yasminasfeir1 - I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you :)
BlackWolf888 - thank you so much for reviewing, and I'm trying my best not to turn Idhthrael into some Mary Sue cause I don't like them either. I'm glad that you like her! :)
And to all of you reading this around today or tomorrow, happy new year! I hope 2017 will be a better year for us all.
Now, to the story.
It was a week later when Erthor finished arranging a small archery challenge for the two of them. Well, it was supposed to be small, but word had gotten out, and nobody missed the chance of watching Legolas shoot. Nobody, not even the King, Erthor thought, for even now King Thranduil strode into the clearing where the first round was supposed to take place.
Legolas and Idhthrael had taken their places. This round only consisted of stationary targets, designed to test speed and accuracy.
"Ready?" Erthor asked. They both notched an arrow. "Fire!"
And again and again they fired, neither missing their targets. It was an impressive show of control and concentration. King Thranduil smiled a small smile, his son did not disappoint, but the elleth was a mystery.
"Erthor," he called out. "Tell the Lady Idhthrael I wish to see her in the afternoon." Then he left, having seen all he needed.
Idhthrael cursed as she loosened another arrow. Her bow was longer than most, and in these trees, on horseback, it made it difficult to move around. She knew that there was merit to its design, for she had designed it herself, but right now, she didn't want to lose. They had agreed if they tied they would each get their desires, because Idhthrael felt after all the prince did have a right to know why she didn't like him much, and a kiss was a small price to pay if she could finally get her peace. She really could not stand having the weight of his presence in her mind, not when she had just – her thoughts shifted to the ring sitting on her bed. No, Idhthrael firmly said to herself. Focus. Legolas was in front of her, and she was gaining on him. With a grim smile, her head began calculating.
Legolas leapt off his horse. He had missed a target during the horseback round, but Idhthrael was behind him now. If he managed to beat her in this footrace round, then he would finally be able to know. He was winning, but if she won this round they would tie. He was not as vain as to think that none could beat him, yet her skills were extraordinary. He had seen her technique, it was distinctively Noldor, something which was not appropriate for shooting underneath the thick boughs of the Greenwood. Her bow was too long and it was made of metal, he thought as he ducked to avoid a branch and let another arrow loose. There was no need to look back to check if he had hit it. From the corner of his vision he saw Idhthrael several feet behind him, and he sped up. His legs were burning, but he would not lose. He knew these paths well, knew where the targets could be placed. There would be a turn soon, and they would end up back in the clearing where the first round had taken place. Two more arrows were left in his quiver. Legolas spotted a target high in the branches, shooting it, he dashed away, hearing Idhthrael's arrow hitting it too. He could feel her just behind him, he ran, pushing himself to the limit. The clearing was just ahead, Legolas could see Erthor tossing a red ball high in the air.
Skidding to a halt, he let loose his last arrow just as Idhthrael stopped beside him. There was a second of hesitation before she let loose her own arrow. He watched as it soared just behind his, saw it arc higher. She had done something, but he could not fathom what it was. Her arrow was gaining speed, it surpassed his, and hit the ball at the height of its arc, making it burst. Legolas' green and gold arrow hit empty air.
He turned around, seeing Idhthrael's wide eyes. "What did you do?" Legolas demanded. "How?"
She smirked then. "Skill."
"There's more to it," Legolas growled.
"I am an inventor, Prince Legolas," she said. "I know how much force to put into an arrow, I know the curve required of a bow, I know the tension needed by the string so that my arrow overtakes another arrow, I know the design of an arrow tip which makes it fly faster. I saw the speed of your arrow, the distance it had covered. I saw the part of the ball's fall that you were aiming for. I knew that as long as I shot mine higher, as long as my arrow flew faster, I could aim for an earlier stage of the ball's arc."
"How could you?" Legolas asked.
"Calculations. Years and years of it."
"Teach me."
"Ah, but I do believe we tied, your highness, and if we tied, then we both win. I refuse to share your company for longer than necessary."
Legolas growled in frustration. He truly did want to know why she seemed to hate him so very much. Besides, he could always ask Erthor or his father to wheedle out the knowledge of how in Arda you could overtake an enemy's arrow just because of an arrow's design. He had checked his arrows before the competition began and they were all in pristine condition. "Fine," he said, making up his mind. "Tonight then. I'll meet you outside the smithy."
"It's not a smithy."
"Sure it is. It's the abandoned smithy."
"No," Idhthrael said, smiling. "It's a workshop. My workshop. A place of possibility."
"A place of possibility shouldn't be underground where it's dark and dank."
"Your palace is a cave, Prince Legolas, so you shouldn't be one to talk."
"It's not a cave!" Legolas protested as she walked away.
"Yes it is," she shouted back, already about to disappear around the corner.
"Not a cave and not in love, Legolas?" Erthor approached, grinning.
"Go away," groaned the Prince.
Nervously standing outside the doors to the King's study, Idhthrael wondered what she had done that the King suddenly wanted an audience with her. It could be the events of this morning, or during last week's feast, or the fact that she had paid no heed to the courtesy required to be shown towards the ladies of the court. Just because she was born into a family in the outskirts of the forest did not mean that she had to bow her head in respect to ladies born inside the palace who had no merit whatsoever. Respect was earned, and none of those ladies had shown anything which deserved hers. She did try to be polite, but if sneers were what she got in return, well, everyone had their limits.
The doors opened, and an elf came out. "Lady Idhthrael," he said, "I am Galion. His majesty is waiting, come." Then he led her into the lavish room, through several doors until they reached the balcony.
There was a table with fruits and wine, two empty chairs, and a third where the King sat looking at the view of the forest. It was indeed a magnificent view, the afternoon sun making the green canopy look golden. In the distance the Old Fortress of Amon Lanc could be seen by their elvish eyes. This was the Greenwood in all its beauty and its might, the reason why the Sindar, the Silvan and the Avari who lived there did not leave for the shores of Valinor. There was life within this great haven of the elves, and it was beautiful.
But even now Idhthrael knew that beneath those golden boughs were spiders weaving their nests, orcs roaming its Southern borders. Danger was coming, the Watchful Peace was ending.
"Your majesty," Galion announced, "Idhthrael Adramiriel is here."
"Ah, very good. Thank you, Galion, you may leave now. Sit, Idhthrael. It is a wonderful view, is it not?" the King said.
"My King," Idhthrael murmured, bowing before she took the seat opposite him. "It is indeed an honour to see the splendour of this forest."
"Times of darkness approach, and while Imladris and Lothlorien possess Rings of Power, we have none to protect us."
Carefully, Idhthrael weighed her words. "I do not think, your majesty, that you need one. There is strength in these lands, in its people, in its King."
Thranduil looked at her now, his eyes piercing. "And what is your strength, Idhthrael?"
"I am an inventor."
"You are a healer, and a warrior. I watched you in the fields today. I have heard reports of another of your feats."
"I was trained for battle by Lord Glorfindel, to heal by Lord Elrond, and I was taught the lore of our people by Lord Erestor, my King. My trade, however, lies not in the court or the wards or the battlefield. I did not lie to you when I first came. I am an inventor, a mathematician. I calculate the movement of this world, and build tools to help us move with it. Thinking is my fighting."
"And where did you learn all that?"
Idhthrael laughed. "I taught myself. I tried and failed and tried again. I think it is our duty to understand the world we live in now, don't you think, my King? By understanding it, we may use its forces to aid us."
There were a few seconds of silence as the King studied her. "I gave you leave to craft, Idhthrael Adramiriel, but now I change the terms. You may design what tools you wish, but you will become a lady of the court. You will take part in war councils, your inventions will be used by the kingdom, and you will give counsel to the warriors, to the healers, to me."
"My lord, surely you cannot ask me to – "
"I can Lady Idhthrael," Thranduil said, his voice brooking no arguments. "You have proven your skills well. I saw your bow, its limbs were metal – metal blades."
"Yes, my King. It can be dismantled to become knives with this button using the mechanism I design, or to be used like a spear. In battle when you use a bow, the time needed to switch weapons is precious."
King Thranduil smiled. "Very good. I hope you do not disappoint me."
"How do you know you can trust me?" Idhthrael blurted out, unable to stop herself. "Why me, when there are many craftsmen in the Greenwood?"
"Because you do not fear being yourself, and if you hated me, you would have said it to my face the moment we met. Besides, my son seems to have taken a liking to you."
"My lord?" she murmured, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"My son enjoys the company of some maidens, but he has never sought out constant companionship, no matter how I strive to motivate him. He will escort maidens to feasts to appease me, he will charm this lady today, and that lady tomorrow. His desire to find you, however, was something else. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"No, your highness, I have no feelings of such nature for your son."
"If you hurt him, Lady Idhthrael, you will answer to me."
"Of course, your highness," she said unflinchingly. "And if he hurts me, do forgive me if he has to answer to me."
At that, Thranduil's lips twitched. "You will have many enemies at the court if you do not restrain yourself."
"But is that not why you made me a Lady in the first place, your highness?"
"Indeed it is, and it may also just be why you could become so much more."
Feedback welcome, but no flames please! :)
