Emyra sighed pushing the doors of the stables open, a few of the stable workers stopped what they were doing and looked at her as she came in, Adrian nodded at her and she nodded back. Adrian was one of the best warriors, and a wonderful person to have in the royal guard. He was only a few years younger than Emyra but was a good friend.
"Leaving so soon Emyra?" Adrian asked walking over to her with a sincere smile, Emyra smiled back.
"No, just going for a much needed ride. If I was planning to leave I am sure you would be much more busy." Emyra stopped at the stall that held her mare, the horse shook her head when Emyra greeted her in Elvish, she placed her hand on her soft nose and smiled.
"Mind if I join you Emyra? You are without your bow and the King would have my head if you left the castle without your weapon or some guard." Adrian walked around her not waiting for her reply going a few stalls down picking up two saddles, blankets, and bridles. Adrian handed her a set when he passed her going to his own horse.
"Even if I say no you are going to follow me."
Adrian chuckled at her comment placing the bridle on his stallions head and walking him out of the stables. Emyra followed behind looking back at her mare every so often.
Once mounted Adrian looked at Emyra with a raised eyebrow. "You know they say the Greenwood elves are less wise but more dangerous...you could have fooled me. Your wisdom is even greater than Elrond at his best moment." Adrian said in a sarcastic tone.
Emyra rolled her eyes not meaning to be rude but she was not in the mood for his sarcastic remarks, she kicked her horse into a walk, she really wanted to be alone, but Adrian was right, Thranduil would have his head. She leaned forward whispering into her mares ear almost immediately after the white horse surged forward in a gallop.
Adrian and Emyra made their way through the woods to a well known pub, they took their seat and ordered, they had received their food but the waitress also put down a large platter of pork making the pair cringe.
"A gift from the sir over there." She pointed her finger at a cloaked figure.A beard stuck out that was decorated with beads, it was Dwarvish. Adrian and Emyra raised their wine glasses at the figure thanking him but they were both very angry, it was no mistake a dwarf would by them almost an entire pig and place it under their noses after it had been slaughtered and cooked.
Adrian looked at Emyra and whispered. "The Halfling is only asking for a fight."
Emyra looked at Adrian she sighed slightly. "Thranduil said the King under the mountian is getting richer by the second, along with his people. He spoke of an alliance he wants to create with him, only economic value of course, great trading routes if you look at it that way."
"I thought your Brother was the only one trained in politics." Adrian commented. Emyra smiled and shook her head.
"If anything happened to Rhydian, My parents wanted me to know what I was doing." Emyra took a sip of her wine and they both ate not touching the meat. They placed gold on the table and left but were followed.
Emyra walked close to Adrian, she knew how to fight, but she had no energy for it, she was drained, the exchanged a knowing glance and went to a quite part of town. It was nighttime and most the people had retired to their houses. Emyra turned around and saw the Halfling with a man.
"Didn't like the pork lassy? I considered it an insult you didn't eat my gift." Emyra stood silently beside Adrian staring at the pair.
"What? Can kill an army but can't handle a dead pig? My friend here is hurt he spent his gold on you two and it went to waste." The Human man said.
"Purposely going against our traditions and then insulting us about them. I would watch you mouth Mortal." Adrian replied taking off his hood, Emyra did the same, her circlet glinting in the light.
"Well if it isn't Emyra, Daughter of Estalian." The Dwarf snickered. "What are you doing so far away from the Greenwood King?" The Dwarf mocked. "I hear he is looking for a wife and you aren't in the group he is choosing from." The dwarf made a pouting face. "Fallen out of the Kings favor elfling?"
"Watch your mouth Dwarf." Adrian warned. "Your in the pressence of..."
"I know who I'm in the presence of." The dwarf spat. "I have no respect for elves or their royalty." He spat again walking away with the mortal man. "Watch your back Emyra, you wont always have a guard to save you." The dwarf turned quickly throwing the dagger, Emyra went to dodge it but didn't move quick enough and it caught her arm cutting it open ripping the sleeve of her dress soaking it with blood, The dwarf laughed and turned again.
"Adrian." Emyra flinched when she grabbed him. "Just leave it." Emyra looked at Adrian signaling they should just go, if it had been Rhydian he had insulted the story would have ended differently, but Emyra was no where near as important as her brother, and she did not want to start a fight over the fact a Dwarf had insulted her and cut her arm.
They both sighed and walked back to their horses, they were silent the whole ride home. Adrian had made a point that they had to tell Thranduil about the incident, Emyra sighed her arm still bleeding but agreed to go only because Adrian would tell him anyways. Thranduil was talking to a council member and already looked like he was in an awful mood, Emyra shifted slightly.
As soon as Thranduil saw them his eyes drifted to Emyra's bleeding arm, he dismissed the council member and the duo bowed their heads. Thranduil walked over to them taking Emyra's arm as gently as possible but she still flinched.
"What happened?" Thranduil demanded looking at Emyra, but she remained silent, he turned his gaze to Adrian.
"Dwarves My King, they followed us, the Halfling threw his dagger at Lady Emyra." Adrian explained almost spitting it out, it wasn't odd for Dwarves to poison their daggers.
Thranduil frowned he obviously had the same though as anger spread across his features.