We walk through the forest, the elves easily finding the path that we so easily lost. Gandalf was right when he had said that the roads had changed much since the last time I had walked them. The Mirkwood Elves would know this place so well they could walk it in their sleep. I try not to look indifferent or out of place, I keep my posture well, putting on a good poker face. Every few minutes I catch Legolas's eye watching me but when he realises I'm looking his way he turns away quickly. I suspect he's just as shocked to see me as many of the other elves are and there for having many questions.
I've known Legolas since he was quite young. We haven't exactly been close though, his Father King Thranduil and I have had a misunderstanding for as long as I can remember. I had only met Legolas on occasion, and in those times, we seemed to get along just fine until Thranduil turned Legolas against me, we haven't really seen or talked to each other in a while because of that. Not that I was heartbroken, I hardly knew the guy, but I know his Father all too well and know that Legolas and I won't be on good terms because of it.
The elves lead the Company over a bridge into the Woodland Realm. Legolas orders the guards to shut the gates behind us. The dwarves look around in amazement, much as they did in Rivendell because of the beauty of elven houses. Giant trees grow together, forming bridges and various levels. In the distance, you can hear the river running and hear some waterfalls. Mirkwood is a wondrous place, I should know because this used to be my home. In a completely different time...a time so long forgotten...
All the dwarves are pushed into different cells, only a few cells have two dwarves. I get pushed into a cell to the side a few cells away from the others. I can hear some of the dwarves yelling insults and threats as if that's going to help us in any way. Not too long after all the dwarves are in cells, two guards take Thorin, leading him away towards Thranduil's throne.
After the guards leave, the dwarves try to escape. I roll my eyes, taking a seat, knowing that there is no point. My kin built these cells a long time ago, no one no matter how strong can escape these cells by brute force.
I hear Balin's voice yell out to the dwarves "Leave it! There's no way out. This is no Orc Dungeon. These are the halls of the Woodland Realm. No one leaves here but by the king's consent!"
I nod, he isn't wrong about that! I shrug my cloak off, laying it on the ground. I lay myself down on the cloak, deciding to get cozy for the long wait that'll come after this. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, breathing in the great smells of my old home. The oaks, the pines, the rivers, all sweet and unique to Mirkwood. No other place has ever had the same embrace as this place. Lots of memories fill my mind coursing a small smile to grow on my face. I was so different back then, more fragile but also more elegant. I was more elven.
I feel a few tears in my eyes, the mere thought of what had once been, being too much to go through again in my head. I missed this place so very much. I cherished it, loved it like an old friend...It's a shame I've gotten to see it again but from inside one of the cells...
I hear the shuffling of Thorin being brought back, causing me to sit up, quickly wiping the tears away and putting the masquerade back on. I hear Thorin grunt as he's thrown into the cell next to mine. Only seconds later, the door to my cell is opened, causing my eyebrow to raise. The Elf gestures for me to exit the cell in slight annoyance.
I slowly stand, wiping down my pants of any dust as I take small steps out of the cell. As the guards lead me from the cells, Thorin's eye catches mine, we hold a stare for a moment. He gives me a questionable look before disappearing from my line of sight. Thorin must be so confused, wondering why Thranduil wants to see me, especially with Thranduil being the way he is. Thorin would wonder why Thranduil would want to waste time with some women with no real title...or so that's what Thorin would think. I get lead through the beautiful halls of my once home, finding that although time has passed, not much has really changed. The guards take me towards the centre of Mirkwood, where Thranduil will be sitting on his throne.
The guards lead me up the stairs, Thranduil's eyes falling on me as soon as he's in my line of sight and me in his. He looks at me with his unaged eyes, his almost white hair still has radiant as it had ever been. It doesn't surprise me to find his style hasn't made a dramatic change, he never was one for change. I can't help but give him a death glare, I don't have to even try to let him see the hatred, I can feel it burning through my own eyes.
"Well look who it is," Thranduil says with a small grin "Elora, how great it is to see you again."
"I wish I could say the same," I say with a harsh tone ", but I would be lying then I suppose."
Thranduil's smile fades "Come, come, Elora. That is no way to talk to an old friend."
"You're not my old friend" I snap.
Thranduil sighs "Always so serious. Although what you say is true" he pauses before changing the subject "Why are you with Thorin Oakenshield? Why are you helping him reclaim his homeland?" Thranduil questions, the mention of Thorin's name full of disgust.
"Because it's the right thing to do" I explain "I don't want them to be robbed of their home, unable to ever return as I have been," I say giving Thranduil a glare.
"Oh, are you really still angry about that, Elora?" Thranduil asks with a smirk "can't we get past this already?"
"What do you think?" I snap "And it's not Elora anymore! It's Ivy."
Thranduil looks at the ground with a grin "Ivy?" Thranduil questions smiling before letting out a laugh, like that name is the funniest thing he's heard in a long time.
He takes a breath, putting on a serious composed face "It wouldn't have been a good image if you were Queen" He explains "It simply would have been chaos."
I let out a small laugh "I didn't want to be Queen!" I shout "I could still have lived here! I didn't have to be Queen."
Thranduil nods "True, true. But it was better to get rid of you...you know how easy it to get a bad reputation, and how hard it is to gain the respect of the people."
I feel my blood begin to boil on the inside "My father trusted you!" I shout "Where were you when I needed you? You were supposed to be my godfather!" I shout with a few tears threatening to escape. I'm sure everyone in Mirkwood could hear our conversation.
I watch as sadness washes over Thranduil's face, the mention of my Father hitting a nerve, causing me to be surprised he even has a nerve to hit in there. He gets lost in thought before the sadness leaves his face and anger appears "I'm not your godfather. I am your King" he says harshly.
"That would have been enough for me, you know..." I whisper now, not sure I have the strength to fight about this, again "but it was never enough for you. Was it?"
I see multiple thoughts race across Thranduil's face, but just like me, he's good at keeping a poker face. He hides whatever he had behind his persona and says sternly "Take her to the dungeons."
The guards begin to drag me back to the cells, now my poker face drops, the discussion of my past breaking through the walls I've built. I try to hold the tears back, but it does nothing as they fall down my face, my legs almost giving out, causing the guards to practically carry me through the halls.
Thranduil was my father's best friend, I still remember the times when Thranduil would play with me when I was a child. I looked up to him like family, although he was young too and still learning, I always saw him as wise. When my Father died...I expected Thranduil to be there to help me, but instead, he cast me out into the wilderness and took my place upon the throne. It was what my Father wanted, for Thranduil to take over for me until I was older, in fear I still needed to learn the ways of the world. And boy did I get to see the ways of the world, by being cast out into something I don't entirely understand...I still can't figure out to this day why he did what he did, but I never will forgive him for it.
By the time the guards are dragging me down the cells, I've pulled myself together, but silent tears still fall down my face, my eyes no doubt, red and puffy. Luckily, none of the dwarves see me because of the elves swift movement. The guards push me into my cell. Unable to hold myself up, my knees give out and I tumble to the ground with a loud thud.
The guards leave quickly to go upstairs to celebrate, Mereth-en-Gilith, the Feast of Starlight...another wave of sadness comes on me, but I force myself to keep my emotions bottled up, even if it means the tears fall in silence. Which they do.
I pull my knees up to my chest and rock back and forth. I take big breaths trying to stop myself from crying but to no success. I get a fright when I hear Thorin's voice ask, "What did Thranduil want?" I can't see Thorin and he can't see me, thankfully.
I take in a deep breath, attempting to get rid of the shakes that will be in my voice "Just wanted to know why I was with the company. That's all" I say laying down on my cloak. I can tell my voice wasn't quite normal.
Thorin is silent for a moment "Are...you okay?" he asks, hesitant at those words.
I've never known Thorin to compassionate and caring, so I imagine he doesn't want to know any of my problems, even if he's asking, it's just to be nice. Hell, he has so much time to kill in this cell so why not ask? He probably couldn't care less.
I cough, clearing my throat "I'm fine. Honest" I say in a small voice.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Just don't worry about it, Thorin" I snap. Immediately regretting my words as he falls silent "Sorry" I apologise, curling up into a ball.
Thorin doesn't say anything else, giving me my space, confirming that he was only being nice. I feel the tears begin again, once again silent tears, as I slowly fall into an uneasy sleep.