Finding my way Home

My heart beats for you

There were times that Melora was unsure if she was indeed an elf. She knew she had the ears, and Thranduil and Feren assured her more than once that she was familiar to them, yet while she didn't get as tired as she used to back home, she tended to need more rest than the elves around her. She caught herself dozing off on more than one occasion while riding with Thranduil toward his kingdom in Mirkwood. She would often find herself apologizing to him when she woke as she didn't mean to fall asleep. He would assure her he didn't mind and would keep her safe to get all the rest she needed. Still, she wondered why she seemed to be the only one having an issue staying awake.

The other elves in Thranduil's party continued to view her with disbelief or reverence; she wasn't entirely sure, but no one had tried to speak with her other than Thranduil and Feren. Melora wondered if it was a language barrier or if they genuinely distrusted her like the wizard. On the third day, they stopped resting the horses. She was sitting with her back to a tree, for lack of better words, people-watching while Thranduil spoke to Feren and a couple of other elves. She knew that from where he was standing, he could hear and see her if she needed something, which soothed her. She gathered from conversations that he had while she was by his side he didn't want her to wander too far in case she disappeared again. She was enjoying the sunshine despite the cool afternoon when she was startled by a voice to her left. Melora looked up at the face staring down at her, and she was once again taken by the beauty of the people Thranduil insisted she belonged to. The Elleth had auburn hair, and her eyes were a striking green. Melora blinked as she wasn't sure what the Elleth had said. "I'm sorry," Melora said softly, "I didn't hear what you were saying to me."

"My apologies," The Elleth said, "I ask if you would like me to accompany you to the river while it is too cold this time of year for a bath; perhaps you would enjoy freshening up as we still have a two-day journey until we reach our borders. This is also the last decent water source to freshen up."

"That would be wonderful," Melora said earnestly as she pushed herself onto her knees and stood. "I'm Melora." She stuck her hand out for a handshake, forgetting that most people of Middle Earth did not shake hands, and awkwardly dropped it back to her side.
"I know who you are, Nin rís (My Queen). Y/N, Rís -o i woodland realm (Queen of the woodland realm)."

Melora felt her face heat up but took a deep breath, "May I ask your name?" she questioned, "I wish to know who has offered to be so kind to me."

"Sûlthel," The Elleth answered, "It is an honor to assist you, My Queen."

"Melora is fine," Melora stuttered. If she was honest, it made her uneasy that Sûlthel was referring to her as a Queen or that anyone would. Feren often used it in conversation with her, and she wasn't sure how long it would take her to get used to it. She felt like she was an average run-of-the-mill woman or Elleth.

"I could not," Sûlthel said softly, "I do not wish to dishonor you or your position within our realm."

"Even if I ask you?" Melora questioned.

Sûlthel nodded. Melora bit her lip but figured it was something to do with Elven Etiquette as they seemed proper compared to the village of Laketown where she had been living. Melora glanced at Thranduil's back to see he was still caught up in discussion with Feren and several other elves and asked that Sûlthel lead the way to the river.

Melora followed Sûlthel to the river and smiled when she was handed a cloth and soap bar. The soap had a floral smell, and Melora wondered what it was. She assumed it was a flower that gave the soap its fragrance. She dipped the cloth in the water and shivered a little at the chill but then soaped the rag to clean her face and under her arms. What she wouldn't give to have a proper bath, but the area was open, and if she had to guess, she was sure Sûlthel would not leave her for a moment, even if it were to wash herself properly. "Thank you," Melora told her earnestly when she rinsed out the soap cloth and wrapped it back in the fabric it had been handed to her in.