The Seat of Eastwood
"Lord Erduin's answer has arrived, Rhea," said Ellyria coming into her room with a scroll. "Will you ask my uncle, Lord Thranduil, Lord Elrond and Mithrandir to join me in the council room in an hour?"
"Of course," Rhea flitted out the door and Ellyria sat down on her bed to read the letter.
It was much less definitive than Ellyria would have liked but the overall message seemed to be that something was not right. Activity was increasing beyond his borders but no attacks had been made on his realm nor even the scouting parties he was expecting as a prelude to an attack.
Ellyria sighed and got up to brush out her hair, giving her hands something to do to help her think.
She left her room shortly after with the letter in hand and went to the council room to wait for the others to arrive. Soon, they were all seated at the table with the map before them much as they had two days ago.
"Thank you for coming. I received an answer to my letter to Lord Erduin. I do not know that we will be able to make a plan based on any of his information," said Ellyria, handing the note to her uncle.
"He has not noticed anything?" asked Gandalf, a bushy eyebrow raised.
Her uncle handed the letter to Lord Thranduil across the table.
"He has noticed some activity but nothing to sound an alarm over," related her uncle Tarquin as Thranduil's grey eyes flew across the scroll.
"Hardly conclusive," he murmured handing it to Lord Elrond who contented himself with the paraphrasing of the others and handed it straight to Gandalf.
"Then we must be watchful of our borders and make sure all is in order for when the call comes," said Lord Elrond.
"You still believe this is something that will affect all of Middle Earth?" asked Lord Thranduil, looking sideways at Lord Elrond.
"I cannot yet see that. Can you?" asked Elrond, meeting Thranduil's patronizing gaze.
"No," relented the Elvenking, shaking his white head.
"So nothing is to be done then?" grumbled Gandalf, setting down the letter.
"What would you recommend, Mithrandir?" asked Tarquin.
Gandalf sighed in irritation but no answer seemed to be forthcoming from his great beard.
"I apologize that this was not more helpful but perhaps we are worried over coincidences," said Ellyria rising.
"My lady, before you go and indeed, before I depart, I would be easier knowing who speaks for Eastwood if another meeting must be held in the future," said Lord Elrond, looking pointedly at Lady Ellyria.
The room grew very silent.
Ellyria looked at Lord Elrond but was very aware of the penetrating stare Thranduil and her uncle were giving her as well.
After a moment, her uncle tried to intervene.
"My lord Elrond, we will…" but he stopped when Ellyria raised her hand.
"No, he is right. It is not fair to our people either that they do not yet have a leader," replied Ellyria shifting her gaze to her uncle.
"Summon our council, Celdnae and the captains to my father's hall. I will meet you there," said Ellyria, to her uncle with a determined smile.
He nodded.
Ellyria left the room before anything else could be said and hurried back to her own, her chest tight with the knowledge of what was to come. She went to her room and closed the door, leaning against it to steady her heart. She looked over at Lord Thranduil's cloak that she still had not returned and took a breath, calling for Rhea.
Ellyria sat down at her table before the mirror and looked at herself. She had more color than a few days ago and her eyes did not look so red as they had once been. She held her chin up and reminded herself that this day was always going to come though it didn't make it any easier.
Rhea came in and went over to her.
"Yes, my lady?" asked the young elf.
"Rhea, will you sit with me a moment?" asked Ellyria looking up at her.
"Certainly. Something troubles you?" she asked, sitting down beside Ellyria.
"A great many things have troubled me the past few days. It would be easier if my head and my heart were saying the same things to me but they are not. They seldom have."
"The heart is usually right," said Rhea quietly, not meeting Ellyria's eyes.
"That is what I am afraid of. Thank you Rhea. I will see you later tonight," said Ellyria, standing and straightening her dress.
Rhea clasped her hands and smiled encouragingly.
Ellyria walked to Lord Morgaine's hall, her mind in a storm and her heart aching.
She paused outside the doors and drew in a long breath then let it out very slowly.
Ellyria drew herself up, squared her shoulders and pushed open the door to her father's hall.
Many faces turned to look at her as she entered; all inclining their heads as she passed. She noticed Felinor out of the corner of her eye trying to meet her gaze but she kept walking. The councillors all bowed and moved aside; Celdnae smiled warmly at her. She moved past her aunt, uncle and cousin and the elf lords and Gandalf before reaching the raised dais. There were two stone stairs and then her father's seat, all in white wood, carved the in the shape of the very trees it was hewn from. And on the blue velvet cushion, sat her father's silver circlet.
Ellyria strode up the steps and picked up the silver diadem in both hands, looking down at it lovingly. She paused for a staring at it and then turned to face the assembled group.
"Thank you all for coming. I must apologize for the late hour of this meeting. The passing on of Lord Morgaine's circlet seemed to me the last act that would proclaim him gone forever. I was not ready to face that. I ask you to forgive this weakness that has kept uncertainty in the air and our people without a leader," said Ellyria, looking out at the elves and men.
She smiled and dropped her gaze back down to the diadem in her hands.
"For those of you who were close to my family, you will know that my father and I did not see eye to eye on a great many things."
The was a gentle murmur of agreement and mirth from her audience.
"But the ones that truly mattered, that were dear to our hearts, we were always of one mind. And so when he told me who he wished to succeed him, I was in complete agreement," Ellyria went on, moving forward down the steps.
"You may all rest easy in the knowledge that Eastwood has a leader," she continued, coming to stand before her uncle.
"As wise, strong and steady as any it has ever had," Ellyria finished, and extended the circlet out to her uncle.
There was a collective intake of breath and her uncle's eyes went wide before her.
"Ellyria," he said, with a bewildered frown, not making a move to reach out for it.
"He asked for you uncle and I wish the same, with all my heart," urged Ellyria.
"This is most unusual, my lady," said Hurenil coming to the front of the hall.
Ellyria saw Lord Elrond and Lord Thranduil, take step in her direction, out of the corner of her eye but they did not speak.
"It was his last wish, indeed his last breath, Hurenil. I will not fail him in this," said Ellyria firmly, not taking her eyes from her uncle's.
"Ellyria, I cannot take this from you. It is your birthright," protested Tarquin, standing perfectly still.
"It was never mine, uncle. My father knew I never sought his seat. You have been constant to Eastwood in ways I have not, cannot be," explained Ellyria, relieved when his hands finally came up to take the circlet from her.
"Lady Ellyria, think carefully about this path," counseled Lord Elrond beside her.
She let go of the circlet once it lay firmly in her uncle's hands.
"He said nothing to me of this," murmured her uncle staring down at it.
"Ellyria, dearest…" began her aunt Drina, looking from her husband to her niece.
"I do not wish this to appear to be open to debate, my lords; councilors," said Ellyria authoritatively, taking a step back and meeting the questioning gaze of all those around her.
"This is my father's will and mine. It not for you to protest but to accept and declare your allegiance to Tarquin Vortis, the Lord of Eastwood," announced Ellyria in a tone that she did not know she possessed.
She met the wide eyes of Captain Felinor through the small crowd.
"Captain, you may ring the bells so that the people know they have a leader once again," she commanded, looking directly at him.
He paused looking at her. She nodded to him once and he turned and left the hall.
"My lord," said Ellyria with a smile, reaching her hand out to her uncle.
Tarquin moved to her as if in a trance and followed her to the great wooden seat. He sat down uncertainly, and Ellyria gently took the circlet from his hands and placed it on his brow.
Tears sprang to his kind eyes but he kept them at bay.
"You are sure?" he asked softly enough that she was the only one who heard him.
"Yes, I could not be happier," said Ellyria truthfully.
"The people look to you," replied her uncle searching her face.
"They look to me only because I am the daughter of Lord Morgaine. Now I am Ellyria; nothing more," said the elf with a warm smile.
"You will always be welcome here and I would have your counsel," requested her uncle, taking her hand.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Still holding his hand, she got down on one knee and swore her allegiance to Lord Tarquin. Then she rose and stood off to the side, looking down at the others, waiting for them to comply.
There was a beat of silence and then Celdnae ascended the dais and said the words. That seemed to decide the majority of those assembled. Ellyria stood by and witnessed them all. Lord Elrond did not get on one knee but offered his hand in friendship and allegiance in peace and in war. Lord Thranduil met her eyes and she could see a storm brewing in them. But the words he said to her uncle were those of honor and respect, vowing to aide Eastwood should they ever have need of it. Gandalf inclined his head but said nothing, watching the rest of the congregation. The captains were the last to come forward. One by one, they knelt and swore their service to their new lord. Felinor returned as the bells started tolling in the distance and voiced his fealty as well.
"Thank you. We should speak to our people and I would ask that you all join us as a show of solidarity," said Ellyria, looking at the gathering.
Lord Tarquin rose, nodded to Ellyria and strode from the hall in the direction of the front gate.
Many elves were gathering before the iron gate at the front of the hall, and more were emerging from their homes and walking toward the growing cluster.
Ellyria stood beside her uncle as he addressed their people, a happy smile on her face. When the announcement was made, surprise rippled through the elves and Ellyria felt many eyes shift to her but she met them all with gravity and aplomb.
When Lord Tarquin finished speaking, Ellyria addressed them as well assuring them that this change was for the best in the times to come. That her uncle was another rock upon which they could continue to build their lives in safety and prosperity.
She bowed to the assembled elves and then turned and repeated the gesture to her uncle. The others followed her example and inclined their heads and placed their hands on their hearts. Ellyria felt tears in her eyes but she did not let them fall.
Tarquin looked from Ellyria to his wife to his son, at the future she had just given them. He smiled proudly and nodded to her. Drina clasped her hands, her own eyes wet, and embraced Ellyria briefly.
"You are sure?" she whispered in her niece's ear.
"Yes, aunt. Steer him straight," replied Ellyria with a smile.
Her aunt chuckled, smiling and turned to Tarquin, the new lord of Eastwood.
Ryndion also approached her but seemed unsure of what to say.
"Ellyria," was all he could manage.
"Tarquin will need you. Try to not to get into too much mischief," she said quietly, as the gathering outside the gates began to disperse as well as those behind her.
"The mischief I got into was largely because of you," he reminded her with a fond smile.
Ellyria smiled back.
"I will not encourage you any longer then," she promised, taking his hand.
He nodded to her and then went to stand with his father, who was speaking animatedly with Drina.
She watched her family and was aware of being watched herself. Ellyria turned and went back inside the hall, feeling lighter and more content than she had in the last few days. She opened the door of a sitting chamber that was a quick short cut to her own room and made it halfway through before a voice stopped her.
"Lady Ellyria, a word."
Her eyes widened at the coldness in the voice and she turned to face Lord Thranduil. He pulled the door closed behind him with enough force that it made her jump.
"It is just Ellyria now," she reminded him, but the words came out more softly than she would have liked.
His wintery eyes blazed at her, his face thunderous as he advanced on her, his pale green robes swirling around his legs.
"What have you done?" he demanded, as she fought the urge to back away from him.
"What my father asked of me," replied Ellyria, straightening her back.
"He did not ask you to give your birthright to your uncle," snapped the Elvenking, still coming toward her.
"Were you in the room, my lord?" she retorted.
"I will not believe it. You have a duty to your father and your people," boomed the King, stopping several feet away from her.
"My father is dead and my people will look to my uncle. You have given him your loyalty," said Ellyria, clasping her hands before her so they would not tremble.
"How can you just walk away from this?" questioned Thranduil, his tone unrelenting.
"I am doing the right thing for Eastwood and for myself," she asserted, bringing her chin up defiantly. "What does it matter to you what we do here?"
He frowned harder.
"A month ago, I believe we were no concern of yours," Ellyria tossed back at him.
"On principle, it is wrong. You would break his line?" growled the elf lord.
"I am hardly breaking his line by giving it to his brother. I am not wed nor do I have children," argued Ellyria, growing angry herself.
"Now any children you do will have no claim to Eastwood," continued Thranduil, his manner hard and disapproving.
"They will always be able to claim Eastwood as their home. I wish no more than that. I apologize if what we do here offends your sensibilities."
Ellyria moved her hands to her sides and did not realize they were balling up into fists.
Thranduil studied her intensely for a moment and Ellyria's hackles rose further.
"You are not staying here are you?" he asked quietly, searching her face.
"For a little while, yes. And then I think I may do some more traveling," replied Ellyria, unsure of why she needed to defend her actions to him. Or why she wanted to.
"Traveling," scoffed the King as he looked down on her. "Running away you mean."
Ellyria's cheeks went pink with anger.
"I am not running away," snapped the young elf.
"I spoke with Hurenil yesterday. It seems that before each long journey you took, it was precipitated by some painful event here in Eastwood," pressed Thranduil, ignoring her flaring temper.
"How dare you," she breathed, her fingernails digging into her palms.
"The death of your horse, Celeste and a broken pledge," listed Thranduil coldly.
"Are you calling me a coward?" she demanded, taking one step toward him.
"These are the actions of a coward and I am at a loss to reconcile it with what I know of you. You risked your life for me. How can you do that and also do this?" Thranduil continued, still searching her eyes as if they would give him the answers her lips were not.
"How can you judge me? You have done the same thing, my lord, only you have done it standing still," she accused, swallowing back the knot in her throat.
His eyes darkened.
"How is my leaving here different than you shutting out the world, cutting your own people off from it?" Ellyria challenged.
"I have always acted to keep my people safe from the savagery of the world. I made decisions and sacrifices for them that would have shattered you," snarled Thranduil, taking another step toward her, his eyes flashing. "I did not have the luxury of a choice in leading my people."
"You are still acting out of fear. At the first hint of trouble in borders beyond yours, your first instinct is to turn your back. Are you content to let everything in this world burn except your kingdom?" she interrogated.
"You know nothing of this world. Of the darkness that has inhabited it. You think because you have seen a glimpse of one memory of mine, you have any understanding of the true meaning of fear?" said Lord Thranduil in a low brutal voice.
Ellyria drew in a breath and suppressed the shiver threatening to creep up her spine at his words.
"For someone so anxious not to be a disappointment, you certainly endeavor to be one," said the King coldly.
Ellyria gasped, her mouth flying open and tears flooding her angry eyes. She took a few quick breaths and kept the urge to lash out at his face under control.
She calmed herself with an effort, and then said emotionlessly, "I am not the only disappointment in this room."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at her but before he could berate her any further, she turned on her heel and took long strides away from him.
"Do not turn your back to me!" thundered Thranduil behind her.
"Do not presume to give me orders. You are not my father, nor my uncle nor any relation of mine that I would be compelled to listen to," she snapped, looking over her shoulder, pausing in her flight.
She turned her head enough so that she could meet his eyes.
"You are not my king."
She let the words hang in the air for a moment before storming out, slamming the door behind her.
Ellyria ducked into a side passage and flew up the stairs as she heard him wrench the door open. She ran up the steps, then down a hall, then another and up more stairs until she reached one of the flat spaces on the roof of the main hall. Hot tears of anger and frustration burned fiery trails down her cheeks as she choked down the urge to scream. She paced around the small space until she collapsed to the ground and put her head in her arms to sob. He had torn her open and she could not bear the thought of being so naked to him. Ellyria lay on the roof until the day began to wane. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears away.
She felt sick at the thought of having to sit through dinner with him in the room but she could not be absent tonight. This would be the first night of her uncle being the Lord of Eastwood. She had to show her face and be happy.
Ellyria pushed herself to her feet and dusted off her dress. The hollowness in her chest was unnerving but she descended the stairs and went back to her room. She changed into a new dress of deep crimson on her own and brushed out her long hair, taking care to undo the braids around the crown of her head so that it did not look like she was also wearing a diadem. She practiced her smile in the mirror until she could do it convincingly and then rose to leave.
"Ellyria, we were wondering where you had gone," said Drina, as she walked up to her beaming family members outside the dining hall.
"Nowhere in particular," she replied with a smile.
"You look very regal, uncle Tarquin. It suits you," said Ellyria, kissing her uncle on the cheek.
"Thank you, Ellyria. I wish you would have said something to me sooner," he started to say.
"I know and I apologize for waiting so long. It was not fair to you. Will you forgive me?" she asked hopefully.
'Of course I forgive you," sighed Tarquin, clasping her shoulder.
Ellyria smiled and followed her uncle, aunt and cousin into the hall.
All the elves in the room, rose when Tarquin entered and did not resume their seats until after he took up his own, in Lord Morgaine's seat.
Ryndion sat on his father's left and Drina sat to his right. Ellyria took a new place next to Drina and sat down. In her periphery, she was aware of Lord Thranduil looking in her direction, though he was a pale blur. Instead, she met the anxious eyes of Felinor at the back of the room and smiled at him. He returned it though still concerned.
Dinner was easier than she thought it would be. Pleasant music played over the bubbling conversation and many that had once looked grim, were more at ease. Ellyria did not look in the Elvenking's direction once and spoke easily to those few who came up to the table to converse. Through it all, she kept smiling.
When she could stomach no more food and had had enough wine to dull her pain, she turned to Drina beside her. Others in the hall had left for the evening and many of the captains of the guard were engaging in a mildly uncivilized drinking game at the rear of the hall.
"Thank you for being supportive, aunt. It was no easy thing that I put upon your family today," said Ellyria, with feeling.
"Ellyria, you have honored us with this responsibility. I hope it will not prey heavily on your mind. You've been so careworn," replied her aunt kindly.
"I am easier in my mind and heart now that this is settled. I love you all very much," she whispered, leaning in and kissing her aunt's pale cheek.
"And we love you, Ellyria. Get some rest, my dear," urged her aunt, pressing Ellyria's hand.
She nodded and bid her aunt and uncle good night. Ellyria rose from the table and returned to her room without seeing another elf.
Rhea was there when she entered, putting a new blanket on her bed.
"Rhea, will you go to the kitchens and bring back enough food for several days?" asked Ellyria.
The blond elf paused, her eyes going wide.
"Are you still hungry?"
Ellyria laughed and it helped loosen the weight on her chest.
She went to Rhea and clasped the elf's tiny hands.
"No. I have decided to leave Eastwood for a time," she said quietly. "Say nothing to anyone when you go."
"Oh but you've only just returned," protested Rhea.
"Please," urged Ellyria, pressing her hands and then letting go.
Rhea nodded a little sadly and then hurried out a side door in search of food.
Ellyria changed out of her dress and into a thick blue traveling tunic, brown leggings and her stoutest pair of boots. The she pulled out a leather traveling satchel and began filling it with clothes.
"Going somewhere?" asked a voice behind her making her jump.
She whirled around to see Felinor leaning against the railing on her balcony.
Ellyria smiled at him.
"Yes though I do not yet know where," she admitted as he entered her room.
"Is this because of your father?" said Felinor gently.
Ellyria looked down at the ground.
"Among other things, yes."
"Will you at least give me time to pack my own bag then?" asked Felinor clasping her hand.
Ellyria looked up at him surprised.
"Felinor, I do not know if I will be returning. I cannot ask you to come with me," answered Ellyria, looking up at her friend.
"You don't have to ask," he replied quietly. "I do not have family here. I told you long ago, I go where you do."
Ellyria felt tears in her eyes and wiped them away.
"Thank you."
"Meet me in the stables in an hour. Don't go without me."
And in a blink, he had gone out the balcony and climbed up the arch back toward his own room.
Ellyria looked after him for a moment before going back to packing up her things. Clothes, a few pieces of jewelry her mother had left her, and a comb all made it into the leather bag. She went to the rack at the door for a cloak and then paused, a sharp pang going through her. Her brown traveling cloak hung next to Thranduil's shimmering midnight blue one. Ellyria replayed their argument in her head, and wiped angrily at her eyes that were betraying her. He had been so cold, so angry and so right.
She swallowed back her feelings and grabbed his cloak on the basic principle that it was warmer and of better quality than anything she possessed. Rhea came back with a small armload of lembas bread, cheeses, fruit and dried meats and helped her wrap and pack everything away into her bag. Next, she reached far out over the side of her balcony and filled a canteen with water from the falls next to her chamber. Ellyria then sat down to write a short letter to her uncle assuring him of her continuing love and support and her wish that he not worry over her leaving. Finally, Ellyria strapped both her swords to her back and turned to face her friend, who was watching her sadly.
She embraced Rhea and kissed both the girl's cheeks, pressing the letter into her hands.
"When they start looking for me, you may take this to Lord Tarquin. Say you found it on my desk in the morning. They do not need to know you helped me pack," requested Ellyria.
Rhea nodded, trying to keep from crying.
"I will see you again," Ellyria promised, before heading out the side door that Rhea had come back through. She moved quickly through the halls that were empty due to the feast going on below and made it out to the stables without seeing another elf.
She entered the warm glow of the stables and the familiar horsey smell put her at ease. Felinor was already there, his own stallion saddled and packed and was in the process of saddling Elin for her.
"You are sure you wish to do this, Felinor?" asked Ellyria for the last time, as she walked up to him.
He paused in buckling on her saddle and looked back at her.
"Yes, Ellyria. I would not see you go off on your own. Who knows what sort of mischief you'll get yourself into," replied Felinor with a smile.
Ellyria smiled and then added her satchel to Elin's back
"Did you pack any food?" she asked, leading Elin out the back of the stables.
"Yes I stole a few things from the kitchens on my way through," she heard him reply.
They led their horses out into the night and silently mounted them. Ellyria gave one last long look back at her father's hall and then the two elves rode swiftly out of Eastwood and turned their horses to the south.