[LúthienTinúviel]

When Tinuiel and Legolas had reached the Hall, they had parted. Legolas went to speak with his father about the trespassers, while Tinuiel wandered over to a window in the Hall. She knew that the prisoners would be brought before Thranduil, and she wanted to watch the interrogation. Studying people was a hobby of hers. She was so used to sitting alone and outside the action, that her skills of perception were sharpened to a point as sharp as the arrows of the young elf maid, Anarya. As she waited, she gazed out of the window at dusk falling over Mirkwood. Mirkwood, she thought. I remember when you were fair and bright. Great Green Wood you were called, and all marvelled at your beauty. What ill fate had fallen upon you. First Sauron's malice festers and casts darkness upon you, and now strange men tramp though you with no care for your leaves or boughs or streams. Tinuiel sighed and sunk into a reverie.

She was started from her dream by the voice of the guard announcing the prisoners. She watched as the foreigners lined up one by one before the throne of the King. Tinuiel moved to the other side of the room so she could see their faces more clearly. She gazed at them intently as they were questioned, each briefly one by one. One in particular caught her attention: a man called Micanar. He seemed different to her somehow. Not physically, but his demeanor was just perceptably different. It was his eyes. She thought she saw a gleam of confidence and pride, which didn't fit at all with the man's outward demeanor. She stared at him hard as her passed her on his way back to the dungeon. Their eyes met for a split second, and in that second Tinuiel realized that the man was laughing at her, at Thranduil, at them all.

After the prisoners left, Tinuiel rushed over to Legolas. He was standing beside his father, but he moved away to talk to her.

"What is it, Tinuiel?" he asked. "You look worried."

"It's that man, Micanar," said Tinuiel. "Warn Thranduil about him. There is something not right with him. He is not telling us the truth."

"My father is a wise king, Tinuiel. He can judge for himself."

Tinuiel lowered her gaze. "You--you're right. Your pardon, Prince." Tinuiel bowed and hurried from the chamber, inwardly cursing herself for being so forward with the Prince. Legolas stared after her, and shook his head. He liked Tinuiel, but sometimes she behaved so strangely.

[ March 28, 2002: Message edited by: LúthienTinúviel ]