Aranel ran all day, and well into the night before she finally
stopped to rest. She was scared and confused. How could all this have
happened so fast? Sure, her life wasn't perfect, but she was happy where
she was in Thranduil's home, spending her time with Legolas, Nimhithdil,
and Malkemen.
But now she could never go back. It was obvious that Legolas would never forgive her for killing Belegtathar. And Nimhithdil seemed just as mad at her. But then there was Malkemen. He believed her, or at least he said he did. Perhaps he could talk to the others, and try to explain her point of view…
Or maybe he didn't believe her; just let her go in order to save someone he loved.
…Someone he loved. Aranel hadn't stopped to think of that. She had kissed him, and he had said that he loved her. Did she love him as well? She couldn't tell; everything was too confusing.
She stood, and continued to run to her unknown destination.
Malkemen returned to the throne room, to find his brothers and father, arguing feverently. As he entered, Legolas turned to him.
"Aranel is gone, Malkemen. And someone helped her escape."
The prison guard was there as well. "I saw a hooded figure walking through the tunnels. Someone took my keys, and I'm sure that he did it!"
The guard turned to the king, "Oh, your Majesty, I am so sorry I failed you!"
Thranduil raised his hand. "Do not worry, this was not your fault. We will solve this mystery and find Aranel, along with whoever helped her escape."
Thanduil ordered that a search for Aranel leave immediately, and that an investigation of her escape be conducted. Then he left the throne room, followed by Nimhithdil and the guard close on their heels. Legolas held back.
"I know you helped her, Malkemen," he said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Where were you just now? We tried to find you when we first learned of the escape."
"I was out on a walk," Malkemen answered, slightly annoyed. "You are accusing me of treason, brother?"
Legolas did not answer. Just then Malkemen noticed that Legolas had his quiver with him.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked.
"Rivendell," came the answer. "I have to explain to Lord Elrond about the mess we made."
But now she could never go back. It was obvious that Legolas would never forgive her for killing Belegtathar. And Nimhithdil seemed just as mad at her. But then there was Malkemen. He believed her, or at least he said he did. Perhaps he could talk to the others, and try to explain her point of view…
Or maybe he didn't believe her; just let her go in order to save someone he loved.
…Someone he loved. Aranel hadn't stopped to think of that. She had kissed him, and he had said that he loved her. Did she love him as well? She couldn't tell; everything was too confusing.
She stood, and continued to run to her unknown destination.
Malkemen returned to the throne room, to find his brothers and father, arguing feverently. As he entered, Legolas turned to him.
"Aranel is gone, Malkemen. And someone helped her escape."
The prison guard was there as well. "I saw a hooded figure walking through the tunnels. Someone took my keys, and I'm sure that he did it!"
The guard turned to the king, "Oh, your Majesty, I am so sorry I failed you!"
Thranduil raised his hand. "Do not worry, this was not your fault. We will solve this mystery and find Aranel, along with whoever helped her escape."
Thanduil ordered that a search for Aranel leave immediately, and that an investigation of her escape be conducted. Then he left the throne room, followed by Nimhithdil and the guard close on their heels. Legolas held back.
"I know you helped her, Malkemen," he said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Where were you just now? We tried to find you when we first learned of the escape."
"I was out on a walk," Malkemen answered, slightly annoyed. "You are accusing me of treason, brother?"
Legolas did not answer. Just then Malkemen noticed that Legolas had his quiver with him.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked.
"Rivendell," came the answer. "I have to explain to Lord Elrond about the mess we made."