Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments!
The following morning, I arrived at the archery range late and with a headache. I had not realized that my small sip of wine would set me back so far, and my only hope was that everyone else would be functioning on the same, albeit low, level as I. Thranduil was not.
"O! The princess awakens," he leaped down from the fence he had been sitting on and gave me a mock bow.
I ignored his immature antics as best I could, for I was not up to any sort of cantankerous banter in my condition. As our instructor had not yet arrived, I set up a few targets for practice. I had just finished stringing my bow and was about to knock an arrow when a whoosh sounded behind me and there was a loud thunk as an arrow made contact with one of the targets. It was not a very good shot, but the sound aggravated my pounding head. I whirled around, and as I expected, Thranduil was smirking at me, lowering a bow.
"Thank Eru I have finally captured your attention," he said. "I was going to inform you that lessons have been cancelled for today."
"You could have!" I accused. "As if I could ignore the sound of your voice." I did not retrieve the targets, instead electing to unstring my bow, securing it on my back with my quiver, and prancing out of the area with as much supremacy as I could muster. Thranduil followed me, to my dismay.
"I was not finished. We are wanted in the council chambers. There is a dire matter at hand."
"You seem well informed," I snapped. "What is of such importance? Can I possibly retire instead? I am in great need of a nap."
"You may not – my father insisted you be present. And I need your company." My arm was clasped tightly and Thranduil began pulling me in another direction. I muttered a curse under my breath at my rotten luck.
Elder elves were already in council when we arrived. We were ignored as we quietly sneaked into the great chamber and sat down at the foot of the large oaken table.
"Do you know what the matter is at hand?" I whispered to Thranduil.
"No," he replied. "Only that we are apparently concerned with it."
"It is of utmost importance," a tall elf was declaiming. "That this threat is answered with punctuality and firmness. We cannot stand by and allow the enemy to deceive us with his lies and manipulations."
"What enemy?" a woman contested. "If you are thinking that it is Annatar, then you are full of delusions, Malandi."
"Annatar's actions have proved to all that he is the enemy! Or have you not been reading the signs or reports, Narya?" the male's voice grew stiff. "It is clear that he has ensnared you with his lies, but the rest of us cannot afford –"
"Do not fight just questions with thinly veiled insults," Oropher intervened. "Narya asks a reasonable question."
Malandi held up a yellowed piece of parchment. "This report from Elendil is proof that Annatar is now taking measures to insure that he wipes the free peoples of Middle Earth from the map! He is amassing armies – and has already forayed into Gondor. Elendil has lost the great city of Minas Ithil to wrath and ruin. They now call Annatar Sauron, and he has given himself the title of Dark Lord."
"Elendil is a mad king," Narya sniffed. "He thinks because he is like us he can seize power from innocent kings and turn us against his enemies."
"We have had similar reports from Caras Galadhon," Malandi continued, gesturing to another stack of reports. "The lady Galadriel has long foreseen Annatar's betrayal – she has sent word that it hastens."
"Witch-woman. Not to be trusted," another male elf near us muttered.
"She is to be trusted! She has been blessed with incredible foresight and talents that –"
"If you say that she is to be trusted and Annatar is not," Narya rose, voice full of contempt. "Then you are not only delusional, but you are a hypocrite! Galadriel holds a Ring of power, same as Annatar. In fact, it was Annatar that gave the knowledge of forging her great Ring."
"Yes, I am aware of our grave mistake. We should not have trusted Annatar! He fooled us all," Malandi sounded tired. "And now we are reaping the rewards. Gondor, Arnor and Noldor ride to war."
Silence penetrated the room. I turned to Thranduil, leaning in closely. "Is Malandi not the emissary to the kingdoms of men?" I whispered.
"Aye," Thranduil replied. "He has become like them."
I was aghast at his contempt towards the older elf.
"We must make a decision," Oropher stood and motioned the warring elves to sit. "We have sworn an alliance these Southern men. Do we honor this pledge?" He turned his piercing gaze upon the council, all of whom seemed uncomfortable.
"If I might speak for all present," the male elf near us stood. "We wish not to risk the lives of our people on the whim of Men."
"If I might speak for those present that retain our esteemed honor," I found myself rising in the injustice, looking at the elf with a hard gaze. "We have made an oath! We cannot abandon our allies, no matter the futility of their cause in our eyes."
"The futility matters not," Narya answered. "It is the question of whether we break our alliance to Men or to Annatar."
"We have no alliance with Annatar," Malandi insisted. "It was voided when he secretly tied the strength of the Three Rings to his that he might gain control over our lands and people."
"And what proof is there of that?" Narya sneered. Thranduil had been tugging insistently on my dress and I sat. He was blushing.
"The proof is in the Rings Annatar gave to Men," Malandi explained. "They have become slaves to him, mere semblances of their former selves. He blinded them with power, and their greed overcame their nobility of spirit."
"Aye, I have heard of wraiths in the world, slaying at the Dark Lord's will and wreaking havoc upon Middle Earth," a woman, who had not yet spoken, stood. "I have not lent much thought to it – but now it seems that Malandi is speaking what is true."
"Gairya has a gift of perceiving veracities," Oropher said. "Her words weigh much in this counsel. It seems to me that we have no choice – our alliance with men, as lady Caradel has declared, binds us. The prophecies of Gairya and Galadriel have made my mind. I believe we must go to war."
From Narya's red face, it was apparent that the king was not making a popular decision. Nevertheless, there were no protests and the standing elves sat. Oropher continued.
"We must summon an army," he said. "Narya – send riders through the forest to gather the all that might fight. Malandi, you must carry word to Gondor that our forces will arrive at Minas Anor in six moons' time." He turned his gaze then to me with a fixating stare. "Caradel – you seem to have joins the ranks of my council. You will carry messages for me to Imladris and Caras Galadhon without delay – you must depart today."
"But Father!" Thranduil protested. "She is not yet of age! She cannot abandon her studies!"
I kicked him under the table then, reddening at the embarrassment of Thranduil saying such things. He had no right! He could not have a say in my actions. I wanted to complete this errand.
"Be silent," Oropher commanded. "I have a task for you as well, my son. You are to be in my constant tutelage. You will command a legion when we march."
Thranduil paled.
"She will return long before midsummer. And you should not display such open affection at your age."
A red flush spread across Thranduil's face at this comment. He held his chin up and nodded, and we were dismissed. I rounded on him as soon as we were out of earshot of the council.
"How could you speak so about me?" I asked. "'Tis not your place to decide when and where I go!"
"You should not have to leave! You have not completed your training!"
"Training!" I almost laughed. "Travel does not take training. I am not mediating or bantering words for treaties! I am simply delivering a message. I have passed those paths before - it will not be a lengthy trip."
"I still believe that you should not go," Thranduil said, folding his arms stubbornly.
"Is there any reason beside you think me unqualified?" I asked. He did not respond, and I began walking towards my rooms.
"If I asked, would you stay?" Thranduil asked, matching my pace.
"Only if you had a true reason," I replied. He still did not answer.
I rushed through the doors to my rooms and began pulling out items I would want for my journey - travelling garments, soap, paper and ink for correspondence. I stacked them neatly in a large leather bag, making a mental list of what else I would need. Medicine from the healers, food from the kitchens, and spare weapons from the armory. Perhaps I would need a few pieces of armor.
"Do you think I will need a shield?" I said aloud. The prince was standing over me, stern.
"If you do, then I would not ask – I would beg for you to stay. With me."
I slowly turned to face him, realization dawning. "With you? Do you want me to stay because you will miss my company?"
Thranduil smoothly masked his emotions. "Aye. Who else will devote time to making my life a misery?"
"You might attempt wooing a woman – I am sure she will have no qualms telling you just how inflated you are."
He broke out in a smile. "That is what I will miss."
"I am comforted in knowing you care for me, as a true friend." I buckled the pack shut and slung it over my shoulder. "Besides – I will return before your coming of age. I am sure that it will not be cancelled in light of the war. You are too important. Use that time to hone your skills of wit." I swept out of the room then, running swiftly to receive the messages from Oropher. He met me outside the council room, handing me two thick envelopes, which I tucked into my vest.
"Ride hard," he said. "Take two horses."
"Aye," I replied. "I will be return soon."
"Caradel," he leaned in to confide. "I admire your courage. See to it that Thranduil's protectiveness of you does not hamper your need to fulfill your duties. He thinks too much with his heart."
"I swear, my lord," I promised. I made sure to attain all that I would need for my journey, and at last I arrived at the stables, where I quickly saddled my mare.
The sun was high in the sky as I galloped out of Amon Lanc, casting light into the vale of ancient oaks. I breathed in the scent of unfurling leaves, and turned to catch a final glimpse of my adopted home. Thranduil was standing high in a tower, watching me go.