It was still dark out when I woke up the next morning. I guessed it to be about two to three hours before dawn since it had been about eleven when I ended my meeting with our contact and I stayed up for about four hours, leaving me with an hour sleep. But I had no worries, that would be enough for me since I was used to not sleeping that much.  

        I quietly got off my stone bed and bent done to the stone floor. I put my ear against it and listen for about a minute. I could hear no sounds traveling, meaning that everyone was most likely still asleep. I got up and looked out of my narrow view through the cells bars and still saw and heard no one. I then took off my cloak while still keeping an eye on the hallway, and then slowly my scarf. I then took off the tunic, belt, semi-armor pieces, and other various articles of the black outfit. Having finished that and placing everything on the bed, I was now left clad in one of my normal outfits. It looked very much like something that would be worn in Mirkwood, making it easier for me should I run into anyone before I planned too.  

      I then arranged what I was once wearing moments before, to look like a person laying down. This was a precaution so that if anyone were to check the cell before I was back, it would look like I was a ghost or spirit, which with the point of view these elves had, would be more than believable. Hopefully, that would not happen, and from what Tauriel had told me, no one was to go near my cell besides herself, the King, and his son. 

      With all this being done, I turned to the slight, but not impossible obstacle in my way... the cell door. Now, the way these cells work is that you don't leave unless the King wants you too. I think it would be safe to assume that Thranduil doesn't want us to leave and roam Mirkwood, not that I'd actually care what he wants or thinks. However with me, there's exceptions. I'm not exactly the 'normal' elleth, and I can do things most people or elves can do. So in my mind, this door would be no problem. Elves are known to be smart, intelligent, and wise, but every wise designer or creator has some mistake, except possibly dwarves, but that's a whole different case. The trick is to find the loop hole or fault in the design, which I had already done with staring at the lock for about two hours. 

       I walked towards the door and then reached up in my hair pulling out what looked to be a hair clip that a woman or elleth would normally use.  But what you don't know unless you're me, is that it's really my ticket out of this place. I put my forearm through the cell door and put the thin, narrow clip into the lock. With one more look around, to make sure no one was coming, I twisted the clip and there was a very quiet click. I smiled slightly, and was very happy to see that opening the lock was as easy as I had figured. 

        I slowly opened the door, and stepped out silently, and closed it with equal silence. Looking around making sure no one was coming, I quickly went down the hallway and towards the cellar. I approached cautiously and was very pleased to find no one was about. Perfect, I thought, Now if everything Tauriel told me was correct, then the staircase over there would lead upstairs to one of the lower floors, and eventually higher and higher up. 

       I walked toward the staircase to my left, and quietly climbed the stairs. I ascended three floors up until I reached the floor I needed to be at. It was about as empty as downstairs was. I walked down the hall and stopped at what I assumed to be the room I seeked. When I opened it, I quickly found out that it was indeed the right one. It was dark but my eyes quickly adjusted and I was able to turn up an oil lamp on a nearby table. 

       The room was filled with different cloths and materials, both rich and neutral, and most importantly, it had a piles of clothing just waiting to be used. I quickly scanned them, and found a dress that would give me the perfect look for an elleth coming from the villiage. I went behind the dressing screen and changed into the dress. When I was finished I looked into the full length mirror nearby. It couldn't have been more perfect if the semtress had made it herself specifically for that purpose. 

        I grabbed my other clothes and turned out the light. I went to the door and peeked out to see if anyone was coming. Although I highly doubted it being the hour that it was, one could never be too careful. Seeing that no one was there, I closed the door behind me and went to another staircase at the end of the hall. I went up one more floor and then opened the third door on the right. It was suppose to be the stationary/ manager room, meaning it had letters to be mailed out and opened. I turned on another lamp, similar to the last one and scanned the room. What then caught my eye would seem very unimportant, but was vital to the purpose I was here. 

       Walking towards the desk, I picked up the book I had been staring at and opened it. I was pleased to see it containted lines of names and addresses. There was however, a slight problem. Although I could read and speak any language, I could not entirely read elvish. I could speak it just fine, but that was about it besides knowing some letters and words. It seems silly for an elf to be able to speak elvish but not read or write it but that was the case. Having been a slave and servant since I was young, my owners could care less if I knew how to write or read anything, let alone elvish. They only cared if I did what I was suppose to do and that was it.  I was only very lucky to be able to learn and write languages, but only because I convinced them that as a bodyguard I could intercept a letter from our possible enemies if we came to war and would be able to read it. But, out of all of my studying, I was unable to learn how to write elvish. I stood there playing with the pages of the book in my hand and staring at the wall, trying to figure out how I was going to find the right address.  

       After doing this for quite a few minutes, I eventually looked down at my hands aimlessly handling the book and saw something that made me stop. I turned the page to see a divider page saying 'Common Speech'. I quickly turned it and saw another page of names and addresses except it was in plain common speech! Now as to why in the world elves would have there address book in two different languages, I had no clue but I really didn't care. All I was focused on was finding the address of the replacement servant. I flipped over to the 'S' section and skimmed over the neatly printed pages. 

        Finally, on one of the last pages, I read with satisfaction: Yrdes, Siliana.... I had found her. I quickly looked at the address and then placed the open book on the desk, copying it on an envelope. I then thought for a moment, before taking a piece of paper and wrote a short letter telling her that she would not be needed for five more days, possibly more, and would be notified as to when she could start her position, as well as apologizing for the inconvience. I blew on the paper to dry the ink, and folded it up, putting it inside the envelope. 

         I put the envelope into my pocket, and turned out the lamp and walked to the door. I quickly checked to make sure it was clear and went down the staircase. I walked across the hallway and down the other staircase that I had used to come up originally. I stopped on the second floor and opened the door to yet another room. It was filled with weapons and armor, and I quickly hid my clothes where they would not be found. If everything worked out as planned, I'd be back for them soon. 

         I then walked out and went down to the cellar, that was just as quiet  as the other floors had been. I then took in my surroundings trying to find the door that lead to outside. I cracked it opened and saw guards at the wall section that went over the river some thirty feet or so away. I slowly opened the door and closed it, my eyes glued to the guards. They seemed to take no notice, so I swiftly walked to the side of the building where I would be out of sight. 

         As I turned the corner, I stepped on a twig making a small cracking sound. I cringed inwardly while quickly dodging behind the corner hoping it would be unnoticed by the elven guards' ears. I moved ever so slightly to try and see out of the corner of my eye if they were coming. But for some reason, they stood exactly where they were before, as if nothing had happened.

          With a few more moments of listening, I made my way down the slight slope hill without a person or guard in sight. Get yourself together Jules, I scolded myself, you don't have the time for mistakes, you only have one chance and one chance only to make this work. I then disappeared in the trees and made my way as quickly and quietly as possibly to the villiage in the valley. When I had left the palace, I had about an hour to an hour and a half to find the house, deliver the message unnoticed, and get back before anyone suspected anything. 

          After what seemed like forever, I finally came upon the villiage. It was harder to get to than I thought, mainly because I had to stay hiddened and couldn't take the normal path like everyone else. It also didn't help I was in this stupid dress but I wouldn't have time to change later. Thankfully, the villiage wasn't quite up yet, and was just beginning to stir. After climbing up a tree to get a better look I was able to see the villiage fairly well. I spotted the bakery momentarily and was able to deduce my direction from there since the house was suppose to be down the street, around the corner, and the third house on the left. 

            I swiftly went through the trees remaining unnoticed and worked my way towards the house. It finally came within sight and I slipped the envelope under the door as quickly as possible before darting back into the trees. The way back was fairly easier since I was able to take the road after losing site of the village. I would make my enterance to the palace like any other normal servant would, but my reason for being there would be much different than the others. 

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Hey Mellons! Sorry for not updating for so long, been busy with school and other things but hopefully that'll change a bit and I'll be able to write more. I hoped you liked the chapter, sorry if it seemed slow but there's a lot of set up to do before the action that's coming, so bear with me a little longer. Hope you guys liked it, let me know what you think.  

      Navaer Mellons, 

                                         ~Jules

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