The Ties That Bind

Chapter Ten

The doors to Mirkwood's Throne Room were closed as Eirlys and Madris approached them and Eirlys was fairly certain she'd never heard the kind of silence that infiltrated the palace corridors. It was an odd silence, for she heard the click of her heels on the stone and wood floor, the soft swish of her skirts, and she even heard a softer-still swish of her tulle veil against her shoulders.

What she didn't hear, though, was the sounds of her fellow elves, of the too-numerous-to-count guests—both important and ordinary—who were no doubt seated just beyond those closed doors, awaiting her arrival. She knew there were too many to count, as she'd seen the literal stacks of heavy, creamy envelopes to be sent out several weeks earlier. She wasn't certain, but thought it quite possible everyone in all of Middle Earth had been invited to see the wedding of Princess Eirlys of Mirkwood and King Thorin II of Erebor.

Her stomach hurt.

Who knew butterflies could have such powerful wings?

Her blood roared through her temples, her mouth drier with each step. Her heart sped up, and beat with such force, she glanced sideways at Madris to see if she heard it as well. If she did, however, Madris gave no indication. Instead, she smiled as they reached the doors.

"Are you ready, Your Highness?"

"I'm not so certain I'll ever be ready," Eirlys managed to whisper, her throat so dry, it hurt when she swallowed.

"Your Highness, may I be frank with you?"

That made Eirlys smile. "If I say no, will it stop you?"

Her maid smiled back, shaking her head. "No."

"Go on."

"You've no need to be nervous. He seems a good and decent man, even if he is a dwarf, and I think you should focus instead on how you will be permitted to kiss him as often as you wish and whenever you wish. And you will even be allowed to enjoy doing so."

"Madris!" Eirlys couldn't hold back her laughter, the flowers in her bouquet rustling as she gave into it. "That's terrible."

"It is not at all terrible." Madris' expression grew serious and she reached out to curve her hands against Eirlys' bare shoulders, her palms warm and comforting. "And you need not be afraid, either. In time, I think you will both be very happy."

"I hope so."

"You will be."

"Madris, you don't know that."

"No," she stepped back, shaking her head, "I don't know that for certain. But I feel it. Now, go. I will see you later, to ready you for bed."

Eirlys swallowed hard, but nodded just the same. "Of course."

"You will be fine."

"I have no choice."

Madris leaned in and lightly kissed her on the cheek. "He's waiting for you."

Drawing in a deep breath, Eirlys nodded and stepped back. "I know."

Madris offered up a maternal smile and a wink and then she was gone, leaving Eirlys there alone, staring at the closed doors.

"Ahh... there you are." Thranduíl swept toward them, regal and elegant in his finery of gold and green, his usual crown of branches replaced by one of gold and adorned with topaz and emerald and garnets that all sparkled in the brilliant sunlight that spilled down through the canopy high over their heads.

"You say that as if you thought I wouldn't be,"she replied with a smile.

"You are quite resourceful when faced with something you might not want to do."