The Gift

The Gift Part 7

--Have you need of me Natulcien? Mithrandir is near you, I can also send Haldir to you if needed.--

Galadriel! Natulcien recognized the voice instantly and felt her love and concern through their mental link.

--We are in Mirkwood...it is a long story but if I have need I will call to you.-- she broke the communication off abruptly.

Natulcien could still reach out to family if she had need. The earth rolled beneath them and Natulcien realized her emotions were still high and she knelt to one knee to pay homage to the earth uncaring of what others thought. If they sought to keep her they would find her a very dangerous captive. As the earth settled she rose slowly to her feet while keeping her angry gaze upon Tauriel she spoke to her men in far speak. --Are you well? What is going on there? If possible you need to get out of the healing houses and head for Esgaroth, Terel and I will join you there, but lay low....I fear trouble is afoot.--

"Well Captain, where is your King?" Her voice seething with cold rage she asked Tauriel while still watching the four guards blocking her path. "Perhaps he is preparing the dungeon for me as well."

She laid her hand upon the hilt of Dreamweaver, the stone glittering, matching the glow of those in her crown briefly illuminating her shadowed face. And those unusual eyes filled with distrust and a wild anger before dimming and leaving them in shadow.

Tauriel stared hard at Natulcien, feeling the full force of her rage. "I can only repeat that you must await his arrival. You made a choice to come here. I cannot make the King appear, you must simply wait for him. Rooms are already prepared for you as I sent word ahead while we were waiting on you at the healers. If you wish I can have you escorted to them." She waited to see what the decision was. Tauriel was fully aware that Thranduil might take hours before he deigned to make an appearance.

Natulcien gritted her teeth struggling to rein in her anger for it seemed insult after insult was being heaped upon them. All they had done was offer aid and for this they were not even allowed time to freshen up. It felt as if they were captives, and now they were told it may be longer yet, and they were to wait in the rooms being offered. "Nay we will wait here." she said. Afterall she needed this interview to be done quickly. There were still bodies to he checked and wine needed as a gift. Apparently they had no idea how stubborn she could be. Nor did she intend to be tricked by these "rooms".

"As you wish," Tauriel replied, baffled by the attitude of their guest.

Thranduil had received the reports sent to him. He was aware of who had decided to enter his realm. The first report had not offered up a name, just minor details. But it had included information concerning the sigil that the party bore. One that was not often seen about anymore, but it had provided some information.

He scowled as he paced his room. It was rare for any to seek him out and he had chosen to stay out of the affairs of others for a variety of reasons. News traveled to him, but he made no effort to stay in contact with the other elves. Visitors to Mirkwood itself were rare for most were keenly aware of his desire to separate himself from the rest of Middle Earth.

Once he had learned the identity of his travelers, he was even more suspicious. What did they want now? His biggest source of irritation was the length of time it was taking them to arrive at his halls. He knew they had injured amongst them, but the healing houses could more than adequately attend to that. There was little they could not do given the troubles Mirkwood had faced over the years. So why were they here?

The reports had steadily come in as it appeared this princess was actually tending to the wounded. While that explained the lengthy delay, it was, in his opinion, more of a time wasting tactic than anything. It gave him even more cause to be suspicious of the true reason behind this unannounced visit.

He continued to await her arrival, contemplating what he knew of her. He was fully aware of her history, which made this visit even more suspect. Were the other elves going to try to get him involved in their affairs again? Did they think by sending one sullied by orcs would make him favor her pleas? He had many dealings with orcs in the past - none pleasant, but then one never had a pleasant encounter with orcs.