Chapter 11

Departure

"Are we all clear now, King Oropher?" King Amdír said; his voice ever soothing and persuasive.

The two kings were on the palace's veranda, attended by few butlers and handmaidens. Harpers were also present to play them appeasing songs that both kings had not heard from a very long time now. King Oropher was wondering when he would hear Erynlith singing for him. The veranda overlooked the distant meadow of bluebells and the river beyond it. Amdír knew his kingdom was on the other side of that river, and he couldn't wait to get back, taking his son and niece with him.

King Oropher swirled the crimson solvent within his cup as if in deep thought. Yet, he was reluctant to give in to what Amdír had proposed, a solution he thought would be better for the two kings and two kingdoms. Sighing, Oropher chugged the liquor in one swift motion, its sweetness filling his stomach in a warm sensation.

"I cannot be sure of this," he replied, placing the cup down on the table. It was quickly refilled by one of the butlers. "What I mean is: everyone is so used in having Erynlith and Erestor around. I personally prefer if they stay here."

"Personally?" King Amdír snorted. "Oropher, there is nothing more personal than I return to Lórinand with my family, particularly my niece. Do you have any idea how long she was sundered from us?"

Oropher nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, of course, but I am also thinking of what other's might say."

"Others?" Amdír repeated, not sounding convinced at all.

"Well…" Oropher thought of a better way to put it. "Well, my son has quite good terms with Erynlith. I cannot really elaborate, since I am not sure myself, but they have become friends. It would be disappointing for Thranduil if his friend leaves the Greenwood, and he would surely be against it."

"Simple." Amdír leaned back to his chair. "We leave in secrecy. It should not be so hard to do so. I would be delighted to leave as soon as possible. Lórinand has been kingless for a while now."

"Ah," Oropher muttered, already running out of excuses. Thranduil would lash out on him if he was deceived. "When do you really plan on leaving?"

"In two days, I suppose," Amdír replied. "As long as everything is set. Now, are we clear?"

Ororpher sighed in defeat. He knew it would better if Erynlith and Erestor left for Lórinand, but he also considered Thranduil's opinions. But arguing with the other king would be pointless. "Yes, we are. I'll see what I can do about Thranduil."

"Very good." Amdír smiled. "Thank you, my friend. I must go and visit the infirmary." He stood up and left. Oropher watched him leave and when the other king was out of sight, he sighed again. He should call for Thranduil immediately.

Laughter sounded in the infirmary. The other healers laughed quietly to themselves in one corner. Santien did not join them this time; she was out looking for herbs with Raithon, the Elven-guard captain. On Erestor's bedside, Erynlith and Amroth were there; the elf prince sat on the bed beside Erestor's.

"You mean to say… you set the kitchen on fire?" Erestor sounded bewildered, and the two other elves laughed with him.

"It cannot be helped back then," Amroth said in his defense. "Remember that one time Gildor fell off his horse and it was all Eryn's fault?"

"Hey!" Erynlith protested. "That was not entirely my fault!"

Then, they laughed again. The laughter only ceased when King Amdír arrived. Even the healers clamped their mouths shut and allowed the King entrance. Amroth quickly got off the bed to greet his father while Erynlith scooted closer to Erestor. The father and son whispered their greetings to each other before the King proceeded at the foot of Erestor's bed. Erynlith avoided the King's gaze but Erestor boldly looked up.

"Good morrow, Your Highness," Erestor greeted. "I am quite ashamed for you to see me in this compromising condition."

The King chuckled good-naturedly. "Please, Erestor. I am glad that you are well. Does Elrond know about this?"

Erestor shook his head. "I believe he does now."

The conversation went on as per usual. They sounded like two friends of old, very familiar with each other. The once demanding King of Lórinand was now thoughtful and soft-spoken. It made Erynlith sigh in relief; the King always made her tense, even during her youth. It was good to see him smiling and laughing with them. At lunchtime, Amdír and Amroth went back into the palace, and the King was disappointed when Erynlith had once again declined his offer to join them. A group of butlers arrived from the palace to serve the lunch in the infirmary.

"What happens now?" Caladhir asked Erynlith. His strength was back and he could move out from his bed. But the wounds on his torso acted up every once in a while, prompting him to wince and lie back down. Santien often attended on him, dressing the bandages and cleaning his wounds. He was not entirely bed-ridden as Erestor was; Caladhir's legs took little damage compared to what Erestor had.

Erynlith paused in the middle of slurping her soup. "I do not know," she shrugged and brought the spoon to her lips. The soup tasted well, she observed. "We'll have to return to Lórinand sooner or later."

"I think I'd prefer that," Caladhir sighed in relief. He drained his bowl of his soup. "Lórinand has a more pleasant atmosphere than Greenwood."

"Maybe…" Erynlith reluctantly agreed and continued consuming her soup. And Erestor only listened. "I just want to return to Rivendell, not in Lórinand, really. I mean, Lord Elrond is probably more worried than anyone else. And he is even yet to see how you guys are doing."

Caladhir chuckled, tucking the dark strands of his hair behind his ear. "I do not mind where we end up, as long as the three of us are together. We have been through so much these past few weeks."

"Tell me about it," Erynlith smiled.

"I can't believe you're still not ready to go."

Raithon was dressed in his traveling suit and all, while the Prince of Greenwood was lazily lounging in the library.

The elf prince was trying to finish the architectural design of the fortress his father wanted him to finish that same day. For years, Oropher planned on fortifying a fortress in the far north, beyond the mountains of Greenwood the Great. Fell creatures lingered always in the south of Greenwood, near Amon Lanc where the Silvan folk lived, and it made Oropher restless. The wargs became numerous and often threatened to enter the forest. The Silvan lived in fear almost every day, and Oropher could not take it anymore. The design Thranduil was planning was still a rough draft of what he had in mind. He knew the King trusted his creativity and talent, and that was all Thranduil needed for motivation. But suddenly, the King had come into his room and demanded that the design be finished soon.

"Sire?" Raithon called out to him again.

Finally, with an exasperated sigh, Thranduil looked up from his work, twirling his pen impatiently. He glared icily at his friend. "Don't start with me. What is it?"

"Why are you not ready yet? You are supposed to finish that the other day. We are to leave in a few minutes, and you're still in your pajamas."

Thranduil could snap his pen in two now. The afternoon was quite windy and dry, but he enjoyed his quiet and thoughtful time alone. Honestly, he enjoyed sketching the soon-to-be fortress of the Elvenking. It all went downhill, however, when his beloved silence was interrupted by the cheerful captain. He groaned the tease and went back to work. "I was so busy I've forgotten. Give me five minutes and I'll be out with you."

"Sure you will." Raithon took the seat in front of the elf prince. He stared at the draft of the fortress; it was barely completed, but he knew it would look well. He groaned and tapped on the wooden table impatiently. "Four minutes…"

"Shut it, why don't you?" Prince Thranduil snapped back.

Raithon put up his hands defensively. "Alright already. Stop sulking here in the library. I'll wait for you outside. Be quick about it. Everyone is excited to explore the northern forest." He went for the doorway until he remembered something. "Oh, and by the way, King Oropher thinks you're such an indoor person."

He was sorting out the pillars on his fortress sketch. "Indoor person," he scoffed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you have to go out every once in a while," the Sindarin captain pointed out.

The elf prince rolled his eyes and returned to his work. "How very enlightening, Captain."

Laughing, Raithon waved his friend goodbye and proceeded to the field.

When he was left alone once more, Thranduil huffed. "Indoor person."

Last night

Amroth desperately tried to shake Erynlith awake. It was midnight, and she slept in the infirmary with Erestor and Caladhir. When Amdír had announced that they have to leave right away, Amroth stealthily returned to the infirmary to gather the injured ones. He was accompanied by most of their Nandorian entourage. And as he gently shook Erynlith awake, Caladhir was already being taken outside by the marchwardens, and was mounted on a horse. Erestor was awoken next and was carried as well. He winced at the pain and he grunted when he was lifted from his bed.

"Does King Oropher know about this?" Erestor asked the elf who carried him outside.

The elf guard nodded and slung Erestor's arm around his shoulder and helped him regain the balance. "He does, but not the Prince Thranduil, I think. It would be efficient if we leave in secrecy. Tomorrow, the Elven-guard will set out for their northern borders. They will not notice that we have left."

Erestor felt uncomfortable about leaving in secrecy. But he complied and was already mounted on a black horse. "Please, wait here," the Nando whispered and went back into the infirmary.

Amroth looked up from the bed; all the marchwardens waited were him and Erynlith. He knew King Amdír was already waiting outside. He turned back to the sleeping elf and shook her again. "Eryn," he said. "We have to go."

She moaned and rubbed her eyes. "Go where?"

"Back home," Amroth answered and carried a half-asleep Erynlith out of the room. Arcastar was mustered for them, and the elf prince had to lift Erynlith on the horse. He followed suit, sitting behind her as he leaned her head on his shoulder. Arms were on either side, holding the reins tightly. With Amdír's command, the host of the Nandor marched and silently walked under the starlight.

Oropher watched them leave on his own. None of the Silvan folk knew about this, except for some of the elf guards. Even Raithon did not know; he was far too close to Thranduil for this kind of secrecy. And the King's mood turned gloomy as the glinting hair of the King and his son faded into the darkness. It would be quite different not to have the eccentric and clueless Erynlith around, but he felt the worry in his heart if ever Thranduil found out about it.

Thranduil yawned lazily and rubbed his eyes. His white horse neighed softly beside him, neighing and rubbing its muzzle on his shoulder. Absentmindedly, he patted the horse's muzzle and waited for his companions. He was clad in his usual hunting garb, green and brown, and on his back was his quiver. He held his slender bow on his free hand. It was morning already and he wondered how his companions could be so slow.

Finally, Raithon came jogging towards him.

"You're late," Thranduil said accusingly. "How can we start on our bet when the captain is tardy?"

"I am not tardy," Raithon said in his defense. "Something came up and Santien was really worried."

"About what?" Thranduil did not like how it sounded.

The captain shrugged. "She didn't tell me. Anyway, we should get going. The others are already here."

The Elven-host gathered in front of the palace. Only Thranduil and Raithon had horses, implying their position in the group. Few Silvan elves bade them farewell, among them was Santien, looking uninterested. But as Thranduil glanced at her, he knew the usual aloof healer was indeed worried about something, and he wanted to ask. There was no time for it now; King Oropher emerged from the palace and smiled at the Elven-host. The guards bowed dutifully and marched off in a straight line.

Thranduil bowed to his father, and said: "We'll be back shortly. I'll see what I can do with our planned fortress. I think it would be better if it's near the forest river or something."

"And underground," Oropher added and smiled.

Thranduil chuckled. Instantly, he was redirected to a memory from a very long time ago, back when he ran under the trees, following a silver-haired marchwarden around the forest. He remembered being a child back then, admiring almost everyone in the fenced land. Snapping back to the present, he smiled and said obligingly, "And underground. I'll see you really soon."

"Be careful," Oropher said, patting his son's shoulder.

"Before I leave, I'll check on the infirmary first." Thranduil was about to leave when the King pulled his wrist.

"Your host is leaving," Oropher insisted and earned a confused look from Thranduil. "I will tell Lady Erynlith that you've left."

The Prince shook his head. "It's not just Erynlith, Adar."

"Then, who? Erestor?" the King teased.

Thranduil looked flustered. "Really, Adar! Fine, I am leaving! I'll see you in a week. Send Erynlith my regards." He waved at his father and mounted his white horse. They caught up with the marching Elven-host.

As the palace disappeared from their sight, Thranduil was back into his thoughts. His father looked and sounded different. He could tell that the King was tensed, and it bothered him. Everyone seemed tense that morning, Oropher and Santien. Did they know something he didn't? It was quite frustrating for him. He glanced at Raithon who was engrossed in a conversation with another elf guard. His friend also looked clueless about it; had Raithon knew about anything, his first thing to do was to announce smugly at Thranduil that the captain knew something the prince did not.

He sighed in defeat. He was probably more worried than being away from the palace for a week than anything else in the world.

Next Chapter: Thranduil continues his journey to the north, but also reminisces on his life.

Author's Notes: Yay, I'm back again! Sorry for another late upload, was busy for the exam week. Our Lorinand King gets what he wants! #LorienDoubleA. Also, next chapter will expand Thranduil as a character. Stay tuned!

*Rousdower - Welcome back, Rousy! Poor widdle Thrandy when he finds out about this... :'(

*SarahWeasley - Thank you for reading and for the review! I am hoping you'll continue dropping by and leave some reviews! :)

*DeLacus - Yoooooooo! Good to have you back too! Yay for King Amdir #LorienDoubleA and for Erynlith and Erestor! (Possibly #RivendellDoubleE or something? Haha!)

Reviews are always appreciated: constructive criticism, opinions, and suggestions... Fire away! Thank you! :)