𝓝o matter what may come, 𝓢tay on the 𝓟ath
warringpeace:
“Eithel, hanna-cin.”
The conflict between the Sindarin and the Noldorians stretched all the way back to his father’s time. Oropher’s mistrust and dislike of them was popular among the elves, so Thranduil didn’t blame her for appearing to be extra polite. But he had closely followed the relations between a host and guest, so regardless of the disagreements between their people, he would make sure that no harm would come to her.
While she perceived the presence of the giant spiders as a symbol of his failure ( and unfortunately for her, he thought that it was what she was implying, thus helping him understand why his father disliked her people so much ), the Sindarin possessed no magical abilities. Unlike her mother and the Lord Elrond, neither he nor his father had been gifted with magic. It was through their warriors’ skills and their heightened senses alone that he had managed to bring all of his people within his walls, with only minor injuries to show for it.
“A gracious offer, yet one that I must decline. We have settled well within our walls and intend to deal with the beasts as we see fit.”
With a nod, he summoned one of the elf maidens, who would serve as Lady Niniell’s escort during her visit to Mirkwood. Her chambers were in the west wing, and her guards would have comfortable rooms near the kitchens and stables.
“I have had your rooms prepared, but if there is anything else that you require, please do not hesitate to ask. Your injured comrade will be tended to.”
Indeed, Haerelon had been whisked off to the healers the moment they had arrived in Thranduil’s halls. The broken bone had already been mended, and he was instructed to stay in bed for a few days until it was healed. That was the message that would be relayed to her after dinner, but for now, he invited her to dine with him and his people.
While most of their food had been grown within their home, there were other special dishes and treats from the surrounding areas. Roast meat from Rohan, juicy fish from Laketown, and sweet fruits supplied by Beorn. It was a hearty meal and could help cheer even the gloomiest and weariest traveler. Sweets would be provided after dinner to serve as desserts, and he instructed that the chocolate platters would be evenly distributed along the table.
Legolas sat on his right hand, with Niniell on his left: the customary place for the elvenking’s honored guest. Sometime between the final course and dessert, he turned to her, his half-full goblet of wine on one hand.
“And how are your parents, heryn nin?”
To her it sounded horrible that they liked to stay so isolated from the rest of their people. Especially since there were dangerous monsters roaming close to their doorstep. She blamed it on pride, a trait that most liked to attribute to humans and dwarves but she had seen it often enough with the elves as well. You just had to look at their history where pride had wreaked havoc with a lot of their lives.
Yet, she was determined not to be perceived judgemental about the topic either.
Despite the rumours about him, she did feel welcomed by Thranduil. Over time her image of him had been distorted by stories and she had imagined him much colder than he now appeared to be. Of course he wasn’t about to figuratively let his hair down, but he didn’t seem look down on her either, which was something she had been worried about.
“ Of course you do. I have never witnessed anyone with such skill as your warriors. Those creatures are a challenge and they dispatched of them expertly.” she meant her words, she had seen how hard it was to fight the spiders, but she had little to compare it too, since she hadn’t joined a lot of battles inside of dark forests with enemies that were this adapt to hunting there.
Sadly their incredibly skills weren’t enough to take back their forest. It would kill her to see her Laurelindórinan wither away. Or being imprisoned by them in the very heart of their home. It was unthinkable. She would rather burn it all down than have these beings of darkness taint and corrupt the light that was there.
“ My parents are doing wonderfully. In a few weeks my mother is going to travel to Imladris, to visit my niece and nephews.” she was very fond the children - though by now they were of course all grown up, but in her mind they were still children, maybe because after her sister had left she had been there to fill some of that void.
With a new smile she turned her attention back to the whole table, more specifically to Thranduil, since he was her host. “ When I left the forest, it was in full bloom, a beautiful sight. The summer festival is only a few days away, it is usually a shame to miss it, but this year I am much more elated at the thought of seeing the beauties of your kingdom. I can feel some similarities to my home which gives me comfort, but I cannot help but marvel at all the things I have never seen before.” In the mouth of someone else her words might’ve seemed disingenuous, but there was a certain honesty about her that came from naivete and vulnerability. This could still be an act of course, but her reputation wasn’t that of a liar. Which either made her a very good one, or none at all.
