(Author's Note: Oh my dear people, I am so sorry, it has been far too long. But I will not make excuses this time because we have already been over this and how my schedule is more demanding. But do not worry! I have a new chapter for you! Big stuff coming up in later chapters...! Enjoy, and please review!)
That morning at breakfast, Miridian pulled out the ring from her pocket and held it under the table. She wanted to ask the hobbit about it; but not in front of her father. Something about this ring was secretive; it had more than the power of invisibility. It could put one under a spell; a spell that compelled them to tell no one. But Miridian was not so selfish in nature. Although the ring compelled her to secrecy, she knew she must speak with Bilbo. This ring could be the key to the dwarves' escape.
"What activities will you be busy with today, Miridian?" asked Dragolith, pulling Miridian out of her thoughts.
"Oh, I suppose I shall go and see Thranduil and collect water from the stream. But tomorrow I shall aid in the Harvest of the Redberries."
"What is that?" asked Bilbo.
"Thranduil only spoke to me of it a few days ago. Winter is coming, and the Redberries are ready to be harvested. They are a delicacy in Mirkwood, and are used for the most delicious desserts, the most beautiful art, and not to mention Thranduil wears them on his crown in the winter. They are beautiful, and wonderful to eat as well. It is a great celebration when the harvesting comes about."
"I wish you well my daughter," said Dragolith.
"As do I," said Bilbo. Miridian smiled.
When Dragolith retreated to his working chambers, Miridian looked to Bilbo.
"Mr. Baggins," she said. "I need to inquire about something."
"Yes?" said Bilbo, sitting on a wooden stool near the table. Miridian held the ring in front of him.
"I found this on the table last night," she said. "I discovered that it has magnificent magic powers." The hobbit's expression changed. His face seemed to flush and he was speechless.
"I—I would have told you—"
"—It is alright, I understand," Miridian said. "The ring compels you to secrecy. My inquiry was; are you willing to help me rescue Thorin & Company with this ring?" Bilbo's expression returned to normal and he smiled once he knew Miridian was not cross with him.
"Certainly," he replied. "I actually have used it to get them out of a pickle or two."
"Marvelous," Miridian said. She handed the ring back to Bilbo. "We will set a day for the heist and I will help you swipe the keys!"
"…Are you sure you are so willing to deceive the king?" asked Bilbo. Miridian's shoulders slumped at the question.
"No…" she said. "But it is the right thing to do. And…if Thranduil really cares about me I believe he will understand…I hope." Bilbo smiled.
"I'm sure he will. He seems like a reasonable fellow," he said. Miridian smiled back.
…
"Good morning, Miridian!" said Tauriel, approaching Miridian at the stream. Miridian smiled at her friend.
"Good morning," she replied. "How are you?" Tauriel jumped over the stream and landed on Miridian's side. She set her bow on a rock and sat down.
"I fare well," she replied. "Collecting water for your family?"
"Yes," Miridian said. "Me and my father." She did not mention the hobbit.
"Your father is the King's silversmith, correct?"
"Yes; that is why I am invited into the palace," Miridian replied. Tauriel smiled.
"And because the King is in love with you." Miridian blushed.
"He is not in love with me," she said shyly. "He fancies me, but that is all." Tauriel raised her brow and smirked, making Miridian giggle.
"Have you not seen the way he looks at you? He loves you; I can see it. Has he not even kissed you yet?" Miridian felt her cheeks get hot and she sat down next to Tauriel.
"Yes," she said quietly with a smile. "He has." Tauriel playfully hit Miridian on the arm.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
"I suppose I am still wondering if it is real," Miridian replied.
"Do you love him?"
Miridian did not answer right away. She had not thought about that. She certainly fancied him very much, but love was another matter. She had never been in love before, but she felt something with the Elven King that she had not felt with anyone else. Was that love?
"I do not know," she finally stated. "I think so."
After answering that difficult question, Miridian wanted to get off the subject of her love life, and decided to question Tauriel.
"What about you? How fares Kili?" Tauriel giggled.
"As well as a dwarf can in an elvish prison," she replied.
"I see."
Tauriel stood up and lifted her bow to sling it over her shoulder.
"I must go now. Will I be seeing you tomorrow for the Harvest of the Redberries?"
"Yes you will," Miridian replied. "I hope to see you there as well."
"Excellent! Farewell!" Miridian waved goodbye to Tauriel and picked up the bucket she used to retrieve the water from the stream.
…
"Thranduil," said the voice of what the Elven King knew to be Miridian. He whipped around to see her gracefully walking toward him. He took her hands when she reached him and smiled at her.
"You look lovely today," he said. Miridian blushed. "You are here rather late. You usually come earlier than the evening."
"I know; I had duties to my father today. Speaking of, he has finished another of your swords; I have it on my back right now." Miridian slung a velvet pouch from over her shoulder and held it in front of Thranduil. He took it, but did not open it yet.
"I suppose you are anticipating the Harvest of the Redberries?" asked Thranduil, fully consumed in her beauty this day. She looked so bright and golden, like a precious gem. There was nothing Thranduil loved more than precious gems.
"Yes," Miridian replied. "I hope I get to aid in it. I heard that you ride your elk through the city on that day." Thranduil smiled as she did.
"Yes," he said.
"I would like to see it. Where do you keep him?" Thranduil took a small horn from his coat and put it in Miridian's hands.
"He wanders the forest. I blow into this horn when I need him. It makes no sound to us, but he can hear it. Come, let us go into the garden and summon him." Miridian hesitated.
"…Will he attack me?" she asked.
"Of course not," Thranduil said, taking her hand and leading her to the garden.
When they arrived, Thranduil handed the small horn to Miridian. He nodded to her. She raised it to her lips—her gorgeously full and tempting lips—and blew into the horn. It made no sound. She looked back up at him.
"He should arrive in a matter of seconds," said Thranduil. He was right. The elk came bounding through the forest and stopped at the Elven King's feet. Miridian was stunned. She backed herself up behind Thranduil, intimidated by the size of the majestic beast. Thranduil enjoyed the feeling of her hands on his back.
"W-What is his name?" she asked.
"Angolon," Thranduil replied. "It is a name meaning deep lore and magic."
"I like it," Miridian said.
"Legolas named him."
Thranduil approached Angolon and mounted his back. He looked to Miridian.
"Are you coming?"
"Up there?" he couldn't help but smile to himself at her sheepishness. He loved it about her; it made him feel protective and masculine, like the king he was. He nodded to her.
"Do not be afraid; I will help you." After a few moments hesitation, Miridian approached the large animal. She took Thranduil's hand and mounted Angolon's back in front of the Elven King. Thranduil felt a small sensation travel down his back at the touch of her hair to his face. He inhaled her scent. She smelled of the lavenders that grew by the stream.
"Hello Angolon," said Miridian softly, running her fingers over the soft fur on the animal's back. The elk snorted at the sound of his name. Miridian looked back at Thranduil. "He is beautiful."
"Yes," Thranduil replied, taking the reins and steering Angolon in the direction of the forest.
"He is quite graceful," Miridian said. "Like you." Thranduil chuckled.
Angolon walked on through the forest with Thranduil and Miridian on his back, until they had reached a nice little clearing, full of grass and trees all around.
"The setting of the sun is most beautiful from this spot," said Thranduil, elegantly sliding off of Angolon's back and helping Miridian off as well. Her landing was not nearly as graceful, but he loved that about her.
As soon as they dismounted, Angolon began to nibble on the grass. Thranduil pointed in the direction the sun was supposed to set. The two of them lied on the ground together and watched the horizon. The clearing was very secluded, and beautiful as well. Miridian turned to Thranduil.
"How did you know about this place?" She asked. Thranduil turned to her, her gorgeous chestnut eyes shimmering in the day's last moments of sunlight.
"I come here often when I am looking for peace," he replied.
"It is quite peaceful." Miridian scooted closer to Thranduil and laid her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arm around her.
"You are even more beautiful than this sunset," he whispered. He felt her smile.
As the sun descended, leaving the moon alone in the sky, Thranduil and Miridian drifted into a peaceful sleep there, in the comfort of each other's arms.