Emyra sighed looking at her hands as her Mother gently pinned up her red curls, she didn't dare look in the mirror, she hadn't slept in days, she knew she looked exhausted, she didn't need to see it for herself.
"Emyra." Meikeena put a hand on her daughters shoulder gently kissing her cheek. "You should not look so sad, it is a grand event." Emyra looked up into the mirror for the soul purpose of looking at her mother.
"I know, I'm just tired Mother." Emyra replied. "Are you finished?" Meikeena nodded, Emyra stood the white skirts of her dress gently brushing the chair, her dress was beautiful there was no doubt, the top was a beautiful lavender that faded into a white skirt and white long gold embroidered sleeves. It had been made especially for the occasion.
It had been a year since Emyra had seen Thranduil or stepped foot in Greenwood, she refused to travel there, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family and the constant traveling prevented her to do that, the real reason was she didn't want to see Thranduil. Rhydian had started to go in her place, and after he grew tiresome of that they started sending advisors and councilmen.
"Excuse me, Lady Meikeena, Lady Emyra, it is time." Emyra took in a deep breath, it was going to be a long day, and a even longer night, she didn't really want to be there but her Father said it wasn't up for argument, Emyra argued anyways but was quickly silenced after that she hadn't said another word in complaint.
"Apologies Princess, Lord Thranduil requests to speak with you." Emyra looked at the Elf who had come up beside her, her stomach twisted slightly, why today of all days did he have to pull this?
"Very well." Emyra followed the elf to grand oak doors in the private living quarters of the palace, the elf nodded urging her forward, Emyra knocked stepping back waiting to be given entrance.
"Come in." Emyra sighed walking into the room quietly closing the door behind herself, she saw Thranduil standing by a window in the large main chamber, she had never been in his chambers before, and she was naturally curious, she glanced at the bed which had been decorated much like the hall had, and she didn't even have to guess as to why. Thranduil turned and took a careful step towards her. "I wasn't expecting you to actually come."
"Yes well, when you send a Councilmen saying you request my presence when I am right beside my Mother I have no other option to accept." Emyra's eyes narrowed. "If it had been up to me I wouldn't be here at all." Emyra clasped her hands tightly together. "What is it that you need Thranduil?" Thranduil sighed taking a step forward but Emyra took another step back making it very clear she wanted to be no where near him.
"Emyra, I know you are angry-"
"Angry?" Emyra laughed a little bit. "I'm not angry, and if you brought me up here to apologize for all of this, for marrying her, your wasting your time." Emyra looked at him, she had clearly hurt him in some way. "I do not care for your apologies or your sympathy, I do not care to hear you say how sorry you are that this is happening but it is what needs to be done because it is your duty as a King, I do not care for any of that, it has been a year since I have been in these halls and I am hoping it will be centuries until I have to return here after this." Emyra took a deep breath. "But understand this, you always have been, and you always will be close to my heart, I think it will be easier for both of us to leave it at that."
Emyra turned on her heal giving him no chance to stop her leaving the room, she took a few shaky breaths willing herself not to cry, she didn't expect that to be so hard to say. She returned to the hall just in time as the ceremony had started, she smiled at her Mother as she sat down, taking another breath.
~*~
The ceremony had been long tedious, the reception after was even worse, Emyra watched them dance over and over again while she wanted to slump in her chair wishing she could simply disappear, if you didn't know her well you would't know she was experiencing any pain at all as she was socializing and conversing with those who wanted to speak with her, she went as far as laughing at jokes that weren't all that funny but she didn't want to be rude.
At the end of that they were to congratulate the knew Queen, another thing to add to the list of things Emyra did not want to do. She stepped up to do her congratulating.
"Congratulations." Emyra smiled at the both of them. "I wish you nothing but happiness in the years to come." Emyra turned to leave but Daeris called her again.
"Emyra, is that correct?" Daeris asked looking at Emyra who simply nodded. "Your the Princess of the Northern Elven Kingdoms yes?" Emyra nodded again, she didn't see why it mattered. "Thranduil speaks fondly of you, says you have been friends for a long time." Emyra looked at Thranduil then back at Daeris.
"I suppose you could say that." Emyra replied as respectfully as she possibly could, Daeris might be Thranduil's Queen, but Daeris was still the Princess of one of the most powerful Elven Kingdoms in Middle earth, for all intents and proposes Daeris was still bellow her. "We have been close friends since we were small children, I used to be an important voice in his council."
"I never see you here anymore." Daeris rose her eyebrows making Emyra clench her fists.
"I am still a member of the Council however my presence isn't request without great importance, I have stopped traveling in order to spend time with my Family, the attack on our Kingdom took a toll on us and I would like to be there for them as much as I can be." Daeris nodded understandingly, Emyra congradulated them one last time before disappearing, she didn't want to be asked anymore questions, didn't want to make up anymore lies, she just wanted out.