They were to take the quickest road between Greenwood and Rivendell. The Elvenking's palace lay nestled between the southern foothills of the Dark Mountains and the Old Forest Road toward the eastern edge of the forest. Mounted, the Elven company would follow the Road west for seven days, ford the River Anduin, then cross the snow-capped Misty Mountains at the Low Pass to find the Great East Road. Crossing the mountains could take two days or a week, depending on the obstacles they encountered on the treacherous peaks. Once they crossed, it was a single long day's trot to Elrond's hidden stronghold.
Even before Lindir and the other messengers from Rivendell had left, Thranduil's council met to discuss who would accept Lord Elrond's invitation. It was decided that the king would be accompanied by a few members of his court, along with servants for a comfortable journey, and warriors for protection. The king's aunt Anarrima was to go, as Lady Celebrian had requested. Lady Ninniach was to join her, eager to meet the young Arwen, another young elleth of the Elven nobility. Lord Berenil would go as Thranduil's advisor, and Telior as captain of the small group of warriors.
Galion had planned everything meticulously, with some input from the other palace staff. Sulros would be the king's servant. He had selected Elluin to travel with them as the servant of Ladies Anarrima and Ninniach, having learned of her skills with "foreigners," as he called them. He also assigned Turiel, who was deemed fluent enough in Sindarin to accompany them, as the cook and another lady's maid.
"I am very glad you're coming," Turiel told Elluin as they packed the supplies into panniers. Everything was laid out on a table in the corner of the kitchens, ready for the journey to start the following day. There were many packets of lembas but also some dried meats, milled grain, and root vegetables.
"Why?" Elluin asked her friend with a smile. "Just so you won't have to peel the potatoes by yourself?"
Turiel smiled back. "I could always get one of the warriors to help me," she said. "But I have no real friends among them. I can hardly talk to them about it if I spy a particularly handsome Elf in Rivendell."
The ellith giggled at the thought as Sulros sauntered in with a grin. "Turiel, who is to say that the handsome ellyn are not here in Greenwood?" He lost his grin quickly when their giggles turned to laughter.
"We are sorry, Sulros," Turiel consoled with a tease. "Perhaps we know you too well to find you handsome."
Sulros grunted with a frown. His expression soon lifted when he saw what they were doing. "So, you two have been tasked with preparing the supplies this time. I am tempted to sit and watch, just to enjoy not having to do it myself."
"You still have to pack the king's things," Elluin retorted.
Sulros sighed and started walking through to the opposite door. "Yes, I know, Elluin! Allow me to enjoy my small pleasures!"
"One moment, Sulros," Elluin said before he could leave. She quickly went to a cupboard to take out a small cloth bag of dried flower petals and gave it to him. "Please put this in with the king's finer robes. He should not smell like a saddlebag when he dines with Lord Elrond."
Sulros raised his hands in defeat and took the bag. "I will leave now before anyone else gives me more to pack!"
The chill evening saw Elluin and her parents sitting under the trees outside their cottage. Linalda was braiding her daughter's hair while Soronume leisurely whittled a block of pinewood.
"You will look after the garden?" she asked them.
"For the hundredth time, we will," Soronume answered with a smile.
"You must take care on the road," Linalda said.
"For the hundredth time, I will," Elluin chuckled.
Soronume breathed deep, enjoying the muted scent of new leaves and flower buds. "I think you will enjoy Rivendell," he told his daughter. "There will be many songs, and many new people to meet."
Elluin paused to listen to the peaceful call of an owl before she spoke. "How did the two of you know you were bond-mates?"
Linalda answered right away as if she were expecting the question. "For some, it is an easy thing. Some Elves may look into another's eyes and realize suddenly that they wish to share all the types of love with that person, and see the same desire in the other. For others, it is more difficult. We have heard it said that even the bliss of Valinor is imperfect because of love, since more than one Elf may fall in love with the same person, and one or both will be rejected. I was one of two ellith to desire a bond with your father."
"Radrien was the other," Soronume said, anticipating Elluin's question. "She was well known to my family and a dear friend. It pained me to tell her I did not desire to be her husband, but your mother had already captured my heart." He smiled at Linalda. "We had also grown up together. Many times with our friends we would find diversion in the woods overlooking the harbor. Once, I accidentally touched your mother's hand as we were climbing a tree, as I had certainly done many times before… but that time was different. I saw her with new eyes."
"I needed little encouragement," Linalda remembered, weaving a budding violet into one of Elluin's braids. "He started to sing me songs and bring me little gifts... The gift that opened my eyes to see him as my bond-mate was a spool of golden thread."
"Even then, your mother was excellent with embroidery," Soronume explained. "It required some creative trading to obtain but when she told me she would consent to be my wife, I felt richer than Elu Thingol himself." He reached over to take Linalda's hand and planted a fond kiss upon it as she beamed back at him. Elluin smiled at her parents' obvious affection.
Frogs croaked nearby. The rough sound aided her thoughts in turning darker. "What happened to Radrien?"
"She bore the heartbreak well, I think," Linalda said. "Radrien was a skilled weaver and she dedicated herself to her craft. But it seemed to me before we left Mithlond that she was preparing to sail west. It was not her fortune to find another to love on the hither shores."
"I wonder if anyone could bear it for long," Elluin said absently.
"Many have, and many will," Linalda said soberly. Her eyes softened and she gripped her daughter's shoulders. "It is not a fate we would wish for you, Elluin. But if it is to be your fate, I would advise that you face it directly."
Elluin toyed with one of her braids to avoid looking at her parents. "I know you guess what I have not spoken before now: that the king holds my heart," she told them. She dared a glance to see them both nod their affirmation. "I do have occasion to speak to him alone sometimes, though it would be greatly impertinent..."
"Yet, it is not only the impertinence that gives you pause," Soronume ventured.
Elluin shook her head.
Linalda took her daughter's hand. "I know this is a complex situation. King Thranduil's position makes it difficult for you to speak candidly to each other or spend time together informally. However, with this journey to Rivendell, your opportunities will increase. Before your return, I say you must find a way to tell him your feelings."
"And if I am rejected?" she asked in a hesitant whisper.
"The king has a good heart," Soronume said. "He would not be cruel. I am sure you would be allowed to keep your position at the palace, should you wish it. You know, Elluin, I believe you fear his acceptance even more than his rejection."
Elluin considered for a moment. "By the heavens, Father, you are right."
"There is also the possibility that he has no answer for you," Soronume said. "Like your mother, it may be that he would need time before he sees his match."
Linalda squeezed her daughter's hand with finality. "Regardless of the outcome, you must tell him. We will be eagerly awaiting your safe return so that you may tell us what happened."
"I hope I have the courage," Elluin mumbled.
Soronume lifted his daughter's chin to look into her eyes. "If you love him enough, you will find it."
Frosty dewdrops glistened in the weak but eager sunlight of the crisp spring morning as the Elvenking's company mounted. General Cembeleg and the steward Galion wished them a safe journey, and a horn sounded to announce their departure. There was little conversation that morning as the horses trotted down the Old Forest Road, but spirits were high. The Elves found enjoyment in the surrounding woods and the cheerful birdsong. The convenience and safety of the well-patrolled Old Forest Road set all of them at ease.
Telior called a halt just after midday. While the horses rested, Elluin and Turiel were able to gather wild leeks, linden leaf buds, and other plants to add to their evening meal. Some of the warriors helped, eager to conserve their supplies in case of delays crossing the Misty Mountains.
From where the others sat in a small clearing close to the road, Lady Ninniach's eyes roamed ceaselessly across the tree canopy. "How can there be so many beautiful leaves in the world?" she said with delight. "Look how vibrantly green they are! And the bright little flowers!"
"Yes, there are many flowers." Lady Anarrima's tone was more subdued but no less reverent. "We shall have a good harvest of fruits, nuts, and berries again this year."
Lord Berenil smiled at the king. "Your father made the right choice in coming to Greenwood," he said. "It is a place of plenty and beauty."
"Yes, it is." Thranduil kept his tone pleasant but could not entirely keep a sheen of pain at the memory of his father from flashing in his eyes.
Sulros brought a platter of refreshments for them, along with goblets of wine. Though they expected no trouble, some of the soldiers took lookout posts close by.
Suddenly, Ninniach gasped and pointed into the trees across the other side of the road. "A deer!" she whispered excitedly. She studied a moment longer. "A doe and her calf. It must have just been born. How precious!"
Thranduil smiled. "Aunt, was I as easily delighted by the world when I was as young as our Lady Ninniach?"
"Yes, my king," Anarrima answered fondly. "Your mother spent many long days running after you through the tunnels and woods of Doriath. You insisted on examining each sparkling stone and pine cone, but never for very long."
"I had forgotten you spent much of your childhood in Doriath, sire," Ninniach said. "Do you miss it?"
"I remember it fondly, but it is gone, now. After passing through the Havens of Sirion, we were welcomed in Mithlond, but we never felt that it was our home," Thranduil answered.
"I am sure all the Elven maidens were heartbroken when you left Mithlond, my king," she jested.
"Not so heartbroken as to have followed," he replied lightly.
Elluin and Turiel had fastened full baskets of their gatherings to the two pack horses. Captain Telior gave the signal for the group to mount.
The warm afternoon and the wine left the court members cheerful. Inspired by the earlier sighting, Lady Ninniach sang a song that was well known among the Silvans and some of the soldiers quietly joined.
*Out of the mid-wood's twilight
Into the meadow's dawn,
Ivory limbed and brown-eyed,
Flashes my fawn!
He skips through the copses singing,
And his shadow dances along,
And I know not which I should follow,
Shadow or song!
O Hunter, snare me his shadow!
O Nightingale, catch me his strain!
Else moonstruck with music and madness
I track him in vain!
They made camp well after sunset, trusting the familiar surroundings. The soldier Lostor had shot down a few rabbits, which Turiel was quickly preparing. The warriors named Aurados and Harthadon were tasked with bringing water from the nearby streams that ran down the Dark Mountains. Harthadon then saw to feeding and watering the horses while Aurados helped Turiel set up the cooking fire.
Elluin helped Turiel with preparing the meal until the warriors finished setting up the three small tents they were to use for the night. Then she set another pot of water to heat. In the tent meant for the ellith, she laid out the bedrolls and light blankets. Leaving, she saw that the warriors who had been collecting firewood had brought in several large logs. Elluin quietly asked him to roll two of them into the king's and ladies' tents, thinking they would make good seats.
Sulros came out of the tent for the ellyn, having prepared the space, and walked over to Elluin. "Were the logs your idea?" he asked, and she nodded. "Well, there might be insects living in them. I would not like to be bitten by something in my sleep."
"That is true, Sulros, I had not thought of that." Elluin thought for a moment then ran to fetch a handful of herbs from the satchel of healing supplies. She split it between the two of them. "Here, rub this catswort over each log and leave it underneath. That should keep anything from crawling out. And perhaps set a spare blanket over them before anyone sits on them. I just did not like the idea of the king or the ladies sitting on the ground."
Sulros stifled a laugh. "The king does not object to sitting on the ground when he takes hunting trips."
"This is no hunting trip," Elluin argued. "This is a diplomatic voyage." She glanced to where Thranduil was reviewing a map with Telior, tracking their progress. "I doubt the king will stop to change into fresh clothes before we arrive in Rivendell. I should like to keep him from becoming needlessly dirty if I can help it."
"She is right, Sulros," said a voice from behind them. The servants turned to see Berenil looking at them with a kind smile.
Elluin was certain her face had turned bright red.
"But there is no need to fret overmuch," Berenil continued. "Lord Elrond would forgive a traveler for showing signs of the road. Still, the seats are very welcome."
Once Berenil had moved off to join the king and captain, Sulros crossed his arms and looked accusingly at Elluin.
"I am sorry, Sulros," she said with a smile. "I know I make more work for you, and I did not know Lord Berenil overheard."
Sulros scolded her with mock severity. "We will soon come to the mountains where there are no convenient ways to make a homely camp. If the king makes any complaint, I will place all the blame on you."
By then, the pot of water was heated enough for Elluin to invite the ladies into their tent to freshen up before dinner. While Anarrima and Ninniach chatted, Elluin helped them remove as much of the travel grime as she could, and combed out all the tangles in their hair. By the time they came out again, the ellyn had also washed up and Turiel was ready to serve the meal.
Turiel served the soup and Sulros passed around the bread and wine. The warriors took their meal in shifts as some kept watch. The mood stayed light and the Silvans among them were soon singing softly into the darkness.
**The star stepped down from his silver throne
And lay in the silent sea
And the lily had folded her satin leaves
For a sleepy thing was she
What was the lily dreaming of?
Why crisp the waters blue?
See, see, she is lifting her varnished lid
Her white leaves are glistening through
The rose is cooling his burning cheek
In the lap of the breathless tide
The lily hath sisters fresh and fair
That would lie by the rose's side
He would love her better than all the rest
And he would be fond and true
But the lily unfolded her weary lids
And looked at the sky of blue
But what if the stormy cloud should come
And ruffle the silver sea?
Would he turn his eye from the distant sky
To smile on a thing like thee?
Oh no, fair lily, he would not send
One ray from his far-off throne
The winds shall blow and the waves shall flow
And thou wilt be left alone
There is not a leaf on the mountain-top
Nor a drop of evening dew
Nor a gleaming shell on the sparkling shore
Nor a pearl in the waters blue
That he has not cheered with his fickle smile
And warmed with his faithless beam
And will he be true to a pallid flower
That floats on the quiet stream?
Alas for the lily, she would not heed
But turned to the skies afar
And bared her breast to the trembling ray
That shot from the rising star
The cloud came over the darkened sky
And over the waters wide
She looked in vain through the beating rain
And sank in the stormy tide
There were many other songs throughout the night, but as Elluin sought her rest, she wondered with dread if she were a lily longing in vain for a star. She waited for her dread to shift into determination, but instead slipped into uneasy dreams.
* Oscar Wilde's poem "In the Forest"
** Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem "The Star and the Water Lily"