Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Mary Goes to Mirkwood

Chapter 33/?

By: Mary A, Malinorne and Sheraiah

Warnings: Adult sexual situations/nudity/exotic dancing

Disclaimer: Just plgyog with the elves, the dwarves, and Lord Bard for fun, not profit. We do not claim to have created them, and we certainly believe Tolkien has the last word about Arda! Thaladir and Helca, on the other hand, are our own creations.

Summary: Mary and Mal make the most of their last night in Dale, Sheraiah finds out the Elfking is returning to Mirkwood, and Haldir assists Legolas with a plan to introduce the unexpected house-guests to his father.


Bonus: See below for how to learn the identity of The Canary.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

It was late when I returned to my room after this eventful day, with my arm on the seneschal's elbow. I ought to have been exhausted, but the fireworks had woken me up, and the evening's entertainment had left me much more excited than sleepy. The wedding, and the feast following it, had exceeded anything I had experienced before, and I hoped that Haryl and his wife would be as happy together in the rest of their lives as they had appeared now. The shy couple would probably be frightfully embarrassed in the morning, though.

As usual, there was no way of telling what Thaladir was thinking. He had been quite intent on holding me close as we danced, but now he was walking silently at my side. Straight, dignified and stiff, and at an appropriate distance for a seneschal escorting his monarch's concubine to her quarters. My hand on his arm was all that joined us at that moment. When we came to my door, he backed off, as if to deliver one of those accurate little bows before withdrawing to his lonely rest. I didn't let go of him, but instead tightened my grip.

"Your Excellency, were not your words this afternoon that you would continue what you started? In that dressing room, with Lord Bard, remember?" He seemed to remember the occasion very well, as a shadow of disgust for a moment swept over his otherwise stony face.

"They were, my lady, and proceeding with aforementioned actions would indeed provide an exceedingly satisfying pastime. However, it would not be proper to remind you of the unseemly offer, should you find it more suitable to decline." That impossible elf.

"I demand it," I said, opening my door, and managed to draw the stunned-looking seneschal with me. I don't know what made me so bold, but I suspect it was the wine's fault. "I hold you to your words," I continued, shutting the door behind us with a little snap that made him jump.

The sound couldn't have disturbed anyone, because through then win window I could hear that the feasting wasn't over yet. There was still music, and a drunken buzz of voices, and I guessed that it was the local people, whom I had earlier only glimpsed through the decorative, but high and sturdy, iron fence that surrounded Lord Bard's grand manor house. But, it had startled Thaladir, and something had fallen out of his sleeve. He caught it immediately, of course, hiding it again, but I didn't stop asking until he showed the thing to me.

It turned out to be a flimsy piece of fabric, a small skirt of the type the exotic performers had been wearing. That, and the music that snaked through the night, was too much for me to resist. I asked Thaladir to help me out of my dress, which he did with flawless professionalism, not touching my skin even the slightest. He could at least have kissed me a little, I thought, but the desire to dance for him this instant was greater than my annoyance.

I told him to sit down on the bed and close his eyes while I prepared. I left my camisole on, but took off my shoes and loosened my hair to let it flow freely over my shoulders. The skirt was a perfect fit, but it lacked something that would define my hips and make my movements more distinct. I looked around for something suitable, and found a piece of semi-transparent fabric that had probably been used to protect some furniture from dust. It would make an excellent veil to hold in my hands, but I needed something else.

At last my gaze landed on Thaladir. And his sash. That was exactly what I was looking for. The noble elf kept his eyes closed when I sat next to him, and I asked as politely as I could if mayhap he would allow that most suitable sash of his to be put to somewhat unorthodox use for a little while. He nodded crisply in agreement, and I couldn't help kissing him while trying to untie the desired sash. In the end he had to help me with the simple task, but it was only because his kissing back distracted me.

Finally, Iod aod at some distance before him, with my hands clasped together high above my head, which made the veil that I held behind my back cover my arms and face. "Now," I told him, and I was pleased to see him draw his breath. I waited for the perfect moment, and at a particularly large beat of the drum, I dramatically lowered my arms and began to move my hips, the movement all the more visible against the background of the veil that had now parted to reveal me.

I kept the upper part of my body as still as I could, while I slowly rose on the toes of one foot, then the other, then lowering them, then repeating over and over again while swaying my hips, from side to side, and then in the pattern of an eight.

Thaladir behaved the perfect gentleman, acting as if it didn't bother him the slightest to have various parts of my body nearly thrust into his face as I switched between gyrating belly and chest. At least for a long time, that was the case. Then his breathing became faster, and more shallow, and he clutched the sheets with his hands. I could not wait for him to touch me. I thought I nearly got him when I tempted him with my behind, turning before him in the haltingly wagging motion of a camel. But he did not reach out, nor do anything else to stop my performance.

It was as if it brought him some perverse pleasure to remain passive, denying his body. I wondered if it was some kind of warrior behaviour, this need to control one's impulses, as Haldir had done something similar that night in the beech-tree, even if I suspected it had been more for my benefit than his. And then I thought of the king, the greatest warrior of them all, who seemed to grasp everything he wanted as soon as it came into reach. Thranduil would not have allowed me to dance for more than a minute, I thought with a smirk.

His seneschal, thouget met me finish the show, and when I dropped to my knees, with my thighs spread, I was actually grateful. This was the hardest part, to continue dancing in that position and it felt good to have an attentive audience.

When I finally sat still on the floor, panting, Thaladir rose and bestowed me one of his rare smiles. He helped me stand, and, wordlessly, proceeto fto free me of my attire. Gently he took the veil from my hands, folding it carefully and putting it aside before lifting my fingers to his lips to kiss them, one by one. Then he removed my camisole, and slowly ran his fingers over every inch of my body that had been hidden beneath. I had not the heart to tell him to hurry up, but it drove me mad to have only the tips of his digits lightly stroking my nipples.

The sash, and finally the skirt and my underpants were removed in the same diligent way, and not until I was reduced to bare need did he lead me to the bed.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~


Thranduil sat on an overstuffed settee in his massive guest chamber, with his legs spread wide and me standing between them, to help me with the little dancing skirt. I could not hold the slippery thing in place to secure the attached ribbon-ties by myself. He had removed his tunic and boots, and was seated bare-chested before me wearing only his leggings.

"That skinny guy with the long mustache, you got this from him, didn't you?" I asked, remembering how the odd little man had sidled up to Thranduil when we stood to leave the feasting tables.

"Stand still," answered the king. It was hard not to wiggle a little once I had the practically insubstantial fabric draped over my hips, to see what it would look like when I did that.

As payment for his efforts, I had to stay there for a little while longer while the king evaluated how well the dancing-costume fit me, or so he said, by stroking his hands over and under the skimpy skirt, both front and back. He decided I dit net need my underpants and, after removing them, he repeated his previous inspection. Once he was completely satisfied that the garment was the proper size, I was rethinking wasting any more time out of bed.

While humming the same tune the exotic musicians had played, I duplicated some of the suggestive gyrations of the bronze-skinned dancing beauties. The wispy veils that made up my flimsy skirt parted to reveal bare flesh in quite interesting ways and my royal audience beamed with approval.

He leaned back against the cushions, with only his eyes in motion as he regarded my performance. After stretching one long arm along the back of the settee, with his other hand he untied his leggings and released his standing, although otherwise silent, ovation.

With a squeal, I tried to scoot away when he lazily stretched out his hand to grab me. But he easily caught me by my fingertips and brought me back to stand in front of him, parting my legs with one of his knees.

"You're making it awfully hard for me to dance for you," I said after he stood up and lifted me off of my feet from the floor in one swift motion, impaling me with one mighty thrust of his magnificent member, before carrying me to the bed.

"I think you can manage," he replied hoarsely as he lay down while keeping himself attached to me, and arranged our bodies side-by-side upon the elegant linens. His entire chamber was exquisitely appointed and sumptuously decorated. But Thranduil seemed quite capable of adapting to these softer, gentler surroundings.

Cradling my head in both large hands, he backed his upper body away from mine, leaving us connected below the waist. While holding himself still within me he gazed into my mind. I opened it willingly to him and let him absorb every impression I had collected from the world around me since the last time we had been alone, together, like this.

"Are you ready?" he asked. Onnd mnd moved down to my neck, and then to my back as he drew us closer together and began to move inside of me. I closed my eyes as his fingers traveled down my spine. But, instead of having me feel what he was experiencing at that moment, he did something different this time.

Slowly, carefully, I was shown everything that he had experienced over the past few days, with both me and Mal, and I drowned in layers of sensation as he shared it all with me. rwarrward, as I drifted off to sleep, I lay with my head on his chest and marveled at all that had been revealed. I looked up at his face when one particularly startling scene came flowing back into my mind upon reflection.

"You spanked Mal?" He nodded but otherwise said nothing. "And she liked it," I added, amazed. "I had no idea it could be... that much fun. She liked it a lot." He moved his hand to my bottom, and caressed me there, making goose bumps.

"Do you want to try it?"

"No!" I jerked out from underneath his hand while flipping over on my back to keep the vulnerable target even further from harm. "Well, I don't think so anyway. At least, not right this very minute. And I have to sit in that carriage all day tomorrow, too."

"What if I ordered an eagle to come and fly us home?"

"That would be wonderful, to go home by eagle!" The idea made me so happy that I turned back over to embrace him. "But the answer is still no." His hand traveled down my side and rested on my hip.

"I can always take the pain away, afterwar..."

"I said no."


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

I had just begun to drift to sleep when I felt Legolas' chest jerk under my cheek. It startled me and I jumped, my breath catching. I sat up, pushing my unruly hair out of my face, and tried in vain to see his features in the darkness.

"What's wrong?" I asked. His hand unerringly found my shoulder and drew me back down into his embrace.

"Nothing is wrong, lovely lady. I simply was not expecting my father to choose this moment to inform me that he will be arriving home in the morning by eagle-back with Mary and Malinorne. I suspect he chooses the timing merely to keep me on my guard." He shifted onto his side so that he lay facing me. I knew that he could see me perfectly well, but I could barely make out the outline of his head and shoulders. "Shall we surprise them?" he asked. "I did not inform my father that you were here." I grinned wickedly.

"I bet you didn't tell him about your other guests, either, did you?" I felt him shift again and knew that I'd hit the nail on the head. "And you call me evil. Just let me go first while he is still in a good mood, okay?"

"A sound plan," he replied and I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was grinning. "Gimli shall go last, I think. He and Adar have never gotten along."

"You get to tell him. I'm certainly not going to," I retorted. "I'm not getting bisected if he decides to settle the matter with his axe."

"Gimli would never! He is very fond of you, Rai. I do not doubt that you could pull his beard and walk away unscathed."

"I don't plan to test that theory, it'd be disrespectful. I happen to like him right back." A huge yawn split my face then and the prince chuckled.

"Sleep now, it grows late." I felt him brush a kiss on my brow. He began to sing what sounded like a lullaby and I yawned again. I could hear the smile in his voice as he pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me. I was asleep before the end of the song.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal ~

At breakfast, which was eaten in a room with large windows looking out over the fountain and the box mazes, I understood that the king, Mary and I were to leave very soon. Suddenly, Thaladir's odd words when he had left my room made sense. "I bid you farewell," he had said, instead of pronouncing one of the many complicated phrases he normally used to say goodnight.

It was a pity. The plans and purpose for this trip had not been discussed beyond attending the wedding of the Esgaroth Town Master's daughter, but I had assumed we would at the very least stay for a couple of days. See some more of Lord Bard's private little kingdom, perhaps take a tour of the surroundings, maybe even as far as to the town of Dale, his hereditary land, which must be thriving by now. I had not gone so long in my thoughts as to wish for a visit to the Lonely Mountain and the dwarves there, which was just as good, as Thranduil wouldn't have any of it.

The king and Bard were already discussing the subject when I arrived, and it was clear that Thranduil would have us leave on the waiting eagle as soon as possi whi while the man was eager to keep us at his estate for as long as he could. I couldn't blame him, as I guessed that visits from the Elvenking were far between.

"I have stayed too long in the shadow of that mountain already," the monarch finally burst out, when the happy Lord of Dale wouldn't stop talking of how exceptionally well Dale was doing with the combined support of the Wood-elves, as well as the dwarven King Under the Mountain (may his beard grow longer still). The thought of an old dwarf with a beard that wouldn't stop growing until it was twice as long as himself made me snort in my tea. Most unseemly, so it was good that the seneschal wasn't there.

Nobody had said anything about Thaladir's absence, but Lord Bard had seen fit to inform Mary and me, almost as soon as we had taken our seats, that Helca would be delayed, as the lovely lady was in great need of rest after the exhausting night. He looked most proud of himself.

And now, he had apparently thought I was choking on my tea and saw his chance to delay our departure. "Your Majesty," he said to Thranduil, "why be in such haste? It is not good for us mortals to hurry our intake of food, and your lovely concubine would not take well to an immediate journey by eagle." The king just smiled back at him amiably, and I think he was amused by my silly thought of the hairy dwarf.

In the end, it was agreed that Bard could take us on a tour of his home. We went through corridor after corridor with rows of splendid rooms, one more decorated than the other. The man could never have heard that there are some cases where 'less is more', for he seemed to display his fortune by excessive use of expensive materials. Happily, he seemed to not only think about personal gain, because all the houses and streets we had seen at our arrival had been clean and neat, and his townspeople appeared satisfied.

But then he was, of course, a descendant of the mighty Bowman, the first Bard, who had been an honest man. He looked a bit grim on his portrait, with his black hair and piercing gaze, so I guessed the fair-haired and sunny disposed grandson had taken more after the females of his family. There were many portraits on the walls, and the present Lord of Dale took great pride in describing the deeds of each relative, and at a length that made Thranduil look more impatient by the minute. It was nice of him to not just stomp out of there.

The most fascinating of all the stories was the one of Girion, the last ruling lord before the dragon. The portrait of him and his wife was burnt at the edges, as if it had literally been snatched from Smaug's fire. The woman was wearing a magnificent emerald necklace, and when Bard looked at the portrait, and then at me, for a moment I felt like a thief.

The man must have seen my reaction, for he stated solemnly that his brave namesake had done well in giving the gems to the Elvenking when the dragon's treasure was divided. "May the stars always shine brightly on the meetings of our peoples," he added with an honest bow in Thranduil's direction.

And then he continued the tour, happily escorting us through his seemingly endless home. He talked enthusiastically about other things as well, and when we finally stood outside, the Elvenking's polite smile was visibly strained. Mary seemed eager to go as well, but I was by now feeling quite unhappy with missing the chance of a boat-ride up the river to the glorious town of Dale. It was not fair that Thaladir and Helca and the whole escort, including Ithilwen, were staying on, while I had to leave immediately!


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mary ~

At first, I had been delighted to find the whole household in an uproar because an eagle had landed in Lord Bard's garden, in the same spot that the entertainers had performed the night before. It meant we really were going to fly right home. But after we had lifted off the ground, I felt a little sad leaving so soon, especially after I had patched things up with our gracious host. During our final tour of the estate, he sounded almost humble as he described his memories of some of the events that the paintings of his family brought to his mind.

At one point, as we stood before a portrait of some ancient ancestor or the other, he leant toward me, a little too close for comfort, and whispered.

"Would you have really bitten off my nose?" He smiled, showing no hard feelings.

"Oh, yes. I would have." He lost his smile. "Only the the whole thing, you know," I continued. "Just the tip." I tapped the end of his nose. "But, any capable seamstress would have been able to sew it back on for you, so it wasn't that big of a threat." He stood up straight and glanced over at Thranduil uncertainly, as if expecting the king to be amused. Instead, the Elfking nodded his head soberly, as if to confirm that the Lord's naughty inspection had almost marred his handsome face forever. Bard looked back at me and stroked his chin.

"Methinks you need to learn some proper manners, young lady," he said with some hope in his voice that he would be the one to teach them to me.

"You aren't the first to tell me thatce Ice I got here," I told him. "And methinks you might be a lot more lenient than my current instructor." I winked at him and was almost sorry I had been so mean to him the day before. But I forgot him, and his luxurious surroundings, when the king drew me close, like Mal on his other side, and began to describe the landscape below for us, as the great eagle took flight and carried us up among the clouds.

Instead of flying right home to Mirkwood, we were given a tour of the entire Erebor region, and headed first toward the solitary peak of the Lonely Mountain that dominated the view. As we drew near, Thranduil pointed out where his subjects had planted trees, shrubs, and various hardy wildflowers to cover the old wounds and scars from the wicked dragon's wrath.

The Desolation of Smaug had stretched for many miles in all directions radiating from the base of the mountain. Whether from sheer maliciousness or as some part of an overall evil design, the original pattern of the dragon's destructive efforts, still visible although now lushly covered with foliage, had been nearly perfectly uniform in diameter.

The charming town of Dale looked like a toy village below us, and Mal and I eagerly asked if we could stop and visit the Dwarves' toy making shops or to purchase some of the firecrackers the area was famous for producing. The king promised us we would return some day, soon. We flew close to the chief landmarks from Bilbo's quest, such as Ravenhill and the mouth of the Running River pouring out of the mountain on its eventual way to the inland sea of Rhun.

It was obvious that the people of the region owed a lot to the elves and not only for the beauty of the land restored for their enjoyment and use. The actual existence of the bustling community under the mountain, rebuilt to its former g, wa, was mostly due to the participation of the Elfking and his army of wood-elves during the Battle of the Five Armies. But as with everything else, as the age of Man advanced, the valuable contributions of the Eldar lost significance and became history.

After circling the magnificent solitary peak, Thranduil had the eagle follow the river all the way down to the Long Lake Town and the people below looked up in awe as we flew over their heads. Even in Esgaroth, the sight of one of these lordly birds was a rare event. Mal and I waved at the open-jawed populace as they pointed after us. Dogs barked.

I had to giggle as I imagined the poor people who had been caught inside during this momentous occasion, and how the lucky ones who were out-of-doors would forever lord it over them about the day the eagle flew by carrying the fierce Elfking, with the wild squirrel girl thrown in as a bonus.

Although I was completely oblivious to what direction we flew, Mal pointed out that we were not flying the right way if we were headed back home to Mirkwood, and she asked Thranduil if we were going to circle back around and return to Lord Bard's estate. She did not seem too displeased with the notion.

The king asked for our patience and we both understood why when below us appeared the land he had purchased many years ago, when men and Elves had closer alliances and friendlier relations.

Mal and I nearly fell off the eagle as we tried to get a better look at the former vineyard. The land had been let go fallow many years before, but the former orderly rows where the grapevines had been staked were still visible in the landscape. It made me sad, but I wondered if now that the dark times were over, maybe the elves could return and start again.

The king did not want tower wer any more questions about it, and we finally turned to the forest, and home. After having had little sleep the night before, the gentle motion of the eagle flight proved too comfortable. Before we reached the border of the trees, I fell asleep on the feathery back of our mighty transport.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah ~

Mirime woke me early and I did my best not to be nasty to her. I never was much of a morning person to begin with, and she was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I didn't know if it was just the fact that the king was coming back that had gotten her panties in such a wad, or if she was afraid that her work would be judged unfairly due to the hoydenish nature of her charge. Of course, I was just as nervous as she was, which didn't help my temper. I bathed and let her do my hair, but drew the line when I saw the dress she had chosen for me, not to mention the underwear.

"Mirime, I'm sorry but I'm not wearing that. He's not going to see the undies, for one thing, and that dress is just not me. Besides, there's no way my boobs are fitting in it. I'll split the seams if I try it on. Where'd it come from, anyway? There are plenty of pretty things in the wardrobe." She almost choked and I waited patiently, eyebrow raised a la Elrond.

"It would not seemly be to show …." Her words failed her and she gestured toward her chest. I rolled my eyes.

"They're called breasts, Mirime, and I'm quite certain that King Thranduil has seen enough of them in his lifetime not to be surprised at the sight of mine. Now, how about the blue dress? It's not too low cut and it matches my eyes." Truthfully, I would have been more comfortable with the higher neckline that day, but I knew that Legolas wanted me to wear one of the things he had had made for me. She reluctantly agreed and put away the elven undies without more than a frown.

The dress had the same cut as most of the clothing that Legolas had commissioned for me, mimicking my corsets. It had filmy, transparent sleeves that ended at the wrist in a bell-shaped flutter. The bodice was not terribly low cut, but it did display a bit of cleavage with its scooped shape. It was unadorned for the most part, save for a small band of floral embroidery at the waist and the hem.

I felt like a princess out of one of the fairy tales that I had been fond of as a child and found tI reI really didn't mind that it was a dress after all. It was made of one of the light fabrics that ellith seemed to be fond of and floated when I moved. We had just finished fastening me up when someone knocked on the door. The elleth answered it and Haldir walked in.

"You are looking exceptionally lovely today, Rai," he said, an appreciative look on his face. I'm sure I was wearing a matching look on mine because he was cutting a rather fine figure himself. He had on a white silk shirt, a sleeveless velvet tunic in dark gray and white breeches with dark gray boots. He wasn't wearing a circlet, but his hair was woven into a far more intricate braid than I had ever seen him wear, fastened with a mithril clasp in the shape of a mallorn leaf and he wore a matching brooch pinned to the breast of his tunic.

"Thank you. I might say the same of you," I replied, giving him the once over. r lar lady friend is going to swoon when she sees you."

"She has already expressed her approval," he said with a smug grin, "While she was braiding my hair." I cocked an eyebrow at him and he chuckled. "On to more serious matters, my lady. Legolas has been detained by some of his father's advisors and will not be able to have breakfast with you. I offer my services instead."

"Won't your lady be upset at not havineakfeakfast with you?"

"No, she has duties to see to this morning and is already occupied with them." He took my hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. "Come now, I know that you are hungry and I do not want you to become ill because you are nervous and have not eaten properly." He fixed me with a stern glare and I had to concede that he was right. I nodded and allowed him to lead me from the room. "I will even tolerate seeing the dwarf eat if you wish his presence as well." I had to giggle at that statement and nodded happily. At the last turn of the corridor before the dining hall, the twins and Gimli joined us.

As we ate, Haldir outlined the plans he and Legolas had made for our presentation to the king. I would go first, followed by Haldir, then the twins, and Gimli would be last. Surprisingly, the dwarf did not protest.

"Charm him enough, lass, and he won't even notice the rest of us," he said, giving me a wink.

"Gimli!" I squeaked.

"He does have a point, Sweetling," Elrohir chimed in. "You can be very charming if you want to." I reached over and smacked him in the back of the head.

"I'll leave the charm to Legolas this time, thank you very much. He's the expert among us when it comes to his father." All of them wore maddeningly wide grins and I scowled. Haldir took my chin in his hand.

"You really are nervous, are you not? There is nothing to fear, I promise you. King Thranduil is not an ogre," here Gimli was heard to snort and mutter something under his breath, earning him a sharp glance from the March Warden, "and he will be very pleased with you for your companionship to his son, if for nothing else." He stroked my cheek lightly. Oh, brother, a girl could just drown in those eyes! A glance down at my plate earned me a slight frown. "Now, calm down and eat your breakfast. All will be well and we will be right there should you need us."

"Okay," was all I could think to say and I returned my attention to my meal, but I didn't taste it. I never had thought of Thranduil as an ogre at aIn fIn fact, I had started posting my fan fiction due to my desire to defend his character. Most of my stories were about him or Legolas or both. It wasn't that I was afraid of him, it was more that I was going to be meeting one of my idols and I was really afraid of going all fan girl when it happened and saying or doing something really stupid.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal~

My feelings calmed substantially as soon as I got up on the eagle and the king put his arm around me. Being with him, anywhere, was better than sightseeing. Even of Dale and the Lonely Mountain. Perhaps we could go there another time instead, I thought as I leant my head against his shoulder. It was hardly his fault if he didn't want to visit places that were so connected with bad memories, but then an old warrior-elf would have seen dire battles nearly everywhere in these lands.

I suspect Thaladir was not at all pleased to be staying on in Lord Bard's company, but it was hard to tell as he was wearing his usual frown when he joined the group of people who had come to say farewell to the Elvenking. Helca, however, seemed to enjoy herself mightily, with her hand on Bard's elbow, and she showed us a haughty sneer that was too exaggerated to be anything else but comic.

Ithilwen and Miriel waved sweetly, while Anarion and all the other guards in the escort did a short display of their excellent drill, under Thaladir's command and appreciative glances from the lucky passers-by. The king grinned broadly and said he would be pleased to welcome his valiant warriors back without further delay than the matter at hand required. That sounded a bit sinister, but as everyone looked happy, I decided that it was probably nothing more than a boring trade expedition, just back to old, dull Esgaroth... or, perhaps, Dale...

Then the eagle lifted and I suddenly had other things to think of. Such as how to remain on the back of the great bird. I hadn't flown since I first arrived to Mirkwood, and at first it seemed more difficult with several people 'on board' rather than just one. That time, I had just straddled it, with my knees securely over its wings, but now that couldn't be done. Instead I had to sit as if on a carpet, or rather, a soft cushion, and trust the king to keep me in place. I did hold some of the eagle's back feathers in a rather hard grip too, but it didn't complain. And it flew softly, often just gliding upon the air, rather than striving through it, which soon made me relax enough to fully enjoy the amazing sights beneath.

We got to see Dale after all, with its busy streets and shops and fireworks. There was even a stray rocket that flew past our heads as if in salute to the king. The Lonely Mountain was really huge up close, and I could well understand how frightening the sight must have been at the time it was inhabited by the terrible Smaug. It felt good to see the remains of his bones on the bottom of the Long Lake, as proof that the dragon was gone forever. But he was still surrounded by an aura of fear, as nobody had taken the gems that made the water glitter more than usual in one particular place.

When we were approaching the forest, I finally took courage to ask Thranduil something that had worried me more or less all the time since Lord Bard's examination the day before.

"My lord," I said hesitantly.

"Yes, Malinorne." He must have known what I was going to say, but hid it perfectly well.

"I am sorry for enjoying that so much, seeing the Lord of Dale, I mean, during that examination..." I felt my cheeks heat at just the thought of it and had never been happier to know that Mary was sound asleep.

"Do not be," the king replied. "Bard was bolder than I had anticipated, but also wise enough to stop in good time. Otherwise, Thaladir would have reminded him."

"You are not angry with me?" The thought seemed to amuse him, as he chuckled loud enough for the eagle to turn its head and glance at us.

"You have served me well in this matter." I suddenly felt light as a feather, and even more so when Thranduil sealed his words with a kiss that left me panting for air. "Very well indeed," he added. I had the distinct feeling he would have done a lot more than kissing if not for respect for our transport. But tonight I would serve him in his bedchamber.

As we flew over the tall beech-trees I felt happy for more reasons than that. We would soon be home, in a place that had long felt much less alien than the human settlements of this world. And Legolas would be there as well. I really looked forward to seeing the young elf again.


~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~


~ Mary~

"We are home," the voice of my king awoke me. Below us the hill and the bridge were just coming into view, and I hoped Sheraiah was going to be waiting there with Legolas, although I was not sure she would come all the way to Mirkwood. I knew how much she hated to fly and had dreaded being invited.

When we landed, I could see the prince standing at the gate, with only the gentle treasurer, Canath, standing beside him. I was surprised that no more of the king's subjects were out front to greet him than these two. It seemed like they should all have been there, even if just out of curiosity to see the eagle land and then take off again afterwards. But the place looked deserted.

Legolas did not come down to greet us, but waited, smiling pleasantly at his father and us, at the cavernous front entrance as we disembarked.

"Darn it," I said to Mal. "I was really hoping that Legolas had talked Sheraiah into coming home with him, it would have been nice to see her again."

"Again?" Mal asked. "I have not seen her at all!" Thranduil bade farewell to the eagle while she and I waited for him, politely. Even without Thaladir there to keep an ey me, me, I felt it would be most unseemly to race ahead of the king and his concubine to be able to grab Legolas first while the noble bird was watching.

"Suilad, ada." [Hello, Dad.] The prince greeted his father less formally than the occasion dictated, perhaps because the seneschal was not with us. Thranduil answered him just as informally, but with a wary tone in his voice

"Suilad, ion nin." [I greet you, my son.] They embraced, and the king kept an arm on his son's shoulder as he turned to survey the surrounding area; the bridge, the river, the road and the forest. "It is good to see that you have not damaged or destroyed my kingdom while it was entrusted to your care."

The king released Legolas and turned to greet his treasurer, who had also been in charge of Mirkwood while we were gone, if only for a brief time before the prince came to take the throne.

"Welcome home," the prince said to Mal and me.

I think even she was surprised when I responded to Legolas: "Mae govannen, a ernil Eryn Lasgalen." [Well met, o prince of Greenwood] The prince looked momentarily startled, but very happy with my new skill. After asking both of us about our travel, the wedding, our impression of Lord Bard and our eagle flight home, he turned to me and asked where I had learned Sindarin.

"It is wonderful to find out that my former tutor has found a new way to use his extensive knowledge," said the prince after I told him. "But are you terribly bored with your language lessons? Or will you have no further need of rescue?" Not for the first time was it brought home to me why this elf was such a popular figure of fantasy in my former world. He could literally charm the feathers off of a bird with his style.

"Right now, I think I am pretty safe," I answered with pretend regret. "But the old grouch should be back before long, I think, so check back with me."

"Legolas, I believe we can carry our conversation along much more comfortably within," said Thranduil with a gesture towards the entrance to his halls. "It has been a long flight."
Instead of stepping out of the way, and it only became obvious at that moment that he was blocking our path, the prince smiled his most winning smile at his father, and I braced myself.

"Before we go inside, I want to make an announcement," he said to the king. "And I have a surprise for you both," he said to me and Mal. "Wait here, I have something to show you." He did not go all the way inside, but instead leaned in and seemed to be grabbing at something just out of his reach after he grinned over his shoulder at us. Then he drew his body back straight.

"Father, Lady Mary, Lady Mal, say hello to my guest." From behind the gate, he pulled a suddenly shy Sheraiah out into the daylight. Mal gasped, I squealed, and we both jumped forward to hug her. I turned to look at Thranduil.

The king stood there, saying nothing and not moving a me, ae, and looked his son straight in the eyes for a healthy pause. Then a large, friendly smile split his handsome face as he turned his focus on his newest guest and it seemed at the moment as if the whole world started turning again. Mal and I prodded her forward to meet him.

Thranduil wished her welcome to Mirkwood with a courtly bow. Sheraiah extended her hand and he bent over it and pressed his lips against the back of it. And held them there a while longer than he needed to, at least as far as I was concerned. I wondered if he did that to bug me, or Legolas. Probably the both of us. Mal seemed unaffected.


~ *~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Sheraiah~

After breakfast, Haldir continued distracting me from my nervousness. We walked through the gardens, joking with each other. He told me about his lady friend and I gathered that the relationship was as casual as the one he had with Duiniel. She was lovely and I told him so, much to his agreement.

We then went back into the halls and settled in the cozy sitting area in Legolas' chambers. At Haldir's insistence, the door to the main corridor was left standing open for propriety's sake. He attempted to teach me a complicated strategy game that was popular among both Lorien's march wardens and among the warriors of Mirkwood. I was abysmally bad at it and we both laughed at my many and varied mistakes. Suddenly, the twins came flying into the room.

"They are almost here! Hurry!"

I stood pressed against the side of the gate, hidden from the sight of Mary, Mal, and the king while Legolas greeted them. I could barely hear what they said over the pounding of my heart. Then, Legolas had taken my hand and was pulling me into their line of vision. Mary and Mal immediately squealed and ran over to hug me, easing my nervousness quite a bit. I hugged them both back harder than I had planned to.

Time seemed to stop as Thranduil turned his sharp-eyed gaze on his son and then, like the sun emerging from behind storm clouds, he smiled radiantly. At me. Then he shocked me further by bowing to me.

"Welcome to Mirkwood, it is a pleasure to meet you," he said. I extended my hand to him, not knowing what else to do, and he took it, raising it to his lips and holding it there a bit longer than necessary, probably to get a rise out of his son.

I didn't know if it was required, but it felt appropriate to curtsey to him and I did, sinking into a deep obeisance that undoubtedly shocked Legolas. I'm sure he hadn't known that I could.

Thranduil raised me back up and looking him in the face, I could see a mischievous twinkle in his eye that was identical to the one Legolas got frequently. My nervousness disappeared completely and I gave him a wry grin. The twinkle deepened. I heard Legolas clear his throat behind me and thought, 'oh now here it comes!' I stepped back to the spot beside and slightly behind the prince and waited for the s to to break.

I didn't have to wait long.


~ *~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

~ Mal~


When we had all settled down a bit after the amazing surprise of seeing a friend from outside Middle-Earth, Legolas cleared his throat, much in the same way Thaladir used to, but nothing seemed to come out, at least not at once. So, the prince had something more he needed to tell his father, it seemed.

"While in Imladris," he said, "I met an old... hm... friend of us both, and... ahem... of your ladies as well, and, as he very much wanted to come, I found it difficult to refuse." He smiled apologetically as a tall elf proudly strolled out onto the platform and with deliberation went down the few steps until he stood right in front of us. It was Haldir, of course, and I thought I would melt at the sight of his perfect, though incredibly haughty, features. Mary looked similarly affected, and the cheeky elf looked us both straight in the eyes before he even seemed bothered to bestow the king a glance.

"You," said Thranduil, as if that single word could express all he felt at the sight of the Lórien elf. It did. "And how many members of my household have you bedded to this day, March Warden?" He spat out the title, as if he couldn't emphasise enough who was king here.

Haldir appeared not to be impressed, or startled at a question so far from proper protocol, but replied with insufferable indolence. "Not more than yourself, Majesty, or so I would think." He smirked. That could mean anything, of course. Either that he hadn't successfully courted any of the local ellith yet, or elthatthat the king... I refused to continue the thought.

The king took a step towards him, and it must be said to Haldir's advantage that he didn't even flinch. Not that I could see, anyway, or at least not until he had to back off in order to declare, with a sweeping motion of his right arm, that he had an errand. "Majesty, if you are finished threatening me, allow me to inform you that I am here on a mission from my Lord and Lady."

Thranduil looked like he didn't care who had sent him, but appeared to choose diplomacy instead of direct attack. "I will not let the misfortune of your visit cloud this day of homecoming. We will speak of this matter later." Haldir seemed contented with that, and, smiling, withdrew to a place next to Sheraiah.

Suddenly a racket was heard and two identically handsome faces framed by dark locks peeked out from behind the gate.

"Are we too early?" one of them whispered loudly with a questioning glance at Legolas, who replied with a grimace.

"I knew we were," said the other and put an elbow in the first one's side at the same time as he flashed a perfectly innocent smile at us. Both of them stepped forward and bowed elegantly, but before they could introduce themselves, the king spoke.

"So, tell me, are you also here on an 'errand'? On the old Peredhel's bidding, perhaps, or by your own recklessness?"

"Not at all, Majesty," said a wounded-looking Elladan, (or was it Elrohir?), "we were invited by Legolas." "Besides," added his brother, "we were escorting a Lady". Sheraiah seemed to do her best at looking frail and lady-like. It was quite funny, and Thranduil seemed to think so too.

"Just some good guards of a lady's honour," he snorted. "Can I trust you rascals then not to wreak havoc in my home?"

"Of course, Majesty," the twins replied with one voice. The first one bowed again, and his brother continued. "We swear solemnly not to touch anything that is yours," - "or anyone," the other put in, - "at least not as long as you are carrying that sword. We would not dance with it again, could it be avoided."

"I shall make a habit of wearing it, then." The exaggerated but menacing look he sent Elrond's sons made them take a step back. Everybody knew that they were no match for the king of Mirkwood.

Legolas seemed to want to say something again, but before he spoke, he embraced Thranduil once more. "Mae le cened ad, ada," [It is good to see you again, dad] he started, and then said "I brought one more friend, a very good one. Please do not be upset." The king sighed, but replied, "I will love you always, my son, and you know that."

A huffing and puffing was heard, and then a stout body appeared, preceded by a beard that would have made the King Under the Mountain proud. It was a dwarf, and no other than Gimli, who gruffly offered his services while at the same time looking like he wanted to yell; "the elf made me do it!"

Legolas hugged his father closer, and it was a good thing to do, as the king seemed, if possible, more irritated with this guest than with the others.

"Is it not enough," he roared, "that I had to endure the sight of your sire most of yesterday? What have I done to be haunted by his kin here at my own doorstep?"

t b c

For those interested in learning the true identity of our Mystery Guest Author, the Canary, please visit this link ( you will have to paste into browser ) for her identity. The identity of the Mystery Guest Elf (who played the Swan) will be revealed in a later chapter.

"w w w.queencheetah.colinolinor/parlor.htm" (remove quote marks and spaces between 'w's