"Mae govannen, Ithildin Brethilmin," he said.
Ithildin was startled. She had never met this strange elf; how did he know so much about her? He welcomed her in the Elvish tongue, thus implying that he knew much about her.
"Anírion iston le," she replied, quite boldly.
The elf laughed. "We are the guards of Mirkwood. I am Iorkann, the chief guardian of the woods."
"How do you know me?" she asked in surprise.
"We have listened to you for many days now. At first, we were quite willing to shoot first and ask questions later, for we take no chances with strangers in our land. But we became quite taken with your voice and the creatures of the woods bade us give you a chance. However, we cannot allow you to journey further, for now you must be taken to our king, Thranduil. Come, it is not an easy path, for the way to Thranduil's palace is hidden from outsiders."
They walked off the path and into the forest. The trees began to thin as they walked further east and the late afternoon sunlight poured through above. At one point, they had to journey by boat across a small pond. "Do not touch the water, for it is an enchanted stream," warned Iorkann. When they reached the other side, they continued on foot until finally, they reached a river. There was a great bridge built across it and it was the only way to cross the river. On the other side were large gates and enclosed within those gates was the palace of Thranduil. The entrance led into a vast mountain and much of the passages were like well-polished caves. Ithildin became quite confused by the winding and twisting passages and was grateful to be led by Iorkann. After much walking, they entered a great hall with pillars carved out of stone and walls glittering with jewels. There, on a throne of carven wood sat Thranduil, King of Mirkwood.
He was an old and wise elf and much beloved by his people. His face was fairer beyond the description of our language, his hair golden as pale sunlight and atop his head was a crown of woodland flowers. He regarded Ithildin with much interest for something in his wise heart foretold that she would have much to do with his realm.
"What brings you to my kingdom?" asked Thranduil.
Ithildin bowed, as was the custom when addressing a king. "I bring only a peaceful heart and good intentions. I have journeyed far and met many creatures, both good and evil and seen places that were beautiful and places that were ugly. I have the favor of the Lady of the Wood, if you doubt my words. But through my many adventures, I have carried with me only a single desire: To find a place I may call my home and love it with as much love as can be possible."
At that Thranduil smiled, for he knew all to well how it felt to love one's home. "We do not doubt your words, Lady of Silver Moonlight. My subjects, who are invisible to strangers, have told me much about you. You come from a land that is almost forgotten. I see in your face that the shadows of the East have not left you untouched, but you have defeated it for now. Come now, my men will take you to a room where you may rest and tonight, we shall have a feast in your honour. For it is rare that we entertain outsiders, but I sense that you will bring nothing but happiness to my kingdom. It is a pity that my son, Legolas is away on business, for he would be most delighted to meet you. Ah, well, we shall have to make do without him."
With that, Ithildin was escorted by two elves and led through many more twisting corridors, to a room that was not small and was not large, and had a fireplace in the center wrought of stone and coal. Soon, more elves came in with warm, thick blankets for her bed and clean clothes for her to wear. They also gave her a crown of white rosebuds to wear upon her silver hair and a necklace of woodland flowers such as Thranduil wore. They were kind and interested in her stories. When it was time for the feast, they led her out of the palace and across the river, into the forest once again where there was much merrymaking for the rest of the evening.