For the rest of the day, Isobel learnt her way around Thranduil's Halls. Where they were cold and suspicious before, the elves now welcomed her warmly with smiles and well wishes. Word of her deeds in trying to save Amdir's mother from the orcs was widely circulated by the King's guards and Isobel was greeted and acknowledged by every elf she passed. The elves were so friendly that Isobel quickly began to feel overwhelmed as she wandered the halls and was looking a bit panicked when Feren found her.
"Mistress Isobel!" he quickened his stride to reach her as she stood on one of the bridges near the main dais in the great hall, watching the river flow below her. She snapped her head up at the sound of her name and was relieved to see Feren striding towards her.
He reached her and offered her a smile, placing his hand over his heart. "Mae govannen, Isobel! I am happy you have returned to us and under better circumstances."
Isobel smiled although she felt harried and wild-eyed. Sensing her discomfort and correctly guessing at its cause, Feren offered to show her the King's private library.
"What I really want, Feren, is to go outside and walk under the trees, but I am afraid to leave. I am afraid they won't let me out, or perhaps they won't let me back in."
Feren smiled at her statement. Her fear was not logical, but it was understandable.
"Isobel," he replied. "I am captain of the King's security detail when Prince Legolas is not here. When he is, I am second in command. I promise you that not only are you free to wander the trees, but that the doors will always be open to you. Shall I escort you outside?"
Isobel rewarded Feren's offer with a beaming smile and together they walked towards the massive iron doors to the Kingdom. With Isobel at his side, Feren stopped to speak to the guards.
"I wish to remind you that Mistress Isobel is free to come and go as she pleases and the doors shall always be open to her."
The main guard stepped forward with a smile. "We received these very same orders late last night and early this morning. Welcome, Mistress Isobel. We are pleased to make you comfortable as the King's guest." He put his hand over his heart and swept it to the side, and Isobel returned the gesture. She glanced over at Feren who smiled, and they departed across the bridge and into the mossy pathways of Mirkwood, now brown with the season.
Near the palace, the sun-dappled walkways were wide and flat, and the melting snow left pools of silver water in the path's wide divots that the two elves deftly stepped around. With the trees mostly bare, they could see far ahead and the wind moved more freely beneath the canopy. Free from the danger and darkness of the outer marches, it was a pleasant part of the forest.
"The King's borders extend far beyond this point, of course," explained Feren, looking out into the trees. "But I must caution you that we cannot ensure your safety should you wander beyond them. You are already familiar with the dangers of Mirkwood, and I know better than anyone that you are a skilled fighter. Still, it would be hard for me to explain to our King if anything happened to you."
Isobel smirked. "Don't worry, I think the King would understand better than you know."
Feren looked confused but smiled politely. "I must return to the Halls, but before I do, there is the small matter of your paintings. When you were in captivity, I took it upon myself to store them in hope that one day you would be freed. Now that day is here and I am in possession of 20 or more canvasses. My wife is anxious that they should…find a home." He favoured her with an apologetic smile.
She looked up at him, her eyes registering her shock. "Really? You kept them?! Master Feren, I would never have expected it – did you indeed believe me all that time?"
The Captain's smile blossomed into a warm grin. "I believed you. Tauriel believed you. And I think that the King believed you. He worked hardest to find the proof to free you."
Isobel fell silent. This was a new angle she hadn't thought of. But of course, all of the guards – not just Tauriel and Feren – had been kind to her and even the King had made that visit…She had fallen deeply into anger and self-pity while imprisoned, and now she felt ashamed for not having seen her situation more clearly, and for failing to give the Mirkwood elves the benefit of her doubt. Her mind jumped to Thranduil's rebuke the night before, and she quickly pushed the thought from her mind.
"I would like you to keep the painting I made of you Feren, a gift to your family - if you like it and you can find a place for it."
Her offered her a wry smile. "I admit that I was hoping you would say that. My wife has already had it framed."
She laughed. "I'm glad. As for the rest, perhaps you could bring them to my room? There is one of Haldir I would wish to present to him."
Feren looked sidelong at her. "If memory serves, mistress, there is more than one of Haldir."
Isobel stared into the forest. "For many years, his was the only face I knew. It is odd that now I should speak with him and call him friend. He has a kind face. I should like to paint him again."
Now Feren hid his smile. He had met Haldir early that morning and the March Warden of Lorien would speak of nothing but having finally met 'The Dark Elf of Fangorn.' He believed that Haldir was much smitten by Isobel, although neither elf would say it aloud. Feren had known Haldir for many centuries, and while the Lorien elf was outwardly affable and friendly, he knew that, inwardly, Haldir considered things deeply and was fiercely private. Had Isobel managed to catch Haldir's attention, she could scarcely do better for Haldir's skill in battle was unrivaled and his loyalty unshakable.
As though by unspoken agreement, they two elves stopped walking and turned to face each other.
"This is as far as I go," said Feren. "We are expecting a contingent of guards to arrive any moment and I must be there to debrief them. You may return with me or continue wandering, but again, I urge you, do not go too far."
"I will walk a little more. Thank you Feren."
The guard smiled at her, and turned on his heel and departed in the opposite direction back to the King's Halls.
Finally on her own in the forest, Isobel filled her lungs with clean crisp air. She could smell the damp leaves under her feet and hear the birdsong above her as the birds called to each and flitted from bough to bough. She walked further up the path until she heard a splash and the sound of moving water. She stepped off the path and through the thicket to search it's source and was rewarded with the sight of a crystalline pool of water, fed by a small rocky stream. She climbed onto a large rock beside the pool and leaned back, closing her eyes and enjoying the feel of the sun on her face. She started to drift into dreams, but awoke with start.
Someone was standing above her.
She opened her eyes to see a black-haired silver-eyed elf looking down at her with a smile. She quickly sat up on the rock, and resisted the temptation to back away from the stranger.
"Do you not know me, niece?"
Isobel tilted her head and looked at the elf closely. He had her father's eyes, her own eyes, and his mouth was now set in a hard line. Her mind reeled. "Uncle…? It can't be…you died. You died in the fall of Gondolin. You caused the fall of Gondolin! You are not real," she looked around, desperately seeking a safe retreat and quickly realizing that the elf had cornered her. "What kind of trick is this?"
"Isobel, daughter of my brother" the elf practically purred her name. "Do not believe everything you have been told. There is greatness in our blood, Isobel. I see it in you. I did not die in Gondolin as you were told. I survived the fall, and I have grown strong since then. I have followed your life Isobel. I watched you in Fangorn. You have my strength, my fury, my greatness. You think you have no family, but you have me. I thought we might spend some time together…"
Isobel narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "NO. This is impossible. I have no family. I don't know who you are, but you are not Maeglin, my uncle, he died long ago. YOU are not HIM" She finally lifted herself from the rock. She dearly wished she had her black sword, how she would wield it against this apparition!
"Do not fear me, Isobel, and do not fight me. I come to you with tidings from the Dark Lord. He wishes for your friendship. He offers you a chance to redeem our bloodline and to rise to the greatness that is your destiny. He does not require much of you Isobel. This is no burden, it is a great honour. I will give you time think on it and leave you this, as a token of the Dark Lord's friendship."
The elf disappeared before Isobel's amazed eyes, leaving in his stead a great black gem. Isobel knelt to look at the gem – a black diamond – but did not touch it. A feeling of foreboding swept of her and she hiked up her gown and rushed back to halls.
She arrived at the entrance to the caverns amid a throng of elves milling around, horses, and packs being carried to and fro. The guard had arrived home. Not wanting to get caught in the fray, she climbed onto a rock set back from the bridge and watched as the host's horses and gear were led away. She welcomed the opportunity to catch her breath and gather her thoughts before returning to the Halls.
From the midst of the group of elves a tall blonde elf broke away and strodetowards Isobel. His powerful frame moved with ease and grace and his face held a warm smile. Isobel forced herself to smile back. She stared at Haldir's face, anxious to take in his open and fair features as though they could replace the image in her mind of the dark apparition she'd encountered.
Haldir tilted his head and looked at her. There was an air of tension around her, he could tell something was amiss. "Mae govannen, Isobel. How do you fare?" He watched as she carefully and unsuccessfully arranged her features to appear calm.
"Mae govannen, Haldir. I have a question for you."
"Of course Mistress Isobel. You may ask me anything."
Isobel inhaled deeply and met his eye. "When do leave? I wish to leave here. May I go with you?"
Haldir blinked. "Six days hence. I would be honoured to have you accompany my host and I. But I must ask, has something happened?"
"Nothing," she replied quickly. "I just…miss home."
Haldir said nothing but nodded in acknowledgement of her answer. He didn't believe her, but now was not the time to press.
"Isobel, allow me to escort you to your quarters. Then I must return. The King's guard has arrived – as you can see – and Feren has asked that I help debrief. But perhaps we could take dinner together this evening. You did promise to tell me more of Fangorn."
Isobel looked up at him gratefully. "Yes, thank you. I would like that."
Haldir extended his hand to help the black haired elf off the stone. He noted a slight tremble in her hand and again shot a concerned sideways glance in her direction. Her face was pale, and she looked shaken. Quite different than when he had seen her earlier. What had happened?
They eased their way through the melee over the bridge and towards the great doors, where Feren greeted them.
"I'm taking Isobel to her quarters and will return presently." Haldir explained. Feren nodded with approval.
"Master Feren, would it be possible to have my sword and my dagger returned to me?" asked Isobel suddenly.
Feren and Haldir stared at her for a moment, both men raised their eyebrows and exchanged a look. "I will speak to the King," said Feren simply and Isobel nodded. She and Haldir walked through the great doors into the amber-lit caverns and turned towards the King's private area and Isobel's quarters.
"Isobel, forgive me for saying but you seem troubled. Is there something I can do to help?"
She glanced at him. What she wanted to say was 'please stay with me and watch over me like you do in Lorien, because I have always felt safe in your view, and right now I feel alone and I'm frightened.' But she said nothing. She stared straight ahead and simply said "I'm overwhelmed by all the elves."
Haldir saw her to the door of her quarters and hesitated. "Isobel, I have survived these many centuries by trusting my instincts and my instincts tell me that something is wrong here. I have to go debrief the Prince's men, but I will return shortly thereafter and I hope you will trust me enough to tell me what has happened."
Isobel opened her mouth as though she were about to say something, but hesitated, and remained silent. She offered Haldir an apologetic smile, and quickly passed through the doorway. Haldir watched her with steady thoughtful eyes, and remained for a moment even after the door had closed behind her. Finally he departed down the hallway towards the King's office where the Thranduil, Legolas, and Feren awaited.
