[Thenamir]

Micanar tried quickly to sort out the acted fear from the real fear he felt deep inside himself. The great elf king had shaken him, but he fought to compose the "real" Micanar and feign fear, and even indignance. It was several moment before he could trust himself to speak. When he did, he decided the promised rewards were so great that he would try one last time, to fall back to the backup story.

"M-m-my L-Lord," he stammered, the nevousness in his voice now very real, " see now that none can deceive you. I am a servant in the house of the Queen of Dorwinion. So famous and lush are the plants of your realm, O king, she desired me and my companions, rough as they are, to recover some of the foliage of Greenwood the Great for planting and decorating in her palaces and courtyards. She would consider it a great boon, my lord, if you would grant us safe passage to the place marked on the map, where she expects there could be found a particular..."

Micanar trailed off. The eyes of the king, the eyes...they pierced deep into Micanar, until continuing became a weariness, even a pain to his mind. Not only that, but with his well-honed skill in reading people, he could see that Thranduil was not only not buying the story, but a rising anger was filling even this noramlly even-tempered elf. Only the rank and dignity of his position kept that anger in check.

Micanar began again, in a hushed tone of defeat and deference. "My lord king, you are right. I fear my master indeed, but he is far away, and you are here. I will tell you what I know, but I beg your mercy, and your protection from him, if there is any protection to be had."

Thanduil relaxed slightly. "Tell us what you know, faithfully, and we will consider your case."

Micanar sighed deeply. Now that he was free of his oath, his heart seemed to be lighter, as though a burden was lifted from him. "My lord king, the man who hired me to cross your kingdom said that there was a stream whose enchanted waters can cause the most wary to sleep deeply and long at its touch. My master promised much gold if I could obtain a barrel of this water, and return with it to...Dol Guldur, on the southren borders of Greenwood. I have betrayed your kindom, lord. I rest on your wisdom in judgement, and your mercy..."