An Angel As Queen; A Thranduil love story.

Chapter 15

As I near Dale I wrap an illusion around myself. I could land and walk, but I'm too lazy to do that, besides, this is way faster.

I land around the corner of the king's home. But when I try to enter, the guard stops me. "Where do you think you're going, missy?" He asks with a malicious grin. "I need to speak with King Bard." I reply, and without much effort push him away. I stride inside, the doors open into a large hall, with a throne on the far end. On the throne sits Bard, he looks different with chic clothes and a crown upon his head.

A heavy object collides with my head, causing me to fall forwards and hitting the stone floor with my face. I look to the side and see at a rather unflattering angle the guard of before, holding a polished wooden stick. "Oh you little," I mutter and swipe his legs from underneath him, letting him hit the floor in exact the same way I did. I stand up and un-sheath one of my swords, which I then hold against his throat.

"What is this? Who are you?" Bard's voice rings through the hall. "You truly don't remember me?" I reply, and sheath my sword as a sign of goodwill. "You are King Thranduil's lover. We met at dinner that one time." "Was."

"Excuse me?" "I was Thranduils's lover. I left after he insulted me and my mother." I clarify.

"That still doesn't explain why you're here."

"Could we continue this conversation elsewhere?"

"Of course." He stands up and walks to a little door left of the throne.

I follow him. The room behind the door has many shelves with books on them against the wall. In the middle of the room is a table with a three-dimensional map of what looks like Middle-Earth. Bard walks around the table and rests both hands on it.

"Why are you here?" Bard asks again. "Thranduil accused my mother of certain things. I don't believe him and I think Legolas knows the truth. I was hoping you might know where he is."

"I don't know where he is at the moment. But he comes here to buy things every month or so."

"When was the last time he visited?" I ask. Maybe I'll have to wait a day, maybe I have to wait a month. Let's hope for the best. "I think it was twenty-four days ago, but I'd have to ask Tilda, she counts the days between Legolas's visits. He always teaches her how to fight and hunt."

"If it's alright with you, I would like to stay here in Dale whilst I wait for Legolas."

"Of course, you can stay in one of the guest rooms. I'll show you." He opens a wooden door on the right side of the room.

We walk through a series of dimly lit hallways. Bard stops abruptly before one of the many doors we passed. This place is even more complicated than the Woodland Realm, and that's a pretty astonishing feat to accomplish. He opens the door and motions for me to enter. "It's not much, but I hope it's enough." "It's perfect, I'm done with the extravagance and glamour anyways." It's a small room with a bed, a drawer with a candle on it, and a little mirror hanging on the wall. "I'll leave you to get settled. If you need anything give a holler." He walks away and closes the door behind him.

I walk over to the bed and sit on it. I can't resist the urge to bounce a bit on the bed, causing it to make a squeaky sound every time I bounce.

I've almost finished reading Lindir's book when there's a knock on the door. I wonder who that could be, it's not like I have any friends here in Dale. I close the book and walk to the door. I open it, waiting behind the door is someone I did not expect at all.

"Legolas, nice to see you again." I say and then ask myself how long I had been in there. I don't realise I said it out loud, so I'm surprised when he answers, "I was told you arrived yesterday at midday. It is now the morning of two days after. I was also told you needed to speak with me." How did I read for so long? Lindir's book isn't even more than six hundred pages, how slow do I read? I must've fallen asleep a few times.

"I have some questions if you don't mind, about my mother. Your father told me something I find hard to believe."

"Why would I be able to answer questions about your mother?"

I take a deep breath and say it, "Her name was Caelynn." I see the hate fill his expression, but that quickly turns to doubt. "You're not my daughter, are you?" So what Thranduil said is true after all. "No, gosh no. Thank you for answering my question." I say, and close the door in his face.

I pace around in my room. That this is true would explain a lot, but it can't be. I only knew my mother for four years, but during that time she was sweet and loving, not the throne-seeking whore Thranduil made her out to be. She must've been pressured into sleeping with Legolas, that's the only plausible explanation.

I pace a while longer, trying to wrap my mind around things, when my stomach starts making dying whale noises. Right, I haven't eaten in almost two days now, that can't be healthy. I make sure I'm presentable, and step out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I wander around a bit, mainly following my nose and the sound of people. The smell of food leads to a door that's not quite shut, I peak inside and see a kitchen full of food and people. I tentatively open the door just a bit more.

"Come on in dear, sneaking around is of no use." I hear a woman say. I open the door enough for me to step through. I jump when and elderly women appears in front of me with a plate in her hands. "You look too skinny. Here, eat this." She says and hands me the plate. I take the plate and look at it a bit closer, there's some sort of vegetable mix with a kind of meat, I think it's fish, with a fork stuck in it. I thank her and walk back to my room to consume my meal.

I find the right door and open it, careful not to drop my food. I close the door behind me with a kick, and sit down on my bed. I take the fork that was stuck in the fish, but when I want to grab a knife I see that the lovely woman forgot the knife.

Fortunately that isn't really a problem. I lift my foot, grab a dagger I always have hidden in my boot, and start cutting the fish with it.

I eat everything on my plate in less than ten minutes. The meal was pretty nice, especially for a human cook. I could easily start a new life here, I could use my skill and teach children how to defend themselves, especially little girls. But I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of lifestyle. I need the thrill of fighting and the feel of freedom. The adrenaline pumping through my veins when I'm fighting or flying,

Then it occurs to me, I need to return to the dunedain rangers, that's the perfect place for me. I have friends, freedom, and fighting all in one there. I get to see new places while being with people I care about.