The morning council had ended, and the king and his vice regent were walking down a carpeted corridor to the king's private quarters.
"So, does it sound intriguing enough to come out with me to the merchants area and see for yourself?"
Gil Galad grinned as he lifted his crown of state and rubbed his forehead. An armored elf opened the door to his suite with a bow for both elves.
"Elrond, it sounds like something I would enjoy seeing first hand. After all, my citizens do have the right to protest, within reason."
"Well this she-elf has a reason, I just do not know whether or not it can be acted on."
"We shall see, will we not? Run along and change my Peredhel and meet me in the courtyard in a quarter of an hour."
Elrond bowed and swiftly made his way to his rooms.
The two elves went out of the palace, dressed simply in dark blue and black, covered in long cloaks, their hoods up. They looked very much like soldiers on leave.
"The city looks prosperous Elrond. The streets are crowded, the stalls have much to offer."
Elrond smiled at his king. "You should get out of the palace more, my liege. The taverns are nice as well."
Gil Galad grinned at his friend. "Then I shall have to sample a few."
As they strolled, the elves sensitive hearing picked up the murmur of a crowd and they began to walk quickly to the source.
Turning a corner, they found about 20 elves and men listening to the impassioned words of Laitaine regarding furs.
"Ah, at last, your little she-elf."
"I told her she needed to keep off her feet. And she is not "my" little she-elf."
Gil Galad grinned and clapped a hand on his Vice Regent's shoulder.
"She is eloquent. And her point is well-taken."
"That we should no longer use furs?" Elrond turned to him a bit surprised.
"No Elrond, that we should not trap and poison the animals like vermin. It is not necessary to do that. Culling the animals is justified, and warm fur in the winter is justified, but the methods can be improved."
Just then, an angry voice demanded that Laitaine take her opinions and go elsewhere. A rotten tomato hit her on the chest and then suddenly, more missiles of varying types flew through the air. Several young male elves, having just been released from lessons at a nearby school, joined in the action with shouts.
Soon Laitaine was bleeding from several cuts and was backed into a corner with no escape.
The king and his vice regent had seen enough and began to plow through the crowd roughly.
Gil Galad ducking missiles, grabbed the cowering she-elf while Elrond made a path through the throng.
Laitaine was terrified when she found herself lifted and flung over the shoulder of a tall elf with the piercing serious eyes. But then, as she bounced on the elf's shoulder as they ran down the streets, she saw Elrond pacing beside the elf holding her.
Grinning Elrond said, "I told you to stay off your feet young lady. Now look what happened."
"I could not just lay in my bed my lord Elrond, while wolves and foxes and minks are being slaughtered by greedy hunters who sell their furs to even greedier merchants and the king turns a blind eye on the whole proceeding."
Laitaine could feel the elf holding her chuckle.
Odds and ends were still being tossed as the younger elves ran after the two lords yelling imprecations as they tossed rocks and fruit.
Laitaine about to make a remark about the laughter was silenced by a hard hit on the head by a broken roof tile and she passed out.
"Where are her rooms Elrond?"
The elf looked at Gil Galad's burden and said, "The palace is closer my liege. She has been knocked unconscious and there's now a nasty gash on her forehead."
Gil Galad frowned and the two elves turned up a narrow passageway that led to the large square before the Palace of Forlon and Gil Galad's residence.
Dashing through the afternoon crowds, the two elvish lords went to the postern gate and flinging back his hood, Gil Galad was immediately let in.
The young elves, seeing their victims allowed into the palace, broke off their chase and disappeared.
Gil Galad adjusted Laitaine in his arms so he was holding her against his chest. He unerringly headed for the small surgery Elrond maintained and lay the unconscious she-elf on the waiting examination table.
Gil Galad watched his Vice Regent while he carefully cleaned the wounds on Laitaine's face. When he got to the last and worst gash, Gil Galad asked quietly, "Do you need some help?"
"I will have to stitch this," his gentle fingers moved the she-elf's head carefully. "If you could hold her head for me while I do so."
"Of course." The king held Laitaine's head while the healer efficiently dealt with the wound.
Gil Galad was softly rubbing salve in the scratches on the she-elf's face while Elrond wrapped her head in linen.
Laitaine moaned and opened her eyes, just as Elrond tied off the bandage. Gil Galad, finished with the ointment had turned to wash his hands. Standing out of range of Laitaine's sight he said quietly, "I shall leave you two then. She is welcome to spend the night in a guestroom. I believe there is one at the end of the hall. The, ah...merchant who was to use it sent his regrets. A family emergency as I recall."
"The large suite?"
"Yes, I am afraid that is the only one available at the moment, what with the other visitors here."
Elrond nodded and bowed as the king left with a small smile. He needed to change for a small reception in an hour.
Elrond made a tincture for Laitaine who was struggling to focus on her surroundings.
She tried to sit up but her head hurt something fierce. She did not recognize the surroundings except that they appeared to be a surgery. A nicely appointed one. There was even a lovely tapestry on the wall opposite her, which she could see between her feet.
"Where am I?"
"In my surgery in the palace."
Cringing and wishing she was anywhere else, Laitaine said in a small voice, "My head really hurts."
Elrond came into her view smiling at her. He gently lifted her head and she reluctantly drank the nasty tasting concoction.
"A broken roof tile did that to you. I told you yesterday that you needed to rest. And so now you shall." He lay her head back on the small lavender scented pillow. "Your speeches are dangerous to your health Mistress Laitaine."
Embarrassed she said "And hunting is dangerous to the wolves. I saw two of the despicable hunters in the crowd this afternoon." She rubbed her head tiredly, "And what, by Yavanna, will I do about my job?"
"Master Fendomiel will not let you go. I have already told him you were doing something for the king. He was only too happy to let you complete your task."
"My task...yawn...for the king?"
"Sleep now Laitaine and all will be made clear soon."
Elrond lay a hand on the battered she-elf's forehead and sent deep healing into her wounds and easing her into sleep as well.
Gathering her up, he took her to the suite the king had indicated was free. He placed her in the middle of the bed and then pulled down one side of the bed. Gently undressing her, he made her comfortable and covered her up.
Satisfied, he went to change for the reception as well.
Laitaine woke up slowly, feeling groggy and disoriented. And a bit hungry, truth be told. Pulling herself up slowly, she fell back against the pillows and glanced around the room frowning. A candelabrum glowed with finely scented candles at her bedside, illuminating the opulent surroundings. She was lying in a four poster bed with curtains. A fireplace to her left glowed warmly with flames. The diamond-paned window next to the fireplace was running with rain.
Sighing, she tried to think through her day. Lord Elrond and his friend had brought her to the palace surgery and, and so she must still be in the palace. Why? Surely it would just have been as easy to take her home.
There was a small bowl containing fruit and a soft roll which Laitaine ate with good appetite.
She wanted to get up to explore, but really felt too tired.
About to drift off again, there was knock on the door. "Come in," she said with a yawn. It was probably Lord Elrond with another goblet of something nasty.
The healer entered, dressed in a long formal robe of silvery-blue with silver piping on the collar and sleeves. It was bound with a silver sash that hung to the floor. Upon his head was a simple silver circlet. His unbound hair went half way down his chest.
He was indeed carrying a goblet.
Swallowing dryly at Elrond's magnificence, she sat up, her head beginning to throb. As the elf lord crossed the room, she heard low voices out in the corridor beyond the slightly ajar door.
Elrond smiled at her as he handed her the cup. "I imagine your head hurts. This should ease the pain."
"Thank you." She whispered and took the proffered goblet.
Drinking the concoction, another elf came into the room and Laitaine almost spit the medicine all over the fine quilt covering her.
It was the king. Dressed in dark blue with a brown over mantle of velvet with gold embroidery down the front of his robe. He wore a beautiful golden circlet with jewels in it and had a warm smile on his face.
Shakily Laitaine put the goblet aside and sunk down under the blanket. She was not even dressed. And her speech. What was it she wanted to say? This was a bad time for her head to hurt.
"Are you feeling better mistress Laitaine?" Gil Galad asked as he came up to her.
"A little, your Majesty." Laitaine cowered down further.
Gil Galad sat gracefully on the edge of the bed his eyes steady on her face, sparkling with candlelight. "I and my Vice Regent heard most of your speech this afternoon. I think your points are well made."
Laitaine sat up some, a bit disoriented however by having a conversation with the king while he sat on her bed and she all unclothed beneath the quilt. "I-I am glad you think so sire." Biting her lip, she leaned forward feeling slightly bold. "You can stop it my king. Tell the hunters that the wolves, foxes, mink and such like are off limits."
"I will admit the hunting methods are despicable mistress Laitaine, but the sick old and injured can be culled out."
"But a hunt on horseback for one little fox will remain a sport of kings?" she lifted her chin, green eyes blazing. At the edge of her vision, she saw Elrond smiling down at the carpeted floor.
"Perhaps other kings mistress Laitaine. I shall stick to boar."
"And the poisoning?"
"Is dangerous as it can kill the much needed scavengers in the woods. That will cease as well."
Gil Galad leaned forward. "But I am afraid mistress, there will always be those who seek a quick profit, regardless of the cost. So I doubt I can stop all hunting---or all purchasing of such furs. It will be with us always."
"You are undoubtedly correct," Laitaine said with a sigh. She looked down at the silk coverlet and sighed deeply again then looked up at the king who still watched her with mild eyes. "I take it then I do not need to protest outside the dining hall in a few days time."
"If you will allow me, I will handle the fur merchants. I may ask you to make a statement. Especially concerning what you have seen."
"Apparently my liege," Elrond spoke up, "Mistress Laitaine recognized some of the hunters in the crowd today."
"I shall address that as well. Then, mistress, it will be imperative you attend dinner to identify the. ..thugs to me." The king stood seeing that the she-elf was looking a bit pale. "Free speech is for all my citizens, pro and con, but violence to enforce a viewpoint is abhorrent to me."
Laitaine reached out a hand and the king came back and took it, clasping it warmly. "Thank you your Majesty. I am grateful you do not see me as deranged."
The high king chuckled. "No, not at all Laitaine of Tillinist. Not at all. If only
more of my citizens took such an interest in the welfare of others." He lay a hand on her head for a moment and the she-elf found herself sleepy.
"You need to rest now."
Yawning, Laitaine nodded and the last thing she saw was both elves watching her with smiles.
She smiled too. Wait until they heard what she had to say about preserving the forests of Lindon!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~the end~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
