The Undecided of Earendil
By- Larien
Chapter 16
Elvnchic9- I don't think any of us trust Aragorn with cooking! Lol. And indeed Caniel does seemed a little chuffed with Legolas, and Rodwen isn't helping much is she? I'm glad you liked the thoughts of Legolas incorporated into the story. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, so there it is. At least it wasn't a complete wreck! And I'm also very enthralled that you remarked on the romance between Aragorn and Arwen. I knew it had to be there, but I'm trying to keep it subtle, for I feel they have more of a grasp on their feelings then say, Caniel and Legolas. Thanks for the review, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
HyperSquishy- I think Legolas should tell her too...men! Lol, thanks for the review!
drangonlore- Whoo hoo! I'm glad you are enjoying this so much! I, too, enjoyed Legolas with the elflings; there was really no point to it except thatI thought it was horribly adorable. And thank you so much for the wondeful comments; I'm truly flattered! Um, yes. The author's note was if I should keep the romance, so you've already answered that. Keep reviewing and thanks again for the wonderful reviews already submitted!
Loony Kay- Yes, there has been much drama. And I promise much more in this chapter. More, drama, can you believe that? Neither can I. Lol. Thanks for the review!
madrone- Hmm, the evil elves you say? It will become more evident who the evil elves are later on, but, ohhow can I say this without giving away too much? Don't look for a specific elf or group of elves, it might just be the way the elves are viewed by someone. After all, we already know people of the North pretty much view elves as the bad guys, so it's something along that line. Anyway, thanks for the review and I'm glad you enjoy the story!
Legolaslover77- Rodwen does seem to be adding more trouble doesn't she? Thank you for the advice on writing the romantic scenes. I agree that those who don't like it should not read it, but as we know, there are always critics who would say otherwise. Anyway, thank you for the review and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
A/N- Everyone must see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Johnny Depp, once again, is amazing. Anyway, this chapter is going to be interesting and very long. I'll leave it at that. The reason for the absurd length is that I will be gone for the next few days so this will hopefully suffice until I shall return. Once again, and I'm sure you can recite this by now, please review! It will make my return grand to find many reviews waiting. Ooh, I'm excited for this chapter, and I hope you all enjoy it!
Making dinner turned out to be quite a hassle. With the vegetables taking so long to be gathered, the meat was slightly delayed in cooking and Aragorn suddenly realized that the bread that was suppose to be cut was non other then the bread he had ripped to dip in the spinach dip and the bread he had been cutting was to be sliced for butter, not for sandwiches. With an exasperated wave of her towel and some shrilled reprimanding, Arwen sent a laughing Aragorn and Legolas out of the kitchen. Caniel watched in amusement as the boys took their laughter into the living room, falling onto the couch and gasping for breath, Aragorn remarking about the look on Arwen's face.
Arwen, on the other hand, sighed, frustrated, and started to fix what could be fixed of the mixed up breads. Caniel noticed the slight smile she concealed between her pursed lips, but said nothing and busied herself where she was seated on a stool, mixing a spicy salsa. Rodwen was at the stove, as she had been ever since Caniel came in from the outside, stirring her soup saying little but laughing shrilly at anything and everything that could be amusing.
"I just don't understand how he could mess this up." Arwen mumbled angrily under her breath as she tossed some bread into a bowel and replaced the bread on the platter with fresh bread from the cabinet. "I clearly told him the long bread is sliced in two and the round bread is ripped. How can anyone…"
Caniel smiled to herself, amused by the immense amount of grumbling that ensued from her niece, then picked up the salsa bringing it to the stove where she placed it next to the soup.
"What are you making?" Rodwen asked curtly, eyeing the salsa over her raised nose.
"It is a dip." Caniel answered, stirring it once before taking her spot at the table again where she began slicing away at an apple who's fellow apples had been piled in a glass bowel along with other assortments of fruit.
"I see. It looks delicious." Rodwen smiled faintly.
"Thank you." Caniel looked to Arwen who was too engrossed in her mumbling to care what was being said elsewhere in the room.
"How long have you known Legolas?" Rodwen asked abruptly.
Caniel shrugged, her insides lurching with a little resentment at the mention of his name. "Not long. A week maybe?"
"I see." Rodwen set the spoon down and stroked her chin thoughtfully. "He seems nice enough."
"He is." Caniel said smugly, keeping her attention on the apple in front of her.
Rodwen eyed the girl quietly for a moment, wondering whether to prod her for more insight on the elf, but decided that with the amount of people around, it was best saved for another time.
Eventually, after much carrying out of demands from Arwen, the dinner was finished. Caniel ushered everyone out of her home, save for Arwen, and then went to her room to change. Looking through her closet, she wondered whether it was an occasion that called for more formal wear or casual wear, so she beckoned over her shoulder to Arwen.
"How should one dress for tonight?" She asked as Arwen made her way into the bedroom, wiping her hands on the front of her apron.
"I'm wearing this." She replied, indicating the simple yet elegant yellow dress under the apron. "If I could make a suggestion though, wear that one."
Arwen pulled out a lovely, light pink dress that Caniel had not worn for quite a while. It hung loose off the shoulders with shimmering sleeves and a diamond belt. It fit her figure well, accentuating the fine curves of her waist and trailing slightly at the bottom. For a moment Caniel wondered if it was too extravagant, but after reassurance from Arwen she pulled it on with some help and admired herself in the mirror. It was very flattering, although she felt dainty and it vaguely reminded her of something Rodwen would wear.
"Rodwen would have the entire dress studded with diamonds." Arwen smirked, brushing through Caniel's long hair. "You don't look anything like her."
"And anyway," She continued, pulling back some of Caniel's hair into a braid. "Don't you want to look presentable? After all, you'll need to make a good impression for King Thranduil."
"I'll have to make a good impression for everyone." Caniel corrected.
"Indeed, but especially for the King." Arwen smiled, tying the braid and admiring her fine work.
"Thank you." Caniel replied, standing to retrieve a matching necklace from her vanity drawer.
"Caniel, I've been meaning to ask you," Arwen said slowly, following her and helping her clasp the necklace. "Have you had any more of those visions lately?"
"No." Came Caniel's immediate response. "Why?"
"I was just wondering."
Caniel thought back to the dreams she still had at night, of the trip from Valinor. It seemed that ever since the first night with Gandalf, they progressively got more clear and accurate. She rather enjoyed them, truth be told, for she found she was learning a great deal from the wizards that she had long since forgotten.
"All right, ready to go?" Arwen asked finally, checking her own hair once in the mirror before turning to Caniel.
She nodded and they grabbed the food that the others had not already taken and made their way to the dining hall. In the dining hall, many of the invited guests had already arrived. At the head of the table sat Elrond, his golden garments glittering from the fading sun in the high windows and the many candles littering both on and around the table. To his left sat Gandalf, his usual gray robes and long hair sitting through a cloud of smoke issuing from his pipe. To Elrond's left sat King Thranduil in garments of regal green and silver, his firm face outlined with a brilliant head piece, and his long robes enlarging his already broad shoulders and wide chest. Next to him, looking much younger and fairer sat Legolas in his silver garments he'd been wearing earlier with a lighter green robe now pulled over them. He was smiling curtly to Gandalf who he was engaged in conversation with. No doubt to avoid conversation with the man next to him; Aradhel lounged easily in his chair, decorated in garments of dark red, his brown hair brushed back and his face clean and etched with fine features. He was nodding vaguely to his sister who sat to his right, as she mumbled continuously in low tones under her breath, wearing an extravagant gown of purple that was laced and frilled in so many places, it could've passed for a shamble of curtains sewn together. Her hair was braided around her head with a large purple flower tucked behind her ear, which too was decorated with the largest purple gems Caniel had ever seen.
The twins, Elladan and Elrohir, each looking handsome in garments of dark orange and tan, were seated in the last two chairs next to Rodwen, and across from them, three chairs down from Gandalf, sat Aragorn who was sharing apparently a rather amusing story to the two of them, for their laughter continuously rose and died over the sound of the other chatter. A chair at the other end of the table sat empty, Caniel figured for Glorfindel, and the two between Gandalf and Aragorn she presumed to be hers and Arwen's. Setting the food on the table amongst the other platters and wines already littering it, Caniel and Arwen were greeted by many cheery hellos and hungry comments. Legolas smiled curtly to Caniel who only nodded politely in response while Thranduil studied her carefully.
"Who is that?" He asked his son quietly, as she made her way around the table.
"Caniel?" Legolas asked, surprised his father had taken interest in her.
"Is that her name?" Thranduil huffed. "Where have I heard that before?"
"She is Elrond's sister, father." Legolas said quietly. "The youngest child and only daughter of Earendil?"
"Ah yes!" He said, leaning back in his chair. "The undecided one."
Legolas didn't respond for she had taken her seat across from him and was greeting Gandalf with a warm hug.
"My dear Caniel!" Gandalf greeted, setting aside his pipe. "How is your arm?"
"Just fine," Caniel said, though Legolas noticed she wasn't moving it at all.
"I'm glad to hear it." Gandalf smiled.
"You gave us quite a scare." Elrond commented, taking a sip of wine.
"I'm sorry." Caniel said, frowning at her brother.
"It's nothing to apologize for," Gandalf remarked. "We're just glad you were not seriously hurt."
"From what I hear tell of, you were quite the warrior out there." Elrond remarked, a slight smile tickling the edges of his lips.
Caniel blushed. "I was just doing my job."
"She was marvelous." Legolas blurted and he was vaguely aware his father was looking intently at him now. "I've never seen someone fight so gallantly before."
"I concur!" Aragorn had raised his glass from his spot down the table and took a large sip.
"Aragorn!" Arwen scolded, pulling his cup from his grasp. "We haven't even started eating yet and you're drinking like a well!"
"There's no harm in it!" Elladan laughed as he too took a large swig.
"Well, in any case Caniel, I'm glad you proved me wrong." Elrond smiled sincerely, bringing Caniel's heart much warmth.
After a few many minutes of conversation, their last guest arrived. Glorfindel strutted in, wearing an appealing robe of fine black and gray and he was immediately greeted with courteous welcomes. Making his way to Elrond, Caniel strained to hear what he was whispering in Elrond's ear. No one else seemed too concerned, for they were all once again engaged in their own conversations.
"…We believe he may have been taken to the Trollshaws. And yes, I believe he was indeed kidnapped, or at least, forced against his own will to leave, for at one point there were blood marks on the trees. And the ground showed more then one pair of footprints. I have ten elves out searching other boarders, just to be sure, but I think if he his in the Trollshaws, it's beyond our control."
Elrond nodded, his fingers pressed together tapping his lip sternly. Glorfindel straightened, nodded to Gandalf and spotting Caniel made his way over to her.
"Caniel! You're all right?" He asked warmly, kneeling next to her chair.
She nodded and looked him over. "And you? No scratches I see."
He laughed. "I might have hit some poison oak along the way; my ankle itches horribly!"
They shared a quiet laugh before he stood and made his way to the end of the table where he was soon engaged in the drinking along with Aragorn and the twins. Under his breath, Legolas heard his father say something like,
"Quite the popular one around here, isn't she?"
Legolas didn't know what to make of these words, and once again he was delayed from saying anything for Elrond began to make his dining speech and soon trays and platters of food were being passed around. Once their plates were full, some almost to the point of overflowing, many compliments were passed around and then small talk followed as everyone dug in to the delicious meal. It was an alluring meal, pink and yellow rays of sunlight danced off the table as the sun set in the distance, and birds sang merrily outside the open windows. Candles and flowers were spectacular unlike any they had seen outside of festivities and the food was excellent.
As Caniel took a sip of wine, she heard Aragorn let out a rather loud belch, looking horribly ruffled and embarrassed afterward. The twins and Glorfindel felt no shame in laughing aloud at this spectacle, while Arwen only rolled her eyes and Legolas stifled a laugh, keeping his gaze firmly on his plate below him. Even Gandalf chuckled where he sat.
"He's in the spirit, isn't he?" Gandalf smiled to Caniel who returned the smile.
"Gandalf, did you know that the orcs had tamed the wargs?" Caniel asked suddenly. It had been a thought that had bugged her since she had first saw them.
Gandalf shook his head. "I didn't know that they had tamed the wargs. But I had guessed that they were taming some fell creature. After all, they are orcs. They look for easy, efficient ways of getting their tasks done. And they have amazing influence over the more wicked creatures of our lands." He dabbed his beard with a napkin before looking at her. "So no. I did not know that it was wargs. But keep in mind, they probably will have more fowl things in store."
"Trolls, horses, goblins from the mountains. They have even found a way to get wolves to prowl out spies for them." Aradhel spoke up, startling everyone at the end of the table. The other end was too engrossed in their drinking and jokes to care. "I have seen it all as my city is attacked. I have lost many of my wood spies to wolves that prowl them out. Evil creatures they are, and wickedly fast. It's near impossible to tell an orc wolf from the wild wolves."
"Indeed." Gandalf nodded. "Wolves would be efficient, especially for the wild lands. The orcs are smarter and more ahead then we thought."
"And something should be done about it." Aradhel agreed.
"I don't think it wise to jump into wars that we don't know about." Thranduil said simply, picking carefully at a vine of grapes.
"What do you mean?" Elrond asked.
"I mean, it's one thing to warn the orcs off our lands. It's another matter to travel to the northern lands, where my people have no business, and fight a war for them. Especially," he added tossing a grape into his mouth. "When we get nothing in return for our services."
"You did not ask for anything when I brought the deal to you!" Aradhel accused Elrond, sitting forward on his seat.
"I'm aware of what I did and did not ask you, Aradhel." Elrond said calmly, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of meat.
"What has the north ever done for us anyway?" Thranduil demanded of Aradhel. "From what I've heard tell of, your city has only led to deceit and losses. Thankfully, my realm has steered clear your kind so we've never had to experience it first hand. But if fellow elves are being treated unfairly, then I have as much right to base my opinion around their past dealings with you."
"A fair statement." Aradhel replied coolly. Legolas, who was caught in the middle of this, wanted nothing more then to blend in with his chair. Seeing as that was impossible, he only continued to eat, careful to keep his mouth shut and his eyes down. "But that was then. This is now. My cities previous rulers made mistakes, as do many rulers of other realms."
"Ridiculous." Thranduil grumbled.
Aradhel ignored him. "Nonetheless, I have realized these mistakes and am intent to see that they are not repeated. I want to see the alliance of elves and men reunited. Why shouldn't we give it another chance? A chance that can only result in peace and benefits for the both of us."
"You only say that now because you are at war with the orcs." Thranduil harrumphed. "If peace between elves and men is so important to you, why have you waited until now?"
"For the same reason you have waited. It wasn't until I was desperate that I started to think of my options. When it became clear that the elves were my only saving grace, I thought more on the matter and realized what a fool I had been for not allying earlier on. But again, mistakes are made and we learn."
"It is curious to me these benefits you claim we will gain." Elrond asked quietly. "What do you have in mind?"
"Indeed the only benefit I see is you getting your rear out of this war in one piece!" Thranduil shoved a roll into his mouth distastefully.
"Open trade, peace between the elves and men, free range of open lands, and should enemies know of our alliance, we will have no difficulty in keeping future prowlers out of our lands." Aradhel replied smoothly.
This was followed my many minutes of quiet eating while they all pondered it over. Legolas was grateful to have finally escaped the middle of the discussion and he watched Caniel, who ate her food slowly, her impaired arm sitting in her lap. She seemed so limp, so frail, yet she stunned him. Her appearance in the hall had nearly rendered him speechless during his conversation with Gandalf, and he could not keep his eyes off her. The dress she wore was stunning and he had trouble, even now, keeping his mouth from openly gapping at her.
As the meal progressed, so did the drinking. Gandalf found no shame in helping himself to many glasses of the bitter wine and Elrond too seemed to go for glass after glass, and Caniel wondered if it was because of the constant nagging from the King and Aradhel. She, herself, had had a couple of glasses, but not enough to affect her much. Legolas was laughing at the ranger who had completely gone drunk, talking loudly and hiccupping constantly. The twins as well were acting very boisterously, whether it was because they had actually drunk so much to that point, or if because they were just caught up in the moment she did not know. Glorfindel too was laughing hysterically at the antics while Arwen tried her hardest to continue reprimanding, though her smile was inevitable now that Aragorn was such a pathetic sight.
"Ugh, he reminds me of Pilimor." Caniel heard Rodwen remark.
"Who?"
"Pilimor." Rodwen looked at her smugly. "He's the prince of Annúminas. I'm supposed to be engaged to him."
"Then you are not?" Caniel asked through a loud outbreak of laughter.
"I don't know." Rodwen waved her hand dismissively. "I've only met him once. Tradition." She added, seeing the confused look on Caniel's face. "He's really a waste of man if you ask me. But he's rich and I have very little say in it anyway…"
"Well, it sounds as though your city is well in order." Thranduil remarked loudly, startling Legolas who had been sitting quietly up to this point. "It's a wise decision to wed the royalty to other royalty. Keeps the royalty alive and healthy for one, and a sturdy lineage."
Rodwen shrugged. "I don't know. It's not all that great, after all, wedding people you don't even know to ensure a strong royalty line?"
"The kings of the city get old and need younglings to be ready to take their place." Thranduil eyed Legolas harshly.
"Father, please." Legolas begged quietly.
"You are not wed then?" Aradhel joined the conversation, turning to Legolas.
"No."
"But he ruddy well should be!" Thranduil exclaimed. "While we're on the subject, have you thought any more on the offer from Malrín?"
"No."
"A woman suitor?" Aradhel asked smiling. "You must have them by the hundreds, being a renowned warrior such as yourself."
"Indeed he does." Thranduil nodded. "In fact, this Malrín comes from a very noble blood line, and her parents are offering a wonderful assortment of riches and offerings for the marriage of the two of them. The best offer I've seen so far."
"Father, I've met her once." Legolas grumbled.
"Rodwen has only met her fiancé one!"
"She's empty in the head." Legolas turned to his father. "I've never met such a dimwitted woman in my life."
"That's not always a bad thing." Aradhel mused, sipping his wine.
"She's been trained to you, Legolas. That's what she has been raised to do; to be the perfect wife for you! She's slower then you so that as King, you are the respected one. She answers your every call and does whatever you ask her to do. When you don't need her, she hides in the shadows and when you do, she's there for your entertainment."
"Is she beautiful?" Aradhel asked.
"Very." Thranduil smiled. "So his entertainment should not be lacking."
Caniel choked on her wine, which she had been sipping. Sputtering, she replaced her glass on the table and hurriedly dabbed her chin with the napkin, feeling rather embarrassed by the looks she was receiving from the King and Aradhel. Legolas, on the other hand, was smiling down at his plate.
"Good gracious, Caniel!" Gandalf smiled, patting her back lightly. "Are you all right?"
"Fine." She gasped, trying to smile through the coughs.
"Anyway," Thranduil had turned back to his son as though nothing had happened. Legolas' smile vanished immediately. "Why have you not thought of her offer? It is the best we've had my son."
"Yes, but I do not like her being my slave." Legolas said. "I do not want her just to answer my every call and provide entertainment. If I marry it will be for love."
"Fine then. What of Gailrin? She was a little more headstrong. Not as noble a blood line, but still very well to do. Or Gwenel? She was very nice. A little timid, not to mention not quite the body of the others…"
"Father!" Legolas exclaimed, as Caniel hid a snort of laughter and Gandalf hurriedly covered his chortle with a cough.
Aradhel looked amused. "You do not look for attractive features in women, Legolas?"
"I don't think it should be a main concern, no." Legolas said firmly.
"My son. You have so many women to choose from. Each entirely different in their own respects and features. You could make them the perfect wife if you so choose. We have that power." Thranduil said more quietly.
"I do not want that power. I will not 'make' the perfect wife. I will find her."
"Then let's review who we have waiting at home, shall we?" Thranduil huffed. "There's Malrín and Gailrin. Gwenel, Arniel, and Nethwen. Arniel, mind you, being a very active elf in our politics at the moment. Wonderful girl. And let's see, there's Randiriel, Rochíriel and Braniel, whose parents are very high ambassadors of Mirkwood."
"And, of course, Caniel." Aradhel added quietly.
This was followed by a very awkward silence, during which Caniel looked wide eyed at the Lord of the North who held a very amused look on his face. Rodwen stared at Legolas who also had snapped his attention to Aradhel. Thranduil slowly tore his eyes away from his son to look at Caniel, while Elrond stopped chewing mid way to stare at Caniel as well, awaiting an explanation. Gandalf, though, only chuckled.
"Very good, very good." He laughed, blowing some smoke from his pipe. "You forgot Arwen as well, my good Aradhel."
"I'm sorry what?" Arwen said, turning her attention from the singing ranger.
"We were just listing all the possible wives for our dear Legolas." Gandalf explained, nodding to Legolas who showed a hint of understanding.
Elrond too, seemed to catch on and said, "I know this lovely girl who works my gardens for me. She's very pretty…"
"Enough!" Thranduil snapped out of his daze. "You are all delusional. Legolas couldn't possibly marry any of these girls! He is to wed an elf of noble, if not royal blood. I need to keep my city under good and noble hands you know!"
"Of course." Elrond nodded, his face showing sour at these words. "We were simply making suggestions."
"And pointing out that any woman should be able to wed Legolas." Gandalf agreed.
Caniel let out a breath she had been holding, relieved that they made such a quick cover.
"Well it was kind enough for you to suggest. But he will marry one of the elves of Mirkwood so that I may rest easy my last years."
"Last years?" Gandalf asked incredulously. "Are you expected to die soon?"
Elrond laughed quietly.
"Hard times are approaching Gandalf. I know not what to expect. But I do expect to see that my city will be taken care of, whence I'm gone." Thranduil said seriously.
The conversation died again, and though Caniel was relieved that it did so, she felt both anger and confusion welling within her. Why had Aradhel mentioned her name? Did he know more then he lead on? But how? It wasn't as if she openly expressed her feelings for Legolas, if there were any at all. Then perhaps Legolas had said something. She felt her heart give a leap right before it plummeted again.
Even if he had said something, it was no good. Thranduil made it clear as day he was to wed an elf maiden of Mirkwood, of noble origin. Since there were two things wrong with this as it applied to her- she wasn't of Mirkwood or an elf- there was no point in getting her hopes up. And perhaps Legolas hadn't said anything at all, and her ways around him just triggered Aradhel's curiosity. Either way, the situation seemed hopeless and she found herself feeling very small and exposed right then. Wishing to drown away some of her inner sorrow, she drained the last of her wine and turned to Gandalf who had the bottle sitting next to him.
"Im faug. Aníron halph." She said quietly and Gandalf poured her glass full of the red liquid. (I'm thirsty. I would like some drink.)
With a sigh, she took the cup to her lips and swallowed the bitter contents in a fluid gulp. Gandalf watched in mild amusement as she finished it and held her glass to him again.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded and he granted her request, refilling it. Legolas had looked up at this point, watching her drain her second full glass, her features remaining calm and undisturbed, as if it was not affecting her. Unlike Aragorn, the affects seemed to take longer to kick in. After another three glasses full, she hiccupped slightly, still not drunk but getting there. Her eyes were slowly showing foggy and her face became slightly paler. Aragorn had the twins singing a song at the end of the table, Glorfindel stomping his hand on the table to keep a rhythm, while Elrond and Gandalf had engrossed themselves in discussions of a meeting on the orcs. Aradhel and Rodwen were talking to each other, seemingly in a disagreement about something, for both appeared angered and their voices continued to rise along with the singing. Arwen was the only one not talking as she kept taking away the bottle from Aragorn and helping him to remain upright in his seat. She was smiling, despite the horrible mess the ranger had created, and even encourage another song when they had finished.
As Caniel was filling her glass again, putting her opinion in on the conversation with Elrond and Gandalf every so often, Thranduil mumbled to Legolas,
"Able to hold a lot of wine, isn't she?"
Legolas nodded, unable to deny the fact that she still acted completely normal despite the amount of wine consumed.
"There's something wrong with her." Thranduil commented.
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked.
"I mean she's too involved for a maiden of the house. She seems to draw too much attention to herself. Women should be backup for the men. Not up front negotiators of the court."
"She is very wise in the way of the politics and decisions of Rivendell." Legolas said defensively. "She knows a lot more then I do, as well as most other elves I have met. Her knowledge is gained much through teachings of the Istari, whom she spent many months with. I would not underestimate her, father."
"I do not." Thranduil huffed into his napkin. "But that is exactly the kind of woman I do not want to see sitting in my courts."
Legolas felt his insides churn with anger at this remark.
"She is more wise and knowledgeable then you are father. And instead of being frightened by it, perhaps you should embrace it as a gift and use her knowledge to your advantage!"
"Women should be pretty and house-maidens. Not warriors and powerful politicians!"
"You offered me a politician!"
"A secretary who takes time and notes on the issues discussed!"
Their voices had risen considerably now, and Caniel, Gandalf and Elrond had stopped to watch.
Legolas was reddening with anger now. "Why are you so afraid of things beyond you? That's why you don't like me traveling, because you don't know what's out there! And you don't like the idea of sending troops North because you don't know what awaits them in unfamiliar territory. And you don't like Caniel because her knowledge and wisdom of the Istari is beyond your own!" He almost shrieked this last sentence.
Gandalf and Elrond exchanged worried glances, but Caniel's eyes remained sadly upon the bickering father and son.
"Legolas keep your voice down!" Thranduil demanded, though his was almost equally a shriek. "And do not speak of things you do not know! I do not like you traveling because what would Mirkwood do if something happened to me and you were away? What would Mirkwood do if I should perish and leave you without a wife, without children, with no money except the funds I leave and a city to rule? What would happen if you suddenly had to rule with no knowledge of your own city because you've been too busy exploring filthy human cities and bargaining with the likes of half-bloods and traitors!"
"Excuse me," Caniel interrupted suddenly.
"Caniel I don't think-" Gandalf started, but she cut him off.
"But I don't think you realize that there are half-bloods here that don't appreciate being associated with traitors and humans, who are not filthy!"
"You're all the like." Thranduil grumbled, staring angrily at her. "You all think you are so powerful and wise when really it's all arrogance."
"The only arrogant one here is the elf that speaks of what he knows nothing of!" Caniel replied coldly. "Have you ever dealt with half-bloods Thranduil? Or do you just kick them out of the city?"
"Caniel, please." Legolas said quietly, not looking at her, rather at his lap.
"I only deal with them if they choose elf." Thranduil said with a bone-chilling glare.
"Father-"
"I'm glad to see that you're city is so noble after all." Caniel shot back.
"What do you know of nobility anyway?" Thranduil spat. "You who rides your fathers fame and pretends to have wisdom. Yet all you know of is your dwelling in Rivendell and the name of Gandalf. Nobility earns you the right to rule a city not sit and play pretend within the decisions of your brother!"
"Thranduil, I think you've said quite enough." Elrond interjected sternly.
"I think not!" Thranduil barked loudly. "This girl needs to learn her place Elrond, since you are clearly incapable of teaching her where the line is!"
"You mean the line between your "nobility" and pretend?" Caniel said through clenched teeth. "Oh wait! They're one in the same when it comes to Mirkwood, aren't they?"
"Thranduil, you would do best to hold your tongue!" Gandalf also intervened, starring fixedly at the king. "And Caniel, please. Stop this bickering."
"See, see!" Thranduil roared. "Pitying the half blood! No reprimanding, no putting her in place! She should already be chosen, Elrond, and you know it! And she should be wed to a higher authority in the politics of Rivendell, bearing him a family and scrubbing floors. She should not be here, in eloquent dress, dinning with royalty and arguing with a king!"
"You mean a coward!" Caniel retorted.
"Caniel, please!" Elrond warned sternly, turning a cold stare to the King.
"More pity!" Thranduil laughed hysterically. "But I suppose that's all you're good for, isn't it Caniel? Half bloods deserve pity." He almost yelled the last sentence in her face, his face glowing red.
"Enough!" Legolas yelled, slamming his fist on the table and standing. "You will not speak another word to her!"
Thranduil looked slightly taken aback, but more angered. "You're actually standing up for this poor excuse of a woman?"
At this, Gandalf and Elrond also stood in anger, hitting the table hard and almost causing a rather large candle to topple over. In their heated yelling and accusations, Caniel made to grab for the teetering candle, as Aradhel, Rodwen, and Arwen turned their attention to the argument, while the others only sang louder. Unfortunately in her haste to grab the candle, Caniel reached out her left arm, sending unbearable pain raking through her body. The wound reopened in her arm, and the blood started to seep into the bandages causing her to scream in pain. The yelling immediately stopped, as did the singing, for the scream was blood curling just like the pain she was experiencing. Steadying the candle and slowly lowering her arm, Caniel was gasping for breath and tears swarmed her cheeks.
"Oh my…Caniel your arm!" Arwen gasped, pointing to the leaking blood that was seeping through the bandages.
Caniel only stood abruptly, hitting the table and leaving the silenced hall in a rage of pain, anger, and sorrow. The only sound that could now be heard was her pained sobs quietly disturbing the peacefully dreary Rivendell.