Disclaimer: This is simply a fanfiction, I do not pretend to own the Lord of the Rings or any of the characters.
Warnings: Adult themes.
…
As they walked around, Ildrith decided to let the matter rest. To ask Alizae what had happened would only risk embarrassment. Instead, she settled in to enjoy the cool dawn air as it caressed her skin and ruffled her hair. Despite how much they had all drunk, Ildrith felt only slightly unsteady. As before, her vision seemed clouded by a fuzzy film of light, lending an ethereal quality to their surroundings. This, combined with the early morning rays, made the walk as fantastic as her companions.
As they wandered from zone to zone, Ildrith felt strangely as though she were in a waking dream. The sun glinted off dew covered leaves, and occasionally she could swear one tree or another shook itself free of the moisture. When she giggled at something, the images that had caused amusement hung in the air to prolong her enjoyment, and then disappeared from memory altogether. The elves who were up and about came forth and touched her on the arm, their skin felt like silk and their voices melded so perfectly with the music that often Ildrith listen patiently, thinking they were singing rather than trying to engage her in conversation.
Impossible images such as elves who faced the sky and opened their mouths to breath fire at the heavens burned behind her eyes. Some played with water as though it were a creature, and others lay perfectly still as the forest came to life around them and danced for their amusement. She vaguely remembered seeing elves hanging from trees, their long silken robes dangling like moss towards the ground where many of her kin lay watching the sky for stars that were no longer there.
Once, they came across a secret place where the elves barely noticed their presence. Here the air was infused with vanilla and sandalwood. Ildrith knelt to investigate a patch of small white flowers. Their turned down faces reminded her of a cluster of bells and she touched them in wonder, half expecting them to ring for her. She closed her eyes, inhaling as she stood. The flowers had such a pleasantly sharp scent, one that melded perfectly with the dawn. It reminded her of feather pillows, and candle light. Ildrith hugged her arms and turned her face to the sky, the combination of scents and music made her feel strangely silky.
She opened herself to her magic, enough to enhance her senses only, and inhaled appreciatively. She opened her eyes, which were burning gold, and searched for Legolas. He was standing close by, a strange light in his eyes as he watched her. Ildrith smiled and held out her hand, as his fingers met hers, Ildrith closed her eyes. She ran her fingers down his palm, over the soft skin of his forearm, and traced a line over his shirt to his collar bone. She pressed her palm flat on his chest and opened her eyes, a vaguely familiar warmth stirred in her belly and she bit her lip.
"Dance with me," she mumbled, and Legolas wrapped her in his arms.
Every point of contact burnt like ice, but this time he didn't let her escape. Snippets of memory survived that vanilla place. Like the feeling of flying when she abandoned her own feet to let him carry her as he moved. A moment where time ceased to exist and all she could see were his stormy eyes. The point of friction where his hand rested on her bare waist, softer than a feather. Spinning in a circle, and landing back in his arms, their noses touching, so she giggled. She let her hair fall back as he held her at an angle, unwilling to end the pose at the end of the dance.
The feel of his cheek beneath her palm as she held him still, if only to feel his breath caress her lips a moment longer. The slight purple tinge to his eye lids as he studied her lips. A moment of caution, when he hesitated to close the distance between them. Followed by overwhelming desire, mingled with a spike of adrenaline that should have been fear. She cared not, and at this point probably knew not, that he kissed her so openly. All she felt was his lips melding with her own, the line of fire traced by his fingers as they moved across her neck and down her side to rest on her hip. In that moment nothing else existed outside of themselves.
Always too soon, the cold of separation brought Ildrith back to reality, part of the way at least as the scent of sandalwood and vanilla faded away. Legolas touched her arm and she turned round to notice they were quite alone. She blinked and rubbed her eyes.
"Where are we? Where is Alizae?" She asked dreamily.
Her prince smiled, his halo replaced by an aura of sunlight. The first time he responded she missed his words, mesmerised as she was by the dizzying clarity of colour in his irises. When she shook her head and apologised, he laughed, and Ildrith found herself laughing too. What a wonderful sound, she thought, on a wonderful day.
"Little one, I was asking if you wish to return to the festival. Today is an important day, they would surely miss us."
Ildrith smiled, "Can't we stay here forever?"
"If that is what you wish."
"It is, but with more food. I think there should be a breakfast tree. With a beehive on every branch! And oranges in between."
Legolas laughed, and squeezed her fingers, causing her to pause and look down at their hands. Ildrith bent over the sight, enthralled by the tingles that raced over her palm.
"Are you doing that?"
"Am I doing what?"
"Making all the lightning?" Legolas touched her chin, and brought it up so he could look into her eyes. She giggled, "I knew it was you!"
He smiled, but his eyes remained sombre for a small moment as he studied her pupils. "Alas, you are not inebriated as was our plan."
Ildrith shook her body like a wet dog and laughed, "Of course not my prince, this is a dream!"
He stroked her cheek fondly and turned her round, "Come then, I think we should pay Echanar a visit. He will squeeze the magic from your mind."
Ildrith paused, as giddy as the world had gone, that sentence gave her stomach an unpleasant jolt. Magic in her mind…
She stared at the ground and mumbled, "What an unhappy thing, to lose a thought. It ran across my forehead, but it was too fast and I couldn't read it." She kicked at a leaf and then looked back up. "Hey look, Snow!"
She raced forward, and Legolas held onto her hand keeping pace easily as she hurried towards a light grey Beorning bear who was stretched out blissfully at the base of a table.
"Snow?" asked Ildrith gently as they approached.
The bear grumbled and rolled onto her back like a dog, tongue lolling out the side as a pot slipped from her grasp to land at Ildrith's feet. She bent to pick it up, and Legolas released her hand. She took a careful sniff and then laughed.
"Yes, exactly! Look Legolas, this one knows what we need!"
She handed him the pot and jumped onto the table, which was mercifully empty of candles at least. Strangely, she picked her way nimbly through the decorations, lifting her skirt delicately so as to avoid knocking anything off. Her nose to the air, she walked from one end to the other. When she got to the other end, she stooped down again and exclaimed in triumph.
"Aha! See now this is what I call service with a smile." She held up her prize, a pot of equal size to the empty one he was holding, hers filled with honey of course.
She waved him over, and leaned on his shoulders to help her down, clutching her prize tight under one arm. When she was steady on her feet again he claimed her free hand.
"Come now, we need to find Echanar."
Ildrith frowned and stopped. "Why? We already have our breakfast."
Legolas turned to her and stroked her hair fondly, "Because my dove, you are falling under the magic, and you need to be in better shape for the day."
Ildrith frowned, "Honey is all I need. I feel fine Legolas, after all it's just a dream." She folded her legs and sat on the leaves with a plop, her hands already buried in the honey pot.
Legolas looked at her aghast, and folded himself next to her, at a bit of a loss and quite content to watch her try to eat the whole thing at once.
As soon as she started licking her fingers, he knew it was going to be a messy affair, and when Loré appeared before them suddenly, she was quite covered in honey and leaves.
Ildrith looked up and beamed at the elf through a gleam of sticky golden goo. "Loré!" She frowned and pointed an accusatory finger in her direction. "You missed all the fun."
Loré looked up at Legolas with an eyebrow raised delicately. Legolas shrugged and Loré smiled. She knelt before Ildrith and touched her cheek, forcing the girl to meet her eyes for a moment longer than she might have chosen otherwise.
She patted her cheek and then turned to Legolas. "Well, that didn't take long."
He smiled and shrugged, "At least she is happy."
Loré huffed, "Yes, but she can't exactly… I mean, she needs to be a little better prepared for the day, if you get my meaning."
"Believe it or not, I do."
"Well then?" said Loré, a touch of exasperation colouring her tone, "Fix her!"
"You know I can't."
"Then take her to the king."
"No." He said curtly, and Loré raised an eyebrow in question. "It is no longer an option, we need Echanar."
She shrugged, "I last saw him with the king… So whether you want to or not. Alright fine, no need for violence. I will go and get an antidote from him. Just… stay here, keep her happy."
He smiled and they looked at the little Beorning with her pot, more content than they'd ever seen her. Loré patted Legolas on the knee and then took her leave.
She was gone for about half an hour, long enough for Ildrith to get quite an impressive way through her meal. When Loré returned, clutching a small vile proudly, she paused before Ildrith and burst out laughing.
"What... What did you do to her? I was only gone for a few minutes!"
Legolas shrugged and laughed, "You try take it away from her!"
Loré knelt before Ildrith, still chuckling, and touched her arm. "Ildrith, dear, look at me for a moment please."
Ildrith looked up with a sigh, "Oh, forgive me, do you want some?"
Loré shook her head and held out the vile, unstopped. "Echanar wants you to drink this. It is your medicine, remember?"
Ildrith frowned briefly and then shrugged and took the vile with a sigh. Loré cringed as she snatched her hand back too late. She turned to Legolas and wiped the honey off on his shirt while he was distracted.
Ildrith tipped the vile onto her tongue and swallowed neatly. She dropped the little glass bottle onto the grass, and stuck her hand straight back into the pot.
Loré stood, joining Legolas as they waited for the medicine to kick in. Several handfuls later Ildrith paused and shook her head delicately. She dropped the pot and stared at her hands for a moment. When she looked up, her eyes were clear once more, though filled with shame.
She glanced at each of them and then got slowly to her feet, looking at her sticky hands in horror. She followed the trail of honey down her forearms to the little trails that had dripped onto her dress and feet. Her mouth was another story entirely, she felt like a toddler.
She looked up and blushed furiously. "Ah, I think I need a bath."
Loré burst out laughing and nodded, "Yes, I believe you are right!"
Ildrith peeked up to see Legolas's expression, and relaxed as she saw that he was holding back his mirth rather than looking disgusted as she had feared. She smiled sheepishly and he pressed his lips together and hung his head in a silent bout of laughter.
When he looked up, he had sobered, "I think that is a good idea, yes. I too must change for the day. Come let us get you inside."
…
This time, Ildrith allowed herself to be dressed without much fuss. Her outfit was far grander than the day before. A sleeveless dress of silk that extended only as far as her mid-thigh. Short by anyone's standards, but around the back a long train attached at the waist and hung to the ground in silky waves. The train didn't quite meet in the middle at her front, and Ildrith baulked at first thinking how indecent it must appear. When it was on however, she felt quite safe, and the gap in the front actually allowed for freer movement. The bodice was covered with a layer of lace that extended to her collarbone, and matched the royal blue of the dress.
When she was dressed, and Loré was brushing her hair, Ildrith suddenly clutched her chest.
"My pin!"
Loré frowned, "What about it?"
Ildrith gasped and covered her mouth with a hand. "Oh, I took it off and I just forgot! Oh no!"
"Don't worry yourself, here." Impossibly, the elf was holding out her pin, Ildrith took it silently.
She glanced up at the elf, watching her reflection in the mirror as she was standing behind her. "How?"
"I told you I wouldn't leave you alone tonight. I was watching your back."
Ildrith blanched, horrified to think that Loré saw everything that happened.
The elf rolled her eyes, "Don't look at me like that, I left you and prince charming alone once he found you." Ildrith frowned, not entirely sure that that was any better. Loré continued brushing her hair, and shrugged, "You looked like you wanted to be alone, I wasn't about to show myself, but I wasn't going to break my word either. Our magic is strong and you mortals can fall off your perch quite quickly so I am told."
"I… Uhm… Thank you."
Loré paused, "Really?" Ildrith nodded. "Oh, I thought you would be mad."
Ildrith's eyes scrunched up, by she shook her head. "I am embarrassed, more than anything. But grateful. It actually feels quite nice, to know that I wasn't alone even when I felt quite… Wretched."
Loré squeezed her shoulders and then moved round to stand in front of her. "I won't presume to ask you what happened; I know it must have been quite awful. I am just glad that you are alright now."
Ildrith smiled tightly and nodded. She searched her feelings, and found that it was true. She still felt embarrassed by the trick Thranduil had played on her, but the sick feeling that went along with those thoughts had since vanished. She touched the scar on her wrist thoughtfully and then stood, reattaching the pin as she did.
"Thank you Loré, for this and all of that. I am ashamed, to admit what it was that made me so distraught, but you have earned the tale, if you want it."
Loré shook her head, "No child, this is not a time to dwell on unpleasant things."
Ildrith smiled and hugged her arms around herself. "So… Ah, what have you been up to when you were not on babysitting duty?"
Loré chuckled, "Oh wouldn't you like to know! Perhaps when your antidote wears off, I will show you."
Ildrith cringed, "Ugh, I forgot about that… Are we sure it wasn't just because I was drunk?"
"Strangely enough, no. Your inebriation wore off quite quickly, I am told. It is not all that strange; you are a young Beorning, at the start of your phases. Your blood burns through the alcohol faster than a normal person."
"Ah. So that is what the magic feels like huh?" Ildrith walked in a slow circle and then smiled. "Not so bad…"
Loré laughed and grabbed Ildrith's hands, "No, not at all. Come now, it is a big day. The big day some might say!"
Ildrith allowed herself to be towed behind the elf, who was rapidly losing her uncharacteristic sobriety. "Wait, will I finally find out what everyone has been going on about?"
Loré nodded and started to run. "Come, your prince is waiting!"
She dragged Ildrith back to the main entrance to the kingdom, and then released her hand and kept running, across the bridge. Too fast now for Ildrith to follow, the Beorning came to a halt and called out for her elf friend to wait. Loré simply turned and waved before leaping off the ground and climbing the nearest tree, disappearing up into the canopy like a monkey. Ildrith stared after her for a moment and then jumped as Legolas cleared his throat softly from behind her.
Ildrith turned, and held her breath. He was resplendent, his tunic a rich forest green this time, the silver diadem back in place. She bit her lip and he bowed formally.
"You are beautiful." He said simply, and held out his hand.
She smiled and slipped her fingers through his. The electricity she had felt humming through their skin before echoed in this embrace, and she slid her hand out of his, up his forearm under the long sleeve to rest by the crook of his elbow. So much contact burnt like cold fire and she looked up to smile.
"See, you do create lightning."
He chuckled, "I thought we gave you the antidote?"
She blushed delicately and ducked her head. "Yes, well I still remember some of it, even if I don't feel quite so affected."
"A pity," he said, "I half hoped it wouldn't work. I was curious to see what you would do when all the honey ran out."
She laughed and snatched her hand back to swat him. He caught her wrist, and interlaced their fingers once more. Ildrith sighed, and allowed herself to be pulled closer. He brought their hands down to rest by his side, and she stroked his cheek with her other hand.
"You are not real, you know."
He frowned, "Excuse me?"
She sighed, "You just can't be real. All of this, it's too good to be true."
"What-"
"Ildrith!" Came Othar's booming voice, causing both of them to jump back in fright.
Ildrith looked round to see her older brother round the corner, Lytham in tow. Both were dressed in their most dapper formal gear, neither looked comfortable, both looked excited however.
"Ah, good you are dressed. Come, both of you, they are here."
Ildrith fell into step beside her brothers as they raced past without slowing. "Who is here, Othar will you finally just tell me what is going on?"
He looked at her without breaking his stride, "The Lord and Lady of Light have come to bless the forest."
Ildrith blinked, "That is it? Wait, no, what is that? Who are the-"
She trailed off as they passed through into the treeline, and a gentle presence entered her mind. She stopped walking, until the voice spoke.
"Greetings daughter of the forest. Fear not, for we bring the turn of the tide."
The voice was overpowering, but benevolent, as it trailed from her mind Ildrith found herself smiling. Whoever it was, they were a friend. When she looked up, Legolas was the only one who had waited. He held her elbow, concern in his eyes. She smiled and shook her head.
"I think she just spoke to me…"
Legolas nodded in understanding, and released her arm. They fell into step beside each other and hurried after her brothers. Before long they reached the place where Thranduil seemed to reside now. White petals fell from the sky, seemingly appearing from nothingness. Fresh fruit, and goblets of wine and water decorated every surface, and all the elves who were present were dressed as regally as their lords. Legolas left her side and went to stand by the king, who was in turn standing beside two new elves of obvious royal descent. Ildrith gasped as she beheld them.
The Lord and Lady of light, as they could only be. Immediately Ildrith knew her as the woman who had spoken in her mind. The lady Galadriel, as she was introduced, was one of the most beautiful creatures Ildrith had ever seen. Her hair hung like spun gold to well past her waist, and her perfect features were serene as she observed them silently.
Her brothers were tongue tied, and Ildrith hung back awkwardly, unsure what her place was in such an important meeting. She turned her eyes instead to Lord Celeborn, who was overshadowed by his beautiful wife, but by no means less impressive. Ildrith found that she could not look away, she had never seen two beings so perfectly peaceful, that it shone through even in their complete stillness.
"Greetings, children of the forest." Said Lord Celeborn, his voice was like a great flowing river, slow but deeper than expected. "Long have we awaited your arrival, and long has been our desire to meet with you."
As he spoke, Ildrith watched each of her brother's flinch in turn. She wondered idly if Galadriel was speaking to their minds as well. Ildrith squirmed as no one spoke, she wished they had just told her what was going to happen. She felt utterly blindsided and useless as she stood there awkwardly saying nothing.
"Tell me child," said Celeborn, turning his attention to her, "are you ready for all that is to come?"
Ildrith blushed, unsure how to take such a bold statement. She stammered, "Ah, I, ah…"
Othar saved her by interrupting, "Forgive me, my lord, but we have not shared the good new with our sister, nor any of our kin."
Galadriel smiled her secret smile, and Celeborn inclined his head, completely untroubled by the news.
"Very well, we should proceed with haste then, so as not to prolong their trepidation any further."
Thranduil inclined his head and turned to whisper something briefly to one of his guards. Ildrith took that moment to study how Legolas was taking all this. He was impassive as always, standing stoic with his hands clasped behind his back.
There was a bustle of activity behind her, and Ildrith turned to see elves, Beornings and all the free folk in attendance trickling from the trees in all directions. It took a while for everyone to be gathered completely, and Ildrith took the time to study her kinsmen's reactions. They looked about as confused as she was. Igdan was nowhere to be seen, along with Alizae and Loré, but it made her blush to think that they could see her regardless. She hoped all the suspense wouldn't result in anything embarrassing that she wasn't prepared for. Silently she stood, cursing Othar and Lytham, even Legolas for keeping this from her.
The very trees seemed to be leaning forward in anticipation, the forest held its breath, as the lady of light stepped forward and spread out her arms.
"Welcome friends, welcome all! Today we cast off the last of our shadows. Today we rid ourselves of the cloak of darkness that has plagued us for an age. Today the forest is cleansed!" As she spoke, a sphere of light spread from her hands and expanded out over the crowd and the forest. "Welcome all, to Eryn Lasgalen." Ildrith gasped as it passed through her, this was strong magic, strong and older than the world it seemed.
She looked around and saw the trees shiver as though something had brushed against their very souls. As she watched, the world grew brighter, as though dawn was approaching from every direction at once. The gnarled, angry looking branches of the tree that loomed over the proceedings lost their irate appearance, and straightened out. Shivering all the way to the tips of their leaves, the trees shook off the oppression of the darkness, finally able to see beyond their hate and mistrust of the world. This Ildrith knew, in the way that all Beornings can sense the will of nature. Deep in her heart, Ildrith knew that the lady of light had just banished the last of the darkness from the forest. Possibly forever.
The lady of light stepped back, but not before turning to her and winking, a smirk and mischief written on her serene face. Ildrith smiled back, and squirmed, it wasn't over yet.
Lord Celeborn stepped forward, and said in his slow, almost drawling speech. "The elves are not long for this world. In time we will fade, those of us who do not go West and follow the last call home. For those of you who remain, this forest is our final gift to you, not just elf kind, but to man, and Beorning alike." He gestured to the side, to Ildrith and her brothers. Othar seemed to grow as he puffed his chest out and beamed with pride. This was the moment he had been waiting for, and Ildrith watched with wide eyes, trying to understand what was happening. Lytham turned to her briefly and winked. "Brothers, you faithful who have stood tirelessly against the threats to the borders of our lands for so long, descendants of Beorn and his people. We give to you the lands South of Carrock until North of Rhosgobel. May your people finally find peace and flourish in this new world."
There was a hum among the Beornings, which grew in magnitude as Grimbeorn, Othar, stepped forward and knelt before the Lord of light. Celeborn touched him briefly on the forehead. Othar stood and they smiled together before beaming and grasping each other by the forearm in a gesture of friendship and joy. Othar slapped the elf-lord on his back as he would Lytham, and Celeborn chuckled as he stumbled forward briefly. He turned back to stand once more beside his wife, a smile still touching his lips.
Thranduil held up a hand to still the small cheers and clapping that had broken out among the elves. The Beornings dulled their chatter somewhat, but Ildrith doubted they would remain quiet for long, if they felt as she did.
The king of the woodland realm lowered his hand and smiled. He spoke for a time in Sindarin, and then turned to Ildrith and her siblings. "Forgive me, but not all of my people speak this tongue, and we must all share in your joy this day. Come." He held out a hand and Othar stepped forward, embracing him as he had Celeborn. Ildrith ignored all previous notions she may have about the king and saw only in that moment a warrior who had fought fiercely beside her family. She stood a little straighter, pride filling her as she saw her brothers embraced as family by the king of the elves.
Thranduil turned to his people and proclaimed, "See now, our brothers and sisters. See now King Othar!" The elves cheered, and Thranduil turned behind him to retrieve a crown of solid gold from a cushion being held by an elven warrior in full battle garb. Thranduil placed the crown on Othar's head, and then held her brother's wrist and lifted his hand to the sky while the crowd cheered. A rain of flowers began to fall from the trees above and filled the air with petrichor and joy.
When the cheers abated, Thranduil gestured for herself and Lytham to join him. Ildrith blanched, and then blushed furiously, wishing the ground would swallow her up rather than face the king in front of everyone.
Lytham grabbed her hand and pulled her forward, Ildrith steeled her nerves upon seeing the tears of joy that streamed down Othar's face. This was a day of great joy. Everyone here had fought so hard for so long for this day to come. Her petty problems had no place among the heroes of war before her. She knelt gladly before the king, and waited as he announced Lytham.
"See now Prince Lytham!" Lytham stood and took his smaller, silver crown with grace.
The king then proclaimed Lytham the commander of an army, one made of Beorning, Man and Elf alike. He presented Lytham an elvish blade, one with imbued with certain magic's that would change the sword when he phased, turning the deadly blade into claws of steel to cover his front paws and help cleave his enemies, whoever they may be.
Lytham roared, and the crowd roared with him. Ildrith peeked up, and wondered who among the faces were to be his new brothers in arms. Suddenly it was her turn, Thranduil held out his hand, and Ildrith stood a little shakily. She placed her hand in his and he closed his fingers, trapping her. She stepped forward, her heart in her throat, waiting for him to shame her, or bless her. Uncertain which would be worse.
For a heartbeat nothing happened, and Ildrith stared at the king, he looked down at her and smiled. There was no malice there, not that there ever had been really. The same mischievous smirk touched his lips, and he released her hand.
"See now, our princess. Ildrith." He waited until she met his eyes, and smiled warmly, setting on her head a silver diadem similar in design to Legolas's. The teardrop had a small diamond which hung loosely from its tip, and tickled her brow. She curtsied, and scurried back to hide behind Lytham as the crowd cheered for her too, she wondered if they had noticed the difference in his wording too. Her cheeks were on fire, but her heart was happy.
Thranduil turned to the three of them, and Ildrith stood to the side, so she was not completely hidden behind Lytham anymore. "See now, our new family! The guardians of the forest, and our brothers and sisters in truth. May there be a new age of peace and prosperity between our nations!"
The crowd cheered once more, and then music sprung up, and slowly everyone dissipated. Ildrith stood dumbfounded for a long while, staring at the forest with new eyes. Until someone tapped her on the shoulder, and she jumped.
It was Igdan. He smirked, and bowed before her, "Princess."
Ildrith tried very hard to keep her face still, but failed miserably and burst out laughing. She leapt into Igdan's arms and squealed. When he put her down she grabbed his shoulders.
"Can you believe it?!" She said, releasing his arms and pulling the crown off her head to admire it. "They gave us the forest Ig! People can build proper homes now, have a real city, with shops and fountains and... Families. We don't have to hide in the mountains anymore."
Igdan's eyes were filled with joy, and he took the crown from her hand, turned it round and placed it back on her head. "And we have a beautiful princess to guide us."
Ildrith smiled half-heartedly. "You had to make it awkward…"
Ig laughed and ruffled her hair, before he was accosted by her brothers and dragged to stand before Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn.
Ildrith smiled, feeling his pain as Igdan blushed and fumbled with his words. Ildrith took the opportunity to turn round and find Legolas. She couldn't see him, but spotted Thranduil standing to the side, just as she was. The king looked content, even happy as he watched her brothers with the elves. She shook her head, he was a complicated character to be sure.
As everyone cheered and broke off into their smaller groups, Ildrith stared into the forest, there was something strange tugging on the back of her mind. Something was unusual about the scene before her. It was not simply the change in the trees, which was startling enough.
She took a few steps, away from the chattering crowds, and wandered behind the throne area where there were no people and the sounds of the celebration became somewhat muted. She peered into the trees, trying to figure out what was wrong about the scene, there was something there… She knew it.
Suddenly she gasped, a small elven shape dropped out of one of the trees a few meters away. It was such an unsettling sight that Ildrith started running before she could stop and reason with herself. Elves did not fall. They just didn't.
As soon as she reached the body, she realised her mistake. It was Loré, her delicate body slumped around itself as she lay motionless in the leaves. Ildrith knelt next to her, her hands shaking. It was muscle memory, to place her hands on the pale neck, checking for a pulse. Instinct made her duck.
She rolled back, not entirely sure what had made her dive out the way, until her eyes snapped up and saw the dark shape looming towards her.
Her lips parted, and quick as an arrow, quicker than she could scream or move, cold steel was pressed into her throat. Before her was a hooded figure, a mask over his mouth so that all she could see were his brown eyes. He never said a word, but Ildrith knew that blade would cut deep if she uttered a single syllable. She stared at him, wide eyed, until clammy hands seized her from behind, and the world went dark.