Loving a Prince

My Identity is Known

The elf that touched me was gripping my arm tightly as they led us to Mirkwood.

The elf still had a bloody nose from when I punched him and I was happy about that.

I knew Bilbo was missing and I knew he was following us.

The elves treated me as if I was no longer a threat because they found out I was a girl. I'd like to keep it that way.

We were soon in front of a looming castle made of trees.

The elves led us to the throne room where the elven King, Thranduil will wait.

Once we made it to the Throne room the elves lined the company up. We all looked up at Thranduil who was descending from his throne down the stairs.

"Seems strange for dwarves to trespass through elven land?" He said.

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains." Balin said.

"Oh are you? Then it seems strange for Thorin Oakenshield to be traveling with you," Thranduil states eyeing Thorin suspiciously.

"I wish to seek kin from the Blue Mountains!" Thorin growls at him.

Thranduil goes quiet as he walks along the line to look at us. I kept my head down the whole time and I was at the end of the row.

Thranduil passed me and then turned around to look at me.

"I know that cloak. It is the cloak of the Lone Rider himself. Only it isn't a him it's a her." he said to no one in particular.

With two fingers he lifted up my chin.

"Tell me, are you really the Lone Rider?" He asked me with amusement in his eyes.

"I am," I said slowly and quietly.

The elf looks like he doesn't believe me and looks to the blonde that's the prince.

"Is this true?" He asks the blonde.

"It seems she is, Ada," he said with surprise in his voice as he looks at me.

"Give her a sword!" Thranduil announces.

So I was pushed forward into the middle of the floor. One of the guards came up to me and handed me his sword. The dwarves were backed up to give some room.

"Legolas?" Thranduil motioned for the blonde to come and fight me.

When he got there I watched him draw his blade.

"I can't fight without my sword," I said quietly but loud enough to be heard.

"You can fight with that one!" Thranduil growled.

I simply nodded my head no and he sighed clearly mad at me.

"Give her the stupid sword!" Thranduil said.

The elf that touched me drew my sword out of its case and threw it to me.

It landed at my feet so I bent down to pick it up.

"This sword is not stupid!" I growled lowly.

"Well it's just a sword to me!" Thranduil growled at me.

I stood up and faced Legolas. I was trying to decide on my tactics with him. I mean he was almost twice as tall as me!

"Fight!" Thranduil growled.

The elf was fast and a good fighter overall. He stepped at me and I side stepped. He took a swipe at me but I blocked it with my sword.

He met my eyes and I smiled. I finally found someone almost as good as me. Almost.

We both stepped back with me still smiling.

"You have good blows I see!" I commented, "And very quick!" I added.

"And you have good shielding!" He replies back with a smile.

"Continue!" His father shouts.

I got ready again and watched him. He and I circled around until I went in.

I swiped and then ducked knowing he would take the side step. And then take a swing again. He backed up so he was out of reach.

I then realized very quickly that I was in an open position.

I did a backhand spring aiming my foot to kick his sword. When I did the back hand spring I could hear my sword hitting the stone ground.

When I looked up to see if I kicked his sword out of his hand I realized I did.

I ran at him. There was no way I could reach the sword before I did being he's a giant. The sword fell and Legolas was about to catch it.

In a split second we were both pointing are swords at each other's throats.

I slowly put my sword down as he did and handed him my sword.

The dwarves erupted into a roar of cheering only to be silenced.

I step back and bow to him.

"You were a very worthy match," I say saying every single would in gratitude.

"And so were you Lone Rider," he said as I came up also bowing.

"Enough!" Thranduil erupts.

Everyone is uncomfortably silent as Thranduil speaks.

"Take them to the dungeons, but leave Oakenshield and miss Lone Rider!" He announces.

As they were led away I looked to Kili. He was fighting against the elves trying to get to me.

'Go' I mouthed and give him a small smile. He slowly stops struggling and gives up.

I turn around to see Legolas looking sadly at me because he saw the scene. I avoid his eye contact and look at the ground. He then walks around me to follow the dwarves.

I look up to see Thorin standing by my side with a guard off to the side of us. Thranduil walks slowly up to us.

"Where were you going?" He growls at Thorin.

"We are going to the Blue Mountains like I said before!" Thorin roars.

"I know you are going to the Lonely Mountain," Thorin was about to interrupt him but Thranduil held up a hand that made Thorin close his mouth, "I am offering you a deal.

"I am listening," Thorin says after thinking it through.

"A king to another. I offer you my help in exchange for some white gems that are in the mountain. Not just any gems but the gems of starlight." He reasoned.

I honestly would take the offer I mean it's not a lot to give them.

Thorin turned around and walked to the edge of the platform we were on.

"A favor for a favor, I see," He pauses before he gets to the edge, "I will not trust Thranduil. The great king to honor his word! Should the days be done upon us! You lack all honor!" He roars at Thranduil whipping around and approaching Thranduil.

"I've 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 spat each word out like he has been waiting to say those words.

"Do not speak to me off dragon fire!" Thranduil said in a dangerously low voice. he got up in Thorin's face and looked really mad.

"I know it's wrath and ruin!" He says to Thorin.

He then steps back from Thorin and his face starts to painfully distort.

I grimaced in the sight of the half burnt face of Thranduil's.

He then says painfully, "I have faced the great serpents of the north! I warned your grandfather of what greed would summon! But he would not listen. You are just like him." He said distastefully.

Thorin grunted and walked to my side again.

Thrandui's gaze wandered to me.

My heart was pounding.

My turn.