NOTE 1: I did my research and apparently it took seven days to go from Mirkwood to Rivendell

NOTE 2: The food listed here is elven food I didn't make up names and I go it from here: . so all credit goes to this kind person who did their research.

UNTAMED HEART

CHAPTER 9

It took more than seven days to arrive to Rivendell, Laegnir was trying to make sure every route was safe so he took unnecessary turns and roads, but it actually worked you both arrived safely to Rivendell.

You did saw orcs but taking in count that you were only two, he decided to not interfere and keep moving. This was easy, elves were not noisy their steps were light and they could slip past if they wanted to.

Now your concern was if you and Laegnir were to be welcomed in Rivendell, you didn't know anyone there and Laegnir had acquaintances but not friends there. You were glad you had him. You admired him, he always seemed to have things in control even when they weren't and he always saw the good side of things and was always hopeful. You wondered how he set his eyes on you when you were all that he was not. You were impatient, reckless and manners were not something you could handle, you saw a lot of tragedy in your life to believe in something more than that…there was no happy endings with you.

"What if they don't take us?" you asked

You lived as a ranger before, it was something you knew but you didn't want to go back there, to not having a home.

"Then, we'll try to find our own way, we could build a house…like that shifter in the forest remember?"

"The man who turns into a bear?"

"Indeed, we both are skilled in many things and if they do not take us, they will regret it…a beauty like me is not easily found" he joked

You couldn't help but laugh, it was the first time in a while that you allowed yourself to do it.

"I dare say Rivendell is more beautiful than our home, they do get to see the sun and stars and to breath fresh air…we do have waterfalls, rivers and trees but this is more suitable, don't you think"

"I don't know how to answer to that, Mirkwood was the first home I had in a while and I felt safe there…for a while"

"We will start anew, we will make it our home"

"What about Tauriel and Legolas?"

"They will be fine, we will see them again just not now"

You put your head on his back and rest for a while, even when you were traveling by horse and elves didn't get tired easily you did felt comfortless.

"I can see the bridge to Rivendell, we're there" he finally said

Thranduil's guards searched for you even beyond the borders as he ordered but they couldn't find you, Legolas and Tauriel did not took part in this as they were both against it.

When the leader came and told him the bad news it was as if Melkor himself had possessed him, this fit of rage was like nothing they ever witnessed. He got violent and even hit one of the guards who dared to ask him "why was it so important to bring back that elf?"

He demanded to be left alone and when he was alone he broke every single thing that was in the king's hall, not a golden chair, not ornament not bottle was saved from his rage.

He tried but he couldn't think of a way to bring you back, even if he asked Elrond to send you, you were member of his guard, you had committed no crime and he didn't possessed you, the only sin you were guilty of was of leaving him.

He demanded more bottles of wine and again asked to be left alone.

He was in a very bad state, his crown was in pieces, his hair was a mess, and he didn't bother to cover the burn on his face anymore.

He sat on his throne and drank until again he passed out.

"Why is your father so obsessed with Aeneth?" Tauriel asked Legolas

"He hasn't had a female for ages, when my mother died…he submerged himself into the gems, silver, gold and the alcohol, they became his only love…I suppose he saw something in her"

"Why would he? He cannot wed her"

"He can, it would not be a common marriage but it can be done"

"Would you pledge yourself with an elf that is not of your rank?"

"You know I would"

At this answer Tauriel quickly goes back to the previous matter

"I think your father is only obsessed with Aeneth's flesh"

"At first I shared the same thought, but seeing him in the state he is now I think he might feel something more than just an obsession"

"Is that so?"

"He feels pain Tauriel, he doesn't admit it and he might even be unaware of his own feelings, but as you can see he prefers to be unconscious than to face her absence. Even when she barely noticed him he grew fond of her, he had her company."

The guards of Rivendell were mistrustful of you two, they wondered why two elves risked their lives to come all this way. Their faces were not friendly at all.

"Elves from Mirkwood, what are you doing so far from home" asked one of the guards

"We seek refugee" Laegnir said

"Refugee? Are you some kind of fugitives?

"I suppose we are in a way, but it will be best if we tell the story to the king himself"

"We mean no harm" you say

The guard gives you an unfriendly look, but they let you and Laegnir pass.

"You have to go on foot, we will take your horse to the stables"

Laegnir gets off the horse and helps you do the same

One of the elves asks you and Laegnir to follow him

Rivendell is the most beautiful place you have ever seen, it's majestic and so full of…live. Everyone seems to be happy here, they can't help but to stare at you and you can't help but to feel embarrassed, perhaps they think their peace will be threatened.

The elf takes you with someone but it is not lord Elrond, you soon know that this elf's name is Lindir

"I am afraid Lord Elrond cannot be present at the moment, you have no option but to wait. We will feed you and give you some raiment. After, you can rest properly in the chambers."

At least they're not going to kill us, you think to yourself. Suddenly you feel ashamed, thinking that about your own kin.

"We are grateful" Laegnir gives a reverence

You were famishing so when they served the food you ate as if it was the last meal you were going to have, even Laegnir was surprised at this.

"Careful, you don't want to abridge Rivendell from food, they would exile us immediately"

You look at him a bit offended, that however didn't stopped you from eating a bit of everything that was at your sight. There was rothe, dula, celarta, and lembas just to mention some.

The atmosphere in Rivendell was very pleasant, they all seemed to be at peace, always singing and always happy. They played some beautiful music you haven't heard before. Everything was surprising to you, Laegnir was less amazed and you wondered why.

The last days had been very difficult in Mirkwood as the king didn't seemed to improve his state, his drinking had increased and he was always indisposed. Legolas assumed his role and he was at the moment taking care of the business relevant to the interests of the realm.

Rumors of dwarves in Dale made him uneasy, Legolas knew Thorin Oakenshield wanted his throne back and he wasn't going to rest until he got it…but that meant having to wake a dragon and he was certain this was going to bring trouble to all of them, if there was a battle they had to go in the aid of the people of Dale.

The elves of Mirkwood needed their king and something had to be done to get Thranduil out of that dreariness.