Chapter XXV

9th Narabeleth 3002 T.A

Eliel was woken up by the sound of more signing and hearty music, if it was not for the humans being her friends Eliel would have most likely killed them. It was not like she was not a morning person it was just because she was exhausted from the journey and knowing she was in Dale made her body sleep to late in the morning. Eliel had missed breakfast by two hours but Ahnissi saved her a bowl of porridge and some fruit which she was thankful for as it would also be her lunch.

She sat and watched the children run around with a kite that Runil had crafted.

"So you're off to find your father today in Dale?" Sudi had sat next to Eliel and both women observed the children.

"Hopefully yes, I will speak to King Bain if I get the chance too and see where it leads me. I should leave soon actually if I plan to speak with him and find my father as well."

"You will return, right?" Sudi asked full of hope

"Yes I will be back. But if I do not return tonight it is probably because I found some lead."

"Good. As much as I love my sister in law she can get a bit too much to handle. Between you and me to this day I do not understand why Heddric even married her." Eliel listened to the gossip which made her feel like part of this family. Not a day went past where Eliel did not think of the woman who raised her, the one she called mother. That why was she enjoyed the company of Ahnissi and her family as she reminded her of how she and Sonir got on.

Eliel said her goodbyes and promised to return sometime in the coming days. She made her ways through the maze of tents and music and found herself in front of the archway which Dale was situated on the other side. Eliel stood in the path making the traders walk around her, she was preparing herself for what could be unraveled if she looked into the past.

'Eliel you have travelled over months to come to this point and hesitate' she was debating with herself as her feet refused to move. Eliel took a deep breath and walked through the arch walking towards to what she assumed was the Arken Citadel, where King Bain rules. The city was alive, it was like a smaller form of Minas Tirith, but nonetheless it was busy and Eliel did not know whether it was always like this or it was because of next month's festivities. The atmosphere seemed gentler and she knew the people here would not cause the half breed any trouble. Eliel had passed the rather small marketplace and had made her way to the residential area where it was still full of activity, these people did not have a care in the world and she wished she could have that sort of spirit.

Eliel had passed a street which the path to Erebor could be seen, it must have been the main passage between the two kingdoms, which meant the Citadel would have to be close by. Eliel had passed several drunken dwarves as she continued, she had never really thought about dwarves because she had no reason to, the thoughts were brushed away and Eliel made her way to the large fortress which held the answers of her questions.

Arken Citadel was fairly large but could still be out of sight if one were to walk pass without acknowledging it. Two guards stood at the parallel steps and she hoped they would not be a problem, but she needed to think of a back story just in case it was needed. She took a deep breath, fixed up her appearance slightly and strutted over to the steps confidently.

"What is your business at the Citadel?" Eliel knew it

"My name is Sudi and I am the new kitchen hand." The first guard just nodded his head with acceptance and she gave a sigh of relief and continued up the stairs until she reached front entrance. When Eliel stepped inside it was like nothing she ever imagined the foyer was grand, something you would not picture from the outside. Curved staircases to the front leading up to the throne room and many doors and side alleys just in the receiving hall, many guards were dotted around but paid her no attention to her. Eliel was so taken with the detail that she did not notice a man standing on top of the staircase looking down at her, he started to walk down the stairs when Eliel made eye contact with him. A young man looked about a few years older than her with blonde hair and sapphire eyes, but it was those eyes that held skepticism and dominance. Eliel prepared herself but decided it would be best to speak the truth.

"What business do you have here madam?" the man was the same height as Eliel and raised his eyebrow at her appearance.

"My name is Eliel and I have come here to speak with King Bain." Eliel said proudly.

"Sorry no business with the king unless appointed and since you do not look important enough to have such appointments, I suggest you leave." Eliel felt her heart drop she was not in the mood for desperations.

"Please you have no idea how far I have travelled. May I ask your name?"

"Prince Hain of Erebor, son of King Fili and nephew of King Bain." He acted formal enough to hopefully scare away the young girl. Eliel was taken aback but she needed to convince the young prince.

"Prince Hain, Plea-"

"Cousin what is the matter?" A voiced boomed from behind him

"A beggar girl has come to seek a conversation with your father." Hain said without breaking eye contact with Eliel

"I am not a beggar girl" Both men were shocked at the backchat Eliel supplied which she immediately regretted. "I need to go over some records from the Battle of the Lonely Mountain, I was told they would be here."

She noticed the younger looking prince glanced up on the balcony which she presumed was the way to such records.

"Sorry those records are off limits" The older man said which caused Eliel to get very agitated, she did not go through all that she went through to get here and to have those records declined from her. "No I need those records, Gandalf the Grey sent me and I have to go through them, now if you will not show me the way I will find it myself" She pushed her way through the princes and ran up the stairs to the left, both of them after her but she was determined to get there. Eliel was suddenly jerked back and realized that Hain had a firm grip on her arm which was starting to hurt.

"Get off me you brute." Several guards had also taken a hold of her, she struggled of course but they overpowered her and dragged her down the main stairs and out the door until they shoved her back in the street. They did not need to tell her to stay away as she got that message. Eliel needed another plan, she was not going to give up because of some arrogant prince of Erebor, and he did not even look like a dwarf. "Some prince" she huffed out and she stroked her arm which was most likely bruised again.

Eliel glanced up around the fort and saw wooden lattice filled with flowers, the framework seem to travel all around and it could surely reach a window which she could sneak in at night.

Eliel waited until darkness blanketed the sky and the cloud covered the light of the moon. She wrapped the hood around her and started to ascent the unsteady structure, the windows were shut probably due to the cold weather creeping in, she continued around until she saw an open wedge in the window. Eliel peered inside and saw what looked to be a library she climbed in and looked around the darkness, these were not just any books but documents and notes, and this was the place she needed to be.

Eliel figured out the cataloguing and grabbed everything under the name of Dale, Lake Town and the year 2941 Third age. The year before she was born and where her parents supposedly died. Her mother Tauriel was an elf so she looked for books regarding the elvish kingdom of Mirkwood as well as any men under the name of Kili. The night went on and all Eliel had found was facts about her mother she already knew and nothing about her father. Hours had gone by and looking at repeated words made Eliel drift off to sleep.

Eliel had awaken to see the princes from yesterday surrounded by six guards. "You have trespassed on royal property and have committed crimes against the people of Rhovanion. By order of the Prince I hereby sentence to a month in the cells."

Eliel started to panic and got out of her seat. "No you don't understand I was only trying to find my father, please." Despite her pleas, Eliel was dragged down to the prison cells where her belongings were taken off her and all she had were the clothes on her back. "Please I did not mean it, Get me out of this." She begged against the steel bars. "How am I going to get out of this?"