She hoped she hadn't imagined what she heard.
The wine cellar had an entrance to the river?
Why did she not know this before?
It made sense. They needed to transport the barrels quickly and the river would be more sensible than through the forest. It certainly was safer. Even though she was part of the King's guard, it had been almost a month since she has ventured out into the forest. She would have carried all the barrels if it meant leaving the halls. Even for a day. She was usually stationed in the King's hall or some corridor. It wasn't the most thrilling job but at least she wasn't stuck in her quarters sewing for hours on end.
She heard more laughter and cheers coming from the direction of the great hall.
And suddenly, she came to a realisation.
This would be the perfect time to escape. The celebrations were still in full swing. No one would be looking for her. At least for a while.
She could hear Elros heading back up the stairs, so she once more hid in the shadows.
She didn't dare breathe as he grumbled something about Galion 'being better off in the dungeon.'
As soon as she was certain there was no one close to her hiding spot, she made her way down to the wine cellar.
When she entered the room, it was filled with barrels and barrels of wine. It was no wonder most of the elves at the festival were drunk.
She spotted Galion, asleep on a table. He was using his arms as a pillow.
She cleared her throat to see if he was awake.
When he stayed asleep, she knew that she had to move quickly. How long would it be before another barrel was needed and someone came down?
She made her way around the room searching for an entrance for the river.
She looked in every corner, looked for anything that might give her a clue.
When she saw nothing but wine barrels her hopes were dashed.
Maybe Galion dreamt that he had fallen into the river. Or maybe he didn't know what he was saying.
He was known for his love of wine.
She sat on the ground when she felt tears threatening to fall. All her hopes of freedom were based on the words of a drunk elf.
She would never be able to leave.
She thought of Daron and the life they would live. Raelee knew he was a suitable match for her, but she knew that that was not enough if he wanted her to give up her career for him. He already strongly suggested to her to not go on anymore expeditions outside the kingdom gates. She was safer keeping guard inside the halls.
Just as she laid back on the floor to wipe away her tears, the surface began to tilt.
Before she could react, she was falling backwards. She yelped in surprise when she found herself suspended in mid-air momentarily before hitting freezing water.
She panicked when she felt her body being submerged into a freezing cavern of water. She coughed to get the water out of her lungs. When she gained enough clarity to see where she was, she couldn't help but feel elated.
She had found the entrance to the river.
She knew the river would lead out of the Greenwood. Perhaps she could find a passing bargeman to help her flee this place. Start a new life. Her own life.
But she couldn't waste time fantasising about her future when she still needed to get out of the cavern.
She swam towards the exit of the cavern, allowing the strong current to take her away. She saw a drop up ahead but before she was thrown over the edge of the small waterfall, she managed to pull herself onto an earthen bank.
She didn't care that her dress was saturated, covered in mud and her hair was now graced with all manner of grass and soil.
She was out. She was free.
The city of Dale wasn't far. She could work wherever she could and then save up enough to travel to Rivendell or Lothlórien. Start a new life.
She made to stand when she heard shouts in the distance.
She stayed on the ground as members of the king's guard, including her intended called for the river gate to be closed with a horn.
Damn.
"Are you sure you saw her fall in?" Daron asked what seemed to be a still drunk Galion who was being supported by two others.
"Yes, I saw her disappear through the trapdoor." He slurred.
She must have woken him when she cried out before falling in. She felt more tears threaten to break free. Now that the guards were all on high alert and about to start searching for her, she knew it was futile to try an escape.
Escape was impossible.
She weakly stood and waved her arms towards the search party.
"Daron, I'm over here." Perhaps pretending to be relieved a being found would deter him from thinking that she was attempting to leave.
"There you are." He made his way over to her. He took in her ragged appearance. Her wet clothes, matted hair and shining eyes. "I came looking for you and found Galion here saying that you fell through the floor?"
"I didn't know there was a trapdoor." She said quietly.
He gave her a once over.
"Are you drunk?" He asked in annoyance.
Was she? She must be to have been this inept to have pulled that stunt. He looked so frustrated with her little escapade. She had to think of something to say. Just as she was thinking a now snoring Galion inspired her.
"Our king has great taste in wine." She laughed lightly and hoped that he would believe her.
"That's what Galion always says." He sounded disappointed but a small smile appeared on his face. "Thank the Valar that you won't be doing this once we get married." He said as he attempted to lead her back to the halls. "I'll have to keep a better eye on you next time."
She didn't say anything. She was too embarrassed to speak.
She pushed her way through the other members of the guard and was about to make her way to her quarters when Daron stopped her.
She looked at his hand on her arm in question when he pulled her in the opposite direction.
"The king is waiting for us."