Chapter 35

Kirel rolled his eyes. "Lady Lilluil, may I introduce Geisran Rodariel."

Lord Rodariel rose from his bow. "I have waited for what seems forever to meet you, my lady. Please come this way." Giving a brief nod to Kirel he led her by her hand through the massive gates up an outer staircase and through various passages and corridors until they reached what appeared to be a small library. As soon as she was across the threshold the door clicked shut behind them.

"Geis don't put strange ideas into her head. She's enough trouble already." Simvynel was leaning against the wood, effectively barring what appeared to be the only exit from the room.

Geis? Lilluil ransacked the storerooms of her memory. Her sister's friend Geis who was constantly poking around in obscure areas of study and constructing all sorts of secret passages? Geis with the slightly off sense of humor was Geisran Rodariel? Nephew to the King? It was insane to think that, insane. Actually his smile was rather indicative of less than proper things but royalty.

She shook the thought from her head, even if Geis-Geisran was her betrothed, in writing anyway then there may be an even easier chance of escape. From what she heard from Vynel Geis no, Lord Rodariel. She corrected herself, probably had all sorts of hidden passages that would make escape a simple matter. Getting the other elves out of the sea prisons would be a breeze already since the iron bars used at the back were probably half rusted through, no match at all for her craft. They could sneak back to here and then use the passages to sneak back north. It was all so-trouble?

"How am I in trouble?" She demanded.

Simvynel rolled her eyes. "You left the house, you were specifically supposed to stay there. We had a plan remember." She remarked pointedly.

"Well seeing as how father found out about Legolas I figured that the entire plan was ruined since we were counting on his ignorance." She reasoned. "And therefore the idea that I would simply wait the day away was also ruined and I needn't have abided by it. It's not as if anything catastrophic happened."

Her older sister crossed her arms. "Don't jinx us now, especially in Geis's case it's likely to kill him if he ever gets more unlucky."

Lilluil looked at Geis quizzically. He was sprawled (very unroyally) across a couch and idly braiding three locks of Simvynel's hair, without her knowledge. "How is he unlucky? He's a nephew to the king?"

Geis sighed tragically and threw an arm across his eyes. "You cannot imagine the depths of my woe!" he started dramatically before dropping to a serious monotone. "Actually, you probably can't. Relations to royalty have responsibilities beyond what is healthy for an elf, not to mention the restriction of liberties, proper etiquette and oh yes frequent deterring of my would be brides." His head rolled so he was staring straight at her, his joyful demeanor a thing of the past. "That does include you, my dear."

She straightened indignantly. As far as elves were concerned she had been a proper elven lady. Even more valuable as a wife though because of her talent not to mention her father was pretty important too. Lord Rodariel obviously was some sort of stuck up perfectionist or something if even she didn't meet his standards.

Geis scoffed lightly. "You take things too personally, I really can't stand women who don't have a shred of tolerance or humor." He twisted to look up at Vynel "is she really your sister?"

Lilluil clenched her fists inside her sleeves. This was even more reason to get back north as soon as possible. How could Simvynel stand someone so-

"Calm yourself Lilluil. Geis is not in the most receptive of moods at the moment. He is as against forced betrothal as you are that may make him unnecessarily hostile." She noticed at that moment the braid that he had been toying with and began to exasperatedly undo it. "It's not like you were thrilled at the idea of being betrothed yourself. By coming down south Legolas has practically announced he'll fight for you. This happens to Geis all the time being related to the King."

He nodded in agreement. "Its enough to wish yourself up north sometimes." He yawned and rolled onto his back. "This is new to you but to me it's the same old game only now I'm in danger of actually loosing to those twittering plotters, sometimes I really think my uncle is too paranoid this proves it. However it would still be overly restricting if I were to marry someone I wasn't comfortable with."

"I understand. You could afford to be a little politer about it though." She said. "I do understand though."

Simvynel was right! By coming to the south as a part of the northie group they were technically invading. It was political suicide in the south, in the north it would be something like an honor mission. It wasn't anything like that in the south though, here that would be means for a war or political means. Legolas was the prince! If he was caught that could mean the King could demand tribute of the north or other items that would serve as a hostage price.

That still didn't explain how her visiting Aevonien caused trouble. If anything acting as she normally would would be the best course of action so that nothing was suspected of her. So, her father found out it hadn't been planned by her, although she would definitely be watched closer that would be all the more reason to act normal and naivete. That would lift suspicion from her if only slightly. "So why am I in trouble then?"

"Because we need to know where you are, and the best place for you to be overall too is at home." Her sister replied.

"What? Why? I would be closely watched there, there would be the minimal chance for escape especially now that our father knows. How could that be good?"

Geis rolled off the couch. "You are new at this, so I'll explain." He cleared his throat. "Since that northie boy-"

"Legolas, you mean." She snapped.

"-yeah him. Well, since Legolas is here for you that does mean that you could be potentially used against him."

"So you're saying I would be used as bait or something." She asked slowly.

"Yes," Simvynel replied. "But there are other things, less nice that could be done and to prevent that you have to be in the open in public view."

"Less nice things? Like what?"

Simvynel and Geis studied her with equally serious equally hard eyes. "Lilluil some things are best unknown."

"I wonder what these southerners eat that make them so heavy." Iiten complained.

It had taken a while before they could pull the unconscious guard close enough to the cell to get a hold of the keys. Holil was checking each of them against the door as the rest of them waited. Unfortunately, the guard was standing just about an arm length away from the bars when he had collapsed. So Iiten unfortunately as the slimmest of them all had to reach through the wrought iron bars and snag the sleeve of the guard and pull him closer so they might be able to grab the keys.

They had not counted on the other guards though. As the lock clicked open three more rounded the corner and instantly rushed the door. Desperately the rest of their group leapt at Holil slamming the door open despite the resistance. The southern guards managed to leap back in time though, and drew swords wedging themselves in the corner so that they blocked the exit.

"Quickly, concentrate!" Holil commanded.

Another of the three remaining guards fell, crumpling to the sandy floor and was quickly pulled back by one of his fellows as they retreated. The second soon fell under the onslaught of their northern spell and then the last soon after.

Quickly they stripped the guards of their weapons and positioned them in the cell, burying the keys under a few inches of sand within the confinement of the cell, so that if they were caught escape would be easily accomplished. Of course, they were counting on not being caught in the first place.

Stealthily they made their way towards the exit, to find that the entrance to the prisons were in full view of the public. A public that was awake and bustling but with every member equipped with the natural elven awareness. They could not hope to escape unnoticed.

"Hmm. This does pose a problem." Iiten commented cheerfully.

The underground waterway ended at a rolling waterfall which although not very steep had quite a bit of tow as it tumbled down to a small inlet that opened into the ocean. Having been temporarily disoriented by the sudden burst into sunlight even though it was partially dimmed by the thunderclouds that were rolling in, they weren't able to prevent the drop into the saltwater pool.

Legolas waded to shore. In truth, he was slightly wary from his ungraceful plunge into much warmer water. They had actually heard the sound of falling water for quite a while. The sound had reverberated down the tunnel for what must have been at least a quarter mile but the constant thrum of the falls which didn't seem to change in volume or intensity had set them off their guard. That and the frigid water who's effects he was even beginning to feel despite his elven heritage. The sea water had been like falling into a hot spring in the middle of winter. He would be surprised if he didn't find scalds on his skin due to the rapid temperature change.

Fathiel pulled himself up onto a dry rock next to where he stood and sat down. "That sure woke me up." He commented halfheartedly. "Its wonderful to be able to move one's fingers and toes again." He emphasized this by flexing his hands and feet.

He simply agreed with a nod. The small pool they had landed in fed directly into the sea via a short stream through the sands but the area was otherwise secluded. Southern vegetation, a wild vibrant green surrounded the pool three feet on from the shore on all sides only letting up where the stream cut through like a spear of icy blue that plunged into the messy deep green of the ocean. The north's softer colors seemed hazy in comparison to the livid hues of the south. It hurt his eyes.

"What was next, hide the lanterns right?" Fathiel murmured to himself, although Legolas could hear him clearly. Glancing back up at the exit of the water, he noticed steps almost completely obscured by more plants growing on the edges. The sheer cut stone led right to the edge of the water, where he could see were other steps that led down into the tunnel. Just inside the stone tunnel was a darker patch of shadow, which he bet was the storage place for the lanterns. It took him a moment to find the base of the stairs, they curled back around the stone.

He wasted only a moment, tucking the two glowing pearl laden lamps behind the thick black cloth, which was in all rights growing some sort of moss. Then he and Fathiel set out on the beach and turned left as instructed.

They were only a few steps from the stream when the sound of running feet sent both of them diving into the dense foliage at the edge of the beach. It was a measly attempt at best to hide. The rustling of leaves as they entered the brush, and their footprints would alert even the most asleep of elven guards to their presence. And obviously it did, for the footsteps slowed and what had to have been at least a group of ten to fifteen elves halted directly outside of where they hid.

The voice was male, sarcastic and obviously pleased.

"Come out, we know you're there."