Author's Note: Sorry for the late update. My writing muse had been sleeping. XD Anyway, thank you to everyone who has been following, favoriting, and giving reviews! And to you Dina (Guest) I'm glad you like the story thus far. I couldn't help myself with the elk bit. ^_^ Okay. Carry on.
Fourteen times the lanterns' glows had grown brighter in the darkness outside his cell. Fourteen times the sun had set then. Himelon pawed softly at the floor inside the carved stone room he had been placed. Normally the guards would have taken him up to see the king long before now. At least, that's how it had always gone. One or two days tops locked in a cell, then he'd be brought before the king who'd question his purposes, then there would be the scolding and eventually he'd be let leave. That's how it had always gone with Oropher and those before him. They didn't really want him there taking up space and resources than he wanted to be there. So when a few days had turned into a few weeks, the raven haired elf began to feel a bit unnerved. He'd heard stories of people, ordinarily dwarves if the tales were true, being left to die in the dungeons. In truth he knew better than to think his woodland kin to be so cruel, but Himelon wouldn't put torture for sport passed a few of the more violent guards. Himelon had not eaten or slept for the duration of his stay thus far. The guards had brought him a bit of bread and some water, but the raven haired elf was too paranoid that the food was drugged to eat it and the paranoia that an unscrupulous guard would try to harm him in his sleep kept him awake. Generally being left alone in a dark, cold, hole in the wall with little to no food would be called an attempt to weaken the enemy. By this time the raven haired male had huddled himself in the corner furthest from the bars. He just sat there staring ahead and pawing at some of the rock he'd knocked loose when he'd first been placed here. As he watched the ebb and glow of the silver starlight lanterns a shadow caught his eye. High above his housing, toward the top of the seemingly endless waterfall that marked the beginning of the stairs that descended to the depths of the dungeons there had been someone. It had only been for a second, but there had been a figure there. Rising to see who it might have been Himelon pressed his head as far into the bars as he could to get a better look. As his eyes carefully studied the top of the waterfall they were met with nothing but water and the soft glow of the lanterns.
"So now I'm going mad?" Himelon half questioned and half laughed to himself. No, there had been a fleeting shadow. A tall figure with long hair and the most fleeting glimpse of silver. He was torn from his puzzling by footsteps. Turning his gaze down the long winding pathways that led through the dungeons, either further down or further up, there were two guards coming his way. Neither looked pleased. Himelon recognized one of them. The red haired elf captain that had been chasing him through the forest was on the lead. He look more puzzled than angry white his white haired friend just seemed angry.
"Hello," Himelon offered with a soft smile, "What brings you fine gentlemen down so far beneath the halls of your brethren?" Pleasantries were truly wasted. Himelon had learned in his life that a smile and soft words could buy time at the very least and sway the hearts of one's enemy in the best case. The white haired male's face seemed to soften a tad while the red head remained the same.
"We are moving you." the words fell from the red haired male as if they were painful to utter. Himelon surmised that he'd likely been the one behind trying to keep him down here. The raven haired male nodded and stepped aside so that the gate could be opened. He expected to be bound again, but instead they just ushered him out of the cell and began the ascent toward the main halls of Greenwood. The simple stone paths and walls slowly became the same intricately woven wood-stone combination that the Silvan elves were known for crafting. Carvings and paintings adorned the walls and the elegantly entwined patterns created from woven stone and wood for the pillars holding up the structure was breathtaking. The ceilings grew ever higher until they no longer could be seen and the cave in which the palace was built felt more like the forest floor and a cave. The pathways arched a slithered through the place. The depths of the cavern as far away as the ceiling. Even where he'd been in the dungeons Himelon had not been able to see the bottom. As they wove their way through the structure there were a few servants that stared, most of them looking confused, but aside from that no one bothered them. Himelon was led by the guards ever higher into the building that seemed also to be made of a large tree sitting atop the cave. When the carvings grew in their ornate nature and the decorations became more lavish, Himelon began to wonder if perhaps the king had chosen to have him brought to his study. He'd never before been this far up in the palace. They stopped before a pair of rather large and beautifully carved doors. Himelon initially assumed this was a private room of the king's, but that assumption was shattered when the red haired captain spoke.
"These will be your rooms until further notice." the Captain had stated this ever so simply that Himelon was initially to surprised to answer. The doors were pushed open and Himelon found himself being rather forcefully pushed in. The interior was as intricate and beautiful as the rest of the palace. Rich grey stone dotted with flecks of silver and blue weaves elegantly with pale and fragrant pine. The ceiling is but a glowing green speck high above the room and on the north facing wall is a set of large frosted windows framed in carved red wood. The window overlooks and area of Greenwood that held a flowing steam, waterfall, lake, and a courtyard covered in pure white cobblestone. Along the east wall is a door that, judging from the sound, leads to a bathing room with an underground spring fed pond for a bathing pool. To the west wall is a pine dresser and crystal mirror while to the south sit's the bed. It is made of sturdy, dark, mahogany and is adorned with silver sheets and plush pillows. Scanning the room and finding it vacant Himelon made his way over to the window. He let the cooling air flood the room as he leaned out the window to watch the setting sun. Once the moon had taken the domain that was the sky the raven haired elf made his way over to the bed. He tested it with his hand first before sitting. It was a habit born of staying in human villages. The beds there never were sturdy but this one was as soft as a pile of feathers and was certain not to break. Stretching Himelon rid himself of his tunic and quickly set about wrapping the soft silver sheets around him and drawing a large body pillow into his embrace. The ultimate effect was creating a nest of sorts.
"Better a cage like this," Himelon sighed and yawned, "than the dungeons." With that he closed his eyes, snuggled up to the pillow, and fell nearly instantly into a deep sleep.