She awoke just before dawn the next morning, with worries leaping into her mind straight away. Today there would be a feast in her honour, which meant that she would very soon be faced with a large number of Elves. Her stomach rolled just thinking about meeting more of the strange, beautiful creatures. They did not seem to be unfriendly, as such, but she knew nothing about their customs and ways. She was sure to unintentionally offend someone or another.

Knowing that she would not be able to sleep any longer with the worries on her mind, she rose from her new bed and thought about what she might do now that she couldn't return to the farm. She supposed that she could be an outlaw, but that life did not appeal to her. It was a dark and traitorous lifestyle, one filled with danger and a constant risk of death. No, she did not want that. She wanted a simple life, a quiet life doing… well, she did not know, but something that didn't involve frequent or serious injury! There was no clear path forwards for her anymore.

Deciding that thinking about it was getting her nowhere, she decided to go for a walk instead. She wanted to explore the Woodland realm, knowing that being here was an opportunity that not many of her kind would ever have. She would not waste her chance at seeing the alien culture.

The air was cold and wet when she emerged out into the open air. She had nothing to wrap herself in, but she decided that it wouldn't be long before sunrise, and it would be warmer then. Besides that, the cold air was refreshing, and perked her up considerably. The sound of birdsong was everywhere, in every tree there seemed to be a good number of birds, busily going about their daily deeds. The forest floor was covered with fallen leaves and pine needles, and Lieth was soon glad that she had put her old boots on. She could see endless, sprawling trees, supporting houses and residencies of all different shapes and sizes. Most of them were elegant and masterfully artistic in their infrastructure and build, but some looked less beautiful, and she suspected that these were the houses of servants or poorer Elves- if there were such a thing as a poor Elf. She inspected the house that she had been in, and realized that it was quite a bit nicer than some of the neighboring homes. I am an honored guest, she realized. Feasts and fine abodes had been put aside for her, because she had saved one of their own. It did not feel quite right- she knew that in saving an elf, she had done them a service, but she would not have expected a reception as grand as this. Oreliel must be someone important. What position does she hold here? It was a mystery to her, but she quickly realized that she must be someone's daughter- that must be why she had hesitated to speak of her family. Whose daughter is she, then? She puzzled over the idea as she took in the scenery about her.

The trees were a beautiful mix of firs and beeches. The few gaps in the branches of their limbs let through the light, and Lieth realized that already, dawn had come. She relished the light, feeling the coldness in her bones recede. Her thoughts rolled in her mind as she continued walking through the forest. They have cared for me for four years. They have saved my life. I must do something for them. But what could she possibly offer these immortal beings, these creatures who were want for nothing? She assessed what little knowledge she had garnered on her journey with Oreliel. Oreliel appreciated beauty, and beautiful things, but Lieth had nothing beautiful with her. Except for my boline, but she felt hesitant to give the dagger to them. The intricately crafted white handled knife was a gift from her mother, who died when she was eleven. No, she had no other keepsake to remind her of the woman she had lost. What then, is beautiful but easily available? She thought, taking a winding path that lead downhill, into a thinner part of the forest, with less trees and no houses. And there lay the answer to her dilemma, standing elegantly and beautifully in the ground. The flowers took her breath away, for they covered the floor of the forest in a wild mix of colours. Delicate yellow primroses danced through the pink orchids and mingled with the plain, elegant lilies. I can make them something beautiful with these. I hope they won't mind me picking them…

The air that morning was cool, crisp and fresh. The Sun had not long risen, and for the first time in months, the king had enough time to roam about the forest and do whatever he wished to without being disturbed. Galadriel had been threatening to visit the woodland realm, and various political issues had swamped him for some time. He had spent many nights talking problems over with his advisors, and he had barely noticed his time slipping away. His duty was to his people first and foremost, after all. At least, he tried to persuade himself that that was his main reason for shutting himself in his study, and not the well of sadness. His chief advisor, Gallion, had gently persuaded him to take a morning to himself, for which he was quite glad, even if the pain grew in those quiet moments. He missed breathing in the air of the woods and stretching his legs.

The problems within his kingdom still circled around in his mind as he wandered down the forest paths. The leaves crunched pleasantly beneath his feet. He quickly found his mind drawn to the subject of his guest awakening. It had been a while since he had made dealings with a human personally, and even longer since he had had to speak with a peasant. She was sure to be dull and unintelligent, but he supposed that if Oreliel liked her then the girl must have some sort of redeeming feature.

His thoughts turned to another issue; the feast that evening. Whilst he was sure that everything was being organized and would be ready before the evening came to claim the day, he was not sure that Tauriel would be. The Captain of the Guard still seemed bitter about not being the one to save Oreliel. She might not be the friendliest face in the croud, and he hoped that she would hold her tongue, even just for the night.

The sound of distant humming caught his attention then, and he decided to follow it. It was not rare to see other Elves at this time of the day, but the tune was not Elvish. His guest must be out in the forest. Had Sidhil not told her to remain in her lodgings?

He found that she was not far away, along one of the almost abandoned path. What could she possibly be doing out here? Perhaps she too had decided to go for a walk. When he found her, she was sat in a bed of flowers, humming an old Dorwinion tune. In her hands were five plaited branches, with flowers tied and woven into it. She was working quickly and rhythmically, putting more and more flowers into the plait. She was completely transfixed by her work, oblivious of his approach. He was not surprised- humans had extremely dull senses, and he wasn't making his presence abundantly obvious.

He was almost beside her when she noticed him. She gasped and turned towards him, her hand flying to her dagger, as if it would make any difference. Her eyes were wild only for a second, calming as she looked upon him. "Oh, my. Forgive me for reacting so strongly, sir. I did not hear you approach." She relaxed and let go of the dagger, a gentle smile on her face.

She was quite pretty, in human terms at least. Her eyes smiled at him gently. She had braided her thick brown hair in a way customary of Dorwinion women. She could never hold a candle to any of the maidens of his Kingdom, of course, but he was sure that a human would find her simply enchanting. Without realizing it, he returned her smile, his eyes wondering to the plait of flowers in her lap. "I-I'm sorry, I hope it's alright that I picked them." She stuttered awkwardly, her cheeks coloring slightly. She had no idea that he was the King, he realized. He supposed that she had no reason to know; he was not wearing his crown, and he had not paid a visit to Dorwinion in a long while.

He studied the flowers she had plaited together then. It was only half done, but it already looked quite sweet, if not a little rustic for his taste. "What is that for?" His voice was unfriendly, though he did not hear the coldness of his own tone.

She sat straighter then, her face smoothing until there was naught he could read on it. She certainly had noticed that he was not all too friendly. "They are a gift for the King of this realm, sir." She said, her face a mask of indifference. He began to feel suspicious then. Did the mortal truly not understand the weight of her actions? That he was indebted to her, and not the other was around?

"You are presenting a gift to him?" He probed further, pacing around her until he was in front of her, in order to better study her face.
She frowned slightly then, looking him dead in the eye. "I must express my thanks to him for saving my life." She said to him, sounding a little disgruntled.

Well, she had manners at least, even if the gift was a pointless. The peasant girl could not possibly present him with anything better, he supposed. "You think he would like flowers? They will wilt and die in the blink of an eye."
Her frown deepened slightly, looking at the braid, and spoke slowly. "I am not sure… but I have been told that the Elves enjoy beautiful things, and flowers seemed… appropriate somehow."

"Oh? And why is that?"
She smiled then, a small little smile that did not reach her eyes. "I am like the flowers, sir. Neither can offer anything eternal, but both express gratitude." Her voice was light, but her face looked quite grave. It was a surprisingly wise sentiment, for a human.

She looked upon him curiously, and the grave sadness in her face was gone, with but a shadow of it in her eyes. Her eyes studied the sword at his hip, the fine green robes he wore, like a curious child presented with something magical. He could almost see the cogs turning in her head as she looked at every detail. Unlike most of the human girls he had met, she did not look afraid, or swoon like some simpering maiden. She merely looked at him, meeting his eyes steadily, as though she was level with him.

It annoyed him slightly, that this girl felt like she was on an equal footing with him, and he almost wished that he was wearing his crown, so that she would know that she was his subordinate. He did not often wish for those about him to fear him, but it had been a long time since someone had laid their eyes on him as she was. Not even his son looked at him like this, and it touched a raw nerve. Only she was allowed to look at him like that. Thinking of her, thinking of how much he missed her, his anger got the better of him. "Yes, humans are so short lived." He said curtly, looking at her dead in the eye. He registered the surprise in her face before he turned and walked away brusquely.

Later, when he was far away from the mortal, he would remember that she did not know he was royalty, and that she would lose that infernal look when they met at the banquet that night. She would know her place then, bowing before him. And a part of him hated knowing that soon she would lose that equality, and there would be no one left that challenged him.