It was past dawn when Mistril went for a walk in the halls, trying to avoid Thranduil as much as she could because if they'd meet then she'd have to talk to him. If she were to stay in her room, Gweluven would come and ask questions and then report everything to his king. If she were to go out, Tudor and Maerdor and the rest would crowd for answers about the Balrog slayer. There was also Legolas, to whom Mistril felt rather guilty. She wanted to leave with Glorfindel and yet there was a part of her that knew she would miss Greenwood.
Wandering the halls, she ended up in front of the stairs down to the prison. She never went there but it seemed like that was the only place she could hide in for a while. Step after step, it got colder and as she opened one cell and sat in, she realized it felt familiar. It was not traumatizing and it wasn't bringing up any memories but that might have been because she was focusing on the king.
Ever since Mistril became part of Greenwood, Thranduil did nothing but send her on long errands and have her inform him wherever she was going, with whom, establish many reasons why she needed to do this or that and eventually bicker on those reasons. She chuckled as she remembered how he reacted when he found out that she begun working at Miluinir's father at the forging shop.
"What have I told you, Mistril?" the king asked, already tired of the discussion. Only seeing her face made him tired and he couldn't get over the fact that she seemed to defy him for her own amusement. "You do what I order you to. Afternoons should have been spent with Dorondir as of last week."
"I went with him to protect a few men that came with provisions. Nothing happened on the way here so I went and met Gaerben (Miluinir's father) at his store. I watched him and it seems I am quite handy." she smiled after complimenting herself. "And anyway, I do everything you order me so I might as well enjoy myself in my free time."
"Should I take that free time away then?" he asked glaring at her even though it wasn't as imposing as before.
"No," but her answers were still not containing that respectful word that he wanted to hear, in his position as king. "But as long as I do my chores and I do them well, I'd like to have control over what my hobbies could be. Besides, it's Miluinir's father which means you will still get a report from him on what I did that day."
Mistril was an adult that knew how to sweet talk people into agreeing with her and yet Thranduil was so stubborn.
She laughed as she leaned back and enjoyed the silence until someone else made a bit of noise. Interesting enough, it was Faervel. He was a ball of glum no matter how much Hinnorbes explained that he was actually a gentle and thoughtful elf. He might have been for all Mistril knew but she never saw anyone disobeying Faervel, not even Legolas who was the prince.
"What are you doing down here?" he asked looking down at her sitting figure.
"Taking important decisions."
"Daughter of Valdaglerion," He started sounding impressed which was an improvement compared to how monotone he was usually. "Who would have imagined you come from the Fallen City."
"I'm sorry I caused you trouble with the documents." she said, thinking that she might as well apologize if she were to leave. "I'm sorry for any type of trouble you had to go through and I'm also thankful. Maerdor told me later on that it was you who assured the king I am fit to be on guard duty."
Faervel didn't deny nor agree. It was always a mystery what he was thinking about.
"You fight well. I sent you to Dol Guldur because I knew nothing will happen." he said as he took one step closer. "I read your reports but I only gave Tudor's forward to the king. He is aware of what happens around his kingdom but he doesn't know everything the orcs mentioned in their conversations." he admitted making Mistril suddenly get on her feet.
"There is a shadow that's brooding over the fortress and it's drawing them all to it." she said growing serious.
Faervel seemed to have come with expectations of what the two will talk about; if she was careful enough she might have noticed that his posture was more relaxed than on many occasions they had met.
"I know. Glorfindel said the same thing and yet nobody but you and I know what truly happened."
"Why? I saw a cloaked figure that seemed to envelop me in a thick veil of some strange power. It hissed at me." she said approaching him cautiously. But Faervel didn't move an inch, instead he leaned against the cell door.
"That's not what I'm talking about. It's the fight you had with the orcs. The king must never know what they told you or peace will be threatened inside the kingdom and suspicion will arise."
"You won't have to worry. I'll leave soon for Rivendell." she said her eyes glinting with the same type of distant and controlled emotion as Faervel's. "Glorfindel came for the same reason, didn't he? He was sent to check if the rumors are true."
"Lord Elrond is a wise elf. He will know how to manage you." it almost sounded like he cared enough to mention she could be safe there.
"Did you know we would meet orcs on the way back?"
"Or on the way to it," Faervel said bluntly. "I sent my best archer with you just in case."
"What did he write in his report?" She asked suddenly growing curious what Tudor avoided to mention.
"Darkness drawing you to it. Orcish. You’re not getting any brighter. But that doesn't matter as long as he is gone." he emphasized, his tone rising a bit in power.
"And if he returns?"
"Let's hope he won't. For both our safeties," He said as he turned around and left, although he did not go up into the halls but deeper down into the prison.
At least somebody's sincere, she thought, feeling like she has been both threatened and advised by the same person.
And then Mistril found herself in front of Thranduil's room. He was inside for sure, or he was on his mighty stage of stone, sipping on his precious wine. But it was quite late for a drink even for him.
Preparing herself mentally, she knocked twice. A clear yet tired voice allowed her to enter and Mistril gaped at the sight. He was dressed only in a tunic that reached his knees and still it was a very interesting sight. Looking up at his face, his crown was missing and his hair was slightly pulled up. He was getting ready to sleep or maybe for a bath but whatever that was, it seemed like he was glowing in her eyes.
Mistril could feel her heart beat again, so fast and loud that she hoped Thranduil couldn't hear it. She swallowed nervously and took a step forward. It was such a difference between king Thranduil and the elf Thranduil that it always took Mistril aback.
"What is so important that you had to come to my room for?" He asked in the usual sassy manner.
"Um- well, I wanted to report my activities for the day and some that will happen in the future..." It sounded a lot like a child's banter rather than a serious adult.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow curiously. Her eyes were wandering all over yet not on him. It was intriguing how she could act so nonchalant whenever she wanted something, talking to the king as if he was her friend and then whenever they'd meet in the halls or outside in the forest, she'd blabber like an elfling. Although he had watched her closely for the past years, she never gave a glimpse of her true self until recently.
"Well? What's so important that it cannot wait until morning?" He asked sounding more and more annoyed even if he wasn't.
"I entered the fortress, as you know already. Someone was there, someone in a dark cloak that I believe was expecting the orcs." She started hoping Tudor's report involved that detail, "I haven't had any memories disturbing me granted to Hinnorbes and her mixture. I have gone to Gaebern's store several times even after you ordered me not to and I have been going around the kingdom doing everything that you told me not to. I won't apologize, though." Again she finished without adding any type of word of respect for the king.
"And? Did you come here to get yourself punished for your lack of proper behavior?" Thranduil was losing his patience although it was rather amusing seeing her act so unguarded.
"I'm sure Glorfindel's stories did not change your perspective over me so I want to inform you that he asked me to follow him to Rivendell." she said, having this little grain of expectancy. For what exactly, it was hard to say. Maybe understanding or maybe finally sincerity from the doubtful Elvenking.
"And what makes you believe he hasn't told me already?" he asked not moved at all by her confession. The truth was that he didn't know but he could see it in Glorfindel's attitude during their personal meetings.
"He promised he will let me tell you first. He listens to me, unlike others." she said, realizing she might have crossed the line a bit. But Thranduil didn't sketch a single expression. "It seems Lord Elrond would gladly accept me for who I am." She said particularly emphasizing what she knew would piss Thranduil off. "I'm just glad I could prove to you that I treasure Legolas just as much as you do."
"What will you tell him then? That you'll leave him as soon as someone from your past appeared?"
"Legolas is not a child anymore. He will understand."
For a moment she saw real raw emotion in his eyes. He was regretting what he said before and yet he couldn't help but still doubt her.
On the days that followed, the rumor that Mistril will leave was spread throughout the kingdom. Legolas got mad for approximately two days before he understood family was important and Glorfindel was like a brother to her. Miluinir stood by her side at all costs and the king let her do whatever she wanted without repercussions. On the day that Mistril left Greenwood, it rained. However, many wood elves came to say their farewell including Gweluven whose feelings were mixed.
"Are you sure it is better to leave? What if there is a higher reason for you to be here?" the healer asked looking at her with skepticism.
"If the Valar plans for me to return, then I will. For now, it's best for me to leave." she answered, finding it impossible to hide her smile. It wasn't often that Gweluven showed his acceptance of her and seeing just how deep was his interest for her fate made her feel like she truly lived happily for a while.
Faervel did not say a word but it felt more like a friend rather than a commander. Hinnorbes and Miluinir walked up to her and the elleth handed her a few phials containing what Mistril hoped was the mixture that seemed to calm her down and let her sleep. Legolas hugged her tightly and walked with Tudor and Maerdor up to the end of the elven path still not ready to let his companion go.
"We'll meet again." she assured him, "I'm sure you'll become a greater ruler than any of us had seen. Don't lose your purity, Legolas." She said softly, almost tearing up at her own words while looking into his grey eyes.
"We'll meet again one day and you may not even recognize me then." He said his voice on the edge of crying.
"Farewell prince of Greenwood." She said waving at the three skilful wood elves.
"Will she be alright? Even the king seemed uncertain of this sudden change of heart that she had." Maerdor started on their way back to the palace. Legolas sighed for the sixth time in ten minutes but didn't utter a word. "She's a great fighter, it's such a pity she chose to use her sword for Glorfindel."
"She didn't choose to fight for him but to go and experience something new. Just like you and your constant desire to fight, she probably needed a reason to go out in the world. Lord Elrond will give her more freedom than our king would allow." Tudor answered, far too serious compared to his usual loose personality. Then, realizing that he might have said something too provocative while the prince was so gloomy, he added, "King Thranduil couldn't keep her happy here. My prince you will meet her again and you will see that your father was wise in his decision."
"He wanted her gone anyway." Legolas mumbled grumpily, "He believed she was evil and that she would have only drawn darkness to us."
"Only time will tell," Tudor concluded the discussion, placing a comforting hand on Legolas' back.
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