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Chapter Eight: Mirkwood and Misunderstandings







As Lorel made her way down the path, she drew her knife, a small comfort. For what seemed like years, but was really only two weeks, she followed the path through the forest. As she neared the place where the map indicated the king's halls stood, Lorel began to glimpse lights and hear music and laughter faintly through the trees. When she was three days from the king's halls, Lorel, feeling lonely and a little afraid of the forest, resolved to approach a group of those who gathered in the forest.

Her mind made up, she approached a group she glimpsed just through the trees, moving silently. She sheathed her knife and put her hands out to show she held no weapons. When she appeared among the gathering, all sound and movement ceased. Suddenly she was seized on both sides, bound and disarmed. As they took her supplies, weapons, and cloak, she became extremely frightened and hid Arwen's ring, fearing that they would take the token if they discovered it. She was surprised it hadn't been taken when her hands were bound, but assumed that the person hadn't been paying attention to anything but securing her.

Tossing her a worn cloak-not one of hers, but the most worn among them-and giving her some stale bread and water-leftovers from days of feasting-Lorel was roughly placed in the shadows away from the fire, a tall, stern Elf standing guard over her. Forlornly thinking of her mother, then of Elrond, Arwen, and Rivendell, she curled up under the threadbare cloak and fell asleep.

In the morning she was roughly awakened by a hand shaking her. She was given more stale bread and water as well as a tiny, half-rotten apple to eat. She had only just finished the inadequate meal when she was yanked to her feet and prodded to walk. They walked quickly and Lorel, having not been able to get much sleep the night before, was soon worn out by the pace and stumbled more than once to be harshly dragged to her feet. Soon her palms were a raw, scraped mess, covered in dirt and other organic matter and her knees ached from falling on them so many times.

At last, about mid-day they stopped for lunch and Lorel dropped to her sore knees, exhausted for they had not rested since they had begun that morning. Her mouth watered at the sight of the ripe fruit, fresh bread and other good things they set out to eat. She was presented with water and bread and a tiny slice of cheese. The bread was so hard that she had to soak it in the water before she could chew it. Once again, when her meal was finished, they began their trek, never resting.

That night, she was again placed away from the fire and given bread and water. For two more days this was her routine. Finally, on the third night of her captivity, they reached the Elf-king's halls.

Dirty, exhausted, hungry, and worn she was brought to stand before Tharanduil, the king. She was pressed to her knees by a hand on her shoulder. One of those who has been in the party she had approached presented his case, "We were going about our business when this girl," he made the word sound like something nasty, "came out of the trees with no warning, ready to attack-," at this Lorel jumped to her feet, fighting against those who held her, protesting, "I did no such-! I had no weapons-," here her accuser cut in, "No weapons? Then this is a walking stick and quiver of tinder?" he retorted, showing her bow and quiver of arrows.

"I didn't have them-! They weren't ready to fight! My hands were empty!" she protested, "I-I only-! I was...I was only t-trying to-!" here she couldn't continue and burst into tears, the fear, hurt, and exhaustion of the past few days catching up to her.

A tall, blonde person stepped forward, "Stop this! Look at her! She could no more attack our people than I could serve the Enemy willingly! She has obviously been mistreated."

"Not by our people," the king assured.

Her tears finished, Lorel looked up at her defender, thinking for a tiny moment he might be Lordirion. The thought passed as she heard the king's assurance and she muttered, "That's what you think."

Tharanduil turned to her, "What did you say?"

"I said, that is what you think! I was taken prisoner with no charge, stripped of my belongings, given stale bread and water for three days, marched all day without rest, and left cold with an armed guard standing watch over me at night, all without knowing what I had done! If you believe that this is not mistreatment, then I pity any others who have been your captives!" Lorel spat. The man who had defended her turned to her accuser and asked, "Is this true?"

"O-of course not!" Lorel's accuser stammered.

"You see? She is lying," Tharanduil told Lorel's defender.

"If I'm lying then how did he get my bow?" asked Lorel.

"So it is yours!" crowed her accuser.

"Yes, it's mine!"

"See highness? She admits to attacking us!" the accuser said, twisting her words.

"No! I-I didn't! I swear! Oh, please! Please just let me go! I-I'll not bother you, just let me go!" pleaded Lorel. She lifted her hands to wipe the tears from her cheeks and her defender saw Arwen's ring which she had replaced on her finger.

"Where did you get that?" he demanded.

"What is it, Legolas?" the king asked him.

"Arwen Undomiel, who is Elrond of Rivendell's daughter, has a ring. One exactly like the one on...?" he paused, waiting for her name, "Lorel, sir, Lorel Elanna..."

"Like the one on Lorel's finger. Where did you come by that young one?" Legolas asked.

"You-you've been to Rivendell and met those who live there?" Lorel asked.

"Yes. Where did you get the ring?"

"Sh-she gave it to me..."

"Arwen?" asked Legolas, a little surprised.

"Yes. I...I came fr-from Fornost," Legolas gave her a very surprised look and she continued, "I've been looking for...someone. The Lady Arwen and Lord Elrond were very kind to me. They offered to send word out, but respected my wishes when I asked them not to. Instead, Lady Arwen gave me this, as a token that I was a friend of those with power for good."

"Why did you not show this before?" demanded Tharanduil.

"Your people took my belongings. How was I to know they would not take this as well? Everything I had..." her hand went to her neck, where the pendant used to hang. There was silence for a moment, then Tharanduil said, "Very well. The token alone proves you have been to Imladris and, therefore, are not foe. But there is still the matter of you harassing my people...The law in this is very clear; the sentence must be imprisonment for one year-."

Legolas cut him off, "No," he stated flatly, "That which was done to her was punishment enough." He turned to Lorel, "Come, you are hungry and weary. There is no more reason for you to remain here."

Cautiously, Lorel followed Legolas. He led her to a quiet, comfortable room-not a prison cell. Within minutes a healer came and attended her small injuries and soon after a meal was brought. As she finished up the meal, a maid came and handed Legolas a bundle. He thanked the woman and turned to Lorel, "Your belongings. I apologise for my people. They are often suspicious, but not usually so hasty. That, however, does not excuse their treatment of you." Lorel took the bundle and unwrapped it to find all of her things, the map and pendant lay on the top. Carefully, Lorel studied the map and Legolas gently picked up the pendant.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, placing it around her neck. Lorel lightly touched the pendant with her fingers and replied, "You've seen something like it before?"

He nodded and put a hand below his throat. Now she noticed a brooch similar to her pendant that fastened a grey cloak around his shoulders, "Where is you get your pendant?" he asked again.

"My mother gave it to me..."Lorel replied, her eyes stinging.

"Where is she now?" Legolas asked kindly.

"Sh-she was killed. That's why I left," Lorel whispered.

"I'm so sorry...You mentioned you were looking for someone. Who?" Legolas said softly.

"He was called Lordirion Elenion. He told mother if she ever needed help to find him. He gave ther the pendant and this map," Lorel told Legolas, showing him the map. Though he wished to know more, Legolas could see Lorel was exhausted and that the current subject was causing painful memories to surface, so he let it go saying, "I see. You are obviously tired. I'll leave you to rest." Bowing slightly, he retreated out the door. Forlornly, Lorel surveyed the room for a moment then gratefully fell onto the bed and was asleep within a breath.







Okay! So what did you think? I tried to make up for the short chapter last time by making this one longer...Once agian, please REVIEW!!! Now for the personal thanks:







Alina11: THANK YOU! I love your idea...*trails off thinking up new additions to story* And as for you not being able to write, I refuse to believe it! I'd read what you post...Thanks again! Hugs and bunnies!!!



Merry the Psychotic Coconut: Skippy? Oookaaay...No more Fresca for you! But you can have Orli!!!



BBLLPMLover: Thanks! I'll try to make the chapters longer.



Hikage Kitsune: Thanks for the reviews! I'll keep going and update ASAP!







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