Living with Death

Chapter 6

Satariel stalked towards the throne room, her red hair swaying from side to side. She reached the throne room, watching Thranduil sip on his wine, but she twisted her face in disgust. What will he do? He has done nothing so far to help Elen, I don’t know why I am even hear.

“Satariel,” Thranduil spoke, noticing her on the steps, “... It’s Elen isn’t it?” She sighed and nodded coming forward, carefully taking out the dead flower from her pocket.

“Yes my lord, i-it’s something new this time.” She opened her hand to reveal the dead flower. “She said she plucked it in full bloom, and when she brought it to me not moments later it was dead.” Thranduil came down from his throne, carefully the dead flower and examining it.

“So it is as I feared.” Thranduil sighed, turning his back to Satariel as he made his way to his throne again, as Satariel followed her.

“What do you mean? King Thranduil what is it that you have feared?” Thranduil turned to her, his eyes soft.

“There is a story... well... more like a prophecy that has been but whispers throughout time.” Satariels breath picked up, keeping next to him as he carefully placed the flower down and lifted his head towards her.

“They say when a child is born around death, the child shall become death...” Satariel’s eyes watered as she backed away from her king, shaking her head. Thranduil tried to to comfort her, saying things like.

“Satariel, I do not know if this is true, it could just be something else entirely, but we shall know for sure when Elrond arrives.” Satariel didn’t listen to him though, she just shook her head and rambled.

“No, no, no! She is not death, she will not fulfil this ridiculous prophecy! This prophecy isn’t real!” Thranduil hurried to her, trying to calm  her, but it wasn’t working. Randur heard his wife’s screaming and quickly came, able to get his arm around his wife.

“She is not a monster!” She screamed again, “she is just a little girl! MY LITTLE GIRL!” Thranduil approached her again, this time he managed to place his arms on her shoulders.

“Lady Satariel, please listen! I do not know if this is true, it could a gift from the Valar, but if it is true...”

“We do what?” Randur gasp, “we kill her? She’s a girl!”

“Of course not!” Thranduil interrupted, shocked that they would think that, “I would not butcher a girl just because of some ridiculous story! I’m just saying, if it is true, we must try and... teach her at an early age to control her power.” The two parents calmed down, but Randur still had his arm wrapped around Satariel’s waist. Thranduil sighed, crossing to his throne he spoke.

“I have contacted Elrond of Rivendell to come and see if it is true, and it we have received word that he has entered our borders, but it doesn’t my guards have not seen him on the roads. I will try to get him hear as soon as possible, in the mean time though, just... keep an eye of Elen, and report everything to me.” The two nodded, bowing and leaving the throne room. Thranduil collapsed in his throne, watching the elves get ready for the feast of starlight. Elen in the meantime tried her hardest to convince her parents to let her out.

“Mama please!” Elen whined, stomping her feet as she followed her mother. Satariel only sighed and looked down at her child.

“Elen you cannot go play with the other elflings today and that’s final. You need to get ready for the feast tonight.” Elen groaned but complied, making her way slowly to where their bath was. She took her bath, putting on her nice white dress before exiting and sat to have her mother do her hair. Satariel braided Elen’s hair, placing the two braids in a nice circle in the back. By the time they all were ready the sun was beginning to set, and they left, making their way to the throne room again where everyone gathered for the feast. Satariel let Elen go, letting her run around with the other elflings. Elen played with the elflings, chasing and being chased around. Though as she ran, and even as they took a break to eat, Elen didn’t eat, she only watched.