The next chapter will be the feast of starlight then we should be back on track plot wise and we can start moving forward. I haven't finished the next chapter yet but I'm hoping to have it finished by next week. I was originally going to wait till I had done all 3 before posting them but I thought that there wasn't much point in the 2 finished ones just sitting there.
Being back home was such a strange experience. The next few days were a blur. The company was recovering from their ordeal in the forest. Regaining their strength, as well as some of the weight they'd lost while they were near starving for a week. They were also given an area to train in.
I on the other hand seemed to be either re-meeting people from my past or meeting new people. They all tended to look at me like I was a miracle with legs so it was a little disconcerting.
I also met the Captain of the Guard...Which was an experience.
I was with the dwarves at the time. They were training outside. Having a go at using some of the Elven weaponry available. There was some obvious peacocking going on. With Fili, Dwalin and Gloin being the worst ones. They were blatantly showing off to try and prove something or other to the elves.
Kili was sat next to me on a bench. Taking a break from training.
There were a few elves dotted around the courtyard. Most were doing their own drills; mainly archery. They levelled a few odd looks at the dwarves. However, the dwarves were also doing the same so couldn't just blame one side for doing it. When they saw me looking, their eyes would widen and they would bow their heads at me. Then they would carry on with whatever it was they were doing before.
Dwalin began grumbling when he caught the eye of another elf looking their way. "Just because they're apparently helping us now doesnae mean tha' I have to like them. I will never trust anyone who cannae grow a beard"
"Elves can grow beards you know" I chuckled, bursting Dwalin's bubble.
A few of the dwarves turned around at that.
"What?"
"Horse Shit"
"I've never seen a single elf with a beard"
A few of the elves at the far end of the courtyard raised their eyebrows as they heard the conversation topic.
"It's true!" I said "But they can only grow them when they're really old. Like 10,000 years old. The only elf I can think of who has one is Cirdan, the dude that looks after the ship to the undying lands"
"Are ye telling the truth lass?" asked Bifur, clearly intrigued.
"Why would I lie about something like that?" I said with a laugh. It would be such a pointless thing to lie about.
Dwalin's face was a picture. Like great cogs were turning in his mind. Then he gasped dramatically . "By Mahal, they're bairns"
Did he just say that elves were children?
"Dwalin, they're like thousands of years old"
"No, no, don't ya see. It all makes sense now. The reason they're all so bloody annoying is because they're all children"
I shook my head, deciding to leave him to it. Only someone like Dwalin would look at someone who had been alive for millenia and call them a child. There were a few rumblings from the elves side of the courtyard. Clearly displeased by Dwalin's statement.
The dwarves eventually got back to their drills. Even though they were still laughing about they're 'revelation'. Kili and I were just talking amongst ourselves when our bench was approached by a newcomer. She was an elf with long, elaborately braided, ginger hair. Her uniform indicated that she was a part of the guard. However, I was certain that I had not met her before.
"Princess Liriel" she said with a nod, her hands were held behind her back. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you"
"Thank you..er" I realised then that I didn't know her name.
"Oh Leah, this is Tauriel" said Kili helpfully.
If I had been drinking at the time I would have ended up doing a spit take. My eyes widened and I felt my mind whir to a stop.
"Tauriel?!" I squeaked. The elf that Kili had fallen in love with in the films!? So she was real then. Not just someone Peter Jackson had invented. Also the fact that Kili had clearly already met her made me feel funny. Something ugly was rearing its head. Even though I knew that the film romance between them meant nothing I still felt off. Something akin to possessiveness began to curl in my stomach and I felt myself shuffle closer to Kili.
Oh god what is wrong with me? I've never even met her and I'm already being judgemental. I always hated those girls that wouldn't even let another girl look at their boyfriends. I needed to chill.
Tauriel raised her eyebrow almost imperceptibly. The only reaction she made about my outburst "Yes your Highness. I am Captain of the Guard"
"That's...cool"
"Cool?" her eyebrows drew together.
"It's a good thing" Kili explained for me. Blissfully unaware of the chaotic thoughts drifting through my head.
"Oh right" Tauriel smiled. "Well, Your Highness I'm glad you were found because I think your dwarf friend was close to having a heart attack"
Kili looked down, sheepish "I wasn't that bad" he mumbled.
"I'm glad too" I managed to smile back at her.
"If there is ever anything you need my Lady do not hesitate to ask" She said earnestly. It made me feel bad for the way I reacted to her initially.
"You could call me Liriel, or Leah instead of your highness"
"Liriel, it is then" Tauriel said with a smile. "I will take my leave. Enjoy the rest of your day Liriel"
Then she turned and left. Just as quickly as she had arrived.
As soon as she was out of sight I rounded onto Kili. "How did you know her?" My tone of voice just a little too high
Kili's eyebrows drew together. "She was actually the one that threw us into a cell in the dungeons. But when I was panicking about needing to find you she told me that she would try. Turns out she didn't need to but I was very grateful for the sentiment anyway"
Damn it, she sounds really nice.
"Why do you seem so worked up, Leah? Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine, totally fine"
Kili didn't look convinced.
I needed to get a grip.
oOo
About a week had gone by since we'd arrived. Ada and I were walking through the garden. Despite how long I'd already been here this was the first time Ada and I had actually been alone together. There always seemed to be someone else with us. Not that I particularly minded. I loved seeing people again. But it felt good to finally spend some one on one time with each other.
Mum was spending time with Legolas. She was putting her organiser skills to good use helping to plan out the feast of starlight. It was going to be a big one this year as it was also considered a welcome back feast. Legolas was tagging along to help her out.
Ada and I were walking arm in arm through the gardens. This area of the gardens held wildflowers and fruit trees. The trees stretched high above us, creating a canopy of shade. The wildflowers along the edge of the path created an explosion of colour.
There were only a few other elves walking around. When we would pass they would bow their heads or curtsey. "Your majesty, your highness"
Ada would simply nod at them in acknowledgement and the elves would continue on. I on the other hand still felt rather awkward by the whole affair. Ada found it rather amusing actually. "You know you are going to have to get used to it. They will not stop even if you ask them too"
I half mumbled a reply that could either have been "fine" or "I guess" but you could not really tell.
Eventually we reached a part of the gardens that wasn't inhabited by anyone else and we slowed our pace down.
"Trying to negotiate with the dwarves is surely...something" Ada drawled.
So far I hadn't manage to sit in on any of the discussions. Though mum told me that she wished she had some popcorn at times because of the back and forth between Ada and Thorin. "I assume that there was a lot of stubborness involved"
"Yes, the dwarves notorious stubbornness did rear its head" Ada agreed readily.
"I didn't mean just from Thorin Ada" I smirked up at him.
"I do not know what you are implying Liriel. I am the epitome of reasonable" said Ada, with his chin raised.
"Sure you are" I said, not believing a word.
"Nevermind all that" said Ada, quickly changing the subject. "Your Naneth tells me that you wish to sing at the feast"
"Yeah, I sang in all sorts of places recently. I thought it would be good to actually sing in my home" I said.
"I admit that I am looking forward to it. It has been too long since I have heard you sing" There was a tightness to his voice. When I looked up at him I could see him staring out in front of him.
I squeezed his arm to try and shake him out of it. When he looked down at me I smiled up at him. He answered in kind.
"Soo, are the dwarves allowed to come to the feast?" I asked
I felt Ada slow us down to a stop. He looked down at me with pleading eyes. "Must they? I'd rather my feast not be ruined by the brooding of dwarves"
"Ada!" I scolded, giving him a disapproving gaze.
Ada held my gaze with his own. However, he was the first to concede by looking away. "Fine, fine. If it will make you happy" Ada sighed dramatically "Your little dwarf friends can come"
"Thank you," I said with a smile. That had been a lot easier than I thought it would be. I didn't even need to say anything to convince him.
Ada shook his head. "How did this happen?" he whispered, almost to himself. His sudden change of tone was jarring. "How did you end up bound to a dwarf of all people?"
Ah, there it was. The problem Ada had actually wanted to talk about. He didn't approve of the person I was in love with. It felt very cliche. My hand found its way to my courting braid. A movement which was not missed. "I don't know it just sort of happened"
"Things like this do not 'just sort of happen' Liriel. There must be some reason why you agreed to court this dwarf. Being bound to him does not equal marriage. You could always choose someone else. So why him?" Ada wasn't angry but he did seem desperate for an answer. "I just want to understand. I need to know how worthy this person is of you"
I didn't even know where to begin. "He's kind" I started "And thoughtful, he always seems to put other people before himself" I couldn't find the words to articulate my feelings for Kili. The words themselves seemed a bit flat and couldn't fully describe everything I felt.
Ada carried on looking at me without saying a word. Silently urging me to go on.
More simple, one-dimensional words were not going to help me explain my emotions to Ada. I needed something else. Something that would tell Ada exactly what kind of person Kili was.
"He died protecting me Ada" my voice broke "He didn't even think he just did it."
Ada's eyes softened. He reached for me, placing his hand on my shoulder.
"And when he died, it.. it hurt so much" hot tears were welling up in my eyes as I remembered. The sound of his last breath, the way the light left his eyes. They were permanently sealed onto my memory.
Ada seemed to freeze. I felt his breath catch.
"The thought of not being able to see him again.." I squeezed my eyes shut and willed the memory of helplessness away "I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. It felt like someone had taken a knife to my heart. I didn't even know that I could bring him back. I was just so desperate for him to come back to me, I would have tried anything"
A tear escaped my eye and rolled down my cheek.
Ada squeezed his own eyes shut. When he opened them I could see a shine to them. The hand that was on my shoulder moved to cup my face. His thumb wiped away one of the tears. "I know of what you speak, Liriel." His voice was low "All too intimately"
He looked away for a moment, breathing in shakily. A lone tear rolled down his face "The fact that you would feel such pain, even if only temporarily, saddens me deeply"
Ada truly did know how it felt. Also his pain was probably a lot greater that what I had felt. And he'd had to bare it for over 1500 years.
How did we both end up crying in a field?
I gave him a watery smile before wrapping my arms around him, hugging him tightly. His arms wrapped around me too. One found its way into my hair and I felt him place a kiss onto the top of my head.
I leaned back to look up at him. The hand that was in my hair moved to my courting braid. He lifted it up and examined the bead. "If you truly feel so much towards him I can understand a little better about why you have chosen to court him"
He turned the bead over, watching it throw rainbows into the air as it caught the light. A crinkle formed between his eyebrows "What is this made from? It is unlike any substance I have ever seen"
"I'm not sure actually. Kili told me that his Adad had given them to him... And his Adad is dead. So I guess it must have come from where dwarves go when they die"
"Aulë's Halls?" Ada gasped, he looked at the bead with something akin to admiration. "Genuinely?"
I nodded.
"A truly precious gift." said Ada, dropping the braid back down with care. Ada nodded, as if in approval. "Anything else would be unworthy of you"
"Thank you, Ada" I smiled.
Ada smiled too and seemed to shake himself out of his reverie "I know your feelings are true Liriel. But forgive me if I still wish to inspect Kili's character for myself. I need to know how genuine his feelings are too"
"I guess I can deal with that"
oOo
Our walk together only lasted a short time after that. Ada told me that he had some important meeting to attend to but did not elaborate any further. He guided us back into the mountain and towards one of the main halls. This hall in particular was going to be the one where the feast of starlight was to be held. It was also where Mum and Legolas currently were.
Mum smiled and beckoned us over when she saw us. "Hello, darling did you enjoy your walk?" mum hugged me as she spoke.
"Yeah, it was good," I said. And I meant it. Even with the mini breakdown in the middle of it I still loved spending time with Ada
Then she turned to Ada, kissing him on both cheeks. Ada still looked at her as if she was a miracle. Everytime he looked at her, it was always like he was seeing her for the first time again. "It was enlightening" said Ada
Mum raised an eyebrow "Should I ask?"
"Best not" I shook my head.
"I will inform you later" Ada promised.
Mum seemed to accept our answers and nodded.
Ada straightened up "There is something I must attend to" I saw mum's eyes narrow ever so slightly. I would have missed it if I wasn't already looking at her. "You can help your Naneth with the organising while I'm gone." he said to me.
"Yeah, of course"
His eyes swept across all three of us. Lingering longest on Mum. A smile was gracing his face. "I won't be long melamin" he said to Mum. He kissed her cheek goodbye before turning and leaving.
Mum looked after him wistfully for a few seconds before she came back to her senses. Then she turned to me with eyebrows drawn. "Did your Adar say where it was he was going?" Mum asked a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"Not really, he just said something about an important meeting"
"Right" mum said, looking in the direction that Ada had left.
"Why?"
Mum shook her head and looked back to me. A pleasant smile was back on her face "No reason"
Either Mum was confused about where Ada was going or she had her suspicions. It made me a little wary about Ada might be up to. I doubted it would be anything bad but at the same time it was weird that Mum didn't know.
Mum however decided not to question it further and jumped straight back into her planning.
Long garlands and banners had already been brought out. As well as flowers, lights and table decorations. Some were already neatly arranged while Mum was organising the other decorations. She commanded the room with ease. Telling everyone exactly what she wanted them to do. Looking every bit the queen she was.
"She is scarily efficient" Said Legolas from next to me. His arms were full of large ribbons that were to be wrapped around the chairs. "I don't think I realised how good she was at this when we were younger."
"Yeah she is pretty impressive" I mused
"If it was down to me I would not even know where to begin. I would probably throw in some flowers and call it a day" said Legolas.
"You wouldn't even put on tablecloths?" I asked
"Most of the time I forget that they are a thing"
I looked up at him and we both burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Mum asked jovially as she wandered over to us.
"We're marvelling at our sheer lack of organisational skills" I added.
"Ah, I see" mum smiled.
One moment I was just laughing with my family and the next moment I was gasping. My hand grabbed onto my chest. I also held onto Legolas's arm to steady myself.
I wasn't in any pain whatsoever. No it was the fact that the steady pace of Kili's heartbeat suddenly reached a fever pitch. Even though It wasn't my own it still felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. It was quickly followed by the sensation of someone reaching out and tugging on my soul.
Kili had pulled on the bond.
What the hell was going on?
"Liriel are you alright?" Concern was rife in Legolas's voice.
Another tug on the bond. In quick succession after the other. Two all together.
It was part of the code we had established a few days ago. Once to say you are safe. Twice to say you are in danger.
But why would he be in danger? Surely there was nothing here that could cause such a reaction from him?
Wait..
"Oh shit!" I exclaimed as I realised exactly what was happening. "I know where Ada is"
Mum seemed to understand what I meant immediately. Her mouth formed an oh shape. Legolas on the other hand was still confused. "What? I don't understand"
"It seems your Adar has decided to pay Kili a visit." mum explained "Important meeting indeed"
Legolas's eyes were immediately lit with amusement. "I cannot believe I'm missing it"
How on earth had this happened? I thought we had made a plan. That Kili should avoid being alone with Ada. Obviously the plan had fallen through somewhere. And now Kili was shouting to me that he was in danger.
"Oh God" I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. When I let go I looked up at Mum and Legolas "Right, I need to find him"
"Can I come?" Legolas asked, all too eagerly.
I know for a fact that he would only make things worse. "No you cannot"
He stuck his bottom lip out in a pout but I wasn't going to let his sad face change my mind.
"Legolas, you can stay here. We don't need to stress out poor Kili anymore than he already is" mum interjected.
Legolas knew he had lost this fight and conceded "Okay Nana"
I took that as my opportunity to leave.
I focused my eyes so that I could see the bond stretched between us. It ran as a direct tie between the two of us. So I knew which direction he was in. However, getting there wasn't as simple. There wasn't a convenient corridor that led me straight to him. Instead I had to take sharp turns and got annoyed when I took the wrong ones.
There were a further two insistent pulls down the bond while I was trying to find my way. "I'm coming, I'm coming" I muttered to myself. I gave the cord a tug of my own to signify that I was on my way.
Eventually, I turned the right corner and found them. They were standing next to each other. Just them two in a corridor. How this situation had happened in the first place was beyond me.
Ada's face seemed to be quite neutral and didn't hold any of the animosity I had been expecting. The way Kili had pulled on the bond had me envisioning Ada threatening Kili with a knife or something. Instead they seemed to be just talking.
Even though Ada didn't seem to be angry at the moment Kili was still white as a sheet.
"Kili, Ada." I said loudly, to get their attention. "What are you doing here?"
Ada turned to me, briefly looking like a deer in headlights before his expression smoothed out. He obviously hadn't expected me to catch him in the act. "We were just taking a walk," he said, nonchalantly.
"Yes" Kili's voice was a whole octave higher than it should be. "Just a walk, we were just...walking"
I levelled Ada with an unimpressed look.
"I think we have a better understanding of one another now. Wouldn't you agree Kili?
"Yes" said Kili, standing a little straighter.
"I think Mum wants you Ada"
"She does?" He raised an eyebrow "Then I shan't keep her waiting"
Ada strolled back down the corridor. His pace sedate and his arms behind his back. As soon as he was gone I turned back to Kili. He let out a breath in one big rush "Oh thank Mahal you're here" He wrapped his arms tightly around me.
"Kili, what the hell happened?"
oOo
Kili (Earlier that day)
Fili and Kili were in the main living space of the guest rooms. The rest of the company were elsewhere. Most were back out on the training grounds. They'd even managed to rope in some of the elves to spar with. Each side being curious about how the other one fights. The ones who were out there were either fighting or urging the others on.
Balin and Ori had found a library at one point and had not been heard from since. Bombur was taking a nap. Which you could tell by the intermittent snoring that could rattle a wall.
Fili and Kili were sat in one corner of the sofa square. They each had their own seat and they leaned across the gap to talk to one another. They were both relaxed and talking amongst themselves.
"This situation has got to be one of the funniest things that has ever happened" Fili laughed into his cup.
He didn't have to seem so pleased about it, Kili thought. "Do I not even get an ounce of sympathy?"
"No" Fili snickered, "I'm not the one who stole an elf King's daughter"
"I didn't steal anything" Kili urged, shoving his brother. 'Steal' made it sound like she hadn't had a choice in the matter.
Some liquid spilled out of Fili's cup but he managed to save most of it. "I know, I know" said Fili, shaking some of the mead from his sleeve "I just enjoy winding you up"
"You do?" Kili gasped with mock amazement. He knew his brother wasn't actually saying this stuff to be mean.
They both laughed. "So what was it Thranduil said to you?"
"He said that he looked forward to getting to know me better. Though I have no interest in that ever happening"
"Mahal" Fili breathed, he leaned back in his seat and took another gulp of mead. "This is either the bravest or the stupidest thing you have ever done"
"Probably a bit of both"
Kili pondered for a moment. Staring at the pattern on the chair. "Leah's friend called me a 'himbo' once. Which I think kind of fits?"
"A What?" Fili chuckled.
"A himbo"
"Care to explain?"
Kili paused for a second, trying to think how Anika had described the word. "It's a male who is kind hearted and pretty.."
He was immediately cut off by a loud snort.
"Hey" Kili shoved Fili again "Who here is actually courting someone? I'm sure I've been called pretty more times than you have"
Fili covered his heart with his hand "You wound me brother"
"Anyway" Kili continued "It's someone who's kind hearted, pretty and just a bit dumb" Actually Anika had said 'Dumb as rocks' but he thought that was a little too harsh.
Fili guffawed. "Now that sounds like you" Kili laughed too, shaking his head.
Fili was about to take another sip of mead when his eyes locked with something over Kili's shoulder. He choked on the liquid and spat it out. His eyes couldn't physically be wider.
Kili froze in alarm. He was about to turn around and see what had caused his brother to react in such a way. Before he could, he felt a presence loom above him. Casting a shadow that blocked the light. Something grabbed his shoulder and he nearly cried out.
Long, pale fingers gripped his shoulder in a vice. Digging in, to the point of pain. And on the other end of the hand..
"Are you saying that you pride yourself on stupidity Kili?" The elf king enunciated each word. His eyes like a raging fire.
Kili blanched. His heart rate rose inexorably quickly. One second it was normal, the next it was thundering in his ears drowning out everything else.
The only thoughts on his mind were Danger! Danger!
" sir was just a joke" Kili stuttered.
"A joke? Ha, how funny" Thranduil's voice was completely deadpan "Why don't we go for a walk?"
He categorically did not want to be alone with this elf. His first instinct was to tug helplessly on the bond between him and leah. Twice. To let her know that he was potentially in danger. She had told him that he shouldn't be alone with her Adad. Yet now he felt like he didn't have much of a choice.
Fili looked between the two of them, his mouth open like a fish. Kili stared at his brother, silently begging him to help. However, he also knew that Fili couldn't do much to help either.
" course" Kili said eventually.
Kili stood up and moved to follow Thranduil outside. Thranduil's smile could only be described as predatory.
Thranduil led them on. Kili felt like he was walking a funeral march. His own funeral. He hoped that Leah would find him quickly.
They walked a short distance before coming to an abandoned corridor. When the King whirled around Kili nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Let's get right to it" said Thranduil. "I know my daughter's feelings towards you. She cares about you deeply. Which means that I need to know just how worthy you are of her. I need to know that you have my daughters best interests in mind. Do you understand?"
Kili gulped and nodded.
"Let me make one thing clear" Thranduil stepped towards Kili, leaning down over him "You are bound to my daughter which means that I cannot kill you. But should you ever hurt her. Should you ever cause her pain, there are still a myriad of ways that I can make you suffer. Do you understand me? You are immortal now Kili, I can get creative"
Danger! Danger! Kili tugged on the bond frantically. He felt like his stomach was in his throat.
Thranduil stood back up. Seemingly pleased that he had made his point.
He nearly gasped out loud when his cry for help was answered. Leah pulled on the bond between them. Thank Mahal, she was coming. Hopefully it wouldn't be too much longer before she showed up. He felt some of the tension leave his body.
Now that he knew Leah was coming and Thranduil had backed off slightly he found his fear to be lessening. As it did, something more akin to anger was taking its place. He knew that Thranduil had every right to question Kili's intentions with Leah. He was her Adad and he didn't know what kind of person Kili was. Yet at the same time, the insinuation that he would ever harm Leah made him feel physically sick.
Kili mustered all the bravery that he could. He squared his shoulders and stood up straighter. Before he had tried not to look Thranduil in the eye but now he did. Thranduil's eyes narrowed in curiosity at Kili's change in demeanor.
"Lord Thranduil" Kili's voice was more even than he expected it to be. He carried on quickly before his bravery disappeared.
"With all due respect, I would never hurt her." he said with utmost sincerity "She is the most amazing person I have ever met. Even though she has been through so much she still has the brightest smile. The thought of seeing her hurt makes me sick"
The malice in Thranduil's eyes seemed to diminish as Kili spoke. At least that's what Kili hoped he was seeing. Not just some trick of the light.
"I sacrificed myself to save her. I didn't know that I could be brought back. The only thing on my mind was that I couldn't see her hurt. No matter what happened to me"
Kili felt shaky as the anger he had built up began to leach away. "I would rather die than hurt her, Lord Thranduil"
Thranduil raised one perfectly arched eyebrow.
"I.I mean not literally obviously because that would actually hurt her" he stuttered.
"Good" Thranduil nodded, seemingly to be pleased with what Kili had said. He was now looking at Kili with polite curiosity rather than animosity.
Then his rescuer rounded the corner and Thranduil bid them goodbye.
oOo
Leah
"So he threatened you?" Which I wasn't best pleased at, "But only if you hurt me"
"Yes" said Kili "Though now I think about it, I think he was trying to test me. To see how I'd react"
While that did sound likely, I was also 100% sure that Ada could still carry through with his threats. I didn't say this out loud as I didn't want Kili to panic more
"He didn't seem as angry towards the end. I hope that means I said something right"
"Good. That's Good" Even though I was annoyed that Ada had tried to scare Kili, I was glad that it had turned out okay.
Though I think Kili might be in need of a shock blanket and a nap.
Leah is going to have to have some words with Thranduil about not giving her boyfriend a heart attack. I was originally gonna tone it down a bit but then I thought, this is Thranduil we're talking about here of course he was going to threaten the person who dared think themselves worthy enough to court his daughter. But thankfully, Kili's answers seemed to satisfy him