Seeing the sunrise, especially when you're on a journey, is incredible. Footsteps came from the camp to my location. I didn't dare to remove myself away from the sight of the sun rising. A gruff voice cleared their throat, "Kallan, Halvor wanted me to find ye to tell ye we are packin' up the camp and we should be headin' into the woods by midday."
I pushed myself off the boulder I found with great height. I gave a nod, "Thank ye, Gavil. Let's head back, shall we?"
The two of us headed back to the camp. Gavil immediately helped his guard brothers with packing the ponies. I found my brother rolling his bed roll, "I hope the King is in a kind mood."
Halvor snorted, "When is he? Matters not, emel wanted me to speak with him about our trade routes."
I scrunched up my nose taking the pack from his hands, "That might take days from the King's track record."
Halvor adjusted his blade to his side. He winked, "Not with me. I've gained his good side. Emel was impressed."
I shook my head, "This time, she isn't with ye. He might treat ye different now ye're doin' stuff by yerself."
My brother headed to his pony with a shrug, "Only time will tell."
Despite telling Miriel he was going to see his father, he felt the light need of wanting to go to his father's lands without stopping. He knew it was possible but if he didn't rest before calling an audience with his father he would be of the walking dead. Legolas wasn't surprised how long it took before his body decided he needed to rest. He was a little bit mid-way towards the woods. He could only think of the thought of the description of his One. His heart beat with excitement. The one elleth he thought and hoped was his One turned to find her One with a dwarven prince. He only heard stories from his own emel about how his father and her met and finally acknowledge each other as Ones. Legolas kept it to himself but he hoped his One would be like his mother who was caring but knew when to put her foot down especially when it came to important matters. The blond elf lightly slid off of his horse and pulled his pack from the horse's back. He placed his pack down by the tree trunk. Legolas gave his horse a handful of oats, "Wander but stay close, my friend."
Legolas turned to his pack. He got the area ready for temporary living. Tauriel was kind enough to give the prince some lembas bread for his journey home. He had gave his word to his friend that he would be there for the birth of her first born. By the healer's words, she wouldn't give birth till the following year. His lips pressed together at the thought of his One. Going back onto the seer's words, she was of brunette hair, short stature with the bluest eyes around. She shouldn't be hard to find, would it?
The two half breeds stood as an audience to the King of Mirkwood. I kept my eyes on the elegant elven king. He had his hands behind his back. Halvor piped up, "Thank you, yer majesty for allowing us to stay within yer walls. I look forward to speaking with you about our kingdoms' trades."
Thranduil glanced at the female half breed for a moment before turning his attention to the male diplomat, "My... Pleasure. I'll have someone show you to your rooms. If you're up for it, the nightly meal would be at dusk in the main dining hall."
Halvor gave a light bow of his head, "After freshening up, I'll take up on that offer. Thank you."
I tilted my head towards my brother before giving a alight bow of my head to the king, "I'm afraid I will turn in for the night, King Thranduil. Thank you."
Thranduil's piercing blue eyes turned to the oldest half breed. He remembered the young child all those years ago. Miriel brought her on a trip when she was coming back from visiting her parents. The girl's curiosity caught his attention before. He briefly wonders if the girl would skip dinner to find her way back into the library.
Thranduil wandered into the library to grab a new book to read before bed. He reached on the top shelf for book he used to read to his own son. Paper fell onto the ground. Thranduil turned to the noise, "Hello?"
An untamed brunette head poked around the book case when she saw the elven king turned around to the shelf. The young one studied the elegant king as he dressed in his night time robes. The king glanced out of the corner of his eye behind him. He saw the brunette hide back behind the book case. A small smile graced his lips. This brought back the time of his own child watching over himself. Thranduil piped up softly, "I know you're there, little one. Don't need to be afraid."
The little one moved back into view if the king turned around. She was about to step forward but her foot got caught on the paper. She slipped jamming her face into the ground. The sound of her slipping made the king turn around. He started towards her. The little one pushed herself up from the ground. Tears welled from her eyes. It's threatening to fall. He knelt down holding a hand out for the girl to take, "Are you okay, little one?"
Kallan sniffled nodding, "Papa and mama told m-me to be brave e-especially w-when my sister comes out."
Thranduil reached inside of his robe pockets pulling out a handkerchief. Blue eyes looked at the piece of cloth then at the king. The king saw a few tear droplets drip down. A couple slid down. Kallan grabbed the piece of cloth and wiped her eyes. Thranduil asked, "Where is your mother? It is late, young one."
Kallan looked down fiddling with the piece of cloth. Thranduil slowly suggested, "Let's go find her."
Kallan shook her head, "No! Emel said it was time for bath and bed. I-I'm not ready yet."
Thranduil thought for a moment before asked, "What made you come to the library?"
Kallan stood up straight, "I wanted to find a story."
The old king glanced down at the book in his side. Kallan noticed the gesture. She peered to try to read the title. Her brows knitted together as she mentally tried to sound out the elvish words in her head. The father of one spoke, "It's an elfling story. Would you like me to read it to you?"
Kallan's eyes brightened. She nodded quickly, "Yes, please!"
Thranduil knew he should bring the child back to her mother. If he was her, he would be worried however you could be a child once. He will send a maiden to send word on where Miriel's daughter is at. Thranduil scooped up the child into his arms. He brought the child to a garden his late wife cultivated. On their way to the area, he stopped a maiden to find Miriel and gave information of her daughter's location. The two of them became comfortable underneath a hanging tree. He allowed the young one nestle into his lap and side. Thranduil opened the book and started the story. It took the mother of the daughter to find the king and her daughter. She waddled towards the king and her now sleeping daughter. Miriel huffed, "I wish she have gotten her bath before she fell asleep. I'm sorry, King Thranduil for having to deal with her."
Thranduil's eyes trailed up to the very pregnant elleth. If he recalled his visits to Erebor, he never seen her this round and large. The king closed the book setting it to the side, "She was fine, Miriel. She didn't realize how tired she was."
The mother held out her hands to take her child, "I can take her."
Thranduil stood up having the child nestled into his chest and the book in his free arm. He shook his head, "I got her. I'll follow you."
Miriel's lips pressed together.
The two half-breeds excused themselves from the king once he gave permission. Thranduil only dealt with her siblings through his visits to Erebor and Miriel's visits. He felt grateful for the elleth pushing to give his late wife's jewels back to him. He saw her in a different light. A thankful light. He may of felt light regret of how he treated the elleth and her One all those years ago but he wouldn't tell or show it. That he wouldn't be able to admit outloud.
