"What must I do?" Ellawyn turned away from the wizard as she once again readied Vorondil, rushing to take action despite not knowing what should be done. A warm hand rested on her shoulder to regain her attention. She spun on her heel to search Radagast's eyes. He looked sad as he told her,
"We must inform the White Counsel, they must know. The blade must go to Rivendell." She nodded, her eyes studying the ground under her feet. The Counsel would decide what must be done. Ellawyn's eyes snapped upwards as she opened her mouth to speak,
"The King must be informed of this, if he does not already know. It is his lands in which the darkness lay. His people are in danger." The wizard began nodding his head emphatically,
"Yes. I have come to ask a favor of you Elly. I must search for Gandalf and his counsel. I would ask you to take this blade to the King's halls. Show it to him, he will know the implications of such an item. Then, ride swiftly to Imladris. I will find Gandalf and gather the White Counsel there. You know the way to Rivendell, do you not?" He spoke quickly, shoving the cursed item into one of her saddle bags and ushering her to mount with a few waves of his hands. Mounting Vorondil, she gazed down at her friend, saddened by both the news he had brought, and the short manner of their visit.
"I will see you soon, mellon, be careful in your search for the Grey Wizard." Her brows knotted on her brow, as Radagast waved her off in dismissal.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes! Go now! Ride swiftly with caution, and not too close to Dol Guldur! Stay on the path," he warned as he stepped back onto his sled. With that, the wizard was once again flying across the fields with his team of rabbits throwing one last shout over his shoulder, which sounded something like 'we will meet again in Imladris, my girl!'
Hours later found Ellawyn and Vorondil trotting along the elven path through Mirkwood. Her senses were sharp and her nerves were on edge, her brave chestnut stallion pranced uncomfortably beneath her. Neither of them were glad to be within the Greenwood borders. She rolled her shoulders back, stretching her spine from the hours of riding and tension, patting Vorondil's soft red coat. Slowing to a walk Ellawyn glanced at her surroundings, they must be getting close to the Palace, she was surprised they had not yet been intersected by guard patrols thus far. With a sharp sigh she dropped the reins onto Vorondil's withers, leaning back in the saddle and closed her eyes to listen to the forest. The wood groaned and creaked throughout the forest, trees communicating with each other, as if unhappy with her presence. The unease was palpable, the cause for her and her horse's tension. Dry leaves blew across forest ground with the unnaturally cold wind and distant scuttling of an unknown origin could be heard faintly in the distance. Pulling her cloak tighter, Ellawyn opened her eyes. Dark tree trunks erected proudly from the earth, stretching tall with wide, twisting branches erupting broadly outwards. Their bark was rough and moss-covered. Yes, this forest was sick. It made her sad as she remembered the green liveliness that once shrouded the forest, lost in memory as a stuffy air sat heavily upon it now.
Vorondil came to a jolting halt as he let out an agitated snort, his brown eyes wide. She became alert, picking up her reins once again and following the direction of his ears to listen for the sounds he had undoubtedly heard before she had. There, up ahead to her right side she heard the faintest of sounds, only the dull rustle of cloth on skin. Elves. Sitting straighter, she casually placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and called out,
"I come as a friend of the wizard Radagast the Brown." Ellawyn pushed her nerves aside, she had never been in front of the King before, had not entered his realm. She was Elven, indeed, but stood out sorely among the wild and fair wood-elves. While they donned light hair and wild eyes, she was an obvious outsider with her deep brown, wavy hair and steely grey eyes. She had heard Beorn and Radagast speak of these dangerous elves and was unsure of how her presence would be accepted. After a long silence in the woods, a tall blond ellon emerged silently from the tree in the direction she had been speaking.
"What business does an Elleth have with Radagast the Brown, and what is the nature of the tidings you bring to King Thranduil." His voice was smooth, but cold. Hard blue eyes stared into hers. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she replied with a chilled mask of confidence in her voice,
"I am his ward. I dare not speak of this news to any other than His Majesty, least of all in these cursed woods." She glanced around, emphasizing the way by which the forest seemed to listen and watch. The ellon, now joined by five other elves in a loose semi-circle around her and Vorondil, nodded hesitantly.
"What is your name, girl?" He asked as the march to the Palace continued, the guards walking loosely around her. She could not help but feel as though she were their prisoner.
"Ellawyn." He nodded, accepting her answer, but his eyes lingered on her untrusting.
Upon their arrival at the Palace, Vorondil had been relinquished from her to be cared for by a stable hand, and she took a moment to survey the imposing structure before her. Large twisted trees stood as columns, between them a long bridge across a gorge stretched to two intricately designed doors surrounded by stone. The elf that seemed to be incharge of the patrol waved her forward, leading the way through the doors and into the mountain dwelling of the King. She found herself in awe at the open and airy feeling of the Palace, despite being nestled in stone. It felt warm and welcoming, a maze of branches acted as halls above the open cavern below. She allowed the ellon infront of her to lead her through a confusing number of turns and stairs before he suddenly stopped before her. Nearly running into his back, Ellawyn realized they were standing in front of large doors, leading to the Throne room she assumed. With one last wary glance to Ellawyn, the ellon nodded to the guards that stood by the doors and they pulled the grand entrance open. She was ushered inside, adjusting the bag on her hip which carried the burden she was to show the king. When they came to a halt, they stood before a regal looking figure on a large wooden throne. He sat sprawled across the throne, legs crossed, a sharp styled crown of autumn leaves and colors sat profoundly upon his golden head. Looking to the ground, Ellawyn managed a low curtsy before looking up to meet his eyes. Deep, ice blue eyes pierced her, as if reading every thought that had ever passed through her mind. Uneasiness coursed through her, she could feel the beat of her heart and rush of her blood through her veins as she met the King's cold gaze.