The woman rose in a sitting position and breathed heavily, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked around but could not recognize the room. She could hear a lot of murmurs outside as well as heavy steps before the door opened and in came an elf. It took a moment for him to enlighten the room and realize that his dead patient was now looking at him in a standing position.
“Oh my! You’re awake! Lord Gweluven, come quickly!” he exclaimed, sticking his head out the door before more feet approached. Two more elves entered, a woman with brown hair and brown eyes dressed in a long blue robe and a man so tall that it took the patient aback, especially because he had silver hair which she hadn’t seen in a long time.
The elf with silver hair was just as surprised. He hurried to her side and gaped at the colour in her cheeks.
“I’m sorry but we believed you dead.” He apologized although he seemed very pleased to see her awake. “The prince will be happy. It seems he was correct.”
Seeing her now, she looked a lot more like an elf. Her dark red hair was an amazing contrast to her green eyes; it looked just like the way the sun glazes over the forest at twilight.
“Where am I?” she asked in a hoarse voice. It felt like she did nothing but scream before she woke up.
“This is Greenwood the Great. You’re in the Halls of King Thranduil. The prince found you stabbed by a poisoned arrow.” The brown haired elleth explained, all the time staring into her eyes.
The patient looked down at her hands before she looked at the healers. They were all watching her patiently, waiting for something or another. Taking her time adjusting to her new surroundings, she took care to memorize their faces: the elleth was short yet very elegant, with a long swan neck and eyes the color of chocolate; next was the elf that entered first who seemed to be in constant awestruck, his short dark hair spiked up in a very humane style. And there was the healer in charge: he was tall and clean and smelled nice. Standing next to him made her feel safe.
“Is there something wrong?” the spiky haired one asked once he saw her eyes sparkling.
“It is odd indeed. I cannot remember, no matter how much I try, just what was that happened to me.” She answered looking confused at the elves.
“A poisoned arrow means you met goblins or orcs. Maybe you were traveling when you met them. It is a miracle you are alive. You were outside in the forest for a while until you were found.” He answered taking a step closer.
The woman took a peek at her wound but found that bandages hid nothing. Her side looked as if nothing happened, confusing even the healers. The silver haired healer looked up at her and noticed how dirty she really was.
“You should bathe and dress in clean clothes. Miluinir will bring you one shortly.” As he said that the spiky haired elf left the room.
Waiting took very little because the elf had run and came back with a simple green dress, one that matched her eyes. Taking the piece of clothing from him, she couldn’t help but look into his grey eyes and ask.
“What is this place?”
“Gweluven will answer all your questions.” Miluinir said with a smile before he turned to the elleth and both retreated out of the room, leaving the two by themselves.
The healer smiled softly, making him look so much older than before. He obviously did not have the constitution of a warrior –he was too slender and soft- but that was especially why she felt so comfortable with him.
“Gweluven is my name, my lady. I am the eldest healer in Greenwood. And what is your name if I may ask?”
It took a moment and to be sincere, she couldn’t remember her name even if it was there, on the tip of her tongue. Gweluven understood she could barely walk so maybe it was not surprising that she couldn’t remember who she was and where she came from.
“My name,” she mumbled to herself, confused. “I know it but there is so much noise…” She knew it and yet her mind was a mess. She flinched as the many voices inside her head started to talk at once but when that was over, her eyes rose to his. “Mistril,” she said.
“Do you remember anything else?” Gweluven asked watching her carefully.
“No...” She admitted finding no reason to lie to this person.
Gweluven nodded and decided that was a good start. It seemed if she had more time to reflect there were details about herself that could unconsciously come around. He smiled kindly and led her to a room made of stone. In the center of it was a basin where a small waterfall was pouring from somewhere very high. The water was not cold but not hot either and the healer also gave her something in a bottle that smelled of roses.
He left swiftly afterwards. Mistril undressed and got in the basin, a smile widening on her face at the clean touch of the water. She spent a few minutes just relaxing before she actually started to clean herself. Her skin was fair as if the years haven’t touched her one bit. While she was cleaning her hair, her eyes were closed so she couldn’t notice how something else was coming off except dirt.
Once she was done she dressed and spun around, amusing herself to the feeling of it. Turning towards the basin, she looked at her reflection and frowned. She touched her cheek with one hand and her hair with the other. Her dark red hair was now an orange color. Without thinking, she reached for her leather belt and grabbed a small knife out of it. She cut her long locks until the tip of her hair could barely touch her collarbone.
“I see you are ready.” Gweluven said from the archway towards the halls. He couldn’t help but gasp at how she looked now compared to just a few minutes ago. “The king wants to see you.”
It felt like Mistril was being led to her death sentence because every elf that had the opportunity was staring at her. She only had to meet the king, bow and explain what she could but the attention she was receiving, although it was from afar, it was unnerving.
“My king,” Gweluven announced their arrival, walking up on a platform high above where there was nothing but columns and a throne that seemed to have sight over the halls.
King Thranduil was sitting on his throne, one leg over the other and his cold blue eyes seemed to watch her every move.
“And who might you be?” he asked.
“Mistril, my lord,” she answered, knowing she had to act in proper manner in order not to return to the wilderness.
“And why were you found in my land, wounded by goblins nonetheless?” he continued, his tone polite yet there was a tinge of animosity.
“I’m not sure myself. I can’t seem to remember anything but my name.”
Thranduil’s eyes widened for a moment before they fell into a glare.
“You tell me you cannot recall anything from before you woke up here? Especially your fight with those foul creatures?” she nodded which made him angrier, “And why would I believe you?”
“I do not mean any harm. I’m just-“she stopped when she realized whatever she was about to say was not going to change the king’s perspective.
It took the Elvenking a few more minutes to be sure she was not a threat. Thranduil trotted down the path from his throne and circled her staring at her with interest and suspicion. Her eyes were like stone, he could not understand what she was thinking about.
“How did I get here?” she asked curiously.
“My son took pity on you and brought you here.” The king answered, not once faltering from his suspicion.
“And where is he now? I’d like to express my gratitude to him.”
“You will meet soon enough. Until then, you will be shown to your room and you will have a guard at your side at all times. I trust Gweluven will make all the needed arrangements.”
It was quite clear he was incredibly paranoid and overprotective so Mistril nodded and kept her opinions to herself. Gweluven bowed to his king and with a subtle touch of her elbow, they retreated down the stairs, leaving a thoughtful elf behind.
“What is the name of the prince?” Mistril asked when she was sure they walked a good while from the ears of the king.
“Legolas.” The healer responded with a soft smile. “The young prince will be of age soon. There is going to be a banquet tomorrow night in his name. There are songs written about him and his adventures in the woods. He seems to love nature and the feeling is mutual.”
“I wish I could remember how that felt,” she started, making the healer turn to her with a confused expression, “Nature doesn't like me much, you see. It hid me from everyone until the prince finally stumbled upon me."
“If that was true, you wouldn’t be here. The trees led him to you."
ns 15.158.61.51da2
