King and Lionheart
usquener - Smelly One
ada - Father
ion nîn - My Son
Ernil - Prince
Ernil nîn - My Prince
Dinaer - Silent One
Lirimaer - Lovely One
Mellon nîn - My Friend
Dess - Young Woman
*notify me if I have missed any words to translate*
CASTING FOR THIS CHAPTER
Miles McMillan as Tharnor
Author's Note:
I want to thank everyone again for alerting this story. I've just finished chapter six, and I starting to work out all the kinks of the story, especially Bellamy's side. Chapter Four and Five will be about him, though, but a majority of the story will always be with Arielle.
Also question, does anyone want me to make a list of how to pronounce some of these names? Let me know :)
CHAPTER III
Her Loose Tongue
The dinner feast is what Arielle had expected to be, though she was still not prepared for it. It wasn't often that the realm gathered to eat together, though the arrival of Maeleth after nearly an age since last visit had given them a reason to gather to eat, drink, and dance.
Arielle had suspected all elves to hold themselves with dignity and integrity, as the way man had painted them with such envy. However, for the most part, it was the complete opposite. The working class and common folk were as free spirited in a party than any human would be, if not more gracefully. The nobility, royalty, and the court of the king held themselves to a higher standard. Sitting with them was easy at least, though Arielle couldn't help but look jealously at the joyous elves that were free to be themselves.
At least she had wine, which she happily drank in silence.
On her left was Maeleth, as always, and on her right was the ever curious Elanoriel, who had, much to Arielle's chagrin, been her constant conversational companion. Once the young elleth had learned of Arielle's "origin story", it was like one question after another. Arielle wasn't prepared for the Spanish Inquisition, so a lot of her questions were only half truths, though many she had to think on the spot. Her only worry was remembering all these white lies.
"I cannot imagine living entirely with men," Elanoriel began. "My father is all the masculinity I could handle in large doses, though growing up along four?"
"It is not so different to having sisters, I'd imagine," Arielle said, but mostly to her goblet. "I mean, I've never had sisters, but I'd imagine the same amount of hair pulling would be involved."
The older elleth didn't know whether or not Elanoriel actually understood the joke, but she laughed all the same. Were elf siblings were as human siblings? Arielle didn't quite know, since most elven couples really only had one child. Elanoriel was an only child, despite her parents being thousands of years old, but she had a lot of cousin. Arielle supposed that Elanoriel laughed because the young one thought the idea of men to be charming, as she has never met one. In a way, it explained the questions, but it didn't stop Arielle's growing impatience. It was starting to make her feel like a novelty or an oddity of interest and the spot light was getting on her nerves.
"What were your brothers' names?" she asked suddenly, "You've never mentioned."
"Uh, well," Arielle put the goblet to her lips, trying search in her mind names she wouldn't forget. "Severus," She stated immediately, and then quickly added, "Sirius, and Remus. And my 'father' was named Albus." Desperately Arielle wanted to laugh at her choice of faux names for her faux family, but instead she covered her mouth with her goblet again.
"What curious names," Elanoriel smiled politely, "I have not heard such names before. Though," she laughed softly, "I have not met men before."
"You are young," Arielle forced herself to say, "You will meet many in your long life a head."
"Have you met many? You are only fifty or so years older than me, yet you have experienced so much more than any elleth your age that I know of."
"I've met a lot of men, dwarves, hobbits, even, and unfortunately I have met orcs, though we barely shared a few words," it was perhaps the sweet wine that had loosen Arielle's tongue a bit. Of course, she was talking about the past year she had been living in Middle Earth, though Elanoriel didn't need to know the details of that.
It didn't seem to bother Elanoriel of Arielle's loose tongue, though it seemed that her voice got somewhat louder, and gained the ear of two other elves. One was the elleth at Arielle's left, the other was the Eyebrow King himself.
"There was one time me and Al— Albus —," Arielle quickly corrected herself before she was noticed. "Stumbled upon a Troll hoard just south of Dunland, though it was not abandoned, let me tell you," she raised her hand as an ellon came by to refill. "I haven't smelt anything like that troll, it was absolutely putrid. I am still half certain that it had a festering wound in it's gut that was surely home to some disgusting creature."
"How perfectly horrid," Elanoriel put her hands on the table, a look of disgust and intrigue on her face. "What did you do?"
Arielle opened her mouth to answer the truth, but caught herself before she could. She couldn't dare say that they looted the hoard of it's valuables and cut off the troll's head in the process. "We ran before it could wake up," she cleared her throat.
"That is quite the tale, usquener," drawled the voice of the one elf that Arielle wished would not speak. When he did, it seemed to end with an insult that many dared not bat an eye too.
"Quite the tale in deed," there was nothing holding back the bite in her tone as she replied, nor the condescending smile that followed.
By the grit in Thranduil's jaw, he wasn't impressed by the stranger's attitude, though he remained as he was when he asked, "How old were you when this occurred, I wonder? If your guardian was alive then, you could have been not much of a child."
Even in her state of mind, she new that Thranduil was trying to catch her in a lie, though it wasn't one. The only thing she hid from that story was a single name and the ending to it. Regardless, she was careful not to allow that single story make a hole in her entire one. "Men are taught to bring up their children very differently… Albus had no experience with elves when he found me, so he raised me like he did his sons. At twenty-five, I was a fully grown woman to him."
"Yet, you were not; not in the eyes of your kin," Thranduil countered. "It was foolish of him to bring you into such dangerous territory."
"As I said…" Arielle placed to goblet in front of her, not caring to repeat herself as it was a great pet-peeve. "In his eyes, I was not. He imparted wisdom to me, and believed that I was capable of rearing his teachings and living life after he passed."
"Yet that wisdom did not reach you when you ventured into dangerous territories unarmed," His statement was the only flaw in her otherwise flawless lecture.
Arielle felt Maeleth's hand squeeze her knee, and in great reluctance, the former forced a smile in the Elvenking's direction. "What can I say? I live life on the edge."
To break the tension, Maeleth laughed at Arielle's answer, which brightened Elanoriel, so she joined in the laughter. Arielle had to give it to her companion, she knew how to ease uncomfortable situations. Her laugh was joined by a few others, and then finally the forced smirk and chuckle of his Majesty, King Douche Canoe. Arielle, though, hid her frown behind her goblet.
At that moment a new arrival appeared at the table, his hands folded behind him and a gentle, apologetic smile on his face. Arielle felt Maeleth tense beside her, so she snuck a look at her and realized that her smile had disappeared and her eyes were glued on her food as she tried not to pay attention to the stranger.
"Apologies, ada, for being late. I was hunting out west with Rhovanor," he bowed and was about to take his seat right of his father.
"It is not I you must apologize to, ion nîn," The King gestured with his eyes towards the brunette who was still staring into her plate as if it was a book.
The tension was back, but Arielle was glad that it wasn't because of her. It was far too tempting to not look between Maeleth and Thranduil's son, Legolas, in attempt to read their minds in that moment. Legolas, who was refreshingly softer in features than his father, looked so uncomfortable when he was forced to turn to Maeleth that Arielle suspected he would nope out of the room at any moment.
With a great stiff bow of his head, finally the elven prince spoke, "Lady Maeleth… it is wonderful to see you again. Much time has passed since I last seen your beautiful face."
Her face snapped to him, and Arielle braced herself when she saw the flash of fire in those deep brown eyes. However as soon as it appeared, it had disappeared and replaced with the ease of her gentle and forgiving (putting it loosely) smile.
"It has been long, Ernil Legolas," it was all she said in return, which made the prince shift in his spot, feeling eyes on him. It seemed like the kingdom had not forgotten his youthful blunder.
His hands still clasped behind him, and he opened his mouth like a fish, then closed them, and then reopened them once he allowed himself the courage to say what everyone awaited for him to say. But, instead he requested that they take it elsewhere, "Would you care to accompany me on the balcony?"
Arielle's eyes shifted to Maeleth and saw the slightest grit of her jaw before she sighed softly through her nose and nodded. "Of course, ernil nîn," she dabbed her lips before standing and excusing herself. The thief kept her eyes on her as she and Legolas left the table and disappeared behind mustard colour silk curtains a little bit away.
"Well, that was certainly awkward," came a voice down the table, which reminded Arielle that she was now alone to her own devices. Her eyes shifted back to the people remaining at the table, and saw that a curly black haired elf had spoken. "I am surprised she accepted his offer of privacy."
"Lady Maeleth is polite by nature," Thranduil said, raising his goblet and leaning back into his seat. "She is wise enough to know that it is not proper to humiliate a prince in front of his court and father."
It was hard to her keep her lips shut, especially that the wine had loosened her tongue. At least Arielle had the decency to mutter into her goblet, though her comment didn't go unheard. She damned herself for not remembering that elves have keen sense of hearing, and she was only about 10-11 feet away from the Elvenking.
"If you have something to say, dinaer, do speak up," Thranduil eyed his guest with a look of indifference. His arms rested on the arm rests of his chair, his back leaning to the left so he could face the right side of the table, where she sat.
Arielle slowly put down her goblet, running her tongue over her teeth in an attempt to filter the words coming from her mouth. But by then, her head swam in a million of sassy remarks that she was on the verge of spewing. On earth, she would have been able to get away with it; the only repercussions of speaking your mind only really affected your social life, with only a few exceptions. One wrong word here, and she could be put in a cell, or worse, kicked out.
"I am just not accustomed to elvish social conduct," she spoke true. "I have grown up to speak plainly, and let my mind be known."
"You mistake our formality, lirimaer," the other elf said, his dark eyes hooded under his brow bone, making his smile seem sinister. His name of endearment for her confused both the elleth and the king; the former, not sure what it meant, and the latter because he knew what it meant. It meant the exact opposite of what he had been calling her since their introduction. "Our status dictates our actions, though as you have witnessed," he gestured with a nod to the lower tables, where the merrier elves danced and drank. "Not all elves act as us. You, young one, are not bound by the constricts of status. If you wish to speak plainly, then by all means, allow your tongue free."
There was a way he said that, that made Arielle uncomfortable, though his speech did intrigued her. So far, he was the most interesting elf she had met since her arrival. She licked her bottom lip out of habit of being speechless, but the action made the ellon mimic her in a more territorial way. Clearing her throat, she dabbed her mouth with a napkin, "I am afraid I cannot do that."
"What are you afraid of, lirimaer?"
"I am afraid that words would sent me back to my own devices in the unpredictable hands of the Mirkwood," it was plain of her to state, and heavy with truth that not even the ellon and Thranduil couldn't deny.
The king tilted his head and regarded her with a silent agreement before bringing his goblet to his lips and taking a drink. The ellon, however, was offended for her by his king's quick disregard for her wellbeing.
"Oh, come now, mellon nîn, you would send such a young elleth to her death simply because you disapprove of her words? I know you are not that cruel."
Thranduil sighed, "She may speak plain when I allow it, and it would be in her best interest to resist being insulting."
Arielle decided to test the waters, and when the words slipped her mouth she felt Elanoriel shift in her seat uncomfortably, hoping that no drama ensued in front of her. "Would you allow me to speak plain now?"
Thranduil assessed her for a moment over the rim of his goblet and then sighed, flourishing his hand to give his approval. Though he will find out that he would regret that decision.
"Why do you continuously insult an elleth that has done none to you, and then you do not give her the honour of defending herself without being punished or reprimanded for it?"
The silence that followed was almost as bad as the one that Legolas had let linger in the air before he left with Maeleth. Elanoriel's father cleared his throat behind his napkin, though the dark-haired ellon that spoke before chuckled and squinted his eyes in mirth. All others that sat at the table remained silent, or tried to distract themselves in their own conversations. Thranduil, however, burned his gaze into Arielle's eyes and this time the elleth refused to waver her own.
"Mellon nîn , you have not thought to look for claws on this wild cat?" The ellon chuckled, and the king broke his stare to glare at him.
The king's chest swelled in a sigh and he nodded at Arielle, his face softened, which took the thief by surprise. "Your argument is sound, dess. I am elf enough to admit that, and I apologize for my unreasonable rudeness."
Bile in Arielle's throat formed; she was not expecting a formal apology, and the genuine sincerity behind it that she could see behind his icy eyes. It caught her off guard, and she really had no idea what to say. She was prepared to retort something should he reply with something entitled, but he caught her off guard and that annoyed her greatly.
With a short nod, and a purse of her lips she forgave him, "You are forgiven, my lord."
He nodded in acknowledgement, though his eyes remained on her in a curious manner that unnerved Arielle. His eyes brought back the itching feeling of familiarity that she still couldn't place. It made her ill-at-ease, like an unpleasant memory that she wished she didn't recall.
Though his gaze was pulled away by the grace of Maeleth as she returned to the table. She stood behind her vacant seat, hands on the backrest; even though she wore a smile, Arielle was perceptive enough see her eyes were glazed and discoloured. She wants to cry. Arielle shifted her eyes accusingly at Legolas, a faux smile on his face as well when he took his place next to his father.
"Who cares to join me down to dance?" Maeleth beamed, and as soon as she said that Elanoriel sprung from her seat.
"Oh, I do! I have been so restless in this chair!" The chair was empty and tucked into the table in such quickness that Arielle had to process that her blonde friend was no longer at her side.
"How about you, Arielle?" She asked as she took her eager cousin's hand.
"I do not dance," Arielle offered a smile and remained in her seat, reaching up to drink the rest of her wine. She had grown more sober than she had liked after trying to filter her words so much in the last conversation.
"It is your choice, my friend. I would beg of you, but it seems like I am being pulled against my will," Maeleth laughed as her cousin tugged at her hand and tried to drag her towards the dancing area. Eventually she relented and the two jogged towards the stairs where the other elves danced merrily.
"I cannot believe my ears. How such a creature does not dance?" The black-haired ellon spoke again, and Arielle was forced to look at him. "Has your human-father not bothered to provide you with music to dance to?"
A sad expression passed over Arielle's face, "My brother used to sing to me quite a bit. But they were mostly lullabies to put me to sleep, nothing to dance to." That much was true; Bellamy loved to sing and when he wasn't running his tongue about nonsense, he was humming a tune, or stringing his guitar idly. The nostalgia tugged at her heart greatly, that she couldn't hide the solemn mien on her face.
"Such beauty in her sorrow, don't you agree, Thranduil?" The dark haired elf said, which made Arielle's face snap up, wondering if she misheard him.
The king remained silent to the other's question, but he watched her all the same.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She challenged, her voice had an undertone of incertitude.
The ellon put up his hand as a gesture to calm her, "Do not find my words insensitive. It beautiful to see how morality still affects you so, even though there has been great time since your last family had slipped from your life. The way your eyes speak, it is as if they had departed only a fortnight ago."
It might as well be a fortnight ago. Arielle remained silent despite her loud thoughts. Bellamy may still be alive, though he might as well be on a different planet. It felt as if he had died, due to the unlikelihood of her never seeing him again.
"It breaks my heart to see you in such a state of sadness, lady Arielle. Please, won't you join me in a dance, in hopes to lift your spirits?" The ellon asked.
She wanted to repeat that she did not dance, but when her eyes moved towards Maeleth and Elanoriel, her mind changed. Maeleth threw her troubles to the wind as the music swept through her body, and Arielle was yearning to feel the same way her friend did at that moment.
"I suppose one dance won't hurt me," she found herself saying, and the ellon broke into a huge grin.
"Splendid," he slid out of his chair and then turned to the king, "Forgive me, my king, my prince, I hope my absence doesn't hinder you. I am granted a dance with a fair maiden, I hope you understand."
Arielle remained seated as she folded her napkin and placed it on her half empty plate. She barely paid attention to the three ellyn, but she did find it curious when Thranduil switched from the Westron language to that of Sindarin, and had a look of seriousness. Her curiosity damned her for not attempting to learn this complex language in the past year.
After the dark-haired ellon had said something and laughed, he walked towards her chair and pulled it out, then offered a hand. She didn't take it until after she casted an inquisitive look at the King, who for once was not watching them. In fact it was like he was painfully trying to avoid looking at them, or he was lost in an uncomfortable thought.
As they were walking towards the dancing area, the tone of the song changed to something slow pacing, which Arielle was thankful for. She had no idea how to dance, especially the graceful footwork that the elves could do. Slow dancing wasn't hard to get used to, but it also meant more touching than Arielle had prepared for. The ellon took her hand in one, then pulled her close by placing his other on the small of her back. This left her to leave her other hand on his clavicle, and left her eyes wandering everywhere but on his penetrating dark gaze.
"Has anyone told you, Lady Arielle, that your eyes are quite fascinating?" He said, his voice soft.
"Not to my face," She blinked at him before tearing her gaze from his face and to over his shoulder. "You have me at a disadvantage, my lord. You know my name, but I don't believe we have actually introduced each other."
He laughed, his cheeks tinting only a bit. "Of course I would be so caught off by a beauty that I would forget to actually formalize myself. Forgive me, lirimaer. Allow me to formally and properly introduce myself. I am Lord Chancellor Tharnor."
In an instant, Arielle's eyes snapped to his, her previous discomfort disappeared and in it's place was purpose. Her job danced with her, and like seeing a shiny diamond ring under a glass case, her eyes glinted with mischievous intent.
The thief's lips spread into a wide grin, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Chancellor. I am Arielle… The Lionheart."
Next two chapters we will be finding out where Bellamy is and what he's doing (: More info about that when I publish it.
Also, please review, feedback is much appreciated. I usually hate asking for this, but I just want to know what people think of this so far. Also be sure to check the pinterest board in my profile to see the additional photos I put in, in this photo.
Happy Readings xoxox
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