No sooner had he moved from the trees than he found four arrows in his
face, stern glances from all four of the archers who aimed them at him.
"Who are you, and what is your buisness here?" one of them asked him
harshly, and Siendar raised his hand.//
Siendar raised both hands out, showing that he did not have any weapons in his hands. "I am Siendar and I have come looking for Lady Jairah, Queen of the forest elves.
I bear no intentions of hurting anyone and only seek guidance from the Queen. If you wish, here are my weapons..."
Siendar unstrapped and handed his weapons over to one of the four border guards, feeling a twang in his heart at having to part with the bow that had helped him survive for so many years.
"All I request is an audience with Lady Jairah," Siendar said.
The leader of the four guards scanned him, mistrust in his eyes. "Come with us."
Walking in the middle of four guards, Siendar felt somewhat ashamed at being treated this way. It reminded him of a time over 10 years ago...
**********
(FLASHBACK)
"Siendar, son of Kudar, you have been given the sentence of exile for the murder of the elf Kinsir. From this day forth, your name has been stripped of all honor and the gates of Shawdon will be barred to you and your family for all of eternity."
The Queen elf of the elven mountain villgae stood on the palace steps, her long, straight blonde hair glittering like a dragon's lair in the wind. Her features were soft, yet her grey eyes were, at the moment, colder then steel. She looked at Siendar, who was standing with his head cast down, his pack on his back and his bow slung on his shoulder.
The Queen continued. "Do you recognize this fact, Siendar son of Kudar?"
"Yes, my Queen," Siendar nodded.
"Any final words of parting?"
"Yes."
"Speak."
"I firmly believe in what I did was the right choice. Appearances can be deceiving. It twas not an elf that I shot, but a twisted, lying excuse for an elf from the land of Mordor. Unblievable as it may be, I swear upon all my honor that it was a spy, and I will never take back my testimony. This is my final statement."
"You have no honor on which to swear by. This is your last chance to take back your testimony and continue to live on this mountain."
"No. As I said before, what I did was the right thing. I will *not* take back my testimony. I would rather wander the world as a rogue rather then stay in this village and be shunned for all of enternity."
The Queen shook her head, "Then, by the power given to me, Siendar, son of Kudar, you are exiled from now on. Your honor is taken, and you are disowned from your family's name."
The crowd murmered slightly, but as four guards came and walked with Siendar (four surronding him), they grew silent, watching as for the first time in their village, and elf was exiled.
And as Siendar reached the city gates, the four guards left him on the other sides of those grey, steel doors, forming a barricade. The doors shut, and that was the last time Siendar ever saw Shawdon.
(END FLASHBACK)
**********
The guards took Siendar through the forest to the palace, where after a short walk, they stopped at a room. One of the guards opened the door and they all stepped in.
"I will fetch the King," one of the gurads said, and he went off.
The other three kept close watch on Siendar, but did nothing else, giving the elf a chance to look around. It was a large, round room, with red plush chairs and a roof supported by pillars. The sun pouredin onto the greyish-white stone, making the place look cozy.
During his observations, Siendar felt something stir in his mind. A faint feeling of cold and darkness alerted to him that something the dark thing was growing stronger. It troubled Siendar greatly.
At that point, Legolas, King of Mirkwood, stormed in, the fourth guard jogging to keep up with him.
"You are dismissed," Legolas said, looking at the guards. "be ready if I call."
The four bowed, then left, closing the door behind them. Legolas turned to Siendar, who was doing his best to stand straight and look emotionless. In truth, he was nervous and somewhat scared.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Legolas asked, facing Siendar, a look of deep suspicion in his eyes.
"My name is Siendar, and I've come to speak with Lady Jairah," Siendar said, his voice quavering slightly on the first few words.