Encounters with the Elven King

Dancing Quartet

Dancing Quartet

"The King will be overseeing the training himself!" Isilmë's melodic voice almost sang the words. "It is the highest of honors bestowed upon my family's name." It was true, King Thranduil would be teaching Isilmë how to properly manipulate old healing spells. To say that this news stirred a low buzzing commotion within the palace halls was placing it lightly.

The King had come across her latent talent as she sacrificed herself in healing her poisoned sister. Isilmë could have easily lost her own light had it not been for Thranduil. It was admirable of her to use old healing techniques, and impressive that she could tap into such roots, but foolhardy. She had never healed before; and warriors only knew the basics of first aid if a situation was ever dire.

"Forgive me, Isilmë." Tauriel spun her dagger in hand. "I am not as joyous with this news. He is taking one of my best." The Silvan jested with the raven haired elleth next to her as they sparred in the training grounds. There was only a pang of truth to her words.

"Come now, Tauriel," spoke the Prince of Mirkwood as he oversaw their training. He noticed Tauriel lose her footing when she unsheathed her second dagger; an opportunity Isilmë took as she slammed the pommel of her blade into Tauriel's hand. "My father is not so black of heart." A smile was on his face. This was truly a dance of blades. Both elleth circled each other, both in training and good humor.

"I know... He views the Woodland Realm as his top priority. I just pray he does not burden Isilmë with such as well." Tauriel maneuvered her lithe body out of Isilmë's attack, turning to come back down with her dagger.

"Legolas is right, Tauriel." The raven haired elleth swept her blade up, blocking Tauriel's attack. "Regardless, it has not been made certain if I am to be relocated indefinitely and leave The Guard. And if I am to be 'burdened' with such," Isilmë spun her blade, hooking Tauriel's in a vice before disarming her. She pointed the thin blade the the Silvan's throat and smiled with accomplishment as Tauriel held her hands up in defeat. "It will gladly be by choice. These will be brethren I shall be helping. I do not mind helping the King if it came down to such."

A slow clap emerged from Legolas towards the victor as he pushed himself from his seating position and into the ring with Isilmë. "Spoken like an elleth of the high court, Isilmë. Ada will be pleased to have you as a pupil." He smiled as he unsheathed and swung both of his daggers. "And I know I will see and hear much of you and your songs now." He joked. "I shall look forward to it then. Maybe even my father will open to your confidence and charm."

Isilmë heaved a couple of breaths to get her heart back under control. She was now to train with Legolas as Tauriel left the ring, taking the Prince's previous spot. "Oh doubtful. I've already made a fool of myself once... or twice. Even then, you must be quite blind, my friend. There is no charm in what you see here. Perhaps I shall ask the King if we can rectify your sight." Isilmë smirked at the playful jab she threw at him. She easily readied herself for his quick blows that soon followed.

Tauriel eyed them carefully with a smile on her lips. "Do not doubt your own beauty. You are of Noldorin decent with unusually rare eyes." She spoke this referring to herself and her 'lowly' class, as it had once been announced to her. It was something she kept well hidden and had never spoke about, but Isilmë could always pick the subtle hints that something about the topic disturbed her.

"Noldorin, Vanyarin, Telerin, Silvan. We are all eledhrim." Isilmë danced with Legolas, weaving in and out of his attacks until he blocked and flipped her over. "I do not doubt, but would rather remain unseen. My ancestry does not make me noble."

Tauriel smiled at her friend. Always making it seem as if class didn't matter with how rough she was. "But it does!" Tauriel laughed as Isilmë barely escaped the Prince's advances. "How is it you beat me each time we spar? Are you allowing him to win?"

Isilmë took her eyes off Legolas long enough to wink at the redhead. "He is the Prince!" She mocked. "I cannot defeat him. What will our people think?" Isilmë feigned horror at the thought.

The smile that seemed to currently be permanently etched onto the Prince's face only grew. "You hurt my feelings, dear Isilmë."

"Do not fret, my friend." His sparing partner was quick to answer. "Your skill with a bow will forever outmatch any I have seen within the Woodland Realm."

"Ha! Of that I have no doubt." Legolas smirked as he almost cornered Isilmë. He was backing her up against a wall as he displayed a quick flurry of thrusts and swipes. Currently, she couldn't do much but block his attacks.

Her muscles were burning as exhaustion was soon claiming her body. With a final up-sweep of her blade, she managed to make him stagger backwards. The contact of the three blades sparked to life. Soon after, she fell onto her rump with a huff and dropped her blade. Legolas and Tauriel laughed at her display as she sat back and joined them.

"Oh, Isilmë! Your face." Legolas' eyes were quick to see the angry red across her cheek as blood trickled down. He knelt down close to her to inspect it.

Isilmë stopped laughing long enough to touch it. She shook her head and shrugged. "Tis nothing," she tried to assure him.

"Such carelessness," a new voice broke the trio as the King mused to himself and walked over. Tauriel bowed quickly as Legolas nodded his greeting.

Isilmë was stuck on the floor, she didn't even have a chance to move before Thranduil took her chin in hand to inspect the damage himself. "It- It is really nothing, my King." Isilmë tried to reason through her nervousness. With this new proximity, she could easily see the different gray and blue shades his eyes held. How angular and sharp his features were. How pale and beautiful his complexion was. She swallowed roughly as he then looked into her own chartreuse eyes.

"Perhaps it is best your teachings start today. I would hate for such a fair creature to scar." His voice remained low and analytic even though he complimented her

The trio remained silent as Thranduil helped Isilmë stand and then proceed to lead her -by the arm- out of the training ring. She looked back once more before they were all dismissed and she was taken to a room she'd never seen before.

Legolas looked at Tauriel with a smile before they laughed. Oh. What had Isilmë gotten herself into?