Having now changed into a dark gray tunic and pants, Thranduil began by asking questions.
"When did this all start?" asked Thranduil, leaning his bow and sword against the wall of his room.
"About week before Lord Oropher departed", replied Renastray.
"Hum . . . and I presume Gondor isn't truly in dire need?"
She shook her head.
"Hum . . . Renastray, there are so many things the orcs could have made you do. Examples: You get the stone, you tell me where to find it so the orcs actually get their trinket, you kill the king in the first place, or you kill me. Any of those things would have gotten them something, yet the orcs do none of them. Why?"
Renastray shook her head. "First of all, I don't think I'd be able to kill you or the king, much less kill a monster. . ."
She trailed off when she caught sight of Thranduil's confused face.
"What?" she asked.
"What is this monster you speak of?"
"Well, I heard some of the orcs talking about a beast that guards the gem. It's supposedly a creation of evil. Which, honestly, I believe."
"Well if it is a creature of the night, then why wouldn't it give up the stone to other followers of dark?"
"Well that's just it. The Stone lies inside the beast. If one wants the stone, one would have to face evil in the face. And kill it."
"Hum . . ."
"Stop doing that, will you?"
"Doing what?"
"Saying hum."
"Sorry. Alright, next question, do you actually know where to find this beast, furthermore, the stone?"
"Well, not really, no."
Thranduil wasted no time. He spun on his heel and sprinted to his desk. After what seemed like an hour of rummaging through papers and files, he pulled out a leather backed book. Flipping through the pages, he suddenly stopped and landed his finger on a paragraph.
"Here. This is where the stone can be found."
Renastray cocked an eyebrow.
"Wha . . . wait, were did you find that?
Thranduil shrugged off the question and continued flipping through the leather book. Renastray sighed as she remembered something her father had once told her. Trust takes time to gain. Broken trust takes even longer. How true it was.
"Oh, no." She heard him exclaim.
She shifted herself as to get a good look at what had alarmed the prince. After reading the same thing, she couldn't help but jump back a bit.
"What on in the name of the Valor . . ."
Renastray noticed Thranduil filch at the motion of the Valor. She'd have to ask him about that latter. First, they had bigger problems. For the best that had to be killed was a serpent.
"Well, at least we found our beast", exclaimed Renastray.
Thranduil remained silent. Finally, he spoke.
"What I don't get is the orc's strategy. If they were able to infiltrate Mirkwood so easily, why not just kill the royal family and be done with it? Sure they need someone to get their stone for them, but why me?"
"A little off topic, but I'll answer. If there's anything I know, it's that orcs are cruel. They live without mercy and light."
"Your point being?
"They're toying with you! To make you feel alone, helpless and afraid. They find it good fun."
This made Thranduil pause. Could the orcas really be that smart?
"The best chance for your father will be the stone, Thranduil."
"How do I know the orcs will keep their word? For all I know, this is all some sort of sick way to get me and my father killed."
"It is. That's why I said best chance."
Thranduil shook his head in disgust.
Renastray placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "I know I can't be trusted, but please listen to me. The only way that you could possibly get your father back is if you get the stone."
Thranduil pondered that for amount before walking over to his closet and pulling out a leather satchel.
"What are you doing?" asked Renastray.
"Taking your advice", he replied as he stuffed a black cloak into the bag.
"What? I meant that you plan! Take others with you! You can't just leave! You have to think it through! And someone has to look after the kingdom while you're gone! Besides, you don't even know how to get to the stone!"
Thranduil cocked an eyebrow as he lifted up the book. Renastray rolls her eyes. Having now put the book in a safe place, being the satchel, he began putting various weapons into the bag and on his person.
"Is that really necessary?" asked Renastray.
"Yes", he said, slipping yet another throwing knife into his boot.
Renastray shrugged and continued. "Anyway, who are you going to have run the place, while we're gone?"
"What's this 'we' thing? I have this under control."
"You mean you don't trust me."
"That too."
"Thranduil, you can't do this by yourself."
"Says who?"
"Says me."
He snorted before turning to the door.
"I'm not done with you!"
"Well that's a shame", he shout back as he ran down the stairs and into the kitchen.
By the time Renastray caught up with him, Thranduil had already filled his small bag with the necessities, which consisted mainly of lambis bread.
"Thranduil, you need someone to watch your back", she said, in such a way that one would have thought her to be begging.
"I'll manage."
With that, he exited the kitchen and made his way back up the stairs. Renastray ran after him, almost sprinting to keep up with his long strides.
"Were are you going?"
"To find someone."
"It's the middle of the night!"
"I realize that."
"But . . ."
Thranduil let out a long sigh.
"Renastray, I . . . appreciate your concern, but for Valor's sake, shut your mouth or leave me alone."
Renastray glared at him with all the hatred on middle earth. Taking no notice, Thranduil made his way down a dimly light hall way. At the end of the corridor was a large oak-wood door.
Turning to Renastray, Thranduil placed a finger on his lips and turned the door handle. The inside was well furnished with golden wall paper. In the center was a sleeping elf who looked to be no older than Thranduil.
"Thranduil . . ." said Renastray as Thranduil advanced on the elf, silent as a shadow.
Thranduil placed a hand over the elf's mouth which in turn woke him up. At first the elf's eyes were full of fear. Gradually he made more sense of his surroundings and sprung out of bed and to his feet. A frown slowly made its way a crossed his face.
"Thranduil?" he said, "What are you doing here! For Valor's sake it's the middle of the night!"
"That's what I told him", commented Renastray.
"Galwechil", said Thranduil, ignoring Renastray's remark, "As a trusted adviser, I'd like to think I can tell you anything. Can I?"
"Well, yes but . . ." Galwechil trailed off as he noticed the satchel draped over Thranduil's shoulder.
"Thranduil, are you seriously planning on leaving? Now of all times? When your father is gone?"
"Yes. There has been trouble at the western border. I plan to go check it out."
"By yourself? No. You can't do that Thranduil. If there is trouble, then take a patrol with you!"
"The patrols don't know how to keep their mouths shut. If word about this gets out, the whole kingdom will panic. It'll be a two week trip. While I'm gone, you're in charge. Try not to destroy the forest, okay?"
"Thranduil!" Galwechil protested. But Thranduil was already gone, leaving Renastray and Galwechil by themselves.
"How does he do that?" Galwechil asked.
"Don't know", replied Renastray, "All I know is that it is annoying."
"That's for sure. Listen, Renastray is it? Look, Oropher has no other children, and let's face it, he probably won't be coming back from Gondor, if you take my meaning. Go with Thranduil and make sure he comes back."
Renastray nodded. "I'll do my best."
"No Renastray. You must do more than your best. This is Thranduil we're talking about. Go now."
Renastray smiled.
"Right away."
Sorry for the late update. The internet has been down for 2 weeks! It was not fun. Today my dad fixed it, so here I am! Updating! Happy Thanks Giving!
