Note: Here comes Thranduil! Also, if anyone is confused as to what is going on between Tauriel and Eruanna, they have a big rivalry that I'll post a short story on. Here's Chapter 10!

Chapter X

The dwarves were led to where Eruanna's paternal grandfather, King Thranduil, sat on his throne. Dwalin took the chance to speak up. "So much for the benevolence of Thranduil, Lord of the Elves. Is this how you treat travelers to your lands?", Dwalin asked, holding up his bound hands. Thranduil looked at the group. "Only the ones that annoy me", he responded in his deep voice.

"Is it a crime now? To be lost in the forest? To be hungry and thirsty?", Balin asked, his voice rising in anger. "It is a crime to wander in my realm without leave, if you forget, you are using the road my people made", Thranduil answered.

He then noticed Eruanna and looked at Thorin. "I know not what you are doing with my granddaughter, a maiden you have no right to even glance upon, mortal. But rest assured, if I find out you have harmed her, you shall be punished."

"Throw them in the dungeons, but leave Thorin Oakenshield with me", he ordered.

"Daeradar", Eruanna spoke up. She was the only one who could defy the King and get away with it. "The dwarves are merely passing through these lands. They are on a mission that does not concern us." "But it concerns you if you are standing up for them", her grandfather replied back. "I will deal with you later, child."

"Daeradar-", Eruanna began

"I will deal with you later!", Thranduil repeated. She bowed her head and the dwarves were led away.

Eruanna and Legolas retreated to her chambers. "Alright now, out with it", her father said. Eruanna looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing with dwarves?", Legolas asked.

"I'm doing this for Mithrandir. He requested my help in this quest", Eruanna informed him. "Mithrandir? What does he want?", Legolas asked Eruanna.

"He wants the dwarves to reclaim Erebor and kill the dragon in the mountain", Eruanna informed her father. "I wasn't too keen on it at first but the wizard is great at convincing."

"Your grandfather doesn't seem too pleased with you. You know how his friendship with Thror ended", Eruanna's father said, giving her a pointed look.

"What will he do? Punish me? I am his heir", Eruanna pointed out.

"You are his heir and you use that to test him, to play with him and you do it far too much", Legolas countered. Eruanna chuckled.

"I would never dream of playing with him, the great Elvenking of Mirkwood!", Eruanna said with exasperation. Her father smiled and looked down.

"You worry too much. I have seen his wrath, he would never bring that down upon me", Eruanna said. "He is not the same as Daeradar Elrond", her father pointed out. "But he is still my grandfather. Surely, knowing that, his scolding will not be too harsh. Besides, toying with him makes him more interesting."

"Interesting?", her father asked.

"Well, yes. Even Glorfindel is older than daeradar and I can assure you that the balrog slayer is more entertaining", Eruanna chuckled. "I saw something in the woods", she changed the subject abruptly and Legolas perked up with interest. "A white stag. It may be wishful thinking but I think it may have been a sign from Daernana Itarille to help me when I was lost."

Legolas smiled. "With the few memories I have of her, I would not put such a thing past her."

Just then, another silvan elf named Feren came in. "Hir nin Legolas, hiril nin Eruanna", he bowed to them. "Captain Feren", Eruanna acknowledged him. "Your daeradar requests an audience with you, Princess. I do not believe he is too pleased", Feren responded.

"When is he ever pleased?", Eruanna questioned. She stood up and walked towards the door. "I shall pray to the Valar for your soul", her father called. "I'll be fine!", Eruanna responded. "But thanks!"

The Dragon Princess walked down to see Tauriel leaving Thranduil's side. She stopped and they tensely locked eyes. "Princess", Tauriel said, not curtsying. "Where's your Golden Knight?"

Eruanna knew she meant Glorfindel. "He's not here", she responded. "Having problems with him?", Tauriel asked.

Eruanna smirked. "You wish."

"The King is displeased with you, Princess", Tauriel stated matter-of-factly. "Leading a group of dwarves into his Kingdom is not very wise, especially when he is known to not have a fondness for dwarves. But you don't care for others either. Seems a bit odd that you were with a group of dwarves, defending them."

"Stay out of my business, Tauriel", Eruanna snapped, her blue eyes turning fiery. "I have my reasons for doing what I am doing. Do not meddle in the affairs of others. Especially not mine."

"I wonder how you'll talk your way out of this one", Tauriel said.

"I will", Eruanna said, her voice low. "Now get out of my sight or you won't be Captain much longer."

Tauriel held her head high and left. "I'll teach her", Eruanna thought to herself.

"G siel", Thranduil's voice called in his regal tone. He was dressed in his fancy grey robes and

holding a glass of wine. His head was void of its marvelous crown of twigs and berries.

"What a lovely mood you're in, daeradar", Eruanna said in a teasing tone. "Missed me much?"

"You enjoy teasing me far too much", he smirked at her. Despite his coldness, Thranduil never hid his love for his only grandchild who reminded him so much of his late wife.

"Well, I missed you too", Eruanna placed a kiss on his cheek. "What are you doing with those dwarves?", her paternal grandfather asked.

"I agreed to join the Quest for Erebor because of Mithrandir. If you are so pissed, why don't you take it up with the Grey Wizard?", Eruanna asked.

"I'll kill them if I find out they've touched you. By what right dare they lay their filthy hands on you? Why do you need to help Mithrandir? You would not even help a human kingdom", Thranduil pointed out.

"Neither would you", Eruanna grinned once again, enjoying this far too much. "But to answer your question, he is a trusted ally of mother's house, so why not? Besides, should we not be a bit more respectful to an emissary of the Valar themselves?"

"This quest is folly", Thranduil said. "Even with you, the dwarves will not succeed."

"Do you think I haven't considered that possibility? I know what I've gotten myself into", Eruanna responded. "The dragon of Morgoth must be destroyed to ensure that my elemental dragons are the ones who rule the skies."

"They are dwarves", Thranduil responded. "All they care about is gold. They will use you for as long as they can, and then they will betray your trust and hurt you."

"I'll burn that bridge when I get to it", Eruanna responded. "And before you criticize my decision regarding this quest, perhaps you should look into the decision you made regarding your Captain of the Guard. I highly doubt that fool you instated could protect a horse."


Chapters 11 & 12 will be out on Friday (hopefully). In the meantime, check out my short story A Granddaughter & Her Grandfathers!