Chapter 27

December 19, T.A 2940
Afternoon

Anariel was thankful for being able to lose her own train of thought as she sat in her saddle for the remainder of the ride. She and Haldir had restarted their training, and if he was tough on her before it became excruciating. He was hard, and strict, she definitely wasn't a princess in his eyes when he trained her.

Sliding from the saddle the reins were almost immediately taken from her by the hands of a dark haired elleth, bowing her head she was gone again as silent as the wind, to put her horse in the stables.

"Do not think your training ends because we are here in Rivendell, we continue; in fact I want you to meet someone." Haldir chuckled, "You think, I'm tough, just wait."

Anariel groaned out, "What is that supposed to mean?" She demanded as Haldir stalked away with a smirk handing his horse off to another stable hand.

"Mae govannen."

Anariel paused glancing to her father and brother as they came to stand next to her.

"Mae govannen," King Thranduil returned to the pair of elves that glided down the vast stairway that stood before them.

An elf adorned in a golden robe, accenting his chestnut hair fitted with a circlet that sat above a pair of thin braids, his eyes locked with Anariel's, smiling kindly as he came to stop in front of Thranduil.

"Thank you, for your hospitality Lord Elrond on our rather unexpected journey."

Anariel grimaced as she shrugged her shoulders, knowing she was at fault.

"Always a pleasure." Elrond insisted, "As it is a pleasure, princess, too long have you been hidden from us."

Anariel said nothing just stood there smiling rather awkwardly.

"Anariel!"

"Hmm," she breathed turning to look at her father.

Thranduil sighed dropping his head in hand, "Perhaps, I shall get Haldir to ease up on the training so you can focus on some common curtsies."

"Oh, right sorry. I… uh…" She bit her lip as she thought back to proper wording her father had gone over with her only the night before. "Right. It is a pleasure… my lord."

Elrond chuckled warmly, "This is Lord Lindir, my closest adviser, and friend."

Thranduil shook his head, "My daughter Anariel, who has seemingly forgotten everything I have taught her thus far."

"Worry not," Elrond smiled.

"Well, we shall hope she remembers by dinner until then I believe Haldir wants to go over a few things."

Haldir sauntered over with a bow of his head, "My lady."

Anariel looked to her father waiting to be excused when a thought struck her. "Oh, wait." She spun on her heel about to head back to the stables to grab the pack she left on her horse as the stablehand was making her way across.

"My lady, what would you like us to do with your bag, with the-"

"With nothing in it." Anariel interrupted quickly. "Thank you, I'll take it."

The dark haired elleth bowed her head as she left.

"What is it?" Thranduil wondered curiously, "You have been hovering over that bag seen we left Bree."

"It is nothing, you'll know in three days time. Until then, Legolas, would you watch this for a time, do not let Ada see, though."

Legolas paused stunned, smiling inwardly to himself he nodded his head in agreement with his sister.

"Back together for such a short time and already they gain up on you," Elrond teased his dear friend.

"It would seem so," Thranduil couldn't hide his smile at his children, "Very well, I shall wait, I see I have been outnumbered."

"Have her brought back up in time to clean up and change for dinner," The king insisted turning back to Haldir. "No armour at the table, that goes for you too," Thranduil added as Legolas laughed at his sister. Thranduil nodded his head so she could go and she was gone just as fast.

Legolas' face fell, he always preferred his armour to his robes. "Of course, Ada."

Haldir and Anariel slipped away from the others heading down to the training grounds, "I promise there won't be much training for now. We will continue the usual first thing tomorrow morning. Today, however, I want you to meet him." Haldir pointed to a tall elf at the end of the field training, he was a robust as Haldir and fought with even more precision and force. Though he was as beautiful as he was fierce.

"Uh," Anariel mumbled her eyes growing wide at the site.

"Haldir," the ellon called as he stopped his training.

Haldir bowed his head in greeting, "I would like you to meet, Princess Anariel, Anariel this is Lord Glorfindel."

Anariel bowed her head soundlessly.

"Are you here to train the princess, word has caught my ear that you are in charge of such." Glorfindel inquired after the formalities had passed.

"I am in charge of her training, yes."

"Well then, you are in good hands, though, I must say I hope you do not train her looking like that."

Haldir quirked an eyebrow turning to look at the princess before Haldir could speak up Anariel interrupted him.

"Like what, is there a problem? Cause my looks have much to do with the way I fight?"

Glorfindel raised his chin looking down at her, "I to have heard of the princess' temper and it seems they were not wrong. While I doubt it would make you a better or, perhaps a worse fighter, it may save your life." Glorfindel spoke as he strode around her gathering her hair as he moved expertly tying it into a side braid that started above one ear before wrapping around the back resting upon her shoulder.

"My hair will save me?" Anariel scoffed.

"No, but keeping it tied back rather than leaving it free to fly out around you eliminates a holding point the enemy can and will use against you should he be given the opportunity."

Anariel pulled her lips into a thin line, nodding her head it made sense and something told her that this was a hard lesson he had to learn on his own.

Glorfindel bowed his head, "I must be going but might I come and inquire about her training?"

"Of course," Haldir bowed his head back, "I look forward to your input, I plan to take her out training tomorrow morning at first light."

Glorfindel bowed, "I will see you then." Glorfindel began to leave the field, "Princess!" He called out over his shoulder.

"What."

"Keep that hair in check."

Anariel watched him leave her mouth agape, as she glared daggers at him. "That was productive, seriously. Kept my hair in check, by the gods."

Haldir chuckled, "He is a good ellon, he's just a little war hardened. Trust me, I will tell you about it later."

Anariel nodded, "Does that mean wine later?"

Haldir thought it over for a moment, "I believe it does."

"I look forwards to it."

As they wandered through the halls Anariel was quick to grab him and pull Haldir down a different hall though she did not know the way, however, when her eyes landed upon Feren and a pair of other elves she was insisted upon not running into him, not yet.

Their words rose over them, and Anariel couldn't help herself but listen.

"We've heard much about the princess of her time in Eryn Galen."

"Tell us, do you think she will become the princess so many hope her to be."

"Anariel? If you're looking for a princess you better keep looking. She is nothing more than a Barmaid." Anariel heard Feren's word with a painful stab to the chest.

"Hmm, I feared as much."

"Truly, she has proved in her short time with us that she cares little for her people, or one's belongings. I don't think she holds any amount of proper decency."

Anariel's breathing quickened, tears fell from her eyes she didn't realize she was running towards him until she was pulled abruptly back, Haldir grasped her by the arms holding her firmly. "You, you…" She began to rage tears in her eyes.

"What? Oh, I'm sorry…" Feren began making it known to her and Haldir that he had indeed seen her and he was merely mocking her, "Were my words untrue? Truly, you ran away forcing so many out of their homes, away from their families. Completely disregard all that is not yours. You care nothing for listening to your people. You act so ill, it is surprising you have a heart at all."

"You know…"

"I don't want to hear it, and I don't have to." Feren glared, Anariel let out a gasp as she realized he twisted her own situation and words back on her.

Anariel screamed out wordlessly at him, she barely realized what she was doing until she felt the coolness of his flesh beneath her hand, and the warmth of his blood trickling down her fingers.

Haldir rushed forwards, cursing himself as he let his grip relax giving her the chance to slip free, grabbing her by the wrist he pulled her back, but it was too late she had punch Feren square in the nose.

"Well, if your words weren't true enough. I see now. We have not gained a princess at all, but a brute of elleth who claims to be one." Elladan snorted in amusement.

Anariel growled out, jumping for the other elf in question. "Fuck you lot." She screamed as she managed to free one hand from Haldir's grasp.

"Anariel, no," Haldir slipped in front of her holding her firmly in his hands keeping his entire body between her and them.

"Stay out of this, Elladan. And you Feren watch what you say to her," Haldir said firmly, pulling Anariel away as he looked at their two bloody noses. "Come on," Haldir said, turning her away from the group of ellyn, "Leave it be, they are not worth it. Let's just go get you ready for dinner, and clean that hand up."

"Woah, oh! Is that sentiment I hear, and see from the cold heartless marchwarden?"

"Never," Haldir snarled as he stalked away cradling the princess's hand in his as he noticed some blood was her own from a now scrapped knuckle.

"My father is going to kill me?" Anariel breathed as out as they entered the guest room she was to stay in.

"Your father. Lord Elrond, I mean that was his son." Haldir spoke.

Anariel's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no." Anariel dropped her head into her heads allowing the tears to fall as she went to gather a basin of water, gasping out in pain as she picked up the pitcher.

Haldir caught it before it went crashing to the ground. "More than slightly scrapped knuckles, you bent your wrist on that second punch." He looked over her hand noticing it began to swell. "That first punch, though, very well executed."

Anariel glanced up through the tears that blurred her vision, as a knock sounded from the door.

"My lady," a gentle voice called from the other side of the door. "We have come to help you prepare for dinner."

Anariel sighed sending a glare towards the closed door. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure, my lady."

"Yes," Anariel said shortly.

Haldir quirked a brow at her, "Sure about that, you know you still need to change and with your wrist-"

"I'm not helpless, I can get myself dressed."

Haldir held his hands up in defeat, waving a hand to the gown that had been laid out for her. He wandered about the room as she bathed and prepared herself, stealing a glance at himself in a nearby mirror he considered changing, before shrugging that idea away.

"What is taking so long?" Haldir questioned, noticing the dress was gone.

Anariel growled, "Do you know how fucking ridiculous this is?"

Haldir quirked a brow, "Do I sense regret in sending away the handmaidens."

"No, why would I?" Anariel spoke, striding out from behind her dressing screen, dress askew laces dragging behind her. "I have you, tie this up for me."

Haldir's brow rose higher, "Excuse me? I am Chief Marchwarden, your trainer. Not some…" Haldir waved his hand horrified, "Besides, I untie dresses I do not tie them up."

"Finish helping me or we will be late and it will be all your fault."

"Woah, my fault. Who's the one who just beat up two elves." Haldir spoke as he worked tying the back of her gown, before grasping a necklace clasping it around her neck fingers trailing along her collarbone as he finished.

"Do you want a bloody nose too," Anariel snapped pushing his hands away.

Haldir smiled, "You're so graceful and elegant, princess."

"Right?"

Haldir smiled as he laughed beneath his breath, "Come." He spoke leading the princess to dinner.

Haldir and Anariel arrived just as Elrohir did, they glanced at one another as they noticed neither Elladan or Feren was with him.

"Apologies, my lord Elrond, Elladan and Lord Feren will be late in their arrival," Elrohir spoke clasping his hands behind his back, eyes glancing towards the princess and the marchwarden.

Elrond nodded, "What has happened?"

"Perhaps, that is a question for the princess," Elrohir smirked looking at her, knowing he was outing her.

Lord Elrond and Thranduil glanced to Anariel firmly, "What is the meaning of this?" Thranduil stood demanding an explanation from his daughter.

Anariel nervously bit at the corner of her lip, looking to the ground as she hid her hand, "I…uh,"

"You?!" Elladan cried as he entered the hall, his nose red and purple.

Thranduil turned around at taking in the sight of both Elladan and Feren as they returned with swollen, bruised noses. "Am I to assume this was you?" Thranduil demanded furiously from his daughter.

"Well, I mean yes…but-"

"But, nothing. Did we not just talk about you accepting the role of a princess?"

"We did, yes… but-"

"And can you honestly stand there and tell me you think this is appropriate behavior?"

"No! But-"

"Your ball will be in three weeks time and I cannot have you storming around with such a temper thinking you can punch whoever you please."

"Oh, for fuck's sake. They're fine, I mean they practically went to the healing ward to get their feelings checked." Anariel snapped out.

"Anariel!" Thranduil warned through gritted teeth.

"Of course, social nicety, right? Let me guess, apologize?" Thranduil nodded firmly, "No. I will not. Unless he is happy with something that would be hollow and empty. Oh, just like you, should be fine then. Sorry, warden, my apologies."

"Legolas, Haldir, escort my daughter out. I will be there to talk to you momentarily." Thranduil watched as they left. "I apologize on my daughter's behalf, I fear she has a temper on her like…"

Elrond couldn't help a slight scoff of a laugh at the king's expense, "Like you?" Thranduil looked at him with an exasperated sigh. "Come now, mellon, one doesn't need to be around her long to see the resemblance. Legolas is his mother so calm and serene, with fierce bite hiding beneath the surface one would never see it coming. But you, and clearly your daughter, burn much more wild. Like the fire on a cold winters night, you draw them in with flame a warmth but no matter there is always dangerous coldness waiting just behind that cannot be avoided."

Thranduil nearly rolled his eyes as he raised his eyes as he pursed his lips, in his heart, Thranduil knew his friend was right. "I must go talk to her."

"You shall, do let her know there is no anger on my part, I sense she may have had some coaxing," Elrond looked over to his son who avoided eye contact, he too would have a word with his sons.

By the time Thranduil entered her room, there was no one to be found. The room was completely empty the only thing that gave any indication that anyone had been there at all was the dress that was haphazardly discarded on the floor. Pinching the bridge of his nose he picked up the sound of her voice, glancing out the window he saw her out training with Legolas and Haldir.

"Watch your side, you're exposing your left," Haldir called as she sparred off with Legolas with a pair of wooden training daggers.

Anariel was already breathing deeply, she put every ounce of anger she had behind those daggers, they met as she tried to block an oncoming attack pushing back to deflect the blow she lost her grip in her now sweaty hands, cursing, screaming wordlessly the sword clattered to the ground.

"Dead," Haldir called, "Legolas left himself exposed for you, and you did not take the opportunity. Dodge the attack and maneuver another attack from a different angle."

Anariel nodded firmly picking up the dagger once more, wiping her hands on her leggings she prepared the daggers in hand nodding at Legolas that they should go again. Focusing on training her left hand now that her right was injured.

"Are you sure, Anariel? Do not push yourself too hard."

"I'm sure, let's just do this."

Her heart was pounding in her chest, palms sweaty, hair flying out around her she spun dodging an attack when something grasped her by the hair twirling her body further she crashed into them, wooden dagger coming to land on her neck.

"Dead," Haldir called out.

"I thought I told you to keep your hair in check, understand why now," Glorfindel smirked from behind as he let her go she went crashing to the ground.

"I suppose," Anariel nodded grasping her fallen dagger when a foot came down upon it stopping her, looking up she was met with the blue eyes of the king. "Ada."

"Pick up your daggers, muinlell." He spoke moving his foot away, holding his hand out for Legolas to hand him his own. "You strike."

"What!" Anariel cried out as the king stood before her having discarded his cloak.

Legolas stepped back shocked to see their fathers pick up a training sword of any kind, prepared to fight.

"Strike" Thranduil called once more.

Anariel took a deep breath as she prepared herself, striking at the king he blocked her with such an ease it barely looked as though he was even trying.

"Again," Thranduil commanded, Anariel narrowed her eyes pushing herself, "I will not disarm you, I want you to just continuously strike do not stop."

Anariel nodded as she panted for breath growing more tired as she sparred with her father.

"Tell me, why you did you feel the need to punch Feren?" Thranduil questioned, dodging another attack.

"Are you seriously asking me that? Now?" She began between breaths, slowly lowering her sword.

"Do not stop, fight and explain."

She drew her lips into a thin line, "He deserved exactly what he got. He stands there blatantly mocking me, tells me I do not care for people, that I hold no decency," As Anariel vented towards her father, her movements became faster and stronger. "He stands there and has the gull to tell me, that I haven't a heart at all. And then that arrogant Elladan or whatever his name was claimed they have not gained a princess but some brute elleth merely claiming to be one, and I'll be damned after everything I have done, everything I have been through, that you have been through, to have someone so pathetic and hateful stand there and decide and convince others they know me when they know nothing."

Thranduil slipped out of the way, as she finished her rant still swinging her sword. "Going to attack me, when I am defenseless?"

"Huh," Anariel let her sword clatter to the ground her body following quickly after, her eyes landed on his sword now lying by Legolas's feet. "I…"

"Focus that anger into your fighting all the time and you'll be on the field before you know it, however, that fighting and anger is strictly for the field. We will work on the social aspects for your ball later. As for you punching Elladan and Feren," Thranduil begin picking up his cloak and training sword before passing it back to Legolas, "I believe this time, just this once, they deserved it."

Anariel and Legolas stood gaping at their father as they watched his retreating form, "Is he…uh…"

Legolas shook his head in utter disbelief, "Ada," he called out unsure.

"Are you coming to dinner or not," Thranduil questioned without turning back around to look at his children, though he held a smirk firm in place, how right Elrond had been she was shockingly like him and every day, every moment he spent with her he realized it more and more.

"In armour?"

"Yes."

"What do you think changed his mind," Legolas whispered to his sister as they began to follow, Haldir close behind.

"I don't know, but I'm not going to ask too many questions." She whispered back, Legolas nodded in agreement.

"Do not think, though, the next time I met you on the field it shall be as easy," Thranduil called to his children.

"Next time?"

Thranduil nodded, he rather enjoyed this sparring with his daughter rather sparking his curiosity to his son's own skill, he would find out later.

Author's Note;
Feren is feeling awfully bitter, and jealous of the late. But Anariel is in for a few more hard lessons, that allows perhaps some understanding to why Feren did what he did.

Thank you

AviorHyrax
Thewolf74
ImmortalityRulesEternity
Nemziee -So glad to hear you enjoy, thank so much for the review! As always I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Lydia Grady