Chapter One
The Lion is unleashed
The starry night sky was clear from cloud as Lúthien Elanessë, Princess of Alatáriël made her way to the feast that would decide her fate. She was aware of the fact that the ball being held tonight was in honour of her 21st Birthday but still she wished she didn't have to go through with this. She was to make a decision tonight that would change her life forever. Perhaps even more than even she could imagine.
Valandil Elanessë received word that his daughter was on her way and quickly brought the grand hall of Ecthelion Castle to silence as the rambling crowd heard the chinking of Gelmir (a form of Elvin silver) On the Kings diamond goblet. When he was sure that everyone was paying attention he rose to his feet and cleared his throat.
"As you all know, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate my beautiful Lúthiens coming of age for both ascension to the throne and also for a decision to be made to whether she will take over my place as ruler of our land or to go out and explore the lands beyond the sea."
At this trumpets sounded, not like ones in the normal world though. These ones had a sort of entrancing sound to them. They sounded somewhat like flutes yet with the volume and aura of importance.
"Announcing, her royal highness, The Princess Lúthien Elanessë, future Queen of Alatáriël"
A pair of large white (what looked like marble) doors opened with some assistance from 6 elves. There stood a beautiful woman.
Her white blonde hair trailed down her back, waving ever so slightly from the gentle breeze coming in from the open balcony at the head of the hall. It trailed along the floor mingling with the ivory coloured dress she wore. The ruby necklace she wore glittered as the lights of a thousand candles reflected off of each of the precious stones. She moved slowly, with poise, grace and elegance emanating from every pore in her beautiful pale white skin.
The hall was silent as she made her way down the aisle, bowing her head as she passed her loyal subjects. After all, every single man, woman and child on the small island of Alatáriël was present in that hall, one of the many reasons Lúthien wanted to run.
She approached her Fathers throne at the head of the hall and kneeled gracefully bowing her head as a mark of respect for him. He walked forward and raised her head, placing one of his gentle hands under her chin to do so.
"There is no need for you to pay me respect my child," he whispered softly in her ear. "For tonight is a night of celebration for you."
He then raised her to her feet, taking her hands and turning the tables so that he was now bent down on one knee and his head was bowed. He looked up at her, their ice blue eyes meeting for a fraction of a second before he turned to the hall at large. "All hail Princess Lúthien, may she live forever!" his voice echoed through the hall as his subjects repeated his words and raised their glasses.
He held out his hand and Lúthien placed hers on top, rather nervously. He led her to her throne, a place that normally brought comfort to her but at this point in time made her feel on edge.
Some entertainment preceded dinner that night in the form of dancing. There was a whole troop of ballet dancers prancing about the hall but none of them seemed to be able to keep Lúthiens attention for more than a few seconds as the weight of the decision ahead of her held her back from enjoying this marvellous show.
Her mind was one of concern from her Father. He'd received an injury in a recent war and it was slowly killing him from the inside. She knew that her decision tonight wouldn't only affect her but also her Father. If she chose to go out into the human world her Father would have to continue being King until her return. Although he loved his duties Lúthien knew he would much rather retire as King and allow his daughter to take over the matters of state. Lúthien on the other hand felt she was not ready to take on such an important role yet.
The hall erupted with the clapping of thousands of hands and Lúthien snapped from her trance, joining in, half heartedly. It was time for the feast. Then the speeches.
Her stomach lurched as her Father stood, with a little bit of difficulty and held his hand out, preparing to lead her to the feast. Lúthiens Mother was not there. She hadn't been around since Lúthien was a child having died in battle. She knew the Kingdom greatly wanted a Queen once more but for once Lúthien was going to place her own needs before that of her people. It would benefit them all after all.
They walked forward, their subjects bowing as they passed and entered the room that was just off of the Grand Hall. There were beautiful diamonds hanging in mid air. There was no room in this place. Instead it opened out onto the heavens and thankfully tonight there was only a gentle breeze blowing through the air. Something Lúthien appreciated very much.
When Lúthien was seated next to her Father at the head of the table the rest of the elves joined them. There was a note of happiness in the air as they all spoke merrily about the performances they had just witnessed. The food was served, no meat however, as the people of Alatáriël were vegan and worshipped animals rather than slaughter them.
Everyone began to eat, everyone that was except Lúthien. She played with the food on her plate, trying her hardest to eat something but the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach was preventing her from doing so. The King noticed this of course.
"What's wrong my daughter?" he asked with a look of concern on his face. "Is the food not to your liking?"
"I…I…" she tried to tell her Father exactly what was wrong but the words wouldn't form in her mouth. They seemed to have got stuck somewhere in her throat in the form of a large lump. "Everything is fine Father. I just had a little too much to eat at lunch today." This of course was a blatant lie. She had been unable to eat at lunch either and instead had fed her food to her horse as she sat in the stables earlier that day pondering how she would reveal her plans to leave Alatáriël.
The feast ended and when the plates had been cleared away and the goblets refilled with a rich red wine the King stood and silence fell over the hall. "My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we are gathered here to celebrate my daughters coming of age to ascend to the throne. I have a few words to say before she reveals to us all her plans.
"For many years now I have governed over you with great pride. I have watched as a lot of you have grown older, I've even fought beside some of you in the great wars of our Kingdom. I have found many a friend amongst you and I am glad that I've had this time with you all. Tonight, my beautiful daughter Lúthien will tell you all whether I am to continue to serve you like I have for so many years or whether she will take over my position. Whichever decision she makes I ask that you support her. She has led you well in her duties as Princess and I know she will continue to do so no matter what her decision tonight entails."
As he finished there was an eruption of applause and even some whistles as the King took his seat. Lúthien sighed. Now it was her turn. Now she had to disappoint her Father. Deny him his one wish. It took her a few moments to stand but when she did silence resonated through the hall once more.
Lúthien nodded at each side of the table in a mark of respect before she smiled and began speaking. "As my Father has already said, I have served my people well in the years that I have been doing my duties. I like my Father have fought with you in war, I have debated on matters of state and often won you certain rights you had not been permitted before." Her eyes wandered to her Father at this point "My dearest Father, I know you grow tiresome of your position as King and I wish to grant you your freedom to go off and do as you please." At this her Fathers eyes lit up and a tear fell from Lúthiens own eyes. "This however Father is something I cannot do at this time. I feel that I need to explore the world beyond our shores. I must understand what is out there and how things are run before I can properly govern our land. It is with this decision that I shall take my leave of this land in search of others. I hope you will all forgive me. I will return soon. Do not hate me for this." And with that she fled from the hall, her white gown rippling behind her, tears streaming from her eyes.
The people in the hall sat dumbstruck at her sudden exit before a quiet rumble of whispers could be heard. That moment in time would be something that would be talked about for years to come.
