Trapped (Thranduil FanFiction)

Chapter 4

"I'll leave you to get ready, dinner is in an hour please Caladhiel don't be difficult and be there on time." Elrond turned around and closed the door behind him.

I turned back around and shot Melda and Anira a friendly smile. "Hello." I said softly.

None of them spoke, they just smiled and started preparing me a hot bath.

I didn't like people doing stuff for me but after the past few days and basically my entire life I had to admit that having a hot bath as someone brushes out your hair is delightful. I closed my eyes and relished in the relaxing feeling I got every time the brush combed through my long strands of ice blond hair, or when the sponge scrubbed my arms and chest. For the first time in most of my life I felt clean.

After the bath came the dressing. Melda and Anira helped me into a soft purple silk dress with silver gems decorating the borders of the sleeves and neckline, my hair was braided and my head adorned with a silver tiara. I didn't feel like myself yet the sight took my breath away. I felt like a woman, not like a man trapped in a woman's body. It was an unusual sight, but it was a beautiful one.

Accompanied by my ladies I made my way up to the dinning room. I tried to memorize every inch, every turn and every hallway of the palace so I could be able to walk around without someone following me everywhere I went. A few minutes later we reached a room warmed up by two fire places, a table long enough to seat twenty people, adorned with beautiful flower arrangements, crystal plates filled with delicious looking...salads? I sat down next to Elrond who was sitting at the head of the table. Only a few people accompanied us for dinner tonight and none of them seemed to notice my origins.

"You look lovely Caladhiel." Elrond said as he shot me an approving smile.

"Thank you." I replied politely.

Dinner went on and Elrond and his guests spoke of state affairs and things I didn't really understand. None of them paying much attention to me and for that I was glad. At least I remained invisible until someone mentioned the attack up North. I remained silent as I heard Elrond tell his guests what had happened and I couldn't help but remember my father's corpse, Aradan asking me to accompany him as he died and all the pain I'd endured that faithful night. I kept my eyes on my plate, trying to hide the fact I was sad. I needed to appear strong, I needed to be strong for the sake of my father's memory. I ate my food in silence trying to remain unnoticed but my attempt was useless.

"And who is this enthralling beauty?" The elf sitting right in front of me asked, I could feel his stare on me and it made me feel uneasy.

"This is Caladhiel, princess of the Northern Clan." Elrond stated proudly.

I couldn't help but look up and see he was smiling at me. He placed his hand on top of mine and held on to it, as if encouraging me to speak. "It's nice to meet you." I murmured.

"Poor child." The Elf muttered. "You must've been through hell that night." I looked over at his handsome light brown eyes and nodded.

"Who could've guess this beauty was a savage! She looks nothing like her father." Another shouted. At the memory of my father being tarnished in such a spiteful way I took hold of my cup and spilled wine on his snobbish face.

"Caladhiel!" Elrond scolded. "Lord Ganlas I'm terribly sorry."

"Sorry!?" I screamed. "How can you feel sorry? This man got what he deserved, no one and I mean no one speaks of my kin like that!" I could feel my face turn scarlet and I balled my hand into a fist so tight my knuckles were turning white. "You are the savage, you have no right on calling me or my father a savage." I made an attempt to throw something else at him but my hand was seized by Elrond.