Crowned

Chapter Five

Crowned

Erelos didn't leave her chambers for days. Legolas came on the second day, but she just cried. Thranduil himself was in dismay for what had happened, and he couldn't bring himself to talk to her again.

Marculus stood outside her doors, and knocked. There was no answer, but he entered anyways. Erelos was curled up under the covers, snoring softly. Marculus quietly sat beside her and touch her cheek. He pulled her hair away from her face and smelt it. It smelled faintly of pine trees. Erelos turned over and put her head in his lap. She cuddled up against him and cried lightly.

Later, Erelos woke to find herself asleep in bed with Marculus sleeping beside her. She bolted upright, causing Marculus to wake up. "What are you doing?" She looked at him with anger. "You were crying and I came in and you laid on me and then slept." His eyes showed innocence. "Well leave!" He got out of the bed and walked towards the door. "One day, you shall be alone, and there would be no one to blame but yourself." 

Erelos tried to ignore the stares of the elves as she walked the long halls of the castle. Her mouth was dry and her stomach was empty. Luncheon was over, but she hoped she could still have something to eat. 

Thranduil was sitting at a table in the hall, holding a goblet of wine in his hand. An empty bottle sat beside him, and he stared at something in the distance. "Drinking sir?" Erelos sat beside him. He looked at her. His usual flawless face was not at this point. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he showed signs of depression. He wore no crown, and he was under the influence. "E-e-Erelos...you look..unperfect." 

She took the goblet from his hand and took a sip, though it would not quench her thirst. "And you, Sir, are not?"

Thranduil rubbed his temples. "I admit, I have laid awake at night, worrying, thinking. But my conclusion is that perhaps I shall....." He sniffed, and took another sip. His words were slightly slurred. "I shall perhaps call you my daughter. My dear queen, bless her, would have accepted this. Erelos, the choice is yours." He put a hand on her shoulder. And after a week of staying in her chambers, anything sounded good. She threw her arms around him, and cried lightly. "I find that I would be pleased." 

Erelos stood in a field, where clouds were surrounding her. All the elves of her life yelled and threw things at her. She could see Legolas, and Elrond. They told her to leave. She ran from them, getting closer and closer to the cliff where she-

Erelos shot up in bed.

She walked down towards a sort down the corridor from hers. She opened the door quietly and climbed into the bed. "Erelos?" Legolas sat up. "Are you alright?" She nodded, and snuggled against him. "Oh, dear sister."

Sister......that's all she would ever be to him.