Disclaimer:

lilith: We have only one choice, this story must be written.

samfior: Then what are we waiting for!

lilith: The story can not be written by any craft that we here posses

The story was made by J.R.Tolkien, only by him it can be remade

samfior: mmm... right

lilith: spoilt brat!

Chapter 3: Will of the King

Rin walked aimlessly since she did not know what to do. Things were out of her control. After the council is dispatched no one spoke to her as they were told not to.

Weeks have passed since the emissary of the Woodland Realm left but no one seemed to be doing anything in advance. There were no preparations, there was no word of what the compensation should be...there is only a deep silence and from that Rin could only conclude that this was to be the end of it. Could the King have dared to do that? Could he have refused this peace treaty in order not to be separated from his precious stones? Rin's logic could not comprehend this thought but everything was pointing at that direction...that her father gave up" the idea of peace altogether.

In despair she walked to her mother's chambers. Queen Aurte was sitting in front of the mirror next to her bed. Her eyes were closed as she could not take to see her reflection

Rin sat next to her and asked "Mother, what are you doing sitting here so? "

"Rin, my daughter" said the queen without opening her eyes. Rin found out that her eyelashes were keeping the tears from falling down. She saw a single tear drop and asked:

Mother you are crying in the early morn? What is wrong, pray tell me"

Queen Aurte opened her dark emerald eyes looked down at her daughter, whose face was showing care and love. "You and me, my daughter, we should leave, we should go away, where even the evil eye of Sauron could not find us" she stopped for a moment and looked through the window towards west.

"Yes, it is time, I put up with this too far! I will find a way, I shall and than we will be free. "

Rin's concern was growing high indeed as she heard those words from her mother's mouth. "What are you saying,mother. Why are you saying these things? Is it father and his decision about making peace that troubling you so? Is there going to be a war between us and Mirkwood? Tell me what you know and we will find a solution, just tell me and let me think and worry about that!" said Rin hoping that her mother would open up.

The queen upon hearing this turned to her daughter and said remotely "There is no war, there is no solution. There is only despair and darkness for us. You, my daughter should face what comes in your way with the same grace and courage that you face your father every day. You became strong indeed growing in a house like this, maybe you do not know this yet but when the time comes you will be standing high and tall. I was like you long ago, before the King broke me and caged me, like a ragged doll I am and shall ever be. But you will prosper even if I can not make to see those days"

Rin was taken aback by this speech. She never saw her like this and did not know if she should be afraid. Confused, Rin stood up and asked again, "Mother is there nothing you have to say to me? For I am troubled and do not understand the meaning of your words. Why do you despair so, if there is no war? Why are you in dark after the shadow has passed? I do not understand what I will face that you can not face?"

"I talked without reason Rin, for I am tired. Let me rest a bit and we will talk in the afternoon." said the Queen Aurte with a little smile on her face.

Rin hugged her and left afterwards.

Unbeknownst to Rin, the King and the council were in heavy work. Still thinking that his plan is the ultimate solution to this 'Elf' problem, the King continued his pursuits for sending Princess Rin to a foreign land as a tribute of war. Members of the council were disagreeing with the King to the end but none did prevail to change his decision. The objections were many; such as, that they can not give a human especially the Princess against her will to the Elven Kingdom. It would create the worst impression and diminish the last bits of respect if they got any after the War. They actually knew little of the ways of Elves, they did not know how this 'gift' would be received, how would be her position if the unexpected happens and the Elves do accept her, would she be treated as a human living with the Elves or as a maid or as a concubine perhaps. They knew that the Elven kingdom had a Prince unmarried, but no one could even imagine him taking her as a bride, since a bond between a mortal and an immortal was of an unnatural kind and none to be heard of except the one between the King of Gondor and Undomiel, daughter of Lord Elrond, the Lord of Imladris. Last but not least they were concerned about the feelings of the Princess, how would she react when she was informed of these, would she be willing to travel to Eryn Lasgalen and get rejected by the Elves, as the King had planned most rudely, or worst, would she accept to stay there as long as they command.

The King was unmoved when all these and more were said to him. His decision was made and he only felt the urgency to find a cover story to hide his reasons for sending his one and only daughter and not something else to satisfy the demands of the Woodelves. His concerns were not about the feelings of his daughter, who will be sent to Eryn Lasgalen without knowing the reasons behind it or of his council and his people. His only concern was how to make the Elves believe that it was no trick of a clever mind but a dear present given by the heart.

"...Me and my high council have considered Your demand for a long time and came to find a thing fit for your honourable embassy Lord Dregonas's words.......so I am sending You a mighty gift, my only daughter, to become your daughter as well so we may share the peace together as a family....." said the King and turned to his scribe and asked "Are you following?

"Yes, my Lord...you said 'as a family' " quoted the scribe. The King was dictating the letter, which will be sent to Thranduil along with his daughter. Rhanor stood up from his throne and began to wander in the room as if he was thinking what to say next.

"The happiness and honour of me and my people lie in your wise hands. We are proud to be connected and united with you and with the worthy folk of Eryn Lasgalen. As a King I could not have dreamt a better future for my Kingdom and as a father I could not have dreamt a better husband than Legolas Thranduillion..."

The letter was long and when it was finished the King felt that he did quite well. He emphasized in the letter especially, that the Kingdom of Rhuin was looking forward to this marriage as he was and a rejection of this union would ruin her and her honour. "Well done, you may go now!" said Rhanor to the scribe and took the letter he left on his desk and read it one last time. "Perfect!" he murmured and put it in a special container made of letter bearing the royal seal of Rhuin.

"Where is Rin?" asked King Rhanor to Bran.

"Last I saw her Grace, was in the stables, my Lord, but I believe she left for the forest, to read" answered Bran. The King could not be angry with his daughter not being in palace at the excitement of the moment and said calmly "Send word for her, to come back and see me!"

"Yes, my Lord, immediately!" said Bran and left quickly.

Rin was in the forest of Rhun, sitting in her favourite place. She believed that none other could be so sacred, so peaceful. The forest was thick and heavy with old trees but there were a clearing next to a spring, whose water flow towards the sea. Her back was against 'her' tree, a chestnut, as she breathed deeply as if to capture the scent of the trees. Her anxiety after the talk with her mother was slowly fading away. She was first confused about the meaning of her words but now as she was thinking more calmly she guessed that her mother's grief should be related to her father. Rin did not know or could imagine what her father did this time to upset her beloved mother but she believed that in time this issue like too many others before will come to a resolution. "Being married is hard, I do not wish it upon my worst enemy if it is done without love" said Rin. Her tree knew all about her and her family, for Rin was telling it all her problems since she was seven years old and was able to escape to the forest. It was quite dangerous to wander alone by herself without a guard at those times since orcs of Sauron carrying errands or messages for Him travelled though these woods. Come to think about it Rin could not believe that nothing bad happened to her then and she sometimes had wondered if the forest had protected her.

Lost in her thoughts she barely heard the horn of Rhuin, which was calling her back. She called for her horse Falma and a dark brown stallion came running. She galloped back to the Palace.

The King was waiting for her arrival as the servants lead her in to the throne room.

"Finally" he said, " Will I never be able to find you in the palace when I need you? Must you gallope around like a mere child without responsibilities?"

Rin was used to her father's temper, simply gave a reverence and said: "Forgive me father, what was you wanted from me?"

"I will ask you an important deed for our land my child", began the King "I do not think that you will decline for it is also something you greatly want."

Rin was excited. 'Could it be? Could her father be really thinking a way to go on with the peace treaty?'

"Yes, father. Pray tell me! Please, do not leave me in suspence."

The King smiled, it was not a happy smile, nor a warm one.

"I gave my decision what to the about our elvish friends, Rin. We will be sending a gift and it will be as precious as they requested. I want you to deliver it for me "

" If that would be your wish, I would do it father but do You think that I should be the one going to this journey? Would an ambassador from the court not suffice?"

"No, it would not." Her father replied angrily "This is important to me and I want someone from my family to go there to show my respect for their King and since you know their language and get along with them so well, it is a rather wise choice, I say."

" When do you want me to leave?" asked Rin amazed and excited about this journey, which would take her to Mirkwood.

" Let me prepare the party who will accompany you on the way, and when it is ready, I want you to leave immediately."

" I will and thank you for your trust in me. I will not disappoint you, father!" said Rin.

" Well, off with you, I have many things to do and so do you!" exclaimed Rhanor and turned his back to her and left.

AN : 'Falma' means 'wave' in Quenya