- Chapter 29 -
Shyloh flipped the page of the book she was reading as she sat in front of the fireplace in her room. Her eyes were skimming the words but she wasn't exactly reading. The maids were bustling about, talking between themselves as they replaced her bed sheets and tidied up her rooms. Typically she grew bored with their gossip and attempted to occupy her mind on something else; especially since most of the gossip they chatted about revolved around other ladies or maids, only spreading rumors Shyloh was sure were false. She briefly wondered how many rumors they spread about her.
There was a charge in the air that made her skin tingle but she had no explanation for it; as if the atmosphere had done a complete one eighty. The halls outside were buzzing but when she asked the maids about it they ignored her as usual and of course the guard at the door was no help, so she sank down in her chair and flipped open her book. Pretending to read was harder than it looked, so she flipped the page again and did her best to skim the text. Sometimes the maids chatter centered around jobs that took them away from important work, for instance: tending to Shyloh's 'needs.'
Irritation bubbled up inside her. If there was one thing she couldn't wait to be rid of it would be their exhausting attitudes. She didn't say anything for fear of their 'hard work' appearing unappreciated. The last time she asked for clean towels she'd received an eye roll and a loud huff. Ten minutes later, the maid returned with a single fresh towel and cloth instead of the usual pile. If she said something, surely they would only treat her worse, but honestly she didn't know how much more of their nastiness she could take.
Sighing as quietly as she could, she was decidedly ready to leave for home. Yup, being a ward of the King definitely did not come with any benefits. They might as well toss her into one of the cells down below. She figured it couldn't be any worse than the attention she received here.
However, the last few days hadn't proven all bad. Thanks to Galdiron, she was allowed to visit the library and even worked alongside him a little in the healing wards. The other healers weren't sure about her and kept their distance, but that was about as exciting as her life was at the moment. The books helped occupy her mind away from her ever growing fear for the dwarves. What were they doing? Were they okay? Were they even alive? What about Smaug?
No news was good news...right?
Today, she strained her ears as much as possible for anything that might give her some peace of mind. Or, at least give her some sort of idea as to what was happening in the Woodland Realm. Aside from the usual, 'she did this,' and 'she did that,' it was mostly useless gossip about other maids or Ladies of the court like normal. Just as she was starting to give up hope, the conversation changed again and she practically froze. She missed the first part of the conversation much to her disappointment but listened closely at the rest. Her back was turned to the maids, so she couldn't tell who was speaking.
"...and of course the King wouldn't allow it because the borders are closed. He told her the King is in an absolutely foul mood lately but wouldn't tell her why."
"That's because Ernil Legolas still has not come back," maid two said hotly. "Lady Lastril told Farril that he went after Tauriel. Apparently she went off into the woods but no one said why."
"Tauriel?"
"You know, one of the captains of the guard. She's usually his shadow," hinted maid two.
"Her? What on earth could he possibly see in her?"
Maid two sighed dramatically. "How should I know? She might be pretty, but she's stiff as a board."
One snickered. "Did he not take his troop with? I was sure I saw Sidhel and Nodron yesterday, and I thought they were part of his company?"
"He went alone."
"How romantic," One said dryly. "I thought he and Lady Norien had eyes for each other?"
Maid two snickered. "More like she has eyes for him. She's much too low class for our Prince."
"Indeed," maid one sighed. "Lady Lastril on the other hand would be perfect for him."
A harsh laugh. "Lady Lastril would certainly do whatever it takes to sink her claws into him. She's eyed him up for years."
"And yet he hardly gives her the time of day."
"Oh, he notices her. It's hard not to when she's fawning over him all the time."
"True."
"Farril said that Lady Lastril's father was entering into negotiations with the King about their marriage. He's hoping they'll bond of course."
"Marriage? That maid sure spins more words together than she knows what to do with." One snickered. "Although, Lord Iamben is the type of person to think his precious daughter is deserving of a crown."
"If they bonded that would seal the deal for sure. Could you imagine her as Queen?"
A dramatically heavy sigh filled the air. "Her majesty already thinks of herself as one. Did you see her at Mereth Nuin Giliath? She was positively falling over him."
"He wouldn't dance with her though, did you hear?"
A gasp. "What? Who did he dance with?"
"No one!"
Shyloh flipped a page.
Another gasp. "What did he do, just sit there?"
"Exactly! Just like the King, who of course, never dances obviously."
"Was he ill?"
"Not that I know of, but Galdiron hardly speaks to the other healers about the Royals' affairs. Ever is he loyal to our King and Prince. It's possible he was injured in the forest. After all, they did run into unexpected company."
A hum. "Well," a sigh. "Perhaps his lack of interest could be due to our unwelcomed guests."
Quiet snickers from both followed, and Shyloh felt eyes on the back of her head. Her face flamed and she flicked the page of the book she was reading as if she weren't paying attention; glad that her back was still turned to them.
"The arrival of that entire company would make anyone feel ill," One said just a little louder.
"Dwarves, I mean honestly, they're such foul creatures."
"Yes, I can hardly blame him for not wanting to participate in this years feast much."
More snickers followed and the maids moved into the other room. Their voices were muffled slightly so she had a harder time hearing them, but she occasionally got a drift of more shrill laughs.
"I wish he'd bond with me," one of them sighed. Whether she meant to say it within earshot of Shyloh she did not know but the other maid barked a laugh.
"Please, he doesn't even know you exist."
"But wouldn't that be wonderful? To bond at first sight? How romantic would that be?"
"The King and Queen bonded at first sight."
"To feel that pulsating rush of knowing you belong together? To have that wave flow through you and know you found your soulmate..."
Shyloh's ears suddenly refused to work as an odd ringing filled them. Her heart just gave a horribly wild leap and her blood pulsed cold through her chest. Her breath hitched in her lungs and she felt her limbs start to go numb.
Oh my God...
How stupid she had been.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She'd learned a little about bonding from Lord Elrond during her healing training earlier this year. She knew that bonding at first sight was rare, and that it most commonly occurred after a period of time or after marriage vows were exchanged. To find your soulmate at first look was something she had never in a million years expected to happen.
But had it happened? Did I really bond with him or is it just my imagination? Maybe the air was affecting me like it did the dwarves. Elrond described it as a 'wave' that flowed through your core, is that what he meant? We don't even know each other!
Did he even know? Was that the cause of his mysterious illness at Mereth Nuin Giliath? Thousands of questions ran through her mind but as more laughter erupted from the other room Shyloh slammed her book shut loudly. She heard another reference towards her that was not overly pleasant float between the two maids. Time to put her foot down.
She couldn't take it anymore.
For days she put up with the maids snarky comments towards her; their hideous gossiping and awful attitudes. She had no idea what kind of power she had over them but she had enough!
Rising to her feet she crossed the threshold of her room and before she knew it, she was standing in the doorway of her other rooms. The maids looked up at her and narrowed their eyes, as if they were somehow better than the elleth that glared at them now. She hardly ever used her position or title to her advantage, and her heart was racing in her chest. She looked at them both with the same stone cold glare she gave Legolas when they first met in the clearing and their faces seemed to almost falter at the sight of her anger.
"You'll finish your tasks in silence," she snapped, standing ram rod straight. "I've had enough of your wicked words for one morning. If you are unable to do your jobs properly and with decency I'll be sure to pass that information along to King Thranduil when I speak to him next. I highly doubt he would like to hear that two of his maids are unable to represent his Kingdom in a befitting manor. Perhaps he will assign you to the stables instead; although I fear your abilities are too underrated for even the poor horses that would be succumbed to your care."
The snarky expressions the maids wore dropped instantly and their faces paled at the threat that now hung over their heads. Surely they weren't dim enough to think she was only bluffing about telling the King of their ill behavior, because Shyloh never faltered once while she stared them down. She looked every bit a Princess as she commanded cooperation from the maids, but for a moment she worried they would only laugh at her and go back to their foul gossiping. To her immense surprise, they both dropped into curtsies when it became clear she was expecting a reply.
"Yes, my Lady," they both murmured.
Satisfied, she lifted the hem of her skirt and stalked away back to her chair. She sat as elegantly and poised as possible while the two maids continued their work in silence. They curtsied once more before asking if she needed anything else. With a flick of her hand and a 'no thank you,' she dismissed them.
Damn right I just did that!
What the hell was supposed to happen now? There was no way in blue blazes she was going to believe in love at first sight. She chewed on the inside of her cheek miserably. Stuff like that just didn't exist!
You're in Middle-earth now, don't forget. The voice came like a whisper through her mind and it made her jump. So foreign was the voice that she spun around just to make sure she was indeed alone in her chambers.
He's off chasing some other elleth, she told herself. There's no way he knows about it. Maybe I'm the only one that bonded. Can that be possible? Can only one of us bond? What happens if the other doesn't bond? Are we stuck to them for life? Will there be no hope of moving on from that? Will there be no others?
The thought of dating, much less falling in love, never occurred to Shyloh, even when Haldir and the rest of the Lothlorien party visited a few years ago. Had Elrond and her cousins hoped she'd bond with Haldir? Dating didn't really exist in Middle-earth...and with everything she's been through over the course of her life here in Middle-earth, she never even put much thought into love.
How long she sat there in her seat she didn't know, but that's exactly where Galdiron found her hours later; the book still open to the page she'd been reading when the maids were fluttering around her room. He had to shake her shoulder and when she finally snapped out of her trance she jumped almost a mile high and his face grew tight with concern.
"My Lady are you alright?" he asked, as the book dropped to the ground when she jumped up from her seat.
She ran a hand through her white tresses and her face flamed bright red. "Yes! Yes, I'm fine!" she said quickly as she gathered herself. "I, uh, was just spacing out is all."
He didn't look convinced as he bent down to pick up her book from the ground. He straightened the pages and held it to himself as if she had desecrated it somehow by dropping it. He looked at her carefully and took in her slightly shaky hands, then frowned.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded and forced a smile on her face. "What can I do for you?"
He observed her a moment longer so she gave him an expectant look.
Giving in, he motioned for the chair she just leaped out of and drew another from the corner for himself. Obviously whatever he wanted to talk about required them to sit, so she sank back down and smoothed her skirts. He still held her book possessively as he sat down across from her.
"I have some news to share with you, about your dwarf friends."
Oh shit...
Shyloh looked down at the clothes laid out on her bed the next morning, and then watched the maids exit her room with rigid backs and silent mouths. Once the door snapped behind them, she expelled the breath she was holding in her chest. Resisting the urge to let out a cry of frustration, she closed the distance between herself and the bed and crossed her arms over her middle, scowling.
The deep brown leggings and green tunic of various shades were confirmation enough that she would indeed be traveling with the King's army to Lake-town. How exactly did she get nominated to go?
A heavy weight formed inside her and she turned away from the new clothes. When she imagined her departure from the Woodland Realm, she imagined she'd be headed west, not east, and not with an entire army at her heels. Galdiron didn't say whether or not the dwarves were still alive, which only made her more troubled. Obviously someone was still alive and claimed the mountain, because he did tell her the dragon was dead. A wave of relief flowed through her at the news but it only made her wonder: what kind of price was paid to kill it?
Much to her displeasure, she'd been chosen to be one of Galdiron's aids and would be going as a healer to aid the survivors of Lake-town. Apparently the dragon unleashed his fury on the Lake-men and those that survived were heading to the ruins of Dale for refuge.
Her usual guard was being tripled and it only made her uneasy; as if they were heading into a full out war zone instead of peaceful negotiations.
"Peaceful negotiations my ass," she muttered.
You didn't take a full army with you for 'peaceful negotiations' unless you were worried you'd have to use force to get what you wanted. But, those were the words Galdiron used and she shook her head. Running her fingertips over her bow, she was glad to have it finally returned safe and sound. She wished it had been returned for different reasons, like going home, but she wasn't going to argue. Her original clothes she figured she'd never see again, and it was disappointing.
"Well, at least the maids will be glad to be rid of me," she said to herself. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see the glee in their beady little eyes when they laid out her clothes just now.
She drew a hot bath and made quick work of washing. She had no idea when the next time she'd get to take a bath would be, and this sort of luxury wouldn't be available in a desolate town. Without waiting for her hair to dry completely, she pulled on her new clothes, feeling a little sad that they weren't her old ones. They fit her which was surprising, considering all of her other outfits were a bit large. The dark tan boots were comfortable and nice soft leather and fit her perfectly, too.
In a sense, she was glad to be going because focusing on something else would distract her from her troubled thoughts of bonding. That was, as long as the prince wasn't there.
But what if he is?
Wait! The maids said yesterday he still hadn't returned from chasing after Tauriel, maybe he wouldn't even be there at all! Hope crept into her mind. There was no way she could deal with that right now. She literally just wanted to go home.
Where was Gandalf, and why hadn't he shown up yet? It didn't make any sense, unless he was already at the mountain with the dwarves, in which case, he should have sent for her...right? He wouldn't have left her here, in this place, all alone...
What if he had? What if he knew she was currently a prisoner/ward of the King of the Woodland Realm? It was his idea that she come on this stupid quest in the first place, surely he wouldn't have purposely abandoned her to the hands of the Elvenking...
Shaking her head, she pushed the awful thoughts from her mind. If Gandalf was at the mountain, she'd corner him and force him to talk one way or another. Then, she was going to fashion herself a baseball bat and hit Thorin over the head with it.
Pulling her hair back into a single plait, she pulled it over her shoulder and tied it off, letting it hang there. Her quiver was still missing, but she hoped she'd be given it back once it was time to leave. Her knives she tucked in various places around her, including her boot and on her hip. The sword she buckled over her back just as a knock on the door made her look up.
By now she was used to people entering her room without her leave, so she wasn't surprised when her door opened and a guard entered. She was dressed much like the others, but Shyloh had to admit she was surprised to find another elleth on the guard. Most of the guards she encountered during her time here were males but she supposed if there was one, there certainly must be more.
"My Lady, I have been sent to escort you to the gates, if you are ready?" she said, snapping to attention and bowing her head respectively, the first to do so since her arrival.
"Thank you," she said as she double checked to make sure she had everything, and then grabbed her bow off the bed. She wasn't exactly leaving anything behind except an empty room.
It was not a room she would miss.
The second she left the confines of her room, five guards flanked her while the elleth guard led the way. She briefly recognized Sidhel from the Prince's guard and he gave her a reserved look.
"My Lady," he said quietly with a nod of his head as he fell into step with her on her left shoulder. She gave him a curt nod but said nothing as they walked.
She felt awkward walking next to him and quickly noticed he wasn't as chipper as he had been at the feast. Perhaps he was always so quiet and rigid when he wasn't drinking and she resisted the urge to groan out loud with annoyance. Of course, he'd only been doing his job then too.
She didn't recognize the elf on her left immediately but then realized he was the one who so nicely pointed the arrow at her chest back in the clearing.
Wonderful...
How ironic it was, that the elves that arrested her and her companions were now assigned as her personal guards. Had the elleth that walked in front of her been there too? Shyloh couldn't remember.
She squared her shoulders and tried to walk as confidently as possible next to the tall warriors.
Her nerves kicked in while she followed her guards to the gates. Much to her relief, she didn't spot the guards that dragged her from her room in her company, and thanked her lucky stars for that. Briefly she wondered what happened to them - if anything happened at all - but the thought was pushed from her head when she spotted the king already standing with members of his guard. Galdiron was there too, with the two other healers flanking him as he double checked their supplies wagon. Seeming satisfied, he gave a final nod and they drew a heavy tarp over it to keep the elements out.
He caught her eye as she approached and turned to meet her. The other healers narrowed their eyes at her approach, and eyeballed the weapons hanging from her back. One of them seemed to shrink back a little, as if she posed some sort of threat, and Shyloh only pressed her lips together. None of them she noticed, had bows or weapons of any kind.
"My Lady, so glad you could join us," he said with a little bow and she tried to smile in return.
"I'm happy to help," she said, trying wholeheartedly to mean it.
Her eyes floated over the many heads of their company and then she found herself frowning. There couldn't have been more than two hundred or so riders gathered in the hall. Following her gaze and sensing her confusion, Galdiron leaned in close to her.
"The army itself has already moved out. They began their march yesterday morning. They will arrive first before the King and set up a perimeter and secure the city. We will arrive shortly after them, as we will have the supply wagons for the survivors following us."
She nodded, but then her elleth guard pulled her attention away from the healers' wagon.
"My Lady, you are expected at the front of the column. A horse has been prepared for you."
Nodding again, she turned to the elleth. "Lead the way."
The horse that waited for her was a tall, leggy bay mare with a neck that arched proudly. Her black mane and tail lifted on the gentle breeze that floated through the cavern like wisps of fine silk. She turned her chocolate brown eyes on Shyloh and her nose shuddered with a nicker. Holding out her hand, Shyloh let the mare sniff her palm inquisitively before running her fingers over the mare's delicate face. The white star between her eyes was bright and shaped like a diamond, but most of her forelock draped over it and she ran her fingers through the fine tendrils.
"Hey pretty girl," she said softly and the mare's long black tipped ears swiveled towards the sound of her voice.
The stable hand held the reins in his hand but he stared at Shyloh with wide, curious eyes. When she caught him looking, he blushed furiously and turned his attention back to the horse. Slightly annoyed, she checked the girth for good measure then stood and waited for the king to mount first, as was proper.
"My Lady," an approaching guard said as he stopped before her. "These are for you." He handed her her quiver and she took it eagerly, and she couldn't deny she wondered if she'd ever get it back.
It was filled with new arrows and she looked them over carefully, much like Glorfindel taught her to do. Satisfied, she thanked the ellon and he gave a curt nod before departing. Drawing her newly returned quiver over her head, she settled the straps on her shoulder so it sat just right over her back. She felt Sidhel's eyes watch her but she ignored him as she pulled her long braid over her shoulder and let it drape down her front. The white stuck out bright and brilliant against the dark colors of her outfit.
Her eyes flickered to the king as her guards' horses were brought to them, and they waited while the king stood at the very head of the column, head bent forward as he talked to three other elves. Two of them were dressed similarly in battle gear, except the King's armor stood out more brilliant than anyone elses. The silver of his hair stuck out against the deep charcoal grey cloak fastened around his shoulders. The silver circlet gleamed against his furrowed forehead. The ellyn he spoke to didn't look overly happy, and one in particular flicked his eyes to her suddenly. He caught her watching and sent her a glare before turning back to the king.
A shiver crept down her arms so she looked away and while they waited for the command to mount up, her eyes swept the crowd behind her. Aside from the king, there were no other familiar heads of silvery blond hair. She didn't know if she was relieved or disappointed that he wasn't amid the throng of soldiers that would be heading towards Erebor, but maybe that would be for the best. If he wasn't there, she would be able to fully concentrate on whatever lay ahead in Dale and the survivors that awaited their aid, and not other troubles that weighed on her mind.
When she turned back around, the king was still talking to the elves so she leaned in close to Sidhel.
"Who are they?" she asked quietly, and he followed her gaze to the king.
"They are the King's council members," he said just as quietly.
"Yes, I know that, but who are they exactly?" she prodded, and he looked back to the King's councilors.
"The one on the King's left with the lighter hair is Lord Erist, he's the head adviser to the King. He will stay behind in the King's stead to look after the Realm. The dark haired one is Lord Iamben. The third is Ristedir; he's the marchwarden for the eastern borders."
Her mouth twitched a little when she looked back at Iamben's dark head. Again, his eyes flickered to her but she pretended not to notice and looked away as quickly as possible. She didn't even know him, but already she could feel the dislike in his gaze.
"Will the other two be coming with?" she asked, but figured she already knew the answer to that question based on how Lord Iamben and Restedir were dressed.
"Yes," said Sidhel.
Finally, at long last, the king turned away looking slightly irate and mounted up, giving the signal for the entire host to do the same.
What's life without a little drama? Thank you ro781727 for informing me of certain mistakes that probably drove some of you crazy while reading my earlier chapters. They've been fixed! Auto correct can be a real pain sometimes ;)
Thank you for the wonderful reviews and for reading along as always!
-S
