The King's Gem

Chapter 5 - Trackers

1 day later

Your POV

TA March 18th, 2941

You have spent the night hiding from the forest guard. The King must have sent them to retrieve you. There are highly skilled trackers but you are better. You know how to not get caught. You managed to stop by the Forest River and clean up. You made sure that you steered clear of the Enchanted River for you didn't want to fall asleep and have spiders implant their eggs in your chest.

You walked alongside Morarquen and fed him a few apples. He seemed glum. "What na- ha? Miss cín mellons?" (What is it? Miss your friends?) He looked up to you but didn't answer and only put his head back down.

"Oh darth-...Cin ceri- ú- gar- anui!" (Oh, wait...You don't have any!) At this Morarquen neighed and gave you an angered look. Well as well as a horse could.

"Okaui, okaui! I do ú- foeg ha. But cin gar- na admit, mín ceri- ú-..." (Okay, okay! But you have to admit, we don't...) You both seemed happier at your realization. "Mín are ui- a naeg in i ass." (We both are a pain in the ass.) You could sense humility in your friend and you pet his back as you strode through the forest.

You finally came to a clearing. Odd. You don't remember it being here. You came to a stopping point and pulled out an apple for Morarquen and let him munch on the delicious grass. You then pulled out salves and bandages and looked at your wounds. They were less angry than before, your gashes were healing quickly though the pain was not going away.

Your thigh was clear of an orc poison though it was dark and jagged at the edges, a gross sight. You applied the Athelas and then went for the big one. Your abdomen. You untied your tight bandage that had spots of blood. You had to hold your breath. There was still a gaping hole in your body. you tried not to look at it. At least it was healing faster than usual. Ugh. You added new and clean bandages around your stomach.

You decided to give your wound a name; Mordor. It reminded you of a black land so it was fitting. You laid your head to rest as nightfall took over. A few more days and you would be out of Mirkwood....forever.

3rd Person POV

The Elvenking's Halls

Thranduil had sent his troops out almost a day ago and he was growing more and more impatient. He sat perched upon his throne awaiting the arrival of the night trackers. He knew that if Daevina did not want to be found then she wouldn't. She was his best guard and his best tracker. She was the best at most things. Her friendship wasn't the only thing that he lost.

He artfully crossed his legs and tried to portray his cool façade. That of an angry and icy Elvenking. He has made far too many slips in his composure the last day. He wanted to save whatever dignity he had left.

Legolas has set out after his friend mere moments after their altercation. His son's words rang over and over in his head. Why has she left his midst? Before he could dwell any more he heard footsteps approaching the throne. He looked up to see that it was one of his advisors. Lord Filron.

"Lord Filron, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Thranduil said with a mock tone that which this lord did not know. He loathed this ellyn. Though Lord Filron was the highest of the oldest house in Mirkwood and the entire Woodland realm for that matter, his tendencies seemed to be a little- calculating.

"Your Grace, I have come to discuss the events of next week. As you remember you had put me in charge of planning your Oronnad. For which I am most grateful." Though his words were true Thranduil couldn't help but hear the insincerity behind them. On the contrary, he had almost forgotten about his Oronnad.  He was soon to be 6,624 years of age. He wasn't fond of birthdays but it was something both Legolas and Daevina had loved and he was more thank willing to oblige with this single wish for Daevina's birthday was only a few days after.