Author's Note: Arrrg, stupid computer froze on me and erased it all.
Uhhhh, well I guess I didn't write that much when it did that, but now I
have to redo it. Uhhh, well, here it is, enjoy. Remember #s mean
thoughts.
Nithem and Alinne were making their way towards Legolas's castle now. Nithem had the envelope that contained King Thranduil's will in one of her hands and some other papers that King Thranduil left in the other hand. Alinne had many papers in both her hands and a small purse on her shoulder. Those papers contained information on business and maps of the Mirkwood territory as well as maps of Middle Earth and marked spots of where He (the evil wizard, I'm getting back to him now, so if you don't remember, look back in the prologue) had struck and where His territories now were.
They soon got to the castle and were greeted by Legolas who was very surprised to see them going there. He had expected to come see them in the town, but Nithem said,
"Well, you are the Prince, get used to people doing things for you again.".
They both laughed and soon sat down at the table. Alinne kept quiet as Nithem and Legolas talked about the business matters. Many times both Nithem and Legolas tried to get Alinne involved in the conversation, but they were both very unsuccessful.
After about an hour of business matters, Nithem got to the marriage arrangements and King Thranduil's will about them. All 3, as if on queue, straightened up in their chairs and paid much more attention to the matter. Nithem slowly opened the envelope, and took out the papers inside. In a quiet and almost cautious voice, she read what it said. "I, King Thranduil, am writing this letter with hopes that my son Legolas Greenleaf will return to Mirkwood and now read it. I have left for reasons I shall not say on paper but only in person. I left Nithem Taergeht in charge of business matters until my son is back to take over those duties. Nithem will afterwards retire if she wishes, and stay in the castle to further help Prince Legolas with business matters, and enjoy her days until she wishes to leave or do something else. Regardless, Nithem will be treated with respect and as royalty for the rest of her days.
My son, Legolas, I leave with the order to pick a bride a week after his return, and marry her a month after his return. He is free to choose whomever he likes except for..."
The letter here was smudged and Nithem skipped over to the next part she could read. "If he does not choose however, Nithem is appointed to choose for him. He will not see her after this day, as I trust she is the one reading this letter, for a week. If Legolas fails to choose a bride, he will not see Nithem for as long as it takes for her to choose one for him.
Legolas will stay in the castle for however long it takes to find a bride. He will choose one maid or friend to stay with him and to be his messenger from the castle to the town. Every eligible maid in Mirkwood will be sent to see him on the third day of his return. He will then have 4 days to choose. If he does not pick one, Nithem has to choose the bride; she will not choose a close friend of hers or a relative however.
If something interrupts the week that needs extra attention, the wedding arrangements may be moved to the week after the problem is solved. If that happens however, both Legolas and whoever his maid or servant will be are forbidden from seeing Nithem. Do not try to invent a problem that will interrupt the week, for visits with Nithem are strictly forbidden during this time. All large matters will be discussed between Legolas and his servant if some large problem does infact interrupt the week."
Everyone relaxed back into their chairs and tried to think about how this would work, Legolas was clearly forbidden to leave the castle for a week.
"How will we make the announcement of his return if he is to remain here? We can not possibly bring everyone here, or do anything else of the sort."
Nithem was getting a little worried and a little overwhelmed by the details of the letter. King Thranduil had thought of the letter and of the conditions for a long time. There was a precise rule for everything!
After a little thought Alinne said, "Well, we are not starting the week until tomorrow, so I think we do not have to keep him here until tomorrow either. Technically, we are calling tomorrow his return."
Nithem had another problem on her mind however, "Well, yes, but what about the people who have already seen him here?"
Everybody got even more discouraged until after a torturously long pause Alinne said, "But, no one but us three know the details of the will. No one would say anything."
Legolas and Nithem momentarily let smiles come upon their weary and tired faces. But, those smiles disappeared quickly as they had to get back to business matters. They talked about the announcement. Alinne had arranged the meeting in the Meeting Hall of Mirkwood. The Meeting Hall was built by the elves after the King left. It was a place where all public announcements were made and where the elves could vote on different problems and how to resolve them.
After many more boring hours, they finally had agreed on all matters and the only one left was the problem of Legolas's messenger. One had to stay with him, but there was no one he knew besides Nithem and Alinne. And so, Alinne a bit reluctantly accepted the job since Nithem was forbidden from seeing him. They then all decided that sleep would greatly help them all. Legolas and Alinne walked Nithem to a comfortable room where she would stay the night and then went in search of a room for Alinne. They soon found one and bade each other goodnight.
After getting ready for bed and outing on her nightgown, Alinne lay down and thought about the fact that she was now Legolas's maid for at least one week. She was happy at first that she would get to spend a week alone with Legolas, but then she thought about the part that was smudged in the king's letter. It said that he may pick anyone to marry except for someone. Alinne was twisting her brain trying to think of what could have been there. What scared her was that it might have said "his messenger". If it did, Alinne would never be able to wed Legolas.
She was almost asleep when she suddenly remembered something, Legolas' shoulder. It has been forgotten lately and there have been days when the ointment was not put on, and that meant that the wound would keep getting worse. She quickly got up and looked in the purse she had brought with her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the ointment hiding beside a piece of cloth. She took it out, opened the door to her room and started down the hall, still wearing her nightgown. At first she thought she knew where she was going, but very soon she was lost with no idea how to get back.
She kept wandering around the castle until she was so lost that she could not remember where she was 5 minutes ago. She knew she was still on the same floor because she hadn't gone down or up any stairs, but she was lost beyond reason. She then remembered,
# The stairs, Oh thank goodness I remembered, if I get to the first floor somehow, I can find the kitchen, and from there I can get back. Oh no, but how do I find the stairs. Oh joy, more wandering around this place in the middle of the night. Why in the world did I come up anyway? Yes, very smart Alinne; why not wake up the prince because you have forgotten your duty? #
Alinne was furious at herself but she walked in search of the stairs and soon found them. She made her way down and right away knew where she was. (She knew the first floor very well, but the other ones she could get lost on in one minute.) She made her way to the kitchen and then up the stairs she knew and very soon she was standing outside Legolas' room wondering what she should do. She was going to walk away when she heard a movement inside. She knew then that he was awake and she quietly knocked on the door.
Legolas opened the door slowly; he was surprised that anyone had come so late at night.
In a quiet voice, Alinne explained the reason for her midnight visit.
"Prince Legolas, forgive me for intruding, but I forgot your shoulder." She showed him the bottle, and Legolas knew.
He smiled a bit and let her come in to put the ointment on. They talked after she had dealt with his shoulder. She was right, it was doing worse, and although Legolas has been trying very hard to hide it, she knew it was causing him pain. They talked for hours afterwards and only when the sun would be coming up soon, did Legolas walk Alinne back to her room, and only then were they both able to fall asleep for Legolas too was kept awake by the thoughts of his father's will and that one smudged spot.
Author's note: As usual sorry for the slow updates, but I try. Anyway, I realize that you have probably forgotten "Him". If you have, please go back to the prologue and remember because I'm getting back to Him in the next chapter. Hope you still like the story, and PLEASE review, it just brightens my day to know what people think.
Nithem and Alinne were making their way towards Legolas's castle now. Nithem had the envelope that contained King Thranduil's will in one of her hands and some other papers that King Thranduil left in the other hand. Alinne had many papers in both her hands and a small purse on her shoulder. Those papers contained information on business and maps of the Mirkwood territory as well as maps of Middle Earth and marked spots of where He (the evil wizard, I'm getting back to him now, so if you don't remember, look back in the prologue) had struck and where His territories now were.
They soon got to the castle and were greeted by Legolas who was very surprised to see them going there. He had expected to come see them in the town, but Nithem said,
"Well, you are the Prince, get used to people doing things for you again.".
They both laughed and soon sat down at the table. Alinne kept quiet as Nithem and Legolas talked about the business matters. Many times both Nithem and Legolas tried to get Alinne involved in the conversation, but they were both very unsuccessful.
After about an hour of business matters, Nithem got to the marriage arrangements and King Thranduil's will about them. All 3, as if on queue, straightened up in their chairs and paid much more attention to the matter. Nithem slowly opened the envelope, and took out the papers inside. In a quiet and almost cautious voice, she read what it said. "I, King Thranduil, am writing this letter with hopes that my son Legolas Greenleaf will return to Mirkwood and now read it. I have left for reasons I shall not say on paper but only in person. I left Nithem Taergeht in charge of business matters until my son is back to take over those duties. Nithem will afterwards retire if she wishes, and stay in the castle to further help Prince Legolas with business matters, and enjoy her days until she wishes to leave or do something else. Regardless, Nithem will be treated with respect and as royalty for the rest of her days.
My son, Legolas, I leave with the order to pick a bride a week after his return, and marry her a month after his return. He is free to choose whomever he likes except for..."
The letter here was smudged and Nithem skipped over to the next part she could read. "If he does not choose however, Nithem is appointed to choose for him. He will not see her after this day, as I trust she is the one reading this letter, for a week. If Legolas fails to choose a bride, he will not see Nithem for as long as it takes for her to choose one for him.
Legolas will stay in the castle for however long it takes to find a bride. He will choose one maid or friend to stay with him and to be his messenger from the castle to the town. Every eligible maid in Mirkwood will be sent to see him on the third day of his return. He will then have 4 days to choose. If he does not pick one, Nithem has to choose the bride; she will not choose a close friend of hers or a relative however.
If something interrupts the week that needs extra attention, the wedding arrangements may be moved to the week after the problem is solved. If that happens however, both Legolas and whoever his maid or servant will be are forbidden from seeing Nithem. Do not try to invent a problem that will interrupt the week, for visits with Nithem are strictly forbidden during this time. All large matters will be discussed between Legolas and his servant if some large problem does infact interrupt the week."
Everyone relaxed back into their chairs and tried to think about how this would work, Legolas was clearly forbidden to leave the castle for a week.
"How will we make the announcement of his return if he is to remain here? We can not possibly bring everyone here, or do anything else of the sort."
Nithem was getting a little worried and a little overwhelmed by the details of the letter. King Thranduil had thought of the letter and of the conditions for a long time. There was a precise rule for everything!
After a little thought Alinne said, "Well, we are not starting the week until tomorrow, so I think we do not have to keep him here until tomorrow either. Technically, we are calling tomorrow his return."
Nithem had another problem on her mind however, "Well, yes, but what about the people who have already seen him here?"
Everybody got even more discouraged until after a torturously long pause Alinne said, "But, no one but us three know the details of the will. No one would say anything."
Legolas and Nithem momentarily let smiles come upon their weary and tired faces. But, those smiles disappeared quickly as they had to get back to business matters. They talked about the announcement. Alinne had arranged the meeting in the Meeting Hall of Mirkwood. The Meeting Hall was built by the elves after the King left. It was a place where all public announcements were made and where the elves could vote on different problems and how to resolve them.
After many more boring hours, they finally had agreed on all matters and the only one left was the problem of Legolas's messenger. One had to stay with him, but there was no one he knew besides Nithem and Alinne. And so, Alinne a bit reluctantly accepted the job since Nithem was forbidden from seeing him. They then all decided that sleep would greatly help them all. Legolas and Alinne walked Nithem to a comfortable room where she would stay the night and then went in search of a room for Alinne. They soon found one and bade each other goodnight.
After getting ready for bed and outing on her nightgown, Alinne lay down and thought about the fact that she was now Legolas's maid for at least one week. She was happy at first that she would get to spend a week alone with Legolas, but then she thought about the part that was smudged in the king's letter. It said that he may pick anyone to marry except for someone. Alinne was twisting her brain trying to think of what could have been there. What scared her was that it might have said "his messenger". If it did, Alinne would never be able to wed Legolas.
She was almost asleep when she suddenly remembered something, Legolas' shoulder. It has been forgotten lately and there have been days when the ointment was not put on, and that meant that the wound would keep getting worse. She quickly got up and looked in the purse she had brought with her. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the ointment hiding beside a piece of cloth. She took it out, opened the door to her room and started down the hall, still wearing her nightgown. At first she thought she knew where she was going, but very soon she was lost with no idea how to get back.
She kept wandering around the castle until she was so lost that she could not remember where she was 5 minutes ago. She knew she was still on the same floor because she hadn't gone down or up any stairs, but she was lost beyond reason. She then remembered,
# The stairs, Oh thank goodness I remembered, if I get to the first floor somehow, I can find the kitchen, and from there I can get back. Oh no, but how do I find the stairs. Oh joy, more wandering around this place in the middle of the night. Why in the world did I come up anyway? Yes, very smart Alinne; why not wake up the prince because you have forgotten your duty? #
Alinne was furious at herself but she walked in search of the stairs and soon found them. She made her way down and right away knew where she was. (She knew the first floor very well, but the other ones she could get lost on in one minute.) She made her way to the kitchen and then up the stairs she knew and very soon she was standing outside Legolas' room wondering what she should do. She was going to walk away when she heard a movement inside. She knew then that he was awake and she quietly knocked on the door.
Legolas opened the door slowly; he was surprised that anyone had come so late at night.
In a quiet voice, Alinne explained the reason for her midnight visit.
"Prince Legolas, forgive me for intruding, but I forgot your shoulder." She showed him the bottle, and Legolas knew.
He smiled a bit and let her come in to put the ointment on. They talked after she had dealt with his shoulder. She was right, it was doing worse, and although Legolas has been trying very hard to hide it, she knew it was causing him pain. They talked for hours afterwards and only when the sun would be coming up soon, did Legolas walk Alinne back to her room, and only then were they both able to fall asleep for Legolas too was kept awake by the thoughts of his father's will and that one smudged spot.
Author's note: As usual sorry for the slow updates, but I try. Anyway, I realize that you have probably forgotten "Him". If you have, please go back to the prologue and remember because I'm getting back to Him in the next chapter. Hope you still like the story, and PLEASE review, it just brightens my day to know what people think.
