A group of ellyn appeared from the canopy a few hours after she took up her position at the door. Rynor had been sitting on the floor with his head resting on the tree's strong trunk for the past hour. It looked like the combination of the venom and the adrenalin had left him tired and slightly dizzy from what he told her. She had given him the last of their water after she had steeped some more herbs in it, but that only seemed to help a little bit.
A few members of the group climbed the neighboring tree and started to climb the rope ladder up to the flet. Elaeanyl moved away from the opening and gripped her knives tighter.
'Just in case,' She told herself as she moved to the far side of the flet with Rynor between her and his companions.
The first elf gracefully climbed into the flet and looked surprised to see her with his warrior.
"My Lady," A muscular, blonde ellon started, "My name is Hurion, I am a captain of the Great Greenwood." He stood in the flet's enterance and glanced at Rynor who made a grunt and stood and leaned against the tree trunk.
"Mae g'ovannen, Hurion. I am Angelien," She lied and made her way toward Rynor. He looked like he was going to fall over, but Hurion beat her to the injured ellon.
He muttered something in the elf's ear that she couldn't catch and guided the guard to one of the stumps.
"We can trust her," Elaeanyl heard Rynor mutter to the other elf. "She had athelas and some sort of tea that helped."
Hurion turned to her and bowed his head to her, "I am in your debt, your athelas water has saved Rynor from many days of illness."
"It was the least I could do for him. I did hold him at knife point until I was assured that he was indeed a warrior for the Elvenking."
Nell could see some other warriors enter the flet and start to pull satchels out of their packs. Bandages, herbs, a mortar and pestle, and a flask were passed between the pair.
Hurion arched an eyebrow at Rynor. Rynor shrugged, "She covered her tracks better than any elf I have met before... and she knew I was coming, my boot scraped against the rung of the rope ladder when I got dizzy."
"I see," Hurion said and turned to the other warriors. "Take care of his arm. We need to get moving by tomorrow."
Nell was surprised at his tone. He was clearly a friend to these ellyn, but he spoke with such cold authority.
'It seems like Thranduil's behavior has rubbed off on his subjects,' she thought. She put her knives back and gave the group of soldiers some privacy. She could hear Rynor's hitched breathing as the other elves drew out more venom from the wound and covered it with thick, green paste. She started organizing her pack and looked over her supplies. She had maybe four days left of food if she didn't find anything on her trip. She was out of water. She was running low on herbs and athelas, but she could forage for most of them. It would be hard to find some plants since it was autumn, but she would make do.
She sighed, 'I'm not prepared enough to make it to Imladris. I spent longer than I thought to get here and I haven't been looking for food or water often enough since I hurt my foot.'
Hurion turned back to Elaeanyl as Rynor's arm was being wrapped tightly in fresh bandages, "Rynor has told me that you are travelling to Imladris. Due to your kindness to Rynor, I will offer you safe passage back to King Thranduil's court, where you will be able to join a pilgrimage through the forest to Imladris."
Elaeanyl frowned, Hurion's offer was well intended and she understood why they couldn't escort here from here, but the journey to the palace and back would add at least four full days to her travels.
"I understand that this plan adds time to your journey; however, we have swift horses and plan to be at the palace by tomorrow night if you don't mind travelling overnight," Hurion offered.
'That changes some things,' Elaeanyl thought.
By her understanding, she had at least six more days to the western border of the forest on foot, but if she had a horse, it would take her the same amount of time to return to the palace and go to the edge of the forest on horse. Plus, she would be able to restock her provisions and not chance running out of something during the journey directly to Imladris.
"While it may add time to my journey, I will go with you, for I have injured my foot and would be much slower walking. I appreciate your generosity, hannon le."
Hurion nodded, "We will leave as soon as you are ready. We've added an entire day searching for Rynor and our replacements are probably wondering where we are by now."
"I will be down soon," Elaeanyl said. She turned away from the blond elf and started to fold her blanket before placing it neatly in her pack. She tied her boots, her left foot still protested, but it wasn't as bad as it was before her rest, and secured her cloak over her shoulders.
Rynor had left with the healer and his captain, leaving her alone to check the flet for anything she forgot to pack. Once she was certain she didn't leave any of her possessions in the flet, she started down the rope ladder.
The warriors had attached a long rope from the ladder's last rung. It hung down and scraped across the green covered ground as she descended. This was much easier than climbing the tree.
There were about a dozen warriors mounted on horses in the clearing. An additional five or so were standing nearby, pointing at maps. Elaeanyl gingerly walked toward Rynor who was speaking softly to a dark mare. Her foot was hurting, but the idea of being off it and riding horseback again made her forget about most of the pain.
"My lady, this is Hwinia," he introduced to the calm mare. Elaeanyl approached the mare, whispering words of welcome to the mare. She smiled as the horse nudged her hand with her muzzle.
"We don't have any spare horses with us. Gwalahir took an arrow a few days ago and isn't fit to ride. Do you mind riding double?"
Nell didn't like it, but she wasn't about to make two larger ellyn ride double so she could ride solo. It was easier on the horse if the riders were lighter.
"I don't mind," Nell told the ellon and she ran her fingers through the horse's soft mane. Hwinia nickered in appreciation.
"She likes you," Rynor said as he started to attach her pack to the pack horse. She had kept her blades on her back and her dagger in her right boot, but she felt bare without her pack.
"We are leaving soon; do you need any help mounting her?" Rynor asked as he easily climbed onto the large horse.
"No, I shall manage, thank you." She said and easily climbed onto the horse's back. The feeling was wonderful; to be horseback again was something that she hadn't experienced since her first life. She never had the experience in her childhood or young adulthood in England. It was only changed by sitting behind an ellon she had only met recently.
She had kept her hands to herself for the most part. She could feel the warmth coming from Rynor and smell the forest on his cloak and hair, but she did her best to ignore the sensations.
Hurion soon called for the group to move out, following a small trodden path through the forest. They moved slowly at first, but they soon came upon a larger, flatter path that cut through tall trees. At the path some of the warriors took a left to head southward to join up with another patrol unit, everyone else, including Hurion, Rynor, and Elaeanyl turned right, where the path slowly slanted East to the palace. The group picked up their pace and Elaeanyl felt the cool wind whipping through her hair and blowing her golden waves around her face in disarray.
The path wasn't the smoothest in places and she had taken to wrapping her arms lightly around Rynor's abdomen so that she didn't slide around or hurt Hwinia. His hair was blowing into her face, but she did her best to ignore it. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this close with any male. She blushed at the thought.
'Aye, Nell, get a hold of yourself. It's just a horseback ride. You don't even like the guard,' She scolded herself silently.
She settled into the quick pace and looked around her surroundings as they passed by. The Great Greenwood had changed much since she had last walked among its trees. Its forest was darker, much darker now. There were large sections of dead trees that blocked out the light and stood like skeletons among the living. In some places, she saw large spider webs or distant fogs swamping trees and streams, but the riders she was with seemed unfazed by the change in the forest. Many of them had probably lived long enough to witness the gradual invasion of evil. Perhaps they were even born after the forest started to die, but all she remembered of this land was the vast forests, full, thriving and healthy.
She also observed the warriors around her. They were all wearing the clothes of the warriors of the Greenwood that she remembered, green cloaks, brown leggings, and oak leaf cloak pins. She remembered the cloak pins well from the battles she fought side-by-side with the wood elves; they littered the ground of the battlefields where they had torn off their cloaks to fight more freely. She would never forget the view of those pins floating to the tops of the marshes as their owners lay under the murky waters.
She shivered and Rynor turned his head.
"Are you cold, Lady Angelien?" Rynor asked over the wind.
"No, I am well," Nell said quickly, "Le Hannon."
Rynor nodded and turned his head back to the path.
They rode near the center of the group that rode two wide down the overgrown road, Hurion led the group and kept the pace swift as the last of the sun's rays filtered through the forest's canopy. At this pace, they would make it to the palace by nightfall tomorrow, yet she could sense the horses tiring as the hours went on. As the darkness grew thicker, the group stopped and dismounted. Rynor offered her a hand down, which she gratefully accepted. Her legs weren't used to riding and they felt like jelly.
Elaeanyl had forgotten how sore she could get after a full day of riding, but she was reminded of it now as she stretched and walked away Hwinia. Her body wasn't accustomed to horseback riding and she had done no training before she had left England like she had for hiking and walking long distances. She was almost certain she had bruises forming on her thighs and butt that were going to be protesting to the next day's riding.
They were underneath a large flet that was built high in the branches of a healthy, wide sprawling sycamore tree. She followed the other warriors as Rynor led Hwinia to a low hanging branch that had buckets of water and food hanging down. Once the horse had started to eat, and she climbed up the ladder that Hurion lowered when he expertly scaled the tree first.
The flet was large and better kept than the last one she was in. It had hammocks hanging from the high branches and they were gently swinging in the breeze. It also had another stove, barrels of what was probably water and extra supplies that were neatly stacked near the trunk of the tree.
"This is one of the flets that is used most often by patrols. We have been outfitting the nearer flets with basic amenities and supplies. They aren't at risk of being raided like the outer flets are. Most have a set of hammocks, water, wood, kindling, food, medical kits, and some spare clothes," Hurion explained as he handed over her pack.
"Thank you," She said as she threw a strap over her shoulder. "This is a nice camp you have."
"It is the least I can do for a lady," Hurion said, shrugging. "You can have that hammock over there," he said pointing to a hammock away from the rest of the group. "It will give you the most privacy. I have instructed my men to leave you in peace. If they are anything less than courteous, tell me and I will take care of it."
"I doubt that will be a problem," Elaeanyl said as she limped over to her hammock. The fabric was thick and strong, but not abrasive. It would be a comfortable sleep compared to the forest floor and wooden chairs she had been sleeping in since she arrived in Arda.
She had doubted any of the ellyn were going to bother her, but if they did she could take care of it herself. There was no need to get Hurion involved. Besides, she had suspected he had given her his hammock as the captains usually were given accommodations away from the troops the command. It gave everyone a break from one another.
"My Lady," Hurion called.
"Yes, Captain Hurion?" Nell turned.
"I will send our healer, Hebedon, to see to your wounds once everything is settled. I apologize that I didn't have anyone see to you before we left the other flet. We we're vulnerable if we stayed there for much longer."
She smiled, "Thank you. I've been tending to it, but I would appreciate a healer to look at it."
He nodded formally and walked away to a group of his soldiers. Many of the men had already set their quivers and bows near their hammocks, keeping their daggers on them for the night. They had formed groups and were talking and laughing openly now. One of the elves was passing out food wrapped in square cloths. There was some bread, a small jar of jam, some dried fruits and hard cheeses. The groups were also passing around a bag of apples and pears.
Another guard who called himself, Arin, had passed her a bundle of food and offered to refill her water for her, which she accepted with a smile and thanks.
Elaeanyl sat back on a log and started to eat her dinner. The food was a welcome change from the stale bread and overripe fruits and vegetables she had brought with her. It was filling and brought a boost of energy to her weary body.
An auburn haired ellon approached her, carrying a small bag in his slender hands. He smiled as he sat down next to her, "Mae govannen, Angelien, I am Hebedon, the healer for this group of ruffians."
Eleaenyl laughed, "Mae govannen."
"May I take a look at your foot?" He asked politely.
"Of course, please," She said as she unlaced her boot and set it aside, peeled off her sock, and unwound the bandage.
A thick scab had crusted over the initial gash, but here were cracks in the scab where it tore from her walking and moving her feet around as she rode behind Rynor. These cracks had bled openly throughout the day and left bright red blotches on the bandage. The skin surrounding the wound was angry, red, and sore to the touch. Hebedon brought her foot into his lap and started to examine the cut.
"How long ago did this happen?" Hebedon asked as he probed the skin around the cut with his hands.
"I cut it open as I was crossing a river a while ago," She said.
"It isn't healing as quickly as I like to see," Hebedon frowned, before searching in his pack for a bundle of herbs and a stoppered bottle. "Normally, I would have said this should be sutured, but it's already past that stage."
"I thought about it when it happened, but I didn't have time or the tools to do so."
"Did you clean the gash thoroughly?" Hebedon asked as he inspected the reddening skin near the gash.
"I did. I washed it clean until I couldn't see any sand or dirt."
"Good, there is some inflamation and infection, but it should clear up. I'm going to put some herbal paste on it and rewrap it for now," Hebedon grabbed a small mortar and pestle and added some of the herbs and some of the liquid from the bottle. He let it steep for a moment and then mixed it into a thick paste. He used a corner of a clean cloth to smear the paste over the scab and the surrounding skin. At first, the paste burnt, but the heat soon dissipated to a soothing warmth that numbed the skin.
Hebedon quickly wrapped a new bandage on her foot and put a hand on her shoulder, "I want you to avoid walking too much tonight and take some time to rest. I need you to give your body time to heal."
"I will. Thank you, Hebedon." She smiled, as he helped her to her feet.
She carefully walked back to her hammock and bundled her cloak up as a pillow. She gently swung with the breeze until she fell asleep to the sounds of the other elves talking quietly by the stove.
Elaeanyl woke early in the morning hours as the sun was just starting to shine over the horizon. Most of the other elves were still asleep, but Hurion and another were keeping watch for spiders or any orcs troops that had wandered north from the southern paths. She sat up and unfolded her cloak before wrapping it around her shoulders. She smoothed out her clothes and took to tidying her hair that had come loose during her ride yesterday.
"Lady Angelien, we shall ride in fifteen minutes. I was just going to wake the rest and tend to the horses," Hurion announced as the other ellon went around to the others, gently waking them with a nudge each hammock.
The warriors were quickly packing up their items, strapping their weapons onto their backs, and heading down the ladder to the group of horses. Elaeanyl mounted Hwinia behind Rynor again after she added her pack to the packhorse; she waited for Hurion to take his spot at the lead. Rynor nudged Hwinia and she started to walk behind him as the road became wider and the group rode quickly through the trees.
The forest became noticeably lighter and any feeling of darkness left the trees. The sun shone on the road through the leaves. This was the Greenwood the Great which she remembered from the Second Age. Beautiful stone statues lined the paths and small creatures jumped between the branches of the healthy trees. She could hear the faint, melodic singing of the trees as they passed.
"We are about an hour's ride from the palace gates," Rynor said to her as the sun began to fall behind them.
'Thank the Valar,' Elaeanyl thought. They had only stopped twice since the morning to give the horses a break and to eat a small meal.
"When we arrive I will take Hwinia to the stables and then Hurion, you, and I will go to the king's court to introduce you to the diplomatic envoy you will go to Rivendell with."
'Great,' she thought to herself in dread. Visiting the king's court meant she would be confronted with someone who will probably know her true identity. She might be lucky and they won't notice her. She wasn't all that close with Thranduil, but she did spend quite a bit of time with some of his captains and healers.
Any explanation she had could take up to a week, hopefully she could avoid any questions, but if not she hoped they understood her rush to return to Imladris and her brother.
'Hopefully they don't throw me in the dungeons,' she frowned. 'It's doubtful, but it could happen. Thranduil doesn't necessarily like surprises.'
"Thank you, Rynor." She smiled. She could tell Hurion had quickened the pace of the group as they grew closer to the city. She looked over at Rynor with a questioning raised eyebrow.
"Worry not, we are safe now. He just wed a few moons ago and dislikes making his wife wait any longer to see him than what is strictly necessary. In this day, loved ones worry that their husbands, brothers, and sons will not come home after a patrol. It has happened too often since the past centuries." He explained solemnly.
"Do you have a family waiting in the city for you?" She inquired.
"Aye, My adar, naneth and younger sister live in the city," He said, smiling at the thought of his loved ones.
"What of your loved ones? Surely they didn't let you travel about alone?"
"My parents sailed West many centuries ago and my other siblings have sailed since then. I may have a few good friends left there, but I have not been in Imladris for many years." She said honestly. It was true she hadn't seen any of her friends in over three millennia, yet she hadn't seen any during her brief time in the Halls of Mandos. It was possible many of them had sailed to Valinor as it seemed like many of the elves were leaving Arda for the seas.
"I fear that has been the same for many elves since the Watchful Peace," Rynor stated, a haunted look in his eyes. A look that could only have resulted from the loss of a loved one.
They rode in relative silence until they could see the soft lights of the city flickering in the dark. The homes and buildings from the outer city stood tall against a large stone wall. An elaborate gate was located just north of the road they came from.
As they approached, the gate opened and the warriors and Elaeanyl dismounted their horses and lead them to a large stable where a few stable hands took the reins. Hurion told some of his warriors to head home to their families, while the rest followed him deeper into the city, nearer to King Thranduil's Courts with Elaeanyl following, limping slightly at the back of the pack. She had drawn her cloak's hood up to cover her hair and face, in hopes that she could keep her identity to herself as long as possible.
Rynor gave her a suspicious look, but he must have decided not to say anything to the elleth since he turned his attention back to the grand halls of the fortress. Perhaps she just wanted to cover her hair and face until she could properly bathe and style herself was probably what he thought.
Thranduil's courts were magnificent. Fine tapestries lined the walls and many pane-less arches were carved into the stone so that they looked out upon the forest and gardens. Warm hearths were lit in many rooms and many elves were walking quickly through the halls, trying to finish any work before the day was done.
Elaeanyl, led by Rynor and Hurion, entered into a large room with a throne in the center. A tall, imposing ellon sat in the large chair. His face was neutral, yet still commanding attention and obedience. She remembered that face well. They had fought near each other in many battles before his father had died in his foolish advance. Her brother had many war meetings with this ellon, and probably many more meetings since the great wars.
He, perhaps, looked more so like a King than the Prince he had been. He looked more mature, more serious, and more stern than he was when he was a prince.
Thranduil turned his attention to Hurion, "Yes?"
"I am here with news from our latest patrol south, Aran nin," Hurion bowed.
Thranduil nodded at Hurion who stood at attention once again, "Are the orc packs still growing? Have they strayed further north? What of the spiders?"
"We observed the orc packs, they seem to be the same size as before, yet they are attempting to journey northward. We cleared out as much of the forest as we could before we were separated by a nest of spiders," Hurion said.
Thranduil kept his neutral expression, but nodded again, "We appreciate your efforts, Hurion. Tell your company that you all may have a fortnight's leave before returning to training. I expect you to talk with Caelgon before his company leaves. We will have to push the orcs back soon."
"I shall do that in the morning, I fear many of my company are with their wives," Hurion joked. Thranduil's eyes smiled, but his face did not.
"I will meet with Caelgon tomorrow morning and discuss the best tactics to remove the orcs from our lands, Aran nin."
"Good, if you need more warriors, please ask the General. You shall get the resources you request."
"Thank you, Aran nin," Hurion said relieved. He didn't want to bring his troops out to fight an orc pack after granting them leave.
"Now to more important matters, who is this elleth you have brought back with you?" Thranduil inquired, leaning forward slightly. He was clearly intrigued.
Rynor moved from in front of Nell so that the king could get a better look at the outsider.
"Aran nin, this is Lady Angelien, a traveller to Imladris. I found her in one of the outer flets of the forest. We thought it best to return her to safety here," Rynor explained, as he looked over at her. He rolled his eyes and motioned to her to lower her hood.
Nell weighed the options. She wasn't certain Thranduil would remember her. Many elves fought in the wars and many died in the wars. Perhaps the king will have forgotten the few conversations they had over the years.
Reluctantly she swept her cloak's hood back from her face and stood stiffly before the Elvenking. Thranduil stared at her, his eyes piercing and calculating. He stared at her for a long moment before his eyes widened and he turned pale, paler than he already was, and he leaned back into his throne.
His eyes were wide and questioning. The king quickly recovered and he surged down from his throne until he was mere feet away from her. He cautiously stepped forward and raised a hand to touch her shoulder before he composed himself.
Rynor looked confused, Hurion was staring at the king in astonishment, and the other elves in the hall stood silently and observed their king, Elaeanyl just stood there waiting for a verbal reaction from Thranduil.
"But, you died. I… I went to your funeral," Thranduil exclaimed, eyes wide in wonder and confusion. She could see the horror there too. She had been to so many funerals after the first battles. So many dead elves and men littered the rocky ground after each battle. So much death, destruction, and loss reigned over so many years of her life. She pitied him because she knew exactly what it felt like to go through that.
She could feel his eyes searching her face and body, waiting for her to show signs of magic. Waiting for her to prove that she was a ghost or a vision sent to him in order to weaken him and drive him to insanity.
Elaeanyl took a breath and prepared herself for the truth.
"Hello, Aran nin," Nell broke the silence.
"You're dead." He said darkly. He was suspicious.
"Yes, I did die. Yet, like my brother, the Valar had different plans for me. I was reborn and have come back to fight for Arda again." Elaeanyl explained quietly to the suspicious king. Rynor looked helplessly confused, Hurion looked betrayed, and Thranduil ran a hand through his hair, lost for words.
"It cannot be," Thranduil denied.
Nell took a risk and rested her palm against the Elvenking's shoulder. He jerked away, but then noticed that he could feel her touch. She was real.
"I do not understand, like you, why I was granted a second life or why I was sent to the outskirts of your kingdom. However, I do know there was a reason for it," Nell confessed in honesty.
An awkward silence fell in the throne room. Finally, Hurion spoke up.
"Forgive me, but I don't understand. Angelien, what do you mean you died? Surely you didn't."
Elaeanyl almost laughed at the confused look on Hurion's face, "Please forgive me, Hurion. I was lying about my identity and why I was in the forest. I did it so that my journey would be easier." She said.
Hurion glared at her, "You should have told us the truth. We trusted you."
His face was flushed in anger and betrayal as he spoke coldly at her.
"Would you have believed me if I told you the truth?" Nell reasoned with him. "You couldn't expect me to tell you, 'I am a dead warrior from the Second Age. I came back from the Halls of Mandos, do you mind escorting me back to civilization.' Do you?"
He thought on it and shook his head, "I suppose I wouldn't have, but I still dislike your deception."
'This is going to be a long night,' Nell thought.
"I was born Lady Elaeanyl of the House of the Golden Flower in the First Age. I fought in the wars of the Second Age with my brother," She said, answering Hurion's question. They had let her leave the throne room, but now she sat on a hard chair in a cold room with the King, Hurion, and more ellyn she didn't recognize.
"How did you come to be here?" A shorter ellon asked from across the table from her.
"During the War of the Last Alliance the Witchking struck me while we were in battle. He fled the field, but I died a few days later. I spent some time in the Halls of Mandos and was reborn in a different age," Nell said simply. She could see the mixture of awe, concern, and pain in the ellyn's faces. Some hadn't experience the horrors of the war and remembered the heroes and warriors in awe. Some had remembered how terrible wounds from the Nine were. While they weren't necessarily mortal wounds, their poison and darkness would tear a fea until it caused death. Some of the ellyn fought in the wars and just speaking of it made them relive their worst nightmares. Those ellyn looked on in pain as her story brought them back three thousand years.
"What do you mean a different age, Lady Elaeanyl?" Thranduil asked, intrigued. He clearly believed her more than many of the other elves in the room.
"I was reborn in a world without elves or dwarves. There weren't even dwarves. Only men."
"Where did the elves go?" Someone cut her off.
"I don't know. Elves were seen as myths, but I believe they were once present in this world since I was raised by the wife of a Dunadan who had fallen in a great battle before I was born."
"Why were you not reborn in Arda?"
"I do not know. The men of the age I was born into had become learned. Their machines were more advanced than anything I have seen in Arda. It was almost like magic was making some of them work. They had great knowledge of healing, agriculture, and engineering. I believe that is why I was sent back."
"I will not question the wisdom of the Valar," Thranduil said and his advisors and warriors must have taken that as a warning since they stopped questioning her about why the Valar had done what they did.
"The Valar brought me back to Arda just a few weeks ago. I awoke in Ered Mithrin and started my journey south to Imladris, but you found me in the northern part of the Greenwood and brought me here," She finished explaining as quickly as she could. Brevity is best with these kinds of things.
"So, you're telling me that the sister of Glorfindel, who died in battle against the Witchking, has been reborn and has travelled with me for two days now?" Rynor asked from the corner of the room.
She nodded guiltily. She did feel terrible about lying to Rynor, Hurion, and the rest of the company. It was a necessary action, but she didn't feel good about betraying their trust.
"Well, Lady Elaeanyl, I must say your attendance is a surprise to everyone here in the Greenwood, but I shall do my best to give you any accommodations you require as well as a safe, quick return to Imladris." Thranduil began. That was a surprise. She hadn't expected that from Thranduil. She had expected him to keep her in the fortress and forbid her to leave until they would figure out her purpose in Arda.
"While, I cannot spare many warriors from the forest to escort you, I have received word from Lord Elrond that he is sending an envoy here to discuss an important task that needs to be done. They should be arriving within the next week. You are welcome to stay until then," Thranduil offered as he walked her back throne room and out of the cold room.
A week, he has to be joking. That was a lot of valuable time she would be wasting to get back home.
"Hir nin, I don't wish to offend your offer, but I fear I do not have a week to spend. I don't require an escort. If I could just borrow a horse and some supplies, I will head out at dawn. I will send the horse back at when I reach the edges of the forest," Elaeanyl said as politely as she could.
"You do not offend me, Lady Elaeanyl. I understand the feeling of a fëa that has been separated from a loved one for many years… and call me Thranduil, we have fought battles together, I do not wish for you to see me as anyone but an old acquaintance," he said, grief flashing in his eyes before quickly leaving again as he thought of the loved one he had lost. She had noticed that the throne room had only one chair. His wife must have passed on or sailed.
"You have been blessed by the Valar themselves, my lady, I will not let you see me as your superior," Thranduil added when she started to protest.
She nodded and gave the elf a small smile.
"Thranduil, please call me Elaeanyl, or Nell. I am not a Lady anymore."
"If you wish," Thranduil agreed.
"Thranduil, I must make my way to Imladris. I long to see my old home and I need to see my brother and my friends. Please," Nell asked the king again.
"Nell, I fear you do not understand me. Over the past millennia, Lord Elrond has been sending your brother on an increasing number of diplomatic visits here. He thinks he can reason with me more." Thranduil said dryly. Obviously Thranduil could see through Elrond's and her brother's attempts at drawing the elves of the Greenwood back into a formal alliance with Imladris.
"I expect your brother will be arriving here before you can make your way back to Elrond's home."
Joy spiked through Elaeanyl, there was a chance Glorfindel was on his way through the Greenwood as they spoke. She was unsure if she wanted to wait for the envoy to show up before leaving, but she also didn't want to risk missing the party on a different road if Glorfindel, was indeed, travelling with them.
After careful consideration, she came to a decision.
"Thranduil, I will accept your generosity and wait for the emissaries to arrive. I will return home with them."
He nodded, "Rynor, please lead Lady Elaeanyl to Lord Glorfindel's preferred suite. I will arrange for one of the other palace workers to see to any of her needs starting tomorrow morning. Hurion, please go home and rest."
"Yes, Hir nin," Rynor bowed, before leading Elaeanyl out of the opulent room.
Rynor was quiet as he carried her pack down long halls. Elaeanyl could sense that he was disappointed she didn't tell him her real identity.
"Rynor, I'm sorry I didn't tell you who I was. I didn't want to be treated differently."
Rynor nodded and kept walking in silence. He stopped outside a set of doors in an airy hallway.
"This is the suite your brother stays in when he comes as an emissary for Lord Elrond," Rynor said, pushing the door open.
The suite was modest compared to the throne room and royal halls, yet it was still comfortable. It had a small fireplace with a painting of Imladris above it. The windows on the far wall looked out over the city and the forest. Lights flickered from lamps in the city and the stars shone down over the forest. The bed was built from beautiful wood and had a soft looking quilt. There was another door which Rynor said lead to her tub room.
"Thank you, Rynor. I will be fine for the rest of the night, please, return to your family. I'm sure they're anxious to greet you."
"I am just doing as my king instructed," Rynor said before leaving, the door clicking shut behind him.
Nell felt disappointed in herself for not being truthful with Rynor and Hurion, but she knew she had made the right decision. She took one more look around her brother's rooms and thought a nice night by the fire was well earned.
Elaeanyl sank tiredly into one of the armchairs by the fire, pulled off her boots, and unclasped her cloak. She was exhausted. Riding almost nonstop for two full days had taken a lot out of her. Her legs were tired and sore, yet the exertion felt fantastic. It was yet another reminder that she was amongst her kin again.
After a few minutes of rest she sighed, hauled herself out of the chair and went to the tub room. There weren't any taps, just a bucket and a cold stream that the elves had engineered to flow down through the fortress somehow. She added the water to the tub until there was enough for her to bathe properly in. The water was bitterly cold, but she quickly finished washing off the dust and mud from her skin and hair.
Drying off she entered the main room again. She took her belongings out of her pack and set them neatly in the drawers of the armoire that was standing in the corner. She didn't have any clean tunics or leggings left after her time travelling. She decided to peek inside and saw a row of soft tunics, all too large to fit her.
She shrugged and took the softest looking tunic out of the armoire and instantly knew it belonged to her brother. She smiled and slipped it over her head. It flowed down past her knees and was baggy around her thin frame.
She looked in the mirror and nearly laughed. She looked like she was an elfling again and had grabbed her dad's tunic or one of her brother's cotes to play or train in. Her mother had disapproved of it, but dresses were impractical for training. She had always reminded her mother that the ellith in the guard wore longer tunics and leggings instead of dresses when they were on patrol or training, and her mother had eventually stopped chastising her for wearing the typically male clothing.
She took one last look at herself in the mirror and turned back to her belongings. She combed out her hair and blew out the candles. She made her way to the bed and slid underneath the soft covers on the bed. Sleep came quickly as she thought of seeing her family again.
Elaeanyl woke late the next morning. The sun had already risen over the trees and was shining brightly into her rooms. Someone had left her a platter of fruits, breads and jams that she ate happily. She had missed having full meals again. She eventually left her bed and dressed for the day. She didn't have anything to do, other than wait for the group of elves from Imladris to arrive, but she wanted to be active while she waited. She was never any good at being patient.
The first thing she thought to do was to visit a library. She needed to figure out what happened in the world of elves, men, and maybe even dwarves over the past three millennia. She knew Thranduil had experienced a loss of some sort since she last met him in the Second Age, she also knew that the darkness was growing in the forest again.
Just as she was about to leave the suite a raven-haired elleth knocked on the door and entered. "Hello, Lady Elaeanyl. I am Garniel, King Thranduil asked me to take care of anything you need while you are here."
"Mae Govannen, Garniel. I fear I don't have much that needs to be done, but you are welcome to stay with me during the days if you wish. I fear I don't know my way around the palace very well and I would like to visit the library."
"I can arrange for that. Though first, the king requests I take you to the tailors to get you some new clothes. Yours seem to be in an awful state from your journey through the forest."
Elaeanyl rolled her eyes; Thranduil had always been slightly vain about his clothing. "I suppose we can do that first."
Garniel covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying not to laugh, "Follow me, Lady Elaeanyl."
"Just call me Elaeanyl or Nell," She said as she followed Garniel out the door.
As they walked through the halls, Elaeanyl got some suspicious and questioning looks from the palace workers, but also some advisors. She wasn't really dressed as a Lady from the courts in her stained leggings and plain, boxy tunic. She ignored them as Garniel lead her down a flight of steps and out into the city.
The city was busy; elves were walking quickly around, buying and selling goods. It was a large change from last night where most of the inhabitants were in their homes. The markets were slightly noisy and she could hear the laughter of a few elflings as they weaved the way through the city streets.
"The seamstress is just through that door. If you want I will stay with you, but if not I have some shopping I would like to do at the market."
"Oh, no, Garniel, go do your shopping I will be fine in here by myself. I shall meet you at the palace steps when I am done," She said, shooing Garniel back to the market.
Garniel smiled and walked away. Elaeanyl walked into the seamstress's shop. Yards upon yards of fabrics were set out on tables being measured and cut by a few busy elves. A beautiful elf came up to her, "I was told a guest of the King was arriving today to get some new travelling clothes made up, I assume that is you."
Elaeanyl smiled, "That is me." Travelling clothes… that meant no dresses. She smiled, dresses were impractical for travelling. She loved a few beautiful gowns when she was going to feasts and dances, and she didn't mind dresses when she spent her days leisurely around Imladris, but riding horses, hiking, or fighting in a dress was impractical and dangerous.
The seamstress took her measurements and her preferences of fabric and cuts and marked them down a piece of parchment.
"I will have your pieces done soon," She said to Elaeanyl.
"Hannon le, if I may ask who is paying you for this?" She inquired.
"The King has taken care of all of the expenses. He often provides all that advisors and emissaries need when visiting."
Of course he had, she would find a way to repay Thranduil's generosity by the time she left the Greenwood.
She smiled goodbye to the seamstress and started her way back to the palace. Garniel was waiting patiently by the steps with a sack of goods in her hands. She smiled at Elaeanyl, "I will lead you to library, please ask any questions on our way. I'm sure this is all very new and you have many."
"Hannon le, Garniel," Elaeanyl said, following the other elleth through the large hallways until they came upon a grand room. It had high ceilings, large windows, and bookshelves that ran from floor to ceiling, filled with tomes. There were desks settled near the windows were others sat reading or writing on parchment.
"It is beautiful," She said.
"It's one of my favourite rooms in all the city," Garniel admitted, looking at the books. "Is there a specific book you are looking for?"
"No, thank you. You may go back to your normal tasks. I can find my way back to my rooms from here and I am planning on spending most of the day here."
Garniel nodded, "I will have someone from the kitchens send you your meals here then." She took a final look around the room before leaving down the hallway again.
Elaeanyl looked around the library and headed toward the newest looking books. It took her a few minutes before she found a comprehensive history of the third age. She sat in one of the chairs by the windows and opened it to the beginning.
Over the day she learnt of the outcome of the Great War of the Second Age, about Isildur and the ring, about the watchful peace, and about the dragon of Erebor. By lunchtime she was about halfway through the watchful peace, by dinner she had only reached the beginnings of the darkness's reappearance. The sun set and the room became darker, she was one of the few elves left in the room. Candles on the desks were lit to give more light for scholars who would work far into the night.
Nell stood up when the sun had sunk below the tree line. She was sore from sitting in the same position all day, leaning over a large tome, but she stretched, and her muscles felt better. Her eyes were tired and her head hurt, but she still had a few hours before she had to retire to her rooms.
She saw the head of the library sorting out tomes and approached him, "Excuse me, would it be possible to borrow this book overnight?"
He frowned, "I suppose so. I will need to know your name and where you reside in case I need to collect the book before you return it though."
"Good. My name is Elaeanyl. I don't know my exact residence, but you will be able to reach me in Lord Glorfindel's usual suites."
The elf raised an eyebrow at her temporary rooms, but nodded, marking down her name, rooms, and the title of the book. Surely some rumor of her had started to spread around the city. She just hoped it was a good rumor and not that she was Glorfindel's concubine, a dark witch, or something equally disturbing.
She left the library and eventually found her way through the winding halls back to her rooms. Someone had come in and lit a fire in her fireplace, making the room warm and cozy. She lit a small candle to read with and sat in the comfortable chair near the fire. She opened the book again and kept reading about the spread of the darkness, the increasing orc attacks, and the necromancer's rise to power.
She learnt that many of her friends had lost loved ones over the past few centuries. Thranduil had lost his wife, as had Lord Elrond, to orc attacks. One of her close friends from the last war died at Erebor fighting the darkness there.
She finished to book, set it on the table next to her chair and walked over the bed. She changed and curled up under the sheets; a single line of tears sneaked out her eye and ran down her cheek into the pillow. Those elves didn't deserve the fate they were given. Their families didn't deserve to lose their loved one like that in such a horrible way.
Slowly, she fell asleep and left the grieving for the morning.