Chapter 11 – The Woodland Realm
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Thranduil regarded him with disdain mixed with curiosity. The intruders hair was dark brown, short and unruly and he had a light dusting of stubble across his broad chin. To the King of the Woodland Realm, this person looked like any other man…except for the ears. They were pointed like that of any Eldar. Yet his eyes looked young. So how in the name of all that was good in Middle-Earth did he manage not only to find the ancient path, but stay on it?
"In my many years, I have never been as surprised as I am now, half-breed."
"And why is that?" Thranduil detected something of an accent, unlike any he had heard before. This one did not come from the town on the lake. So where was he from?
"You are young for a half-breed…that path is known only to those who have lived many years. How did you come by it?" The King began to circle him slowly, regarding his attire. He wore the armour of Rivendell and wielded their weapons. Could he be one of Elrond's?
"I don't suppose sheer luck would be an answer?"
"You would need to be blessed indeed to wander into the forest, find the path and then stay on it." The king answered.
"Lord Elrond's library is extensive…" Glyn retorted.
"So you are of Rivendell, then. And tell me…what is your purpose here?"
"That is information privy to myself." The other said stiffly.
"Insolence will not serve you well… I suppose your business is your business. Perhaps I will discuss it with Lord Elrond when we next meet. Will you at least tell me your name?" Thranduil sat back down on his throne.
"Glyndwr Magnus…"
"A unique name indeed…not Elven, however. Where do you really come from?"
"A country far from here known as Wales…I was taken from it. By whom and what, I know not." He said with a small sigh. "I was found by Lord Elrond's elves and brought to Rivendell…I was given this armour and these weapons to protect me on my travels."
"I see…" He gestured for two guards to approach him.
"I take it I am not going to be let go…" Glyndwr stated rather than asked.
"Until I receive confirmation from Lord Elrond as to your identity, you have trespassed upon the land of Mirkwood and are sentenced to confinement until then. Your weapons and armour will be cared for, for they are of my kinsmen and they will be returned if you are found to be telling the truth. You may take him away."
Glyndwr could only glare at the King before he was led away by the guards, heading further into the cavern in which the kingdom was built. Soon, he found himself removed of his armour and also his robes, leaving him in a long-sleeved tunic and trousers. Shoved unceremoniously into a cell, Glyn could only watch as the guard locked the door, and with a smug smile he departed up the stairs and he was left alone.
"Bloody great…" He muttered as he propped himself against the wall.
After what felt like an hour later, the door slammed open and the sound of many footsteps could be heard. Glyn stood up and went to the bars, leaning against them to see who else had the good luck to experience the hospitality of the Woodland Realm. He kept the look on his face neutral as the Elf from before led the rest of the Company minus Bilbo into the area.
"So you stayed on the path?" Bofur asked and he nodded.
"For all the bloody good that it did me."
"Well off the path was no better."
"I can see that…" Glyn said as Fili was brought to his cell. "I get a cell mate?" He asked with a small grin that Fili returned.
"Move away from the bars, half-breed." The Elf said, her glare fierce.
"Your wish is my command, my lady…" He stood back and the cell was opened before Fili was given a shove. "For a people of such high bearing, you do not treat your prisoners so well." He said rather sarcastically.
"Mind your tongue…lest I remove it." She threatened, before slamming the door and locking it.
"You would need to go through me first." Fili stood by him and though the she-Elf stayed quiet, she had a surprised glint in her eyes as she walked away.
The rest of the Dwarves were put into their cells and the guards as well as the captain left. When it was clear that they were gone, every one of them, except for Glyn and Balin, began to throw their bodies into the bars, trying to break them down. Despite all the effort, there was no shifting these doors and escaping from their cages.
"Leave it! There's no way out. This is no Orc dungeon; these are the halls of the Woodland Realm. No one leaves here but by the king's consent." Balin said, the others stopping.
"I don't bloody believe it…" Glyn sighed as he sat down.
"Me either…captured by sprites…" Fili turned and noticed something on his cheek. "Where did you get that cut?"
"Elves, I've come to find out, are rather jumpy when a sudden move is made. I was struck across the face by a bow…the sharp tip caught my cheek…" Glyn explained as Fili knelt to get a closer look at it, his hand reaching out.
"May I?" He asked quietly.
"Yes…" The other hissed as the prince gently touched it.
"You didn't intend to threaten them?" He asked for confirmation.
"Not with an arrow pointed at the back of my neck…I must have jerked when they shoved me on the path and in reflex, one of them struck me…" He explained, privately grateful for the feeling of warmth against his cheek.
"This will not go unchecked…" Fili said angrily.
"There is no sense in getting worked up about this, Fili..." He said soothingly, reaching a hand out to rest on his shoulder. "On the one hand, I am beyond furious that they struck me without a reason, but on the other, I'm well aware that the forest surrounding this place is far from normal. Anything and everything is a threat…"
"It is not right…" Fili said, his hand covering the others.
"No…not it's not…but we can't make this situation any worse than what it already is."
"Glyn's right, laddie." Balin said from his cell. "Thorin is with the Elven king now…with some luck, his exposure to our half-Elven will have done wonders in changing his opinion of Elves as a whole."
"Were he not negotiating with Thranduil, I'd agree…but as was explained to me, what the king did when Smaug attacked Erebor was unforgivable to him. Were he to work out some kind of a deal, I'd consider it a miracle." Glyn said.
"You've a point there…" Balin said.
"For now…I suppose the best we can do is make ourselves as comfortable as possible and get used to looking at the ceiling, wall or person opposite you." Glyn said calmly. "Thranduil has said that he would speak with Lord Elrond…he can vouch for us."
"By the time he arrives here, Durin's Day will have passed…" Kili said.
"A good point…" Glyn said, noticing how Fili was still staring at the cut.
"It doesn't hurt?"
"Stings a little…it's still fresh. My advanced healing hasn't quite kicked in yet. Really, Fili…aside from this cut and a bit of anger, I am fine…"
"At least they had the courtesy to clean it…" Fili said, sitting in front of him.
"Initially they weren't going to. Legolas…the son of the King as I came to find out, insisted that it be left as a reminder of what will happen if I make a sudden move again. Tauriel disagreed…she may be uptight, but she was generous enough to ensure it didn't get infected."
"You should have seen Kili when he met her…" Fili said with a grin at the mention of the she-Elf. "We were attacked by spiders…"
"Spiders? That needed intervention from Elves?" The other asked with a raised brow.
"They were sizeable spiders, Glyn…Anyway…she moves through the tree tops and kills several of the spiders with ease. Kili was trying to hold one off and requested a knife. She told him no, killed it and he had an amazed look on his face. Notice how he hasn't stopped smiling for quite some time?" He pointed out and Glyn took a discreet look. Kili was smiling and that was when the Welshman caught on to the fact that the young prince had a brief exchange with the Elf when she locked him up.
"Ahh…It would seem that she has stirred feelings within our young Dwarf." He said with a grin.
"An Elf and a Dwarf…Thorin would be so angry."
"I think if your uncle saw how much she made him smile, he wouldn't mind so much." Glyn said with some optimism. "After all…it's obvious he doesn't hate all Elves…hence my presence."
"But you're half-Elven…and you're travelling to help us reclaim our home." Fili pointed out.
"It figures that the closer I get to making my decision, you start referring to me as half-Elven." The other chuckled softly
"Do you need much more time?" Fili asked.
"I think I will wait until we reclaim Erebor…" Glyn smiled, lying down to try and make himself a bit more comfortable. "God…I already miss my cloak…it was a good pillow." He muttered, putting his hands behind his head.
"Lift your head." Fili said.
"Okay…" The other raised a brow but did so. Fili moved to sit beside him, legs extended. The prince then shuffled closer to him.
"Lay your head back down…"
Glyn did so, surprised to find that his head was now resting in the Dwarves lap and he could see the fair haired Fili smiling down at him. He smiled back, silently thanking for him before settling a little more. The Welshman did nearly jump when the other used his chest as something of an armrest, the others hand resting above his heart.
"Better?"
"Much…but are you sure?"
"Dwarves find any stone surface comfortable…we prefer beds but stone is a good second." He explained. "You're without that luxury, however."
"Oh yes…because nothing says a good night sleep like a cold stone floor and chronic back issues the next day." He said with a grin, earning a chuckle from Fili.
"We're lucky to have met you, Glyndwr Magnus…even should you choose to become an Elf, you will always be the most unique Elf I'll have ever had the good fortune to meet. You've a heart of gold, with one of the best senses of humour and you refuse to let old prejudices between my people and the Elves stop you." The prince said earnestly with a kind smile.
"Well I can honestly say that I'm glad to have met you and your Company…your collective spirit is a reminder of home that I've come to cherish. It's your kindness in particular that has moved me…you were the first to accept me and what I will eventually become…and for that, I will be grateful for the rest of my days."
With a small blush and a burst of confidence, Glyndwr leant up and pressed a gentle kiss to the other's jawline before settling down. The smile he received in return was positively radiant as Fili placed his arm back across the Welshman's chest, hand still resting above his heart. Smiling shyly in return, he relaxed once more. Despite the fact that he was locked up, he was content. If they were lucky, they would be out of there in no time.
The moment was broken when the door reopened and Thorin was led down to the cells and put in one by the guard. Glyn had a sinking feeling in his stomach as the door was locked and the keeper of the keys went back upstairs and out the door.
"Did he offer you a deal?" Balin asked.
"He did. I told him he could go 'Ish kakhfê ai'd dur rugnul! Him and all his kin!" Glyn noticed Fili had winced.
"That bad?"
"Let's just say I've not the heart to translate it…" Fili said.
"Thorin…if we get out of here and we're still somewhat young, remind me to teach you diplomacy with your enemies…" Glyn said sarcastically before sitting down once more.
"Well...that's it, then. A deal was our only hope." Balin said.
"Not our only hope." Thorin said with a smile and Glyn perked up.
"Bilbo…he's still out there." The Welshman said. "That Hobbit has gotten himself out of worse. If anyone can get us out…it's him…"
Day turned to night then and a noise could be heard from above. A party was obviously in swing for the Elves of Mirkwood. Despite this, however, Tauriel came down to check on the prisoner and she stopped by Glyn and Fili's cell, the latter sound asleep whilst the Welshman was awake. He noticed the captain watching.
"Lady Tauriel…" He greeted.
"Master Magnus…"
"Not 'half-breed' anymore?" He asked and she looked down, a little guilty. "It's fine…In my country, you develop a thick skin…"
"Though you are a prisoner, you are still considered a kinsmen to us…" She said and he smiled.
"I don't suppose that would get me early release?" He asked and she smiled back.
"I'm afraid not…How is that cut?" She asked.
"Well the pain has stopped…I thank you for cleaning it for me. Continue with your rounds, my lady. You can return to the celebration then." He said and she went to walk off before turning back to him with a curious expression.
"He stood in front of you to protect you from me…why?"
"I don't follow." He raised a brow.
"Well you are aware of the animosity between Dwarf and Elf, yes?" She asked and he nodded. "I am curious to know why he so readily defended you…"
"I was not travelling that path alone…these Dwarves are my companions but they lost the path." The Welshman explained and she nodded. "Aside from one other, they were the first beings of this land that I came to know and care for…there was some animosity initially as could be expected. That soon changed…and I am glad for it."
"You would be the first to befriend a Dwarf for many decades…" She smiled. "Farewell." She said and continued her rounds, stopping to speak with Kili. At this, he gently woke Fili.
"Glyn…you should be resting…"
"I thought you might like to see this…" The Welshman said, and Fili noticed the two talking.
"We're not eavesdropping…" Fili said, before moving to sit by the cell door.
"Oh…of course not…we're just changing our seating choice." Glyn said with a smile, sitting opposite to watch them.
"The stone in your hand, what is it?" She asked the younger, somewhat curious.
"It is a talisman. A powerful spell lies upon it. If any but a dwarf reads the runes on this stone, they will be forever cursed." He said seriously as he held up the stone and she stepped back, slightly started and went to walk off, much to the frustration of the elder prince and half-Elf. "Or not, depending on whether you believe that kind of thing. It's just a token." He said with a smile when she returned and they noticed she smiled back. "A runestone. My mother gave it to me so I'd remember my promise."
"What promise?" Tauriel asked softly and Fili smiled slightly at this, for he remembered the stone.
"That I will come back to her." Kili explained, the she-Elf looking down in shame. "She worries. She thinks I'm reckless."
"Are you?" She asked.
"Nah." He tosses the stone up and misses it, causing it to fall out of the cell. It would have gone deeper into the cavern if Tauriel didn't stop it with her foot. Picking it up, she looked closely at it as the sound of laughter intensifies. "Sounds like quite a party you're having up there…"
"It is Mereth-en-Gilith, the Feast of Starlight." Tauriel explained, stepping away slightly. "All light is sacred to the Eldar, but Wood Elves love best the light of the stars."
"Lord Elrond told me of this…" Glyn whispered. "I had hoped to celebrate it myself…" He looked down.
"One day you will…" Fili smiled reassuringly before they continued to listen.
"I always thought it is a cold light. Remote and far away." Kili said softly and she turned to speak with him.
"It is memory, precious and pure. Like your promise." She handed him back the stone with a smile. "I have walked there sometimes, beyond the forest and up into the night. I have seen the world fall away and the white light forever fill the air." She said, looking wistful and Glyn could only smile. Would he feel this way too, should he become an Elf?
"I saw a fire moon once. It rose over the pass near Dunland, huge; red and gold it was, filled the sky. We were an escort for some merchants from Ered Luin, they were trading in Silverbuck for furs. We took the Greenway south, keeping the mountain to our left, and then, this huge fire moon, right in our path. I wish I could show you..." Kili spoke as she sat and listened intently. Fili retreated deeper into the cell with a warm smile on his face, followed closely by Glyn.
"I have watched him speak to many a woman before…but never has he opened up quite like this…"
"You are happy for him." Glyn noticed.
"Very…though I wish the circumstances were different, he has found deep feelings for this woman and for that, my heart swells for him." Fili said, that same smile on his face. Glyn smiled back as well before yawning.
"Tired?" Fili chuckled.
"You could say that…but I doubt I'll get much sleep…it's not warm nor comfortable down here."
"I can't provide much in the way of warmth…but use me as a pillow again." He offered.
"And expect you to sleep whilst sat up? Fili, surely that can't be comfortable?"
"Never underestimate a Dwarf's ability to fall asleep anywhere." Fili smiled before patting the spot beside him. "If we are indeed fortunate, we're going to need the energy."
Glyn smiled and lay down before resting his head in the others lap, the others arm draped over his chest once more. Shutting his eyes, he figured an hour or two of rest couldn't hurt much, especially if Bilbo was indeed out there and coming for them. Escaping these Elves would require a fair amount of energy to say the least.