The 15th Member

13

Seeing as there was no use in fighting I walked with the guards willingly.

I wondered about Bilbo and Gandalf and hoped they were alive and well.

"I will take her from here."

I looked up to see the slightly familiar face of the young leader elf from the Mirkwood.

"King Thranduil ordered us to-"

"To keep them separated." He cut off the guard, "but my father never ordered her into a dungeon cell."

Father?

"Very well Prince Legolas." The two guards released my arms and bowed to their prince.

"This way." Legolas said as he gestured with his hand.

"Yes, Your Highness." I mocked as I curtsied to him.

He turned so quick his military jacket tails swung as he gradually dropped to one knee, "just trying to make your stay more comfortable, Princess."

Heat flooded my face at his rebuttal, and I tried to pay it no mind as I raised my head and walked on. He rose and soon joined me as we continued in silence.

We finally made it down a long corridor and he let me into a large room.

"We will not be disturbed here, these are my private chambers." He said. "I will leave you to fix yourself, the wet room is that way and I will have Tauriel bring you something to wear whilst your garments are cleaned."

"Or you could return my belongings as your father agreed to."

He bowed his head, "then I will retrieve them, I must warn you that you shouldn't try to escape, the gate has been sealed shut and you could very well get lost in my home."

I understood and agreed before he left me in the room. I wasn't in the mood to pry as all of my attention was on Thorin and the rest of the dwarves. What could be happening to them, how far away from them was I, what hope did we have of ever leaving this place. Then my thoughts shifted to my family, I hope my father isn't disappointed when I never return home, or the lady Galadriel.

An errant thought of her promise sprang forward. 'If ever you need me, just call my name and I will send help' ... I shook my head in despair because I knew that even The Lady Galadriel could not help us now. I let my head hang and allowed the tears to flow freely as for just a moment I needed to weep.

"My apologies." Legolas sounded as he turned to leave.

I sniffled and cleared my face from the moisture. "It is alright."

"Clean up" he instructed as he handed me my satchel, "and then we have much to talk about."

. . . . .

"Please, I mean you no harm Princess." He said as he patted his bed for me to sit with him.

It was very inappropriate for a woman and man to be alone without being married, even more so to be so close, but as I didn't have much of a choice I obliged him.

"If what my father says is true, then we are true kin, by blood."

"Did you know her, my mother?"

He smiled a soft smile, "only briefly."

"Please, tell me what you know." I pleaded now.

"Celestine was my father's older sister, from what I can remember she was as radiant and rare as the light of a blue moon. She was kind and fair and extremely beloved by all that crossed paths with her."