King and Lionheart


quel undome - good evening
nîn - my
aran - king
ernil - prince
Tenna' san' - until then
saesa omentien lle - pleasure meeting you
Mae govannen - well met
Diola lle - thank you
ion nîn - my son

Sterday - equivalent of saturday

CASTING FOR THIS CHAPTER:

Amber Heard as Fogwen

Author's Note:

Apologies that this took longer than usual. Chapter twelve was a bit difficult to write. Thank you for the lovely reviews, albeit few. They are very encouraging, and it's lovely to see that people do enjoy this story (:


CHAPTER VIII

Her Royal Invitation


'Day 412 —

You'll be interested to learn, Bellamy, that I courted, got into a relationship, and was cheated on in about three days. Yeah, it turns out my target, Tharnor, is actually a pig. Maeleth has been gloating about how she was right the last week, though I have been ignoring her. I'm not entirely surprised by Tharnor's douchiness, but I have to remain as if it bothered me personally.

What bothers me is him as a person, rather than what he did to me. Since, you know, I am manipulating him as well, so I can't exactly be upset about that. The urge of drop down the fist of feminist justice on the mother fucker is strong in me… I think I'm getting too emotionally involved in this. I have to keep my mind on the job.

It's been a week already and I've only made progress socially with these people. While Thranduil and I decided to be civil in each other's company, it hasn't exactly been an easy start. Sometimes he says something about humans that makes me want to dump wine on his perfectly silver head. And I know that he says such things to get under my skin on purpose.

I'm trying to focus on what's important right now and that's doing the job. I've never wavered from a job, I've never gotten distracted from one either, but ever since I stepped foot in this place I've been off my game. It mostly happened when I found out that you were here, somewhere. I'm still in shock to even find out a shred of information of your survival, though that is not only what is clouding my mind. Yes, I desperately want to drop everything and ride like the wind to where you were last seen, though I know that wouldn't do any good. I only pray that we cross paths at least in our lifetime.

But, there's something in my mind that's making it hard to concentrate, like something is calling me and pulling me in a different direction, as if it's begging for me to see something that I just can't see. As if it's more important, but I can't quite put my finger on it.'

There was a knock on the door as Arielle wrote in her journal by candlelight. She didn't bother getting up, because she heard Maeleth walk out of her bed quarters to go and answer it. Though the thief paused in her writing and looked up at the wall while she listened to the sound of shuffling feet that paraded around the living quarters. She furrowed her brow, thoroughly confused, but didn't get up from her chair until she heard the front door shut, and Maeleth's annoyed voice called her.

"Arielle, you have a delivery!"

Oh no, the elf huffed and went to the door, expecting to see another package or gift that expressed Tharnor's remorse of what he done. The past week it had been things from apologizing notes, surprise candle lit dinners waiting for her in romantic areas, roses, poems, a singing telegram, and lots and lots of—

"Bloody hell," Arielle blanched when she opened the door. The room was filled with possibly hundreds of blue and violet flowers of all types of bloom. In the middle stood Maeleth in a topaz dress, looking quite annoyed as she read the letter in her hand.

She cleared her throat and read mockingly, "'A flower for every hour I spent in the darkness away from your light. Would you please forgive this wilting summer rose and bless me with your divine light'."

Arielle bit her lip and snorted, "Now he's getting pathetic."

"It got pathetic when he sent you a choir of children to sing how sorry he is from below our balcony," she tossed the note over her shoulder.

"That was actually kind of cute, I'd give him that," The thief sauntered over to an arm chair and plopped into it.

The flowers around her made it look like a throne in a field of blue flowers. Maeleth mentally admitted to herself that the colour did suit her, and especially brought out her eyes. Not to mention that she sat upon the chair like the Elvenking did in his throne of antlers, which was a bit unnerving.

Maeleth shook her head and crossed her arms, "Nevertheless, it needs to stop. We haven't made much progression at all this week… this has been rather distracting."

Arielle rose an eyebrow as she watched Maeleth pace in front of her. Is she jealous I'm getting attention? Arielle wouldn't have wondered if she hadn't been watching the elleth's behaviour the last week since they've got here. She's been particularly fussy in things that regarded Arielle, and it only made sense that she was jealous of the attention. It seemed like Maeleth had expected her arrival would be the talk of the kingdom, especially after what had happened, but her lack of drama between Legolas and herself didn't draw any excitement from anyone. Arielle's situation with Tharnor was far more interesting, it seemed.

It would be beneficial to me more if I didn't get so much attention, Arielle nibbled on her bottom lip and decided to throw Maeleth a bone. If people are more focused on her affairs than my own, I won't have people tailing me and watching me as they do now. If I disappear, hopefully people wouldn't notice.

Arielle cleared her throat and crossed her legs, "How have you and the Prince been? Have you enacted your revenge yet?"

She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, then settled into a slitted look. "I've rarely seen him this week. He's hardly in the Kingdom, and he's particularly chummy with the Captain of the Guard."

"The red-headed elleth that looked like she could plant an orc in the ground with the butt of her sword?" Arielle rose an eyebrow amusingly. Legolas likes to be dominated, I bet.

"That would be the one," Maeleth sighed and fell into a chair. She pulled a flower and began to pull of the petals.

"Oi, those are mine!"

The older elleth sent Arielle a glare before tossing the flower at her face, "I didn't figure you to be so sentimental."

"I'm a thief," Arielle deadpanned, "I get attached to all my possessions."

"How very ironic," Maeleth muttered.

"Anyway," Arielle practically growled and shifted in her seat. "You do not need Legolas around you to get back at him."

Her eyes shifted from the new flower she was plucking over to her companion, her brow furrowing a fraction, "Are you scheming for me?"

"You're not doing anything about it, but complain to me," She stated.

"Fine. Pray, thief, what is your scheme?"

"You to court a new ellon," Arielle flatly responded.

Maeleth stared at her for a moment, expecting there to be more, but Arielle remained quiet. The older elleth inhaled deeply before asking, "That is your plan?"

"Yup," Arielle smacked her lips and widened her eyes a bit at her brilliance. "Legolas is showing no interest in you, evading you even. Date another ellon, one much more attractive would help, and he would get jealous and taken back at how easily you are over him."

Maeleth's mouth opened as she thought about this, wanting to find some kind of flaw in this plan. "What if he doesn't care if I see someone else? Especially if he is not around to see me with this new suitor."

Arielle tilted her head back in the chair and looked at the ceiling in contemplation. What would Bellamy do? She found herself wondering, and then soon a light bulb lit above her head. "There are two people that will always will make a man jealous over… his best mate, or his worst enemy. Either or, would be the biggest betrayal."

Maeleth's mouth hung open, peering at Arielle as she stood up in her chair, "You, my dear Lionheart, are an evil genius."

The other elleth grinned cheekily, and then tapped her head, "Got more where that came from." From every teen drama movie and show ever.

Suddenly Maeleth slumped into her chair, arms flailing to her side, "But I don't think I could ever do that to Rhovanor! I've known him for years, and he's such a nice boy; he's done nothing to me or to my family at all. Even if he's that nasty little Orc kisser's nephew."

Arielle smirked at the elleth's swearing, knowing very well that this is the most foul words that she would hear coming out of Maeleth's mouth. She, herself, had yet to unleash the tongue of the sailor, whipping out insults and swears left and right. Of course, she had no problem whipping that out around Alf and the others, but here she bit her tongue quite often.

"If not Rhovanor, then do a bit of snooping and find out who Legolas absolutely loathes and then start from there," Arielle shrugged. "Ask Rhovanor, I'm sure he knows."

"How would I ever word that question without being so transparent," she sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose before standing up. "I need to get out of here… this room… too many flowers, too many smells. I'm starting to get sick of the colour blue."

"I'm not."

"Of course you're not," Maeleth called as she slipped into her bed quarters and shut the door behind her.

For the rest of the afternoon the two ellith decided to leave the Elven kingdom and go for a ride in the north eastern part of the wood, where it was free of spiders and the forest was as beautiful as it was meant to be. Maeleth and Arielle road their horses through the forest glades, though they could barely converse about things of importance, such as the pendent and the deed, since there were wardens and guards hidden in the trees in this area, making sure no arachnids ventured into this part of the Mirkwood. Instead, Maeleth started that moment to teach her some words in Sindarin.

Within two hours, Arielle was able to say 'Greetings, I am Arielle Lionheart', 'Where is the nearest blacksmith?', 'Pleasure to meet you', and Arielle's favourite, 'Lasta lalaithamin'. Meaning: 'Listen to my laughter', which she intends to use as often as possible.

Despite the glades in this area to be free of spiders and another evils, the two had Faeldir and Gwaedhon to accompany them should they run into any altercations. The two footmen were rarely in Arielle's company in the last week, and they had only paid visit to their quarters when they were needed. Overall, their stay in the Mirkwood was much a vacation for them as it was for Maeleth.

Arielle could do without Gwaedhon's company, though. He seemed to complain about almost everything, and for the past half hour he has been moaning about how 'Lady Maeleth' needed to rest, and to eat. This part of the Greenwood was steep, due to the way the mountain of the Elvenking's Halls was protruding to the east. Reaching the Forest River took longer than Arielle had anticipated, since they had to find a safer route for their horses up the incline. Gwaedhon's complaining, she understood, was mainly because he was also unprepared for the climb. Maeleth also explained that Gwaedhon was not a fan of the wood, and much prefered the comforts of the sea that Mithlond provided.

Eventually his complaining made Maeleth give in and the four elves turned their horses and headed back to Thranduil's Halls in time for dinner.

Once they entered the Hall gates, they dismounted and was immediately greeted by Baby Blue or Laurëal— something or other.

"My lady Maeleth, lady Arielle, quel undome," he bowed his head and put a hand over his heart in greeting. "Ernil Legolas and his majesty Aran Thranduil request your attendance for supper in their quarters this evening." Baby Blue's gaze shifted to Arielle with a bit of awkwardness, "And m'lord wanted me to inform you that the Chancellor Tharnor will not be attending."

"Oh, thank the Valar," Maeleth sighed, then smiled gently at the guard. "Tell aran nîn that we will be honoured, and we will be arriving after we've bathed and dressed."

Baby Blue nodded, "Yes, m'lady. Aran and Ernil Legolas will be pleased. Tenna' san'." He bowed again and left the four elves to return to their quarters.

Maeleth then turned to Faeldir, "Call for some handmaiden to come up to our quarters to fill our baths as soon as possible. We don't want to have the King waiting for us." The ellon nodded and set off to that task, and then she turned to other. "And Gwaedhon, why don't you go and rest; you have done nothing but complain our entire ride, and I don't wish to exert you any longer."

Arielle snorted, which earned a sharp glare from Gwaedhon.

As soon as the ellith arrived at their quarters, Maeleth began to gush, a huge smile upon her face. "Oh, this is just lovely. At last a dinner that will not be interrupted by Tharnor," she sighed contently, flicking a flower on her way towards her bedchambers. She paused suddenly, and turned to look at Arielle, who was shrugging off her riding boots at the door of her bedchambers. "Do you suppose Legolas suggested we sup with them?"

Arielle shrugged, "Are we sure we are the only ones invited?"

The older elleth spouted, "I suppose not."

The handmaidens arrived about five minutes after they began to shed off their clothes. There were two modest sized baths that were placed in a small cavernous space in each bedchambers. The room was hidden behind a thick navy blue curtains, that initially Arielle had overlooked until the first time she had to bathe the second day she was there. The bath was on a platform standing on four legs and it was made out of marble. To the far right was the basin and chamber pot, and then on the right wall behind the bath was a shelf full of soft towels, oils, shampoos, and perfumes.

Three elf maidens shuffled into Arielle's room with large pitchers of hot water. It would have been a tedious job, to refill the bath, though there was a sort of plumbing system that poured water into the baths from above the tub. A natural faucet laid above the bath, and when the drain is plugged, the bath is filled with mineral water slowly, so by the evening it is half full. The only problem is that the water is cold, which is why hot pitchers of water are needed.

This process reminded Arielle that she still needed to use the public bath pools, it would be infinitely easier than doing this every other day.

After two maidens left, one remained. The elleth avoided Arielle's gaze as she motioned over to the bath, "Lady Arielle, your bath is ready."

The thief still had to get used to having people help her bathe, which wasn't even something rich people from her world and time had done. Though the past week, she had to get used to another woman washing her back and hair. She had grown used to one elleth who was her unofficial handmaid, but this elleth that awkwardly stood at the bath was new.

"Fimdes is not tending to me this evening?" Arielle asked, hesitating before she began to shed her tunic.

"No, my lady. Fimdes sends her apologies, but she is attending her sister's begot party," her hands were folded on her lap as she stood idly at the back of the tub.

"Ah, right… I remember her mentioning," Arielle responded, though truth be told Fimdes said nothing of the sort. "What is your name, dess?"

"I am Fogwen, m'lady," she put her hand over her heart and bowed.

"Well met," Arielle bit her lip as she finally undressed and then slid into the tub with her back facing her, but not without catching the peculiar look on Fogwen's face. "Is something wrong?"

"It's— never mind, my lady," she shuffled over to the shelves and began to pull out oils, shampoos, and soap.

Arielle rose an eyebrow as she watched her, "Speak your mind, Fogwen."

There was hesitation from the elleth, her shoulders tense as she stared at the bottles in her hand, "It's — uh — I've never seen — You have many scars, m'lady. I've never seen so many."

"Oh," Arielle relaxed in the tub, and then nodded to herself. "Yes, well, I was very accident prone as a child." Truthfully, a majority of those scars she obtained before she ever came to Middle Earth. With the Stone, it was easier to avoid bodily harm, but she couldn't be under it's protective cloak every hour of every day, so she did receive some cuts here and there. Though back home, she got injured far worse than that. She's been shot at several times, and three bullets have made their marks in the past. In actuality, the amount of scars on her wasn't that many, most were small in comparison to the scar on her abdomen when she got her appendix removed.

"They look more like battle wounds, my lady," Fogwen muttered as she poured the scented oils into the bath and then massaged it into Arielle's scalp, while the thief washed her arms and legs with the soap by herself.

"I fought a lot too," she told the truth. "Living with travelling merchants, you tend to find yourself in unlucky situations."

"I see…" Fogwen trailed off, and then the uncomfortable silence presumed. Only the sounds of water being pushed around could be heard.

After her hair was shampooed, Arielle dunked her head into the water and rinsed out the suds. Immediately Fogwen took her hair and began to twist and drain the water out, and for the first time in the last seven minutes, she made a sound.

"Hmm…"

"Something wrong?"

"Well — no. I just never noticed this earlier, but your hair — it has strands of silver—"

"—What?" Arielle practically sprung out of the bath when she took her hair in her hands and began to examine it fruitlessly. "Where?!" Nearing thirty, she had always been afraid of getting premature grey hairs, ever since that one day Bellamy plucked out a single grey hair from her head and teased her about it.

Arielle did find silver hair, though not what she imagined it to be. They were almost translucent, sparkling under the torch lights and from the oils put in her hair. Was her hair always like this?

"Are you alright m'lady?" Fogwen asked, touching her shoulder.

"I've never noticed this before," she confessed, still examining a single light strand of hair.

"It isn't uncommon for certain elves to have silver hair in their tresses…" She trailed off as she went to get two towels from the shelf. "Do you know what race of elf your parents were?"

Arielle frowned, "No. I don't even know what they look like, or their names."

"Apologies, my lady. I had forgotten you were orphaned."

Me too.

There was no time to let her hair dry, by the time they reached the Elvenking's quarters, the damp parts wouldn't be noticeable, especially since Fogwen had plaited her hair into a side braid. Then there was the issue of what to wear…it was spring, but as well as evening ware would be more appropriate. Fogwen nearly pulled out the pink frock, but immediately Arielle shoved that thing where it came from. In the end, she decided on a deep teal dress with subtle black and gold trim at the square neckline. It was a nice rich colour, and while it didn't match the spring season, it was still a nice gown to wear to a dinner with the Elvenking.

As soon as they finished getting ready, the handmaidens left. Baby Blue was waiting outside to escort the two ellith to the King's chambers. On their trek, Maeleth fussed with Arielle's dress, questioning why she hadn't worn the pink one. The younger's nostrils flared, deciding that one day she is going to throw that pink dress into the fireplace and only then she would wear it when it comes out blacken with soot and remotely resembled something that Arielle would wear in public.

The Elvenking's castle resided at the very top of the mountain of the halls, and possibly the only place that had windows. The hike up there was unnecessarily long, though Arielle still managed to retain the memory of all the long staircases and corridors they had to walk through in order to reach two grand doors that were similar to the gates in front of the Halls. The only difference was that these doors were adorned, shimmering with light like a stained glass window. The same pattern of the twisting branches that formed the door, though between the branches were coloured glass — or perhaps they were different coloured crystals — that shown torch light from inside out. It caused a rainbow of colour on the floor and decorated Arielle's dress and reflected against her face.

Two guards with staves were stationed on either side of the doors, and as soon as the two guests approached, they opened the doors without a word. Beyond the entrance was absolutely magnificent, and it was simply the foyer. Two large curved ornate staircases were on either side that lead up to the second floor, and high above was a chandelier made of glimmering aura crystals and bleached elk antlers that twined with each other to make a wreath. The floor was white marble, the furniture made out of wood that seemed to grow from the ground itself, and the walls sparkled far more brightly than the rest of the Elvenking's Halls. Arielle was correct in her assumption that this was the only place that had windows, because just beyond the stairs she could feel a draft of spring breeze waft into the home. There was also the distant sound of rushing water, which piqued Arielle's interest further.

Does he have a bloody river up there too?

"This way, arwenaminea," Baby Blue directed as he lead the way underneath the stairs in the centre of the foyer. At the end of the corridor it forked; in front was another pair of ornate doors that were closed, and Baby Blue led the duo to the right, where the air was lighter, and the sound of rushing water was stronger. Eventually the corridor began to open up until they reached an archway that was lined with light green curtains pinned to the side, and beyond it was a vast room with a high ceiling, high windows that exposed the outside, and a gorgeous view of the courtyard below. The waterfall that softly fell into the pool of water in the courtyard originated from above them, cascading down the shimmering rock and then disappearing into hanging moss that canopied the grotto. The water's source had to somehow come from the Forest River, though the only explanation how was that the small mountain was actually a cliff of raised land, where the river passed through. Perhaps there was a glade and a small lake above them as well, since the water flow didn't look to be in short supply.

The room itself was also gorgeous, with seats all facing the wide open windows that peeked over the trees of the forest, exposing the rest of the world. Arielle could see Lake town and Erebor in the distance from there. There were pillows scattered all around in a cozy nook in the floor with the couches and arm chairs, and squat tables in the centre. Around were white stone statues and lots of plants that shuddered in the warm evening breeze. More notable, there was a bar. A curved counter barricaded a large cabinet with glass doors that exposed the variety of wines and other spirits, most likely Thranduil's more older and favourited beverages. Or just the ones he's wiling to share with guests.

I think I'm going to cry, Arielle sighed in complete bliss… The Courtyard was her favourite place in the Halls, but this exact room was very close in taking it's place. Solely for the simple addition of a bar and alcohol, of course.

There was another short corridor that Baby Blue had led them through, and then finally another pair of ornate doors, though this one was open, and exposed a smaller room with a large table and lower ceiling. There were windows, though they were shorter, faced more of the wood, and were closed. Sitting at the table were familiar faces, and immediately Maeleth noticed that their hosts were not there.

The Captain of the Guard, was, however, present. Besides her, there was Rhovanor, which even Arielle found a bit odd considering who his uncle is. Though Maeleth quickly deduced that based on the company, it had not been Thranduil's idea to host this private dinner. If it had been, more of the King's Court would have been present, and not even Maeleth's uncle was there.

Rhovanor was the first to greet the ladies after Baby Blue had introduced them upon their arrival.

"You arrived just in time," he beamed after he leapt from his chair to meet them and the door. "Legolas and Aran shall be arriving shortly."

The Captain of the Guard glided over to the group, a friendly and polite smile as she approached. Her hands were behind her back before she lifted one up and placed her fist over her heart and bowed, "Lady Maeleth, Lady Arielle, saesa omentien lle. Legolas has spoken highly of you. I apologies if I haven't gotten the moment to formally introduce myself until now. I am Captain Tauriel."

Arielle could feel the animosity vibrating from Maeleth, even through her kind — albeit tight jawed — smile. The thief, however, was kind of relieved to see an elleth like Tauriel. While she had seen plenty of them as guards and what men would consider "a man's job", Tauriel was the first she had seen thus far that had a position of authority. Not to mention she chose not to wear a dress, but still dressed formally even in breeches and a long tunic. If Legolas was more romantically interested in her, then Arielle had an idea of what kind of elleth that the prince was interested in. And unfortunately for Maeleth, it was not her.

"Mae govannen, Captain Tauriel," Maeleth greeted, bowing her head in respect. "I am glad we can meet at last. I suspect your duties have been pulling our proper introduction away from us."

Tauriel grinned and nodded, "It has been rather taxing this past week. The spider nests have grown in the last decade, and have become more dauntless during the winter. Now that the snow has melted, they are starting to breed—"

Arielle made a face of disgust, which didn't go unnoticed by Rhovanor, who gave her a cheeky smirk. "What is the matter, Arielle? Not so fond of spiders?"

"I had a bad experience," She suppressed a shudder from the repressed memory. "I don't want to talk about it."

Tauriel gave her a curious, albiet amused look, "You've encountered them before? And survived?"

Don't know why it's so surprising that I survived that encounter. I know I'm no elven warrior, but— "Last year, actually. It was a chance encounter, one that I wasn't prepared for, but I managed to evade them. I am very fast and light on my feet, especially when my life is in danger."

Arielle's comment earned a chuckle from the captain, and then she trailed off. "Wait, did you say last year? We had an invader lookout near south west of the Mirkwood Mountains. Was that where you had the encounter?"

Ah, shit, "Possibly. I was— I was meaning to trade with the Woodmen in a nearby settlement. I lost my map, and I wondered too far north." Tauriel, Rhovanor bought the lie, and Arielle was impressed at how easily she thought of it. Bellamy would be proud, she mused.

"Well, it is a good thing you didn't wander any further. If a spider didn't capture you, one of my guards would have," Tauriel said in a tone of jest.

"If that had happened instead, I'm sure my story would be very different at this point," There was more truth in Arielle's statement than Tauriel, Rhovanor, and even Maeleth would understand. She often wondered what would have happened if she didn't conveniently stumbled upon a band of thieves, and instead bumped into another group of people. What if she was captured by Thranduil's guards? Would she had been taken prisoner, or would she have refuge in Thranduil's Halls? She would have met Maeleth under entirely different circumstances, and certain events might not have inferred. Like she might have never met Sírdaer and found out about his encounter with a dwarf who spoke a funny language — Bellamy. In fact, she likely would not have any close relationship with any of the nobility let alone royalty if she was simply adopted into the Silvan community. It felt almost like destiny had already written her path, the more she thought about it.

At that moment, at last the King and Prince graced them with their presence. Legolas was wearing deep purple attire, with silver breaches, and silver accents. His hair, as always was pulled back in a spider braid, though this time he wore a circlet, which he often didn't. Thranduil, though, wore, to Arielle's chagrin, deep teal robes that glittered cyan. They practically matched, and at that moment, Arielle started to regret not wearing the pink frock. Like his son, he wore a circlet, but his hair was free from braids, like he was often seen.

After the royal company greeted everywhere — Thranduil regarded Arielle with a slight nod — the six elves all sat at the table. There was a chair on either end of the table; Legolas sat on the end on the left, and Thranduil at the head of the table on the right. Before anyone else could claim a seat, Maeleth practically leapt to the seat on Legolas' right, leaving Arielle to take the seat next to her, and on Thranduil's left. Tuariel took to the seat across from her, on Thranduil's right — Arielle noticed Legolas' crestfallen face when that had happened — and then Rhovanor took to the seat across from Maeleth. At last when everyone was settled, wine was served.

Arielle lifted her goblet as the footman poured the vintage into her cup after he had served the king. He stopped halfway, and she gave him a look, "More."

"But, my lady—"

"It's just going to empty in the next 60 seconds," She kept her glass up, and finally after the footman casted the King a concerned look, he filled the goblet to the rim. "Diola lle."

Thranduil regarded her over the rim of his goblet before taking a sip and then saying, "You learned more Sindarin. I take it your lessons with Maeleth are going well."

"We've only just begun," Maeleth answered for her. "The past week's distractions have made getting started rather difficult, but we've been focusing more on her…" She trailed off as she watched Arielle carefully balance her goblet to her lips and slurp up the wine before it could spill on her dress. "…Manners."

Tauriel covered her mouth to conceal her amusement, but Rhovanor wasn't holding back his grin. "Need a little help, Arielle?"

"No, I'm fine," She smiled after she successfully depleted the wine down a fraction without spilling.

Thranduil only had a small smirk when he placed down his goblet, "That is a strong vintage, dess. It would be wise to pace yourself, less you become inebriated before desert."

She knew that it wasn't meant to be a challenge, though Arielle took it all the same. "I'm just warming up my palette," she shrugged as the light salads were placed in front of them. "I noticed you have a well stocked bar in the other room."

That, Thranduil did laugh to, "I never thought we would have much in common, dess, but alas we do."

"Ada, do you think it is appropriate to encourage drink upon our guests, when this is but a private gathering?" Legolas asked, his goblet untouched.

Thranduil stared at Legolas for a beat, as if that was the dumbest thing he had ever heard, and then directed his eyes to Arielle. "My son does not share my love for spirits, it would seem. Most elven youth are not so inclined to the drink, unlike other races, I've noticed."

"It is because it impairs the drinker," Legolas added, and straightening his back. "And serves no purpose other than to quench a thirst. Drinking more than you can handle is pointless."

Over two-thousand years, and he has no seen a lick of danger other than what he knows. Of course Legolas doesn't drink like his father, because he hasn't seen a fraction of what Thranduil has, Arielle looked over at the King, his face shadowed. Arielle cleared her throat, "Perhaps when you are older, Ernil Legolas, your opinion will change."

She felt eyes on her in an instant. Maeleth chocked on her salad, and sent her a sharp glare, and Tauriel just looked at her like a sibling watching her younger sister talk back to her parents: shocked, but with a clear indication of respect for her bravery.

Legolas didn't seem offended by it, but he did look at her as if she already drank more than her fill, "With all do respect, Lady Arielle. You are but 1/20th my age."

"Age is irrelevant if the younger has lived more," Arielle stated philosophically, "You forget that I lived with man. I've seen how fast mortality forces those to live through experience. I may not be as intellectual, but I am wise, perhaps too wise than any elleth my age should rightfully be. And that is why I pointlessly drink."

A surprising chuckle emitted from the Elvenking, and all turned to him as he took a sip from his goblet, his eyes briefly on Arielle, and then to his son. "I was mistaken, ion nîn. My earlier statement — I take it back."

It seemed clear to Arielle, at least, that Thranduil was not talking about alcohol. The look he shared with Legolas meant that they were talking about an entirely different conversation that their guests were not apart of, which piqued Arielle's curiosity a bit. Especially by the disapproving tilt of Legolas' head, it sounded like a topic that he did not wish to talk about among present company.

With a great sigh, the prince changed topics, "So, Lady Maeleth. How was your day?"

Maeleth, glad to change the topic, delved into what they had did that day. Starting with the jungle of blue flowers that came for her ward that morning, and then to the wonderful walk in the forest with her footmen. Once the salads were done, dinner conversation moved onto different topics until entrees were served. For the first time in a while, meat was served, and Rhovanor proudly claimed that it was a boar that he had hunted by himself the previous night. The portions were small, and the fat was trimmed off, though it was delicious and savoury. The rest of the boar was likely sold off, since that was Rhovanor's profession. The topic of Rhovanor's boar is what directed the spotlight back onto Arielle again, who was nursing her third brimming goblet of wine.

"Arielle, you mentioned that you were fast and light on your feet?" Tauriel asked, and the brunette nodded. "How would you care to join us on Sterday for a raid?"

Before Arielle could respond, Maeleth did for her, "Arielle has studies to get into… I don't think—"

"Maeleth, you're welcome to come as well," Rhovanor said. "I remember you being a superb archer, and we could use good archers while cleaning the nest near the south west."

Arielle shot Tauriel a look, "You invite me to go barrelling into a spider nest?"

The red-head smiled innocently, "You will be with a large company of well trained guards and soldiers. And I suspect you will do well if you are as quick on your feet as you say."

Arielle looked at Maeleth, who didn't approve, but she wasn't going to protest if she had accepted. The younger elleth decided that the chance would be good experience, especially if she needed to leave the Mirkwood and had to fight through the dangers by herself. "Sounds like a good opportunity," Arielle smiled at the Captain. "I would be honoured to accompany you. I've been growing tired of being idle indoors anyway."

Tauriel grinned, though it quickly disappeared when someone walked into the dining room and bowed respectfully.

"Forgive me, Aran, but a courier from Mithlond just arrived with a letter for Lady Maeleth Greywater," The man stood a few feet away, in both his hands he held a note folded into a square and had a wax seal and ribbon.

"Can this wait until after dinner?" Thranduil asked, not bothering casting a look to the servant.

"The courier had requested that this be given to the Lady as soon as possible."

A look of curiosity and concern swept over Maeleth's face as she turned towards the servant ellon and extended her hand, "It is alright; here, give it to me." The note was given to her, and she stared at the seal with a poorly concealed look of dread. Arielle watched her closely as she tore open the seal and unfolded the parchment, her eyes quickly scanning the contents.

When she was done, she let her hands fall onto her lap with the note, and then lifted her chin up to look at Thranduil. She fought to plaster her smile when she spoke, but still Maeleth took a deep bracing breath. "My father is coming for Elanoriel's coming of age party… And he's bringing my aunt with him."

Thranduil sharply turned from plate towards Maeleth, and silence filled the room. Arielle was confused, because as she understood it, Maeleth's aunt was dead. The King's face seemed to pale, his eyes wide and betraying a hit of fright as he processed this information.

He opened his mouth as if to ask something, though quickly disregarded his words, and opted for a different question. "Amarthel?"

Maeleth subtly bit her bottom lip and nodded, eyes flickering over the King's face. She watched closely as the muscles in his face tensed even when he relaxed in his seat and then raised his goblet to be refilled. In a swift moment, he downed the contents and had it refilled once again.

Arielle watched him, and then looked at Maeleth, who looked as if she had seen a ghost. Who the hell Amarthel?


In two more chapters, there will be a lot of explanations of who and what. Though next chapter my new OC is making her debut! I want to apologise in advance if she automatically seems like a Mary Sue in her first impression. I noticed that when I was re-reading it. She more for comic relief, if anything, but she does have depth to her, I promise. And she does serve a purpose in the future, not just because I want another romance with the dwarves.

As always, castings and pictures are posted in the pinterest provided in my profile.

Happy Readings xoxo

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