It was a relatively safe and uneventful ride back to the Woodlands. Aradan was busy and preoccupied ensuring that all was safe. Thranduil focused his thoughts on his defences. They needed to fortify Mirkwood. He had to think, draw plans and gather resources. Once in a while, he glimpsed at his "prisoner". "Did she have a name? She ought to. She did not vaporise from thin air." She was sitting upright, all regal and stately as Aradan had told him, despite her weakened state. It suited him fine. He did not want any elleth too near him.
"Since you are going to be in the Woodlands, I can't be calling you "prisoner" all the time. Do you have a name?" Thranduil's voice was gruff and distant. She looked up at him, looking quite taken aback as if she had not expected him to speak. Finally, she whispered, "Er…Ithilwen, my lord."
Thranduil glanced at her and back at the path ahead. She was lying. "The moon?" he asked casually. "My nana used to call me the bringer of light amidst darkness, her shining moon," Ithilwen's eyes were faraway now, possibly thinking of her family. Still, she was lying. That was not her name. Perhaps, her mother had called her that but it was not her real name.
Thranduil did not comment and the journey remained silent. Thranduil could feel the emotions brimming from Ithilwen. She was nervous. Was it because she was near him? Why did she lie about her name? "What do you know?" She looked up confused. "Everyone in the Woodlands contributes in their own way. Where would you like to help out?"
Ithilwen looked down. It was obvious why the Woodland Realm flourished. The king was so task-oriented and made it clear that everyone had a duty. "I can help in the kitchens, my lord," she replied. He did not reply, merely nodding. The Commander was right though. The king took pains to ensure that he did not touch her. Why, he was sitting as rigid and upright as her.
As they rode on, though, she found it difficult to keep up the posture. She was drowsy and her lips and throat screamed for water. Still, she did not dare to ask. The King Thranduil was quite fearsome. Tauriel must have courage, foolish or not, to dare to raise her weapon to him. Desperate, she began to focus her mind on other thoughts to forget her thirst. The scenery around her was beginning to change. The air was becoming cooler and she saw the lush green foliage tucked amongst towering trees. Birds and beasts roamed the wild. A passing thrush informed her that they were on the outskirts of the Woodland Realm. "It was safe here," the bird informed her, "but it was a two to three hour journey to the King's court."
Eventually, she gave up and her head began to sag. Tumbling backwards, she would have fallen off the horse, had Thranduil not caught her. Her face flushed red as she looked down, mumbling an apology. There was no answer from Thranduil, instead she found a waterskin thrust in her hands. "I am sorry," she looked up surprised as she took a sip of the water. "Aradan reminded me that you had to drink water once in awhile. It slipped my mind."
"Thank you, my lord" she mumbled meekly as she endeavoured to sit up straight. This time, Thranduil slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her up on the saddle. For a minute, he froze, memories flashing, of him riding through the woods with Erienne. She is not Erienne. But you can't push her away now. It's just a few hours more.
She nodded and adjusted herself upright again, when Thranduil pulled her towards him. "Sleep, Ithilwen. You can't keep this posture much longer and you need to rest." He felt her swallow and continued, "I am not an Orc." Bad joke, he chastised himself a second later as he felt her shudder. Feeling lame, he continued, "I am not Aradan. I don't know how to do such…such… caring things. Just sleep," he finished, not knowing what to say. Again, Ithilwen did not reply but she finally surrendered to her weariness and closed her eyes. Leaning against the Elven King, she had her first peaceful sleep in many hundreds of years. Thranduil pressed his lips thinly. He did not like being near elleths but he could also not deny the warmth that was rising in his chest as she slept against him.
She awoke nearly two hours later to tearful cries and cheers of welcome. They had arrived at Mirkwood. The soldiers were greeted by their families. Other families were tearing silently as they realised that their son, brother or mate would never return. None censured their King or Commander, bowing as they rode in through the palace gates. As Thranduil got off his horse, Aradan came over to help her down.
Ithilwen noted that Thranduil went over to some families and was talking to them. The families of the fallen soldiers. She looked at Aradan. "Do not mind me. You have a lot of work to do. I will wait wherever you ask me to."
Aradan looked at her. She was far from well and needed to rest. "I will bring you to Galaden. He is our Chief Healer." She nodded, "You told me when I was …ill."
Aradan was surprised, "You could hear me then?"
Ithilwen nodded, "I can hear." That was all she said. Aradan was about to get the horse again when she interrupted. "I will walk. My legs are stiff from sitting for so long." Smiling, Aradan beckoned her to follow him which she did in silence. She looked around with great interest and seemed to be genuinely happy with what she saw. "Your kingdom is very well looked after. The elves seem happy."
"This happiness and joy came at a heavy price. I do not know if it was worth it or not, but our elves have a home where they can feel safe. This was Thranduil's dream but he sacrificed himself for it. Come along now."
Ithilwen followed in silence knowing that she would not be told any further. Commander Aradan climbed up the steps of the small hill, leading her through a path of cobbled stones. "The healers live here," he informed her as her eyes roved the place. There seemed to be some light on her face now. "Be careful," he told her as she quickened her pace and found herself panting.
A short while later, they stopped or precisely, she stopped. They had reached the Chief Healer's house. "How did you know this was his house?" Aradan asked. "I..I did not know. I am just tired," she looked at him worriedly. He nodded and they turned as an elleth came out and bowed to him, "Commander Aradan, you are back and well. We are blessed. Please come in. Galaden will be back soon." She was teary-eyed as she insisted that they have tea.
Ithilwen was looking out and though he could only see her eyes, Aradan could feel that she was happy. Being in Mirkwood made her happy, he realised and she had asked to be buried here. It was something to wonder about. She was quick to look down though whenever she felt his gaze. A young elleth came out with a tray of mint tea and as she offered it to Ithilwen, Aradan did not miss the tender look in the former's eyes as she politely refused the tea and requested for some plain water.
Aradan apologised as well. He should have realised that she needed the water more. When Galaden arrived, he met Aradan with a slight bow that the Commander totally ignored. Turning to Ithilwen, he said, "Don't misjudge by him bowing to me. That's just Galaden. He is the Chief Healer of Mirkwood. And more importantly, Queen Erienne's mellon. He is one of the best in all of elvendom." Aradan's pride was evident in his voice. Aradan and Galaden then talked in private about the elves in general and about Ithilwen in particular as the latter waited with Galaden's mate, Lairiel. As they spoke, Aradan noticed that Galaden was looking closely at her.
"You say her name is Ithilwen?" he asked.
"Aye, Galaden. At least, that is what she has told us," Aradan replied, "is something amiss?"
"Don't worry, Aradan. I will take care. She ought to stay here for a day or two to rest," Galaden replied, shaking his head. "I will bring her to the castle once she is well."
Aradan prepared to leave, he turned to Ithilwen. His voice was gentle when he said, "Take care. You can inform Galaden if you need anything." As he walked off, he turned around and was surprised to see Galaden bowing to Ithilwen. Ithilwen seemed to have finally lost her resolve. She was crying.