Several maiden attendants fluttered around me, bringing me fresh gowns and their constant buzzing of noise began to irritate me as I stood facing the window, looking outside with deep thoughts. They began to pull at my clothing, urging me to undress so that I could bathe and remove the smell of soil and long travels from my skin and change into something more befitting my status, a lady of the woods. "Leave me." I ordered, pulling away from them in order to remove their hands however they insisted, speaking of the jewels and gifts that had been bestowed upon me all adorning the table and desk. "Did you not hear me? I ordered you all to leave! Ego!" With my thunderous snarl they all squeaked fearfully and fled, scattering like little birds and I had to restrain myself from rolling my eyes.
The moment the door closed I was finally able to have some peace, the pain in my head receding slightly as I turned around to see numerous items that flowed over the large oak desk. There were flowers and boxes containing jewels that I would never wear, several circlets of unique and unequal design as well as perfumes, bath oils, expensive silks and fabrics and everything that a noble lady could ever desire. I turned my back upon it all and had it returned, not wanting anything to do with it and also returned the dresses, ordering the guards to carry them back from whence they came. I had no need for such gifts of uselessness. All night I had spent in my room without any rest, unable to find comfort or a moment of peace within my own mind to sleep. After returning to my room I had cried for some time as silently as possible, allowing the tears to purge my emotions until I felt relatively calmer.
I had not yet found any sign of Bilbo, though I knew he was somewhere within these halls, remaining hidden and out of sight somewhere close by. With less than two weeks until Durin's Day, our time was beginning to run dry. Just as I was beginning to conceive a plan to find my way to the dungeons or seek Bilbo out, a knock sounded upon my door and I rushed to my feet, frowning slightly as I called in elvish for the person to enter. The messenger dipped their head and touched a hand to his chest. He informed me that Thranduil had requested my presence in his private study. At that moment I would have rather returned to the goblins in the mountain and faced them all single handed, however it was necessary that I negotiate with Thranduil as best I could for the time being and for as long as I was out of this room, I would feel less like a caged bird. Perhaps I would be able to find Bilbo in the time it took to walk from here to the study though I was not optimistic. Accepting the escort I walked with the messenger to where Thranduil sat in wait upon one of the chairs by the hearth which was cold and unlit, a book in his hands.
The crown was gone from his head and he had changed his robes to a deep midnight blue. I recognised the book that he read, it was the one that he had used to first teach me letters and how to recognise them upon paper. Behind me the door closed and I took no more than three steps inside, looking upon Thranduil with a cold dissonance evident in the atmosphere that I carried. "You have grown far taller than I expected, Asta Eleniel." Thranduil's brooding voice spoke as he turned over a page. "There is also a disagreeable spark that has appeared that makes you argumentative and obstinate, unsavoury qualities in a young maiden such as yourself."
"I fail to see how it is any business of yours how my character has developed since my infancy as you had absolved yourself from any responsibility in my raising." The clarity of my voice caused Thranduil to stop whilst in the middle of turning another page, pondering over my words before he continued on like I had never spoken.
"Tell me, why do you keep the company of such repugnant creatures as dwarves? Orcs would almost be preferable." I disliked the sneer in his tone as he spoke so I elected not to answer. Finally he snapped the book shut, signalling his displeasure at my rudeness but I was not here to bandy words with him and exchange feeble insults or accusations, there was a purpose to my presence on this quest and I knew he was intelligent and cunning enough to formulate the truth on his own. "I shall warn you Eleniel, lest you have forgotten, my patience shall wear thin very quickly and although I would not dare lay a finger upon you, your dwarf friends shall not be so fortunate as to not receive punishment upon your behalf."
"You would not dare." Hissing between my teeth I watched as Thranduil looked at me with stern coldness. Yes, yes he would dare and he would not hesitate to do so. I felt trapped. With no power of my own to wield I was helpless to sway him except with words and I knew him well enough that nothing would change his mind, nothing short of a miracle would alter his orders to keep Thorin and his company locked away for the rest of their lives should he need. "This is about the jewels, is it not?" I asked, quietening my anger so that I could speak softly. "The gems of white starlight that were fashioned upon mithril, gems that you had intended to give to your wife but her passing came before you could reclaim them."
"Do not speak of my wife, you have no right to even utter her name." I did not even know her name, Thranduil kept her so closely guarded within his heart that I knew nothing about her except her appearance which I had seen in my visions alone. "Those gems are the birth right of our people, they belong to us, to me. In comparison to all else that lies within that mountain they are but a small price to pay. If you seek to persuade then you should seek out the leader of their company, Thorin Oakenshield and convince him of his folly." The sharp tongue made me flinch slightly as Thranduil stormed forwards, frightening me a little but the moment he saw me wince away from him he stopped, almost astonished by his own actions so he took care to speak more gently. "Come, join me for a while. Let us at least be civil with one another."
He invited me to sit upon the chair opposite him which I took, not wanting to be overly difficult and as I glanced around the room to find it had not changed at all since I had left, Thranduil observed me thoughtfully. "You have refused to eat." He noted so I merely nodded my head. "And you have returned the gifts that were given to you." Again I nodded, a curious expression upon his face. "Why?"
"I do not intend to leech upon those for that which they would not willing give. Do not insult me with petty prizes to win my favour, I am not so shallow as to allow a few jewels and fine silks to appease my mind and heart which have been torn and shredded from the coarseness of your loose tongue." I was unforgiving and relentless in my words, turning my head away from him once more. "I wish to leave."
"Stay here a while longer, there are yet more questions I would ask of you." I pressed my eyes shut, feeling cold by the lack of apology or consideration he seemed to give. He truly had no heart left to offer anyone, it had died with his wife all those years ago. What I had seen in the past was perhaps just another illusion or even a brief glimmer of what he once was before he lost himself completely to the grief that had not yet been able to destroy him. There are many forms of sickness, it seems, and Thranduil suffered from one most cruel and almost too agonising to bear.
"I have nothing that I wish to say to you."
"Very well, then sit there in silence for a time. I am in no hurry." Unable to argue I remained in my seat, leaning back to rest a while and listen to the occasional turn of a page rustling quietly as I struggled to remain awake, not wanting to fall asleep whilst in the presence of Thranduil. I thought over my words as I attempted to formulate the best case to put before him, to try and persuade him to release the dwarves without delay but nothing that I could think of would prove efficient enough. Quite honestly I felt lost and I was uncertain of the reason Thranduil had brought me here. He did not even ask me any further questions, simply sat there with the book in his hand whilst I seethed silently in my seat.
I cannot account for how much time was spent in such a manner, however it was not until Thranduil had read the last page of the book and closed the volume he turned his attention back towards me. "Are you now in a more agreeable mood?" He questioned but I refused to meet his gaze, turning my face away from him so he gave a long sigh before waving his hand dismissively. "Then you may return to your room and remain there." Taking his offer I rose to my feet and turned away, making towards the door. "Eleniel." I stopped upon hearing my name, wondering what else he could possibly have to say. "You may take a book with you to read, if you wish."
The generous offer caught me off guard and my narrowed eyes turned back to face him quickly. He had risen up and walked away, disappearing among the shelves of bookcases with only a rustle of his robes to be heard. Quickly making a decision I walked towards a particular section and drew out a book in the common tongue, one that I believed would interest Ori. "I wish to see my companions." I announced to him in as respectable a tone as I could muster. "And I would like to bring them wine. Will you grant me this in exchange for all the gifts that I returned?" Through the shelves I could see his figure pause, giving my request thought before a slight incline of his head signified his permission. I left before he could alter his mind, book carried under my arm as I left the study and immediately began to call out to the messenger who had awaited my return to again escort me back. The elvish tongue flowed from my lips as I ordered wine to be brought up from the cellars and brought to the dwarves as I began to make my way to the dungeons.
I did not know whether they would wish to see me or not, however I at least wanted to ascertain that they were unharmed and perhaps I could speak with Thorin and reason with him, ask why he was so adamant that Thranduil should not have his jewels returned, though I already knew the answer. Dwarves were tenacious, strong willed and now that Thorin had given his answer he would not change it for all the gold in the world. With a soft exhale of breath my guards followed me down deeper into the dungeons whereby I came upon the company of thirteen rather bedraggled and ruffled dwarves. "Asta! Everyone, it's Asta!" Kili called out upon seeing me first and quickly they were all rushing to their barred doors, some laughing and others calling out in greeting though some remained silent and stern.
"Hail noble dwarves, my apologies for being away from you for so long." I said with a drained voice, stopping at Kili's cell to offer him a smile. "My lord father has the bearing of the most stubborn of dwarves, it seems. I cannot apologise enough for your treatment, I am ashamed that you should be treated in this manner within my own home." Bowing my head low as my hand touched my heart it was Balin who replied with understanding.
"Don't worry so lass, this was none of your doing." He promised and I gave him a grateful smile as I then moved forwards and lifted the book, showing it to Ori who shared his cell with Dori.
"I have brought you some reading material, I thought you might like to pass the time with some entertainment." I explained as I then passed him the book through the bars as my guards stood back, stern faced and motionless just as wine began to emerge from the cellars. "And I bring you wine, small comforts I can offer but what I can bring I shall." Murmurs of thanks came from various voices though some refused to touch the wine, suggesting that it may be poisoned and Dwalin gave a quite insulting refusal, however it was Thorin who made them all listen.
"The lady has brought us wine through the kindness of her consideration. It would be rude to refuse." His tone was sharp as he reached out his hand through the bars for the goblet of wine that was offered to him and he carefully pulled it through towards him, pausing to toast to me in gratitude before taking a taste in order to test if the taste suited him. Once decided that the wine was agreeable, Thorin then drained it completely. I accepted the decanter of wine as the bearers retreated back a little, unused to the nature of dwarves and I personally refilled the cups as everyone eventually accepted at Thorin's bequest.
"Good stuff this is. From that elf king's own hoard I'd wager." Fili said as he licked his lips then grinned at me as he stretched out his arm for more. "So what has that pointy ear got you doing Asta? Sleeping in the finest rooms and dining on the best food he has to offer no doubt." There was no malice in his voice so I did not take him to be insulting me, merely curious.
"I have not eaten or slept since I have arrived here. I will take no comfort or charity from one who treats those who should be his guests as prisoners." I said darkly, shaking my head as I filled Fili's goblet then did the same for his brother, the both of them looking concerned for me. "But do not fear, I believe that our little friend remains undiscovered for the time being and is no doubt concocting a clever plan as we speak." Murmuring under my breath so that only they would hear I gave a smile, offering another drink of wine to Dwalin who looked at me untrustingly before slowly conceding.
"Durin's Day is fast approaching, tell us maiden, what day is it?" Gloin demanded to know, accepting more wine and guzzling it in one gulp with a slight flush to his face. "With no natural light down here to speak of, we can't make hide nor tail of the time."
"It is midday, you have been here all night and for all the morning already." I told them all, taking the next decanter of wine and continued going to each of them in turn, though Ori was already deeply engrossed in the book I had brought to him. When I reached Thorin he dipped his head in thanks so I smiled to him, glad to see that we were at least on civil terms. Carefully I poured his drink, the deep red liquid pooling into his cup before he then drew it back and sipped it slowly. "Are you all at least comfortable? Is there anything else I can bring you?"
"Well lass, now you mention it…" Bofur began and soon I had a multitude of requests which I had to memorise in order to seek Thranduil's permission as I doubted he would agree to me simply giving them whatever they wished, though I did go out of my way to order certain requests to be fulfilled straight away as they were simple enough and also a good means to test what kind of authority I held here. My rank and position was yet uncertain, however upon casting my orders to the guards present, one immediately bowed and left to fulfil my instructions for food and more comforts to be brought. I had their private items returned to them such as Gimli's pictures of his wife and son, their pipes and tobacco as well as a few other things and I was pleased to see that my directions were obeyed. Perhaps I yet had a little authority here. "Ah, pleasant accommodation your king has here, very comfortable for guests such as us." Bofur teased though I turned my head towards him gently.
"Thranduil is not my king, he is the one whom I have called father for a very long time, since I was the age of four when I lost my mother. He adopted me into his house, named me his daughter and taught me many things such as how to read and write. I was not born to this realm or any realm that still exists. Dale is a ruin, therefore my origins are lost under an age of dust." Not wanting to speak of such things I placed the decanter down on the ground and assumed a seat where I could see all of the dwarves, giving them a smile. "Let us talk of something more cheerful. Fili, do you have any more stories to tell?"
"Oh aye, I have plenty." He grinned with a wink before beginning to spin a wild tale of adventure that he had endured facing bandits upon the western road and I found myself completely engrossed in his stories, the others soon joining in and telling their own tales with laughter, shouts and joking, filling me with warmth at their merriment as I merely listened. I stayed with them for as long as I was able until I was summoned away back to my room, though the moment I was forced to leave the dwarves behind my smile fell from my face and that brief glimmer of light that I felt in their presence abandoned me.