1"How much longer?" Katelyn asked Legolas in a fake whiny voice. "You said that we were close to your kingdom..."
"That depends on your definition of close, my lady." he answered her, trying to hide the smile in his voice.
"An hour is close..." she stated plainly, "Eight hours is not close. Now, how much longer? And go by my definition of whether or not we're close."
"Five minutes, now hush." Legolas said annoyed.
Katelyn snarled in disapproval of his attitude. "You are being rather rude, Prince Legolas." she said plainly.
"I am not annoyed with you, just with Ioren." he answered with a gentler tone of voice.
"Why?" she asked, curious.
"Because he keeps looking at you." Legolas said shortly.
Katelyn giggled slightly, before turning it into a cough. She was silent for a moment, then asked in a sweet voice, "Is Prince Legolas jealous?"
He didn't answer her question, but said, "We're here... Once we've reached the Hall, I want you to be respectful to my father, or else I might have to kill someone to get you back."
"What about Sam, and Abbey?" Katelyn asked apprehensively.
"I'm sure they could handle themselves, but all the same, I'll tell them as well."
Katelyn felt Willow halt, and Legolas dismount. She felt his arms carefully lay on her waist as he helped her off the horse. Katelyn sensed someone approach, and heard Ioren's voice; which was cool and amused say, "I shall take the mortal from here, prince. You best go wash your hands from touching it."
She felt a strong hand clasp her wrists pulling her forward. Her blindfold was removed roughly from her eyes, but her bonds remained firmly around her wrists. Her wrists were now red and irritated from her trying to escape her trammels. She blinked several times to get her eyes adjusted to the light. They were standing in some sort of courtyard where there were many trees with leaves of the deepest shades of green. A building of white stone stood proudly behind her. The grand fortress had at least five floors, with marble white steps leading up to a set of formidable double doors. Her eyes narrowed when she saw that the one who was grasping her wrists tightly, was Ioren. She tried to pull away from him, but he only pulled her closer.
"Let me go." she hissed to him.
Ioren laughed derisively. "A mortal woman telling me what to do! I never thought I'd see the day..."
Katelyn writhed and pulled even more until she broke free, stumbling backwards into Legolas's arms. Abbey and Samantha had broken away from their guards and run to her side. Legolas hurriedly undid Katelyn's ropes, so she could untie Abbey and Samantha's.
"Your father is not going to be pleased about this..." Ioren said sternly.
"Since when has my father ever been pleased?" Legolas spat harshly, taking Katelyn's unbound hand and leading her over to the stairs. Abbey glared at Ioren before following. Samantha was already at Katelyn's side.
Legolas pushed the doors wide open, and the other three had to stifle a gasp at the ennobling hall before them. It was enormous, with a high steeple ceiling which was covered with immense intricately designed windows where the sunlight streamed through. The hall was made of white and black marble, with many beautiful torches and brackets of candles scattered everywhere. At the end of the hall, were three thrones.
Two of which were occupied by a man and a woman. The man had shoulder-length dark blonde hair that had flecks of gray and intense midnight blue eyes which hardened as the four of them approached. The garb he wore was in dark grays and navies; which was a gray tunic, blue cloak, and dark gray leggings with soft leather black boots. He had a stubbled goatee which was also blonde and spotted with light gray. His face was lined, but not deeply so.
The woman had hair the same color as Legolas's, which fell to her thin waist in elegant waves. She had sparkling bright blue eyes that held much wisdom and understanding. Her gaze was not as harsh as the man's, but it was still foreboding enough. The woman looked to be nearing middle-aged, but attractively so. Her thin lips turned up in a half hearted smile as they stopped before them.
She stood up gracefully, and went and embraced Legolas saying, "My son, why have you strayed from your home for so long?"
"I'm afraid I lost track of how long I was away." he answered quickly, hugging his mother back and giving her a light kiss on the cheek.
"You were looking for Tari again, weren't you?" she asked gravely, taking his face in her hands and staring intently into his eyes. Legolas avoided her gaze, which was how she knew the answer. She let go of him and sighed deeply. "What am I going to do with you? You spend more of your time looking for the poor darling then you do here. Not that it matters, for you only sulk when you are at home." Legolas's mother focused her attention on the other three, her gaze becoming scrutinizing. When her eyes focused upon Katelyn, she gasped. "Legolas! Is that-?"
"Mother, calm yourself. Yes, I believe that she is Tari." Legolas said, taking Katelyn's hand and pulling her forward so that she was face to face with his mother.
Legolas's mother smiled at Katelyn graciously, and took her hands in her own. She studied Katelyn's face carefully, still smiling. But when she saw her ears however, the smile faded as easily as it had appeared. "Legolas..." she sighed reproachfully.
"I know, mother, I know. But just look at her! She looks exactly like Tari." he protested.
The man who Katelyn assumed was Legolas's father stood up from his throne and stepped over to her. His hardened gaze had not melted whatsoever. Without saying a word, he looked at her ears in disgust before turning to his son. "Legolas, taker these three mortals out of this hall at once, and give them to the guards. Tell them to take them to the Keep."
"Thranduil!" his wife objected, saying her husband's name furiously.
"Do not argue with me Lothiriel." King Thranduil said firmly and angrily. "You know very well that no mortals are tolerated in the realm of Mirkwood. This is not Tari! It is a mortal!"
"Father you do not understand what Lady Galadriel did-" Lindale began to explain hurriedly, but his words were cut short.
"Silence! Both of you, for Valar's sake..." Lothiriel said exasperated, holding out a hand to each in a signal to be quiet. She turned to her husband. "Now, Thranduil dear, there is a simple way to solve this problem. Did you forget the guests who are staying with us for a week?"
Thranduil gritted his teeth, apparently fighting hard to keep a leash on his anger. "No, I did not forget." he answered.
"Then we shall settle this here and now." Legolas's mother said lightheartedly. She called an elf that was apparently a servant, and whispered hurried orders in his ear. He nodded in understanding, glanced once at Katelyn, and then hurried off out a side door. "Come, sit." Lothiriel said, taking Samantha gently by the arm and leading all of them to the table set at the side of the hall.