The sounds of the great city below me stirring at the start of another day are what wake me. I had not expected to sleep angry as I was at the way I have been treated by my so called friends.
Do they forget who it was who killed the cave troll and took down a Mumak single-handed?
They must have done so for at their insistence I lie here, trapped within stone walls, within a stone city, far from the comfort and quiet of my own home, listening to the cries of the vendors on the fourth level condemned to be saddled with a protective escort should I wish to step beyond the Citadel. I can feel my anger from last evening growing once more. I take a few deep breaths and try to calm myself. Losing my temper with Gimli will do me no good at all. In fact the only thing it is likely to lead to is a sore backside and a doubling of the guards about me. I narrow my eyes and frown. No if I am to show Gimli, Aragorn and Arwen that their views of my ability to protect the Queen from harm are erroneous I am going to have to be cautious.
And I am going to show them … I am determined to do so.
My capabilities have been brought into doubt, and my pride has been pricked. What makes these clumsy mortals believe that they are more capable of protecting Arwen Undomniel than I am? We are both elves, I have known her for far longer than either Aragorn or Gimli. Her father has sailed and her brothers are not here as of yet. Who else should she turn to than me?
My senses are more acute than a mortal, my eyesight and hearing superior to their own. My skill in weaponry is second to none. If danger lurks in these streets am I not the one most likely to find out about it? If these men hate elves, they may well be tempted to turn their attentions to me rather than the Queen? And if they do I will be ready.
What a coup it would be if I were to find and unmask these villains before anyone else does.
I can just see the reaction of Aragorn and Gimli. There will be no more of this 'you are a trouble magnet' or 'you need protection yourself Laddie'.
No, they will have no choice but to admit I am more than able to care not only for myself but also others.
Of course I will have to flush out these villains first. It seems to me that the best way to do that is to go down into the lower levels of the White City and see what my sharp ears and eyes can find out. There is always someone whose mouth runs on too far when they have had a little too much to drink or someone prepared to sell a secret at the right price. All I have to do is find the right place.
Climbing from the bed I stroll over to the open window and stretch, enjoying the feel of warm breezes on my skin. Despite my fury at my treatment yesterday I do feel a good deal refreshed.
I had not expected to sleep for I do not fare well confined as I am, but I must have been more tired than I realized from my travel yesterday and not long after I had been 'sent to bed' I found myself walking the path of elven dreams. It was not until the first light of morning that I awoke feeling much revived and very much determined to set my so called friends in their places by finding these men who are threatening Arwen.
To do this I am going to have to gain my own freedom first which means somehow getting past my guard dog, Gimli Gloinson.
When I join him for break of fast I pin a smile to my lips and greet him with the hope that he too is well rested. The look he turns on me is suspicious and I realize swiftly that I must not over play my hand if I am to gain my freedom.
Then for a mercy good fortune decides to smile upon me, it seems he is going to be busy, working on the great gates and I can hardly hide my elation at such news. With my dwarven minder busy elsewhere my plans will be easier to implement. Anxious not to find myself confined to my chambers all day I try my doe eyes on him and beg that I am given some time outdoors and for a mercy he agrees only insisting that I give my word to remain with my assigned escort who are waiting for me beyond my chamber door.
Now word giving is a serious thing and I would not normally have been happy to promise something that I do not intend to keep. But the circumstances I find myself in are unique and for the greater good I am prepared to make sacrifices, being less than truthful to Gimli being one of them. Of course if I can find a way to avoid the escort I will not actually have broken my word for you cannot remain with something you have never met up with can you?
I am so busy trying to persuade Gimli to give me some freedom and promising to keep within his set rules that I almost miss his last admonition to stay away from the southwestern side of the third level of the city.
"There is nothing but trouble to be had there, and it is not a fitting place for you to be." He adds severely as he goes on his way.
Now why would he mention this particular place? What is it about that section of the third level that concerns him? I suppose Aragorn has had some intelligence about it, which he has shared with Gimli but not with me. I sniff; well I do not need his help I will find out for myself! As soon as I have freed myself of my escort, I will have to go down there and investigate it is as a good a place to begin as any. Although given that the third level mainly consists of taverns and inns there is likely to be little activity there until well after noon.
Having seen Gimli on his way and closed the door firmly on the guards outside who have been given orders by my so called friend to keep anyone who shouldn't be there out and anyone who shouldn't leave in'.
The guard had the temerity to snort at this and comment that the man on duty before him had quoted this order to him earlier. 'Said you told him it last night when you stepped out my lord Gimli'. 'You can rely on me, the prince will not slip off without a proper escort, I'll see to that'.
I bristle at this and have to work hard not to pull the door open and give the man a piece of my mind, but to do so would put him on his guard and I do not wish to do that. I go back to the window of my bedchamber and look out at the sheer stone walls; I reluctantly decide that climbing up or down is something only to be attempted in a dire emergency, if only I had some Hithlum rope with me.
However I do not so instead I pull on my cloak and announce to the garrulous guard that I intend to walk in the gardens. He falls in behind me and I spend the next hour or so, playing least in sight with him and his two companions as I leap from tree to tree rather than walk sedately along the paths. Yet they cannot complain of me when Aragorn comes out to see how I am faring I have not broken my word. I am still in the garden and still within their sight, or would be if they could turn their heads fast enough to keep up with me.
Having frustrated them quite successfully all morning I share the noon meal with Arwen who asks if I have written a letter to my Ada yet for she reminds me that the elves who accompanied me south will be making the return journey home within a day or two. I admit I have not done so and promise to put this to rights immediately. I also declare that I will go to the barracks to assure myself that the woodland warriors are comfortable.
Arwen is impressed by my solicitousness and says so. I decide not to confess that there is an ulterior motive behind my care. It would not be in my best interests to do so!
My meeting with my father's escort is brief but productive and I am soon on my way back to my chambers where I tell the man trailing me that I intend to spend the rest of the afternoon writing letters. He looks relieved, no doubt having heard of my tricks of the morning and makes no objection when I close the door on him with a smile.
Throwing off my cloak I uncoil the Hithlum rope I have just appropriated knowing that now I will have no difficulty in scaling the wall and breaking free from my human guards.
I am soon strolling along one of the narrow lanes on the third level, my cloak hood hiding my features as best I can, my eyes and ears cocked for anything of interest. The taverns are as yet fairly empty, although one in particular seems to have several patrons sitting in the darkened taproom.
I find a quiet corner and settle down to watch and listen. The afternoon drags by; there are some comings and goings but little of real interest. A small group of men are discussing the upcoming street racing which I am keen to take part in but other than that and the usual gossip and arguments between men who have taken too much drink. I learn nothing of importance. I am about to give up and return to the Citadel for I must be there when Gimli returns from his work on the gates when the door opens and a figure I know all too well stands on the threshold. Of all the ill fortune! I pull my hood further forward and slide down in my seat. The coal black eyes of Gimli Gloinson sweep the room from left to right pass me by then with a sudden jerk of the head, which sends his beard braids dancing return to my quiet corner.
There is a quite audible growl as he realizes what he is seeing.
Ai, I am in so much trouble!