DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters except Aliya, Kendre and Pelanar…
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LEGOLAS
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As I watched Kendre, I could see the proud look on her face at the feast she had prepared. It was beautiful indeed. The dining hall was decorated with deep greens and blues. The candles had been dyed and the tables and chairs draped with fabric.

I waited with my father at the high table for Aliya. And I did not have to wait long, for it was only a few moments before I spotted her, in all her splendor, moving through the crowd towards me.



Her gown that night was made of white with an over-cloak of silver. Her hair was set high up in a silver headdress, leaving only a few locks down. She walked tonight with a confidence I had only seen her show a few times before. She moved with the grace of a queen, and her face wore a smile that I had never seen before. Tonight, and never before, she looked happy.



"Good evening, Ali…" I said to her.



"Good evening to you as well, my Lord Legolas, and my King Thranduil…" she said, addressing both me and Father before sitting down.



Kendre came to join us soon after. Her hair was done, like Aliya's, up in a braid encircling her head, studded with sapphires to match her deep blue dress, her eyes sparkled with merriment and her smile was smug and content.

"Everything is going smoothly…" she announced to Father, myself, and Aliya. And it was true. The whole of the palace had come to our small festival and Father was pleased with Kendre's work.



Moments later, everybody was seated, and the food was served. Placed in front of us were bowls of vegetables and fruits, boiled meats and baked fish, breads were broken and sweet butter adorned all. It was truly a kingly feast.



"This is delicious!" I heard Aliya exclaim to a beaming Kendre. I agreed, and it only got better as the night went on. A number of singers and musicians had lightened the atmosphere, but as dessert was served, it was time for my Father to hear the petitioners.



Every year, my Father heard the pleas of a few local villagers and answered them. It was mainly for show, to represent that he still ruled fairly over all, because, in truth, the petitioners could be answered by any of his Captains or Dukes.



I listened politely while eating from the array of sweet cakes and candied fruits layed out before me, I had even taken a glass of Elderwine, which I rarely did.



I noticed Aliya had taken a glass as well, she looked at me and shot me a look of joy. I smiled back even though I was bored. I could tell just being here, with us, made her ecstatic.


It was only as the forth, and final petition came in, that things took a turn for the worse.

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ALIYA
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I watched with amusement as Legolas ate his food with utter boredness. He occasionally smiled and looked at me or his father, but I could tell he was eager for the feast to end. So was I, in truth, but it was such a joyous event, that I could not bear to lose the moment.

It was only as the last petitioners entered the hall did I look up, and with that, all the happiness I had felt in the last two hours left my heart, and instead, a bitterness, a hate so intense it took my breath away, filled its place.


"My name is Thayne…My Lord and King…" The petitioner said in a weary voice, "And this is my son, Valaë…"



Legolas and Kendre both shot me looks of horror and Legolas took the goblet from my hand, lest I drop it. My eyes filled with tears once again and I felt Legolas grip my hand under the table.

He leaned over to me, and in just barely a whisper said, "Aliya… be strong… be brave… and not a word"


I could tell that The King recognized the name, for it took him a moment to answer.



"And what do you come here for, Thayne?" he asked, his voice layered with a false kindness I had never heard before. The way he said my father's name had a tenseness to it.



"My Lord," said my father to the King, "3 years ago a band of Orcs raided my Village. I and my son escaped by the pure luck of being away at the time, but I am sad to say, everyone else was killed. For 3 years we wandered, seeking to find shelter in other towns and villages, but alas, there seemed to be no refuge for us. We come here seeking only some shelter, for we can find none elsewhere."



"I do not know if I can grant you this, Thayne… For I fear you are wanted for the crime of betrayal and torture, and for that I am placing you both under arrest!" The King said, and with a swift hand motion, summoned guards to my father and brother's side. The hall went quiet and everybody watched intently.



"My Lord! This cannot be true!" Thayne said in alarm, "I... we never…"


My brother looked around in fear, not meeting the King's eyes nor his father's.



"Why don't we ask the Lady Aliya for her account of the incident…" the King said, looking to me. I swallowed my tears and I felt Legolas's hands grip mine all the tighter. I felt him pour his own strength into me. I felt him give over his power to me.



I stood up, my eyes showing no pity whatsoever. My father stared at me in disbelief. How could I, this young woman, dressed in fine white silk, be his forgotten daughter? My brother stared at me in pleading, but I felt no shame for him either, he had abandoned me just as my father had.



"My Daughter…" he said, his disbelief turning to anger, "Aliya…"



"I am no daughter to you!" I shrieked, trying desperately to maintain control over my emotions. I felt the eyes of the court on me, but I did not care, "And you will not address me as so!"



I felt the King's eyes on me and I turned to look at him, but I saw that he was looking to Thayne.



"Your daughter," and he said the word with distaste, "has told us quite a different tale than yourself. She has told of us that when she was held by orcs and tortured, you refused to aid her, you refused to risk your lives for her own and instead you walked away… is that not true?



Thayne's eyes filled with hate and he spoke with venom on his tongue, "She lies… My Lord! She has never spoken the truth a day in her life! She is a dog! A harlot, a witch! What lies has she spun this time?"



"It is you who lie!" I shrieked, "You walked away! You saw me and you walked away!"



I felt Legolas stand up beside me and put his arm around my waist, "You will not speak of a Lady of this court in such a manner, Sir Thayne! Now, hold your tongue, or I will strip you of it!"



"Oh…" Thayne sneered, "So I see you won yourself a Prince's affection, have you? What potions did you brew, witch, what pleasure did you give?"



I bit back the embarrassment I felt. How could he say such a thing?


Legolas let me go, and instead drew his dagger.



"NO!" shouted the King and I simultaneously, but it was the King who went on, "There will be no murder, no blade shall be drawn on this holiday! Be still both of you! It is not the decision of either of you! Only one here can decide the fate of these traitors, Thayne and Valaë!"



The King then turned to me, and with his eyes I felt the eyes of everyone in the hall. I quivered with anger for a moment, and then said, in a voice of the smoothest calm, "My Lord and King… I wish to pass on my judgment to Prince Legolas… Let him decide the traitors' fate…"



The King nodded and turned to Legolas, if he was surprised, he hid it well, "My son?" he prompted.



Legolas looked stricken, but he said, "I will here their story and decide they're fate tomorrow at sunrise… For the time being, take them away!"


He motioned to the guards who then pulled Thayne and Valaë out of the room.

I felt myself collapse into my seat, Legolas next to me. Kendre looked disgusted at what had happened. She did not speak.



The King remained standing and addressed the hall, "You have heard my son speak!" he said, "Tomorrow these criminals, traitors to their own kin, shall hear their fate, but for now, may the night go on!"



King Thranduil sat down and continued to talk. The hall seemed still so merry that the events of a few moments ago were quickly forgotten, but that was not so for me.



Silently I slipped from my seat and through the doors, but I got no farther, for I collapsed onto the ground outside the hall. It was not long, though, before Legolas and Kendre came to my side and together we walked to my room.

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