Emerge the Dragonborn | The Hobbit

Chapter 8 - The Young Prince

As Legolas led Anaynah through the winding corridors of the palace, the soft glow of Elven lanterns casting ethereal patterns on the walls, a tense silence hung between them. The grandeur of the palace was undeniable, but its beauty was overshadowed by the weight of the political tension that permeated the air.

After a few moments of uneasy silence, Legolas cleared his throat, breaking the stillness.

"I must apologise for the hostility you encountered when we first met," he began, his voice carrying a hint of sincerity. "It was not my intention to greet you with suspicion. Had I known of your background, I would not have treated you as such."

Anaynah glanced at him, surprised by his unexpected admission.

"And I must apologise as well," she replied, her tone softening. "I was not exactly courteous. However, I was driven by fear and a desire to protect those I care about.' The conversation seemed to be civil, maybe Anaynah was too quick to judge this Prince.
"Your homeland is quite impressive," Anaynah ventured, attempting to bridge the gap. "The beauty of the Woodland Realm is renowned in tales told across Middle-earth."

Legolas offered a brief nod, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"It is a testament to the enduring legacy of our people," he conceded. "Though I must admit, your tales of Rivendell are equally captivating," he paused, contemplating what to say, "you were adopted by the Lord Elrond?"

"Yes. My birth parents perished in an Orc raid, their town was associated with Rivendell. Elrond found me and raised me in the Elven way before welcoming me into his family. I am forever grateful for that." She offered a small smile.

A fleeting moment of camaraderie passed between them, the shared appreciation for their respective cultures offering a brief respite from the tension.

However, the fragile truce was short-lived, "Will you allow me to see my Company? They do not deserve to be locked up."

"I cannot. Their quest to reclaim Erebor is nothing short of folly. It seems they are led more by greed than wisdom."

Anaynah's eyes narrowed, a defiant spark igniting within her.

"You may question their methods," she shot back, "but you cannot deny their resilience or their determination to reclaim what is rightfully theirs."

Legolas raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips, "Resilience, you say? It appears their resilience led them straight into captivity."

The jab stung, and Anaynah's patience waned.

"Captivity does not define them," she countered, her voice tinged with irritation. "They are warriors, bound by a sense of duty and honour, qualities you would do well to respect."

"Ah, honour. A noble sentiment, but one that often leads to downfall when paired with stubbornness."

Anaynah scoffed, the atmosphere giving way to renewed tension.

"Stubbornness can be a virtue when faced with injustice," she retorted. "Perhaps if you spent less time in the safety of your palace and more time understanding the world beyond, you would see that."

As they approached the door to Anaynah's chambers, the tension between them had reached a boiling point, the playful banter now tinged with genuine animosity. Legolas paused, turning to face her, his eyes cold and challenging.

"Perhaps it is your own stubbornness that blinds you to the reality of their situation," he sneered. "Your blind loyalty may prove to be your undoing."

Anaynah's eyes flashed with anger, her voice sharp as she retorted.