A liaison in the Great Greenwood

Chapter 30

“My lady.....Lady Adlanniel?” A voice came urgently into her ear as a hand shook her shoulder gently. Blinking, Adlanniel awoke once more. She had not realised that she had fallen into slumber once again. Her eyes stung from how much she had cried earlier, and the breath in her lungs felt heavy with sorrow.

Gwendalyn's eyes were filled with worry.

“What is it Gwendalyn?” Adlanniel asked her wearily.

“My lady, I have been informed that we are to travel to your home in Imladris today!”

“Indeed....” Adlanniel replied reluctantly.

“I do not understand....”

“You do not need to.” Adlanniel sighed as she stood from her bed and walked over to her open chest that she had already started to pack.

Gwendalyn looked to her confused, somewhat surprised that her lady had dismissed her so easily on the matter. “Please, my lady, what has happened?”

“I disobeyed the king.” Adlanniel replied simply. Gwendalyn's eyes widened in shock and she gasped inwardly.

“Now Gwendalyn....” Adlanniel began before the maiden could press further with any more questions.

“I require two large flasks of Dorwinion wine. I wish to gift them to my family.”

“A noble gift indeed...” Gwendalyn began, yet her voice was hesitant.

“Can I trust you to acquire it for me?” Adlanniel pushed her.

“Of course hiril vuin....but...”

“Now off you go.” Adlanniel dismissed her quickly. Gwendalyn, nodding nervously went quickly to the door.

“And Gwendalyn?” Adlanniel called to her.

“Yes, hiril vuin?” The young maiden replied uneasily.

“Hurry back. I believe we have to make our journey soon and thus we need to finish packing.”

“Yes, my lady.” And with that Gwendalyn made her way once more out into the halls.

Walking slowly to her desk, Adlanniel traced her lithe fingers across the little carven chest that sat upon it, contained within were the letters of her beloved Prince Legolas.

“I will be with you again soon my love, regardless of what your father says.” She whispered softly, her heart suddenly feeling bitter towards the king for sending her away. She knew that he had the right intentions and that what he had said to her was true, but she too could not allow one of them to die. The thought was simply unacceptable.

Knowing that Gwedalyn would not be too much longer, Adlanniel began to ready the items she needed for her getaway and hid them beneath all of her courtly attire within her large travelling chest. She hid the small blue vial of the sleeping herbs in a small pouch which she kept on her person. Just as she slid the pouch beneath the folds of her dress there was a light tap at the door.

"You may enter." She called as her heart swelled, secretly hoping that the king had come to visit her, to perhaps apologise for his curtness and tell her that she did not have to leave after all.

Alas it were not he, for her maid servant Gwendalyn re-entered the room.

"You look disappointed to see me..." The young elleth began, her voice dropping and sullen as she placed the flasks of wine onto the table near her lady.

"Oh, that I am not!" Adlanniel replied warmly, feeling a slight guilt at having made her friend feel that way. Walking over to the shorter elleth, Adlanniel wrapped her arms around her and embraced her tightly, something that surprised the young maid.