down to the ground. "Why do you travel?" She could not fathom why he would be sent there—the elves rarely venturing out of their forest.
"Captain Tauriel," Faervel brought his steed to a halt upon hearing her. "I have orders to bring the wine from Laketown for the festival."
"I will accompany you," she said, she wanted an excuse to go outside of the borders. Faervel was slightly confused but Tauriel looked uncompromising.
"Very well," he said and moved forward on his steed to leave room for her to mount behind him. She lithely jumped on and as they rode Faervel couldn't help but notice her body so close to his. Tauriel was well known as a favorite of the king, a fearless warrior, and the youngest Captain of the guard, but he hadn't paid that much attention to her before now. He felt her hands grip his waist and thought that perhaps the reason she had followed him and was with him now was because she favored him. The more he thought about it the more it all made sense to him, and he realized that she was indeed a beautiful elleth with long lustrous hair and enchanting green eyes. He knew to her he would be slightly older, but not so much that it would be uncomfortable, and that now would be a good time for him to begin settling down with a wife and perhaps children. Though Tauriel was nothing but a Silvan elf, he could bring her status and honor with his titles and position in the council. He was decided—he would return Tauriel's affection; beginning by asking her to accompany him to the festival.
During the ride Tauriel's thoughts wandered to Legolas. She would never admit it, but she missed his company during her patrol and especially in training the new recruits. He had a firm but gentle hand with the young ones, while she was quickly frustrated and impatient when they were slow to learn. She wondered what exciting things he would encounter on his journey, and who the special guests that would be arriving were. She again felt disappointment at not being able to go, but grudgingly understood why.
She looked ahead to the sorry excuse for a settlement called Laketown which lay not far in the distance. Upon the shore of the lake she saw the barge used to ferry people across and noticed it was occupied by full barrels of wine.
"Odd," she said, dismounting and landing lightly on the smooth pebbles on the shore. Faervel also dismounted and looked at the strange sight.
"Why would they leave this here? It looks like no one has been around for days," he said, moving closer to the boat.
"And here's why." Tauriel gestured to something on the other side, hidden from view. Faervel moved closer and saw a corpse. No wonder the wine hadn't arrived. Both elves examined the body, Tauriel flipping it over with her foot. A single arrow with a black feather stuck out from the middle of his chest. "This is the work of orcs."
"Why would orcs attack Laketown?" Faervel asked, sincerely confused. Tauriel didn't have an answer.
"I do not know, but we must report it to the king." Tauriel went back to the body and pulled out the arrow. She would bring it back to show Thranduil.
As for the wine, they still needed to bring that back, but would not be able to do it themselves. They decided to move the barge to a more secluded spot away from the shore and would send others to come pick it up upon their return.
When they rode back now Tauriel sat in front with Faervel behind her. She felt his light breath on her neck and felt uncomfortable at the proximity—she wished she had brought her own horse instead of riding double. She felt the rigidness of his body and how he was more silent than usual; all the better for her since she despised pointless conversation.
Faervel was disappointed at their discovery on the shore. He was hoping ask Tauriel to the festival on the ride back after everything had gone smoothly and according to plan. Instead, the gruesome discovery put a grim mood on the two and he felt it was not the appropriate time. He resolved to try later and remained silent for the rest of the ride back.
