Chapter 12
A slight pain in Eradrin's back woke her. The elf opened her eyes wide, staring in shock around her. She wasn't trapped in a web, or surrounded by spiders. Sunlight filtered in through a small window. Wooden walls formed a small but cozy room. Eradrin lay on a soft bed, dark green blankets with golden trim covering her. A cloud-like pillow supported her head. Eradrin thought tiredly, Where am I? She closed her eyes again, only to hear footsteps walking close to her. She opened her eyes and turned her head towards the sound. A beautiful wooden door with elvish writing on it stood in the wall. The footsteps stopped next to the door, and it opened slowly. Eradrin quickly closed her eyes. An someone stepped through the door. Eradrin listened. A soft clunk sounded on Eradrin's left, and the footsteps grew softer as they exited the room. Then a soft click closed the door. The footsteps left and faded into the distance. Eradrin slowly opened her eyes. A bowl of soup laid on a side table to Eradrin's left. She could see steam rising from it, and a delicious aroma filled the air. Next to it was a crystal glass filled with sparkling clear water. Eradrin slowly reached out her hand, picked up the soup bowl and a spoon that was placed next to it, and took a sip. It tasted heavenly, and reminded Eradrin of golden light and the morning. She quickly finished off the soup and set it back down on the side table, then reached for the water and finished that off too. Then she sat up.
The elf looked down at her clothes, torn and dirty. What else can I wear? Eradrin thought. Her eyes strayed to a dresser across from her. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and took an uncertain step forward. The spider venom was almost gone, but had left her weak and shaky. She took a few more steps, then reached for the dresser's handles. Pulling the doors open, she found herself staring at 12 different dresses and 12 different every day clothes. The elf picked out a long light green tunic with golden patterns across it, dark green leggings, and brown boots out of the dresser. Slipping into them, she walked over to her bed and sat down, wondering what to do next. She knew that she was not in danger, and had a pretty good guess of where she was. "I bet that I'm still in Mirkwood, probably in the Wood Elves' Realm, but I have no idea how I got here." She murmured aloud. Eradrin leaned against the wooden walls. Suddenly her door swung wide open. She turned to face a wide eyed she elf. "Liliana!" Eradrin cried, "Mae govannen mellon!" The she elf, Liliana, smiled. "Eradrin! Sut naa lle umien? (How are you doing)" Liliana asked. Liliana was an elf of about 2000, and had wavy dark brown hair. Eradrin smiled. "I'm doing okay, if it weren't for those orcs and spiders." Eradrin wrinkled her nose. "I have so much to tell you. The journey I just had was... um... exciting..." Eradrin said. Liliana told her, "Okay, but you can tell me later . Lord Thranduil is hosting a counsel and wants you there. Come with me." Liliana walked out the door. "Wait for me!" Eradrin called, limping after her.
Soon, the two friends arrived at a grand hall with a long table with chairs around the outside. Elves sat in different chair, talking amongst themselves. At the far end, a great chair carved with expensive jewels and gold stood taller than the other. A proud and regal figure sat in it, head raised, eyebrows lifted. Eradrin and Liliana stopped before him, and bowed. "Lord Thranduil," Eradrin and Liliana whispered. His turned his head to stare at them. "Please, be seated." He said in a clear, commanding voice. The two she elves straightened up and walked over to two empty seats. Most of the seats were taken, but a few empty chair were scattered around. Liliana started pointing out different elves that Eradrin didn't know yet. "That one right there, the one with the dark brown hair, his name is Alecorn. And the she elf next to him is Naleena. And over there is..." Eradrin started to feel sleepy again, and stopped listening. She started to close her eyes. "Eradrin? Eradrin! Are you listening?" Eradrin jumped. "Yeah, yeah. I'm just tired." Eradrin said. "Okay, well after this you can go back to your room. I was going to say, of the two times you've been here, I don't believe you have met Prince Legolas." Eradrin's eyes sparked. "No, I don't believe I have." She said. Liliana continued, "Okay, well he's Thranduil's son. I just realized he's been scouting the borders each time you have been here. I should introduce you to him." Eradrin looked at Liliana. "Okay." She replied.
The meeting started. Thranduil stood up, his great silver robe flowing behind him. "Thank you all for coming. As this meeting starts, I would like to say welcome to Mirkwood, Eradrin." Eradrin dipped her head. "First I would like to address..." The meeting went on slowly, mostly about spiders threating elves and such, and most of the elves were impatient to get the meeting over with. After an hour, the elves were dismissed. Eradrin got up and stretched her back. Liliana nudged Eradrin. "Look, there is Legolas now." A handsome blond haired elf was talking to Thranduil, impatiently tapping his foot. "That's him?" Eradrin asked. "Yep." Liliana replied. "Oh look, he's coming over here!" Legolas had turned around and was walking towards Eradrin and Liliana. As he approached, Eradrin bowed. "Prince Legolas." She said, head lowered. She felt a hand raise her chin gently. Legolas was staring straight at Eradrin. "Lady Eradrin, you needn't bow to me." He said. Eradrin looked into his eyes. They were like a light, loving and kind, and filled Eradrin with warmth. A few minutes passed, and a slight giggle made Eradrin turn her head. Liliana was staring at the two elves, eyes narrowed in laughter. Eradrin sighed. "What, Liliana?" Liliana laughed even more. "Oh, nothing, just saw something... happen... over... In the corner!" Eradrin rolled her eyes. She turned back to Legolas. "I have to go." She whispered. Legolas's shoulders sagged a little. "Namaarie, Eradrin." "Namaarie, Legolas." Then they parted. Liliana and Eradrin walked back to Eradrin's room. "Eradrin..." Liliana said. "What?" Eradrin replied. "What did you think of Legolas..." Eradrin smiled. "He was nice." Liliana giggled. "You like him! You like him!" She teased. Eradrin blushed. "Oh Lil! Stop!" Eradrin ran ahead back to her room, Lilliana's teasing words echoing in her head. Maybe I do... Eradrin thought.