Chapter 4

The forest was silent as midday took over and Emdiril took in her surroundings, there were only few sounds in the air – the hooves of their horses, the odd bird twittering and the leaves blowing through the clearings. She understood why this forest was called Greenwood – it was beautiful and healthy. Emdiril's emerald eyes cast on the elves around her. Galadriel had brought along ten of her Lorien guards, including some of her most trusted ones. The lady of the wood did not want history to repeat itself and wished for no more of her family to be hurt.

The redheaded woman fought the urge to roll her eyes as she found the head of one particular guard – she found that although he was older than most of them, he was quite arrogant, therefore immature. Not many things annoyed Emdiril but he proved to do just that in the past days of travelling. As if on cue, Haldir slowed his pace to walk beside her horse. She kept her gaze in front of her, ignoring the Marchwarden.

"I can practically feel your stare on me," Haldir said cooly, walking alongside the woman's horse. Emdiril scoffed and shook her head, her red locks flowing through the wind, but otherwise ignored the blonde elf for she was not in the mood for conversation with him.

"How does one feel being the only mortal among us?" The Marchwarden asked. He had not meant to offend Emdiril for he knew that Elrond and even Galadriel saw her as a part of their family, but curiosity took over. He hadn't been told a lot about the woman and he was keen to find out as much information about her as possible.

Emdiril's eyes shot beside her to look at the elf almost instantly. Her eyebrows were furrowed in irritation. Who did he think he was?

"How does it feel to have such a high rank yet still not knowing anything?" she shot back, her green eyes throwing daggers at him. Haldir merely smirked as he lifted his hands in surrender. Part of him however wondered what she had meant. It was apparent to him that she could only be human and therefore a mortal. Her ears were not pointed and she did not stand as tall as the rest of them. The blond elf glanced at her once more. Though she was usually calm and collected, there seemed to be a fire within her and he admired that. Her nose was scrunched up in irritation and her eyes had left his form, to return to the path ahead of them.

The woman let go a sigh of frustration and rolled her eyes as she felt him staring. It was obvious to her that he did not have much of knowledge of her. Or manners. "I am no mere human." She explained, a hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and felt relief wash over her as Haldir moved his gaze away from her. It occurred to her that he was lost in thought – he had never come across someone like her before she presumed. "And therefore not mortal. I age like you elves."

"So what are you?" he countered, an eyebrow raised though he did not look up to meet her eyes.

Emdiril merely shrugged for she did not know the answer. Elrond had never gone into detail about herself or her kind. She could only assume that it ran in the family or that everyone who hailed from Waterfall City was like her. Her emerald eyes glazed over with emotion – although she had found a family in Elrond, Celebrian and their children, she sometimes felt lonely and would like the company of her own kin in her own home. She felt different to everyone and questions such as Haldir's only made her feel out of place.

Haldir looked up to watch her with a thoughtful expression. She looked so… pitiful. It made him regret how he had spoken to her. He was known to be cold-hearted and harsh and in Lothlorien everyone was used to that. However this was a stranger and he had upset her already.

"We are almost there." He stated and after clearing his throat, the elf walked to regain his position at the front of the group.

Emdiril looked ahead of them. The forest gave away to reveal a stone bridge, with large doors behind them. Two guards were standing in front of the doors, guarding against enemies. Her emerald eyes saw Haldir approach them, speaking quickly with the guards who nodded. The blonde elf turned to face lady Galadriel, Arwen, the twins and Emdiril and beckoned for them to follow. Two elves approached from inside the halls and looked expectedly at Emdiril and her companions.

"Your horses will be taken good care of." Galadriel spoke slowly, explaining to the others.

Once everyone had climbed off, Haldir and one of the guards let them inside – Emdiril found that Thranduil's kingdom was the exact opposite to Rivendell – it was a cave, an enclosed space with bridges and pathways everywhere. She had never seen anything like it but it didn't make it any less beautiful. The elves around her wore darker colours of green and brown and some gaped at the new arrivals while others got on with their days. They were led into a great hall and Haldir bowed to a rather handsome elf. He sat upon a wooden thrown in the centre of the hall. Emdiril could not help but widen her eyes at the elf – she had not encountered such a beautiful elf before. His icy blue eyes found hers and she immediately cast her gaze onto the floor. Jewellery covered the Elvenking and he appeared to want everyone to know of his beauty. Whereas Elrond wore simple but elegant clothing, Thranduil's cloak was long and gave the word elegance a whole new meaning.

The blonde elf stood up and took small steps towards them.

"Lady Galadriel." He said, bowing his head. The tone of his voice was low, yet beautiful. "I am glad you have accepted my invitation."

The blonde elleth bowed her head in response with a small smile on her face.

"And you," Thranduil started, his eyes now on Emdiril. He stepped toward her, his gaze intense, "You must be Lady Emdiril. I have heard much about you."

Emdiril could not hide the surprise the king's words brought her and a frown covered her face. A shiver ran down her spine as his eyes remained on hers and she quickly bowed her head to compose herself.

"I am grateful for your shelter, your highness." She spoke swiftly, her green eyes glancing back at his blue ones. It was apparent to her that he was intrigued for reasons she did not know and she felt as though this elf only did what was best for him and his kingdom, following his own agendas. The Elvenking's eyes remained on her for a few more seconds before he turned his attention to his other guests. "There shall be a great feast to celebrate your arrival. I wish for you to enjoy your stay in my kingdom." He spoke slowly. The elf moved his hand to beckon for another elf to come forward. "For now you shall rest. I can imagine you would be weary and tired from this journey." He continued, his eyes glancing expectantly at Emdiril. "Legolas will show you to your quarters where you can prepare."

The elf in front of them gave them a small smile before walking off into one of the paths. They took many turns and Emdiril was struggling to understand how no one got lost here.

"My lady." Emdiril snapped out of her thoughts as Legolas stood in front of her, looking at her expectantly. Her emerald eyes met with his blue ones and she found that he possessed the same beauty as his king – if not more. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she noticed all her companions' eyes were cast on her and she realised that she must have stopped listening.

"Pardon?" she blurted out, her hand reaching up to fiddle with her hair. She cursed herself inwardly for she did this a lot. Emdiril certainly did not possess the ears of an elf.

Legolas merely stared at her for a few minutes; he found her odd because of her differences, but his father insisted that he should be nice to her. The blond elf was wary and did not find it easy to trust the unknown.

"I said my father chose these quarters for you especially. There is a gown you may wear tonight; a gift my father would like you to accept." He repeated slowly.

"Thank you." Emdiril nodded her head once before casting a glance towards Galadriel. She nodded back at her and Emdiril felt as though the elleth knew more as to why the Elvenking was so nice to her. Emdiril opened the door quietly and remained until she saw the others turn a corner. Afterwards she stepped inside the room and closed the heavy door. She followed the corridor to which appeared to be her bedroom. A dark green dress was laid on the bed and her frown deepened for she wondered what the Elvenking knew. The scent of lavender entered her nostrils and she followed the smell to find a bath had been prepared for her. She returned to the bedroom and picked up the dress – Whatever Thranduil knew, she would find out.

After her bath Emdiril tended to her hair. She wore it in a simple but beautiful braid that flowed down her back. Emdiril released a breath of air as she looked over herself one last time in the vanity. Tonight she would hopefully get some more answers. There were things that Elrond and Galadriel had kept from her, she had seen it in the wise elleth's eyes earlier.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in." She called out as she stood quickly, adjusting her dress. She had expected Arwen or the twins and was surprised to see the elf who showed them around entering her quarters. He wore a silver tunic and black leggings, a silver circlet on his head. Emdiril felt her eyes widen at that – no wonder he had his king's beauty. He was the prince of these lands. She bowed her head quickly which earned a raise of his eyebrows.

"I had not realised you were the prince before. I apologise." The woman explained herself. Legolas looked her over once and nodded his head.

"I see. Our colours suit you, my lady." The tone of his voice was softer now than what it was earlier and it calmed Emdiril significantly. Her cheeks were tainted a shade of pink at his compliment and she bowed her head in thanks.

"I like the colour green." She said as she looked at the dress she wore, her hands fiddling with the sleeves. Her eyes looked back up again to see the small smile Legolas held.

"Aye…" he muttered, amused by her shy demeanour. Emdiril could almost sense his amusement and stood up straight as she cleared her throat. She rose delicate eyebrows questioningly at him, her shyness suddenly forgotten. No one had ever made her feel shy and no one would now. She did not like feeling vulnerable in any way.

"What brings you here, Prince Legolas?" she asked, tilting her head to the side ever so slightly.

"I am to escort you to the feast and festivities, my lady," the blonde elf explained, holding out an arm for her to grasp. She looked at his arm for a few moments before her green eyes met his blue ones.

"That won't be necessary. I am capable of walking myself," she responded to his request and his arm dropped. The redhead inwardly rolled her eyes for she reminded herself of Haldir. This was unlike her; she was usually well mannered and friendly. Yet his amusement had made her feel weak and as though he belittled her. She walked around him and rolled her eyes at herself once she had passed him – she was too stubborn for her own good. Legolas quickly caught up with her and walked by her side.

"It's my father's wish, my lady," the blond elf stated as he stared at her. Emdiril met his gaze and sighed softly. She smiled apologetically at him and motioned between them.

"Let's walk by each other's side, shall we? And please, call me Emdiril, my prince."

"Only if you call me Legolas," the elven prince countered. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips and Emdiril could not help the soft laughter that escaped her.

The meal had been extraordinary and Emdiril was satisfied once she had finished her fill. Galadriel sat on the left of Thranduil, followed by Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. Legolas sat to the right of his father and Emdiril sat beside him. Though they were in an unfamiliar place under sad circumstances, the family of Rivendell came to enjoy the meal with other elves. Woodland elves were surrounding them and the hall was filled with laughter. A lot of elves had finished their meals and had begun drinking liquors to start the festivities.

Thranduil had mostly indulged in conversation with the blonde, wise elleth to his left and Emdiril was thankful for that. The intensity his stare held was almost overwhelming. Once Galadriel had finished her fill and drink, she stood and excused herself. The older elleth wished to write Elrond as well as her husband of their safe arrival in Greenwood. With that, Thranduil turned his attention to the woman who sat beside his son.

"So, Emdiril, what sort of powers do you possess?"

Emdiril almost spat out her wine as she lowered the goblet in front of her. She was taken aback by his sudden question.

"Powers?" she repeated in a questioning manner. Yes, she was able to do things her siblings or even Elrond were not able to do, but how did he know about them?

"Surely seeing as you are one of the three you have learnt of your powers." Thranduil said. He leaned forward, intrigued.

One of the three? Emdiril's brows knitted together in confusion and Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen's expressions matched hers. Legolas held his gaze firm on the plate in front of him, refusing to say something. Emdiril simply shook her head. She thought she had been ready for answers, but this conversation proved otherwise.

"Did you know my parents?" she asked back.

Thranduil inhaled sharply, as though he was growing impatient with the woman in front of him. "Your parents have nothing to do with your powers, young Emdiril." He spoke lowly, his eyes never leaving her face. It made her feel uneasy and vulnerable.

"I have the same powers as everyone else who hails from Waterfall City, King Thranduil," she replied to him, not accepting what he was saying.

"Now, now, young one. Your parents were humans, mere mortals who will live to die. You on the other hand are a-"

"Lady Emdiril," a voice said behind her, stopping Thranduil's explanation. Emdiril turned around to see Haldir standing behind her, his blue eyes firmly on hers. He had felt her sudden and rapidly growing unease and Lady Galadriel had asked him to look out for her while she was not present. "May I have this dance?" he asked, a hand reaching out to her. Emdiril was taken by surprise, but nodded her head nonetheless. She would do anything to get away from Thranduil's burning eyes. With that, Emdiril stood and took Haldir's hand, letting him lead her towards other elves who had been dancing to the sound of beautifully played music. Haldir turned to face her then, placing his arms loosely around her waist. She returned the favour and placed her hands on the taller elf's broad shoulders. He offered her a small smile and started moving to the melody.

"Never thought I would be happy to see you," Emdiril whispered lowly, so only Haldir could hear. She had kept her gaze on the other elves but her eyes snapped towards him when she heard him snort. He had a smirk on his face as he looked down at her.

"Please. Any elleth would be happy to do this."

"Unbelievable…" Emdiril scoffed but couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as he laughed whole-heartedly. "Stop!" she shook her head and playfully hit him in the chest with one hand.

"We both know you cannot hate me forever, Lady Emdiril." Haldir merely grinned as the shorter woman could not form a response. The song soon ended and the released each other.

"We will see." Emdiril teased the Marchwarden, before walking off towards her chambers. She was not in the mood for more festivities and she did not want to encounter Thranduil again. Her brain was still processing the information he gave her and truth be told, she did not feel ready to know the whole story yet. Not as ready as she first thought anyway. She turned around to the sound of footsteps catching up with her, her long braid flowing with her movements.

Legolas stood behind her, a grim expression on his face. "I wanted to apologise to you. My father can be very… insisting." He chose his words carefully before pressing his lips together in a thin line.

Emdiril waved her hand in dismissal. "No apology needed." Legolas did not budge a muscle so Emdiril tried a reassuring smile. She was fine and she had heard about the Elvenking's ways before.

"You have a good friend in Haldir of Lothlorien." Legolas stated, his blue hues scanning her features.

Emdiril opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. Haldir had helped her out of a situation she wanted to escape and she was grateful for that. Though she did not yet see him as a friend.

"He is not exactly a friend," she calmly explained to the blond elf.

"So is the Marchwarden more to you?" Legolas was quick to ask and now it was his turn to blush. He immediately regretted his questioning and felt foolish for he was in no position to ask her such questions.

As though roles were suddenly reversed, it was Emdiril's turn to be amused by him. She refused to answer his question purely because she wished to have fun. "Have a good rest, Legolas." With that, she entered her room and closed the door behind her, leaving an embarrassed elf behind.