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Chapter 6

The same feeling came to Kelsey as she had felt when she had woken from her dream. The room began to melt away and wind whistled past her head as she felt the sensation of behind pulled. This time, she was ready; this feeling gave her excitement and happiness. The flower had worked!

What Kelsey saw as her vision came to her was most surprising. She was in the throne room of Mirkwood and King Thranduil was sitting on his throne. She was facing him, and her appearance seemed to startle him. Several gasps were heard around the hall as those around her acknowledged her appearance.

"You have returned!" King Thranduil's voice echoed throughout the hall. He seemed pleased to see Kelsey. She smiled at his happiness; it was comfort to her to know that at least one being encouraged her decision.

"And again wearing your interesting attire", the King said, amusement laced his words.

Kelsey felt her face redden in embarrassment. She again was wearing her purple didn't have anything else in her wardrobe that would have been suitable for this world, but anything would have been better than these pajamas, she thought.

"Come", said the King, "we will feed and change you. Then to discuss our plans".

Before Kelsey could thank him, she was whisked away by handmaidens. She was dressed in a more elegant dress. The fabric was a shiny, dark green silk that shined in the light; it made her already green eyes more vibrant than any other gramet she had worn. The dress sat delicately on her shoulder; the neckline swooping low and gracefully showing her chest. The sleeves were of a lighter, more chiffon-like fabric that loosely fell past her wrists. The bodice of the dress tightly hugged her toned stomach and was tightened with a belt made of silver fabric. Her dark brown hair was gracefully knotted into a wispy bun, and her head was adorned with a silver headband that twisted like vines. As she looked in the mirror, she couldn't help but be impressed with her appearance. She looked as if she were always meant to dress this way, and she couldn't but feel happy.

She quietly was lead to a small room off of the throne room, with a round silver table surrounded with chairs made of silver antlers. Before her sat the King and sme various subjects. Eurytion silently stood in the corner of the room; he politely nodded as Kelsey entered. A seat on either side of the King was left vacant; Kelsey could only assume that one was for her. But would what of the other?

The King gestured for her to sit on his left, and she gracefully obliged. She sat and glanced around the room; she did not understand what this meeting was it about, but she quickly came to the conclusion that it was about her coming. Although the one seat was still vacant, the King began to speak to all the members at the table.

"We gather here today to discuss the recent coming of our new guest, Lady Willow" he began, his voice sounding majestic and stately in the small room. The elves looked upon her as he said these words, and she nodded in respect at all of them.

"She is to be escorted to Rivendell within a fortnight", the King continued, "I have consulted with Eurytion and the stars have spoken this. I have called each and every one of you here to assist in this..."

Just then, an elf rushed into the room in a fury. He breathed hard, as if he had been running a great distance to come as soon as able. Kelsey registered the face, it was none other than Legolas, looking as heroic in his armor on and sword on his hilt.

"I apologize for my absence", he struggled to say, "spiders attacked our westerly borders, and I got here as soon as I could".

He all of sudden stared at Kelsey, his mouth agape as he took in her appearance. "You have returned..." he said.

"More on that later, my son", Thranduil pressed on, "we need to discuss your recent journey to Rivendell that is at hand'.

Legolas remembered himself, and took his place next to his father. He glanced at Kelsey one last time as his sat, and then paid his father his due respect.

"I will not be attending this journey", the King continued, "I will be sending my son in my stead. The council will be meeting to discuss the fate of the One Ring of Power, creation of the evil lord Sauron".

At the mention of this, Kelsey felt a chill run through the room darkened, and an evil whisper heard on the winds that swept through the room.

Kelsey registered what was happening. But of course, she thought. This was when Legolas travels to Rivendell to meet the hobbits. She began to realize that this was a part that was never told in the books, and to be a part of this meeting excited her more than she was before.

"My son must explain why we have lost the possession of the creature, Gollum" Thranduil tried to speak as though no one sensed the evil that swept through the room.

Legolas sharply turned his head to look directly into his father's face. "I must go to explain this?", he began to retort, "why must I be the one to explain our people's follies? Are you not King? Dwarves will be at this meeting, why do you wish me to be the one to bear the burden of losing hold of the beast?".

"You must take the responsibilities as I have instructed, my son", Thranduil said coolly, not meeting his sons icy gaze.

"I do not wish to be your messenger", Legolas stated angrily, "nor do I wish to be the escort of a human, my place is here protecting our people".

With this statement, Thranduil looked at his son with a fury unmatched to any Kelsey had ever seen. She could not see his face; but his jawline twitched as his face tightened with anger. The look must have been more fearful than Kelsey could make out, for Legolas shrank back into his seat and lowered his eyes to the table.

"I apologize for my insolence", Legolas said, addressing the party, but his gaze remaining focused on the table. "I especially apologize to you, Lady Willow. It will not happen again".

King Thranduil looked at the party, satisfied at the reaction Legolas gave.

"It is decided then," he said authoritatively, "your party will leave now and make their way to Rivendell in two days time. Go now, and prepare you affairs. This meeting is adjourned".

With that, all attendees bowed their head in respect to the King. Legolas curtly bowed, and as soon as he had appeared in the room, he was gone. He spoke no word to Kelsey or glanced her direction.

Kelsey sat paralyzed by the occurrences of the meeting. Everyone, including the King, were in motion to leave the room. All, except her. She could not help but feel insulted by Legolas's actions. Had she made the wrong choice coming here? Was she given a false hope in thinking the men of this world with chivalrous and noble? What angered him so about her?

"Do not take the Prince's actions personally, my lady", a voice from her left shoulder quietly said. She turned to see Eurytion's face close to hers. She slowly rose from her chair to face him.

"He will come around as soon as he is willing to accept his destiny", the centaur said comfortingly to her.

"I don't understand", Kelsey began, trying to not reveal the hurt in her voice, "what have I done to him?"

"Nothing, nothing", the centaur said calmly, "the Prince has always been loyal to the elven race. He feels he would be best suited here. Loyalty runs deep within the elven race, but it seems as though the Prince is consumed with loyalty".

Kelsey tried to process this, but she was already too tired from the day's events to comprehend what the centaur had said.

"Come now, my lady", the centaur said as he gestured out of the room, "let us get you to bed so you may rest".

Kelsey was escorted by handmaidens to a drawing room where she would rest. Sleep found her quickly, but her sleep was riddled dreams full of regret and fear. Even in her dreams, the constant doubt cursed her: Had she made a terrible mistake coming here?