The Ties That Bind

Chapter Seven

What was she thinking? What could have possibly possessed her to kiss Thorin?

Eirlys slapped her hand to her forehead as she made her way down the corridor toward the Throne Room. She and Thorin had parted ways at the main entrance, and Arel offered her a long look and knowing smile, which only served to increase her irritation.

"What are you smiling at?"

"I beg your pardon, Your Highness," came his prompt reply. "I hadn't realized I was smiling."

"It wasn't what you think."

"Of course not."

"Arel, it wasn't!"

"I said nothing, Your Highness."

She bit back an exasperated growl and marched ahead of him. There was no way he hadn't seen her kiss Thorin and she could only imagine what would happen, once he gossiped to the others. Everyone would know that despite her bold talk, Princess Eirlys of Mirkwood was canoodling with the King of Erebor.

"Canoodling," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "You are an idiot, Eirlys. You know that, don't you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing, Arel."

She quickened her footsteps and reached the Throne Room well ahead of him. Both her father and the palace seamstress were there, neither of them looking particularly happy to see her, and a hint of guilt swept through her.

"Before either of you yells at me," she said by way of greeting, "know I did not mean to ignore this meet."

"Of course you did," Thranduíl replied, tapping his forefinger lightly on the woven-branch arm of his throne. "You do realize, this wedding will happen, whether you wish it to or not."

"I know. Trust me, I am well aware of that." She glanced over her shoulder at Arel, who still wore his knowing smile. She shot him a scowl, then turned back to her father. "So, I apologize to you, Papa, and to you, Miss Rania. If you've time, we can go over those designs now."

"Of course I have the time, Your Highness." Rania smiled, but Eirlys didn't miss the annoyance in the seamstress's dark eyes. "Shall we go back to your chambers?"

Being fitted for a gown was never one of her favorite things, but she nodded just the same. "Please."

"Enjoy yourselves," Thranduíl called as she and Rania started from the Throne Room. Eirlys made a face at him over her shoulder as she left, and he responded with a knowing smirk.

Eirlys glanced over at the seamstress. "I am sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Rania. I went for a walk and lost track of the time."

"It's of no matter, Your Highness. Allow me to go and fetch my sewing kit and I will meet you in your chambers."

"Of course," Eirlys nodded. "And I am sorry I made you wait. I just needed a bit of time to myself."

"It is of no worry." Rania smiled. "I only hope you take care when you leave the palace. The orcs and spiders grow bolder day by day."

"I'm very careful. No one needs worry about that." She patted the dagger at her hip. "I am not nearly as simple as my father likes to think."

"He thinks nothing of the sort, but you know how fathers are with their daughters."

"Indeed. Legolas has not half of the restrictions that have been placed upon me."

"It isn't the same for men. We both know this. And we might speak of the unfairness of it from dusk til dawn and all that will happen is we will tire ourselves out, whilst nothing else changes."