Chapter 2 – Troubles of the King
"A-are you alright, Young Master?"
The frantic little elf shoved the thing off his master and helped him up.
"I'm fine, Mirgom."
Brushing dirt and leaves off his clothes, the fair-headed elf stood up and turned to see what knocked him onto the ground. At the very first he thought it was a he, for the person lying unconscious on the ground wore rough, light blue breeches...with an undershirt for it looked too thin of a fabric to be worn for outdoors. But when he bent down to turn him over, his cheeks burned as he realized that the 'he' was actually a 'she'. Mirgom noticed this too and gasped,
"Y-young Master, why is this human being wearing such odd garments and h-how did she fall from the sky? She is human, isn't she??"
At that moment Mirgom took out his bow and arrow, hands shaking slightly.
"I know no answers, Mirgom, but put your weapons away. She would do us no harm now. Lest bring her back to Father."
With that the elf in green carried the unconscious brunette in his arms and walked towards the depth of the dense woods in grace. Mirgom followed suit, but not without bringing the odd-looking object which had fallen along with the stranger.
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Thranduil Greenleaf sat on his golden seat in the gathering hall of his home, with sunlight flowing softly through the translucent glass ceiling and casting shadows across the tall arcs. Carved pillars surrounded the hall elegantly allowing winds to blow gently through. However, the people in this hall at the current moment could not enjoy such splendor, as there was trouble. Massaging his temple with one hand, while the other is clenched together on the armrest, Thranduil closed his eyes. As the King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood, also known as Eryn Lasgalen*, his duty was no less arduous after the coming of the New Age. Being relieved that his son Legolas returned home safely from the ordeal of the Ring, he thought he would finally have peace again in his lands.
However, things may not flow his way it seemed. Here two messengers had come from beyond the Iron Hills far east of Mirkwood bearing ill news. It is claimed from the Lord of the Men of West Searia, Lord Forques, descendent of Lord Landhren, that a few of his colonies had contracted a dreadful disease, which may lead to a massive plague over a period of time. Even his neighboring rivals, the halfling Weanym Clan, seemed to have suffered from the same plague. Thranduil knew not of such disease, but he indeed knew of its presence since a year ago. He didn't think of it as a threat at that time, with the quest of the ring and Mirkwood in danger at mind. Currently there was no cure or prevention for this disease, but Forques was not willing to give up. He had tried every form of medicine and called for the best elven healers, yet none could find a cure that he was convinced that some evil was behind this. In fact, he was desperate enough to decide to look for the legendary healing sage, Alrandyam. It was said that Alrandyam owned a peculiar staff that could heal any ailment. However, almost every living being in Middle Earth knew that Alrandyam was a myth, for no one had seen him since 3000 years ago. Not only that, if Alrandyam was still living, whoever sought him would need the four magical gems, which were also claimed missing…until now. One of the messengers mentioned that Forques had recovered two of the four gems, therefore keeping hope that he could find Alrandyam to save his people. The messengers had traveled far through the perils of the Withered Heath from the Iron Hills to request aid from Thranduil to send a few of his men to search for the remaining gems and Alrandyam once the four gems were attained, as elves were the best seekers and guides.
Thranduil shook his head in distress. He would have called his best men to Searia immediately if it was another case, but to look for a legend when no one knew still existed...it just seemed ridiculous. Nevertheless, he would aid his friend who was in need but he didn't know how to inform his fellow men about their task. His second in command had gone away in an errand and sending his son for another quest when he had just arrived back home sounded heartless. Still troubled, he noticed that Mirgom had entered the hall carrying a really odd shaped object in his hands.
"My lord, Young Master discovered a strange b-being along our borders. The stranger was unconscious and has been taken to the healing ward."
"And where is Legolas?" asked Thranduil, frowning ever more slightly.
Mirgom looked up at Thranduil with a look of anguish and replied feebly, "Young Master...er, carried her there, M-my Lord."
Both eyebrows shot up, Thranduil stood up and descended the steps gracefully towards Mirgom.
"Are you telling me that this strange intruder is a female?"
Surprised at his lord for questioning the gender of the stranger rather than his son's action, Mirgom muttered, "Y-yes, My Lord."
"I shall go and meet this 'stranger' personally. I would like to know just how did she FALL into Mirkwood without any one of us noticing...And what is that that you are holding, Mirgom?"
Mirgom raised his head to notice Thranduil eyeing the pouch suspiciously.
"This fell along with the stranger, My Lord."
Still looking at the pouch, Thranduil said, "Is that so? Interesting, bring it along with you and come."
With the matters of Forques and his peril temporarily pushed aside, Thranduil dismissed the meeting and left for the ward feeling slightly excited.
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While Mirgom went to report to his father, Legolas entered the healing ward carrying the still unconscious girl.
"Master Legolas."
Two healers stood and bowed at the sight of him and went about to prepare healing items. If they were surprised at their young master personally carrying a strange female onto the medical bed, they didn't show it. One of them went to inspect the girl in strange attire while the other brought some herbs towards Legolas. Apparently, during his fall, he had suffered minor cuts his face and hands.
But Legolas raised his hand to stop him, "Tend to her first."
At this the healer was surprised, but he replied calmly, "Master Legolas, worry not. The guest is unwounded though unconscious. I would need to tend to your wounds ere infection occurs."
And he started cleaning Legolas' wounds before Legolas could say another word.
Not long later Legolas' father came in accompanied by Mirgom.
"Legolas, my son. So it is true that you have brought a strange intruder into our home?"
Before Legolas had a chance to answer, Thranduil swept past him towards the stranger to have a better look. Taking in the queer outfit with his eyes, Thranduil was as interested about this girl as Legolas was, in a different way of course. Just as he was about to ask his son something, the mysterious beauty stirred. Finally, questions answered thought Legolas as he stood beside the bed. A moment of anticipation occurred, and as the rousing girl opened her eyes slightly Legolas noticed they were deep blue with a tinge of violet, as opposed to his bright grayish blue eyes. She felt weak and when her eyes came into focus, she thought she was looking into a dream that she had quite often fantasized of, with the one character that did not exist.
"...Legolas?"
*Eryn Lasgalen - The Wood of Greenleaves. This name was given to Mirkwood after Thranduil and Celeborn's victory against the enemies during the War of the Ring. Northen Eryn Lasgalen was ruled by Thranduil, while the south was later named East Lorien, and there dwelt Celeborn for a while.