Thranduil awoke from sad dreams to shouting and screaming. He leapt from bed, almost tripping over his packed saddlebags, and drew back the curtains from his windows. He squinted into the sudden lancing sunshine, but the trees and the hints of the flower patches in the royal gardens looked as fresh as ever in the drying dew.
The sound grew as he dressed. He hurried into the hall with his comb in hand and bumped into Onyx.
"I was coming for you," Onyx said. He hesitated. "I do not know where they have taken ada. I cannot get anything out of the King's Council."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes at his brother. Onyx held something back. "Who is making that noise?"
"I would advise you not to go outside of the palace," Onyx said.
Thranduil scowled. "Do you intend to ride to the southern territories with Sapphire and I?"
"Indeed, I do! The southern territories are not safe yet; Oropher was a fool to go. You will need my protection."
"Then pack your bags," Thranduil snapped. "We ride out after breakfast. I am going outside!"
Onyx wheeled and fell into step beside Thranduil as he thudded down the hall. Thranduil's arms swung and he clenched his comb, leveling cold stares at the statuesque guards he passed. Thranduil flung open the front doors and marched down the palace steps still damp with dew. He could not see over the raised garden wall, but he soon sprinted across the pebbled paths, leaving deep footprints, and stared out through the wrought iron gate.
The forest seemed darker and grimmer and Thranduil swore the trees were closer together. His chest clenched at the sight of the royal guard driving a crowd of elves on the dirt road from the palace dungeons as if they were animals.
Thranduil knew as he held onto the gate until his hands hurt the elves must be the banished, destined to be paraded through Mirkwood like war spoils. No doubt Harune was among them.
The royal guard pressed forward with sticks against the fighting prisoners, forcing them down the road. And, as Thranduil watched, the trees moved and bent and tore their roots up from the ground. The royal guard was sent reeling backwards as the old oaks and poplars whiplashed the soldiers with their branches.
Thranduil's breath caught in his throat as he glimpsed Ailunai among the trees, dancing, guiding them with her bent arms and knees. Hers was a graceful dance but the trees made it deadly. The forest line moved closer to the garden wall, forcing the soldiers back toward the dungeon entrance. As the last elf disappeared, roots and vines laced across the entrance and bound it shut. The trees settled, digging their roots into the road until it seemed the road had never been there.
Thranduil shoved open the iron gate as Ailunai slipped between two trees, wiping sweat from her brow. She smiled at him. "The forest will protect its people. I know you have a reckoning with the King. I ask you to go and know the palace is in good hands."
"You amaze me more with each sunrise," Thranduil replied.
Ailunai tilted her head. "Now you know what a tree oracle does." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"I may be gone longer than I can stand to be away from you," Thranduil said, when she pulled back.
"Never you worry," Ailunai replied. "I have Nimrethil, Jailil, and Hyrondal with me and, as you know, we can make a remarkable stand."
Onyx stepped out behind Thranduil and put a hand on his shoulder. "The horses are saddled, and we have little time to waste. Come. It is a week's ride at least to the King's summerhouse."
"You are not thinking of leaving without me?" Hyrondal exclaimed, as he slipped between two trees behind Ailunai. "Yuai says one hand in the pie here is enough and the southern territories are dangerous. You will need all the protection you can get."
Onyx made an impatient gesture. "Come then. Sapphire is waiting."
Thranduil scanned the trees, but there was no sign of his father. He squeezed Ailunai's hand goodbye before he followed Onyx and Hyrondal toward the stables. Sapphire was mounted in grey travelling robes on a bay horse. Geoda stood holding the reins to two horses. At the sight of Hyrondal, he turned to saddle a third.
Onyx sprang into his saddle in one easy step. Thranduil mimicked his action. Hyrondal mounted last and the riders looked to Onyx.
"You know the southern territories best," Sapphire said. "Lead the way."
Thranduil looked back as the horses plunged into the trees. The mossy triangles of the palace room were not homey, and his eyes darkened at the memory of the royal guard driving their own kin from Mirkwood like cattle.
The roads forward were new and not yet cobblestoned. The beginnings of mansions and smaller cottages were not wise with age. There were few elves in this part of Mirkwood, so the riders rode uninterrupted, stopping only at night to rest alongside the road for no inns had taken root yet.
Over the campfire one night Sapphire glanced at Thranduil. "Tell me, what argument do you intend to present to the king?"
Thranduil rubbed his temples. "Besides the obvious, I do not know. I begin to think Oropher and Natelle have no hearts. Nothing I say seems to make a difference."
On the log beside him, Sapphire put an arm around his shoulders. "Your voice does matter, Thranduil, and you must believe it does. You represent the people in a way Oropher never can."
"Might I suggest you appoint someone beside yourself to banter with the King?" Onyx said.
"Why?" Thranduil demanded.
"You being young and all, Oropher is prone to take you lightly," Onyx said.
Hyrondal chuckled. Thranduil frowned. "I am practically of marriageable age!" He rested his chin on his hand with a sudden light in his blue eyes. "I know what to say to Oropher now."
"Might I suggest Sapphire as your ambassadorial delegate," Onyx said, and put up his hand.
"Perhaps hearing an argument from someone other than me will help Oropher see in a better light," Thranduil concluded.
"I am willing to act as your delegate," Sapphire said. "Nothing would please me more. Tell me what you have in mind."
"Oropher desires me to marry," Thranduil replied simply.
Sapphire sat straight. "Thranduil, you will not barter your freedom away!"
"I would gladly give my freedom so that thousands of others may be free."
Sapphire clasped Thranduil's hand. "But what of Ailunai?"
My youngest brother's birthday was yesterday, hence this delay.
Thank you all kindly for reading; your passionate thoughts make my day!
Next Chapter: Enter Oropher and Natelle!