Lilith: If Tolkien were here today he would strike us down for stealing his story

Samfior: but we didn't

Lilith: no my precious we didn't

Samfior: …it's oooourrs!

And Lilith bitch slaps her: Silence!

Chapter 4: Rin's Burden

It took only three days for the preparations to end and the party got on the road immediately just like the King ordered. Rin did have a chance to converse with her mother one last time before she departed for the Woodland Realm. Queen was in the Winter Garden as Rin found her. The garden was called 'Winter Garden' for the trees blossomed little white flowers and as they fall to the ground, they would not fade easily, and looked like it snowed. Rin walked quietly to her mother who was sitting on the floor and gazing the stars.

"Mother, I am glad that I found you! Where were you for the last couple of days?" asked Rin as she sat next to her.

"Child, I was here and there, but do not think I was hiding from you. I needed some time alone to think...to remember" answered the Queen and turned to Rin and put her hand on her cheek. 'Her face is so pale, she is weary' thought the Queen, 'the preparations should have been exhausting for her, I wish I could help her through this, I wish I had the courage to tell her the path which lies before her! But nay, I am but a coward when it comes to facing the King's wrath!

"To remember, mother? What are you trying to remember? I fear I do no longer understand you the way I used to." said Rin. Deep down she knew that her mother would not tell her what was on her mind. Instead she would speak enigmatically and left Rin in confusion like she did the day before.

"I am trying to remember who I am, who you are...our lineage, our heritage, for we have forgotten our ancestors and if we do not remember them who will? You do know of what I speak, Rin, your father does not come from the King's line!" said Aurte.

"This I know mother, you are a direct descendant of the Rhunian Kings but you married him and that gave him the right to become the King. He is not by blood but by right, our King!" whispered Rin slowly. She was surprised that this subject, which was considered as a taboo among Rhuinian was brought back to light by her mother. No one dared to speak of such things in fear of the King.

"Rin, I have taught you many things, and more you have learned from your books, but there are things that you do not know. All I can say is that you deserve far more than you get and I do not have the power to correct the mistakes which were made long ago. But you, my daughter, can change the future for our people!" said the Queen Aurte looking directly into the eyes of Rin. Her eyes were shining bright under the moonlight and Rin thought that she never saw her mother radiating such power and strength. Aurte continued her voice soft as a whisper; "You have for sure heard of your uncle, my brother; Aurhonos, who was more brave and kingly than any other I knew, save my father, and I knew very well if he would be the King he would not obey the will of Sauron, the Deceiver, instead he would have united with the West against Him. But he had died most unexpectedly at the age of thirty, right after my father, the King had died. I have found him lying dead in his bed just the morning of his crowning ceremony. Many had believed that the loss of his beloved father and shadow of the Evil had weakened his heart and he slept to his death in pain and despair. Words can not describe the pain I have suffered after the loss of my brother but I knew him better, not to believe the words spoken, he was not one to despair or coil in the face oppression, instead he would have stand up and fight for his people. But, alas he was dead and there was no proof indicating other than he died during his sleep. I was to be the Queen since all the men of my family had died, and the counsel suggested that I took the one, who was close to my father both in friendship and in counsel as my husband. I had my doubts about Rhanor, your father, although he came from a noble and longstanding family, mainly in military, they were known for their passion for power and property. As if he knew my doubts, for the following months he was so gentle and caring to me, and tried in every possible way to ease my suffering. Slowly my heart changed towards him and I loved him and accepted his hand in marriage. But quickly he got rid of the mask he wore, and became unknown to me. The kind and good man turned into a cruel tyrant, who was willing to do everything in order to stay on the good side of Sauron. He did not care, nor respected the counsel he was given by the Wise, he did not even listen to the needs of his own people, including me, or should I say especially me, since above all he despised, it seemed to me that I was the one he most disliked. Throughout that time I had tried every way to reason his behaviour and tolerate his doings by making excuses for him. I am older and wiser now, also broken and sad, but I now know, why my brother had died so suddenly, why Rhanor had so strongly tried to convince me into marriage, and why he had changed afterwards. Do you understand me, Rin? I believe enough is said and you are clever enough to imagine the rest. Do not forget these and do not hope for good intentions in anything of your father's doings, including your being sent to Elvish realm as an emissary!"

Rin was taken aback by the revelations spoken by her mother. She knew that her father had greediness and ambitions for power, but that he was able to kill the former prince, that he could have dared to, that was a thought she could not apprehend so easily. But than again she knew, that all that was told could very well be true, since until the day her father was made the King, Rhuin was known to the world only as a mysterious region and in fact had very little business with Sauron . 'What if he was a servant of Sauron, what if that was a plot to overthrow the House of Rhuin to get into the control, what if...' she was absorbed in her thoughts until she suddenly turned to her mother and asked; "Mother, tell me what you know about my visit to Eryn Lasgalen. Pray tell me everything!"

"I have been thinking about that too. Forgive me, Rin, but I have decided not to tell, not because I am afraid of the King, nor because nothing on earth could make me more happy to crush his scheme, but more because that I want you to go and see for yourself and decide what to be done!" with these words Queen Aurte kissed her on the cheek, softly whispered blessings in elvish. After that, she stood up and left Rin before she could say anything.

The whole journey was a quite one. It seemed to Rin that her companions took extra care not to talk to her, and that suited her very well, since she also had many things on her mind. During the journey she thought over and over about the past, her father and what her mother told her.

After two days of long and silent riding, they had arrived their destination, and Rin thought that she could not be more relieved. The waiting for the unknown was exhausting for her.

As they had arrived at the out skirts of the Greenwood the Great, they were greeted by a group of Woodelves, whose bows were not stretched but they were suspicious and careful nevertheless. The elves kindly acquired the reason of their visit, and Rin as the leader of the party took the charge and spoke to them. Although her mother taught her to speak Elvish as a royal family tradition and she had studied it for long hours in the library of Rhuin, her elvish was not flawless. But as she spoke to them she tried not to hesitate;

"Greetings to you! I am Princess Rin, daughter of King Rhanor and Queen Aurte and this here is my company, escorting me from the shores of Rhun. I have been sent here by my King carrying a letter written by Him and intended for your King. Will you let me deliver it?"

'In spite of some mistakes, I did far better than I hoped for.' thought Rin.

The elf, who seemed to be the head of the group, came forth, regarded her carefully and spoke calmly:

"Greetings! You must wait here while I inform your arrival to my King. Your identity must be verified before you enter our realm."

He slightly bowed to her and walked away. His soldiers remained in their places without taking their eyes of the human party.

Shortly the warden came back but he was not alone. Dregonas had came with him. Rin felt much more relieved seeing a friendly face in this distant land.

She greeted him and said smiling:

"How nice seeing you again, my Lord!"

Dregonas looked startled and Rin suspected that it could be because of her speaking in Elvish. He bowed to her and said:

"I was surprised upon hearing, that you came to visit my land, My Lady. This is an unexpected, but delighting surprise indeed."

"I was appointed by my King to be the emissary for delivering you His gift, Lord Dregonas. He explained everything in his letter, which He wants me to deliver to your King as soon as possible." said Rin.

"I understand, but you must be tired. It is a long journey from Rhuin. Would you not like to rest first?"

Rin paused, and after a while she answered kindly:

"If you do not mind, my Lord, I would like to complete my mission before I rest. It is important to me that I fulfil it completely before I will be dazzled by your beautiful woods and lose all my will to do something else besides to be enchanted by it."

Dregonas laughed and nodded lightly.

"This would be the responsible way I am sure. As you wish, my Lady Rin, please let me take you to my King. Do not worry for your party since they are our guests from now on and will be taken to their quarters, where they can find rest and food."

Upon hearing this, Rin thanked him and explained what has been talked between them to her companions. They were happy to hear that they would finally get some rest after the wearisome journey and followed the Elves, who were showing them the way to the stables.

Rin followed Lord Dregonas through the woods towards the city and began to chat lightly; mostly because she wanted to ease her worry for meeting King Thranduil from whom she heard so much.

Dregonas felt this and tried to calm her:

"Tell me, My Lady, what do you think of Eryn Lasgalen? Is it to your liking?"

"Oh, it is wonderful indeed." Rin answered quickly without thinking, because she was in fact seeing but not noticing the surroundings.

Dregonas smiled understandingly at that and added:

"I hope you will have enough time to enjoy it after the treaty is done."

"Oh, yes. I do also wish that."

They arrived to an wooden arched entry, which led to a talan, much bigger and more remarkable than the others. Dregonas showed Rin the way in and followed her. As she entered, she thought that she went blind since she could not see the room or the trees anymore, everything her eyes perceived was white, and the room felt like, that it was composed of light. Rin was enchanted; 'So, it is breathtaking!' .As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she could see that the light, which origin was still unknown to her, was coming in rays through the branches of trees, which were building the skeleton of the talan. When Rin could collect herself again she saw the King on his throne, which was built in an elegant fashion, made out of wood, although it looked like it was one piece it was actually tree branches coming together and forming its shape and in between this branches all kinds of precious gems were embedded.

Rin immediately thought that the King looked wiser beyond expression. His years could be seen on his calm, impressive demeanour. His eyes were on Rin, as she and Lord Dregonas bowed to him. Only than Dregonas walked to him and spoke softly:

"My Lord, this here is the Princess of Rhuin, Lady Rin." and moved to stand on the right of the throne next to another elf who was looking at her cautiously. He seemed to be younger than the King and Dregonas, not by appearance but more because of his expressive manners. He was handsome, that was for sure, but to Rin it seemed no more than Dregonas or any other elf. She quickly looked at Dregonas, who was smiling at her reassuringly, and she shyly smiled at him in return.

The King's voice was heard at that moment:

"I heard much about your land from my brother, Lady Rin, not all of them were pleasing." he paused a moment and watched Rin's reaction at his words and then continued "But, everything he told about you, were. Although he is enthusiastic towards the men, he is not known for exaggerating. So, the praises must be true, aren't they?" His eyes never left Rin as he spoke.

Rin was taken aback, but calmed herself and talked with a fluent elvish:

"It is not for me to say, My Lord. Your brother has been always too kind and generous to me."

The King seemed to be satisfied with her answer and rewarded her with a slight smile.

"Very well! You have a letter for me I believe."

Rin took out the letter's case and approached to the throne bowing slightly when she was close enough to present the letter.

King Thranduil took the letter, bowed his head in return and said:

"You have finished your duty, dear Lady and dare I say successfully too. It is time for you to rest. This is my son Legolas; and he will guide you to your talan."

The blond elf who stood by Dregonas moved forth, bowed and putting his hand on his heart greeted her. Rin reverenced in return and followed him out of the room with a quick glance to Dregonas one last time, who was still smiling at her sweetly.

AN:

Samfior: The reason why the knowledge of Elvish language is necessary and traditional in the House of Rhuin will 'hopefully' make sense in the following chapters.

Lilith: If we can not find a way, no one can...

Samfior: (Shakes her head) Here we go again…