Seeking the Past; Dreading the Truth

Chapter 5:  First Impressions

Disclaimer: Don't own LotR, even Lego, no matter how much I wish I did (and he protests I do).  I own Madrial, Silme and Elente.

Summary: Through the memories of her parents' past, Elente finds her true self.  This chapter will be a memory of how Madrial and Legolas met.  ;-D

A/n:  Oopsy… I had meant to change Elente's age in the previous chapter, but apparently, I forgot.  She was 50 when banished, making her almost 100 now.  Her birthday will be shortly before she reveals the truth to her father.  Also, anyone in favor of Madrial not really dying, review and say so.  Madrial's last name, which I am changing from common to Elvish, is Brethil.  Finally, the reason I killed Thranduil off is I didn't like having so little known about a character, and I couldn't write him in character.  If he's a little ooc, it's not my fault.

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Madrial walked up the forest path to the castle of Mirkwood.  She had come for a job, and intended to become a maid.  Because she came from the Thieves' Forest, she knew some would never trust her, but she never let that keep her down.

A good friend had recommended her for the position, and she was to meet a she-elf named Silme, who would help her get the job.  Coming up to the gates, she met a hunting party just about to enter.  She hurried over, and when challenged by a guard, explained she heard of the maid shortage.

"All right, then," he said, not really trusting her.  Once, she was a thief and was caught, and she had a 't' branded into her right wrist because of it.  Since then, she had never stolen anything again if she could help it.  Looking up, as the party filtered through the great stone archway leading into the caves, she caught a young lord's eyes for a moment.  Reluctantly, she pulled her gaze from his green eyes, and stepped through the slowly closing gateway.

"You Madrial Brethil?"  A redheaded elf asked, stepping forward.

"Yes, I am," Madrial replied, brushing a stray lock of brown hair away.  "Are you Silme?"

"Right.  Ok now, you need a job.  Follow me," with that, the redhead strode off down the corridors lined with torches.  "What type o' maid you looking to be?"

"I really don't know.  What is needed?"  Madrial asked, following Silme.

"Serving, and chamber maids.  You know, maids to change the bedclothes, bring in laundry, and start the fires in the morning."  Silme replied.

"I don't know, I would gladly do either," Madrial uttered, quietly.

  Opening a door, she ushered Madrial in.  "Heruaminrim (My lords)," she said, curtseying politely.  "Re na Madrial Brethil (She is Madrial Brethil)," Silme paused and reverted to Common, "I know you like to inspect the staff yourself, my king, so I brought her here first.  She wants a job as a maid here and is willing to take either position that is open."

The door opened again, and a tall elf walked in.  Madrial recognized him as the one who had caught her eyes at the gate.  He strode up to the throne and muttered something quickly to the king, before taking a seat on his right.

"Tula sinome, arwen Brethil (Come here, lady Brethil)," the king commanded.  Curtseying again, Madrial approached the dais where the thrones were situated.  "Umlle queni'numenya lambe (Do you speak the western tongue)?"

"Uma, Heruamin (Yes, my Lord)," she replied, before switching languages, "I am told, I was the closest to fluent in the Thieves' Forest."

"A thief, eh?  I have no use for thieves as servants, leave."

Madrial rolled up her right sleeve and gestured to the brand, "This is five centuries old," she explained, "I had only stolen two loaves of bread then, and even that was because someone else stole them from me.  Just because someone lives somewhere that is not exactly respectable, doesn't automatically make him or her any less respectable."

"DINA!"  Making a sound that resembled a frightened kitten Madrial sank to the floor. 

"Please, my Lord, do not judge her by her words," Silme quickly spoke, before the king could, "there are no jobs elsewhere for her.  Our palace was her last hope."

"Father," the elf seated to his right started, but he was silenced by a swift movement of the hand.  Thranduil passed a hand across his brow, deep in thought.

"Fine," Madrial jumped back up, "but if I hear that anything has gone missing," the king stared at the young she-elf, "it'll be your head."  Curtseying for what seemed like the millionth time, Madrial followed Silme out of the hall.  Silme led her down the other hallway, deeper into the caves.

"Ok, I guess you'll help me in the mornings and when there's feasts.  Most of the time, I do both jobs, anyway.  Down the hall on the left is the Upper Halls, which are mainly used for feasts.  Straight ahead are the cells for prisoners and even farther down are the cellars and the stream we use to trade with the men of Long Lake."  As she spoke, Silme pointed down each individual hallway.  "Servants quarters are this way."

          Madrial was silent as she followed the redhead deeper into the cave system.  She had always had a slight fear of being closed in, and the idea of doors that opened only for the royal family disturbed her greatly.

A/n Maybe this will be continued in the next few chapters.  Right now, although I have a map of the Mirkwood Caves in front of me, I can't find a way to describe any more places.  I think that qualifies as Writers' Block, but I'm too lazy to write a writers' block story, so you all have to deal with me.  ;D