Disclaimer: See chapter 1 and 2
Thralia stood outside the banquet hall, took a deep breath and entered, her mind reeling from questions ''What did Godmother mean my fate was set?'', ''Who are the party?'' ''What am I going to do about leaving home?'' her mind putting the memory of the dream aside for the time being. Thralia glided across the banquet hall, a pleasant smile on her face, she gracefully sat down beside her Godmother who still keep that unreadable smile on her face as she gazed lovingly down on her goddaughter.
''You look wonderful, my dear. I trust your better rest then when you first arrived.''
''Yes, Godmother. Thank you I feel much better.'' Thralia politely answered, then hesitantly continued ''Godmother, what did you mean when you said my future is set? Can you not tell me without riddles.''
''Child, you are so quick to ask question. Do not trouble your mind with what is inevitable. There will be time for your answers but first eat, you are still slightly tired from your trip over here. Now, let us begin the banquet.'' With that Galadriel stood up and an adoring silence filled the room as all the elves present let their gaze fall on the fair maiden at the end of the table. ''Friends, we are blessed with a time of peace let your worries not fall open this eve. Dine and forgot your troubles. Let the banquet begin.'' Galadriel sat gracefully down upon her chair as the room erupted with merry cheers, as the servants brought out the delicious food. Everyone settled down on their chairs and began to enjoy the feast before them. Chatter soon filled the grand hall.
''Godmother, Amothien said that a party of travelers were here, but I cannot spot them. Where are they sitting?'' questioned Thralia as she looked around for some elves she had not see before.
''They arrived shortly before you, and will be leaving early next morn so they wanted to prepare for their long journey, the new dawn will bring for them, before they attended the feast, aah they have arrived.'' Galadriel eyes lit up as her knowing gaze fell upon a group of five travelers all dressed in blue tunics and silver coloured trousers. The group walked over to in front of where Galadriel was sitting, then a particularly handsome elf with blonde hair so pale it was almost white, step forward and spoke. He let his gaze stray from the face of the Lady, and rest upon Thralia. ''Milady, we beg your pardon we where unable to attend the beginning of this magnificent banquet, as we had to prepare for our journey in morn. We beseech you to accept our most humbly apologies.'' Spoke the blonde man as he bowed low but keep his gaze firmly on Thralia as he finished he grudgingly returned his eyes to Galadriel. Who smiled upon his fair face and simply answered ''Friend of old, there is no reason for you to apologize as I was aware of your need to prepare before the banquet. Now there is no need to be so formal as you are in the company of friends. Take your seats and enjoy the remainder of the feast.'' The group split up and went to their seats. The blonde one who had previously spoke took the seat opposite Thralia. ''Prince, how was your journey? Not to eventful I hope.'' Galadriel spoke as the tall elf sat down. ''No, my lady. It was pleasant enough though. I did however receive the change to gaze upon the most beautiful sight in the whole of Middle Earth during the course of my travels.'' The Prince smiled. Galadriel laughed at this. ''You will be returning home, soon will you not?'' ''Yes, my lady. My travels have gone on for longer then was first thought. I am heading start towards my home, but I wish to gaze once more on the beauty of Lothlorien and its Lady before I returned.'' The Prince and Galadriel continued to talk, while Thralia was soon in deep conversation with the old elf beside her who inquired about Rivendell. Thralia soon became aware that the Prince across from her was stealing glances of her, and when she directed her dark eyes to met his blue gaze, he just flashed a brilliant smile, before she turned back to the elderly elf. The smile remained on his face as he continued his conversation with Galadriel. The meal wore on and soon everyone was finished the delectable meal and the dancing started. Galadriel and Celeborn quickly took to the floor, looking lovingly at each other. Soon many elfs were gliding across the polished marble floor of the banquet hall as the starlight illuminated the magnificent room giving it an unearthly beauty. Thralia gazed around her taking in the apparently unending beauty of the night, her glance falling on her Godmother and Godfather who were looking lovingly into each others eyes as the glided effortlessly across the floor in the waltz like dance.
''I have gazed on your beauty, before and know your name but I have yet to hear it from your lips.'' Spoke the Prince, as his voice broke Thralias gaze around her. ''If you know my name, why must I repeat it for you? My name is Thralia, if you wish to hear it being spoke by me. I do not recall being introduced to you before.'' She answered pondering when she had met this elf before. He laughed softly at her last remark, which was not received lovingly from Thralia who did not wish to be laughed at. ''I did not say we were introduced, fair maiden, simply that I have seen you at another banquet when I was traveling through Rivendell. I remember it clearly even if you do not. For I remember think ''Perhaps Angels only have lovely faces'', when I didn't receive the chance to be introduced to you.'' He remarked. Thralia scoff at this mark. '' Well, Prince, I do not believe we have been introduced before, and I truly hope we will be introduced at a later date but first I must consulate my Godmother on a matter of importance.'' Thralia said as she stood up and made her way to where her Godmother was sitting on a balcony, Celeborn having departed to settle some matters with his counselors. ''My lady, my I request a single dance with you tonight?'' inquired the Prince ''I think I might be retiring before the night has ended and if I promise you a dance, I will only be breaking that promise before the sun has dawn.'' Thralia answered, unwillingly to promise a dance to the Prince who had previously laughed at her. ''If I can find you before you retire, and you have already consulted your Godmother on the matter of great importance.'' He teased ''then may I receive a dance?'' ''If it pleases you, but I do not promise anything.'' Thralia said in an effort to leave quickly before her Godmother disappears on her. She moved around the area of the floor the elfs were currently dancing on, she left the candle light of the great hall, and step out onto the balcony lit only by the light of the moon and stars.
Her godmother was sitting on a small bench facing the forest. ''Godmother, may I seek your consul now?'' Thralia spoke quietly trying hard not to break the tranquil silence this place held. ''I will answer some questions you have but I will answer all when the next day dawns and you have had a night of peaceful dreams to rest your troubled mind, your problems will not seem as great by the light of a new sunrise. Now sit beside me and share my wisdom, little one, and tell me your tale.'' Thralia sat down beside her Godmother. ''Godmother, I am unsure what to do next, I ran away from home, my Father must be worried sick by now….''Thralia began and soon she had told her Godmother the whole tale as it was. Galadriel just smiled lovingly down on her goddaughter and smoothed her hair. ''Your worries are justified, little one, but they are unfounded. Your father was not trying to hurt you by arranging this marriage; he simply wanted to see you happily married. Prince Legolas is a fine lad.'' Thralia scoffed for the second time that night at that remark, everyone seemed to be telling her how fine a lad this Prince Legolas is. ''I will give you the best guidance I can, but the final choice is yours. I cannot make it for you. Do not worry about your father I sent him a message when you arrived. What happens next is not for me to interfere with but I will always stay by your side no matter the choice. I just encourage you to think wisely about your choice before you make it.'' Her godmother finished and then rose from the seat leaving Thralia to ponder the cryptic message she had just given to her, smiling down at her she departed the balcony for the hall but not before stopping at the arc of the door way and softly saying ''An unrivaled darkness has not settle on your life, it just seems that way. Night always seems darkest before dawn, but it is a false darkness for there is a beauty in it unrivaled by the light of day. Think wisely, young one, think wisely.'' Then Galadriel left the balcony.
Thralia sat in deep thought pondering what her choices were ''Go back home and marry some Prince I have never met or stay here and never see my home again and hurt my father. Galadriel was wrong there is no light, no hope. I have two choices neither of which I consider wise.'' Thralia slowly walked over and leaned out over the balcony gazing at the forest before her. A tear tracing a pattern down her check as she thought, when suddenly a voice interrupted her deep state of thinking.
''There you are. I thought you had retired for the night before I claim the dance you promised me.'' It was the voice of the Prince.
''I am sorry to disappoint you but I am retiring now, and I never promised you a dance, Prince. Goodnight.'' Thralia said quickly as she turned and walked out of the balcony. Never looking the Prince in the eye, so he could not see the tear stain on her cheek and walked quickly from the banquet hall. She never got a chance to see the hurt look filled the eyes of the Prince as he watched her leave him standing there…
BEWARE STRANGELY CLADE DUCKS!!! IMPC