Chapter 1
They flew down the hall like frightened deer, but made much less noise. Elves could be silent when they wished to be. They were little more than a ghost's shadow, melting into the darkness. They were bound for the weapons chambers, where the royal family kept their swords, bows, and other instruments of war. Alatariel went in front, pulling Inwe along by her hand. They ran through twists and turns until Inwe felt horribly disoriented. Alatariel came to a sudden halt in front of two heavy oaken doors. Inwe whispered the secret password known only to the royal family, and the heavy doors swung open on well-oiled hinges. Inside was a large, round room. The walls were marble with inlaid gold murals of the battles of past ages. Along the wall were spears, shields, morning stars, and other weapons that were dangerously fabulous. There were also cabinets along the walls. Inwe went to one, Alatariel to another. Inwe opened the huge redwood cabinet, and inside were dozens of gorgeous swords. Inwe chose a long scimitar with a practical bronze hilt and leather sheath. She withdrew the blade, revealing a clean, cold steel blade that flashed in the moonlight. Alatariel opened an oak cabinet, and within were many beautiful bows. Alatariel looked through the rows, and pulled out a polished recurve bow, the kind that Mirkwood was famous for. Many rangers in their father's army couldn't even draw the bow, but Alatariel could. She also took multiple quivers of arrows and slung them over her shoulder.
"Ready, seleramin?" She asked Inwe.
"Ready." They ran back to their chambers. It was great luck that they were not caught by any guards or maids that often were awake in the dark hours of the night. They rushed back to their rooms, not wanting to push their luck.
"Meet me back outside in a matter of minutes. Pack lightly, we will be traveling quickly." She disappeared into her rooms. Inwe went into hers. She slipped out of her bedclothes, putting on a deep forest green tunic and riding breeches. She grabbed a leather belt and fitted her sword's sheath to it, then put it around her waist. Grabbing a worn traveling bag, she shoved as many pieces of clothing as she could into it. She pulled on her supple riding boots, and ducked outside. A few moments later, Alatariel appeared.
"We need food. To the kitchens." She grabbed Inwe's hand and dragged her down the halls to the kitchens. She pushed open the swinging double doors, and both sisters stopped dead in their tracks. Inside a maid was organizing the silver. Looking up at them with an open, honest face, she asked,
"How can I help you, miladies?" She was cordial and kind.
Inwe didn't want to lie, but they could not reveal their plans for leaving. She bit her lip and said, "We are going on. a camping trip. We need food for the journey." She looked meaningfully at Alatariel, hoping she would catch on.
"I'll get it for you, miss-"
"That's okay, we don't want to interrupt what you were doing with our menial task. We will do it." Alatariel said, cutting her off. "But thank you for the offer."
"If you need me, just call, miladies." She went back to organizing the silver.
The sisters shared a relieved look, and then went to the pantry. Inwe hoped that the maid would not be punished for her kindness. Alatariel opened the pantry cabinet doors, revealing lembas wrapped in leaves, salted meats, and preserved fruit. Both sisters filled the remaining space in their bags to the brim with food. Neither of them knew where their next food source would come from. After all was accounted for, they had about a month's worth of food for both of them. They tired their bags and slung them over their shoulders. Alatariel also had her arrows, and Inwe had her sword at her side.
"When can you be expected back, miladies?" The maid asked.
"We aren't sure. Whenever the music of the aspens and the pines beckons up back." Answered Alatariel. The sisters left the room.
"Not right, not right at all," muttered the maid, "for Royal Princesses to go camping."
~~*~~
Alatariel and Inwe made for the stables. They went as quickly as they could, laden with their bags. Inwe pushed open the stable doors, and fifteen well refined, beautiful heads popped out of their stalls. One, a blood bay stallion, whinnied in alarm. Inwe rushed over to him, stroking his muzzle and whispering calming words into his ears.
"I'm taking Willow." Alatariel stated, walking over to a gray mare.
"And I will be riding Dawnwhisper." Inwe walked over to a golden mare with a flaxen mane and tail. "I'll get the tack."
They could have rode bareback, as is custom in Mirkwood, but they would be traveling hard for an undetermined amount of time, and they would need a way to strap down their bags. Inwe carried out two tooled leather saddles and matching bridles. Alatariel grabbed two saddle pads. They tackedf up the mares quickly and quietly, and attached their bags so that they would not flap around while they were riding. The sisters led their horses to the outskirts of the palace, mounted, and rode out. Alatariel turned to Inwe. "Did you leave a note for Father and Mother?"
"Yes." She replied, staring out into the rising sun. "Let's canter."
"Okay." Both sisters urged their mounts into a smooth canter, and they disappeared into the forests of Mirkwood.
~~*~~
"My liege, your daughters!" A maid came jogging into the main hall of the palace.
"What is it?" The king stood up from his throne. The others in the room turned to look at the maid, too. The queen stayed seated, but a look of concern was apparent on her face.
"Early this morning, I was organizing the silver in the kitchens. They said they were going camping, but when I went to clean their rooms, I found this!" She held a rolled up piece of parchment in her hand.
"What does it say?" Asked the king. The king was a wise elf, and he was still young, only about four thousand years of age. He had long, blond hair that he wore down, and sky blue eyes. His queen was gorgeous. She had fair skin, raven black hair, and eyes as gray as stormclouds. Both were well loved by their people, and their daughters were just as popular.
"Maybe you should read it, my King." She held the note out to him, bent respectfully on one knee. The king took it, holding it out for him and his queen to read.
Father and Mother,
We can feel the shadows deepening around us. I know you sense it, too. They feel alive, as though they are watching us. More than once they have caused is distress in the night. We can feel the winds changing, and it may not be for the good. We feel it is our royal duty to our land and our people to discover this evil and bring it to light. We love you very much, and will be home as soon as possible.
Mela,
Inwe and Alatariel
"They have gone." He said quietly, dropping the parchment on the floor. The queen placed her hand in his.
"King Legolas, Queen Nienori, I will search for them!" A young elf, around the Princesses' age, rose and stepped forward.
"Are you aware of the magnitude of this task, Cellen?" Asked Legolas.
"I am, and it is my duty to bring them home to their people." He answered proudly. He had deep mahogany eyes that shone with kindness and fawn brown hair. He was a great fighter, and one of Legolas's most trusted men, despite his young age.
"Very well, Cellen. I am glad you have accepted this task. There are not many I would trust with it. If you bring the Royal Princesses home, your reward for your loyalty to your homeland will be one of their hands in marriage. You may choose which. Please, return them to their people."
"It is an honor to be trusted with this task, and to be allowed to wed one of your precious daughters. Do not worry, my king. I will bring them home to their people." He bowed, and took his seat once more. The others knew better then to start an excited discussion about the wedding in the presence of the king, and they held their tongues.
"He may have whatever he desires for his journey. See that he is well equipped, Maleah." The maid bowed, and Cellen walked over to her. They both left for the kitchens and weapon chambers. "You are all dismissed." The others left the room, an excited chatter rising from the halls.
"What are they doing, Legolas?" Queen Nienori asked, her grief evident.
"I do not know, melamin, but they will bne home soon, do not worry." He planted a kiss on her forehead.
"I hope they are okay. May the isdom of their people go with them," the queen whispered, getting up from her throne and heading for their bed chambers, "May the Valar go with them."
They flew down the hall like frightened deer, but made much less noise. Elves could be silent when they wished to be. They were little more than a ghost's shadow, melting into the darkness. They were bound for the weapons chambers, where the royal family kept their swords, bows, and other instruments of war. Alatariel went in front, pulling Inwe along by her hand. They ran through twists and turns until Inwe felt horribly disoriented. Alatariel came to a sudden halt in front of two heavy oaken doors. Inwe whispered the secret password known only to the royal family, and the heavy doors swung open on well-oiled hinges. Inside was a large, round room. The walls were marble with inlaid gold murals of the battles of past ages. Along the wall were spears, shields, morning stars, and other weapons that were dangerously fabulous. There were also cabinets along the walls. Inwe went to one, Alatariel to another. Inwe opened the huge redwood cabinet, and inside were dozens of gorgeous swords. Inwe chose a long scimitar with a practical bronze hilt and leather sheath. She withdrew the blade, revealing a clean, cold steel blade that flashed in the moonlight. Alatariel opened an oak cabinet, and within were many beautiful bows. Alatariel looked through the rows, and pulled out a polished recurve bow, the kind that Mirkwood was famous for. Many rangers in their father's army couldn't even draw the bow, but Alatariel could. She also took multiple quivers of arrows and slung them over her shoulder.
"Ready, seleramin?" She asked Inwe.
"Ready." They ran back to their chambers. It was great luck that they were not caught by any guards or maids that often were awake in the dark hours of the night. They rushed back to their rooms, not wanting to push their luck.
"Meet me back outside in a matter of minutes. Pack lightly, we will be traveling quickly." She disappeared into her rooms. Inwe went into hers. She slipped out of her bedclothes, putting on a deep forest green tunic and riding breeches. She grabbed a leather belt and fitted her sword's sheath to it, then put it around her waist. Grabbing a worn traveling bag, she shoved as many pieces of clothing as she could into it. She pulled on her supple riding boots, and ducked outside. A few moments later, Alatariel appeared.
"We need food. To the kitchens." She grabbed Inwe's hand and dragged her down the halls to the kitchens. She pushed open the swinging double doors, and both sisters stopped dead in their tracks. Inside a maid was organizing the silver. Looking up at them with an open, honest face, she asked,
"How can I help you, miladies?" She was cordial and kind.
Inwe didn't want to lie, but they could not reveal their plans for leaving. She bit her lip and said, "We are going on. a camping trip. We need food for the journey." She looked meaningfully at Alatariel, hoping she would catch on.
"I'll get it for you, miss-"
"That's okay, we don't want to interrupt what you were doing with our menial task. We will do it." Alatariel said, cutting her off. "But thank you for the offer."
"If you need me, just call, miladies." She went back to organizing the silver.
The sisters shared a relieved look, and then went to the pantry. Inwe hoped that the maid would not be punished for her kindness. Alatariel opened the pantry cabinet doors, revealing lembas wrapped in leaves, salted meats, and preserved fruit. Both sisters filled the remaining space in their bags to the brim with food. Neither of them knew where their next food source would come from. After all was accounted for, they had about a month's worth of food for both of them. They tired their bags and slung them over their shoulders. Alatariel also had her arrows, and Inwe had her sword at her side.
"When can you be expected back, miladies?" The maid asked.
"We aren't sure. Whenever the music of the aspens and the pines beckons up back." Answered Alatariel. The sisters left the room.
"Not right, not right at all," muttered the maid, "for Royal Princesses to go camping."
~~*~~
Alatariel and Inwe made for the stables. They went as quickly as they could, laden with their bags. Inwe pushed open the stable doors, and fifteen well refined, beautiful heads popped out of their stalls. One, a blood bay stallion, whinnied in alarm. Inwe rushed over to him, stroking his muzzle and whispering calming words into his ears.
"I'm taking Willow." Alatariel stated, walking over to a gray mare.
"And I will be riding Dawnwhisper." Inwe walked over to a golden mare with a flaxen mane and tail. "I'll get the tack."
They could have rode bareback, as is custom in Mirkwood, but they would be traveling hard for an undetermined amount of time, and they would need a way to strap down their bags. Inwe carried out two tooled leather saddles and matching bridles. Alatariel grabbed two saddle pads. They tackedf up the mares quickly and quietly, and attached their bags so that they would not flap around while they were riding. The sisters led their horses to the outskirts of the palace, mounted, and rode out. Alatariel turned to Inwe. "Did you leave a note for Father and Mother?"
"Yes." She replied, staring out into the rising sun. "Let's canter."
"Okay." Both sisters urged their mounts into a smooth canter, and they disappeared into the forests of Mirkwood.
~~*~~
"My liege, your daughters!" A maid came jogging into the main hall of the palace.
"What is it?" The king stood up from his throne. The others in the room turned to look at the maid, too. The queen stayed seated, but a look of concern was apparent on her face.
"Early this morning, I was organizing the silver in the kitchens. They said they were going camping, but when I went to clean their rooms, I found this!" She held a rolled up piece of parchment in her hand.
"What does it say?" Asked the king. The king was a wise elf, and he was still young, only about four thousand years of age. He had long, blond hair that he wore down, and sky blue eyes. His queen was gorgeous. She had fair skin, raven black hair, and eyes as gray as stormclouds. Both were well loved by their people, and their daughters were just as popular.
"Maybe you should read it, my King." She held the note out to him, bent respectfully on one knee. The king took it, holding it out for him and his queen to read.
Father and Mother,
We can feel the shadows deepening around us. I know you sense it, too. They feel alive, as though they are watching us. More than once they have caused is distress in the night. We can feel the winds changing, and it may not be for the good. We feel it is our royal duty to our land and our people to discover this evil and bring it to light. We love you very much, and will be home as soon as possible.
Mela,
Inwe and Alatariel
"They have gone." He said quietly, dropping the parchment on the floor. The queen placed her hand in his.
"King Legolas, Queen Nienori, I will search for them!" A young elf, around the Princesses' age, rose and stepped forward.
"Are you aware of the magnitude of this task, Cellen?" Asked Legolas.
"I am, and it is my duty to bring them home to their people." He answered proudly. He had deep mahogany eyes that shone with kindness and fawn brown hair. He was a great fighter, and one of Legolas's most trusted men, despite his young age.
"Very well, Cellen. I am glad you have accepted this task. There are not many I would trust with it. If you bring the Royal Princesses home, your reward for your loyalty to your homeland will be one of their hands in marriage. You may choose which. Please, return them to their people."
"It is an honor to be trusted with this task, and to be allowed to wed one of your precious daughters. Do not worry, my king. I will bring them home to their people." He bowed, and took his seat once more. The others knew better then to start an excited discussion about the wedding in the presence of the king, and they held their tongues.
"He may have whatever he desires for his journey. See that he is well equipped, Maleah." The maid bowed, and Cellen walked over to her. They both left for the kitchens and weapon chambers. "You are all dismissed." The others left the room, an excited chatter rising from the halls.
"What are they doing, Legolas?" Queen Nienori asked, her grief evident.
"I do not know, melamin, but they will bne home soon, do not worry." He planted a kiss on her forehead.
"I hope they are okay. May the isdom of their people go with them," the queen whispered, getting up from her throne and heading for their bed chambers, "May the Valar go with them."