The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 4

The blond haired seneschal sniffed at the air indignantly as he trailed a short way behind the riding party. Ahead he could see the dark mane of Mirkwood’s eldest prince leading the party, his wife to be riding at his side while the less important father of the bride rode steadily a few strides behind with his ridiculously few guards. To his side he could feel his dark haired friend glancing nervously around the woods, each sound worth glancing at just in case. There was no taking any chances on this trip. While King Thranduil boasted that his superior boarder patrols limited orc activity within the wood, the elder seneschal knew that the truth was being carefully bent and that orc attacks along the roads less travelled had become more frequent in Mirkwood. It had been Elrond who had sent him on this accursed journey, not that he blamed his lord for sending him. After the last alliance Elrond had tried his best to be the peacekeeper among the races of elves but there was little he could do. This trip was testament to that. As much as the union between Mirkwood’s eldest prince and the young maiden from the realm west of the misty mountains was so obviously for no other reasons but political ones Elrond through good faith had sent them as messengers to over see the supposedly joyous event. It was also quietly spoke to him by the lord, that the trip might provide some useful information regarding the happenings within the wood. Glorfindel was willing to bet that the later reason for him being sent on this trip was much more the true reality than the earlier reason.
Glorfindel watched as the narrow woodland path they had been lead along widened out to reveal the heavily defended walls and gates, which marked the entrance to the woodland King’s home. Glorfindel shivered a little in the breeze and wrapped his cloak tighter around his body. The watchful gazes of the boarder guards glared down at them from above, as they passed through the now open gates into King Thranduil’s cavernous palace. The Mirkwood palace was a far cry from the splendour of Imaldris and Glorfindel inwardly sighed as they were led through the neatly tended trail to the stables.

“What say you Glorfindel that we do not receive a friendly welcome?” Glorfindel smiled darkly at Erestor’s whisper as both elves dismounted from their steeds, the unspoken answer from his friend enough to make Erestor sigh. Looking around them cautiously and on ever-present guard the two elves removed their things from the horses and allowed their horses to be lead away. Hale, the eldest prince motioned for the party to follow him up the steps of the large cave like palace of the Mirkwood King. The doorway into the palace opened up into a large and beautiful entrance hall and Glorfindel smiled across at his friend who was clearly stunned at seeing such beauty in the home of the treacherous king. For Glorfindel it was not a new sight, he had been apart of the last alliance and had already seen the wonders of the king’s home even if the circumstances had been far worse than this.

“You will wait here, my father may not wish to see you yet.” Glorfindel inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement as Hale turned from the house staff rallying around him to address the two Imaldris elves. While Glorfindel smiled mildly at the youngster, internally he ground his teeth with contempt. Hale had treated them with less respect as he would a prisoner since Glorfindel and Erestor joined his party. Erestor had commented frequently to Glorfindel about taking the youngster across his knee and teaching him some manners and Glorfindel couldn’t agree more. Hale was just as haughty and arrogant as his father and was no more agreeable than an orc with a sore head. Erestor twitched his hands at his side, once again restraining himself from snapping at the prince’s curt tone of voice and teaching him a lesson. Glorfindel’s hand upon his shoulder however stayed his tongue and they watched the party they’d ridden with for the past few days disappear into another room leaving them alone except for the watchful gaze of the guards.

“Arrogant little colt, if he was not Thranduil’s son I would take to him with my hand and teach him some manners.” Erestor ground out his whisper through clenched teeth as he turned his attention back to the beauty of the hall in an attempt to calm himself. Glorfindel chuckled at his friend’s anger but said nothing. Erestor had been known for his regulatory discipline of Elrond’s own son’s during his tutoring days and Glorfindel found himself amused at the prospect of the elder tutor taking to Thranduil’s son’s with the cooks wooden spoon as he had done on several occasions to Elrohir and Elladan. Putting his things down on the tiled floor of the entrance hall Glorfindel slowly took a stroll around the outer edges of the room. He was careful to avoid lingering any longer than necessary at the entrances to other rooms, mindful of the armed centuries that watched them pointedly from the front door.

The hall was silent except for his light footfalls and Glorfindel took the time to enjoy the peace while it lasted. Movement from an unseen object behind him however sent Glorfindel spinning around to face the large winding staircase at the back of the hall. He had passed it only moments before and had seen nothing but red woven carpet and an elaborately carved banister, nothing out of the ordinary. Now however as he focused on the movement he spied the timid face of a young elf, looking down at him from behind the balcony railing above him. Glorfindel hardly had time to seek the identity of the youngster before the elf above him scampered hastily away from view having been discovered.

“Who was that?” Glorfindel shook his head unknowingly as he turned his attention back to his friend. Erestor had only just caught the flash of golden hair of someone as they ran from view. “Was it this illusive third son of Thranduil’s maybe?” Erestor chuckled, amused by the thought of one Thranduil’s son’s running from anything. Erestor’s laughter trailed off however as he realised that Glorfindel hadn’t found the comment very amusing and watched in confusion as his friend sighed heavily and shrugged his shoulders.

“No Erestor, Hale and his younger brother Talion are dark like their mother was. I imagine Thranduil’s illusive youngest son will share that trait with his older brothers although I have not yet met the elf in question. It was probably just a curious servant.” Erestor shrugged his shoulders idly. His friend knew much more about Thranduil and his family than he did although gossip around Imaldris had it that Thranduil’s youngest son, was so ugly that only a few were ever allowed to meet him. The sound of a determined walk approaching them sent both elder elves back into their regal stance as they turned to face their company. It was the haughty young prince Hale again and both Erestor and Glorfindel grimaced in contempt.

“A message has been sent to my father to announce your arrival, you will sit in the great hall and have refreshments with us until he joins us.” Not waiting for a reply from either of the elves in front of him Hale turned and began walking back into the hall from which he’d just come. Erestor rolled his eyes and sighed as he picked up his baggage and followed Glorfindel into the great hall. Why Elrond had even sent him on this journey had baffled him and while he’d enjoyed being away from the paperwork in Imaldris, Erestor could think of better ways to spend a break away from duty. This was going to be a long season.

TBC....................