𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf

❝︎CHAPTER NINE❞︎

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 palace of the Woodland realm made a feeling of nostalgia flood through her veins. She hadn't been here in a while and nothing changed. Ellaria glanced around the palace, Tauriel walking at her side. It was breathtaking. She came to a stop, watching with a frown as the dwarves were all placed in cells. She turned to Legolas who had come to a stop at her side.

"Are you not going to imprison me as well?" Ellaria asked.

Instantly, he looked at her. "Why would I?"

Ellaria frowned. "They were not the only ones trespassing on your lands."

"Surely you do not believe I would imprison you for coming to pay me a visit." Legolas said, eyes focused on the interaction between Tauriel and Kili. Ellaria opened her mouth to respond only to stop when Tauriel walked up to them. "Why does the Dwarf stare at you, Tauriel?"

Tauriel's eyes widened for a moment before she replied, "Who can say?" She paused, her head tilting slightly to the side. "He's quite tall for a Dwarf. Do you not think?"

Legolas followed her with his eyes as she started to walk past him. "Taller than some. . . but no less ugly." His attention turned back towards Ellaria, grasping her by the elbow and pulling her along. "He'll want to see you."

"He will not be happy with me." Ellaria argued, letting him lead her. They approached Thranduil's throne, Thorin already standing before the King.

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand." Thranduil began. "A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon." He held his hands behind his back, a cruel look to his eyes. "I myself suspect a more prosaic motive. Attempted burglary. Or something of that ilk." He moved his face closer to Thorin's. "You have found a way in. You seek that which bestow upon you the right to rule." He took a few steps backwards, keeping his gaze focused on the Dwarf. "The King's Jewel: the arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure. I understand that."

A sly smile pulled on the King's lips. "There are gems in the mountain I, too, desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help." He bowed his head slightly and Ellaria was taken by surprise. She stood beside Legolas, watching the entire exchange with nerves eating away at her.

An amused smile began to curl on Thorin's lips. "I am listening."

"I will let you go if you but return what is mine."

Thorin turned his back on Thranduil taking a few steps forwards. "A favor for a favor."

"You have my word. One King to another."

Thorin stops, a dark look crossing his face. "I would not trust Thranduil. . . the great King. . . to honor his word. . . should the end of all days be upon us!" He quickly turned, pointing to Thranduil with anger. "You, who lack all honor! I have seen how you treat your friends. We came to you once, starving, homeless, seeking your help. But you turned your back! You turned away from the suffering of my people. . . and the inferno that destroyed us." He shouted in Elvish and Thranduil had enough.