10. Curious Wanderers
…
- Back in Rivendell -
Tauriel was still in her post when the Red Queen made her way back to the courtyard, accompanied by her royal guards.
She was holding the scroll that Reiya had given her while debating whether to approach her or not.
The captain had been among the group of bystanders that witnessed the Sun-elves' ceremonial gathering that morning. As expected, the sight fueled her desire to learn more about herself and the Sun-elves as a whole.
However, Tauriel was not entirely sure if seeking an audience with the queen was appropriate for somebody of her station.
Moreover, she did not wish to overstep her boundaries since she had just reaffirmed her allegiance to Thranduil and the Woodland Realm that morning.
In any case, Thranduil had not strictly forbidden her from speaking with Reiya. In fact, he ordered his subjects to treat the Red Queen and her company per their Elven customs if they were in need to engage with them at any point.
There laid part of her predicament, though.
She was not certain if her reasons to speak with the queen would be justifiable enough for Thranduil to allow it without any grievances or major setbacks.
Nonetheless, Tauriel was certain of something, at the very least. She was a Sun-elf, and no one in the Woodland Realm, including the king himself, would be able to help her better understand her nature as such.
Only the Sun-elves themselves could do that, and Reiya had already shown a great deal of knowledge on the subject.
'Seek us out.'
Tauriel remembered the queen's words when she handed the scroll over to her at Mirkwood.
Reiya was never specific about the meaning behind such a statement, but she had taken it as an open invitation for them to talk if she had any questions about them, which she did.
Having made up her mind, Tauriel left her post and went to speak with the queen at her own risk.
She was aware that Thranduil would find out about her little endeavor one way or another, but this was highly important for her.
Furthermore, she did not know when she would get a chance to speak with the Red Queen again, so she decided to take advantage of that unique opportunity, regardless of the consequences.
Reiya's guards turned their attention to Tauriel as she approached them; however, they let her through and even performed an informal greeting for her.
The captain may not have been a noble lady of the highest station, but she was a Sun-elf just like them, and they had already accepted her as one of their own, considering the special circumstances.
Tauriel stood at a spot behind the queen and addressed her by her actual name and title for the very first time.
"Um... Queen Reiya?"
The Lady of Fire turned around at the call of her name. Her collected expression morphed into a welcoming smile when she realized who was the elleth before her.
"Suilad (Greetings), Captain Tauriel. How are you faring on this day?" Reiya asked in a courteous manner.
"Quel amrum (Good morning), my lady. I am faring well, thank you! Hope you are too." Tauriel responded as she bowed to her.
Reiya contemplated the captain's expression for a brief moment.
It was quite evident that Tauriel had not come to her just to extend a mere greeting out of courtesy. Something else seemed to be on the elleth's mind.
"How can I help you, captain?" Reiya asked in a more objective manner, encouraging her to speak further.
Tauriel seemed a bit hesitant to state her motives initially, but she found her courage and made her purpose known.
"I know this request might come off as informal and perhaps even improper for somebody of my station to make, your majesty. But by any chance, could we have a word?" She asked.
Reiya's intrigued expression turned into a welcoming one once again, following Tauriel's inquiry.
"I will gladly grant an audience to you, captain." Reiya answered while smiling.
Tauriel gestured a smile of her own, looking visibly relieved by the queen's willingness to listen to her.
"Would you prefer that we speak at my office studio?" Reiya asked, suspecting that the younger elleth might feel more at ease talking in a more covert location.
"Yes, I would prefer that, if it does not pose a burden for you, my lady." Tauriel responded sincerely.
"It will not pose one at all, captain. Follow me." Reiya assured her with a smile.
The queen dismissed her royal guards and made her way to her chambers on the second floor, followed by Tauriel.
Soon after, the two ellith walked into Reiya's guest apartment.
…
Tauriel contemplated her surroundings in wonder.
The Red Queen's apartment looked entirely different from the Elvenking's.
As reflected in the structure and interior of his halls, Thranduil preferred the complete privacy and safety of enclosed spaces, often resulting in shut doors and windows that dimmed the natural light from the outside and its many views.
The décor in his office was classy, but one that relied mostly on simplicity and visual sigils from his household.
Reiya, on the other hand, opted to keep most of her windows open, almost as if she deliberately wished to maintain her connection with the outside world and contemplate the outer scenes on a frequent basis.
Not surprisingly, her office was much more naturally lit than Thranduil's, and the décor in her space was more visibly colorful.
Unlike the king's guest apartment, hers contained a wide balcony in the back area, and a waist-high pond bowl that extended throughout a short wall right next to the deck.
Everything in the queen's space was neatly organized, with the exception of a stack of documents on her desk.
Making notice of that, Reiya walked towards the desk table and took the pile of papers in her hands.
"My apologies for the messy stack of documents, Captain Tauriel. These are just a ton of marriage proposals, which I do not intend to respond." Reiya emphasized while smiling lightly.
She then walked to the side wall and placed the pile of papers on one of the shelves.
"That is completely alright, my lady." Tauriel stated in a light manner, even though she did wonder about the queen's statement.
'All those documents are actually marriage proposals? Eru… She must be quite popular among the noble bachelors in her realm.' Tauriel thought while keeping a polite expression.
Reiya walked back to the center of the room and stood in front of her desk as she faced Tauriel.
"Very well, captain. Here we are." The queen stated. "What is it that you wish to speak about, and how can I be of assistance?" She asked with an objective tone.
"I was hoping to learn more about the Sun-elves and yourself, my lady. Perhaps you might be able to answer some of my questions?" Tauriel remarked.
"I see. I am actually glad you wish to know more about your roots, captain. Ask away." Reiya reaffirmed with a light smile.
Tauriel smiled back at her and proceeded to speak.
"Very well, I guess I should start by asking this. At the hearing, you mentioned that you are a Sinda elf from the Krisha bloodline, but you also stated that you are a Sun-elf like me. Is that correct?" Tauriel asked.
"Yes, that is correct. I am both Sinda and Anar." Reiya confirmed her statement. "My father was a Sun-elf from the Old Kingdom of Xandor, and my mother was a Sinda elf from the Krisha bloodline. Therefore, my lineage is linked to the two groups." Reiya explained.
"I see..." Tauriel responded, seemingly getting more clarity on the matter, before continuing with her questioning.
"You stated that Sun-elves are somewhat different from Wood-elves and Sea-elves, my lady. I believe I have an idea of what you were speaking about, drawing on my own experiences. Nonetheless, could you be more specific about you meant by that? How are we different from the others exactly?" She asked with an intrigued expression.
"That is actually a great question, Captain Tauriel." Reiya stated. "As you know, all the elves share a special bond with nature, no matter their roots. However, the way we engage with the world does vary significantly depending on such roots." The queen explained. "I like to think of Sun-elves as curious wanderers, in that regard." She concluded with a smile.
"Curious wanderers?"
"Yes."
The queen walked towards a large map of Arda hung on the wall.
Tauriel followed her and stood at a respectful distance as she also contemplated the map.
"Wood-elves choose to remain in their forests for the most part, and Sea-elves are compelled by the call to sail west. However, we, the Sun-elves, are driven by a strong desire to explore the world around us." Reiya explained as she contemplated the map.
Tauriel raised an eyebrow slightly at the statement.
"We will always have a place to call home, and we will protect our own keep, no matter what. However, our desire to venture out is always constant for us. Thus, we have a tendency to seek new experiences and interact with all sorts of creatures that roam the lands of Arda, as long as they are not hostile. That is one of the main reasons we like engaging with other races much more so than elves from the other groups." She added.
Tauriel widened her eyes in realization, as everything that the Red Queen explained was highly resonating with her.
She had displayed some of the behaviors described by Reiya throughout different stages of her life. In fact, those behaviors were the main reason why she was often confronted by authority figures at the Woodland Realm, including the king himself.
"Take a look at these, captain."
Tauriel shifted her attention back to the queen when Reiya invited her to observe several artifacts and small objects that were orderly placed on a separate table.
"What are these, my lady?" She asked with a curious expression.
"These are tokens for remembrance, or souvenirs, as men call them." Reiya explained with a smile on her face while looking at the items on the table.
"Souvenirs?"
"Yes." The queen confirmed. "I was gifted these items at different locations throughout my royal expeditions and personal ventures. They are mostly generic objects; however, each of these represents different people, places, cultures, and experiences. They are all linked to memories that live in my mind and linger in my heart. Thus, they hold great value to me." Reiya explained with a nostalgic smile.
"I see… This is truly fascinating, my lady." Tauriel remarked with an intrigued expression while looking at the table.
She did not collect items in the same fashion that the Red Queen did, however, she could understand the personal value assigned to mere objects.
She still remembered the runestone that Kili handed to her before he sailed to Erebor. Moreover, she also recalled the moment when she had to return the heirloom to the dwarves for his burial ceremony.
That seemingly generic memento definitely held a special meaning for her, even though she was not able to keep the runestone after Kili was gone.
In any case, the queen possessed an impressive number of souvenirs, judging from all the items that were on the table. Thus, she must have traveled quite often throughout her many ventures.
Tauriel kept listening to Reiya attentively as she continued to speak.
"Since we are on the subject, the fact that you were properly raised in Mirkwood is quite intriguing to me, Captain Tauriel." The queen remarked.
"Oh yes? Why is that, my lady?" Tauriel inquired.
"The Woodland Realm was first built in the highlands of Amon Lanc, as far as I was taught. However, I've been told that the Elvenking's Halls are now located in a cavernous system of sorts?" Reiya inquired.
"Yes, that is correct." Tauriel confirmed, wondering what the queen was getting at.
"My case stands then. Caves seem like a highly confined place for a Sun-elf to thrive, considering that we prefer the outdoors and more open spaces, even within the boundaries of our realm. Nonetheless, you were able to adapt quite well to those restrictive environments, it seems?" Reiya remarked with a raised eyebrow.
Tauriel understood where the queen was coming from, now that she was more aware of her nature. The Xandorian realm must have been structured quite differently from the Woodland Realm, with that notion in mind.
The captain admitted to some of her struggles in that regard.
"I acknowledge that the constant confinement has not always been easy for me to manage, my lady. I did occasionally sneak out of the Woodland Realm on my own account, even against the king's orders at times. I-"
Tauriel suddenly widened her eyes and looked at the floor in embarrassment, realizing that she had spoken out of place.
She had felt so at ease speaking with Reiya that she forgot the Lady of Fire was still a queen in her own right. Furthermore, a subordinate speaking about disobeying the monarch they served in front of another monarch was highly inappropriate.
"Apologies, my lady. I shouldn't have said that." Tauriel stated, attempting to correct her misstep.
Reiya glanced at her with a raised eyebrow for a few seconds, then chuckled to herself lightly.
Tauriel looked slightly confused by the queen's reaction; however, Reiya explained herself soon after.
"There is no need to apologize, Captain Tauriel." The queen pointed out with a reassuring smile. "Sneaking out is actually a common tendency of ours throughout our youth years. The behavior itself is linked to the Sun-elves' overly inquisitive nature and desire to explore new places. That is why the Xandorian realm is built in such a way that spaces do not feel as constrictive for us. It helps us better tame those instincts." She explained.
"Oh… I see." Tauriel responded, looking more relaxed and feeling less mindful about her previous comment.
Well, if that was indeed a common trait among the Sun-elves, that certainly explained a lot.
"If we ever meet again and I gain your trust over time, I would be delighted to hear about your ventures out of the Woodland Realm, Captain Tauriel." Reiya remarked in an encouraging manner, as her smile remained unchanged.
Tauriel smiled back at her and nodded.
The Red Queen was certainly a very unique monarch. She had spoken in such an agreeable manner that Tauriel had to remind herself to be careful with her words around her.
The fact that Reiya was considerably younger than the other Elven rulers did not help the task either.
Thranduil would have definitely reprehended her previous comment, but Reiya had not been upset by it at all.
She was very untraditional in the way she approached her people, it seemed.
In any case, the Red Queen had provided something that she never expected to find in the course of her early Elven years; For the very first time in her life, Tauriel had felt truly understood.
"I believe we have addressed all your questions up until now, captain. Perhaps this is a good time for you to meet fellow Sun-elves other than myself, so you can keep learning more about our kin. Everybody is currently here at Imladris, so the timing seems perfect." Reiya explained while smiling lightly. "I would like to introduce you to some of the elves in my company, if you are willing and can spare a few more minutes, that is?"
Tauriel couldn't believe the rare opportunity that had just presented itself at that moment.
Reiya was actually offering a chance for her to interact with other Sun-elves, however briefly. She would not let the occasion slip by, of course.
"I would like that very much, my lady." Tauriel responded with an eager voice.
"Very well, captain. Follow me." The queen responded in an equally enthusiastic manner.
…
Reiya and Tauriel walked out of the queen's chambers and went to one of the outdoor training platforms in the manor.
Several bystanders were gathered at the site as they were contemplating another scene of interest.
The members of the Xandorian Queen's Guard were sparring with one another and practicing combat formations together.
Being an experienced warrior herself, Tauriel was quite impressed by the ellith's training.
The female combatants were displaying a very unique combat style with their spears. Moreover, they moved as a coordinated single unit when performing group formations, which often involved stunts in the air and rapid movements.
"We got here just in time for you to witness my royal guards' training, captain." Reiya pointed out as she and Tauriel stood near the platform. "All the members of my Queen's Guard are from a military branch in the Xandorian forces called Spear-maidens." Reiya explained. "They are recruited through challenging tests of combat and physical prowess hosted in my realm. Additionally, only the very best amongst them or those that show great potential make it into my guard." She pointed out.
Tauriel widened her eyes slightly at the statement. The pathway to becoming a Xandorian Spear-maiden seemed pretty intense and demanding, judging from the queen's remarks.
Almost as if sensing the captain's thoughts on the matter, Reiya proceeded to explain herself further.
"I am aware that our selection process to appoint royal guards is more rigorous than those at the other Elven realms, but we conduct ours in such a manner for a good reason, captain. I have always been a primary target in the war against Loitar and his minions. Thus, the duty of my Queen's guard is not only to protect me, but to serve as a first line of defense against any threat by fighting at my side or in my place, should the circumstances call for it. That is the reason why my guards must follow a strict routine of training, no matter where we go, and they even host training sessions with me at times." The queen explained with a serious tone.
Tauriel was even more amazed by Reiya's subsequent explanation.
It was no wonder those Spear-maidens were displaying such a high level of skill in combat. Reiya's Queen's Guard was comprised of some of the best female warriors that Xandor had to offer.
Furthermore, each of those ellith must have been incredibly disciplined and highly committed to their cause to have been personally handpicked by the Red Queen herself.
The training session was concluded after a few more minutes, and the royal guards were dismissed by their leader.
The elleth in question then proceeded to speak with the male lieutenant that Reiya had met at the courtyard that morning, and the two of them were soon joined by a Xandorian court lady.
"This is a good moment for me to introduce you, Captain Tauriel. Follow me." Reiya stated, as they made their way to the three Sun-elves.
"My lady." All the Sun-elves in the group bowed to their queen when she made her appearance.
"Suilad (Greetings) once again, everybody. I would like to formally introduce you to someone you are familiar with." Reiya pointed out. "This is Tauriel. She is Captain of the Patrol Guard at the Woodland Realm, and she is also a Sun-elf like us, as you all know." The queen remarked.
"Mae govannen (Hello), everyone. Gellon len covad (I am pleased to meet you)." Tauriel stated.
Everybody bowed to her slightly, acknowledging her courtesies.
Now that Tauriel was in closer proximity to the other Sun-elves, she was able to observe some of their distinctive traits more attentively.
Their hair color ranged from tones of red to brown, as noted previously, and their hairstyles were more visibly braided than those of the elves from other realms.
Her attention shifted back to the queen as she proceeded to introduce her subjects.
"Tauriel, this is Eldrec. He is the senior Lieutenant of the Xandorian Watch squadron and a longtime friend of mine." Reiya pointed out while smiling at the ellon in a familiar manner. "Xandor has remained well concealed and protected from enemy attacks thanks to his unit and all the hard work they've put into such a task, along with the aid of the Blue Wizards. We owe much to him." The queen added in a grateful manner.
Eldrec stepped forward following his introduction.
The ellon's dark brown hair stood in contrast with his gray eyes. Moreover, he seemed to be quite agreeable, judging from his demeanor at that moment.
"Mae govannen (Well met), Captain Tauriel. Your deeds at the Woodland Realm are well known to us and highly praised." The ellon stated, smiling at Tauriel in a polite manner.
Tauriel returned the gesture and nodded.
She was now able to understand why the queen had acted somewhat familiar with the lieutenant when all of them were in the courtyard. They held a close friendship that transcended their duties, it seemed.
The ellon stepped back as Reiya resumed her introductions.
"This is Zila. She is the Commander of my Queen's Guard." Reiya pointed out.
The Spear-maiden leader stepped forward and folded her arms behind her back, adopting a sort of militant stance while looking at Tauriel with a serious expression.
Zila had carmine red hair and dark blue eyes, which complemented her accentuated features. The commander was quite tall for an elleth, standing over the queen herself, and she was also visibly older than all the other elves in the group. Her figure was slender but slightly fitter than that of the typical elleth as well.
"Zila has been my combat mentor and guardian since I was a very young elfing. She is well versed in the art of warfare and is also a highly formidable warrior in her own right. One of our finest." Reiya stated proudly.
"Your skills as a combatant have not gone unnoticed by us, Captain Tauriel. We are honored to have you representing our kin at the Woodland Realm." Zila remarked in an assertive manner with her deep-tone voice, as her serious expression remained unchanged.
"The honor is mine, Commander Zila." Tauriel replied to her in a respectful manner and bowed slightly to her, acknowledging her authority as a higher-ranked warrior.
Zila exerted a strong presence, and with good reason. Not only was she the most experienced warrior in that group, but her merits had earned her the highest rank amongst all the members of the Xandorian Queen's Guard. That alone must have been considered quite an achievement in their realm.
Zila stepped back when Reiya continued speaking.
"And last but not least, this is Urien. She is my seneschal and a longtime friend of mine as well." The queen remarked with a kind smile, as the court lady in the group stepped forth.
The elleth in question had hazel eyes and mahogany hair. She was wearing a dress in noble fashion and was very courteous in her manners.
"Urien's input has been highly valuable in helping me learn how to properly conduct myself as a queen and noble lady. I wouldn't have been able to fulfill my royal duties without her support and guidance." Reiya explained as her smile remained unchanged.
"Suilad (Greetings), Captain Tauriel. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Urien stated, smiling and bowing politely.
"Pleased to meet you as well, Lady Urien." Tauriel responded, bowing back to the elleth.
She could see how Urien might have played a role in helping Reiya learn the etiquette of the Elvish nobility.
Tauriel could not relate to that aspect of Reiya's queenship as much since she was not a noble lady herself. Nevertheless, she had been observant enough to acknowledge that the queen conducted herself in a well-balanced manner, as she was both assertive and tactful in her tone and gestures.
Overall, the Sun-elves in Reiya's inner circle seemed to be a very unique group of individuals with a wide range of skills, which they put in service to their queen.
The fact that the Lady of Fire held close friendships with some of them spoke volumes about her nontraditional approaches to interactions with her subordinates and the way she enforced certain boundaries.
And so, Tauriel kept engaging with the Sun-elves as she got to learn more about them and her kin as a whole.
…
An elf wearing azure robes made his way through the entrance gate of Imladris. He had light brown hair and cerulean blue eyes.
"Lord Galdor?" Lindir inquired, surprised by the unexpected visitor.
"Mae govannen (Well met), Lindir." Galdor responded with a polite smile as he performed his Elven salute. "Apologies for coming to Imladris without prior notice. My travels have been quite hectic lately." He explained.
Galdor was a noble from the Gray Havens and the chief messenger of Círdan the Shipwright, the Elven ruler presiding over the Realm of Lindon in Middle-earth.
He would often bear correspondence from the Lord of the Havens and represent him at several gatherings there at Imladris. However, he had not visited Imladris in years due to his involvement in several projects back at the Havens.
Thus, Lindir himself had not seen Galdor or heard from him in a long time, which explained his surprise. Nonetheless, he quickly recomposed himself and welcomed the Elven lord per their usual customs.
"Greetings to you as well, Lord Galdor, and no worries." He responded, bowing to him politely. "What brings you to Imladris at this time, my lord?" He asked.
"I was sent on an errand by Lord Círdan." Galdor stated. "Would you be kind enough to deliver this letter to Lord Elrond? The contents do not constitute a motive for emergency, but they do hold a high degree of importance, you might say." He pointed out, handing the envelope to Lindir.
"Understood my lord, and yes. I will deliver this letter to Lord Elrond promptly, rest assured." Lindir stated, taking the envelope from him.
"I should be on my way soon; however, I would like to speak with Queen Reiya, if she can spare a few minutes, of course." Galdor asked while smiling in a more relaxed manner.
Lindir looked at the ellon with a somewhat confused expression.
That request had been rather unexpected. How did Galdor learn that the Red Queen was there in the first place?
"Are you and Queen Reiya acquainted, my lord?" Lindir asked with a raised eyebrow, looking a bit wary.
"Yes, we have crossed paths and exchanged words in the past. You may confirm this directly with her, if needed." Galdor explained.
Lindir contemplated the ellon's response for a few seconds.
He had known Galdor for years, and he seemed genuine about his desire to speak with the Red Queen. Thus, he did not foresee any risks in allowing them to engage.
"Very well. Please wait here. I will seek one of the queen's subjects and inform her of your request to speak to her. I will let you know her answer shortly." Lindir stated.
"Ni 'lassui, mellon (Thank you, friend). Your help with this is much appreciated." Galdor replied with a hopeful expression on his face.
…
One of Reiya's maids made her way to the queen while she was still speaking with Tauriel and her acquaintances.
"My queen?"
"Yes, Eril?" Reiya responded in a gentle manner, directing her attention to the maid.
"Lord Galdor from the Gray Havens is passing by, and he wishes to speak to you, my lady. Lindir awaits your answer." She explained.
Urien raised an eyebrow at the mention of the visitor's name and discretely smiled at Eldrec in an I-told-you-so sort of way.
The lieutenant shook his head at her and sighed as he looked at the floor.
"Oh, I see." Reiya remarked with an enlightened smile. "Yes, I can speak with Lord Galdor. See that he is allowed into the courtyard on my behalf. I will meet him there shortly." Reiya pointed out.
"Yes, your majesty."
The queen's maid nodded in acknowledgement and proceeded to make her way back to Lindir.
Tauriel raised an eyebrow in curiosity since the name of the Elven lord in question was entirely unfamiliar to her. However, the Sun-elves in Reiya's inner circle seemed to know who the ellon was judging from their reactions.
In any case, she proceeded to bid her farewells apologetically, as she needed to get back to her watch duties.
"Queen Reiya, I appreciate this valuable opportunity to speak with you and your acquaintances. Our conversations have been very interesting and highly educational." Tauriel stated with a smile. "However, I'm afraid I must resume my duties at this time. My extended absence at the Mirkwood guards' posts will not go unnoticed." She explained.
"Anytime, Captain Tauriel. I enjoyed our conversations as well." Reiya responded with a polite smile. "And yes, you're right. I do not wish to disrupt your duties in any way. Your assigned post is in the courtyard as well, correct?" The queen asked.
"Yes, my lady." Tauriel responded.
"Very well. Do you mind if I walk with you on your way there? The lord requesting my presence should also be in the courtyard as we speak." Reiya stated.
"That is quite alright, your majesty." Tauriel assured her with a polite smile.
"Good." The queen stated, returning the smile.
She then shifted her attention back to her subjects.
"I appreciate your time with me and Captain Tauriel, Xandorians. You are free to resume your activities, as well." She instructed.
Everybody nodded at the queen in acknowledgement, and the two ellith proceeded to make their way out of the training area. Once they were at distance, Urien took the opportunity to approach Eldrec and speak to him in a more informal manner.
"Eldrec, will you now admit that my assumptions about Lord Galdor were correct? He seems to hold a special interest in our loving queen, doesn't he?" Urien asked with a slight teasing expression.
The lieutenant shook his head once again at the elleth's remark.
"Very well. It seems like you were correct on this one, Urien. I admit defeat." Eldrec responded with a sardonic voice.
"As you should." The elleth remarked with a modest smile. "That adds one more suitor to the long list." She stated.
"Yes, one more that will bite the dust." Eldrec responded in a joking manner.
Urien laughed discreetly at her friend's remark.
"I am not so sure about that, lieutenant. Reiya seems to enjoy the company of Lord Galdor more so than that of her other suitors. Perhaps she is becoming fond of him as well?" She pointed out with a contemplative expression.
"Perhaps. But a miracle would still have to take place for her to accept anyone's hand in marriage again." Eldrec emphasized in an amusing manner. "Maybe it is for the best." He pointed out.
Urien chuckled at the ellon's comment.
"Eru bless your heart, Eldrec. Always trying to protect her, no matter what. Reiya is lucky to have an adoptive older brother like you, mellon ('friend')." Urien stated, smiling at him in a gentle manner.
"I am trying my best." The lieutenant responded with a solemn expression.
…
Thranduil walked out of his guest apartment to resume his duties for the day.
He was on his way to attend a debrief meeting with Elrond's wardens at the watch quarters. However, he stopped on his tracks when he saw Reiya and Tauriel stepping into the courtyard at that particular moment.
The king kept a relaxed demeanor as he contemplated the two ellith actively engaging with one another.
He was still not sure about Reiya's intentions towards his captain. However, Tauriel had renewed her vows to him and the Woodland Realm that morning. Thus, he was not as concerned about the two ellith speaking to one another or the potential repercussions of such an interaction.
In fact, the growing rapport between Tauriel and Reiya had been expected, and it could prove beneficial for him in the future now that he had those assurances in mind.
The two ellith concluded their conversation in an agreeable manner and parted ways.
However, the king's attention peaked considerably when Reiya suddenly shifted her attention to another bystander in the courtyard—an ellon to be exact.
He raised an eyebrow at the way the Lady of Fire reacted to the unexpected visitor.
Reiya's expression was visibly brightened by the sight of the ellon, and she went to greet him while bearing one of the most welcoming smiles he had seen on the queen's face since she revealed her identity.
Even more unsettling was the way the ellon had smiled back at her. A clear attempt at charms of sorts and concealment of a palpable fascination towards her, it seemed?
Thranduil narrowed his eyes slightly at the rare scene as a sense of inexplicable discomfort invaded him.
Who in Arda was that ellon, and how did he know the Red Queen?
...
A/N: Ooooh, the drama!
Just when Thranduil was starting to relax a bit, this scene pops up, haha.
Reiya's queenship involves not only the war, but also all the talk and relationships surrounding her as a royal leader.
Looks like we have more than one contender for queen's hand! ;)
A couple of notes:
- Official titles aside, Eldrec and Urien are Reiya's best friends since childhood pretty much. Eldrec is fulfilling more of an older brother role (there will a bit more on that later!), and Urien is the closest friend and peer who is around the same age as the queen.
- Zila has been Reiya's combat mentor since she was an elfing, and she occasionally fulfilled the role of guardian and nanny while the queen was growing up. Thus, Zila helped raise Reiya, in a way.
- Galdor is a canon character! (The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter II: "The Council of Elrond"). He was the elf sitting right from Legolas at Elrond's council in the Fellowship of the Ring movie (supposedly). All the elves in that scene were blond, so I changed Galdor's appearance a bit in this story to distinguish him from Legolas and Thranduil.
More fluffy stuff coming on the next one! lol
Posting update:
I first intended to follow a weekly schedule for posting new chapters, however, due to recurring changes in my work / daily life commitments, I will now post new chapters as they get written and properly edited.
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