If you haven't seen the new Desolation of Smaug trailer, you must go watch it now. In honor of this occasion and my intense nerdiness at the moment, I will be attempting to update both Hobbit/Lord of the Rings stories in progress at the moment, while also posting the first chapter of a new story today. This is a rather short chapter, but I'll make up for it with a significantly longer one later this week. Without further ado, chapter 5. Enjoy!
Thranduil eagerly raced down to the stables Saturday afternoon, looking forward to spending the day with Ellissiel. When he reached the stables, he was rather surprised to see Balamaethor, Novathin, and Lithiavas waiting for him instead.
"What are you all doing here?" he asked, rather rudely.
"We are here for moral support," Novathin said, grinning.
"And we want to meet this lady of yours," Balamaethor added. "Since none of us has seen her yet."
"She is coming to dinner, you know," Thranduil said sourly. "You could have waited."
"Yeah, but it's worth it to see your face right now," Novathin said, grinning widely. Thranduil was about to tell him off when Ellissiel appeared around the corner.
"Oh, hello," she said, looking at Thranduil's friends in surprise. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Not at all!" Balamaethor said, striding over to her. "I'm Balamaethor, and this is Novathin and Lithiavas. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ellissiel. The pleasure is mine," she replied, smiling up at all of them. "Are you Thranduil's friends?"
"Yes we are, and we were eager to meet you," Novathin said, grinning down at her. "My cousin is your brother-in-law, and I have heard a great deal about you."
"Quessiel told me you had spoken to her," Ellissiel said, pausing before she continued. "Will you all be joining us for our ride today?"
"We would be happy to if your ladyship is alright with our company," Balamaethor said, feeling that this couldn't have gone any better. He knew Thranduil was standing behind him, scowling darkly.
"I don't mind at all. Do you, Thranduil?"
"Not at all," the prince said, smiling warmly, though his friends knew he minded a great deal.
A short while later, the five elves rode out of the stable, four of them cheerily talking while the fifth brooded silently.
"If you like horses so much, why don't you have your own?" Novathin asked Ellissiel as she rode in front of Thranduil again.
"My father thinks I'll hurt myself, and it was partially as punishment for stealing horses when I was little," Ellissiel said with a sigh. "At least your cousin lets me ride his horse sometimes."
"You should get someone else to get you a horse," Novathin replied. "Certainly your father can't complain if it is a gift."
"I suppose not, but he probably won't be happy all the same. Besides, who would give me a horse? No one in my family will risk upsetting my father."
"I hear you like stars, too," Balamaethor stated, so Ellissiel swung her head around to look at him. "Have you ever gone up into the mountains to look at them?"
"No, I haven't," Ellissiel said thoughtfully. "I would very much like to, though. I am sure it is a magnificent sight."
"It certainly is," Lithiavas said from Balamaethor's other side. "I highly recommend you go if you get the chance."
The conversation continued like this throughout the ride, with Thranduil barely participating. He was very put out that his friends had taken it upon themselves to join him and Ellissiel in their ride, and was going to chew them out about it as soon as he got the chance.
When they got back to the stable, Ellissiel excused herself, stating that she needed to change before dinner, giving Thranduil the chance to complain.
"What was that about?!" he asked angrily as they all put away their horses and tack.
"Calm down, Thranduil. If you hadn't been so busy brooding, you would have realized we were helping you.
"Helping me?! How was that helping me?"
"Well Novathin and Balamaethor gave you brilliant ideas for how to butter her up if you had been listening," Lithiavas said, rolling his eyes. Thranduil didn't understand.
"What do you mean?" he asked as his friends finished putting away their gear and stood in front of him.
"Novathin suggested that someone should get her a horse, which means you," Balamaethor said as if he was explaining something to a slow child. "And I suggested that she should go look at the stars from the mountaintops, which was me telling you to take her."
"Oh," was all Thranduil could say, his anger evaporating. "But if I get her a horse, she may not ride with me anymore."
"I think that's a risk you should take, considering how grateful she will probably be if you gave her one."
"Alright, alright," Thranduil said wearily, before looking up, an idea suddenly occurring to him. "Actually, I have one in mind that I can give her."
"Great, now let's go to the dining hall so we can get there before she does," Balamaethor said, pushing Thranduil towards the exit.
They managed to beat Ellissiel to the dining hall with several minutes to spare. She spotted the group of elves and walked over, sitting down between Thranduil and Balamaethor.
"Hello again," she said cheerfully, looking around at them all.
"Whew, did you see the looks you just got as you sat down?" Novathin said, grinning as he looked around.
"No, why?" Ellissiel asked, looking around curiously. She couldn't see anyone looking in their direction.
"At least half a dozen ladies gave you the most ferocious looks I have ever seen," he replied. "I can imagine most of them would give their right arm to be where you are right now."
"I don't understand," Ellissiel said, brow furrowed as she looked across the table at him.
"You are sitting next to Thranduil," he said as an explanation. "Not many ladies get that honor."
"I am just lucky I guess," she said with a smile, not noticing the glare that Thranduil directed at Novathin. "I am starving though. Where do you recommend I start?"
"Try the fish," Lithiavas said, passing Balamaethor the platter so he could put some on Ellissiel's plate. "It is my favorite."
The elves continued their conversation, this time with Thranduil joining in. He too noticed that as Ellissiel continued talking and laughing with him and his friends, many of the elleths around the room looked at the group with narrowed eyes. He hoped that that was as far as their resentment would go.
When the meal was finished, Ellissiel yawned, rubbing her eyes.
"Tired?" Thranduil asked, looking down at her.
"Very. It's been a long day, and all this good food just makes me sleepy." She stifled another yawn, standing up to depart.
"May I walk you home?" Thranduil asked, standing with her. Ellissiel smiled up at him sleepily.
"Certainly. Goodnight," she said, turning to Balamaethor, Novathin, and Lithiavas. "It was nice meeting you all."
"It was a pleasure," Balamaethor said, bowing his head. Novathin and Lithiavas both murmured goodbye as she took Thranduil's arm and let him lead her out of the hall.
"You're going to have to lead, since I have no idea where you live," he said pleasantly, watching her walk sleepily beside him.
"We live just on the other side of the gardens," she said, leaning against him. Thranduil felt his heart rate speed up. "It's not too far."
"I hope you at least enjoyed yourself today," he said conversationally.
"Very much," she said, looking up at him. "Your friends are very nice."
"I'm sorry I didn't warn you they were coming. They surprised me as well."
"It's not a problem. I was surprised but it was an enjoyable afternoon."
"I'm glad," Thranduil said, and they continued in silence until they reached the other side of the gardens.
"This is us," Ellissiel said, stopping in front of a small house that looked almost identical to those around it. Ellissiel looked up at Thranduil with a smile. "I had a lot of fun today. Thank you."
"You are most welcome," Thranduil said, smiling down at her again. "I enjoyed it as well. I was wondering if you would be interested in making it a regular thing."
"You mean like every Saturday?" she asked curiously.
"Not necessarily, but on a regular basis anyway."
"How about every other Saturday?"
"That sounds excellent. If you want to get together at all during the week as well, I would be happy to accommodate you."
"I shall think about it and figure out what works best," Ellissiel said, her eyelids starting to droop. "I will send you a letter once I have done so. I'm sure I can get someone to deliver it."
"I look forward to hearing from you." Thranduil smiled, bowing low. "Goodnight, my lady."
"Goodnight, Prince Thranduil," Ellissiel replied, curtseying, before opening her door and disappearing inside. Thranduil felt light headed, and practically skipped back to his room.
A letter from Ellissiel was delivered to Thranduil four days later. He was surprised when it was handed to him by Lord Celeborn at their meeting.
"This was given to me by Lord Dintieron," Celeborn declared. When Thranduil showed no signs of comprehension, Celeborn elaborated. "Lady Ellissiel's father."
"Oh! Thank you, my lord," Thranduil said, looking at his name on the envelope before putting it in his pocket.
"How is it coming?" Lord Celeborn asked, leaning on his desk, folding his hands together.
"I am doing better. At least, I'm focusing better on my readings," Thranduil said. He had been working very hard to get caught up, since he now had time with Ellissiel to look forward to.
"That's not what I meant," Celeborn said, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I mean how is it coming with Ellissiel?"
"Oh," said Thranduil, feeling awkward talking about this with the elven lord. "Fine I think. We have gone riding a couple times now, and she hasn't run away again."
"That is good to hear," Celeborn said, his face emotionless as his eyes shown with laughter. "I do hope to meet the young lady sometime soon."
"I am sure you will," Thranduil said, quite confident that Celeborn would go out of his way to meet her, based on the look he was now directing at the young prince. Thranduil wasn't sure if he should be worried, but he also wasn't sure how he felt about that look.
"You want to come to dinner tonight?" Althirn asked as he and Ellissiel walked towards her house after spending the day with Althirn's father in the gardens.
"I am sorry, but I promised Thranduil I would go to dinner with him tonight," Ellissiel said apologetically. "Besides, we spent all day together. I'm sure you're tired of me."
"I could never be tired of you," Althirn said, but Ellissiel wasn't listening. She had caught sight of her father about to enter the house.
"Good afternoon, ada," she said, smiling as she approached and kissed his cheek.
"Afternoon my dear. And to you, Althirn," he said, nodding at the younger elf as he approached.
"My lord," Althirn said, bowing his head politely.
"I assume you'll be dining out again tonight?" Lord Dintieron said as he opened the door for the younger elves to enter.
"Yes, I promised to eat dinner with Thranduil every Tuesday and Thursday," Ellissiel said, coming inside and taking off her gardening gloves.
"You have become quite fond of him, haven't you?"
"He is very sweet and kind to me," Ellissiel said, happily. She didn't notice Althirn's jaw clench at this statement. "I need a bath before dinner, I think. I will see you later, Althirn. I promise, we can have dinner tomorrow night."
"Alright then," Althirn said, watching her disappear. He turned to go, bowing his head to Dintieron again. "Goodbye, my lord."
"Goodbye," Dintieron said, watching the young elf leave. He stood still for a moment, deep in thought. He had always assumed that Ellissiel would marry Althirn, seeing as he was the only friend she really had. He hadn't quite believed it when his wife told him Ellissiel was spending time with Prince Thranduil, at least not until his youngest daughter handed him a letter which was for the prince, asking for him to give it to Lord Celeborn to pass on to him. He was further surprised when Lord Celeborn enquired about Ellissiel and her new relationship with Thranduil. It was painfully obvious to him that Althirn loved Ellissiel, but he wondered what would happen now that she was starting to spend time with the young prince, whom Celeborn had said was uncharacteristically interested in Ellissiel. Time would tell what was to become of them all, but Dintieron was quite sure that no matter what the young elves felt for Ellissiel, at that moment she was completely oblivious.