Disclaimer:

lilith: "Never before any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in "

samfior: "Do not ask for pardon Mistress lilith, for the pink speech of Romance may yet be heard in every corner of the West. This story is altogether rubbish."

lilith: " I say it's a gift…why not write this story… long have we tried to write a story with the blood of our pc's. Let us write it and use it against boredom."

samfior: "You can not wield it. None of us can. Middle earth answers to Tolkien alone, it has no other writer."

(we hereby disclaim everything, even the disclaimer )

Chapter 2: The Dinner

Dregonas walked to the window with a smile on his face. His thoughts were fixed on the Lady of the house of Rhuin. He wished dearly that he would have the chance to help her and ease her care but he had a bad feeling that it was not going to be so easy. Her father was indeed a hard old man with a dark and doubtful past and elves he was representing were not willing to trust him. Even though if Dregonas would do his best and try to negotiate with the king, his brother; Lord Thranduil may not tolerate his previous doings and his attitude on top of it. He could feel the angst and the frustration building in him. Which he thought probably will remain in their lives in the coming days, his, Lady Rin's, and maybe… He could not foresee the future that far and wished not to, so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath smelling the flowers in the gardens. When he opened his eyes once again he strayed his gaze towards his homeland behind the Misty Mountains, he had come to a resolution. Whatever was to come; he would try to protect Rin, the lonely and young soul. With whatever power he had he would try to make her smile again like she did this afternoon.

The sun was setting. He stayed there and watched the view a little longer although he knew that it was impossible to see the beautiful woods of Mirkwood but still felt peace at that thought.

He was still in the same place looking afar seeing things no one else could have seen, Bran came in to inform him that he was awaited for dinner. He followed him through corridors and gardens just as before. Bran stopped when he came to a passageway covered by an arch carved masterfully and closed by a heavy curtain. He pulled the curtain higher and bowed to show him in. Dregonas stepped inside a great hall. There were four more great arches on the side walls leading to other halls. The carvings were going on on the wooden walls and connecting the arches. A long table was situated in the centre of the hall and the King was already sitting on the middle of it. Lady Rin was sitting on his left with an empty sit between them and on his right there was another Lady. She looked like Rin but she was somewhat faded. It seemed to him that these women were not so different once, the light which shined so bright on Rin's eyes had been in the eyes of this Lady also but was lost long ago. This was exactly the same fate Rin was falling into and what he wanted to protect her from the most. Lost in his thoughts he let the servant guide him to the sit between the King and his daughter.

The King upon seeing him coming to the table turned to him and smiled coldly. "We have been waiting for you Master Elf. I was beginning to fear that you did not want to join our humble dinner. I was afraid that you thought sharing our food with us is beneath you."

Dregonas felt Lady Rin stiffen on his side and gave a considerable amount of energy to act calmly. "Although I do not see why you must think that way about me you must excuse me, My Lord, if I offended you. I came when I was called. Not sooner or later!" He could not hide the coldness in his voice and Lady Rin felt the need and urgency to come between the King and her guest. "Do not be alarmed My Lord. We all are just somewhat anxious because we never treated someone from elven kind before. We want to make you feel welcome."

The King grumped under his breath but did not say anything after that. Servants appeared with trays filled with food, wine was served to each. King Rhanor stood up with his goblet filled with wine and said " May the lands of our people will never be barren, may our treasures always filled with gold and gems and may all bless Rhuin"

Everyone drank after this and began eating. There was a silence which disturbed Rin to no end. She knew that her father was intentionally not talking to his guest to show him that he was above him. After some time the silence became too much for her so she began chatting with Lord Dregonas. How did he find the room he was staying, if he really could see the Misty Mountains from his window, did he travel much, which lands did he know, how many languages...

Dregonas answered each question with short and kind answers, he knew that she was trying to lighten up the air but he felt no easiness despite her efforts.

"Lord Dregonas, pray tell us the tale of Gollum and his capturing in Mirkwood" said she not knowing upon entering this subject both sides will be tensed.

"My Lady, let us not talk about dark times, since their effect has not vanished yet. The loss and pain of many still burdens my heart. The war made so many corpses; I do not believe that a time will come to speak of these things freely. I can tell you only one thing, the evil is banished and the dead is avenged and the responsible will be punished." said Dregonas unable to hide the pain and hatred in his voice.

"Master Elf, You utter these words here in my halls, without knowing only judging! Do you know what you speak of? You speak as you are the very sword of revenge, and waiting to fall upon us. Well I say you wait a little longer!" shouted the King.

"Father, you misunderstand the meaning of Lord Dregonas's words. I believe he was pained by the war like many which was expected to be. I mean, weren't we all burdened by the suffering of the free folk as the darkness gathered east. "

Her words were not in the open yet her father's strong voice was heard:

"Speak for yourself girl and do not forget where your loyalties lie. They are with me not with a stranger from distant trees. I would be careful if I were you. Your hero may not always be there to protect you."

It was like all the blood has left Rin's face hearing these words. She grew silent and this disturbed Dregonas more than if she would be yelling or crying. He lost the last bits of his patience and sprang to his feet.

"Rhanor King! Let this be the last time you speak ungentle to any creature in front of me since I will not tolerate any more of your ill manners. I know that we did not even begin with the talks for a peace treaty but this also is not in my care since you are in need of me and I hold no sympathy over your needs. I warn you once and for all. I will leave and do not look back if you continue this way and you will be in shame until your last days."

"Hah" shouted king loudly. "Who are you to teach me manners, this here is my daughter, my blood and I will treat her as I please"

Dregonas was leaving as he saw that Lady Rin rise up, turned to him and spoke slowly, though her fear was apparent:

"Please do not say so gentle elf. You can not mean it. Will you not help us?" then she whispered pleadingly, "Will you not help me?"

This stopped Dregonas. He looked to the emerald eyes of the girl and spoke once again, this time calmer:

"Lord Rhanor my saying is this...and you only hear it because of your kind daughter you treat unjustly. Eryn Lasgalen demands compensation of highest value. You will judge what that is and we will judge its worth when we have it. This should be done so otherwise you will hold no higher value in our hearts more than a mere orc and peace will never be made with thee."

After saying this he turned and with a one last glance to Rin walked out of the hall.

The Ambassador of the Woodland Realm did not hear the soft sob of the Lady of Rhuin, but he felt it deep in his soul.

Dregonas left the palace in fury; he saw Bran and said to him " Sent word to stables, I am leaving today"

"But my Lord, you have arrived only a few hours ago and it is dark outside"

"Do as I say servant of the King " said elf, unable to control his agony. But as he spoke those words he knew that he hurt Bran, who only was trying to be kind to him. "Pardon my harsh words, friend. I was in a foul mood"

Bran was surprised at his apology since he was used to this kind of behaviour and his King never apologized after. "My good sir, do not trouble yourself, I took no offence, but than again thank you!"

Dregonas walked to his room and took what he left there, a few belongings and his cloak. As he was on his way towards the stables he walked pass the gardens and the beautiful sculptures again. He took a minute to observe them since it was really a sight to be seen. It was dark but the garden glowed under the light of the stones. A faint green air surrounded these pieces or Rosarhune. "Amazing" murmured the elf. 'If the King really wants this alliance, he will have to part from these lovely sculptures'. At least that was what he meant when he set up the conditions for an agreement between two lands. That would show Thranduil and his people that the king held the Woodelves higher than he held Mordor. 'Rosarhune will be a kingly gift indeed, compensation of highest value and they will light up our woods beautifully' he thought. If things would go to his plan maybe he would be able to talk the king to sending his daughter to Minas Tirith where she could read and learn and stay away from her fathers harmful ways and harsh words. "Yes, that might work...My work here is done" said Dregonas to himself.

His horse was ready and waiting for him. He did not look back as he rode towards home.

The silence in the council room was so thick it could be felt solid in the air. Nobody dared to talk. Fear could be read from some of the faces. The long awaited ambassador was gone and not with good impressions or good sayings to King Thranduil.

King's voice ripped the silence "This is what happens when you trust the elves! They never think anyone but themselves. They never care what happens to others, tell me this if this would not be the case would this emissary leave us with no words of an alliance only words of threat"

Lord Caron, one of the highest members of the council of the Rhuin spoke up:

"But no matter what we can not afford to loose the Woodland Realm. We must do something."

"I will bow to no one. I will not beg for peace. Am I not the King of this land? Why does everyone behave like I am not and talk back to me today?" Rhanor exclaimed.

Lord Caron no longer cared for his King's remarks since this subject was not a light one and he decided not to go down without a fight. He began to talk in a calmer voice:

"I do not talk back to you my Lord; I am only saying what everyone already knows including you. Rhuin can not survive without a strong alliance. The elf did not want much. Some Rhuna would suffice to calm him."

The King looked at him. "Rhuna belongs to Rhuin and this shall remain that way! I am sure we can find something else to give them which will please these arrogant beings."

Rin could not take it anymore; she wanted to try to reason with his father:

"Father please, it is not like you must give them whole mines. Only some sculptures would be enough. They are reasonable people. Lord Dregonas was definitely so, I do not think…"

"You do not think! You do not suppose to think. But it does not stop your useless mind from trying, does it? Do you not know that everything happened here today was because of you and your 'thinking'. If you hadn't been talking to that cursed elf, he would never left, he would never dare to open his mouth and demand such tributes. Oh, I am so sick of you, you are a shame to this family and to Rhuin. I wish...I wish there would be a way of getting rid of you."

He stopped suddenly, face frozen:

"Leave us girl, right now! Get out of my sight!"

The shattered girl bowed lightly. She tried to hold her head high as she turned and left the hall.

As soon as she left her father turned to Lord Caron and said:

"Calm down dear Lord, I know what we are going to send them and is definitely not our beloved stones."

Lord Caron remained silent, trying to understand his King's meaning.

"We will send the one thing which is supposedly very important to this land. But than again its departure will suite us very well. We will send them what we want to get rid of; my daughter. She is an insolent daughter to me but a beloved princess to the people of this land. I am sure there would be no argument about the value of this gift. You should have heard that elf; he valued her so much he spoke to her like a precious elfish princess. We will strike them back with their own weapon. "

Every living soul froze up hearing this. The Queen began crying silently, but did not say a word of protest.

"Elves will not like this. They will not commit to such thing. It is not their way, taking responsibility for a human life." Lord Caron spoke.

King only laughed, his demeanour showed that he was extremely pleased with himself "Exactly, they will not accept her. They will send her back and upon this act they will think that they are disgracing her and after that, the Woodland Elves will be in our debt, not the other way around. This is a great way for making everyone happy."

Author's note:

Thanks to Navaer Lalaith, your suggestions were most useful and we are really happy that the name actually meant something, not much but something none the less, that was encouraging.

Only-eyes-for-Riddick, we love you, thanks.