BraveChicken-Thanks for being a loyal reviewer!
Claypso-You'da best, man.
A/N: This is supposed to sound old and regal, like the elves themselves.
Chapter Four
The intricately carved doors swung open on the nicely oiled doors. It was lunchtime when she entered the doors, and the entire court was there. The doors were at the south end of the room, and the sides were covered with tables that were lined up. The hall was supported by wood pillars, and had cold grey limestone for a floor. The middle space was clear for dancing in feast times.
What was jovial laughter became deadly silence as she entered, Anor in arms. She heard her footsteps patter on the grey stone floor. She had approached the royal table many times, but never in such attention or silence. Her nervous heart beat through the room.
The king sat the highest chair. The Lady was on his left, and on the other side, Legolas.
She would not look at him. He had hurt her in the most horrifying way to her. That was right before she had tried to tell him about Anor, and she had felt betrayed. Would he make his own son a bastard?
Her thoughts ended as she finally reached the red-carpeted stairs leading up to the royal table, and bowed low before them.
-
The Lady of the Light spoke first. "Niphredil, where have you been these last two days? I found you missing and was greatly alarmed," she said.
"Your Lords and Ladyship, I was detained in the woods. I was walking along, and I found this child wailing. He could not be more than three-day old. He is an Elf-Child, one of the blessed."
It was Legolas, the accursed keeper of her heart who spoke next.
"Lady Niphredil, did you notice anything else at the scene where you found the child?" he said, his voice more and more harsh by the syllable.
She kept her answers low and close to the point. Talking more than she should might cause her to slip, or even show emotion in her voice.
"No, my Prince," said the elleth.
"Was he wrapped in anything?" he asked.
"Some old furs, my liege." she said.
"Where did you find him?" he questioned.
"He was near the royal birthing place, my lord. I don't know if that helps you or not, "she said in pretend uncertainty.
Legolas stopped in his questioning. She wondered if maybe he had finally got her clue from the subtle hint, but she doubted it. She also wondered what had caused him to be so harsh with her. There were problems between them, but there was a certain decorum he had to use, and she could tell he had disregarded the rules
The Lady understood, and looked sharply to Niphredil. She was lost in thought, and could not put up the invisible shields she had spent month practicing to guard her most private thoughts. It was if she could feel a hand, delving through her thoughts to find the one she sought.
"My Lady, should you like to know something, you only have to ask me. Forgive me for my frankness, "she said. The Lady sat back in her chair quickly, and she felt the hand leave. She internally sighed, for one second later, and it would have been all out. As it was, the only thoughts she had found were the ones on the surface.
She turned her attention to King Thuranduil. "I came to ask you a boon, my lord. May I raise this child as mine own, love him, and tend to his needs?"
The king looked at both of the advisors, who gave subtle nods.
"The parents of this elfling do not deserve to have their child back if this is how they treat a newborn babe. Your family will be able to provide for this child, and give it a good home. You have my blessing," he said.
She looked as if to turn away, but returned her attention to the King.
"My lord, I would ask you the favor of having hot milk and food sent up to my room. I made liquefied food out of mine, and I have not eaten in two days."
The King snapped one of the servants to attention, and he ran off to the kitchens.
-
She bowed, and walked out of the room. Once out she sagged against the wall.
He was so beautiful, and yet she could not have him. Did life have to be so cruel? She remembered also, that beauty can also cover cruelty.
Anor, who had been napping through the entire thing, began to wail. She shushed him, and walked up to her rooms. Once the door had been closed, she poured the milk down the bathtub drain, and fed him, then fed herself. Somehow, she managed to fall asleep with images and memories with Legolas swirling around her head.
A/N: This is supposed to sound old and regal, like the elves themselves.
Chapter Four
The intricately carved doors swung open on the nicely oiled doors. It was lunchtime when she entered the doors, and the entire court was there. The doors were at the south end of the room, and the sides were covered with tables that were lined up. The hall was supported by wood pillars, and had cold grey limestone for a floor. The middle space was clear for dancing in feast times.
What was jovial laughter became deadly silence as she entered, Anor in arms. She heard her footsteps patter on the grey stone floor. She had approached the royal table many times, but never in such attention or silence. Her nervous heart beat through the room.
The king sat the highest chair. The Lady was on his left, and on the other side, Legolas.
She would not look at him. He had hurt her in the most horrifying way to her. That was right before she had tried to tell him about Anor, and she had felt betrayed. Would he make his own son a bastard?
Her thoughts ended as she finally reached the red-carpeted stairs leading up to the royal table, and bowed low before them.
-
The Lady of the Light spoke first. "Niphredil, where have you been these last two days? I found you missing and was greatly alarmed," she said.
"Your Lords and Ladyship, I was detained in the woods. I was walking along, and I found this child wailing. He could not be more than three-day old. He is an Elf-Child, one of the blessed."
It was Legolas, the accursed keeper of her heart who spoke next.
"Lady Niphredil, did you notice anything else at the scene where you found the child?" he said, his voice more and more harsh by the syllable.
She kept her answers low and close to the point. Talking more than she should might cause her to slip, or even show emotion in her voice.
"No, my Prince," said the elleth.
"Was he wrapped in anything?" he asked.
"Some old furs, my liege." she said.
"Where did you find him?" he questioned.
"He was near the royal birthing place, my lord. I don't know if that helps you or not, "she said in pretend uncertainty.
Legolas stopped in his questioning. She wondered if maybe he had finally got her clue from the subtle hint, but she doubted it. She also wondered what had caused him to be so harsh with her. There were problems between them, but there was a certain decorum he had to use, and she could tell he had disregarded the rules
The Lady understood, and looked sharply to Niphredil. She was lost in thought, and could not put up the invisible shields she had spent month practicing to guard her most private thoughts. It was if she could feel a hand, delving through her thoughts to find the one she sought.
"My Lady, should you like to know something, you only have to ask me. Forgive me for my frankness, "she said. The Lady sat back in her chair quickly, and she felt the hand leave. She internally sighed, for one second later, and it would have been all out. As it was, the only thoughts she had found were the ones on the surface.
She turned her attention to King Thuranduil. "I came to ask you a boon, my lord. May I raise this child as mine own, love him, and tend to his needs?"
The king looked at both of the advisors, who gave subtle nods.
"The parents of this elfling do not deserve to have their child back if this is how they treat a newborn babe. Your family will be able to provide for this child, and give it a good home. You have my blessing," he said.
She looked as if to turn away, but returned her attention to the King.
"My lord, I would ask you the favor of having hot milk and food sent up to my room. I made liquefied food out of mine, and I have not eaten in two days."
The King snapped one of the servants to attention, and he ran off to the kitchens.
-
She bowed, and walked out of the room. Once out she sagged against the wall.
He was so beautiful, and yet she could not have him. Did life have to be so cruel? She remembered also, that beauty can also cover cruelty.
Anor, who had been napping through the entire thing, began to wail. She shushed him, and walked up to her rooms. Once the door had been closed, she poured the milk down the bathtub drain, and fed him, then fed herself. Somehow, she managed to fall asleep with images and memories with Legolas swirling around her head.