A/N: Guys! Thanks so much for the kind reviews! I love getting them and hearing what your thoughts are. So keep them coming please!
Anyways, here is the next chapter! The piece of song below Stars, from the Broadway show Finding Neverland and sung by Pentatonix. I don't own it, nor do I own the Hobbit and etc.
Enjoy and review!
Legolas led them through the hewn doors and into the woven woodwork of the palace. Linnor knew no other word for it. Staircases and platforms raised over and over again, like a fantastic puzzle, literally branching off like the trees they burst from, and all glittering in a silver light. It made her suddenly long for the brighter halls of Rivendell, but at the same time…this was so much lovelier.
Suddenly there was a nasty metal clanging and Linnor turned to see the dwarves being stripped of weapons and thrust into cells that were carved into the walls of the stairs. One by one the doors shut until all she saw was her family's faces staring out through the bars. Linnor turned to see Legolas watching her expectantly in front of the last empty cell.
"Are-aren't you going to put me with them?" she asked timidly.
He breathed a laugh. Linnor felt a blush creeping up her neck as she took in the ice blue eyes.
"No, I'm sure Lord Thranduil would love to assess you first. Thorin Oakenshield will take this one and I will show you to your lodgings after. Besides, a dungeon cell is no place for a maiden." he smiled before turning to continue up the platform.
After a brief moment of hesitation, in which she considered refusing his offer and demanding to remain with her family, her curiosity got the better of her and she followed him deeper into Mirkwood Hall. They walked together in silence until they reached a large open space, in the center which sat a carved throne. It was more regal than she imagined in the manner that it's elegant simplicity surprised her. It was like the rest of the palace: intricate branches were woven together, berries and thorns creating an aura of suspense.
In front of them now, there stood a regal elf, more regal than Elrond far away back in Imladris, with what looked like a crown of thorns. His face was long and slender, and pale white blond hair fell gracefully on his shoulders.
"Father. I have brought someone I think will be of interest to you."
Linnor felt her breath catch as she caught that word. Father. Legolas was the son of Lord Thranduil, which made him a prince. She had been rescued and taken with a Prince of Mirkwood. She had assumed, maybe known if slightly, that he had been of a higher stature than the other elves in the forest. But this was…this was much higher than she ever thought. Nobility of this kind made her knees weak and her hands shaky, even when she tried to remind herself that technically, she was now royalty as well, Princess of Durin.
Lord Thranduil slowly made his way down to stand towering before her. Legolas moved to the side, his eyes a flash of worry before regaining their impassive stance.
"What is a pretty little...thing...like you doing traversing with a pack of dwarves so far into my domain?" his voice echoed in her skull. Or was it echoing in the room? She didn't know, and struggled to remain as calm and impressive as they were.
"My name is Linnor Alea Sathren Durin. I am the daughter of Ciranel, of Elrond's court, and Frerin, son of Thrain son of Thror, of the line Durin. I am traveling with my friends and family to...places…" she trailed off. She didn't know why, but she felt like she shouldn't tell these elves why they were actually trespassing across Mirkwood. Somehow, telling them that they planned to wake a sleeping dragon and unleash fiery death to reclaim a hoard of gold and a lost kingdom might not go over very well.
Luckily for her, Thranduil had stopped listening after Durin. Even Legolas had paused to look at her strangely.
"Well, well. This is very interesting. Ciranel...really. Hm, I don't remember her." the King murmured to himself. "Intruiging. A half breed girl, and of two noble lines. Yes, this is indeed very interesting. And you said you were going where?" Linnor said nothing. "Very well." He remained silent again for quite some time until a lilting melody began to drift down from somewhere above them.
"Ah, Legolas. The party seems to have begun without us." Thranduil finally turned and made his way to a far platform staircase, probably leading to the upper levels. "Take Linnor to a chamber. That is where you will stay, my dear, until I decide what to do with you and the company you keep." And with that he was gone.
Linnor stood frozen still. What did he mean by "decide what to do with?" How long would they be prisoners here? They would miss Durin's Day, and the last chance to open the door to the mountain! She felt a light grip on her elbow as her false bravery faded and her head became light.
"Come. There is something I wish to show you before you sleep." Legolas guided her in the opposite way as his father and up onto a different stair, her mind still fuzzy. After a moment, she regained her composure and yanked her arm away from her companion in annoyance.
"You lied to me. You didn't tell me you were a Prince." Linnor groused.
"You never told me you were a Princess."
'That's different."
"Is it really?"
"Well...alright fine. But it would have been nice to know, since I was so forthcoming with you already."
"I did save your life."
"Where are you even taking me?"
"Relax, Linnor. You've already been taken captive. There isn't much more you need to worry about from me. Besides, we're here."
Linnor gave a small gasp as she looked out above her. They were at the top of a canopy. Below her were twinkling lights and the vague but beautiful sounds of a lively party. But above, millions of bright stars glittered the dark sky, a huge silver-white moon hanging in the middle.
"This...is amazing. How...how have I never seen this? Even from my window back in Rivendell, surely I would have seen this?" she murmured. Linnor felt Legolas press closely behind her and was grateful for the darkness hiding her blush.
"The world is a big place, My Lady. If you don't go out and take it, there is so much you will miss."
It was quiet again, and Linnor felt a peace she hadn't felt in what seemed like a long while.
"I regret every single day I We're all made of stars
waited for the world to be mine
Look to the sky we're reaching higher than high
Mile after mile
We're all made of dreams
Just use your spirit and heart
You can go where you want, do what you like
Be who you want to be..."
She ended in a whisper. She kept her eyes focused on the sight in the stars, so she missed the look that passed over the blond elf's face once again.
"This way, now."
Linnor shyly followed him away from the balcony and into a dim, lantern hallway, all sense of irritation gone. Soon, they found themselves back near the cells where the company was held.
"LINNOR! Thank Mahal, where have you been?"
"Let her go!"
"Where are you taking her?"
"Linnor, what's going on?"
Their cries and calls went unanswered, mainly because Linnor simply couldn't give one that would satisfy them all. They wouldn't understand. She gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile as she passed before turning the corner. Legolas paused at a beech wood door.
"Here is where you stay. The door will be locked from the outside at night, and will be opened again in the morning. Until my father makes a decision, you are not to leave the room without an escort, who will not hesitate to move you to a cell just like your kin if you try to escape or help any of them out of their cells. You are an elf, even in part, which means you obey the covenant of our kingdom and ruling just like in Imladris. Understood? Good. Sleep well, Linnor Alea Sathren Durin."
Linnor stepped into her room, affronted at the cold goodbye. She looked around at her new lodgings. The room was lavishly decorated and comfy and delicate in the sense that this had once been a young girls room. It seemed pleasant enough, and it would have been had she been there under any other circumstances. She heard the door lock behind her and sighed. Where was Gandalf when you needed him?