Chapter 9


November 16, T.A 2940

Dawn

Anariel was practicing the serious matter of deep breathing as the handmaiden's worked, she had promised herself that she would try and she truly would. She was prepared and about to leave when Eruanna came back from hurriedly talking to a messenger outside the door.

"We must change the princess at once and quickly," Eruanna called as she slipped back into the room. "Haldir, Chief Marchwarden of Lothlórien along with his brothers Rumil and Orophin have arrived with news from Lady Galadriel. They join them for dinner this evening along with our own Chief Marchwarden and a few other select guests."

"Oh," Vanya cried out, "We must change you into something more suitable."

"Why," Anariel asked in pure curiosity.

Feren was their Chief Marchwarden and there seemed to be no higher expectation around him or was that because they'd become such easy friends and each time they saw each other it had been on a more casual note.

"Chief Marchwarden is a high ranking position my lady, Marchwarden Haldir and his brothers, as well as our Marchwarden Feren, are both from noble families. They are honorable ellyn." Ayla spoke as she began to untie the back of Anariel's dress.

"I didn't realize," Anariel spoke as they pulled the dress from her form.

"Indeed, the Chief Marchwarden's have quite a degree of power and authority," Verya explained casually as she brought out a silken silver gown, slipping it on Anariel allowed them to tie the corset backing. Ayla wrapped a long flowing cloak to cover her barren shoulders. Placing an intricate circlet of silver designed like a flowering vine upon her head, Ayla nodded in approval.

"Better. Now please, for the betterment and well keeping of this kingdom's pride just listen." Eruanna pleaded with the princess, adjusting her posture.

"Keep your posture perfect while sitting, always stand when the king enters and wait until he gives you permission to sit, he to will indicate when you should start eating. Always, chew and swallow everything in your mouth before taking another bite or drink, should you be having a soup always spoon away from yourself. Break bread with fingers, never a knife, use fingers to break small pieces of the roll to butter if you so desire never butter the whole thing at once. Never, and I mean never, chew with your mouth or talk with food in your mouth. Don't put too much food in your mouth at once, never mix the food on your plate, don't even think of blowing on your drink or food, never sip and absolutely no uses of fingers unless otherwise stated." Eruanna paused breathing deeply, her voice was short and clipped.

Anariel breath heaved in her chest broken and uneven as she tried to follow Eruanna words, even if they only succeeded in making her more nervous than ever. Anariel tried to calm her breathing feeling faint from her already lack of room to breath from the corset and her near hyperventilating wasn't helping.

Still, Eruanna paid no mind to the Princess and continued on her lecture. "Fork in your left hand with the tines down, knife in your right to cut and if need be to help carry food to your fork. Never shift the utensil from hand to hand. When finished place them gently on your plate, again tines down and sharp side of the knife in, keep your napkin in your lap until you are excused from the table when you are always put it beside your plate. Also never cut up more than three bites at a time, and never scrape the plate. Do not speak unless spoken to, if so you are to keep it simple and polite."

Anariel's eyes were wide in an utmost horror, her breath still broken and jagged.

A knock sounded at the door, Eruanna let the visitor in standing out of the doorway she bowed. Legolas slipped into the princess' chambers, dressed in a lavish silver robe clasped together by silver leaf clips, he strode forward causing the underside to flutter out in a golden tone, a broad circlet placed upon his head.

"She is almost prepared, my lord."

Legolas nodded coming to stand in front of his sister as they finished adding the finishing jewels, reaching forward he took her hands in his. "Muinthel, what troubles you?"

"I can't do this," she spoke with honesty, shaking her head furiously. "I have been here not but two days. Two days. I am nothing more than a simple barmaid from Bree, not...not a..." her words failed her as tears began to fall.

"You are the Princess of the Woodland Realm," at Legolas' words, she only shook her head harder.

"No! Don't make me go out there. What do I matter I've been gone this whole time it's not like anyone will notice a difference."

"You must, all of our guests know of your arrival. If you do not show it would be a direct show of disrespect to all in attending." Legolas explained.

"I can't! This is not who I am!" Anariel hollered back stepping away from him.

Legolas sighed. "All of you are dismissed," he ordered firmly. Quickly everyone left, scurrying from the room leaving brother and sister alone. He watched his sister for a second as she stood glancing out of a window carved out of the stone, he sensed her fear, uncertainty, the nervousness, it all reeked such havoc upon her body. Legolas came up behind her, "Come here."

Anariel turned around tears still upon her cheeks.

"Look in the mirror and tell me, who do you see?" Legolas asked his voice full of kindness as he stood beside her.

Anariel shrugged, wiping a tear away. "I see an extremely lost barmaid from Bree."

"Do you know what I see?" Legolas questioned.

Again Anariel shrugged.

"I see my dear sister that I'm blessed to have a home with us. I see a friend in her, I see an elleth who is strong and kind, a princess who's still anxious but one I know will persevere and be not only a blessing to myself but to this entire kingdom."

Anariel stopped looking in the mirror and turned to him, "You don't know that."

Legolas only smiled pulling her into a hug, as she hugged him when receiving her bow. "Ready?"

"No, not really."

"Just follow my lead," Legolas wrapped his arm around hers heading for the dining hall, they waited a moment outside the doors, giving her time to gather her senses.

"I hate to be the one to prod you, but keep your head high and stand straight, as we pass our guests a simple nod of acknowledgment will do before we stand by our seats to await Adar. And once inside always refer to him as 'my lord.'" Legolas paused making sure he wasn't forgetting anything important, nodding he added, "Just follow me."

Anariel nodded, "Thank you."

Legolas shot her a kind smile, before indicating to the guards to open the doors.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Anariel whispered, exhaling roughly.

As they entered Anariel almost stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of all elves inside already seated, though stood as prince and princess entered, there was more in attendance than she had anticipated. Her hand tightened on her brother's arm as Legolas dropped his head in a bow, Anariel was quick to follow suit though she pulled up too quickly, breathing deeply Legolas squeezed her hand reassuringly. Again they bowed their heads to the group of elves from Lothlórien, Anariel forced herself to slow down despite her nerves. As they stopped in front of their seats each and every elf bowed deeply to the prince and princess. Legolas released her hand slowly bring them in front of her she clasped her hands together fiddling with a ring on her finger.

A door opened at the farthest end of the hall, the king entered addressing the entire group of elves before him with a quick nod. Taking a seat, he turned his head towards his children bowing his head a little slower, out of the corner of Anariel's eye she saw Legolas began to sit again she followed his actions.

With a wave of the king's hand, everyone else followed suit. Anariel caught a dark, warning glare from the king she knew immediately, she'd be punished should there be any sort of misbehavior. Looking in front of her only brought on more nervousness and a sense of how easily she could mess this up, placed in front of her was an elaborate setting that included four knives and forks, three spoons and arrangement of plates, five crystal stemmed glasses of various sizes, a cup and saucer and a few other smaller dishes.

A small group of servants came round, beginning with King Thranduil they poured him both a glass of water and a white wine before doing the same for Legolas and Anariel, they continued down the length of the table. Another followed close behind in the same pattern doing nothing more than taking the cloth napkin from the table and folding it in their lap.

"Tonight, to those select few who've been asked to join and our honored guests," he paused nodding towards three silver-haired ellyn, "I would like to informally introduce my daughter, Princess Anariel of the Woodland Realm, home at last. Too long has this Realm been without her and blessed be our Kingdom upon her arrival." King Thranduil eased out calmly and kindly, yet his voice held a strong edge of authority.

Everyone turned to look at the princess and her heart felt like it stopped, what was she suppose to do? 'Don't talk unless spoken to,' the words stood out, no one necessarily spoke to her so she resolved to a kind smile nodding her head hoping with every part of her it was an okay response.

Everyone bowed back to her some held an impassive face while others returned the smile.

The King waved another hand to inform his guest they may begin their meal.

"Anariel, I shall like to introduce our honored guest," Thranduil spoke up to his daughter, "This is Chief Marchwarden Haldir of Lorien, along with his brother's Marchwarden Rumil and Orophin."

Her stomach churned uncomfortably, unsure of what she was supposed to say, should she say anything at all?

Haldir spoke, sparring her, "It is a pleasure, Anarel nin. The King spoke earlier that you had been training this afternoon. How did your training fair?"

She was unsure if her face betrayed her of her nerves and the King merely jumped to save her, or he merely tried to keep her quiet for fear, himself, of her saying something foolish or crude.

"Ah, indeed Haldir. I too am curious about how it came along. Legolas, Feren, tell me how her training went?" Thranduil questioned pulling them into the conversation, the others at the table slowly making their way into their own small talk.

"She did marvelously, my lord," Legolas spoke up first. "In her training for Archery, it appears she falls into that of a pusher."

Thranduil bowed his head, "Good, you will prove to be a good instructor to her then, as you were the same."

"I shall hope so," Legolas smiled turning to look at Haldir, their honored guest and close friend to the Prince. "Perhaps, you would care to join us tomorrow?"

"Of course. You know I could never refuse a chance to train with you, mellon nin." Haldir bowed his head kindly, and respectfully still. "And it would prove to be an honor to spend time with such a beautiful elleth, that is if you would bare with my company tomorrow, my lady?"

Anariel felt herself blush lightly, a smile unexpectedly graced her lips though she paused a moment thinking before she spoke. "I'm sure there is nothing to bare, your company would be welcome." Anariel breathed out before taking a sip of her own wine, catching her lips before she began biting upon them.

Haldir sent her a charming smile, "I thank you, my lady."

Feren looked to the Marchwarden of Lorien in a deep glare as he saw how the Marchwarden played his charms upon the Princess eliciting a smile from her.

"Feren, how did her swordplay lesson go?" The King inquired, shaking Feren out of his glaring ways.

"My lord," Feren bowed beginning, "In all honesty, my lord, I struggle to find a way to say without making myself as Chief Marchwarden to be not but a fool."

This brought a smile to everyone's face, Anariel's as well Feren puffed proudly at the thought.

"What do you mean by such?" Legolas asked, wondering if perhaps he should have stayed to see how she fared.

"Well, Princess Anariel claims to have never wielded a sword and yet somehow I seemed to have found myself rather caught and weaponless," Feren admitted, getting a look of alarm and shock from King Thranduil and Legolas.

Haldir turned to the princess looking to her with a quirked eyebrow, smirking.

"Is that so, Anariel." Thranduil turned to look at his daughter.

"It is, my lord. Though I am sure it was all luck on my part." Anariel smiled politely, as the servants worked around them.

"I do not believe that to be true," Feren offered.

"That is quite a feat for one to accomplish, upon their first lessons," Haldir spoke, his eyes never leaving her form still smirking down at her as he found himself enthralled and against his better judgment, impressed. He had come here not expecting to even see the missing Woodland Princess, let alone dine with her and to find himself so intrigued. Haldir easily caught the looks Feren sent him early on and knew right away it was not only him who found themselves enraptured by this elleth.

"Indeed," Thranduil agreed looking to his daughter with a sense of pride behind his eyes. "Tell me Haldir, how fair your borders?"

"Well, my Lord. They have been peaceful, though Lady Galadriel has us training more Marchwarden's in such I fear she senses more than she perhaps lets on. To which, I fear for what may come to pass in the coming years." Haldir spoke honestly to the King. "I thank you for your inquiry my lord."

Thranduil inclined his head, before turning to face Feren nodding for him to inform him of their own borders.

"I fear, my lord, that while we came across no problems as we traveled through with Princess Anariel, the darkness in the woods have deepened and more spiders continue to find their way closer to the halls," Feren spoke in his cool hardened tone.

"Have you decided upon a new Captain of the guard?" The King inquired.

Servants bustled around them, clearing and replacing the dishes in front of them, Anariel continued to keep a careful eye on Legolas through the evening following his actions. She sipped at her last remaining glass as the remaining plates were taken away.

"I have, my lord. She is fairly new to the field but has proved to be worthy of being a Captain." Feren offered the information to the King.

"Legolas, have you seen this Captain?"

"I have, Tauriel, is her name, she has indeed shown a great strength and skill and I do believe she will make a fine Captain," Legolas spoke his voice held an edge of a clear fondness.

"Good," though the King understood his son's likeness for the elleth in question, he would have to keep an eye on the matter. "I will make a point to come and see this elleth."

The King glanced around at his guests ensuring all were finished, placing his napkin back onto the table the king rose. Legolas followed his father's actions, reaching his hand down he guided his sister up and around the chairs as they followed their father out. They came to enter a substantial reception area that was prepared equally as lavish, Thranduil came to a sudden stop turning to look at his children. "You are doing wonderful, Muinlell (dear daughter)." Thranduil praised his daughter, his voice holding a sigh of relief and gratitude.

Anariel let out a rather exaggerated breath, "Good, I thought I was going to be sick."

Legolas chuckled, at her admittance. "It's not over yet."

"Really?" Anariel's words almost came out in a cursing tone.

"Worry not, it is a more informal portion of the night."

Anariel seemed relieved to hear this, "I..." She began to speak but a sudden anxiousness still lingered.

"What do you need," Thranduil asked as the doors began to creep open.

"I just wondered if I could speak to you later," Anariel mumbled out not looking him in the eye.

Thranduil picked up on her nervousness, understanding that she needed to speak privately. "Of course. When we leave here tonight, if you wish to speak then, we may."

"Thank you," she spoke sincerely as the guests began to enter.

"You are most welcome, we must be off to speak with the others and properly introduce you to the guests in attendance and then you are free to speak with who you wish for the remainder of the evening," The King lead his children around the room as he introduces the princess to all.

A servant brought around wine which Anariel took gratefully trying to control the urge to down the drink in a single gulp.

All was seemingly going well until they were left with one Elven couple, Anariel was thankful and prepared to keep to simple pleasantries as she had thus far and perhaps seek Feren out afterwards who she knew and felt comfortable around.

"I heard the Princess was found in Bree, My Lord," a rather pompous sounding and looking elleth spoke after the King had introduced her.

"Yes, Lady Valerian, she was." King Thranduil answered respectfully.

"Humph, must of have been horrible to be lost to such people for so many years, my lady." The elleth turned to look at Anariel.

"Pardon!" Anariel breathed slightly taken aback, the King and Legolas looked at her nervously.

"Oh, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I merely mean, to have been raised amongst mortals, well you must be most thankful to be out and away from such people."

The King went to speak hoping to ease the situation before it got out of hand, however, Anariel though she tried to mind her tongue let it slip.

"I can assure you I am not the least bit ashamed of the mortals who had a hand in raising me. Nor am I thankful to be rid of them, as you say, just because they are mortal does not make them any less than yourself," the elleth scoffed at the latter. "If anything they have shown me that there is nothing more important than those around you, to care and love like every day is your last and though I am immortal and my life shall not be as short as theirs, I am ever grateful for what they have taught me. For always of my time in Bree was I always humble enough to know I was no better than any of them but wise enough to know that I to was different. Perhaps, you could learn something from them by means of humility. Now if you will excuse me, I do not see how this conversation could end on a better note." With that Anariel spun on her heels, her hair flying out behind her as she stalked away.

She had the sudden sinking feeling that the king would be angry and whether she wanted to or not she would be speaking with him afterwards.

"My Lady, might I have a word." Anariel sighed, her eyes fluttering closed briefly before she turned around she had been hoping to find Feren.

"What can I do for you, Marchwarden?" Anariel spoke kindly as she turned to face him.

Haldir offered a kind smile as he noticed Feren from the corner of his eye send him a glare, he offered her a glass of wine as a servant had taken away her previously empty glass but she had yet to get another.

"Thank you," Anariel breathed sincerely.

"In all honesty my lady, I had overheard your conversation with Lady Valerian," Haldir smirked down at her with a light chuckle.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," the princess cursed out without a single thought in her anger.

"Pardon, my lady."

Anariel rolled her eyes, breathing deeply trying to collect her thoughts and composure. Stealing a glance towards the king she was thankful to find that he was deep in conversation far enough away, with enough elves between them conversing and the music that was being played that he did not hear.

Haldir wrapped their arms together guiding her to a quieter area of the room to speak. "Fear not, my lady. I can completely understand; Valerian could elicit that reaction from anyone. I won't mention such to the king, your secret is safe besides I do not think any others heard."

"Thankfully," Anariel seemed relieved to hear this.

Haldir stood looking down at her, he boldly took a step closer turning his body in a way that he both stood closer yet he angled himself so that in the corner that they stood it looked to be an appropriate distance apart.

Anariel became painfully aware of how close he was standing, his tall robust frame towered over her looking up to him she took in his roguish smirk. Taking a swig from her glass, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, her hand came up nervously rubbing her neck. "I... uh..." Anariel began before she broke off, words evading her she glanced away momentarily before stealing another look at the Marchwarden before her.

"I must say, I am greatly looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow," Haldir spoke never letting his smirk flattered as he saw the reaction she had towards him.

"As am I," Anariel managed to breathe out.

"Haldir, I must steal my sister away," Legolas spoke as he came to stand beside them.

"Of course, I see the King is preparing to retire." Haldir nodded his head, taking her hand in his he tenderly wrapped his fingers around hers bringing her hand to his lips, placing a firm kiss on the top of her knuckles. "It was a pleasure, Princess Anariel." He drawled out her name slowly, letting the sounds linger on his tongue.

Anariel broke out in a smile, her heart fluttering, stomach flipping as Haldir lowered her hand letting Legolas escort her away.

Feren and Haldir were sneering and glaring at one another, as Haldir strutted his way out of the room he hissed to Feren, "Pity you missed seeing her."

Feren merely scoffed, "Let us not forget who has to leave, and who gets to spend every day with her."

Haldir sneered one last time as he stalked from the room.

Legolas and Anariel walked directly behind their father, Anariel was suddenly reminded of her earlier words she wanted to lean over and ask Legolas if their father was mad but she knew he would hear, instead, she stayed quiet herself until they came to his office. The King spun around looking down at her, her heart was racing in both fear and nervousness for what was to come.

"Look I know I should have..." Anariel began before she could even help herself.

"Anariel, stop right there," the king commanded firmly.

"But, I just..."

"Enough!"

Anariel sighed defeated, nodding her head she waited for the lecture to ensue.

"I had more than one of our attending guests approach me after you spoke out, with that sharp tongue of yours, to Lady Valerian." The King began walking around his desk, Anariel fidgeted biting her lip. "Each and every one of them had heard your words-"

"I'm sorry, okay. Is that what you're expecting? Then fine, I'm sorry. I shall figure out how to keep my mouth shut more often, it won't happen again." Anariel hollered, wiping the tears from her cheeks spinning on her heels she was about to leave uncaring of the proper etiquette. She had foolishly believed that she was doing well, that she might have actually been able to do this.

"I am still speaking to you!" Thranduil began to close the distance between himself and his daughter, his eyes narrowed in anger at her show of disrespect.

Anariel just scoffed as she reached for the door, a hand came down closing it once more.

Anariel turned to come face to face with her father, "Fuck off! Why don't you just leave me alone? I tried you know, I fucking tried for you but it's not good enough for you is it? Would it ever be good enough, or will there always be something you find to point out that I'm terrible at, always there to point out my mistakes and flaws."

"Anariel, that will be enough," Thranduil ordered through clenched teeth, trying to control his rising anger at her outburst.

"No, no it won't. You don't get to tell me what to do, King or not." Anariel paused suddenly ripping the circlet from her head throwing it at him, "I'm only here to make you look better, so fuck off. I'm done."

"You're not going anywhere." The King snarled inches from her face. "You can't leave now; I won't let you."

Anariel sneered back their eyes boring into one another's anger flowing over, "Said those words before, hmm, was my mother really kidnapped or did you drive her away? Force her to run from you and your blind cruelty. Did you hit her too, you fucking..."

"Anariel, no!" It was Legolas off to the side, his voice pleading as he called out to her, just then a sickening crack echoed through the room, followed by a cry of pain. Legolas found himself wincing at the sound and sight.

Anariel lay upon the floor a hand covering her face, the room fell dead silent except for the soft whimpering sound of her cries that wracked her body making her shoulders shake.

Thranduil looked down to his daughter a look of horror on his face, his stepped back from her, eyes glancing over to his hand a splatter of blood upon his ring. Thranduil continued to step unconsciously backwards backing away from his daughter he strode out of the room by the second door heading straight for his chambers.

Slamming the doors behind him, his own breath turning uneven as he ripped the blood splattered ring off his finger dropping it to the floor. He began to pace, cursing himself, futility fighting back the tears the welled up in his eyes.

Through his tear filled eyes landed upon a picture of his beloved, he collapsed to the ground, "what has become of me?" he spoke looking to the picture of his as though she could hear him. "How will I ever make right of this?"

Thranduil bit into his hand holding back a cry of despair, he couldn't even remember it, all he knew was she threatened to leave he told she couldn't, he wouldn't let her not now. Not after he spent all those years searching for her and he finally found her and then her remarks of his wife he snapped his vision blackened out and then there she was on the floor. Thranduil was no fool he knew what he had done, but he did not know how he was to get over this trap he seemed to have found himself.

Legolas walked across the room, bending low he placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder, "Anariel." He called out to her carefully.

"Don't touch me," she whimpered out shoving him away as she stood.

Legolas' eyes fluttered close in both sorrow and anger as he looked at her, her lip split wide open blood ran down her chin, her cheek was a raging red and soaked in tears. "Please, let me help you."

"I don't need your help," she sneered as she wrenched the door open disappearing down the hall.

Feren was heading back to his chambers when he heard the soft whimpering cries, following the sound he came across a silvery mass at the end of the halls shaking violently. He easily remembered the dress and her beautiful tresses, Feren approached kneeling on the ground beside her.

"Anariel, what's the matter?" He whispered.

"Feren?" she whispered back, not looking up from where her head was buried in her knees.

"It's me..."

Soundlessly she leaped out to him wrapping him tightly into a hug, crying into his shoulder. Feren stiffened for a moment before cautiously raising a hand stroking her hair gently. "Do you want to talk?"

Anariel only shook her head gasping in pain as her lip caught on his now bloodstained tunic.

He reached down hooking a finger beneath her chin, raising her face looking her in the eye, as she came to his level a gasp escaped his lips. Shaking his head as his own hand fell to his mouth.

"Come with me, we'll get you to the healing ward." Feren didn't need to ask the question of who did this, he knew and it angered him far beyond words.