Chapter Six

"They hate me!" Daralis exclaimed as she sat up, brambles in her hair and a light layer of dust covering her face. "My grandfather hates me. My father hates me! They're making ride this fucking horse because they hate me. This is absolutely absurd, for fuck's sake!"

Her horse, Morwinyon, trotted past her looking down in what looked to her like concern. A strong Elven steed, he was the son of the two most magnificent horses in the realm. His coat was a deep, resplendent, mahogany, and his mane and tail were the same shade as her own hair, a intense, Cimmerian chocolate.

She had been in riding and archery lessons for two months, and was beginning to get the hang of things- despite what it may have seemed.

Morwinyon turned, and stopped to look at her and wait for her to get back up and back on him, but she sat there for a minute, leaving her horse very annoyed.

The Elven stallion twisted its head and neighed at her, nuzzling at her side for her to get up. She pulled herself up by the saddle, and stood.

"No way I'm getting back on that cumwad of a horse. Someone else can ride him or whatever it is that needs to be done. I'm going inside."

She stormed back up the muddy road to calls from Voronion, her riding instructor. Her rear was covered in dirt and mud, making her green riding skirts a cloudy grayish color. Legolas came dashing down to her.

"Dara, we must leave for Rivendell immediately. As soon as possible. We are going tomorrow morning." He looked worried.

"What? But why?" Daralis could feel the tense energy radiating from him.

"We have just received word that Orcs are on their way here, and we need assistance. We are going tomorrow morn, then the Rivendell armies will depart to assist Mirkwood, and you will stay in Rivendell until we return. We will then begin our diplomatic stay."

"But I thought that I was supposed to rule if Orcs attacked?"

"You are not yet ready, Dara. This is far too important."

"Well I could have told ya that."

"Not important, Miire-nin! Go and tell Lady Imsiriel to help you pack for the trip and for your stay. Go now!" Daralis rolled her eyes and began running to the castle while Legolas continued down the road to tell Voronion about the news.

Back in her room, Daralis and Imsiriel stuffed things into large, gilded trunks- gowns, slippers, brushes, her custom assembled combs and custom mixed blushes and powders, pillow("It's a thing I have," she informed Imsiriel),in one, and her stationery, more gowns and slippers in another, and a third completely filled with gowns and slippers.

"Imsi, do you mind if I ask you a question? I mean, it's just been on my mind for a few months now, and I think you could answer it for me."

"Of course, Princess."

"Well, a few days after I arrived, I was looking for my father, and I found this room full of all these women in formal wear. I was just wondering what that was there for."

Imsiriel's eyebrows were raised.

"Princess, you must keep an open mind when I tell you this, and do not jump to conclusions."

"Um, okay."

"They are concubines."

"WHAT?!?"

"Concubines, Princess, but you must listen to me!"

"I can't believe he keeps a hall full of fucking concubines!"

"But Princess, you must realize that-"

"That lying shit. How dare he tell me that my mother meant something to him when all she was was a glorified, modernized-"

"Stop it, Princess! You father has never touched a concubine in his countless centuries. His Highness Thranduil had them brought in hopes of striking his fancy, but the father and son had a large argument over it. They did not speak for a while, in fact."

Daralis was speechless looking at her handmaiden.

"Imsi, I want you to come with me," Daralis said, sitting on her bed and holding the hands of her only non-related friend, who was standing before her.

"I cannot, Princess, but I shall wish you pleasant tidings and plenty of fortune whilst you are there," Imsiriel replied.

Daralis took on a grumpy frown. "Well, what if I refused to go unless you could come, too?"

"Princess, please. Do not get yourself into trouble for my sake, especially since you do not need me with you."

"Like hell I don't! I can't dress myself, Imsi!"

"Princess, no. I am sure they will have dressing mistresses in Rivendell, I cannot let you do this."
"Well, you're no fun."

"I apologize."

"Don't apologize, I was trying to get to you," Daralis said, exasperated.

"Princess, please do not despair. We shall meet again when you return!"

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Later, departing Mirkwood in Morwinyon's saddle with her subjects behind her waving farewell, Daralis whispered quietly to herself the formal Elven greetings and farewells. She rode beside her father, with guards behind her, to the right side of her, and one in front of her. Legolas had guards on his left.

There were pack horses carrying the necessary supplies for a two week trip, although with their rush they would arrive in one week- if not sooner.

The traveling was all scheduled, and Daralis knew that both the guards and her father could ride the entire way without resting or even eating, and even the horses would manage with scarce rest.

She was determined not to slow anyone down in this, her first duty to her realm and its citizens.

After one day's riding, she was exhausted, but refused to show it. While the horses were resting around noon the next day, she ate, but by the time she had closed her eyes from a few minutes, they were ready to continue.

After four days without incident, Daralis was living on fifteen minutes of sleep and a piece of lembas bread.

On the fifth day, Legolas turned to her.

"Dara, are you feeling well?" His resplendent face held a worried look.

"What?" Daralis was drifting in and out of a hazy cloud caused by no food or sleep.

"I asked you if you were feeling well."

"I'm feeling fine, thanks."

"Dara.." Legolas responded, disbelieving.

"I said I'm fine, Atar. Thank you for asking," she added to her defensive argument.

She probably looked like shit, and she knew it. In fact, she was pretty sure the next time she visited a bush to urinate the water she was constantly drinking to keep her awake, she would collapse into a deep sleep only to wake hours later, on her side, riding skirts hiked above her waist and bottom covered in either a rash or a venomous bite from the nature she'd learned so little about.

But there was no time to worry about that.
Which was probably why, as the royal party reached the sight of far off Imladris on their sixth day of riding, Princess Daralis of Mirkwood slipped unconsciously off her horse.

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"There is no time, Legolas. The troops must leave, and leave immediately. You know that she shall be in good hands here. If you are to leave, you must go now."

"Lord Elrond, as always, I welcome your counsel, but how can I leave my child in this manner? She has never visited Imladris, and if she should wake before I return to her, what shall happen then?"

" I understand your concern, Legolas, but you must keep the safety of your people in your heart as well as that of your family. If you stay now, it shall be for the entire battle."

"She will wake up to an alien land and an alien people. She will know no one. Imagine her fright."

"I am sorry for your choice, Legolas. But still, you must make it."

With a sorrowful heart, Legolas lifted his bow and followed Elrond Half-Elven out of the hospital wing of Imladris.

A.N.: I have absolutely no idea how long it takes to get from Mirkwood to Rivendell, but as you will see later, they are in a rush, and so I'm going to allot one week. Hopefully I shan't be jailed.

Hehe you likey? Good! REVIEW! I'm sorry it's been so long.. I promise to work extra hard and get the next chapter out much more quickly.

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